September 11, 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:

COMMEMORATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF H.H. KAREKIN I

On Sunday, September 20th, 2009, the 10th anniversary of the passing
of H.H. Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, will be observed.
By the ordinance of H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, on that day a special requiem service will be offered for the
blessed memory of H.H. Karekin I.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian will preside over Divine
Liturgy and the requiem service at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
At 1:30 p.m., a memorial will take place at the Kessab Center under
the auspices of the Prelate and organized by the Kessab Compatriotic Union
(18407 Sherman Way, Reseda).

WESTERN PRELACY HOSTS A DISCUSSION ON THE
ARMENIA-TURKEY PROTOCOLS

On the evening of Thursday, September 10th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Executive Council, invited
representatives of the Western Prelacy to the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der
Ghazarian" Hall for a discussion on the recently unveiled Armenia-Turkey
protocols. Among those in attendance were clergy, delegates, Boards of
Trustees and Ladies Auxiliary members, Board of Regents members, schools’
principals and directors, and the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary.
The meeting opened with the Prelate welcoming the guests, among them
member of the Catholicosate Central Committee Mr. Khajag Dikijian and ARF
Central Committee Chair Mr. Avedik Izmirlian.
The Prelate first touched upon general issues regarding the
endeavors of the Prelacy including the meeting that took place at the end of
August in Montreal between the three North American Prelates to prepare for
the General Assembly which will be held in November at the Catholicosate in
Antelias, and the start of the new academic year at Prelacy Schools.
Speaking on the protocols between Armenia and Turkey that came to
light on August 31st, the Prelate stated that although the protocols in
theory outline some positive changes like the bilateral normalization of
relations, ultimately the rights of the Armenian people will be compromised.
The Prelate then invited Executive Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian to
moderate the discussion.
Dr. Agopian welcomed the guests then invited Mr. Dikijian to speak
on the details of the protocols.
Mr. Dikijian focused on the points of the protocol that will
compromise the rights of the Armenian people and touched upon statements
such as the opening of the borders will have a positive impact on Armenia’s
economy while the move can on the contrary have a negative impact. In
conclusion, Mr. Dikijian asserted that overall, the protocols will be, at
the least, disadvantageous for Armenia, thus, it is crucial that all those
present unite their voices and speak out against it.
During the question and answer session, the Prelate, Mr. Dikijian,
and Mr. Izmirlian gave further clarifications on the details of the
protocols and the steps that must be taken in the next five weeks to ensure
that the issue does not reach to the point of serious consideration by the
Armenian government. In this regards, a community gathering supported by
all local political parties and organizations will take place on Sunday,
September 27th, the details of which will be released soon.
In his address, Mr. Izmirlian spoke of the steps the ARF Central
Committee has taken since the announcement of the protocols, including
meetings and discussion not only with members of the Armenian community but
U.S. government officials as well. Mr. Izmirlian stated that the Armenian
nation is at a dangerous crossroads where our national rights are being
compromised and which can render useless all the work that has been carried
out thus far for our cause. Thus, he also stressed the importance of
uniting and joining efforts to speak out against the protocols and the
consequences it will have on the Armenian nation.
The meeting concluded with the benediction by the Prelate.

PRELATE WELCOMES PROF. HANS-JUERGEN FEULNER

On Wednesday, September 9th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Professor Hans-Juergen
Feulner of the Institute for Liturgical Studies at the University of Vienna.

Prof. Feulner, who is on a brief visit to the U.S., is a long-time
friend and collaborator of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and of the Western
Prelacy. During their meeting, the Prelate and Prof. Feulner briefed one
another on their recent activities and undertakings.
Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev Gulumian also
participated in the meeting.

PRELATE VISITS CHAMLIAN AND MINASSIAN SCHOOLS

After a week’s delay due to the fire in the Angeles National Forest,
on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009, Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School opened
its doors to start the 2009-2010 school year.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the
opening ceremony, which was particularly special this year given that the
school will be celebrating its 35th anniversary. Joining the Prelate at the
opening were Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and pastors of St. Mary’s Church.
Also in attendance were Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero, Glendale City Council
member Mr. Ara Najarian, Chamlian school board Chair Mrs. Armineh
Khachadourian, members of the La Crescenta and Glendale Fire Departments,
supporters, and parents.
Following the opening prayer, remarks were offered by Vice-Principal
Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, Mayor Quintero, Principal Mr. Vazken Madenlian, and
the school board chair. The Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Saro Nazarian.
In his remarks, the Prelate congratulated the school on the occasion
of their 35th anniversary and conveyed his blessings and wishes for a
successful school year to the administration, students, and parents. During
the ceremony, the school administration honored the memory of the two
firefighters who lost their lives fighting the wildfires through a donation
to their families. The release of thirty-five doves symbolizing the 35th
anniversary of the school concluded the ceremony.
A day before, the Prelate visited Ari Guiragos Minassian School in
Orange Country and presided over the opening ceremony. Upon his arrival the
Prelate was greeted by pastor of Forty Martyrs Church Rev. Fr. Hrant
Yeretzian, Executive Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian, Forty Martyrs Church
Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Kevork Der Alexanian and Vice-Chair Mr. Sarkis
Der Tavitian, school board Chair Mr. Chris Gourjian, acting principal Mrs.
Kohar Zaher, teachers, and parents.
The Prelate visited the newly renovated classrooms and the new
computer lab, then to the courtyard where students and parents had assembled
for the official program. The students recited the Lord’s Prayer, after
which Mrs. Zaher offered welcoming remarks. Following the artistic program,
the Prelate conveyed his blessings. Remarks were also offered by Dr.
Agopian.
On the morning of Friday, September 11th, the Prelate visited Levon
and Hasmig Tavlian Pre-School in Pasadena and conveyed his blessings to the
students and administration. The Prelate was accompanied by pastor of St.
Sarkis Church Rev. Fr. Khoren Babochian.
On Thursday, September 10th, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian presided
over the back to school ceremony at Mesrobian School in Montebello and
conveyed the Prelate’s message.

PRELATE WELCOMES MEMBERS OF
HOMENETMEN WORLD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

On Tuesday, September 8th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy members of Homenetmen World
Executive Committee Mr. Koko Balian (Vice-Chairman), Mr. Garbis Kabasakalian
(Secretary), and Mr. Carlo Seferian (Advisor).
The guests briefed the Prelate on the recent activities of
Homenetmen, specifically the gathering of scouting directors from around the
world which took place at the Homenetmen campsite a week before.
The Prelate highly commended the work that is carried out by
Homenetmen and wished success to all those who serve for the progress of our
community through Homenetmen. An exchange of mementos concluded the
meeting.

"ARMENIA" SHIP CREW VISIT PRELACY CHURCHES
AND HEADQUARTERS

On the afternoon of Saturday, September 5th, 2009, the crew of the
"Armenia" ship visited the Prelacy where they were welcomed by H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian
and Barthev Gulumian participated in the meeting.
Earlier in the day, the delegation led by Zori Balayan had visited a
number of Prelacy Churches.
Following the meeting, the guests addressed the youth gathering in
the hall.

PRELATE AND ARF CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS DISCUSS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN
ARMENIA

On the afternoon of Friday, September 4th, 2009, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed members of the ARF Central
Committee Mr. John Kossakian and Mr. Harout Manoukian to the Prelacy, where
a discussion took place on the recent developments in Armenia.
The guests gave a general overview of the recent goings-on in
Armenia with regards to dialogue between Armenia and Turkey, followed by an
exchange of thoughts on this matter. The Prelate and guests stressed that
no agreement between the two countries should compromise the rights of the
Armenian people and reaffirmed their coordinated efforts towards this cause.