July 24, 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:
EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY ON THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRESCENTA VALLEY
PARISH
On Sunday, July 26th, 2009, the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Crescenta Valley will celebrate its third anniversary. On this occasion,
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine
Liturgy and deliver the sermon at the parish, which holds its services at
Unity Church of the Valley. The service begins at 1:00 p.m.
Parish pastor Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian will assist at the altar.
PRELATE WELCOMES CONSUL GENERAL OF ARMENIA
THE HONORABLE GRIGOR HOVHANNISYAN
On the afternoon of Thursday, July 22nd, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy the Consul General
of Armenia the Honorable Grigor Hovhannisyan.
During their meeting, the Prelate and guest discussed a number of
issues concerning the community, and the Consul General briefed the Prelate
on a number of projects the Consulate General has planned for the future.
The Prelate reaffirmed his support and backing of the endeavors of the
Consulate General.
PRELATE WELCOMES CHAIR OF THE ARMENIAN INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL FUND SALPY
AKARAGIAN
On the morning of Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy longtime community
advocate and current Chair of the Armenian International Medical Fund (AIMF)
Mrs. Salpy Akaragian.
Mrs. Akaragian briefed the Prelate on the work carried out by AIMF
since its establishment four years ago and its pioneering procedures to help
hearing impaired Armenian children and adults in Armenia through the efforts
of Armenian as well as non-Armenian specialists.
The Prelate highly commended the humanitarian mission of the
organization to providing a better quality of life to our brethren in
Armenia, and also commended Mrs. Akaragian for her years of service to the
community in her capacity as a nurse.
EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY AT THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD PARISH ON THE FEAST OF
TRANSFIGURATION
Sunday, July 19th, 2009 was a joyful day for the parishioners of the
North Hollywood community as they welcomed H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, on his first official visit to the parish. On that
day, the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord was celebrated with Divine
Liturgy celebrated by the Prelate, who also delivered the sermon and his
well wishes to the community.
Assisting at the altar were parish pastor Very Rev. Fr. Muron
Aznikian and pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian.
Participating in the services were pastor of St. Sarkis Church Rev. Fr.
Khoren Babochian, member of the ARF Central Committee, California State
Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, Executive Council chair Dr. Garo Agopian and
members, representatives of the ARS Regional Executive and members of
community organizations.
The service concluded with the singing of the Cilician and Armenian
National Anthems.
The faithful then headed to the church social hall where a reception
organized by the parish Ladies Auxiliary took place. Master of Ceremonies
Mrs. Sona Madarian welcomed the guests and invited Very Rev Fr. Muron
Aznikian, Dr. Garo Agopian, and parish council chair Mr. Khatchig Titizian
to deliver their remarks, all three of whom commended the progress the
parish has witnessed since its establishment at the start of the year, and
expressed hope for the parish to have its own church in the near future.
The guests also enjoyed a performance by Meline Hambartsumyan who
presented traditional Vartavar songs.
In his message, the Prelate commended the commitment of the parish
pastor, parish council, Ladies Auxiliary, altar servers and choir members,
as well as all the community organizations that have supported and continue
to support and contribute to the advancement of the parish. The Prelate
then announced the establishment of a new fund to assist in the future
construction of a church, stating that the Prelacy was making the first
donation to the fund. Representatives of various Prelacy parishes, members
of community organizations, and individuals alike followed suit and pledged
their donations, resulting in over ten thousand dollars being raised.
The Prelate also thanked Fr. Noel Gorgis, the pastor of St. Paul
Assyrian-Chaldean Catholic Church, where the services take place, for
accommodating the needs of the parish and presented him with a memento, thus
bringing the reception to a close.
Please visit the news section of our website for the full press
release and photos.
REQUIEM FOR PLANE CRASH VICTIMS OFFERED
AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH
On the morning of Monday, July 20th, 2009, requiem service for the
victims of last week’s plane crash in Iran was offered at St. Mary’s Church
in Glendale. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over
the service, in which clergy members participated.
Among those participating in the requiem service were
representatives of the Armenian Society of Los Angeles, members of the "Jan
Tavriz" Committee, and over 700 faithful.
During the service the Prelate offered prayed for the repose of the
souls of the victims, among them Dr. Levon Davtian, member of the
Catholicosate Central Executive. On behalf of the Consul General of Armenia
the Honorable Grigor Hovhannisyan, who would be joining the mourners at the
ensuing gathering in the church hall, the Prelate expressed his condolences
to the families of the victims, praying for the Holy Spirit to bring them
comfort and solace as they mourn the tragic loss of their loved ones.
A coffee reception in memory of the victims took place at "Armenak
Der Bedrossian" Hall following the requiem, during which the Prelate
comforted those who lost family members in the tragedy.
The service took place on Monday since Sunday, July 19th, was one of
the five major feasts of the Armenian Church, the Transfiguration of our
Lord, thus requiem could not be offered. Instead, special prayers were
offered in all Prelacy Churches during Divine Liturgy.