July 22, 2011
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:

WESTERN PRELACY ENTHUSIASTICALLY PREPARES FOR
THE PONTIFICAL VISIT OF H.H. CATHOLICOS ARAM I

H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Religious
and Executive Councils hereby announce with great joy the tentative schedule
of the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, to the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
America.
The Pontifical Visit will begin on Thursday, October 6, 2011, and
conclude on October 23.
Under the direction of the Prelate, the two Central Executive
Council members together with the Prelacy Religious and Executive Councils
formed a number of committees to oversee the planning of the Pontifical
Visit, and preparations are well under way. The Pontifical Visit Steering,
Banquet, Public Relations, Seminary, and School Fundraising Committees have
already assumed their responsibilities and are working diligently to ensure
a successful and memorable Pontifical visit.
The Pontifical Visit will officially commence on Thursday, October 6
at 6:00 p.m. with a community-wide welcoming at St. Garabed Church in
Hollywood.
On Sunday, October 16, His Holiness will celebrate Divine Liturgy at
St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. The Pontifical Banquet in honor of His
Holiness will be held on the evening of the 16th at the Universal Hilton
Hotel.
His Holiness will visit our Southern California Churches, as well as
our Churches and Parishes in Fresno, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. His
Holiness will celebrate with our communities such milestone as the 90th
anniversary of Holy Cross Cathedral, the 45th anniversary of St. Gregory
Church, and will consecrate the dome cross of St. Garabed Church of Las
Vegas.
The Pontifical Visit of His Holiness will focus on spiritual renewal,
the further anchoring and continued progress of Armenian schools,
reassertion of our spirit of national aspirations, and events dedicated to
the “Year of the Armenian Child” and the Seminary of the Holy See of
Cilicia. The Pontifical Visit will also encompass meetings with students
and young adults, a series of lectures, meetings with officials and
dignitaries, and much more.
We are confident that with joint efforts and the support and
encouragement of our sponsors, friends, and community, this much-anticipated
Pontifical Visit will be a historic one.
Further details of the Pontifical Visit schedule will be reported in
due time.

PRELATE TO CELEBRATE DIVINE LITURGY AND ORDAIN DEACONS AT ST. GREGORY CHURCH
IN SAN FRANCISCO

Sunday, July 24th is the eve of the Fast of Transfiguration.
By the invitation of Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Pastor, and
the Board of Trustees of St. Gregory Church of San Francisco, on Sunday,
July 24th, 2011 H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Gregory Church.
During the service, the Prelate will also ordain two deacons.
At the conclusion of the service, a reception will be held at the
Church Vasbouragan Hall on the occasion of the Prelate’s visit.
Later in the day, the Prelate will meet with the Pastor, Board of
Trustees, and the local Pontifical Visit committee to discuss preparations
for the upcoming visit.

REQUEIM SERVICE ON THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSING OF ARCHBISHOP
SUMBAT LAPAJIAN

On Sunday, July 17th, 2011, the one year anniversary of the passing
of Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian was observed at Holy Cross Cathedral in
Montebello. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over
Divine Liturgy, delivered the sermon and presided over the requiem service
which was held in the Church courtyard at the gravesite of the late
Archbishop.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian.
Among those in attendance to honor the memory of Archbishop Sumbat
Lapajian were H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian, Executive Council member Mr.
Vahan Bezdikian, Parish Delegates, Board of Trustees and Ladies Guild
members, and representatives of sister organizations.
During his sermon, the Prelate reflected on the life and works of
Archbishop Lapajian stating, “A year has passed since we lost this
remarkable man and clergyman but his absence is still being felt, which is a
testament to how much he was loved and admired by our community”. Tying in
the day’s Scripture reading to the anniversary of Archbishop Lapajian’s
passing, the Prelate said, “It is fitting that the day’s Gospel reading is
the Parable of the Tares, for those who knew Archbishop Lapajian can liken
him to the man in the parable who planted good seeds in his field. He was
indeed a good shepherd and a good laborer for our Lord. Knowing well that
the harvest of tomorrow depends on the seeds one sows today, he planted the
seeds of God’s love, of God’s word, and of faith into the hearts, minds, and
souls of his flock so that they would hear the Word, accept it, and bear
fruit. It is said if you plant the seeds of God’s Word in your heart and
speak it out of your mouth, it will produce life for you. By doing just
that, Archbishop Lapajian educated, enlightened, and inspired generations,
and today we continue to reap the plentiful harvest of the seeds he planted
long ago.” The Prelate concluded his message by praying for Archbishop
Lapajian’s soul to rest in peace in the glory and the kingdom of our Lord
Almighty.
A memorial luncheon followed at “Bagramian” Hall hosted by the
parish Pastors, Board of Trustees, and Ladies Guild, during which the life
and memory of Archbishop Lapajian was honored.

PRELATE SALUTES HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE VOTE CALLING ON TURKEY TO
RETURN CHURCHES

On Wednesday, July 20, the House Foreign Affairs Committee by a vote
of 43 to 1 adopted an amendment calling on Turkey to return stolen churches
and end oppression of its Christian minorities.
Earlier in the week, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern United States, had
called on Armenian communities throughout the United States to contact their
representatives in Congress and urge them to support this amendment. The
call to action, alerts by the ANCA, and phone calls by thousands of Armenian
across the U.S. paid off on Wednesday with this crucial vote.
“We are overcome with joy at this bold decision by the House Foreign
Affairs Committee and extend our profound thanks and gratitude to the
Committee members. We are hopeful for a similar outcome on the floor of the
House of Representatives, and pray for the day when the desecration and
destruction of our sacred churches and heritage and the persecution of
Christian minorities in Turkey is put to an end. We express thanks and
appreciation also to the Armenian National Committee for their relentless
efforts in educating and mobilizing the community”, said the Prelate after
Wednesday’s vote.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress