February 20, 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:
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AND REQUIEM SERVICE FOR A.R.S.
MEMBERS AT HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH
On Sunday, February 22nd, the Eve of Great Lent, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy at Holy
Martyrs Church in Encino.
Upon the request of the Regional Executive of the A.R.S. and the
ordinance of the Prelate, each year special requiem services are offered in
Prelacy Churches for departed members of the Armenian Relief Society. This
year, requiem service will be offered on Sunday, February 22nd, in all
churches following Divine Liturgy.
Also on this day, funds will be raised in all churches to benefit
the A.R.S. as they prepare to celebrate their centennial next year. The
Prelate’s call to support this effort will also be read.
START OF LENTEN SUNRISE AND VESPER SERVICES
Monday, February 23rd is the first day of Great Lent. During this
period, Sunrise and Vesper Services will be offered in all Prelacy Churches
on Wednesdays and Fridays.
On Wednesday, February 25th, the Prelate will preside over the first
Sunrise Service at Holy Martyrs Church. Ferrahian School students will
participate in the service, which will be followed by a luncheon at
"Dikranian" Hall organized by the A.R.S. "Anahid" Chapter, during which the
Prelate will convey his blessings.
On Wednesday, March 4th, the Prelate will preside over Sunrise
Service at St. Mary’s Church which will be followed by the traditional
Lenten lunch organized by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary at "Armenak Der
Bedrossian" Hall.
PRELATE TO ATTEND "FRIENDS OF NEW JULFA"
ANNUAL EVENT
Under the auspices of the Prelate, on the evening of Saturday,
February 21st, the "Friends of New Julfa" Committee will hold its annual
event at Royal Palace in Glendale.
The Prelate will attend the event, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian, pastor of St. Mary’s Church.
PRELATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OPENING OF THE HAMAZKAYIN REPRESENTATIVES
ASSEMBLY
On Friday, February 20th, the official opening of the Hamazkayin
Western Region
15th Representatives Assembly will take place at the A.R.S. Regional
Executive headquarters in Glendale.
The Prelate will be present at the opening and will convey his
message to the members.
PRELATE REPRESENTED AT A.R.F RECEPTION FOR THE NEW CONSUL GENERAL OF ARMENIA
On the evening of Thursday, February 19th, the Central Committee of
the A.R.F. Western Region had organized a welcoming reception for the newly
appointed Consul General of Armenia the Honorable Grigor Hovhannisyan at
their headquarters in Glendale.
Prelacy Religious Council Chair Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian
represented the Prelate at the reception. Executive Council Chair Dr.Garo
Agopian and member Mr. Garo Eshgian were also in attendance, along with a
number of representatives from sister organizations.
FEAST OF STS. VARTANANK COMMEMORATED
On Thursday, February 19th, the Prelate and clergy order gathered
for morning services and Divine Liturgy in commemoration of the Feast of
Sts. Vartanank. Morning services took place at St. Mary’s Church in
Glendale. The sermon was delivered by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian.
In the evening Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian who also delivered the sermon, in which he spoke of the
historical significance and timeless message of Vartanants.
JOINT GHEVONTIANTS CLERGY CONFERENCE OF THE
NORTH AMERICAN PRELACIES CONCLUDES
On Monday, February 16th, the biennial joint Ghevontiants clergy
conference of the three North American Prelacies convened at St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church in Philadelphia. The conference was hosted by the
Eastern Prelacy and presided over by H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Prelate of the Eastern United States, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, and H.E. Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada.
Given that H.H. Catholicos Aram I has proclaimed 2009 the Year of
the Youth, the theme of the conference was "The Informed Youth – The
Livelihood of the Church and Nation".
The three day conference included discussion and analysis of issues
of mutual concern to the three Prelacies, spiritual meditation and
reflection, and lecture presentations. In addition, the Feast of St.
Ghevontiants was commemorated with Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, February 17th,
at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. Clergy members also paid a visit to
the gravesite of one of the founders of Homenetmen Archpriest Fr. Dickran
Khoyan.
The Prelate and clergy returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday evening.