April 16, 2010
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:
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT FORTY MARTYRS CHURCH –
REQUIEM SERVICE FOR DIRAMAYR MARIE MARDIROSSIAN
On Sunday, April 18th, 2010, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy at Forty
Martyrs Church in Orange County. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian will
celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon. At the conclusion of
Divine Liturgy, requiem service will be offered for Diramayr Marie
Mardirossian on the first anniversary of her passing.
. By the ordinance of the Prelate and the request of the
Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry, on Sunday, April 18, prayers will
be offered in all Prelacy Churches during Divine Liturgy for those
suffering from leukemia and blood related illnesses. Also, for the
second consecutive Sunday, members of the Armenian Autism Outreach
Project will be at Prelacy Churches to provide information on autism.
PRELATE WELCOMES PROF. RICHARD HOVANNISIAN – ESTABLISHMENT OF THE
"GRIGOR KOTCHOLOSIAN" SCHOLARSHIP FUND
On Wednesday, April 14th, 2010, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed renowned historian and scholar
Prof. Richard Hovannisian. Given that it was Prof. Hovannisian’s
first visit to the new headquarters, the Prelate informed him of the
various departments that operate within the Prelacy and the endeavors
being undertaken. The Prelate and guest also discussed current issues
of concern within the Armenian community. Prof. Hovannisian then
informed the Prelate that the cousin of his wife Dr. Vartiter
K. Hovannisian, Grigor Kotcholosian (who passed away in Orange County
on February 17, 2010), had left a sum of $75,000 in his will to the
Ari Guiragos Minassian School in Orange County to establish a
scholarship fund to benefit needy students. On behalf of the Prelacy
Councils and school board, the Prelate expressed his thanks and
appreciation to Prof. Hovannisian and prayed for the memory of the
decedent to remain ever blessed.
DIVINE LITURGY AND REQUIEM ON THE 95TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE
On the evening of Friday, April 23rd, 2010, Divine Liturgy
will be celebrated and requiem service will be offered in
commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The
service begins at 7:00 p.m. and will take place at the Armenian
Apostolic Church of North Hollywood located at 13050 Vanowen St. near
the intersection of Coldwater Canyon. Divine Liturgy will be
celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who will
also deliver the sermon. Memorial messages will be delivered by Very
Rev. Fr. Andon Saroyan, Rector of the Armenian Catholic Church, and
Rev. Joe Matossian, Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of
N. America.
95TH ANNIVERSARY GENOCIDE COMMEMORATIONS
In the coming days, Armenians worldwide will be commemorating
the 95th anniversary of the Genocide through various events. The
following is a list of commemorative events to be held in our
community and for which the Prelate has received invitations. – By
the collaboration of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute, the Armenian
Film Foundation, and Dr. J. Michael and Antoinette Hagopian, a formal
signing ceremony of a historic agreement for the preservation and
public dissemination of the interviews of survivors and eyewitnesses
of the Genocide took place on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 13th.
Pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian represented
the Prelate. – On Thursday, April 15th, the Genocide was commemorated
at the California State Assembly session, followed by commemorative
events and exhibits. On behalf of the Prelate, Pastor of Holy Trinity
Church Rev. Fr. Vahan Gosdanian delivered the invocation at the
Assembly session. – On Tuesday, April 20th, at their weekly meeting,
the L.A. County Board of Supervisors will proclaim April 24, 2010, as
the "Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923." The
Prelate will be represented at the special presentation by Very
Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, Pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral
Rev. Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian, and Pastor of St. Mary’s Church
Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian. On behalf of the Prelate, Very Rev.
Fr. Barthev Gulumian will deliver the invocation. – On Saturday,
April 24th, the Armenian Genocide United Commemorative Committee has
organized a community gathering at Bicknell Park in Montebello. The
day will begin with the laying of wreaths at the memorial monument,
followed by the rally, and concluding with a requiem service led by
Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical clergy. – On the morning of
April 24th, the Prelate and clergy will participate in a protest rally
in Little Armenian organized by the Unified Young Armenians. In the
afternoon, a protest rally at the Turkish Consulate will take place,
organized by the Armenian Youth Federation. – A commemoration will
also take place in the morning in front of the Pasadena City hall, co-
sponsored by the City of Pasadena and local organization, schools and
churches.
SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT GATHERING AND COMPETITION
The Prelacy Sunday Schools’ Directorate, headed by Very
Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, has organized a spiritual gathering and
student competition to held under the auspices of the Prelate on
Saturday, April 17th, at "Soghonalian" Hall of St. Garabed Church in
Hollywood. Sunday School students participating in the gathering will
be quizzed on the history of the Armenian Church. The Prelate will
attend and convey his message and blessings to the students.
CASPS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools has
organized a leadership conference for seniors from Glendale schools,
to take place under the auspices of the Prelate on Saturday, April
17th, at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. The
Prelate will attend and convey his message to the students.
"YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN WOMAN" SECOND LITERARY LUNCHEON HELD AT THE
PRELACY
In celebration of the "Year of the Armenian Woman" as
proclaimed by H.H. Catholicos Aram I, the Prelacy is organizing a
number of events throughout the year to honor the Armenian woman and
her role and contributions to our nation. Among these is a series of
literary luncheons organized by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary under the
auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. The
second of these luncheons took place on the afternoon of Thursday,
April 15th, 2010, at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian"
Hall. The event began with the invocation by the Prelate. Ladies
Auxiliary Chair Mrs. Mariam Karapetian welcomed the guests, among who
were Ladies Guild members from various Prelacy Churches and community
representatives, such as Chairlady of the A.R.S. Regional Executive
Mrs. Sossi Poladian. Given that the A.R.S. is celebrating its
centennial this year, Mrs. Karapetian congratulated the organization
and wished them success as they embark on the next hundred years. The
keynote speaker was psychologist and marriage and family therapist
Dr. Ida Karayan, who gave a presentation on the role of Armenian woman
in childhood education. Dr. Karayan first outlined the basic needs of
all children. She went on to stress the importance of Armenian
mothers helping their children form their ideals and purpose and
developing strong ties with family and community, teaching them skills
to keep up with the fast pace of life, instructing them on our faith,
heritage and national values, and working to ensure that they develop
a bond with our church and community. The event closed with the
Prelate’s message. The Prelate commended Dr. Karayan for her
informative presentation and suggestions, and reiterated her message
that Armenian mothers must instill in their children our values,
virtues, and pride in belonging to the Armenian nation, and cultivate
in them love for God and our church. He concluded by affirming that
the Armenian woman, whether a wife, mother, or educator, is the heart
and soul of our nation. At the conclusion of the event the Prelate
presented Dr. Karayan with a memento.
ACYA SPIRITUAL REVIVAL II "NEW BEGINNING"
On the weekend of April 9th to the 11th, 2010, the Armenian
Church Youth Association (ACYA), under the auspices of H.E.
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, held the Spiritual Revival
II "New Beginning" religious retreat led by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian and organized by the ACYA Sisters’ Guild Sub-committee. On
the evening of April 9th, over 50 youth from various Prelacy churches
gathered at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale to depart to AYF Camp. Upon
arrival, the youth were by a member of the organizing committee. The
weekend began with an Evening Service lead by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian, and an introduction of each youth. Saturday, April 10th,
began with a hike, followed by Morning Service. After the service, the
youth viewed the taped message of the Prelate, "Let us ask God to help
us to release the negatives of the past and follow His plan for our
lives, for a new beginning is discovered as we trust the plan of God.
Let us admit our spiritual needs, repent for our old lives, receive
through prayer Jesus Christ in our hearts, and accept the new identity
and life God has granted us through His Son our Lord Jesus Christ.
And let us thank God for His promise and gift of making all things new
for us who believe, asking Him to help us cast off the old and receive
His gift of joy, peace, and a new beginning in His Son", said the
Prelate. ACYA Chairman Raffi Naljian then delivered his message to
the participants. In the afternoon Fr. Barthev gave the first lecture
entitled, "New beginning in this life". The youth learned that in
order to have a new beginning, an individual must renew his/her heart,
soul and mind. After the lecture, the youth divided into seven groups
for a group activity where they presented a new beginning from the
Bible through a skit or reading. Each group researched one of the
following new beginnings: Noah, Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene, David,
Paul, Abraham, and Moses. After a break, the second lecture was
presented by Fr. Barthev entitled, "New beginning in the after-life".
A question and answer session followed. Following the lectures, two
individuals were selected to present testimonials on a new beginning
in their life. After the testimonials, there was a roundtable debate
on whether women should be allowed into the priesthood and/or as
preachers? Two individuals were selected to present this topic, which
was followed by an active discussion. Before the Saturday Evening
Service, the youth wrote down their sins anonymously to later be
burned in the fireplace. The youth also wrote down prayers that were
placed in the middle of the room during the Evening Service for God to
hear our prayers. The night ended with a religious movie The Hiding
Place, and a bonfire. Sunday, April 11th, the last day of the
retreat, began with a morning hike, followed by Morning Service. After
the service, each of the youth shared their experiences about the
retreat, such as how they would be able to utilize the information
learned from the Bible and their experiences in their everyday life to
make a new beginning for themselves. The day ended with the singing
of three religious songs by members of the "Lousavorich" choir.