February 16, 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: prelacy@aol.com
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CLERGY CONFERENCE OF THE PRELACIES
OF NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA
February 12-14, 2007
Each year on the occasion of the Feast of St. Ghevont, which is
also a celebration of clergy, it has become a tradition for our Prelacies to
organize a clergy conference. Moreover, every two years the three Prelacies
of North America and Canada come together to hold a joint clergy conference
with the participation of the Prelates and clergy members of the three
Prelacies. This year, the Western Prelacy hosted the three-day joint clergy
conference from February 12-14, 2007, under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of
the Eastern U.S.A., and H.E. Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada.
The main topic of discussion was challenges facing the Armenian Church and
Clergy in the Western world in the 21st century.
The conference, with the theme "The Zeal of Clergy", convened on
the afternoon of Monday, February 12th, at the "Ghazarian" Hall adjacent to
Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County, with the reading of the letter of
blessing of H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and His
message to the participants on this occasion. Following welcoming remarks by
the host parish pastor and board of trustees representative, the three
Prelates offered their remarks and encouragement to the participants.
The meeting began with Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian being
elected as Chair of the divan and Rev. Nareg Terterian as Secretary. Over
the three day period, pastoral and spiritual concerns were discussed, as
well as issues relating to Christian Education. Among the items on the
agenda also was the discussion of topics raised at the Youth Gathering with
Aram Vehapar which took place from December 1-3, 2006. Alongside meetings,
morning and evening church services were also offered during the conference.
On Monday evening, the eve of the Feast of St. Ghevont, Holy Mass was
conducted at Forty Martyrs Church by H.G. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, who
also delivered the sermon. Following Mass, requiem service was offered for
the souls of departed clergy from the three Prelacies. Among those in
attendance were guest clergy members Father Johanna Ibrahim of the Coptic
Orthodox Church, and Father John Monestera and Secretary Mrs. Irma Contrera
of the Catholic Church.
On the morning of Tuesday, February 13th, students from A.G.
Minassian School attended morning church services and later had the
opportunity to be photographed with the clergy members. In the evening, the
eve of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple was celebrated with Holy
Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, where Archbishop Khajag Hagopian
delivered the sermon. Homenetmen scouts also participated in the service.
Following church services, the parish Board of Trustees and Ladies Auxiliary
had organized a reception at the "Armenak Der Bedrossian" Hall.
On the morning of Wednesday, February 14th, clergy members
visited the new Prelacy Building where morning services took place at the
Sts. Dertad and Ashkhen Chapel, followed by a visit to V. & A. Chamlian
School where the students had organized an assembly in honor of Vartanants.
The Prelate commended the students and administration, and presented the
principal with a memento.
The conference, which offered the participants the chance to
renew their spiritual responsibilities and their will to serve our faithful,
concluded on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 14th.