Ararat Home Residents Receive Christmas Blessings

On Friday, January 2, 2026, the Diocesan Primate H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, accompanied by Diocesan clergy of the Los Angeles area paid a pastoral visit to Ararat Home in Mission Hills, California.

The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Zaven Markosyan, Pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Santa Clarita. After performing the traditional blessing of the water service in the chapel’s sanctuary, the clergy distributed Holy Communion to the faithful, residents and staff of Ararat Home.

In the skilled nursing facility, the clergy greeted the residents with the traditional Nativity Greeting Christ is Born and Revealed, Blessed is the Revelation of Christ.

In his remarks, Archbishop Derderian expressed his wholehearted gratitude to the administrative and nursing staff for their compassionate care of the elderly residents which exemplifies their Christian spirit and reveals their enduring affection for service. In turn, Mr. Derik Ghookasian, Chief Operating Officer of Ararat Home thanked the Primate and Diocesan clergy for their pastoral care, spiritual guidance and encouraging presence which uplifts the residents and staff alike.

The residents received Holy Communion from the clergy and posed for a group picture.