July 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 PRELATE TO CELEBRATE DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA ON THE FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION Sunday, July 8, 2018 is the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ, also known as Vartavar. On this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at the Crescenta Valley parish. *** PONTIFICAL THANKSGIVING PRAYER HELD IN PRELACY CHURCHES On Sunday, July 1st, 2018, the 23rd anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia was celebrated within Western Prelacy Churches with Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayer. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy, delivered his message, and conducted Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayer service at Holy Trinity Church in Fresno. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, celebrated Divine Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and conducted Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayer service at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello. At Holy Trinity Church, Parish Pastor Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian celebrated Divine Liturgy and assisted in the Pontifical Prayer service. In his message, the Prelate highlighted our Pontiff's faithful and devoted service to the Armenian Church and the Armenian people since his ordination to the priesthood 50 years ago, his visionary, dynamic, and bold leadership as Catholicos for the past 23 years, and his contributions to our nation as a scholar, educator, and champion of the Armenian Cause. His Eminence stated that His Holiness has built a legacy that will endure in the history of the Holy See of Cilicia, of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and in the ecumenical movement, for he has been and continues to be a prominent and respected figure not only in the Armenian Church but on the international stage. Next, the Prelate delivered his sermon on the day's Gospel reading from Matthew 14:13-21, the feeding of the five thousand, focusing on three lessons. The first is our Lord Jesus Christ's infinite love and mercy for mankind. Second, that we need not worry, for the Lord will provide for all of our needs and with God even the impossible becomes possible. Third is that as children of God we too are commissioned to help our fellow man just as Jesus commissioned His disciples to feed the crowds. "May the message of this miracle and the Pontifical Prayer service be an occasion for us all to renew our obedience and faithfulness to God, our allegiance to the Holy See of Cilicia, and our commitment to serving God, the Armenian Church, and our fellow man," stated the Prelate. Citing from the Pontifical Prayer service, the Prelate concluded by praying for the Lord to bless His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and strengthen him in mind, body, and spirit, to fill us all with grace, wisdom, and prudence, and to bless, strengthen, and keep in peace the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Holy See of Cilicia, the Brotherhood, Prelacies, churches, clergy, and faithful worldwide, keeping us all under the protection of His holy and venerable cross. *** PRELATE DELIVERS INVOCATION AT NAVASARTIAN VICTORY BALL On Sunday, July 1st, 2018, the 43rd Navasartian Games Victory Ball was held at the Beverly Hilton. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended and delivered the invocation. He was accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Vazken Atmajian. H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Vicar General, Executive Council Chair Mr. Garo Eshgian and members were in attendance. The program began with the flag ceremony by Homenetmen scouts, followed by the national anthems. The Prelate began his invocation by thanking God for the opportunity to come together on this centennial of the first Republic of Armenia to celebrate Homenetmen on its centennial anniversary. His Eminence saluted and commended the Homenetmen family, the Central Executive, Regional Executive, Scouting Council, and local chapters who work together in the spirit of love and brotherhood for the wellbeing of our youth and the preservation of our heritage. He prayed for the Lord to bless the devoted members of Homenetmen with many more healthy years to carry on the organization's worthy mission and to bless and protect and young scouts and athletes as they develop into our leaders of tomorrow. The Prelate commended this year's Honorary President, Mr. and Mrs. Hamlet and Greta Chraghchian, and Exemplary Homenetmen member Mr. Koko Balian for their decades-long dedicated service and valuable contributions to our national life, as well as the past honorary presidents and exemplary members, sponsors, donors, and friends. The program continued with welcoming remarks by Mr. Charles Ghailian. The Homenetmen Western Region's message was delivered by Chairman Mr. Manuel Marselian. Guests viewed two videos on the history of Homenetmen and of the Navasartian Games. Mr. Koko Balian was honored with a plaque as the 2018 Homenetmen Western U.S. Exemplary Member. The ribbon ceremony followed, with this year's Honorary President Mr. and Mrs. Hamlet and Greta Chraghchian receiving the ribbon from last year's Honorary President, Mr. and Mrs. Vicken and Nono Apelian. The official program concluded with the centennial ceremony, which featured a candle-lighting and cake cutting by past and present Honorary Presidents. *** RECEPTION FOR ARMENIA'S DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN AVINYAN On Friday, June 29, 2018, the Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles hosted a reception in honor of a delegation from Armenia led by Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan. The reception was attended by clergy and lay community leaders. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attended and conveyed his blessings and well wishes to the honored guests. ***