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: info@westernprelacy.org
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.
***