November 25, 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:
DIVINE LITURGY AT THE PRELACY CHAPEL
Under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, on Saturday, December 5th, 2009, Divine Liturgy will be celebrated
at the Prelacy St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen Chapel. The service begins at
6:00 p.m.
The celebrant is pastor of St. Mary’s Church Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian.
PRELATE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTENDED OPENING CEREMONY OF THE AZTAG
DAILY "PYUNIK" HALL
During his stay in Lebanon, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, has been participating in official meetings as well as cultural
community events. On Saturday, November 21st, 2009, the opening ceremony of
the Aztag Daily "Pyunik" Hall took place at the Shaghzoian center.
The Prelate attended the event, along with Executive Council Chair
Dr. Garo Agopian and Vice-Chair Mr. Garo Avakian. Also present were
statesmen and community leaders.
PRIME MINISTER OF KARABAKH ARAIK HARUTYUNYAN
VISITS THE PRELACY
On the afternoon of Tuesday, November 24th, 2009, Prime Minister of
the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Araik Harutyunyan visited the Prelacy where he
was welcomed by clergy and council members. The Prime Minister is currently
in Los Angeles ahead of the upcoming Armenia Fund Telethon.
The Prime Minister’s delegation included Mr. Davit Babayan
(spokesman to the NKR President), Mr. Robert Avetisyan (representative of
the NKR to the United States), Mr. Ara Vardanyan (Executive Director of
Hayastan All Armenian Fund), and Mr. Sarkis Kotanjian (Public Relations
Director of Armenia Fund U.S.).
The delegation was welcomed by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian
representing H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian, Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, Rev. Fr. Razmig
Khatchadourian, Central Executive member Mr. Khajag Dikijian, Executive
Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian and members Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian, Mr.
Varoujan Der Dimonian, and Mr. Khatchig Yeretzian, Board of Regents member
Mrs. Maggie Sarkuni, Mr. Vahan Bezdikian, Mr. Herair Jermakian, and members
of the Ladies Auxiilary.
Upon their arrival, the guests gathered at the St. Dertad and St.
Ashkhen Chapel for prayer. They were then given a tour of the headquarters
and became familiarized with the various departments and offices.
The official meeting began with the reading of the Prelate’s
welcoming remarks by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian. As reported earlier,
the Prelate was in Lebanon participating in meetings at the Catholicosate.
Remarks were also delivered by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Mr.
Khajad Dikijian, and Dr. Garo Agopian, all of whom reaffirmed the support of
the Prelacy and our community to the welfare and progress of Karabakh.
Prime Minister Harutyunyan conveyed his thanks for the warm welcome
and for the assistance of the community to Karabakh via Armenia Fund. He
reported on rebuilding projects currently underway in Karabakh and of the
current political situation with regards to Azerbaijan, and also touched
upon the Armenia-Turkey Protocols. The Prime Minister then took the time to
answer questions and give further explanation on specific projects geared at
rebuilding and strengthening Karabakh.
After the meeting the Prime Minister was hosted to a lunch organized
by the Ladies Auxiliary.
6TH ANNUAL ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES
SUNDAY SCHOOL GATHERING
Under the auspices of the Council of Oriental Orthodox Bishops, on
Sunday, November 21st, 2009, the 6th annual Oriental Orthodox Sunday
Schools’ gathering took place at St. Ephrain Syriac Orthodox Church in
Burbank. Given that H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who is
a member of the Council, was in Lebanon at the time participating in
meetings at the Catholicosate, the Prelacy delegation was led by Very Rev.
Fr. Muron Aznikian and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
The day began with Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Mor
Clemis Eugene Kaplan, (Syriac Orthodox Church) and H.G. Bishop Serapion
(Coptic Orthodox Church). The students participated in the service in their
respective languages. Archbishop Kaplan delivered the sermon on the
following passage from the Gospel of Luke, "Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word of God" (Luke 4:4). Bishop Serapion then explained
to the students what makes the Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac Churches sister
churches and how important collaboration between the churches is. A
question and answer session and discussion followed. The participants also
received Holy Communion.
After lunch, the students, numbering close to 250, were assigned to
groups for the Bible competition on Luke chapters 1-12. Winners were
awarded with trophies and all the students were given mementos to commend
their participation.