Repose of Souls Service in Memory of Louise Manoogian Simone
31.03.2019
On March 31, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, attended the Divine Liturgy offered in the St. Gayane Monastery. The Celebrant was Rev. Fr. Thadeus Zirekiants, member of the Brotherhood of the Mother See.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a Repose of Souls Service was conducted on the occasion of the 40th day of the death of Louise Manoogian Simone, the great national benefactor of the Armenian Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and Chairman of the Armenian General Benevolent Union.
Before the service, His Holiness Karekin II addressed his remarks to the attendees. He stated in part:
“Dear faithful,
With a prayerful spirit and sadness in our hearts we have united here on the occasion of the 40th day of the death of the great national benefactor Louise Manoogian Simone.
The fifth Sunday of Great Lent is called the Sunday of the Judge, which brings the exhortation to testify the Christian faith through prayer and godly deeds.
Her death is a great loss for our Holy Church and people. During the last 40 years of our nation's and Church's history, both in difficult times and in cheerful moments, through her philanthropic activity, the late Louise Manoogian Simone has repeatedly added prosperity to our national-ecclesiastical life. Under her presidency, the mission of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) was newly enriched in the Diaspora. Luise Manoogian Simon was a person of strength and power which was combined with sober and steady mind and a gentle and kind heart.
Our hearts should continue bearing the good memory of our dear daughter. At such moments the words are not enough to dispel the sadness that has caused death. We are comforted that God gave our nation a worthy daughter like Louise Manoogian Simone, who lived and created and managed to leave an immortal memory of her rich merits of works and added light to the life of the Armenian people. The children of the nation will bow in front of her memory as a gratitude for her unselfish love and devotion towards the nation, Motherland and the Church.
We offer a prayer for the soul of Louise Manoogian Simone and may the Almighty God grant comfort to her children, grandchildren, brother and relatives. “But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery: And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace. And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality (Wisdom 1:4)”.
Incense, prayer and blessings to the memory of Louise Manoogian Simone.
The Service was attended by members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, Benefactors of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Mr. Vasken Yakubian, AGBU Armenian President and AGBU members.
The clergymen and faithful prayed for the peace and tranquility of the soul of the late Louise Manoogian Simone.
