March 20, 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: info@westernprelacy.org <mailto:prelacy@aol.com>
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DURING HOLY MASS ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE REESTABLISHMENT OF
THE LAS VEGAS PARISH AS STEWARDS WE MUST SECURE OUR SPIRITUAL
BLESSINGS THROUGH THE MATERIAL BLESSINGS GOD GRANTS US
DECLARED THE PRELATE
On Friday, March 9th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, departed for Las Vegas for a two day visit with the parish. The
Prelate was accompanied by Executive Council members and the committee for
distant parishes.
On Sunday, March 11th, the Prelate conducted Holy Mass assisted
at the altar by Religious Council Chair and Christian Education Department
Co-Director Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, as well as Archdeacon Zohrab
Yaralian from St. Garabed Church.
In his spiritual message, the Prelate congratulated the parish
on the first anniversary of their reestablishment, commended the efforts of
the devoted servants of the parish, and wished them success. In his sermon
on the fourth Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Unjust Steward, the Prelate
emphasized the necessity of doing good deeds with the material blessings and
opportunities God grants us. God trusts us to use the earthly, material
blessings He offers us to bring about higher, eternal values, for he who is
faithful in what is least, is also faithful in much. If we, as stewards,
are not faithful and cannot be trusted with earthly riches, how will God
trust us with eternal treasures? The Prelate urged the parishioners to
serve toward the enhancement of the community through their collective
efforts and means, and work together to achieve the plan to build a church.
During the requiem service following Mass, special prayers were
offered for the soul of Hrant Dink on the 40th day after his assassination.
Church services concluded with the singing of "Giligia" and "Mer
Hayrenik" and the "Bahbanich" prayer by the Prelate. A reception organized
by the Ladies Association followed.
On the evening of Saturday, March 10th, a banquet took place
under the auspices of the Prelate with the participation of Executive
Council members. Throughout the two-day visit, the Prelate and Executive
Council members also had the opportunity to meet with the parish council and
the newly established Ladies Association to discuss the actualization of
future endeavors. Taking into consideration the relentless work of the
Parish Council, its commission was extended for another year.