PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, 91214
Tel: 818-248-7737/8
Fax: 818-248-7745
E-mail: info@westernprelacy.org
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On the 91st Anniversary of the Genocide

THE PRELATE PRESIDES OVER CEREMONIES AND
PARTICIPATES IN MEETINGS

On the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Clergy of
the three denominations of the Armenian Church, along with the Consul
General of the Republic of Armenia, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa,
representatives of Armenian political, benevolent and cultural
organizations, public officials, Prelacy Executive Council members, and
thousands of people commemorated the Genocide with requiem services, Holy
Mass, and public gatherings.

Holy Mass in Glendale’s St. Mary’s Church

In the morning of Monday, April 24, 2006, a special requiem service took
place at Montebello’s Genocide Monument with the participation of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate, Very Rev. Fr. Andon Saroian of the Armenian Catholic Church, Rev.
Joe Matossian of the Armenian Evangelical Church, and members of clergy.
Among the attendees were Honorable Gagik Giragossian, Consul General of the
Republic of Armenia, A.R.F. Bureau representative Dr. Viken Hovsepian, and
representatives of the Armenian political organizations.
Following requiem, Holy Mass took place at Glendale’s St. Mary’s
Church under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
with the participation of clergy from the three Armenian denominations.
During the Mass, remarks were made by Rev. Joe Matossian and Very Rev. Fr.
Andon Saroian.
Remarks were then made by Archbishop Mardirossian, who stressed
that the Armenian people, as faithful Christians, remain firm in their
demands and with God’s Will continue on their path towards victory.
At the conclusion of Holy Mass, guests and parishioners joined the
procession of clergy and choir members to the khachkar dedicated to the
memories of our martyrs, where requiem service was conducted.
The service ended with the singing of `Giligia’ and the national
anthem of Armenia `Mer Hayrenik’.

Public Gathering at Montebello’s Genocide Monument

In the afternoon of Saturday, April 23, 2006, a political meeting took place
at the Genocide Monument in Montebello with the participation of the three
Armenian denominations, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a representative of
Califorina Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger, Armenia’s Consul General Gagik
Giragossian, and representatives of various Armenian organizations.
The gathering, organized by the Genocide Recognition Joint
Committee, began at 4:30 p.m. under the auspices of Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Very Rev. Fr. Andon Saroian, and
Rev. Joe Matossian. Also participating in the gathering was Recep Zarakolu,
member of a human rights group in Turkey.
The emcee of the event was Senator Jackie Speier. Remarks were
made by Mayor Villairagos, Governor Schwarzenneger’s representative,
Congressmen Adam Schiff and Jack Scott, City Council member Eric Garcetti,
and others. Mr. Recep Zarakolu also made remarks.
Following the official program, requiem services took place.

Glendale City Council Commemorates Genocide

On Sunday, April 23, at 2:00 p.m. Glendale City Council
commemorated the Genocide at Alex Theatre in Glendale. Representing the
Prelate was Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, who was joined by Rev. Gomidas
Torossian of Glendale’s St. Mary’s Church.
Opening remarks were made by Glendale City Council member Rafi
Manoukian, followed with remarks by Mayor Dave Weaver, Council member Ara
Najarian, and Congressman Adam Schiff.
During the event, Michael Hagopian’s documentary on the Armenian
Genocide was shown. At the conclusion of the program, students of the
Vartan and Siranoush Kevorkian Dance School performed dances fitting the
solemn occasion.