January 23, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
DURING THE SERVICE IN MEMORY OF HRANT DINK IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO
SILENCE JUSTICE DECLARED THE PRELATE
The assassination of "Agos" weekly editor Hrant Dink on Friday,
January 19th, shook Armenian communities worldwide, including the
larger family of our Prelacy. Over the weekend, various events were
organized in memory of Hrant Dink, including vigils, requiem service,
and community gatherings.
On Friday, January 19th, on behalf of the Prelacy Religious and
Executive Councils,
H.E. Archbishop Mousegh Mardirossian, Prelate, sent a letter of
condolence to His Beatitude Archbishop Mesrob Mutafian, Patriarch
of Istanbul, expressing sympathy to Hrant Dink’s family and to the
Armenian community of Istanbul.
The Prelate also spoke to Mr. Simon Ajilajoglu, Chair of the
Organization of Istanbul Armenians of Los Angeles, and offered his
condolences for this tragic loss.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, on Friday at 5:30 p.m., a vigil and
candle lighting took place at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena, at which
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and Rev. Nareg Pehlivanian represented
the Prelate. The Los Angeles Times reported on the event. In addition
to the vigil, on Sunday, January 21st, requiem service took place in
all Prelacy churches for the soul of Hrant Dink
On Sunday, January 21st, Archbishop Mardirossian presided over Holy
Mass and delivered his sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. In
attendance were representatives of the Prelacy Executive Council,
A.R.F. Central Committee, local Rosdom Gomideh, Organization
of Istanbul Armenians, and other organizations. In his sermon,
the Prelate spoke on John 3:19-21, which states, "And this is the
judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every
one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light,
lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true comes
to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been
wrought in God." With regards to this passage, the Prelate spoke of
the fact that throughout history there has been constant competition
and confrontation between those who follow the Light and those
who follow Darkness, which still continues today. Dark forces have
always tried to silence the voices of justice and righteousness and
extinguish the Light, however, Light and righteousness will be the
final victors. In speaking of the assassination of Hrant Dink, the
Prelate stated that although it was carried out by one extremist,
it is clear that intolerance towards the Armenian people and denial
of the Genocide was the cause of the attack. "Hrant Dink was the
voice of justice, and even though they tried to silence him with
this ruthless crime, justice cannot be silenced because the voice of
Hrant Dink will continue to resonate through each and every Armenian",
stated the Prelate, and on this solemn occasion once again expressed
his condolences and that of our Prelacy to Hrant Dink’s family and
to the Organization of Istanbul Armenians.
On the evening of Sunday, January 21st, the Prelate, accompanied by
members of clergy, attended a community-wide mourning and condemnation
that took place at the "Armenak Der Bedrossian" hall of St. Mary’s
Church in Glendale, and participated in the closing prayer.
Let us also note that on the morning of Saturday, January 20, Very
Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Rev. Nareg Pehlivanian attended a press
conference organized by the Armenian National Committee in front of
the Turkish consulate.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
