February 13, 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: [email protected]
Website:
BIENNIAL GHEVONTIANTS CLERGY CONFERENCE OF THE THREE NORTH AMERICAN
PRELACIES
Tuesday, February 17th, is the Feast of Sts. Ghevontiank which is
traditionally also a celebration of clergy. On this occasion, every two
years clergy members from the three North American Prelacies assemble for a
joint conference. This year’s conference is being hosted by the Eastern
Prelacy and is scheduled to take place from February 16 to 18 at St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia. The conference will be presided
over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western United
States, H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern United
States, and H.E. Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada.
The Prelate and Prelacy clergy members will depart for Philadelphia
on Sunday, February 15th, and will return on Wednesday, February 18th.
Items on the agenda of the conference include the planning of events
to commemorate the "Year of the Youth" proclaimed by H.H. Catholicos Aram I,
reports on the General Assembly, the 50th anniversary celebrations of the
North American Prelacy, inter-church relations, the visit of His Holiness to
the Vatican, as well as a series of lectures. Divine Liturgy, prayer
services, and spiritual reflections are also scheduled.
On Thursday, February 19th, the Prelate will preside over services
in celebration of the Feast of Sts. Ghevontiank and Sts. Vartanank. Morning
services will be offered at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale at 11:00 a.m. with
the participation of the clergy order. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian will
deliver the sermon. In the evening, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at
Holy Martyrs Church in Encino with the participation of the clergy order,
starting at 6:30 p.m.
MORNING SERVICES AND DIVINE LITURGY
ON THE FEAST OF STS. VARTANANK
On Thursday, February 19th, the Feast of Sts. Vartanank will be
commemorated with morning services and Divine Liturgy presided over by the
Prelate.
Morning services will be offered at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale at
11:00 a.m. with the participation of the clergy order. Very Rev. Fr. Muron
Aznikian will deliver the sermon.
In the evening, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at Holy Martyrs
Church in Encino with the participation of the clergy order, starting at
6:30 p.m. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian will celebrate Divine Liturgy and
deliver the sermon.
CELEBRATING THE EVE OF GREAT LENT – PAREGENTAN
Sunday, February 22nd, is the Eve of Great Lent, also known as
Paregentan. The annual Paregentan celebration will take place under the
auspices of the Prelate at 1:30 p.m. at the "Armenak Der Bedrossian" Hall of
St. Mary’s Church. The event is organized by the Sunday Schools’
Directorate and PTO.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 12.
For more information contact the Prelacy office or your local Sunday
School representative.
PRELATE VISITS THE ARMENIAN CONSULATE TO MEET WITH THE NEW CONSUL GENERAL
On Friday, February 13th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, visited the Consulate General of Armenian where he met with the
newly appointed Consul General the Honorable Grigor Hovhannisyan and
consular staff. The Prelate and new Consul General previously met when His
Excellency visited the Prelacy a week prior on February 6th. The Prelate
was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian and Catholicosate Central
Executive member Mr. Khajag Dikijian.
The visit offered the opportunity for the Prelate and Consul General
to discuss issues concerning Armenia as well as the endeavors the Consul
General has planned for the future.
The Prelate once again wished success to Mr. Hovhannisyan in his new
position and informed him that the Prelacy is planning a reception in his
honor in the near future with the participation of Prelacy representatives.
PRELATE WELCOMES MAESTRO HOVHANNES TCHEKIDJIAN
On the afternoon of Friday, February 13th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy renowned Maestro Hovhannes
Tchekidjian, who is in Los Angeles planning future concerts. Maestro
Chekijian was accompanied by representatives from the Friends of Armenian
Arts headed by Mr. Victor Mardirossian. Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian
and Barthev Gulumian were also present.
The Prelate acquainted the Maestro and guests with the general
mission and endeavors of the Prelacy. In addition, he highly commended the
Maestro for his invaluable contribution to Armenian music.
The guests reported that Maestro Tchekidjian and the Armenian State
Choir are in Los Angeles upon the invitation of the Friends of Armenian Arts
organization for a concert in honor of the Maestro’s 80th birthday. The
Prelate extended his well wishes on this occasion and expressed his support
for the event. The Prelate has previously presented Maestro Tchekidjian with
a letter of blessing and commendation for his role in popularizing and
propagating Armenian choir music at a concert held in September of last
year.
The meeting concluded with the exchange of mementos.
VISIT OF "JAN TAVRIZ" COMMITTEE
Later in the day, the Prelate welcomed representatives from the "Jan
Tavriz" Committee who had come to the Prelacy to report on their recent and
upcoming endeavors, and to extend an invitation to the Prelate for their
upcoming event in March.
The Prelate commended the committee members for their efforts in
preserving our centuries-old Armenian culture and specifically the unique
traditions of Iranian-Armenians, and for fostering those traditions in our
youth.
PRELATE WELCOMES IRANIAN MP GEVORG VARTANIAN
On the afternoon of Thursday, February 12th, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Iranian Parliament
member Gevorg Vartanian, who was accompanied by A.R.F. Central Committee
member Mr. Harout Manoukian and his wife Bianca. Religious Council members
Rev. Fathers Vazken Atmajian and Gomidas Torossian, as well as the Chairman
of the Friends of New Julfa Committee Mr. Vahak Abcarians were also present.
Given it was Mr. Vartanian’s first visit to the Prelacy, the Prelate
acquainted him with the endeavors of the Prelacy which has served the
community for over thirty-five years under the jurisdiction of the Holy See
of Cilicia. He briefed Mr. Vartanian on future projects and plans, and
extended an invitation for him to attend services and participate in the
traditional bonfire on the eve of the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord,
which will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church. The Prelate also reported
that clergy members from the three North American Prelacies would be
gathering in Philadelphia next week for the biennial joint Ghevontiants
conference. In conclusion, the Prelate spoke highly of the ongoing
relations and collaboration with the Iranian-Armenian community.
Mr. Vartanian relayed information about his endeavors and of the
state of the Armenian community in Iran. He asserted that the Armenian
community remains strong and closely tied with Armenia, and that the
Armenian population is well regarded in the country.
The Prelate and guest also exchanged information on commonalities
between the Prelacies of the Western United States and Tehran and on
collaborative efforts.
The meeting concluded with the Prelate conveying his best wishes to
Mr. Vartanian in his service to the Armenians of Iran and presented him with
a memento. Mr. Vartanian in turn presented the Prelate with a memento.
PRELATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY ON THE FEAST OF ST. SARKIS AND THE NAME
DAY OF ST. SARKIS CHURCH
In accordance with the Armenian Church calendar, Saturday, February
7th, was the feast day commemorating St. Sarkis, his son Mardiros, and their
fourteen soldiers who were martyred for their faith.
On this occasion, which is also the name day of St. Sarkis Church in
Pasadena, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine
Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and presided over the blessing of madagh at
St. Sarkis Church. Assisting at the altar were Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian and parish pastor Rev. Fr. Khoren Babochian.
The blessing of madagh and requiem for the souls of departed
servants followed, after which the Prelate was led in a procession to the
entrance of the church accompanied by the singing of the Pontifical and
Cilician anthems.
In the afternoon the Prelate presided over the name day reception at
the hall of the Marash Compatriotic Union. During the reception remarks
were delivered by the Pastor, Board of Trustees Chairman, and the Ladies
Auxiliary Chairlady. The reception concluded with the Prelate’s remarks and
blessings during which he once again commended the church servants for their
efforts and dedication to the parish.
FIRST DIVINE LITURGY OF THE NEW YEAR CELEBRATED AT THE PRELACY CHAPEL ON THE
FEAST OF ST. SARKIS
The first Divine Liturgy of the New Year at the Prelacy "St. Dertad
and St. Ashkhen" Chapel was celebrated on the evening of Saturday, February
7th, which coincided with the Feast of St. Sarkis commemorating the life and
martyrdom of St. Sarkis, his son Mardiros, and their fourteen soldiers.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the
Liturgy which was celebrated by pastor of St. Mary’s Church Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian. In his sermon Rev. Fr. Gomidas spoke of the important milestones
in the lives of St. Sarkis and his companions, their defense and propagation
of the Christian faith, and their eventual martyrdom for their faith.
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, youth group members gathered at
the Chapel where the Prelate offered special prayers for the youth
beseeching the Lord to bless them and grace them with His strength, wisdom,
and protection so that they may live righteously and be steered away from
wrongdoings.
The service concluded with the Prelate’s benediction and the singing
of the Cilician anthem, after which parishioners gathered at the "Dikran and
Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall for a reception.
PRELATE WELCOMES A.R.S. REGIONAL EXECUTIVE AND CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
On the afternoon of Friday, February 6th, representatives from the
Armenian Relief Society Regional Executive and Centennial Committee visited
the Prelacy to meet with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate.
The delegation was headed by A.R.S. Central Executive Chair Mrs. Vicky
Marashlian.
The representatives had come to the Prelacy to brief the Prelate on
a number of activities they have planned, as well as to convey information
on the forthcoming 100th anniversary celebration which will take place with
the support and collaboration of the Prelacy and community organizations.
The Prelacy commended the efforts and devotion of the members and
reaffirmed the support of the Prelacy in their endeavors.