February 12, 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:

IN MEMORIAM
ARCHPRIEST FR. VATCHE NACCASHIAN

H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Clergy members, and
the Religious and Executive Councils mourn the passing of Archpriest
Fr. Vatche Naccashian which occurred on Monday, February 8th, 2010,
following a long illness.
Orphaned as a child, he entered the Seminary of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia and devoted the rest of his life to serving
the Armenian Church. In 1961 he was ordained into the priesthood and
served the communities of Brazil, and the Eastern and Western
Prelacies. From 1976 on, he served for two decades within the Western
Prelacy as pastor of St. Garabed Church in Hollywood.
Extreme Unction will take place during funeral mass on
Saturday, February 13th, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Garabed Church.
Our deepest condolences to Yeretsgin Lousadzin Naccashian,
children Kevork, Dzovig, Krikor, Zareh, and their families and
relatives.
May his memory remain ever blessed.

GREAT LENT SUNRISE AND VESPER SERVICES

Monday, February 15th, 2010, is the first day of Great Lent. During
the 40-day period, sunrise and vesper services will take place in all
churches on Wednesdays and Fridays.
On Wednesday, February 17th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over the first sunrise service at
Holy Martyrs Church in Encino and will deliver his message on Great
Lent to Ferrahian School students who will be in attendance.
Following the service a Great Lent luncheon organized by
the ARS Anahid Chapter will take place at `Dikranian’ Hall. The
Prelate will attend and convey his blessings.

CLERGY CONFERENCE AND DIVINE LITURGY ON THE FEAST OF STS. GHEVONTIANK

The annual clergy conference on the occasion of Sts. Ghevontiank took
place on Tuesday, February 9th, at the Prelacy `Dikran and Zarouhie
Der Ghazarian’ Hall, presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, and with the participation of the clergy order.
Former Prelate H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian also participated.
The day began with morning services at the Chapel,
followed by lectures and spiritual meditations. Speaking on the topic
`The Calling of Clergy’, Pastor of St. Gregory Church of San Francisco
Very Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian lectured on the characteristics of
being a good shepherd in the example of Jesus Christ.
The conference discussions largely focused on the
responsibilities and mission of clergy members, from pastoral duties
to administrative.
In celebration of the `Year of the Armenian Woman’
proclaimed by H.H. Catholicos Aram I, a number of educational and
cultural events were drafted and clergy members were encouraged to
organize events in their local parishes exalting the lives and virtues
of women in the Bible and our saints.
In the evening, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at
St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. The celebrant was Very
Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian.
At the conclusion of the service, the Prelate presided
over requiem for departed clergy members. The evening concluded with
the singing of songs dedicated to the Feasts of Sts. Ghevontiank and
Vartanank.

PRELATE CONDUCTS OPENING CEREMONY AND BLESSING OF THE PRELACY VESTRY

On the evening of Saturday, February 6th, 2010, Divine Liturgy was
celebrated at the Prelacy `St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen’ Chapel. Divine
Liturgy or evening services take place at the Chapel on the first
Saturday of each month.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian. The `Lousavorich’ youth choir participated in the Liturgy.
Following the service, the Prelate conducted the opening
and blessing of the Vestry located adjacent to the Chapel. Vestry
sponsors Mr. and Mrs. Hovsep and Elo Boyajian and family members were
present for the ceremony. Also in attendance were this year’s
Christmas Dinner sponsors, the Jabarian and Hasbanian families.
The Prelate spoke highly of the Mr. Boyajian’s many years
of service to the Armenian Church and community, which includes his
contributions as a member of the Prelacy Building Committee as well as
to St. Sarkis Church of Pasadena and Holy Cross Cathedral of
Montebello.
Requiem for the souls of departed Boyajian, Jabarian, and
Hasbanian family members was offered prior to the ceremony.

PRELATE WELCOMES SERGEANT KERWIN WONG OF THE
LOS ANGELES SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

On the morning of Wednesday, February 10th, 2010, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Sergeant
Kerwin J. Wong, head of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Religious
and Volunteer Services. Sergeant Wong was accompanied by Chaplain
Rafi Garabedian who heads the Prelacy prison ministry program.
Sergeant Wong spoke of his responsibilities within the
Sheriff’s Department and familiarized the Prelate with the duties
entrusted to him in his particular department. He welcomed such
meetings for they offer him the opportunity to become more closely
acquainted with our community leaders, and result in closer
collaboration.
The Prelate detailed the spiritual services that our
offered to Armenian inmates through the prison ministry program,
noting that alongside Chaplain Rafi, clergy members regularly visit
inmates and rehabilitation services are also offered to released
inmates to ease their transition back into society. The Prelate also
elucidated on the historical and present-day struggles of the Armenian
people and other related issues.