April 25, 2008
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:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY
AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH

On Sunday, April 27th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena.
The Prelate will also deliver the sermon.

LIGHTING OF THE NAVASARTIAN GAMES TORCH
AT THE PRELACY CHAPEL

On Sunday, April 27th, the lighting of the torch of the 33rd
Homenetmen Navasartian Games will take place at the Prelacy "St. Dertad and
St. Ashkhen" Chapel. A group of Homenetmen scouts will gather at the
Prelacy to light the torch from a candle in the Chapel.
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian will
offer the opening prayer of the ceremony.

PRELATE TO ATTEND HASMIK PAPIAN RECITAL

On the evening of Sunday, April 27th, an opera recital featuring
renowned soprano Hasmik Papian and pianist Avo Kuyumjian will take place at
the Vibiana Cathedral in Los Angeles.
The Prelate will attend the recital.

PRELATE TO BE REPRESENTED AT A MEETING WITH
AMBASSADOR JOHN DANILOVICH

By the invitation of Congressman Adam Schiff, community
representatives will have to opportunity to meet with Ambassador John
Danilovich, CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, on the morning of
Thursday, May 1st, to discuss the work of the corporation in Armenia. The
event will take place at the Autry National Center in Los Angeles.
Executive Council member Mr. Varoujan Der Simonian will attend on
behalf of the Prelate.

ACYA MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN
ORTHODOX DAY OF PRAISE

On the morning of Saturday, May 3rd, members of the Armenian Church
Youth Association (ACYA) will participate in an Orthodox Day of Praise at
the St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica.
The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. with joint Divine Liturgy will the
participation of youth from the Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac Churches,
followed by the presentation of hymns and traditional songs by each church.

COMMEMORATION OF THE 93RD ANNIVERSARY
OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

In commemoration of the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
on the evening of Wednesday, April 23rd, the Prelate presided over Divine
Liturgy at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, in which the Armenian Catholic and
Evangelical Churches participated. In attendance were Executive Council
members and members of community organizations.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian,
during which remarks were offered by the Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Andon
Saroyan, Rector of the Armenian Catholic Church, and Rev. Joe Matossian,
Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America. Requiem
service followed in front of the Genocide memorial in the church courtyard.
On the afternoon of Thursday, April 24th, clergy from the Apostolic,
Catholic, and Evangelical Churches conducted requiem service at the Genocide
Memorial Monument in Montebello. Among those in attendance were the Consul
General of Armenia Armen Liloyan, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and members of
community organizations.
In the evening, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian represented the Prelate
at a commemoration held at Alex Theatre in Glendale. Later in the evening,
the Prelate offered a prayer at a community gathering at the Glendale Civic
Auditorium. Accompanying the Prelate were clergy and Executive Council
members.

PRELATE DELIVERS THE INVOCATION
AT THE OPENING OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY

On Monday, April 21st, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, departed for Sacramento to deliver the invocation at the opening of
the California State Assembly session in commemoration of the 93rd
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The Prelate was accompanied by Holy
Trinity Church Pastor Rev. Vahan Gosdanian and Armenian National Committee
Western Region Board members.
In his invocation the Prelate thanked God for His guidance in
leading us in the pursuit of justice and truth, and thanked the Governor and
elected officials for their commitment to our cause.
Remarks were also offered by Assembly members Paul Krekorian and
Greg Aghazarian as well as community members who paid tribute to our martyrs
and stressed the importance of proper recognition and justice. The Assembly
then unanimously adopted Senate Joint Resolution 24 in remembrance of the
victims of the Armenian Genocide.
Following the session, the Prelate and delegation met with Assembly
members Kevin De Leon and Anthony Portantino at which time the Prelate
expressed his appreciation for their support of the Armenian cause.
On the morning of Tuesday, April 22nd, the Prelate participated in a
special session of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors weekly meeting
during which a proclamation was adopted in recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. The Prelate was accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Rev.
Fr. Vazken Atmajian, and ANC Board members.
The Prelate commended the Board of Supervisors for once again
adopting a resolution in remembrance of our martyrs, stressing that such
recognition is crucial for the cycle of genocide to be put to an end.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH PASTOR, DELEGATES,
AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VISIT THE PRELACY

On Tuesday, April 22nd, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed Rev. Fr. Vahan Gosdanian, Pastor of Holy Trinity Church in
Fresno, Delegates, and Board of Trustees members to the Prelacy. Among the
delegation were Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. David Sarabian, Vice-Chairman
Mr. Philip Parnagian, Treasurer Mr. Levon Baladjanian, and Advisor Ms. Mary
Alice Kaloostian.
Religious Council Chair Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian participated in
the meeting, as did Executive Council Chairman Dr. Garo Agopian and member
Mr. Varoujan Der Simonian. Among the items on the agenda was the evaluation
of the parish’s activities, specifically with regards to Christian
Education, and issues relating to the upcoming Representatives Assembly
which will be held in May.
The meeting concluded with lunch hosted by the Prelate.