May 14, 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:

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
ST. GARABED CHURCH AND CONDUCT OPENING OF THE
NEW YOUTH CENTER

On Sunday, May 16th, 2010, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood
and deliver the sermon.
Following the service, the Prelate will preside over the opening of
the newly constructed youth center adjacent to the church.
In the evening the Prelate will deliver the invocation at the A.R.S.
Centennial Gala Banquet. Executive Council members will also be in
attendance.

ACYA MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN 3RD ANNUAL ORTHODOX DAY OF PRAISE

On Saturday, May 15th, the third annual Orthodox Day of Praise will
take place at St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica,
with the participation of youth from the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox
Churches.
The gathering will begin with Divine Liturgy, followed by brunch,
after which members of each church will sing hymns in their respective
languages.
The event serves to unite members of the Orthodox faith and
celebrate and praise God through singing.
Members of the Prelacy "Lousavorich" youth choir, led by Very Rev.
Fr. Barthev Gulumian, will participate in the event.

THE FEAST OF ASCENSION CELEBRATED WITH DIVINE LITURGY AND TRADITIONAL
LUNCHEON

On Thursday, May 13th, 2010, the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord
Jesus Christ was celebrated with Divine Liturgy followed by the traditional
luncheon. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over
Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale which was celebrated by Rev.
Fr. Avedis Torossian. Pastor of St. Gregory Church of San Francisco Very
Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian delivered the sermon.
The traditional luncheon, which is organized each year by the
Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary, followed at Anoush Restaurant in Glendale, with
the participation of the Prelate, clergy members, and nearly 300 guests.
This year’s luncheon was hosted by Mrs. Taline Amroyan.
Master of Ceremonies and Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs. Hourig
Abdulian welcomed the guests then invited the Prelate to deliver the
invocation. The Prelate commended the Ladies Auxiliary members for
organizing this traditional event and expressed his thanks and appreciation
to Mrs. Amroyan for hosting the luncheon. In honor of the "Year of the
Armenian Woman", the Prelate conveyed his well wishes to all the women
present, exalting their invaluable role in our individual and collective
lives.
Very Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian spoke about the meaning and
significance of the Feast of Ascension and the religious and national
traditions associated with this feast.
Guests also enjoyed a performance by singer Gagik Badalyan,
participated in the traditional casting of lots and collectively sang
traditional Hampartsoum songs.

ANNUAL PRELACY CLERGY CONFERENCE

On Wednesday, May 12th, 2010, the annual Prelacy clergy conference
which traditionally takes place on the eve of the Representatives Assembly,
was held at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. The
conference was presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, with the participation of the clergy order.
The day began with Evening and Morning Services at the "St. Dertad
and St. Ashkhen" Chapel, followed by a spiritual meditation by Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian in which he reflected on a passage from the Gospel of
Matthew on the importance of ministering and preaching the word of God.
The conference convened at noon with opening remarks by the Prelate
who commended the service and devotion of the clergy members, and wished
success to the day’s proceedings.
The election of the officers followed, with Archbishop Tabakian
elected as the Chairman and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian as the Secretary.
Archbishop Tabakian thanked the Prelate for the opportunity to participate
in the conference and extolled the importance of clergy members working
together as members of one family to achieve success in our service.
During the first session the Religious Council report which will be
presented at the Representatives Assembly was analyzed by the participants
and revised accordingly.
After lunch the second session convened with a lecture by Very Rev.
Fr. Muron Aznikian on the calling of clergy and the importance of properly
performing the rites and rituals of the Armenian Church.
A discussion on activities anticipated for the upcoming year then
took place, including the celebration of the "Year of the Armenian Woman",
followed by the election of religious delegates to the Representatives
Assembly and the drafting of suggestions to present to the upcoming
Assembly.
The conference closed with the Prelate’s concluding remarks and
benediction.

PRELATE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEET WITH
PASTORS AND BOARDS OF TRUSTEES

In preparation for the 38th Representatives Assembly which will
convene at the Prelacy on May 14, 2010, by the invitation of H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Executive Council, on the evening of
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010, Pastors and Boards of Trustees of Prelacy Churches
gathered at the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall to discuss the
general activities as well as the concerns of their respective parishes.
Central Executive member Mr. Khajag Dikijian also participated in the
meeting.
The meeting opened with the Prelate’s invocation, after which the
Prelate and Executive Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian welcomed the
representatives and briefed them on the purpose of the meeting.
Subsequently, one by one the Chairman or Board of Trustees
representative of each church were invited to report on the past, present,
and future activities of their churches and challenges they face.
After the presentations, the representatives had the opportunity to
discuss issues of concern to all parishes and to share their experiences and
offer suggestions to one another.
At the conclusion the Prelate commended the service of the Pastors
and Boards of Trustees and wished them success in their future endeavors.
The meeting closed with the benediction by the Prelate and the singing of
the Cilician anthem.

ST. MARY’S CHURCH CELEBRATES ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY

On Sunday, May 9th, 2010, St. Mary’s Church in Glendale
ceremoniously celebrated its 35th anniversary with Episcopal Divine Liturgy,
ordination of acolytes and stole bearers, and a gala banquet in the evening.
The day began with Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. During the service, the Prelate ordained
acolytes stole bearers, and advised them of the responsibilities and
obligations they now bear as acolytes. After placing a stole on their left
shoulders, the Prelate blessed them, thus ending the ordination ceremony.
His Eminence then delivered the sermon, in which he referenced the
invaluable service the church has been providing to the community over the
past 35 years, and turning to the newly ordained acolytes, urged them to
carry out their new responsibilities and obligations faithfully and serve
their fellow man with love and devotion. In honor of Mother’s Day, the
Prelate congratulated all the mothers in attendance, commending them for
their role and contribution in our individual and collective lives.
In the evening the Prelate attended the 35th anniversary banquet
which was organized by the Pastors and Board of Trustees. The banquet,
which was held at Palladio banquet hall, was hosted by the hall’s owner Mr.
and Mrs. Avedis and Hasmig Keshishian.
Pastors Reverend Fathers Vazken Atmajian, Ardak Demirjian, and
Gomidas Torossian collectively delivered the invocation and blessed the
tables, after which Master of Ceremonies Mr. Larry Zarian welcomed the
guests and invited Mrs. Rima Boghossian to give a brief background on the
history of the church.
Singer Gagik Badalyan then entertained the guests with a set of
traditional and popular songs.
Following the cultural program, Chairman of the 35th anniversary
committee Mr. Garo Eshgian delivered remarks on behalf of the committee,
thanking sponsors and guests for their encouragement, participation, and
contributions to the realization of the church’s mission. A video of the
history of the church and its achievements in the past 35 years followed.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Chairman Mr. Zareh Markarian also
addressed the guests, thanking all those who volunteer their time and
resources for the advancement of the church.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Zareh Markarian then
presented church secretaries Mrs. Anoush Garabedian and Mrs. Houri
Babahekian with plaques for their years-long service, and the pastors with
mementos in appreciation of their leadership and service to their flock.
In his remarks, Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian highlighted the church’s
role in the community and congratulate them on their 35th anniversary.
Prior to the lighting of the ceremonious candles, Rev. Fr. Vazken
Atmajian conveyed his well wishes to all the mothers in honor of Mother’s
Day, after which bouquets of flowers were presented to the grand benefactor
of the church Mrs. Hilda Der Minassian, Tufenkian School benefactor Mrs.
Savey Tufenkian, and Palladio banquet hall owner Mrs. Hasmig Keshishian.
Fr. Vazken then called the banquet sponsors to gather for the candle
lighting ceremony. The symbolic 36th candle was lit by Mrs. Hilda Der
Minassian.
To conclude the program, the MC invited the Prelate to convey his
blessings and remarks on this joyous occasion. His Eminence first and
foremost congratulated the St. Mary’s Church family on this joyous occasion.
He exalted the vision and dedication of the founding members, commending all
the volunteers of the church who have followed in the footsteps and example
of the founders, and wishing them new successes as they labor for the
splendor of the church. The Prelate then awarded letters of commendation to
Mr. Zareh Markarian, Mr. Sahak Kazangian, Mr. Hrair Balian, Dr. Khatchig
Rechdouni, Mr. Vaghinag Babaian, Mr. Ruben Gourjian, and Dr. Hagop Der
Megerdichian for their years-long service and commitment to the progress of
the church.
The celebration came to a close with the cutting of the 35th
anniversary cake.