April 23, 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 AT HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH AND REQUIM
SERVICE ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ADANA MASSACRES

In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Adana massacres, by
the ordinance of H.H. Catholicos Aram I, on Sunday, April 26th special
requiem service will be offered in all churches of the Holy See of Cilicia.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over
Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
During Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will consecrate the new baptismal font.
At the conclusion of services the Prelate will preside over the
requiem in memory of the Adana martyrs.

DIVINE LITURGY AND YOUTH GATHERING AT THE PRELACY

On Saturday, May 2nd, monthly Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at
the Prelacy "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel. Divine Liturgy begins at
6:00 p.m., and the celebrant is Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
At 2:30 p.m., members of the Armenian Church Youth Association
(ACYA) will gather at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall
for a presentation on the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit by fellow ACYA
members. A reception will take place following the presentation.

BOOK PRESENTATION AT THE PRELACY

On Sunday, May 3rd, the book presentation of Professor Harut
Barsamian’s Reusrrection with Cane and Shoe will take place at the Prelacy
"Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. The event begins at 4:00 p.m.
The event is taking place under the auspices of the Prelate and has
been organized by the Prelacy Outreach Committee. The book will be
presented by Prof. Mihran Agbabian in Armenian and Mr. Dikran Barsam in
English. An artistic program will also take place.
All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the "Harut
Barsamian Disabled Armenian Students Scholarship Fund" established by the
author under the auspices of the Western Prelacy.

APRIL 24TH COMMEMORATIONS
WITHIN THE PRELACY AND COMMUNITY

On April 24th, Armenian worldwide will commemorate the 94th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with various events in remembrance of
our 1.5 million martyrs.
A number of commemorative events have already taken place within our
Prelacy and community. In Prelacy schools, requiem services, candle
lighting, tree planting, and similar events have been taking place since the
start of the week.
On Tuesday, April 21st, by the initiative of Supervisor Michael
Antonovich, a special presentation took place during the Board of
Supervisor’s weekly meeting proclaiming April 24 as the "Day of Remembrance
for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923". Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian,
accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, Archpriest Fr. Khoren
Habeshian, and Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian represented the Prelate and
delivered the invocation. Community members and ANC-WR Board members were
also in attendance.During the presentation, the late Diramayr Marie
Mardirossian was remembered and condolences conveyed to the Prelate.
In the afternoon, the directors of Glendale Memorial Hospital had
organized an art exhibit in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide which
took place at the hall of the hospital. Collective prayers were offered by
Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian, and Rev. Fr.
Gomidas Torossian.
On Wednesday, April 22nd, Rev. Fr. Gomidas Torossian represented the
Prelate at an event organized by Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo
and the City Attorney’s office in celebration of Armenian art and culture,
and conveyed the Prelate’s remakrs.
On Thursday, April 23rd, a commemoration took place at the
California State Legislature in Sacramento during which a proclamation was
issued recognizing April 19th through the 26th as "Days of Remembrance of
the Armenian Genocide". Pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Fresno Rev. Fr.
Vahan Gosdanian represented the Prelate and delivered the invocation. ANC
members also participated in the commemoration. During both House and Senate
sessions, members of the State Legislature expressed their condolence on the
recent passing of Diramayr Marie Mardirossian.
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. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, accompanied by Rev.
Fr. Ardak Demirjian, will attend and convey the Prelate’s remarks. ANC-WR
board members will also attend.
At 10:30 a.m. on 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.
Also on the morning of April 24th, the annual march of the Unified
Young Armenians will take place in Little Armenia beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian will attend on behalf of the Prelate and
will offer the opening prayer.
At 4:00 p.m. the protest at the Turkish embassy will take place, and
in the evening a commemoration organized by the Glendale City Council at
Alex Theatre. The Prelate, accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian,
Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, and Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian.