May 22, 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:
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH
40TH DAY REQUIEM FOR DIRAMAYR MARIE MARDIROSSIAN
On Sunday, May 17th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
will preside over Divine Liturgy at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
Following the Liturgy, 40th day requiem service will be conducted
for Diramayr Marie Mardirossian. H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian will
preside over the requiem.
PRELATE TO ATTEND CASPS RECEPTION HONORING OUTSTANDING ARMENIAN GRADUATES
The Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools (CASPS), which
serves under the auspices of the Prelacy, has organized a reception to honor
outstanding Armenian students graduating from the Glendale Unified School
District. The 13th annual reception will take place on the evening of
Tuesday, May 26th, at Anoush Restaurant in Glendale.
The Prelate will attend and convey his blessings to the students.
A reception for graduating students from the Los Angeles Unified
School District will take place on June 3rd, at Valley College.
THE FEAST OF ASCENSION CELEBRATED WITH DIVINE LITURGY AND TRADITIONAL
LUNCHEON
On Thursday, May 21st, 2009, the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord
Jesus Christ was celebrated within the Prelacy with Divine Liturgy followed
by the traditional luncheon. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated at St. Mary’s
Church in Glendale by Rev. Fr. Hrant Yerestian. Rev. Fr. also delivered the
sermon, in which he spoke of the meaning of the Ascension in our individual
lives.
Participating in the services were clergy members, the Consul
General of Armenia the Honorable Grigor Hovhannisyan and his wife Victoria,
and faithful.
The traditional luncheon, which is organized each year by the
Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary, followed at First Congregational Church in
Glendale, with the participation of the Prelate, Rev. Fr. Hrant Yeretzian,
Rev. Fr. Gomidas Torossian, and over 250 sponsors and friends.
Master of Ceremonies and Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs. Hourig
Abdulian welcomed the guests then invited the Prelate to deliver the
invocation. The Prelate welcomed the guests and commended the Ladies
Auxiliary members for their contributions. The Prelate also thanked and
commended Mrs. Kohar and Mrs. Peggy Sulahian for hosting the luncheon.
Rev. Fr. Hrant spoke about the religious and national traditions
associated with the Feast of the Ascension and their significance in our
lives today.
Guests also enjoyed a performance by singer Gagik Badalyan,
participated in the traditional casting of lots and the singing of songs
with the help of a song book compiled for this occasion by the Ladies
Auxiliary. Throughout the event, donations were also made by the guests on
this joyous occasion.
CHAMLIAN SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS RECEIVES HOLY COMMUNION AT THE PRELACY
CHAPEL
On the morning of Wednesday, May 20th, 2009, and the eve of the
Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy the graduating class of Vahan
and Anoush Chamlian School. The students were accompanied by their teachers
and Parent Teacher Committee members. Pastor of St. Mary’s Church Rev. Fr.
Vazken Atmajian was also in attendance.
It has become a tradition for the graduating class to come to the
Prelacy and receive Holy Communion by the Prelate prior to their graduation.
Upon their arrival, the students and teachers gathered at the St.
Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel where they recited the Lord’s Prayer then
received Holy Communion.
After breakfast, the students and teachers headed to the "Dikran and
Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. Vice-Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian thanked
the Prelate for the warm reception and announced that the students had a
memento to present, a framed portrait of the Kecharis Monastery of Vanadzor.
The students then presented an artistic program consisting of songs and
poetry.
In his address to the students, the Prelate urged them to keep the
Armenian spirit alive and strong in them wherever they may find themselves
in the coming years.
The gathering came to a close with the singing of the Armenian
national anthem.
PRELATE PRESIDES OVER OPENING CEREMONY OF NEW DAVIDIAN & MARIAMIAN
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION CENTER
On the evening of Monday, May 18th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the opening of the new center of
Davidian and Mariamian Educational Foundation (DMEF) at the Pacific
Education Center in Glendale. Participating in the ceremony were DMEF Board
members and Glendale Unified School District board members. Accompanying
the Prelate were H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian and Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian.
Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, a reception followed, after
which guests gathered in the auditorium for the official portion of the
program. In his remarks, the Prelate highly commended the efforts of the
board members over the past 20 years in providing a quality Armenian
education to our youth and bridging them to our heritage and culture, and
reaffirmed the collaboration that continued between the Prelacy and the
foundation.
Remarks were also delivered by Glendale Unified School District
members and representatives and by Davidian and Mariamian Educational
Foundation board members who thanked both the Prelate and School District
members for their support.
37TH PRELACY REPRESENTATIVES ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES
On the afternoon of Saturday, May 16th, 2009, the 37th Prelacy
Representatives Assembly concluded. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over the two-day assembly which had convened at the
"Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall with the participation of clergy
members, Central Executive Council members, Executive Council members,
delegates, Boards of Trustees Chairmen, Board of Regents members, and
Prelacy Schools’ principals and directors. The Assembly was hosted by St.
Gregory Church of San Francisco.
During the four sessions, the Assembly discussed and analyzed the
undertakings of the Prelate and Religious and Executive Councils over the
previous term, which they found highly commendable. In addition, issues
concerning our parishes and schools were discussed with the focus on the
intellectual and spiritual development of youth, especially considering that
this year has been designated the Year of the Youth by His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I. In conclusion, delegates offered their suggestions and
proposals for the coming term.
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