January 30, 2009
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:
CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF ST. SARKIS
According to our Church calendar, this year the Feast of St. Sarkis
falls on Saturday, February 7th. The Feast coincides with a three day fast,
the Fast of the Catechumens, which begins at midnight on Sunday, February
1st and ends on the morning of Wednesday, February 4th.
On Wednesday morning, services will be offered at all churches,
during which the blessing of water will also take place and Holy Communion
will be offered.
The first Divine Liturgy of the year at the Prelacy "St. Dertad and
St. Ashkhen" Chapel will take place on the day of the Feast of St. Sarkis on
Saturday, February 7th, at 6:00 p.m. The celebrant is Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian5 Prelate, will preside over
the ceremony.
In the same evening, at 7:30 p.m., evening services will take place
at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena.
On Sunday, February 8th, His Eminence the Prelate will celebrate
Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church in celebration of the name day of the
Church. The Prelate will also preside over the blessing of madagh.
FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR OUTGOING CONSUL GENERAL ARMEN LILOYAN
On the evening of Wednesday, January 28th, the Central Committee of
the ARF had organized a farewell reception for outgoing Consul General the
Honorable Armen Liloyan, who will soon be returning to Armenia as his term
comes to an end. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended
the reception, which took place at "Phoenicia" Restaurant in Glendale, along
with Catholicosate Central Executive member Mr. Khajag Dikijian, Executive
Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian, Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Church
leaders, and members of community organizations. During the reception the
Prelate commended the Consul General’s service and wished his success in his
future endeavors.
The Prelacy had also organized a farewell reception for the Consul
General which took place on the evening of Thursday, January 29th, at
"Pacific Dining Car" in Santa Monica, hosted by Prelacy benefactress Mrs.
Ashkhen Pilavjian. Alongside the Prelate and Executive Council divan
members were Catholicosate Central Executive member Mr. Khajag Dikijian, ARF
Bureau member Dr. Viken Hovsepian, ARF Central Committee Chair Mr. Avedik
Izmirlian, members of the Pilavjian family.
The Prelate and attendees thanked and commended the Consul General
for his service, and especially for his collaboration in Armenia-Diaspora
matters during his term.
The Consul General thanked the Prelate and guests for their kind
words and for the cordial relations and cooperation during his term. He
spoke highly of the commitment and contributions of the Armenian community
of California to their homeland, expressing confidence that Armenia-Diaspora
relations will only get stronger with each passing year.
At the conclusion of the reception the Prelate presented the Consul
General with a memento.
PRELATE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEET WITH
NORTH HOLLYWOOD PARISH COMMITTEE
As previously reported, at the start of the year the Prelacy
established a new parish in North Hollywood to serve the spiritual needs of
the large Armenian population in the area. The first Divine Liturgy was
celebrated on the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord. Divine
Liturgy is now celebrated every Sunday afternoon.
A committee has been appointed to oversee the progress of this new
parish, serving alongside Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Executive Council
representatives.
On the evening of Tuesday, January 27th, the committee visited the
Prelacy where they were welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, Executive Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian, and Council members. The
committee members briefed the Prelate and Executive Council members on the
development of the parish and reported that a large number of faithful have
been attending Divine Liturgy and participating in Bible Study classes which
take place on Wednesday evenings.
The Prelate and Council members commended the efforts and dedication
of the committee members to the success of the new parish. An exchange of
ideas and suggestions also took place to facilitate the work of the
committee.
The visit concluded with the Prelate presenting the committee
members with mementos.
HOMENETMEN REGIONAL EXECUTIVE VISITS THE PRELACY
On the evening of Tuesday, January 27th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy a delegation from Homenetmen
Regional Executive, headed by Chairman Mr. Steve Artinian. The members had
to come to convey their New Year and Christmas well wishes to the Prelate as
to well to discuss the recent and upcoming activities they have planned.
The guests expressed their wish for collaboration with the Prelacy
youth committee, which the Prelate welcomed, especially considering that
H.H. Catholicos Aram I has declared 2009 the "Year of the Youth". The first
collaborative event of the year will take place on the Eve of the Feast of
the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple, a service in which the scouts
and youth traditionally participate. Also discussed was the "St. Mesrob
Mashdots" Medal religious program.
The Prelate commended the valuable service of the members and above
all their initiative to create opportunities to commemorate the "Year of the
Youth".
PRELATE WELCOMES ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY REPRESENTATIVES
On the afternoon of Tuesday, January 27th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy representatives from the
Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry who had come to convey their New Year
and Christmas well wishes to the Prelate. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian
also joined in the meeting.
President of the Registry Dr. Frieda Jordan briefed the Prelate on
the upcoming projects of the organization, specifically the progress of the
stem cell harvesting center in Armenia which is scheduled to open in April,
as well as their annual banquet which will take place in July and the
Walkathon in October.
The Prelate commended the representatives and the noble work they
carry out through the Registry, and affirmed that the Prelacy and affiliated
bodies continue to support the organization morally and financially.
The Prelate wished them success in all future endeavors and
presented them with mementos.
CELEBRATING THE 108TH ANNIVERSARY OF
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OF FRESNO
On Sunday, January 25th, the Prelate celebrated Divine Liturgy at
Holy Trinity Church in Fresno in celebration of the 108th anniversary of the
parish and presided over the annual banquet.
During Divine Liturgy the Prelate presented parish pastor Rev. Fr.
Vahan Gosdanian with a Pontifical Encyclical by H.H.Catholicos Aram I
granting him the privilege of bearing an ornamental cope.
The annual banquet took place in the church hall immediately
following Divine Liturgy, during which church members Yeretsgin Sossy
Gosdanian, Sossy Jabrayan, and Michael Srabian were honored for their
service to the parish.
The message of the day was delivered by the Prelate, the theme of
which was the importance of service to the church and community.
A DVD presentation of the past year’s activities was also included
in the program.
Executive Council members Mr. Khatchig Yeretzian and Mr. Varoujan
Der Simonian participated in the Liturgy and the ensuing banquet.