The liturgy at the church on Sunday, August 30, was presided over by Sahak Maşalyan, Patriarch of the Armenians of Turkey. The service was conducted by Archpriest Harutyun Damadyan, with hymns performed by the Nersesyan Choir under the direction of Artun Tekiroğlu. Reverend John Willy and Father Nareg Değirmenciyan were also present.
Members of the local community attended the service, during which Patriarch Maşalyan delivered the sermon. In his sermon, Patriarch Maşalyan emphasized the importance of never giving up on doing good. Congratulating the choir on its anniversary, he noted that the Nersesyan Choir was founded alongside the church 169 years ago and was revived 44 years ago by the late Patriarch Mesrob Mutafyan, who was serving as a priest at the time.
Patriarch Maşalyan also recalled that he himself had been one of the choir’s founding members and had served as one of its chairmen. He added that the tradition has continued under the leadership of Archpriest Damadyan.
Following the liturgy, a communal fellowship meal was held in the church hall, where the 169th anniversary of the Nersesyan Choir was celebrated.
