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 PRAYERS FOR THE REPUBLIC AND BLESSING OF THE ARMENIAN FLAG IN PRELACY CHURCHES On Sunday, May 27, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia will be celebrated in Prelacy Churches with Thanksgiving Prayers for the Republic and the blessing of the Armenian flag. At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, requiem prayers will be offered for the heroes of Sardarabad, Gharakilise, Pash Abaran, and all those who lost their lives defending our lands. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy, conduct the special services, and deliver his message at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood. We invite our faithful to participate in this special celebration to honor the legacy of our forefathers and join us in prayer for the security and prosperity of Armenia and the Armenian nation. *** PRAYERS FOR THE ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY IN PRELACY CHURCHES By the request of the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry and the directive of the Prelate, on Sunday, May 27, 2018, prayers will be offered in all Prelacy Churches for patients of the ABMDR. Members of the organization will attend Divine Liturgy at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino and will be available to provide information and register donors. May God grant good health to all and lead the members of the ABMDR to continued success in their life-saving mission. *** FEAST OF PENTECOST CELEBRATION On Sunday, May 20, 2018, the feast of Pentecost, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit, was celebrated in Prelacy Churches. On this occasion, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, celebrated his first Episcopal Divine Liturgy at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County and delivered the sermon. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the service. Parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian and deacons assisted at the altar. The Prelate greeted the parish family and conveyed his blessings, praying for the Lord to enrich and renew all with the Holy Spirit on this feast of Pentecost, a day of spiritual rebirth and renewal. Noting that the parish was preparing for the consecration of the church thirty years ago around the feast of Pentecost, he wished that members of the church and community continue their service with renewed faith and spirits for the glory of God and advancement of the parish and our nation. He once again congratulated the Vicar General on his Episcopal ordination, commended the parish pastor, Board of Trustees, delegates, Ladies Guild, altar servers, choirs, and all the volunteers, and invited the Vicar General to deliver his sermon. The Vicar General first greeted the Prelate and conveyed his blessings to the parish. He began his sermon on the feast of Pentecost by stating that though the apostles were staunch in their faith, there was still some trepidation, something missing, and that which was missing was the emboldening and revitalizing presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, ten days after the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit descended upon them in the form of fiery tongues, cleansed them and granted them inexplicable strength, peace, and such elation that those around them thought they were inebriated. The Holy Spirit was manifested in various forms, but no matter in what form, it always brought great inspiration to those who received it, he said, for it grants grace, abilities, and wisdom, fills our lives with heavenly fruits and enriches our hearts. Today, the Holy Spirit once more will descend and rest upon all those who have opened their hearts to the Lord and are ready to accept it, he said. The Vicar General stressed the ways in which the Holy Spirit works wonders in our lives today. "The Holy Spirit renews us first as individuals, cleanses us of sin and makes us new individuals. Subsequently, those who are renewed bring renewal to their families and surroundings, who then bring renewal to our parishes and community which become strengthened. Renewed parishes and communities renew the life of our nation, and this renewal, leads to renewal in pan-Christian life," stated the Vicar General, and concluded by praying for the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, spirits, and hearts, to renew our children so that they stay on the right path, our nation, our people, and the entire worlds, bringing the same joy that it did to the apostles. Later in the service, Fr. Karekin greeted and conveyed his well wishes to the Prelate and Vicar General on behalf of the parish community. Following the service, a reception was held at "Ghazarian" Hall of the Harut Barsamian Armenian Center during which faithful had the opportunity to congratulate the newly-ordained Bishop and receive the blessings of the Prelate and Vicar General. Welcoming and congratulatory remarks were delivered by the Parish Pastor and Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Herair Jermakian. The Vicar General gave thanks for the welcome and invited the community to work together with love. The Prelate delivered the closing message. He noted that the Forty Martyrs Church has had an important part in his life and recalled the great enthusiasm with which the church was constructed and consecrated three decades ago. His Eminence prayed for the Holy Spirit to renew the hearts and souls of the community's members with faith, hope, and love so that they may continue to work together with mutual love, respect, and a greater sense of responsibility for the splendor of the parish community. The Prelate concluded by once again congratulating the Vicar General's ordination. The Board of Trustees and Ladies Guild surprised the parish pastor with a birthday cake, and guests conveyed their well wishes to Fr. Karekin on this occasion. The reception closed with the benediction and "Cilicia." *** HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL OF MONTEBELLO HOSTS ANNUAL "ARMENIAN FOOD FAIR AND FESTIVAL" On Saturday, May 19, 2018, Holy Cross Cathedral of Montebello hosted the annual "Armenian Food Fair and Festival," featuring traditional Armenian food, music, cultural performances, games for children, and booths selling Armenian merchandise. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended the festival, visited the booths to convey his blessings and commendation and delivered his message. He was joined by Holy Cross Cathedral Dean, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Parish Pastor, Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian, members of the Board of Trustees and organizing committee. Hundreds of Armenians and non-Armenian were in attendance. *** CASPS HONORS OUTSTANDING ARMENIAN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS On Monday, May 21, 2018, the 12th annual CASPS reception honoring outstanding 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students from LAUSD local districts Northeast and Northwest was held at Verdugo Hills High School Auditorium. On behalf of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian attended, delivered the invocation, and conveyed the Prelate's congratulations and blessings. In attendance were Executive Council member Mr. Ara Shabanian, principals, educators, Los Angeles Unified School District and CASPS members, students and parents. CASPS Executive Director Arsineh Hovannisian delivered the welcoming address. Former CASPS student Angela Manukyan served as the MC. Fr. Nareg delivered the invocation and on behalf of the Prelate congratulated the students and wished them great success in their future endeavors. Noting that one hundred years almost to the day our forefathers were fighting for the independence of our nation, he urged the students to always be proud of their Armenian identity and adhere to their roots. The Superintendent's message for the Northeast district was delivered by Linda Del Cueto, and the Northwest's by Joseph Nacorda. Glendale Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian delivered the keynote address. On behalf of the LAUSD Board, members Kelly Gonez, Scott Schmerelson, and Nick Melvoin conveyed their congratulatory message, after which four students expressed their thoughts on this occasion, thanking the Prelate and their teachers for their support and guidance. The top four students received monetary awards provided by the Armenian Educational Foundation, and all students received certificates. The program also featured musical and dance performances by students. *** PRELACY CHOIR PARTICIPATES IN 11TH ANNUAL "ORTHODOX DAY OF PRAISE" On Saturday, May 19, 2018, St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica hosted the 11th annual Orthodox Day of Praise, bringing together the Coptic, Armenian, Indian Malankara, Ethiopian, Greek, Ukrainian, and Serbian Orthodox Churches for a day of fellowship, praise, and celebration of shared faith. The day began with Divine Liturgy, followed by brunch during which members of the different churches had an opportunity to meet one other. The program followed, during which each choir presented a few hymns and songs in their respective languages. By the directive of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, the Western Prelacy "Lousavorich" Choir, under the direction of Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian, once again participated in this annual event. Choir member Karekin Kirazian conveyed the greetings of the Prelate and gave some background information on the hymns and songs which the choir would be presenting, noting that the first song is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia. The choir thereafter presented their program, which included "Oh Armenian land," "Since Cradle," "Lord have mercy," and "Blessed is the Lord." *** PARTICIPATION IN L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SENIOR CHAPLAINS' MEETING By the initiative of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, on Tuesday, May 22, 2018, senior chaplains were invited to a special meeting which was held at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Downtown Los Angeles to discuss a wide range of issues relating to jail ministry. Prelacy Chaplain Rafi Garabedian participated in the meeting. On behalf of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, he thanked the Sheriff's Department for facilitating the Prelacy's jail ministry program which serves the spiritual needs of Armenian inmates. ***