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Western Prelacy News - 07/18/2008

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  • Western Prelacy News - 07/18/2008

    July 18, 2008
    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: www.westernprelacy.org

    MEETING OF THE PRELATES AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAIRMEN OF THE THREE
    PRELACIES OF
    NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA

    By the invitation of H.E. Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of
    Canada, and the Executive Council, a meeting of the Prelates and Executive
    Council Chairmen of the Prelacies of North America and Canada will take
    place in Montreal on July 23rd and 24th. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
    Mardirossian, Prelate, and Executive Council Chairman Dr. Garo Agopian will
    participate in the meeting, as well as H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
    Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, and the Chairman of the Executive Council.
    Items on the agenda include the collective celebration of the 50th
    anniversary of the establishment of a Prelacy in North America under the
    jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia, as well as issues of mutual concern
    to the Armenian communities of North America and Canada.
    On Thursday, July 17th, the Prelate welcomed to the Prelacy offices
    the Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council of the Canada Prelacy Dr. Garbis
    Harboyan, who was accompanied by his brother and Western Prelacy delegate
    Mr. Krikor Harboyan. During their meeting the Prelate and guests had the
    opportunity to discuss issues of immediate concern to our Prelacy, as well
    as about the upcoming conference in Montreal.


    PRELATE BLESSES FOUNDATION FOR
    NEW YOUTH CENTER IN HOLLYWOOD

    On Sunday, July 13th, the Prelate presided over Divine Liturgy and
    delivered the sermon at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood. Following the
    service, the Prelate blessed the foundation of the Los Angeles youth center.
    Given that Saturday, July 12th, was the feast of St. Gregory the
    Illuminator's progeny, the Prelate's sermon centered on the piety and the
    virtue with which they lived their lives, and alluding to the building of
    the youth center, he called on the youth to live their lives righteously in
    the example of St. Gregory's offspring.
    The blessing of the foundation began with the flag ceremony and the
    national anthems of America and Armenia. Among those in attendance were
    members of the A.R.F. Bureau, Central Committee, and local chapter,
    Homenetmen Central and Regional Executive members, principal of Rose and
    Alex Pilibos School, Executive Council, parish committee members, and
    architect Sam Yousefian.
    Welcoming remarks were delivered by A.R.F. Karekin Njteh
    representative Mr. Garo Ispenjian. Remarks were also offered by Mr. Seto
    Boyajian who briefly went over the details of the will left by Mr. and Mrs.
    Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian and Mr. Haig Garabedian due to which the
    new youth center will be possible.
    The Prelate in his message stated that just as the Armenian Church
    is the bastion of our spirits and the Armenian School that of our minds, the
    new youth center will be the bastion of subsequent generations and a place
    our youth can develop and enhance their minds and souls.
    Afterward representatives from each organization approached the
    bricks that were laid out to form a cross and proceeded to place cement and
    soil on them to signify that the center will be a stronghold for our youth.
    A reception followed at "Karapetian" Hall.


    CONFERENCE FOR PRELACY PASTORS, DELEGATES,
    AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES

    On the evening of Tuesday, July 15th, Pastors, Delegates, and Board
    of Trustees of Prelacy Churches gathered at the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der
    Ghazarian" Hall, upon the invitation of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
    Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Executive Council, to discuss issues
    concerning our parishes and to share their experiences. Central Executive
    Council member Mr. Khajag Dikijian was also present at the conference, which
    was hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary.
    The conference started with prayer and welcoming remarks by the
    Prelate. The Prelate called attention to upcoming events which will rely on
    collaborative efforts such as the 50th anniversary of a Prelacy in North
    America under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia, the 35th
    anniversary of the Western Prelacy, and the observance of the Year of
    Christian Education through various events. The Prelate also noted that
    work continues in the establishment of a new high school, that the
    activities of our youth groups and Sunday Schools are undergoing expansion,
    and that the weekly television program was recently enhanced to include a
    segment through which are faithful can learn about the rich history and
    traditions of the Armenian Church.
    Executive Council Chairman Dr. Garo Agopian, in his remarks,
    outlined the issues to be discussed and explained the purpose of the
    meeting, which was to exchange ideas and suggestions.
    Mr. David Sarabian, Chairman of Holy Trinity Church of Fresno, was
    then invited to report on the endeavors they have undertaken and their
    outcomes, specifically the organizing of family retreats, which is unique to
    their parish. The chairmen of the other churches were in turn invited to
    report on their specific parishes. Remarks were also offered by Mr.
    Dikijian, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and Executive Council member Mr.
    Nerses Melkonian, all of whom presented practical suggestions to the
    parishes' representatives.
    At the conclusion of the conference, the participants expressed
    interest in having similar meetings on a regular basis. The evening came to
    a close with the Prelate's blessings and benediction.
    PRELATE MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF
    DAVIDIAN & MARIAMIAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

    On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 15th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
    Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy representatives of Davidian
    and Mariamian Educational Foundation Mr. Vahik Satoorian, Chairman, and Mr.
    Andranik Yeremian, Secretary. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and Executive
    Council Chairman Dr. Garo Agopian were also present.
    The representatives reported to the Prelate on the nature of their
    activities, which focuses on providing Armenian language and culture
    instruction to students attending public schools. They also discussed the
    first telethon of the foundation, which took place last month, and thanked
    the Prelate for the participation of the parishes and Executive Council.
    The Prelate highly commended the endeavors and mission of Davidian
    and Mariamian Educational Foundation and the devotion of its members,
    wishing them success in their service to a new generation of youth.


    SECOND LECTURE IN THE
    "YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION" SERIES

    On the evening of Wednesday, July 16th, the second lecture in the
    "Year of Christian Education" lecture series took place under the auspices
    of the Prelate at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. The lecture was organized
    by the parish Pastor and Board of Trustees and featured Pastor of St.
    Garabed Church Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian on the topic "The Explanation
    of the Divine Liturgy".
    The evening began with The Lord's Prayer followed by welcoming
    remarks by parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Khoren Babochian.
    Fr. Vicken began his lecture by first speaking of the meaning of the
    word "Badarak", and continued to present in detail the stages of the Liturgy
    including Preparation, Synaxis, Sacrifice or Eucharist, and the Last
    Blessing.
    The artistic portion of the program was comprised of hymns presented
    by the parish choir.
    In his concluding remarks the Prelate commended all the participants
    of the program, and stressed the deep significance of Christian Education
    both in our individual and collective lives. The Prelate the announced that
    with the collaborative efforts of the Prelacies of North America and Canada
    a new publication of the Divine Liturgy was recently published which will
    help our parishioners better comprehend the service.
    The evening came to a close with the Prelate's benediction and the
    singing of "Giligia". A reception organized by the parish Ladies Auxiliary
    followed at "Andon Andonian" Hall.


    PRELACY SCHOOLS' TEACHERS PARTICIPATE IN THE SECOND EDUCATION CONFERENCE OF
    THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA

    By the initiative of the Department of Armenological Activities of
    the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, the second Armenian
    education conference convened on Thursday, July 17th at the Seminary in
    Bikfaya. The conference was held under the auspices of H.H. Aram I,
    Catholicos, with the participation of educators from all the Prelacies under
    the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia.
    The purpose of the three day conference is to bring our educators
    together from our communities around the world to evaluate the instruction
    offered in Armenian language, history, and religion, and means of improving
    the curriculum.
    Over a hundred representatives are participating in the conference,
    each of whom are offered the opportunity to report on the activities of
    schools in their specific communities and to discuss their successes as well
    as the challenges they face.
    The schools of the Western Prelacy are being represented by Mrs.
    Azadouhi Ghazarian and Mr. Saro Nazarian.
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