June16, 2017 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: www.westernprelacy.org PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN FRESNO - VERY REV. FR. DAJAD ASHEKIAN TO RECEIVE PECTORAL CROSS On Sunday, June 18, 2017, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Trinity Church in Fresno. In mid-May, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, conferred the privilege of wearing a pectoral cross to six young members of the Brotherhood, including Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian, Pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Fresno, and Very Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in San Francisco. During Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will present Fr. Dajad with the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness and pectoral cross. *** VACATION BIBLE SCHOOLS TO BEGIN For the past few years, a number of our parishes organize Vacation Bible Schools over the summer where our youth come together to learn prayers, Bible stories, hymns, services and traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and engage in educational and fun activities including, sports, games, and arts and crafts. This year's schedule is as follows: Forty Martyrs Church, Orange County: June 19 - 23, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, for Kindergarten to 8th grade students. Holy Trinity Church, Fresno: June 25 - 29, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. St. Sarkis Church, Pasadena: Four one-week sessions beginning on July 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., for children ages 3 and up. Holy Cross Cathedral, Montebello: Camp Shining Light, from July 16 - 22, at Mount Kare Camp in Wrightwood. We urge our parents to enroll their children in these spiritually enriching programs. Please contact the church offices for more information. *** PRELACY SCHOOLS' COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES At the close of the academic year, in the past two weeks commencement ceremonies of Prelacy Schools took place, which H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and/or representatives attended. This year, the Prelate attended the following ceremonies, during which he conveyed his congratulatory message and blessings to the students and their families and his commendation to the school administrators and faculty. On Sunday, June 4, the 12th grade graduation ceremony of Rose and Alex Pilibos School was held at the school's Nerses Tashdjian Gymnasium. The Prelate was accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian and Executive Council member Dr. Kaloust Agopian. The program began with the national anthems and school hymn. MC Ms. Sevan Sherikian delivered welcoming remarks, followed by the Board of Regents address by Mrs. Lena Kortoshian, valedictorian and salutatorian speeches, presentation of scholarships, recognitions, and awards, the keynote address by alumna Aleek Sherikian, presentation of diplomas, and the Principal's address by Dr. Alina Dorian. In his message, the Prelate highlighted the vital and unique role of Armenian Schools in the intellectual, national, moral, and spiritual development of our youth. His Eminence commended the students' speeches, and referring to Matthew 7:7 ("Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you"), which one of the students had cited, urged the graduates to turn to God and seek His wisdom, to enrich their minds with our national and religious treasures, and to seek out opportunities. On Tuesday, June 6, the end of the year program and graduation ceremony of Richard Tufenkian Pre-School and Kindergarten took place at Glendale High School Auditorium. The Prelate was accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Vazken Atmajian. The program began with the national anthems and the invocation by Fr. Vazken. Director Mrs. Arsine Aghazarian conveyed her message. The Prelate commended the young students for their culturally enriching performances, the parents for trusting the instruction of their children to Armenian Schools, and the devoted service of the faculty. He greeted the school benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph and Savey Tufenkian and thanked them for their continued support. The program continued with songs and dances by the Kindergarten class, remarks by School Board member Mrs. Nora Kalachian, and the presentation of diplomas. On Thursday, June 8, the elementary and middle school ceremonies of Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School took place at Glendale High School Auditorium. The Prelate attended the 8th grade graduation ceremony, accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Torossian and Executive Council member Mrs. Elo Boyajian. The program began with the national anthems and the school hymn and continued with welcoming remarks by Masters of Ceremony Mrs. Ani Berberian and Dr. Armig Panossian, valedictorian and salutatorian speeches, presentation of special awards, the keynote address by alumnus Hrach Titizian, presentation of diplomas, and the Principal's message by Dr. Talin Kargodorian. The Prelate first commended the school family for their utmost dedication to ensuring a bright future for our youth. He advised the graduates to be prudent, make wise choices, always give their best, and do good, and urged them to never forget their school and to give back to their community. On Saturday, June 10, the 12th grade graduation ceremony of Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School took place at Avedissian Hall. The Prelate was accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian. The program began with the national anthems, followed by the invocation by Fr. Razmig, welcoming remarks by Masters of Ceremony Mrs. Jasmine Rostamian and Mrs. Talin Janetsian, Board of Regents message by Dr. Hasmig Baran, senior class messages, the commencement address by Mr. Christ Keosian, School Board message by Mr. Vahe Benlian, conferring of academic and monetary awards, the Principal's message by Mrs. Sossi Shanlian and the presentation of diplomas. The Prelate commended the school family for their care and devotion to our students. He commended the graduates for the pledges they made to keep their national identity, and as they prepare to embark on the next phase of their lives, he urged them to always speak, think, and do good, keep the faith, keep learning, and give back to their school. Finally, on Sunday, June 11, the High School graduation and Middle School promotion of Armenian Mesrobian School took place in the school courtyard. The Prelate was accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian, and Executive Council member Mr. Antranik Kasbarian. The program included national anthems, the invocation by Fr. Muron, opening remarks by MC Mr. Berch Papikyan, Board of Regents message by Mrs. Armineh Alexan Papazian, the Middle School message, presentation of scholarships, valedictorian and salutatorian speeches, keynote address by alumnus Mr. Richard Elden, the Principal's message by Mr. David Ghoogasian, and the presentation of diplomas. The Prelate commended the school family and wished them continued successes in their vital mission as a "fountain of light and cradle of hope" in the words of the school's motto. His Eminence urged the students to place their hope and trust in God, to keep learning, bettering themselves, and always striving for the best. In addition, parish pastors attended ceremonies of all Prelacy Schools and conveyed the Prelate's blessings. These included the ceremonies of: ARS "Mayr" Chapter Mary Postoian Pre-School on Friday, June 2nd, Levon and Hasmig Tavlian Pre-School on Saturday, June 3rd, Holy Martyrs Cabayan Elementary School, Ari Guiragos Minassian, and ARS Ashkhen Pilavjian Pre-School on Sunday, June 4, Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan on Saturday, June 10, and Holy Martyrs Ferrahian School on Sunday, June 11. ***