April 6, 2018 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 EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY AT THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD PARISH - PRESENTATION OF "ST. VARTAN" & "KAYL VAHAN" SCOUTING MEDALS On Sunday, April 8, 2018, which is called New Sunday or Second Easter, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at the Armenian Apostolic Church of North Hollywood (13050 Vanowen St.). The service begins at 2:00 p.m. During Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will present "St. Vartan" and "Kayl Vahan" medals to Homenetmen scouts who have successfully completed the religious curriculum. *** PRESENTATION OF KEVORK BEDIGIAN'S LATEST BOOK TO BE HELD AT THE PRELACY On Thursday, April 19, 2018, writer and educator Kevork Bedigian's latest book dedicated to Aleppo will be presented at the Western Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. The event is being held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and is organized by the Western Prelacy Cultura-Education Committee in conjunction with Asbarez and the Karen Jeppe College Alumni Association Los Angeles chapter. The book will be presented by Mrs. Dzovinar Ghazarian-Melkonian. The program will feature cultural performances by ARS "Talin" Chapter Saturday School students. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. *** EASTER SERVICE AT ARARAT HOME On Wednesday, April 4, 2018, a special Easter service was held at Ararat Home in Mission Hills presided by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and with the participation of clergy members. The celebration began at the Nursing Facility with the singing of Easter hymns and the home blessing service. Prior to the service, the Prelate greeted and conveyed his blessings and well wishes to the administration, staff, and residents, praying for good health for all and the healing touch of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Bedros Seferian, a resident, read a letter he had written addressed to the Prelate and clergy asking for their blessings and praying for God to protect and keep our Holy See, churches, and Ararat Home. Mr. Derik Ghoogasian, Ararat Home CFO, thanked the Prelate and clergy for their regular visits and continuous care and conveyed his Easter well wishes. Divine Liturgy followed at the Chapel. Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon on the Resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of the Armenian nation following the Armenian Genocide. At the conclusion of the service, Mr. Michael Surmeian, Ararat Home Board Chairman, conveyed his gratitude and best wishes. The blessing of the home service at the Assisted Living Facility followed. Mrs. Rita Noravian, Assisted Living Facility administrator, greeted and thanked the clergy and conveyed her well wishes. A luncheon hosted by the Board and administration followed. *** EASTER CELEBRATION AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH IN GLENDALE On Sunday, April 1st, 2018, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ with its message of hope and renewal was joyfully celebrated in Prelacy Churches. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Easter Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Mary's Church in Glendale. Parish Pastors Archpriest Fr. Vazken Atmajian and Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian assisted at the altar. Prior to delivering the sermon, the Prelate joyfully greeted the faithful and gave thanks to God for granting the opportunity to once again celebrate the glorious Resurrection of Christ with renewed faith and triumphant spirit and congratulate one another with chants of "Christ is risen from the dead." He wished for the spirit of the Resurrection to lead us all on our faith journey and for the Risen Christ to reside in our hearts and souls. "God arose, His enemies were scattered and those who hated Him fled." Jesus had many enemies and opponents throughout His earthly life who attempted to hinder His salvific mission, but through His Resurrection He triumphed over all who sought to extinguish His Light, said the Prelate. Citing from the day's Gospel reading from Mark 16:1-8, His Eminence emphasized that the fear and awe of the women who found Christ's empty tomb was alleviated and they were filled with hope, spiritual joy, and strengthened faith when they saw the risen Christ. Along with the disciples they spread the good news of His Resurrection to the world, and centuries later we exchange the same good news with one another with the same joy, hope, and triumphant spirit, he said. "The Resurrection is the victory of righteousness, truth, goodness, and light over death, sin, evil, and darkness. As faithful servants of Christ, we are invited to partake of His gift of renewal and new life, to overcome and triumph over selfishness, hatred, pride, and a sinful life and be clothed in the virtues of love, respect, and longsuffering," stressed the Prelate. He concluded by wishing for the triumphant spirit of the Resurrection and the 100th anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia to lead to renewed faith, renewed patriotism, and renewed drive in our collective service to our church, nation, and homeland. On Monday, April 2nd, Easter Memorial Day, requiem service was held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills "Hall of Liberty" and Forest Lawn Glendale "Church of the Recessional." Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, delivered the day's message. The Prelate offered a prayer for the martyrs of the four-day Artsakh war as the day coincided with the 2nd anniversary of the war. Afterward, the Blessing of the Four Corners of the World (Antasdan) service was conducted in the courtyard. The service concluded with Cilicia and the Armenian national anthem. *** EASTER EVE CELEBRATION AT HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH IN ENCINO On Saturday, March 31, 2018, Easter Eve was celebrated in Prelacy Churches with Divine Liturgy and eve of the feast candle-lighting service. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. Parish Pastor Archpriest Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian and deacons assisted at the altar. The Prelate began his sermon with the following words from the Easter introit, "Christ is risen from the dead. He conquered death by death and with His Resurrection He granted life to us. Glory be to Him forever." His Eminence reflected on the seven week period of Great Lent of introspection, self-examination, and self-correction, as well as on the profound messages of Holy Week, adding that our Lord Jesus Christ concluded His earthly ministry with great suffering, crucifixion, and ultimately death for the sins of mankind, and three days later with His victory over death, He granted mankind the triumphant and hopeful promise of salvation and eternal life. "Through His Resurrection, our Lord and Savior granted us the gift of life; but it was not just any life, but a new, bright, and triumphant life. Through His Resurrection, mankind was once again reconciled with God and became worthy of His mercy," stated the Prelate, and stressed that the Resurrection is the promise of eternal life but is also an invitation for renewal and a new life during our time here on this earth. His Eminence concluded by calling for renewal of faith, for the hope offered by Christ to strengthen all, and for Christ to reside in our hearts and His love to guide us. At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, eve of the feast lighting of the candles service was held symbolizing the Light of Christ radiating throughout the world. Afterward, faithful received Holy Communion. *** GOOD FRIDAY COMMEMORATION AT HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL IN MONTEBELLO On Friday, March 30, 2018, the burial of our Lord Jesus Christ was commemorated in Prelacy Churches. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the service at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello and delivered his message. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Parish Dean, Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian, Parish Pastor, and deacons participated in the service. Speaking on the message of Christ's burial, the Prelate stated that as faithful Christians, Christ's tomb represents immortality, victory, the vanquishing of death, conquering of sin, and unfading light, for although our life-giving Christ died and was laid in a tomb, through His Resurrection He defeated evil and death, and granted us the promise of eternal life, of salvation and the hope of resurrection. The Prelate concluded by encouraging all to live an honest and upright life with good conscience and to bury all of our shortcomings, iniquities, vices, and sins to prepare our hearts for the victorious Resurrection of our Lord. ***