October 19, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
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:
BANQUET CELEBRATING THE 76TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANTELIAS SEMINARY
WAS A GREAT SUCCESS
On Friday, October 13, on the eve of the Feast of the Holy
Translators, evening services were conducted by H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, with the participation of Prelacy
clergy members and deacons, at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
Following church services, the annual Seminary banquet took place at
"Avedissian" Hall with over 450 Seminary alumni and supporters in
attendance. The host of the banquet was Seminary alumnus Mr. and
Mrs. Zohrab and Liza Manougian, who expressed their support with a
30,000 dollar donation.
With the singing of a hymn dedicated to the Holy Translators, the
clergy members, led by the Prelate, entered the hall in a procession
where they collectively sang the Seminary anthem.
The official program began with welcoming remarks by emcees Very
Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev Gulumian. The evening’s keynote
speaker, Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian, then delivered his remarks
in which he emphasized the mission of the Seminary and its invaluable
contribution to the Armenian people.
In his remarks, the Prelate reminded the guests that one year ago,
this same banquet took place under the auspices and presided by
H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
He stated that as a result of the piety and nationalistic ideals that
the Seminary instills in each student, serving God and the Armenian
people becomes the mission of each Seminarian. The Prelate concluded
by expressing his appreciation to the Seminary Alumni Committee, the
Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary Guild, Executive Council, the Catholicosate’s
Central Executive Council representative, the A.R.F.
Central Committee representative, and to all the benefactors whose
continuous moral and financial support contribute to the fulfillment
of the Seminary’s mission to educate our future spiritual leaders.
Following the official program, former Seminarian Karnig Sarkissian
and his "Knar" band entertained the guests with revolutionary and
nationalistic songs. Throughout the evening, benefactors and supporters
of the Seminary made donations that totaled over 85,000 dollars.