September 14, 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
Website:
DIVINE LITURGY ON THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
Sunday, September 16, is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
as well as the name day of Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello.
On this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
will celebrate Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Cathedral where he
will also deliver the sermon.
Following church services the Prelate and parish pastors will
preside over madaghorhnek at `Bagramian’ Hall.
MEETING OF THE PRELATES AND COUNCIL MEMBERS OF NORTH AMERICA AND
CANADA
The Prelates of the Western United States, Eastern United States, and
Canada, a representative of the Central Executive Council of the
Catholicosate ofCilicia, and representatives of the Executive Councils
of the three Prelacies held a joint meeting on Tuesday, September 11,
at the offices of the Western Prelacy, in order to examine and plan
joint programs.
Participating in the meeting were: His Eminence Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelateof the Eastern Prelacy; His Eminence
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy; His
Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelateof the Prelacy of Canada;
V. Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, chairman of the Religious Council (Western
Prelacy); Mr. Khajag Dikijian, Central Executive Council
representative; Jack Mardoian, Esq., chairman of the Executive Council
ofthe Eastern Prelacy; and Dr. Garo Agopian, chairman of the Executive
Council of the Western Prelacy. Participating in the meeting later in
the day was V. Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, vice chairman of the
Religious Council (Western Prelacy).
PRAYER SERVICE
Prior tothe formal opening of the meeting, a prayer service took
place in the Sts. Drtad and Ashken Chapel, with special remembrance of
the victims of the attacks that took place exactly six years ago on
September 11, 2001, in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania.
MEETING
The first session of the meeting convened at 11:30 a.m. The major
items on the agenda concerned joint projects, especially because next
year is the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Church in America, and
the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the jurisdiction of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia. Next year is also the 35th anniversary of
the Western Prelacy and the 7th anniversary of the Canadian
Prelacy. In light of these anniversaries, all three North American
Prelacies are planning celebrations that require coordination and
diligentwork.
The meeting participants thoroughly studied the upcoming 50th
anniversary. They discussed proposed plans and made decisions relative
to this anniversary.
Guiding the participants was a letter from His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, who advised the three
Prelates to centralize their efforts in the field of religious and
national education, youth gatherings, andthe Blessing of the Holy
Muron which will take place next year in Antelias.
The three Prelates each expressed their thoughts, and praised the
importance of thisand future similar meetings. It was noted that
although the Prelates have previously met, this was the first meeting
of the Prelates with representatives of each Council. The
representatives of the Central Executive Council andthe Executive
Councils expressed their views and agreed on the importance of united
joint endeavors.
The meeting reviewed the list of joint publications and noted
that the New Testamentand Psalms are already published, and the new
Devine Liturgy Pew Book and the Clergy Handbook are being prepared.
Before discussing educational matters, the meeting participants
made note of the following:
1. Vehapar’s visit last December began an inter-Prelacy effort
for youth gatherings. It is imperative to give further effort and make
plans in this area.
2. An international youth gathering will take place in Antelias,
August 13-20, 2008.The three Prelacies must work to encourage
participants from all areas.
3. Next year, on June 7, 2008, His Holiness Aram I, will bless
the Holy Muron in Antelias. The three Prelacies will develop and
organize plans to encourage large numbers of the Faithful to join in
pilgrimages to Antelias on this historic occasion.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
After a lunch break, the participants continued their meeting with
discussions centered on religious and national education questions.
Discussed were: Current religious and national educational programs,
with special attention to texts for Christian education for use in
Sunday schools, especially for those children who have been raised in
North America, and the need toprepare teachers. The participants felt
it vital that each Prelacy form a committee in order to bring forward
concerns and plans in the field of education.
The participants also discussed the question of inter-Prelacy youth
gatherings, the importance of regular gatherings and the question of
organizing the youth. It was suggested that inter-Prelacy youth
gatherings take place every two years and to delegate this program to
a special committee.
The final portion of the meeting was devoted to questions connected to
the general programs of the three Prelacies.
The participants reiterated their belief that such meetings are very
helpful for theexchange of experiences and ideas, the cultivation of
joint programs, as well as the advancement of the mission of the Holy
See of Cilicia in a productive manner.
PRELATE PARTICIPATES IN THE LOGO UNVEILING
OF THE ARMENIA FUND TELETHON
On the evening of Wednesday, September 12, the logo unveiling of the
upcoming Armenia Fund Telethon took place in the courtyard of Alex
Theatre in Glendale. Participating in the unveiling was President
Mrs. Maria Mehranian, Consul General the Honorable Armen Liloyan,
Glendale city Mayor Mr. Ara Najarian as well as city council members,
representatives of community organizations, supporters, and friends.
The Prelate attended the unveiling where he conveyed his blessings to
the organization. Accompanying the Prelate were Christian Education
Department Co-Director Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, Rev. Vazken
Atmajian and Rev. Ardag Demirjian, pastors of St. Mary’s Church, and
Rev. Nareg Pehlivanian, pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral.
DELEGATION FROM THE A.R.S. REGIONAL EXECUTIVE VISITS THE PRELACY
On the evening of Thursday, September 13, a delegation from the
Armenian Relief Society Regional Executive of the Western United
States visited the Prelacy. The delegation was headed by Chair of the
Regional Executive Mrs. SoniaPeltekian, accompanied by Mrs. Seta
Kojayan, Mrs. Rima Boghossian, and Mrs.Sona Bostanian. Also
participated in the meeting was Prelacy Executive Council Vice-Chair
Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian.
The members of the delegation once again congratulated the Prelate on
the new headquarters and detailed the activities and future projects
of the newly elected Executive, especially their efforts to aid the
Armenian community in Iraq.
The Prelate in turn familiarized the delegation with the various
departments of the Prelacy and the work carried out by each, and
commended the members for their commitment to providing assistance to
the Armenian community
PRELATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY AT THE CRESCENTA VALLY PARISH
On Sunday, September 9, the Crescenta Valley parish celebrated its two
yearanniversary with Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who was assisted at the altar by Very
Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and Rev. Ardag Demirjian.
The daily gospel reading was from Mark 7:31-37 which tells of how
Jesus visited Decapolis where He performed a miracle by placing His
hand on the ears and tongue of one who was deaf and had a speech
impediment and opened his ears and cured his speech impediment,
stressing that even today it is Jesus who makes the deaf hear and the
mute speak blessing the worthy ones with the ability tohear the truth
and to speak with courage.
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the Prelate headed in a
procession to the hall adjacent to the church where he presided over
the official opening of the hall. In his remarks the Prelate first
thanked God for His blessings. He also commended the Board of
Trustees, Delegates, Ladies Auxiliary, acolytes and choir members for
their devotion and service to the parish, and congratulated them on
the second anniversary of the establishment of the parish expressing
his wishes for the community to have its own church in the near
future.
During the ensuing reception, remarks were made by Rev. Ardag
Demirjian and Board ofTrustees Chairman Mr. Dikran Der Sarkissian,
both of whom expressed their gratitude to the Prelate and to all those
who tirelessly serve towards the development of the parish. Mr. Der
Sarkissian also announced that by theordinance of the Prelate, Bible
study classes will be offered in the newly opened hall by Very
Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian on Wednesday evenings and by Very
Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian on Monday evenings for the youth group.
Sunday School classes will also be taught in the new building.
The reception came to a close with the Prelate’s benediction.
DELEGATION FROM THE ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL UNION VISITS THE PRELACY
On the afternoon of Monday, September 10, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed a delegation of representatives from
the Armenian Evangelical Union to the Prelacy headquarters.
The delegation was comprised of Rev. Ron Tovmassian, President of the
Armenian Evangelical Union, Rev. Joe Matossian, Minister of the Union,
Rev. Dikran Shanlian, Rev. Habib Alajaji, Rev. Hovannes Melkonian,
Rev. Hrag Karagozian, Mr. Harold Demirjian, and Mr. Zaven Khanjian.
Also participating in the meeting were Very Rev. Fathers Muron
Aznikian and Barthev Gulumian, Religious Council Chair and Vice-Chair
respectively, Executive Council Vice-Chair Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian,
and Treasurer Mr. Vahan Bezdikian.
The meeting began with the Prelate presenting the guests with a brief
outline of theendeavors of the Prelacy and its affiliated bodies,
focusing on the activities of the Christian Education Department,
which encompasses Bible study sessions, and religious education in
Sunday Schools as well as day schools. The guests congratulated the
Prelate on the new headquarters and expressed appreciation for the
close collaboration that exists between the two Churches.
The meeting concluded with the exchange of mementos and with the
guests receiving a tour of the headquarters to become more closely
familiarized with the various departments of the Prelacy.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress