April 30, 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: info@westernprelacy.org
Website:
IN MEMORIAM
BISHOP NESHAN TOPOUZIAN
(1966-2010)
With deep sorrow we were informed by the Catholicosate of Cilica of
the untimely passing of H.G. Bishop Neshan Topouzian, Prelate of the Diocese
of Azerbaijan (Iran), which occurred in Armenia on Tuesday, April 27th,
following a brief illness.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and Councils join
H.H. Catholicos Aram I, the Cilician Brotherhood, and the Diocese of
Azerbaijan in mourning this great loss.
Requiem for the soul of the late Bishop will be offered at the
Mother Cathedral of the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon on Sunday, May
2nd, 2010. By the order of His Holiness, requiem will also be offered in
all the Dioceses of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
The Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy and requiem at Holy
Martyrs Church in Encino, and will deliver the sermon. We invite our
faithful to join us as we pray for Almighty God to grant eternal peace and
rest to the soul of Bishop Neshan Topouzian.
May his memory remain ever blessed.
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER OPENING CEREMONY
OF THE 9TH ANNUAL ARS FESTIVAL
The 9th annual Armenian Relief Society Festival will be held this
weekend at the Glendale Civic Auditorium. The Prelate will preside over the
opening of the festival, during which he will deliver the invocation and his
message.
On Sunday, May 16, the ARS will celebrate its centennial with a gala
banquet at the Woodland Hills Marriott. The Prelate will attend the
celebration.
ARMENIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY
25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA BANQUET
On Saturday, May 1st, the Armenian American Medical Society of
California will be celebrating its 25th anniversary with a gala banquet at
the Glendale Hilton.
Pastor of Holy Cross Cathedral Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian will attend
and convey the Prelate’s blessings.
Proceeds from the banquet till benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Project
in Armenia.
SAHAG MESROB ARMENIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
30TH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET
The 30th anniversary banquet of Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian
School will take place on Sunday, May 2nd, at Ararat Home "Deukmejian Hall"
in Mission Hills.
The Prelate will attend and convey his blessings.
PRELATE MEETS WITH ANC-WR REPRESENTATIVES
On Tuesday, April 27th, 2010, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Armenian National Committee Western Region
Board Chair Mrs. Aida Dimejian and Government Relations director Mrs. Lerna
Kayserian-Shirinian.
The Prelate and representatives discussed recent developments in our
cause and collaborative efforts between the ANC and the Prelacy, and
reflected on the large number of Genocide commemoration events that were
held in recent days and weeks.
The Prelate commended the dedication of all those involved in the
welfare and progress of our nation, and especially of our youth who are
actively and devotedly working for advancements in our cause.
95TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED WITH DIVINE LITURGY AND
COMMUNITY GATHERINGS
In the days leading up to, and including, April 24, 2010, Armenians
worldwide commemorated the 95th anniversary of the Genocide with various
events including Divine Liturgy, requiem, community gatherings, and
protests.
Within the Western Prelacy, joint Divine Liturgy was celebrated
among the Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical Churches on the evening of
Friday, April 23rd, 2010, at the North Hollywood Parish. H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy. He was assisted
at the altar by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian, and clergy members. Among those in attendance were Executive
Council members and representatives of community organizations.
The Prelate also delivered a message on this occasion, as did Very
Rev. Fr. Andon Saroyan, Rector of the Armenian Catholic Church, and Rev. Joe
Matossian, Minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union of N. America.
In his message, the Prelate exalted the faith of our martyrs and
their sacrifice for faith and nation, and the responsibility of all to
pursue justice and our rights. "We do not remember our martyrs on this one
day only; we remember them each day as we work towards recognition, truth
and justice", said the Prelate. "We remember also our heroes, who fought
and defended our lands, whether 95 years ago or 20 years ago in Artsakh, and
who demonstrate that our struggle will not end until justice is served".
Requiem for the souls of our martyrs followed.
On the morning of April 24th, the Prelate and clergy participated in
a protest rally in Little Armenian organized by the Unified Young Armenians.
The prelate conducted the opening prayer and later delivered his message to
the youth, commending their active role in our cause and urging them to
continue on their path and mission undeterred.
In the afternoon, the Prelate and clergy participated in the
community gathering at Bicknell Park in Montebello, organized by the
Armenian Genocide United Commemorative Committee, which was followed by
requiem service presided over by the spiritual leaders of three Armenian
denominations.
In the days and weeks preceding April 24, the Prelate, clergy, and
Executive Council members also participated in commemorations at the
Sacramento State Assembly, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Glendale City Halls,
and various community-wide events.