October 5, 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>
Website: <;
DIVINE LITURGY AT THE PRELACY CHAPEL ON
THE FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS
On Saturday, October 13, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the
Prelacy St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel under the auspices of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and in honor of the Feast of the
Holy Translators and the day of Seminarians. Services will begin at 6:30
p.m.
Divine Liturgy will be celebrated and the sermon delivered by
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian. We invite our faithful and especially our
seminarians to attend and participate in this spiritually uplifting event.
CANADIAN SECRETARY OF STATE ATTENDS DIVINE LITURGY AT HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH
On Sunday, September 30, the Armenian Church celebrated the
Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak, a feast that is unique to our church. On
this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over
Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by Rev. Razmig Khatchadourian, and
delivered the sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian also participated in the service.
In attendance was the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism
and Canadian Identity the Honorable Jason Kenney, who was in Los Angeles to
accept the ANC Freedom Award on behalf of the Honorable Prime Minister
Stephen Harper. Also in attendance were ARF Bureau members Dr. Viken
Hovsepian and Mr. Hagop Khatchadourian, ARF Central Committee representative
Mr. Avedik Izmirkian and members, Prelacy Executive Council members, ANC
Chairman Mr. Ken Hachikian, and parish Board of Trustees members and
delegates.
Prior to the sermon the Prelate welcomed Secretary Kenney and
expressed appreciation for his efforts in the Canadian government’s official
recognition of the Genocide and his support of Armenian causes. The Prelate
continued with his sermon in which he spoke about the significance and
meaning of the Holy Cross and Varak and the Cross in general.
During Liturgy, the Prelate also conducted the ordination of
Deacon Sevag Badoyan, who after studying at the Catholicosate’s Seminary for
six years is now serving at St. Gregory Church in San Francisco. In
addition, the Prelate bestowed the honor of bearing a stole on Roubik
Azizian for his many years of service to the Armenian Church.
Following church services, a private reception took place in the
church assembly room with the participation of the Prelate, the Secretary of
State, and distinguished guests.
PRELATE ATTENDS STUDENT GATHERING AND BANQUET
IN HONOR OF H.H. KAREKIN II
Early last week H.H. Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, arrived in Los
Angeles on His third Pontifical visit to the Western Diocese. Among the
events planned on this occasion were a student gathering with the
participation of students from Prelacy and non-Prelacy schools, and a
banquet.
The Prelate, accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian,
attended the student gathering which took place on Monday, October 1st at
the Diocesan headquarters in Burbank.
The Prelate also attended the banquet which took place on the
evening of Tuesday, October 2nd, at the Taglian Cultural Center in
Hollywood.
PRELATE VISITS PRELACY SCHOOLS
At the start of each academic year, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, visits all our Prelacy schools to meet with and
convey his message for the new school year to the administrators and
students.
On Tuesday, October 2nd, the Prelate visited Rose and Alex Pilibos High
School where he was welcomed by the administration. He was accompanied by
Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Archpriest Rev. Viken Vassilian, and Executive
Council Vice-Chair Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian. Following a visit to the
Kindergarten, the Prelate headed to the library where the 11th and 12th
grade students had prepared a special program on this occasion.
The Prelate conveyed his blessings and best wishes for a
successful school year to the administration, teachers, students, and
parents, after which he delivered his message to the students. The Prelate
pointed out that many times in our lives we find ourselves in a dilemma and
struggle to make the right decision. The Armenian school has the task of
steering our students in the right direction. However, it is still the
responsibility of each individual to make the right decision for himself,
something that can be especially difficult once they encounter the countless
negative influences found in the outside world today. The Prelate then
encouraged the students to participate in community life and to bring their
valuable contributions to our collective lives. In conclusion, the Prelate
urged the students to remain faithful to our spiritual, cultural, and
national values which are taught to them and instilled in them during their
school years. He commended the program the students had prepared pointing
out that it was a beautiful expression of this faithfulness to our heritage.
Besides Pilibos, thus far the Prelate has visited Tavlian,
Mesrobian, Chamlian, and Tufenkian schools, with visits to other schools
taking place in the coming days.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Each year at the beginning of the new academic year, the Board of
Regents of Prelacy Schools organizes a one-day seminar for teachers and
administrators. This year, the one-day Professional Development Day will
take place on Monday, October 8, at Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School.
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian will attend and deliver the
Prelate’s blessings to the participants. He will also lecture on the
subject "Christian Education and our Youth".