His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate of Western United States
Tel: 818-248-7737
Fax: 818-248-7745
Prelacy@aol.com

Prelate’s Easter Message

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST IS OUR LIFE-GIVING SOURCE

“And you Lord, by meeting with the Apostles granted them your
life-giving greeting and sent them off to save the world.”

(Hymn)

On these first days of Spring, together with the flowering and
renewal of nature once again we proclaim the glorious Resurrection of
our Lord Jesus Christ and renew the message of our spiritual and
national rebirth.

Describing the Resurrection of Christ according to the gospels, the
hymn-writer tells us about the oil-bearing women who went to the tomb
on the third day following the burial of Christ, they discovered that
the tomb stone had been moved and heard the angel say,

“Christ is risen and conquered death”

(Hymn)

The Lord revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene and the women
accompanying her and to the Apostles. Whoever the Lord met, was
blessed with renewed life.

“And you Lord, by meeting with the Apostles granted them
your life-giving greeting and sent them off to save the world.”

(Hymn)

***

It is the undeniable truth that the arch of the Gospel rests upon two
major pillars: the Death of Christ and the Resurrection.

The Apostle Paul describes this truth with these words:

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,
how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. And
that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according
to the Scriptures.” (1st Corinthians, 15:3-4)

By entering through the arch of the Resurrection, the
Apostles became the fearless preachers of the new religion and they
spread their testimony for the salvation of the World. They
witnessed that the Resurrected Lord “was delivered for our offences,
and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:25)

Uplifted by the apparition of the angels and renewed by the Lord’s
life-giving greetings, they proclaimed the Resurrection of the
Savior, who lighted up the lives of all those who believed in His
Holy Resurrection and followed his teachings, knowing that death was
defeated, that there was life after death, and the promise of
salvation.

***

Centuries ago, with the faith based on the reality of the
Resurrection, our forefathers accepted the Resurrected Christ,
received His life-giving greetings and put forth their efforts for
the salvation of our nation. Since the first century, the same
life-giving greetings were received by the King Apkar and our first
martyr St. Santoukhd, followed by St. Gregory the Illuminator and St.
Mesrob Mashdotz, St. Vartanantz and numerous other saints, martyrs,
and heroes who became worthy of the promise of the crown of
righteousness.

Indeed the year 2005, is a significant year for our nation nourished
by the breath of the Resurrection, as we will commemorate:

· The 1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian
alphabet;

· The 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide;

· The 75th anniversary of the Great House of Cilicia Seminary

His Holiness Aram I, with encyclicals, invited all of us
to consider these three historic anniversaries.

Will the 1600th anniversary of the discovery of the Armenian
Alphabet, along with the heritage left to us by St. Mesrob Mashdots
and the Holy Translators, help us renew our spiritual and national
path to lead our lives according to the faith of our forefathers?

With the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, how will we
remember the â~@~Armenian Golgothaâ~@~] of our Martyrs, and as the
children of a resurrected nation stand up for justice honor their
memory and demand for compensation for shedding their innocent blood?

And will the 75th anniversary of the Seminary, which in our Prelacy
will be celebrated during the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram
I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, in October, in California,
serve to mobilize our parents and new generation to brace themselves
with the faith of the Resurrection.

***

Let all of us be renewed by the message of the Holy Resurrection and
be inspired by the glory of the 1600th anniversary of the discovery
of the Armenian alphabet, to lead our lives with faith and
commitment.

As we commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by
remembering our Martyrs who witnessed the path of the cross and the
â~@~Armenian Golgothaâ~@~] at Der Zor, let us renew our pledge to
walk the path of truth and justice with the spirit of the
Resurrection.

With the hope of being worthy of the life-giving greetings of our
Resurrected Savior and with the desire of splendoring our spiritual,
church and national lives, let us actively support our churches,
schools and seminary, so that the new generations will receive a
wholesome education and ensure our nation’s future.

***

On the occasion of Christ’s Glorious Resurrection, we convey our love
and blessings to our Prelacy clergy, representative assembly,
executive council, all who serve within our parishes, our schools,
organizations and our faithful people.

It is our prayer that we continue to serve to enliven our people with
renewed faith and spiritual joy, warmed by the Resurrection and our
Savior’s life-bearing spirit, and exclaim:

“Christ is risen from the dead.

Blessed be the Resurrection of Christ.”

Prayerfully,

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian

Prelate, Western United States

Easter, 2005

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