October 24, 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 DEPARTS FOR NEW YORK TO PARTICIPATE IN
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
On Friday, Oct. 24, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
departed for New York to participate in the 50th anniversary celebrations of
the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s North American Prelacy.
The 50th anniversary celebratory banquet will take place on the
evening of Saturday, October 25th, at the Marriott Hotel in New Jersey,
under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the
Eastern Prelacy, and with the participation of the Prelates and council
members from the three Prelacies. The Prelate will attend the banquet and
convey his message to the guests.
On Sunday, October 26th, the Prelate will participate in the
celebration of Divine Liturgy at St. Vartanants Church in New Jersey.
DIVINE LITURGY AT THE PRELACY CHAPEL
The next Divine Liturgy that will be celebrated at the Prelacy
"St.Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel will take place on Saturday, November
1st, at 6:00 p.m., under the auspices of the Prelate.
Pastor of Holy Martyrs Church Rev. Razmig Khatchadourian, will
celebrate the Liturgy.
HAMAZKAYIN 80TH ANNIVERSARY
On the evening of Sunday, October 26th, a banquet will take place in
celebration of the 80th anniversary of Hamazkayin. The banquet will take
place at "Bagramian" Hall of Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello.
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian will represent the Prelate and convey
his blessings.
SCREENING OF J. MICHAEL HAGOPIAN’S THE RIVER RAN RED
The gala premiere screening of J. Michael Hagopian’s final film of
the Witnesses Trilogy The River Ran Red will take place on the evening of
Friday, October 24th, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian will represent the Prelate.
15TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN CENTER FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
STUDIES
In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Armenian Center for
National and International Studies, a reception with the Honorable Raffi
Hovannisian will take place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Marilyn
Bezdikian on Sunday, October 26th.
Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian will represent the Prelate.
PRELAT
E’S CONCLUDES SCHOOL VISITS
Over the past week, the Prelate concluded his annual school visits
with visits to Ari Guiragos Minassian and Rose and Alex Pilibos Schools.
The Prelate visited A.G. Minassian School on the morning of Tuesday,
October 21st, accompanied by Pastor of Forty Martyrs Church Rev. Fr. Hrant
Yeretzian, Executive Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian, and Board of Regents
member Mr. Viken Pakradouni. School sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Steve and Seta
Minassian were also present.
Upon their arrival the Prelate was welcomed by Principal Dr. Nairy
Gorjian and administration. They visited classrooms where they were greeted
by the students with songs and recitations. A reception in the library
followed.
On Thursday, October 23rd, the Prelate visited Pilibos School,
accompanied by Pastor of St.Garabed Church Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian,
Board of Regents member Mrs. Maggie Sarkouni, and church Board of Trustees
Chair Dr. Misak Barsamian.
The Prelate was welcomed by Principal Dr. Viken Yacoubian and school
administrators, after which they visited classrooms. The Prelate and
delegation then met with 11th grade students at the school library where a
question and answer session took place between the Prelate and students.
The visit concluded with the Prelate conveying his blessings to the
students.
PRELATE PRESIDES OVER "YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION" LECTURE AT HOLY MARTYRS
CHURCH
On Tuesday, October 21st, a lecture in the "Year of Christian
Education" series took place under the auspices of and with the
participation of the Prelate at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. The lecturer
was Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian who spoke on the topic "The Christian
Response to Contemporary Social Issues".
Following opening remarks by Master of Ceremonies Mrs. Knar
Kortoshian, the keynote speaker was invited to present his lecture. Sunday
School students and the church choir participated in the artistic portion of
the program with songs and recitations, accompanied on the organ by Mr.
Hovig Keushgerian and Mr. Gomidas Keshishian, respectively.
Closing remarks were delivered by the Prelate. A reception followed
in the church courtyard.
The next lecture in this series will take place on Wednesday,
October 29th, at 7:00 p.m., at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. Pastor of
Forty Martyrs Church Rev. Fr. Hrant Yeretzian will lecture on "Patriarch
Hovhan Mantagouni’s Discourse on the Sacrament of Holy Communion".
On Friday, October 31st, Rev. Fr. Vahan Gosdanian will lecture at
Holy Trinity Church in Fresno on "The Bible as the Foundation of Christian
Education"
PRELATE WELCOMES ARMENIAN EVANGELICAL WORLD COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE IN
ARMENIA
REV. DR. RENE LEONIAN
On Wednesday, October 22nd, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Armenian Evangelical World Council
Representative in Armenia Rev. Dr. Rene Leonian and accompanying guests
Minister to the Armenian Evangelical Union Rev. Joe Matossian, Rev. Abraham
Chaparian, and Armenian Missionary Association of America Administrative
Director Mr. Dikran Youmoushakian.
The meeting offered the opportunity for the exchange of information
between the Prelate and guests regarding the endeavors of their respective
churches. Given it was the first visit of Rev. Dr. Leonian and Mr.
Youmoushakian to the Prelacy, the Prelate conveyed to them the work that is
carried out by churches, schools, and various councils and committees
serving under the jurisdiction of the Prelacy, and noting that the 35th
anniversary of the Prelacy will be celebrated this year, highlighted the
accomplishments of the past three decades.
Rev. Dr. Leonian spoke in detail of the reestablishment of the
Armenian Evangelical Church and the expansion of their mission in Armenia
and Artsakh following their independence over a decade ago, as well as of
the challenges they at times face in this regards and means of overcoming
these obstacles to better serve the Armenian people.
The meeting concluded with the exchange of mementos.
GLENDALE-GHAPAN SISTER CITY ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 5TH ANNIVERSARY
On Wednesday, October 22nd, the 5th anniversary of the
Glendale-Ghapan Sister City Association was celebrated at the courtyard of
the Alex Theatre in Glendale. The event was organized by the Glendale-Chapan
Sister City Association and the City of Glendale.
During the reception, a report was given to the guests of the
collaboration between the two cities and of the recent activities and
projects of the association. An artistic program also took place.
Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian represented the Prelate.
PRELATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY AT FORTY MARTYRS CHURCH AND PRESIDES OVER
OPENING OF
ANNUAL BOOK FAIR
In celebration of Armenian Culture Month and in keeping with a
years-long tradition, the Pastor and Board of Trustees of Forty Martyrs
Church, in conjunction with the administration and parent support committee
of A.G. Minassian School, had organized a book fair that took place on
Sunday, October 19th, at the "Ghazarian" Hall of the "Harout Barsamian
Armenian Center" in Orange County.
The day began with Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who was assisted at the altar by parish
priest Rev. Fr. Hrant Yeretzian.
The Prelate began his sermon by referencing the situation in Armenia
at the time of the Translator fathers of our church and the unfavorable
conditions that threatened the unique heritage of the Armenian people. In
this dire situation, it was by the grace of God alone that St. Mesrob
Mashdots invented the Armenian alphabet, thus ushering in a new age and
cementing the national identity of the Armenian people. With the
translating of the Bible, the Word of God became readily available for all
the people to read and study. "As the heirs to this legacy of our
Translator fathers, let us remain true to them by fostering the Armenian
language in our youth", continued the Prelate. He also urged the faithful
to continue to support and back A.G. Minassian School in all its endeavors,
and contribute actively to its progress for the benefit of our youth and
their education and instruction.
Following Divine Liturgy the Prelate and parishioners proceeded to
"Ghazarian" Hall where the Prelate presided over the opening of the book
fair and commended the organizers for honoring Armenian Culture Month by
keeping the tradition of the book fair alive for all these years.
A reception followed at "Gugasian" Hall.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress