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
EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA
On Sunday, June 17, 2018, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General,
will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in
Pasadena. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over
the service.
***
COMMUNITY-WIDE CELEBRATION OF THE FIRST REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
On Sunday, June 24, 2018, the centennial of the first Republic of
Armenia will be celebrated with a community-wide event under the auspices of
the three Armenian Churches and political parties. The event will be held at
Pasadena City College "Sexson Auditorium" and will feature messages as well
as cultural performances.
We invite our community to join us in collectively celebrating the
legacy of the first Republic's founders and the path they paved for today's
free and independent Armenia.
***
ST. GARABED CHURCH OF LAS VEGAS CELEBRATES 5TH ANNIVERSARY
The weekend of June 9-10, 2018 was a momentous one for the Las Vegas
parish as the community gathered to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the
consecration of St. Garabed Church with a banquet on Saturday evening and
Episcopal Divine Liturgy on Sunday. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over the celebration. Executive Council Chair Mr. Garo
Eshgian and representatives of the Western Diocese, Armenian Evangelical
Church, Assyrian, Ethiopian, Greek, and Maronite Churches participated in
the festivities.
The banquet was hosted by Parish Council Vice-Chair Mr. and Mrs.
Garo and Maria Bayramian. The program began with welcoming remarks by MC Ms.
Carnie Armenian, who stated that over the past five years St. Garabed Church
has become not only a place of worship but also a gathering place for
community organizations and members, a place to share in celebrations and
sorrows, and a place to preserve our unique Armenian heritage. She concluded
by thanking all those who took part in the dream of creating a small Armenia
in the Las Vegas desert. Parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian delivered
the invocation. Parish Council Chairman Mr. Yeghia Yeghiayan thanked the
Prelate for his guidance and direction, as well as the Parish Pastor, all
volunteers and sponsors for their efforts and support, stating that the
community was able to construct the first Armenian Apostolic Church in the
area thanks to its faith and strong will. Mr. Adroushan Armenian, Honorary
Consul of the Republic of Armenia, spoke about the enormous effort and
energy required to maintain our churches and community organizations,
thanking all those who lend their moral and financial support to preserving
the Armenian Church, language, and cultural heritage in Las Vegas. He
invited all community members, of all ages, to continue to serve with
renewed spirits. On behalf of the Executive Council, Chairman Mr. Garo
Eshgian congratulated and the parish community and stressed the importance
of having big dreams and serving with vision for the benefit of future
generations. He commended the Parish Pastor, Parish Council, and all the
committees and sponsors, wishing them new and greater achievements and
milestones in the years to come. The candle-lighting and cake-cutting
ceremony followed.
The Prelate began his message by greeting the guest clergy, greeting
and commending the former and current parish pastors, Archpriest Fr. Avedis
Torossian and Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian, Executive Council Chair Mr. Garo
Eshgian, Parish Council, Men's Society, Ladies Guild, volunteers, sponsors,
and community organizations. He greeted and commended Honorary Consul Mr.
Adroushan Armenian for his contributions to the parish community. His
Eminence recalled the work of the past five years, from the ground-blessing
conducted by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to the consecration of the
Church and Cultural Center, acknowledging all those who had a hand in the
realization of this dream, in particular the late benefactors Larry and Seda
Barnes and new sponsors. He reminded the community of what is possible with
united, sincere, and unfailing service, and stated that though they have
come far, there is still much work to be done to maintain and expand the
parish community. The Prelate highlighted the importance of constant
renewal, renewed energy, resolve, and approach in order to reach new
heights, adding that the parish pastor must be the driving force of the
community, the community must rally around him and he in turn must look to
the people for encouragement and support to grow and strengthen the parish.
The official program concluded with the singing of Cilicia. The
festivities continued with musical entertainment.
On Sunday morning, the Prelate celebrated Divine Liturgy and
delivered the sermon at St. Garabed Church. Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian and
Archpriest Fr. Avedis Torossian assisted at the altar. Among the faithful in
attendance were members of the "Ishkhan" Gomideh, ARS "Shushi" chapter, and
Homenetmen "Artsakh" chapter scouts.
At the start of his message, the Prelate first greeted the parish
family and guests and wished them many more milestones in their God-pleasing
service and mission with hard work, determination, and perseverance, but
most importantly, with faith, love, goodwill, unity, and harmony. He
commended all those who have committed themselves to the prosperity of the
community and urged all parishioners to become actively engaged in the life
of the parish as the church belongs to the people.
Referencing the day's Gospel reading from Matthew Chapter 12:1-8,
the Prelate reiterated that our service to glorify God and meet the
spiritual needs of the people must be genuine and not for outwardly
appearances. "Faith in action should be the guiding force of our lives and
service, acting on our faith with deeds of love and service. The time has
come to put aside superficialities and insincerity and serve with conscience
and conviction, our only purpose being goodness and righteousness, not
praise or honor from those around us," he stressed.
Given that the feast of St. Nerses the Great and Bishop Khat was
commemorated the day before, the Prelate spoke on their exemplary faith and
service, in particular their efforts in bringing the church closer to the
people and dedication to the spiritual and social wellbeing of the common
people. "As faithful Christians, let us commit ourselves to honoring God
each and every day of our lives through deeds of love and mercy. As
religious and lay leaders, let us commit ourselves wholly to the best
interests of the people through our faithful and sincere service. And as
faithful Armenians, let us commit ourselves to honoring the religious and
cultural heritage our ancestors fought hard to preserve for all of these
centuries," stated His Eminence, and concluded by calling on the leadership
and membership of St. Garabed Church to renew their efforts and energy and
work together with love, mutual respect, and harmony to make and keep St.
Garabed Church the bedrock and lifeline of the community.
His Eminence then blessed a book of synaxis Gospel readings donated
by Mr. Garo Bayramian and his wife Maria, which featured a hand-crafted
cover by Mr. Bayramian.
Later in the service, the parish pastor greeted the Prelate and
wished him many more years of fruitful service. At the conclusion of Divine
Liturgy, requiem prayers were offered for benefactors Larry and Seda Barnes.
A reception hosted by the Parish Council followed at "Koujakian" Hall.
The Prelate's visit also afforded the opportunity to meet with the
Parish Pastor and Parish Council to discuss the Church's future endeavors.
***
HONORARY CONSUL ADROUSHAN ARMENIAN GIFTS COLLECTABLE STAMPS FROM THE FIRST
REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA TO THE PRELACY
On Thursday, , H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed the visit of Mr. Adroushan Armenian, Honorary Consul of
the Republic of Armenia in Las Vegas.
Mr. Armenian had come to present a set of ten uncirculated
collectable stamps issued by the first Republic of Armenia to the Prelacy.
Mr. Armenian recently gifted the same set of stamps to a number of
institutions in Armenia and locally.
Given that Mr. Armenian is also a Parish Council member at St. Garabed
Church in Las Vegas, the Prelate and guest discussed the parish's endeavors
and reviewed the 5th anniversary celebration which was held the prior
weekend.
The Prelate thanked Mr. Armenian for the precious gift and wished
him continued success in his service to our church and nation.
***