On Saturday, December 24, 2005, the Senior Choir, under the direction of Carol Loshigian, sang the Christmas Eve Vigil and Candlelight Service along with some Junior Choir members.  Congregants also joined in singing traditional Christmas carols with the choir.  The songs were combined with prayers and Bible readings by the youth of our church.  The service ended at midnight with "Merry Christmas" greetings.

On Thursday, January 5, 2006, approximately 16     members of the Junior Choir sang the Armenian Christmas Eve Badarak (Jrakalouyts) under the direction of Shoushan Saraydarian, preceded by the reading of scriptures by the HMADS students.  On Friday, January 6, 2006, The Feast of the Theophany and Nativity of our Lord (Dznoont), the Senior and some members of the Junior Choir sang the Badarak, under the direction of Mary Selvinazian.  Church was packed!  Service was ended with a procession to the church auditorium for the traditional home blessing ceremony, followed by breakfast prepared and served by the Women's Guild.  On Sunday, January 8, 2006, following the Divine Liturgy, the Commemoration of the Baptism of our Lord took place.  A student of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School, Arman Ghazarian, became the Godfather of the Cross during the Blessing of Water service (Churornek).  We congratulate Arman and his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Hrair Ghazarian for this honor.

Members of the Gomidas Choir directed by Kris Kalfayan sang the Badarak on Sunday, January 15, 2006. As Fr. Vahan has always expressed, we appreciate their singing at Holy Martyrs once a month.  Our choir, along with the Gomidas Choir, requested a karasoonk for our departed former choir leader, Dr. Dikran Tahtaburunian, and jointly held a fellowship that day in his memory.  We thank those members of the both choirs who prepared and brought delicacies to make a huge fellowship table.

Two choir rehearsals are scheduled for Sunday, February 19 & 26 in preparation for Lent, which will begin on Monday, February 27.  Please remember that on Sundays during Lent, morning service will begin at 9 am, followed by Arevakal Service at 9:30 and then Badarak.  This directive comes from our Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.  The Choir will have its annual general membership meeting on Monday, February 6, at which time elections will be held for the Executive Board and Nominating committee.  Results will be announced later.