April 17, 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:
94TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIONS OF
THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
On Friday, April 24th, 2009, the 94th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide will be commemorated by Armenians worldwide, as well as within the
Western Prelacy.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, has been invited to
participate in the following events:
The Prelate received an invitation from Supervisor Michael
Antonovich to participate in a special presentation during the Board of
Supervisor’s weekly meeting, proclaiming April 24 as the "Day of Remembrance
for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923". The presentation will take place
on the morning of Tuesday, April 21st.
On the evening of Wednesday, April 22nd, a commemoration will take
place at the Capitol Hill Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and the City Attorney’s
office have organized an event in celebration of Armenian art and culture
showcasing the works of Armenian artists at Los Angeles City Hall on the
evening of Wednesday, April 22nd.
A commemoration will also take place at the California State
Legislature in Sacramento on Thursday, April 23rd. On April 16th, Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed the week of April 19th through the 26th as
"Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide".
The Los Angeles City Council, headed by President Eric Garcetti, has
organized a commemoration which will take place on the morning of Friday,
April 24th at City Hall.
Also on Friday, April 24th, a community-wide commemoration will take
place at the Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument in Montebello beginning
with Divine Liturgy with the participation of the Armenian Apostolic,
Catholic, and Evangelical Churches.
Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by the Prelate, the sermon will be
delivered by H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Gospel reading by
Very Rev. Fr. Andon Saroyan, Rector of the Catholic Church, and Epistle
reading by Rev. Joe Matossian, Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of
North America.
Requiem services and commemorations will follow Divine Liturgy.
PRELATE CELEBRATES EASTER DIVINE LITURGY
AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH
On Sunday, April 12th, 2009, the Glorious Resurrection of our Lord
was celebrated in all Prelacy churches and parishes with Divine Liturgy.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy
and delivered the sermon at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, where thousands
of parishioners had come to celebrate this Glorious Feast.
Prior to his sermon the Prelate thanked God for bringing together
the children of the Armenian Apostolic faith to celebrate together the
Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and proclaim triumphantly, "Christ is
risen from the dead, blessed is the Resurrection of Christ". The Prelate
noted that seven weeks ago we embarked on a journey of reflection and
renewal, and during Holy Week relived the atmosphere that Jesus’ disciples
and followers lived during the last days of His earthly life, and now we
have reached the blessed day when we celebrate His Resurrection and triumph
over death, which continues to illuminate our lives today.
The Prelate reminded the faithful that Easter is a time of renewal
and revival, a time to rise victorious from the burden of our worries and
troubles and triumph over our weaknesses just as He triumphed over death,
and urged them to live their lives strengthened by this message of the
Resurrection to be worthy of new life and eternal life.
GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER EVE SERVICES
On the evening of Friday, April 10th, 2009, the burial of Jesus
Christ was commemorated with services in all Prelacy Churches. H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, officiated over the service at
Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County and delivered his message on this
solemn occasion.
The Prelate stated to the faithful that this service is a reminder
to us all of the primary reason for Jesus’ earthly ministry, which was to
take on our sins and our burdens and to sacrifice His life for our
salvation. He concluded with a call to the faithful that we must place our
absolute faith and trust in Him, live God-pleasing lives according to His
commandments, and demonstrate our love for Him through our deeds and actions
On the evening of Saturday,April 11th, the Prelate celebrated Easter
Eve Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. In his sermon, the
Prelate prayed for the renewing and reviving message of the Glorious
Resurrection of Jesus Christ to enrich the lives of our faithful and our
nation.