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Prelate's Easter Message

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  • Prelate's Easter Message

    His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
    Prelate of Western United States
    Tel: 818-248-7737
    Fax: 818-248-7745
    [email protected]


    Prelate's Easter Message

    THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST IS OUR LIFE-GIVING SOURCE

    "And you Lord, by meeting with the Apostles granted them your
    life-giving greeting and sent them off to save the world."

    (Hymn)

    On these first days of Spring, together with the flowering and
    renewal of nature once again we proclaim the glorious Resurrection of
    our Lord Jesus Christ and renew the message of our spiritual and
    national rebirth.

    Describing the Resurrection of Christ according to the gospels, the
    hymn-writer tells us about the oil-bearing women who went to the tomb
    on the third day following the burial of Christ, they discovered that
    the tomb stone had been moved and heard the angel say,

    "Christ is risen and conquered death"


    (Hymn)

    The Lord revealed Himself to Mary Magdalene and the women
    accompanying her and to the Apostles. Whoever the Lord met, was
    blessed with renewed life.

    "And you Lord, by meeting with the Apostles granted them
    your life-giving greeting and sent them off to save the world."


    (Hymn)

    ***

    It is the undeniable truth that the arch of the Gospel rests upon two
    major pillars: the Death of Christ and the Resurrection.

    The Apostle Paul describes this truth with these words:

    "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received,
    how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. And
    that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according
    to the Scriptures." (1st Corinthians, 15:3-4)

    By entering through the arch of the Resurrection, the
    Apostles became the fearless preachers of the new religion and they
    spread their testimony for the salvation of the World. They
    witnessed that the Resurrected Lord "was delivered for our offences,
    and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:25)

    Uplifted by the apparition of the angels and renewed by the Lord's
    life-giving greetings, they proclaimed the Resurrection of the
    Savior, who lighted up the lives of all those who believed in His
    Holy Resurrection and followed his teachings, knowing that death was
    defeated, that there was life after death, and the promise of
    salvation.

    ***

    Centuries ago, with the faith based on the reality of the
    Resurrection, our forefathers accepted the Resurrected Christ,
    received His life-giving greetings and put forth their efforts for
    the salvation of our nation. Since the first century, the same
    life-giving greetings were received by the King Apkar and our first
    martyr St. Santoukhd, followed by St. Gregory the Illuminator and St.
    Mesrob Mashdotz, St. Vartanantz and numerous other saints, martyrs,
    and heroes who became worthy of the promise of the crown of
    righteousness.



    Indeed the year 2005, is a significant year for our nation nourished
    by the breath of the Resurrection, as we will commemorate:



    · The 1600th anniversary of the invention of the Armenian
    alphabet;

    · The 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide;

    · The 75th anniversary of the Great House of Cilicia Seminary





    His Holiness Aram I, with encyclicals, invited all of us
    to consider these three historic anniversaries.



    Will the 1600th anniversary of the discovery of the Armenian
    Alphabet, along with the heritage left to us by St. Mesrob Mashdots
    and the Holy Translators, help us renew our spiritual and national
    path to lead our lives according to the faith of our forefathers?



    With the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, how will we
    remember the â~@~Armenian Golgothaâ~@~] of our Martyrs, and as the
    children of a resurrected nation stand up for justice honor their
    memory and demand for compensation for shedding their innocent blood?



    And will the 75th anniversary of the Seminary, which in our Prelacy
    will be celebrated during the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram
    I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, in October, in California,
    serve to mobilize our parents and new generation to brace themselves
    with the faith of the Resurrection.



    ***



    Let all of us be renewed by the message of the Holy Resurrection and
    be inspired by the glory of the 1600th anniversary of the discovery
    of the Armenian alphabet, to lead our lives with faith and
    commitment.



    As we commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by
    remembering our Martyrs who witnessed the path of the cross and the
    â~@~Armenian Golgothaâ~@~] at Der Zor, let us renew our pledge to
    walk the path of truth and justice with the spirit of the
    Resurrection.



    With the hope of being worthy of the life-giving greetings of our
    Resurrected Savior and with the desire of splendoring our spiritual,
    church and national lives, let us actively support our churches,
    schools and seminary, so that the new generations will receive a
    wholesome education and ensure our nation's future.



    ***



    On the occasion of Christ's Glorious Resurrection, we convey our love
    and blessings to our Prelacy clergy, representative assembly,
    executive council, all who serve within our parishes, our schools,
    organizations and our faithful people.



    It is our prayer that we continue to serve to enliven our people with
    renewed faith and spiritual joy, warmed by the Resurrection and our
    Savior's life-bearing spirit, and exclaim:



    "Christ is risen from the dead.

    Blessed be the Resurrection of Christ."



    Prayerfully,







    Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian

    Prelate, Western United States



    Easter, 2005








    --Boundary_(ID_3w45GzZK+VpELZ6BtSZkXg)--
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