December 22, 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 ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA
- COMMEMORATING THE FEAST OF ST. STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR
Monday, is the commemoration of the Feast of St.
Stephen the Proto-deacon and proto-martyr.
On Sunday, December 24, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena,
where he will deliver the sermon on the life, service, and martyrdom of St.
Stephen. Given that the feast is a celebration of deacons, the Prelate will
also commend and bless deacons and altar servers on this day.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Gomidas Ohanian, a
senior member of the Holy See of Cilicia Brotherhood, will celebrate Divine
Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello.
***
ANAHID BAGHDADLIAN OHANESIAN TO HOST PRELATE?S NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS DINNER
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, the Religious and
Executive Councils, and Ladies Auxiliary are pleased to announce that Mrs.
Anahid Baghdadlian Ohanesian will host the Prelate?s New Year and Christmas
Dinner, which will take place on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Holy Cross
Cathedral?s ?Bagramian? Hall in Montebello.
The highly anticipated and beloved event, which has been held
annually for over twenty years, unites the Prelacy family and community
under one roof to collectively celebrate the Birth and Theophany of our Lord
Jesus Christ and exchange well wishes for the New Year.
The Prelate blessed and commended Mrs. Ohanesian for her continued
generosity and most valuable support. Mrs. Ohanesian, along with her late
husband Gaidzag, has previously hosted the dinner, and has contributed
greatly to the various endeavors of the Prelacy and the Catholicosate of the
Holy See of Cilicia. In appreciation for their support and solidarity,
Gaidzag was honored with the Western Prelacy ?St. Dertad? medal and Mrs.
Anahid with the ?St. Ashkhen? medal
***
WESTERN PRELACY REPUBLISHES THE RITUALS OF THE ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH
The Western Prelacy is pleased to announce the republication of The
Rituals of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a bilingual compilation of various
canons and rites, including Holy Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony,
funeral service, blessing of homes, and more, as well as prayers for
healing.
The book was originally published twenty years ago and had since run
out. The republication is a revised and edited version of the original. It
opens with the preface by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
and is dedicated to the memory of Anahid Bartoumian, a beloved wife, mother,
grandmother, sister, and aunt.
Copies are available at the Prelacy bookstore.
***
CHAMLIAN FIRST GRADE STUDENTS BRING CHRISTMAS CHEER TO THE PRELACY
On Thursday, December 21, 2017, the first grade class of Vahan and
Anoush Chamlian School visited the Prelacy where they spread New Year and
Christmas cheer with their festive program of songs and recitations. The
students were joyfully greeted by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, who was joined by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan and Archpriest Fr.
Nareg Pehlivanian. The students were accompanied by Principal Dr. Talin
Kargodorian, Vice-Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, Armenian teachers, and a
group of parents.
The students first gathered at ?St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen? Chapel
where they joined the Prelate and clergy in reciting the Lord?s Prayer and
participated in the singing of the Christmas hymn ?Great and Marvelous
Mystery.?
Next, decorative candles in hand, the students gathered at ?Dikran
and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian? Hall where their program began with welcoming
remarks by a few of their peers. The students expressed joy and thanks for
their visit to the Prelacy, asked for the Prelate?s blessings, and stated
that they would like to hear his message. The students also stated that they
had learned the story of Jesus? birth, that they are provided with Christian
and Armenian education in school, and promised to be faithful to the legacy
of St. Mesrob Mashdots and to our national heritage. Afterward they sang
Christmas hymns and songs and recited poetry. It was a touching moment when
through the mouths of the children came to life the words of the immortal
Moushegh Ishkhan who in a letter to Santa Claus had asked for the return of
Masis.
The Prelate expressed utmost joy at the students? visit and
commended their knowledge of Christ?s birth. He urged them to keep the
legacy of St. Mesrob Mashdots alive, to speak Armenian and to pray, and let
them know how much love and good cheer they had brought to the Prelacy with
heir visit. His Eminence wished for their child-like goodness and innocence
to permeate throughout mankind, and concluded by blessing them, their
parents, administrators, and teachers.
The students presented gifts to the Prelate, while His Eminence
gifted ornamental crosses and icon cards to the children and prayer books
for the parents.
***
PRELATE OF ALEPPO REPORTS ON RECOVERY AND REBUILDING EFFORTS DURING SARF?S
PUBLIC GATHERING
On the evening of Friday, December 15, 2017, a public gathering
organized by the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund (SARF) was held at the Armenian
Society of Los Angeles Center in Glendale. The event was held under the
auspices of the heads of the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical
Churches, and featured H.E. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate, as the
keynote speaker. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, accompanied
by Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan and Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian, attended and
delivered his message.
The program began with a moment of silence for the Armenian martyrs
of Syria. SARF Executive Committee Secretary Mrs. Sona Madarian welcomed the
guests. In his remarks, SARF Executive Committee Chairman Mr. Raffi
Kendirjian noted that the situation in Syria is relatively better than it
was during the establishment of SARF six years ago, but that does not mean
the work is done, and urged for continued support and assistance, this time
for rebuilding efforts. Guests then viewed a video chronicling the
destruction in Aleppo and recovery efforts underway.
The Prelate greeted Archbishop Sarkissian and guests and gave an
overview of the visiting Prelate?s endeavors in Los Angeles over the past
week, which included various meetings, participation in SARF?s benefit
dinner, and visits to Prelacy Schools. The Prelate noted that during his
previous visits, Archbishop Sarkissian had come for emergency relief. We are
pleased that he is here this time for recovery and rebuilding efforts,
stated His Eminence, and lauded Archbishop Sarkissian?s leadership as
Prelate of Aleppo during the past fourteen years, seven of which in crisis
times. He concluded by commending the community for its generous support of
its brethren in Syria through SARF and calling for continued support with
renewed drive and vision, and prayed for the revival of the Syrian-Armenian
community by the faith, strong will, and resolved of the people.
Archbishop Sarkissian began his message by thanking God that his
visit this time is for a hopeful purpose. He stated that optimism is half
the battle, and that the community in Syria has remained optimistic
throughout the war and especially since the liberation of Aleppo last
December as the community began to rise from the ashes. He reported that the
community is slowly returning to normalcy and that concrete steps for
rebuilding are already underway, which are inspiring hope in the people. He
expressed gratitude to all Armenians who stood by the side of their
compatriots, especially the Armenians of the Western United States, who
through their generous aid helped their brethren during critical times and
in particular allowed for Armenian Schools to remain open. Archbishop
Sarkissian stated that the New Year and Christmas visit of His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I to Aleppo at the start of the year inspired and
strengthened the community and set the framework for the reorganization and
rebuilding. Priorities were set and the work began with the united efforts
of all national institutions. He concluded by asking all to keep their
brothers and sisters in Aleppo in their thoughts and prayers and to continue
to lend their valuable support and solidarity.
ARF Western Region Central Committee Chairman Mr. Daron Der
Khachadourian shared some thoughts as he had just returned from Antelias
where he had participated in a panel discussion on the reorganization of the
Diaspora at the Catholicosate of Cilicia General Assembly. He stressed that
we are one people and one nation, and the importance of helping our fellow
man to strengthen and empower one another.
A question and answer session followed, and the program concluded
with the benediction delivered by the clergy.
***
PRELATE REPRESENTED AT EPISCOPAL ORDINATION AT THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
On Tuesday, December 19, 2017 in the presence of His Excellency The
Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, The
Most Reverend Thomas Thanh Thai Nguyen was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of the
Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange by His Excellency The Most Reverend Kevin
Vann, Bishop of Orange, with Co-Consecrators The Most Reverend Felipe De
Jesus Estevez, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Augustine, and The Most Reverend
Dominic Luong, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Orange.
Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Karekin
Bedourian, attended the Episcopal Ordination, which took place at Saint
Columban Church in Orange County, and conveyed the Prelate?s congratulations
to the new Auxiliary Bishop.
***