June 26, 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 PONTIFICAL THANKSGIVING PRAYERS
AT ST. GARABED CHURCH IN HOLLYWOOD
On Sunday, June 28th, the 14th anniversary of the election and
consecration of H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will
be observed in all Prelacy churches. By the ordinance of H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Pontifical thanksgiving prayers
(Hayrabedagan Maghtank) will be offered on this occasion in our churches.
The Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy and Pontifical prayers
at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, and will also deliver the sermon. The
Liturgy will be celebrated by Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian.
Her Excellency Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, who is currently in Los
Angeles to meet with the Armenian community, will be in attendance.
PRELACY "LOUSAVORICH" YOUTH CHOIR PERFORMS
TO GREAT ACCLAIM
In response to the proclamation of 2009 as the Year of the Youth by
H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, events dedicated to
our youth have taken place and will be taking place throughout the year
within the Prelacy.
One such event was the first performance of the newly formed
"Lousavorich" youth choir, which took place on the evening of Thursday, June
25th, at Glendale Presbyterian Church.
The choir, comprised of forty-five youth, was led by Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian.
The evening began with welcoming remarks by choir members Suren
Hazarian and Merry Melkonian. The choir presented a repertoire of songs
from a variety of musical genres including spiritual, folk, patriotic,
traditional, and anthems.
The evening came to a close with the Prelate’s remarks and
blessings, and benediction.
Detailed press release to follow.
PRELATE TO ATTEND 34TH NAVASARTIAN VICTORY BALL
The 34th Navasartian Victory Ball, organized by Homenetmen Regional
Executive, will take place on the evening of Saturday, June 27th, at CBS
Studio Center in Studio City.
The Prelate will attend and convey his blessings.
The 34th Navasartian festival will begin on Thursday, July 2nd, and
culminate with the closing ceremony on Sunday, July 5th, at Birmingham High
School.
PRELACY YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN THIRD ANNUAL ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES YOUTH
GATHERING
On Saturday, June 20th, 2009, youth from the Armenian, Coptic, and
Syriac Orthodox Churches gathered at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church
in Pasadena for the third annual Oriental Orthodox Churches (OOC) Youth
Gathering. The event is organized each year by the OOC Youth Delegates
Committee to bring together youth from sister churches to participate in a
day of prayer and fellowship.
The gathering took place under the auspices of the Council of
Oriental Orthodox Bishops which is comprised of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, H.E.
Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan (Syriac Orthodox Church), and H.G.
Bishop Serapion (Coptic Orthodox Church).
The gathering began with morning prayers from the Book of Hours led
by the Archbishops Mardirossian, Derderian, and Kaplan, and with the
participation of clergy members and youth. The sermon was delivered by
Archbishop Derderian.
Clergy and youth then headed to the church hall where welcoming
remarks were delivered by Sophia Allaf, Chairlady of the OOC Youth Delegates
Committee, followed by welcoming remarks by H.E. Archbishop Kaplan who
conveyed his blessings to the youth.
In his message to the youth, H.E. Archbishop Mardirossian addressed
and acknowledged the difficulties they face growing up in the 21st century,
and offered his advice and guidance.
Prior to lunch, an ice breaker took place to bring the youth closer
together through a fun and educational activity, where participants chose a
character from the Bible and explained how they relate to that particular
figure in today’s times.
After lunch, the youth were split into four groups to participate in
a discussion session led by one clergy member from each of the churches.
Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian led the discussion for the Prelacy.
The discussions related to the theme of the gathering "Me, Myself,
and Christ", and focused on how youth in the 21st century can lose their
selfishness and concentrate on building and strengthening their relationship
with our Lord Jesus Christ. Youth then had the opportunity to share with
each other what they had learned from the discussion sessions.
The gathering officially came to a close at 3:30 p.m., after which
youth were invited to participate in games and social hour.