January 8, 2010
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’S NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS DINNER CULMINATES WITH GREAT SUCCESS

– CABAYAN FAMILY DONATES $500,000 TO HOLY MARTYRS ELEMENTARY
– ELEMENTARY WILL BE RENAMED `HOLY MARTYRS MARY CABAYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’

On the evening of January 6th, 2010, the Feast of the Nativity and
Theophany of our Lord, hundreds of Prelacy supporters and friends
gathered at `Bagramian’ Hall of Montebello’s Holy Cross Cathedral for
the annual Prelate’s Traditional New Year and Christmas Dinner.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, expressed
his thanks and appreciation to all the sponsors and donors for their
continued support and encouragement. The Prelate then stated that
among the evening’s surprises was a special announcement; Dr. and
Mrs. Vatche and Shoushig Cabayan of San Francisco had donated $500,000
to Holy Martyrs Elementary and Ferrahian High School in memory of
their mother Mary Cabayan. On behalf of the Executive Council, Board
of Regents of Prelacy Schools, and the school’s administration and
board, the Prelate officially announced that the elementary section
will be renamed `HOLY MARTYRS MARY CABAYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’.
Details to follow.

CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY AT THE PRELACY

Throughout this past week, the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of
our Lord was ceremoniously celebrated at Prelacy Churches with Divine
Liturgy, the blessing of water, and the Prelate’s Traditional New Year
and Christmas Dinner.
The celebration began with Divine Liturgy on Tuesday,
January 5th, 2010, the eve of the Feast of the Nativity.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine
Liturgy and delivered the sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
On Wednesday, the Prelate celebrated Divine Liturgy at
St. Mary’s Church in Glendale on the Feast of the Nativity and
Theophany, where he also delivered the sermon and conducted the
blessing of water ceremony.
On Thursday, January 7th, Memorial Day, requiem services
took place at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Hall of Liberty and Forest
Lawn Glendale Church of the Recessional, presided over by the Prelate
and with the participation of clergy members.
On Friday, January 8th, in keeping with tradition,
Christmas Divine Liturgy was celebrated at Ararat Home in Mission
Hills. The day began with morning prayers in the nursing facility,
presided over by the Prelate and with the participation of clergy.
The blessing of water also took place and residents were offered Holy
Communion. The service concluded with the collective singing of
`Giligia’.
Divine Liturgy was then celebrated at the Ararat Home
Chapel. The celebrant was Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian.
The Prelate commended the administration and staff and
conveyed his well wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year to them
and to the residents.
Following the service, the clergy were hosted to a
reception with the administration and residents.