Saint Gregory Church Congratulates Newly Elected Prelate

    Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Pastor, and the Board of Trustees, in a letter dated October 6, 2018, officially congratulated our newly elected Prelate, His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, who was elected to the episcopal throne of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America on September 8 of this year.
    Writing in both Armenian and English, Der Stephan conveyed the congratulations, best wishes and full support of the Board of Trustees, the General Membership of the church and of the leadership of community organizations.
     We have reprinted the congratulatory letter below along with His Grace's kind-hearted response, dated October 25th.

Translation of Bishop Anoushavan's letter:
        [The Rev. Stephan Baljian
        Pastor of Saint Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church
        North Andover

Dear Der Hayr,
      With this letter, I would like to convey my deepest thanks for the congratulatory letter and best wishes sent by you and the Board of Trustees, on the occasion of my election as Prelate of the Eastern United States.
      I firmly believe that the words of our Seminary Anthem, which we both learned at the desks of our beloved [Antelias] Seminary, "Heart to heart and hand in hand, the elevated cross our burden avowed, let us move forward, Brothers...," not only shaped our young spirits, but also as a constantly renewable, compelling force in our arena of sacred service, they enjoin us and strengthen us to bear our burden in sweetness, in honor of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia, and for the glory of God.
     May the Almighty God bedeck us with his wisdom, to lead and to cultivate the flock with which we have been entrusted.
      With warmest greetings of fatherly love,

Prayerfully,
+Bishop Anoushavan, Prelate
Eastern United States]