September 12, 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: [email protected]
Website:
PRELATE TO CELEBRATE THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS AT HOLY
CROSS CATHEDRAL
Sunday, September 14 is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy
Cross, the last of the five major feast days of the Armenian Apostolic
Church. It is also the name day of Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello.
On these occasions H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
will celebrate Divine Liturgy, deliver the sermon, and preside over the
blessing of madagh at Holy Cross Cathedral.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian will
celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Trinity Church in
Fresno, and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian at the Armenian Apostolic Church
of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Region.
The 93rd Anniversary of the battle of Musa Dagh will also be
commemorated on this day with Divine Liturgy and the blessing of Herissa by
Archpriest Dr. Khoren Habeshian at Camp Arev.
ARMENIA FUND CHAIR MARIA MEHRANIAN VISITS THE PRELACY
On the morning of Wednesday, September 10th, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed Chair of Armenia Fund U.S. Western
Region Mrs. Maria Mehranian to the Prelacy.
Mrs. Mehranian met with the Prelate to discuss the current projects
and activities of Armenia Fund, specifically the upcoming annual Telethon
which will take place in November. They also discussed a number of key
issues which are to be examined in more detail at the next corporate board
meeting on September 16th, which Executive Council representative Mr. Meher
Der Ohanessian will attend.
The Prelate thanked Mrs. Mehranian for the update and praised the
active participation of the organization in the progress of the Armenian
homeland.
PRELATE CONVEYS HIS CONDOLENCES TO THE THREE PRELATES OF IRAN FOLLOWING
TURKEY BUS CRASH
On the morning of Tuesday, September 9th, a bus crash in Eastern
turkey claimed the lives of sixteen Armenian tourists and resulted in the
injury of dozens more. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, sent
a letter of condolence to the three Prelates of Iran, H.E. Archbishop Sebouh
Sarkissian, H.G. Nshan Topouzian, and H.E. Papken Tcharian expressing his
sympathy on the loss of their parishioners.
In his letter sent on behalf of Prelacy clergy and councils, the
Prelate conveyed his condolences to the victims’ families stating, "We pray
for God to accept the souls of the victims in His heavenly abode, for the
Holy Spirit to comfort the families who are mourning their loss, and for the
speedy recovery of those who were injured in this tragedy."
BLESSING OF TWO PRELACY OFFICES
On the afternoon of Saturday, September 6th, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, conducted the blessing of two offices at the
Prelacy headquarters. The ceremony began with a prayer service in the "St.
Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel, during which the Prelate asserted that the
sponsors of the headquarters have remained faithful throughout all the
phases of the construction of the new building, from the blessing of the
foundation by H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, to the
official opening ceremony. He then once again expressed his gratitude to
all the supporters and grand benefactors of the Prelacy.
The Prelate emphasized that the support of the sponsors continues
long after the official opening in May of 2007, which is evidenced by recent
sponsorships by Dr. Armen Kassabian (Accounting Department, in memory of his
uncle Harout Neshan Kazandjian), Ms. Asdghig Keuylian (Christian Education
Department, in honor of her mother Mrs. Berjouhi Krikorian), Mr. and Mrs.
Hovsep and Elizabeth Boyajian (Vestry), and Mr. and Mrs. Hovig and Seta
Aghaian (Archives Department).
At the conclusion of the Chapel service, the Prelate blessed the
Christian Education and Accounting Department offices, which culminated in
the cutting of the ribbons by the sponsors. The blessing and official
opening of the Vestry and Archives office will take place in the near
future.
Also participating in the ceremony were Rev. Fr. Gomidas Torossian
and Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian. Executive Council member Mr. Garo Eshgian,
benefactors Mr. and Mrs. John and Asdghig Bedrosian, and members of the
Bedrosian, Kassabian, Keuylian, Krikorian families, as well as the Ladies
Auxiliary and staff were also in attendance.
A reception followed the ceremony.
PRELATE TO CONVEY HIS BLESSING TO
MAESTRO HOVHANNES TCHEKIDJIAN
On the evening of Sunday, September 14th, Maestro Hovhannes
Tchekidjian, permanent director and chief conductor of the State Academic
Choir of Armenia will be honored at an event to take place at Glendale
Presbyterian Church. Various artists as well as the Ararat Choir, under the
direction of Alenoush Yeghnazar, will perform at the event.
The Prelate will convey his commendation and blessings to Maestro
Tchekidjian. Rev. Fr. Ardag Demirjian will also be in attendance.