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ARMENIAN PONTIFF VISITS ARARAT HOME IN MISSION HILLS
By Susan Abram
Los Angeles Daily News
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19135645
Oct 18 2011
CA
Bringing blessings and a message of hope, the worldwide head of the
Armenian Apostolic Church made a special visit Monday to Ararat Home
of Los Angeles, where he was greeted with traditional folk songs and
hearty applause.
Tears of joy dripped from the eyes of some of the elder residents as
His Holiness Aram I, catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, blessed
the Mission Hills campus, which includes a 198-bed skilled nursing
home and an 80-bed assisted-living center.
"It's an exciting time," said author Hagoup Arshagouni, who designed
the Armenian timeline of historical events that is imprinted along
the sidewalk at the entrance to the home. "He is very human and
knowledgeable, and a fair and wonderful person."
This is the first time in seven years the pontiff has visited the
western United States from Lebanon. Aram I is one of two pontiffs
of the worldwide Armenian Apostolic Church and a spiritual leader of
Armenian Diaspora communities in North America, Europe and the Middle
East, officials said.
After blessing the residents and staff with ancient prayers, the
pontiff reflected on the words "Ararat Home," saying it had special
meaning for Armenians.
"What Armenian doesn't know of Ararat?" he asked of the snow-capped
peak in Turkey that, according to Biblical accounts, is where Noah's
Ark came to rest.
"Ararat is the symbol of Armenians. Ararat is the symbol of our
identity. Ararat is the symbol of our unity."
And he said the word "home" also symbolized family.
"Home brings together the same values, the same traditions,"
the pontiff said. "This is not an old people's home. I hate this
expression. In this house, the spiritual and medical come together,
and I'm very much touched by this home."
Residents received gifts of small crosses as the pontiff exchanged some
lighthearted banter, complimenting them on their youthful appearance.
"I feel like you look younger than I do," he said through a translator
as residents, many in wheelchairs, chuckled. "They take such good
care of you here."
He then offered prayers inside the Sheen Memorial Chapel built near
the residential care facility, and the Ararat Eskijian Museum, which
features art, photographs, music, literature, culture and history of
the Armenian people.
The pontiff's tour of Ararat Home was one of many listed during his
20-day visit to the West Coast, which began on Oct. 6, and included
St. Mary's Apostolic Church in Glendale and schools in the San Fernando
Valley. He also plans to visit churches in Montebello and Fresno.
His message to all the faithful was to keep Armenian children engaged
in their culture and traditions, a call for spiritual renewal,
continued progress of Armenian schools.
But he also brought a message of support to all Middle Eastern
Christians, who have seen their churches bombed and their people killed
and forced from their homes due to the insurgent unrest throughout
the Middle East, including in Iraq and Egypt.
On Wednesday he plans to visit St. Mary and St. Athanasius Coptic
Orthodox Church in Northridge, where members have been grieving the
deaths of almost 30 Christians in Egypt during violent clashes earlier
this month with extremists. Many said one of Aram I's strengths is his
ability to promote interfaith dialogue among Christians and Muslims.
"With all of the dramatic events unfolding throughout the world,
there is now, more than ever, a new imperative for our faithful to
receive the blessings and guidance of His Holiness," said His Eminence
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, prelate of the Western Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, based in La Crescenta.
For Shirley Smith, who works to raise money for the Ararat Home,
the pontiff's visit was much appreciated among the residents.
"We're thrilled he's here," Smith said "It means a lot for the
residents at this stage of their lives to see him."
By Susan Abram
Los Angeles Daily News
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19135645
Oct 18 2011
CA
Bringing blessings and a message of hope, the worldwide head of the
Armenian Apostolic Church made a special visit Monday to Ararat Home
of Los Angeles, where he was greeted with traditional folk songs and
hearty applause.
Tears of joy dripped from the eyes of some of the elder residents as
His Holiness Aram I, catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, blessed
the Mission Hills campus, which includes a 198-bed skilled nursing
home and an 80-bed assisted-living center.
"It's an exciting time," said author Hagoup Arshagouni, who designed
the Armenian timeline of historical events that is imprinted along
the sidewalk at the entrance to the home. "He is very human and
knowledgeable, and a fair and wonderful person."
This is the first time in seven years the pontiff has visited the
western United States from Lebanon. Aram I is one of two pontiffs
of the worldwide Armenian Apostolic Church and a spiritual leader of
Armenian Diaspora communities in North America, Europe and the Middle
East, officials said.
After blessing the residents and staff with ancient prayers, the
pontiff reflected on the words "Ararat Home," saying it had special
meaning for Armenians.
"What Armenian doesn't know of Ararat?" he asked of the snow-capped
peak in Turkey that, according to Biblical accounts, is where Noah's
Ark came to rest.
"Ararat is the symbol of Armenians. Ararat is the symbol of our
identity. Ararat is the symbol of our unity."
And he said the word "home" also symbolized family.
"Home brings together the same values, the same traditions,"
the pontiff said. "This is not an old people's home. I hate this
expression. In this house, the spiritual and medical come together,
and I'm very much touched by this home."
Residents received gifts of small crosses as the pontiff exchanged some
lighthearted banter, complimenting them on their youthful appearance.
"I feel like you look younger than I do," he said through a translator
as residents, many in wheelchairs, chuckled. "They take such good
care of you here."
He then offered prayers inside the Sheen Memorial Chapel built near
the residential care facility, and the Ararat Eskijian Museum, which
features art, photographs, music, literature, culture and history of
the Armenian people.
The pontiff's tour of Ararat Home was one of many listed during his
20-day visit to the West Coast, which began on Oct. 6, and included
St. Mary's Apostolic Church in Glendale and schools in the San Fernando
Valley. He also plans to visit churches in Montebello and Fresno.
His message to all the faithful was to keep Armenian children engaged
in their culture and traditions, a call for spiritual renewal,
continued progress of Armenian schools.
But he also brought a message of support to all Middle Eastern
Christians, who have seen their churches bombed and their people killed
and forced from their homes due to the insurgent unrest throughout
the Middle East, including in Iraq and Egypt.
On Wednesday he plans to visit St. Mary and St. Athanasius Coptic
Orthodox Church in Northridge, where members have been grieving the
deaths of almost 30 Christians in Egypt during violent clashes earlier
this month with extremists. Many said one of Aram I's strengths is his
ability to promote interfaith dialogue among Christians and Muslims.
"With all of the dramatic events unfolding throughout the world,
there is now, more than ever, a new imperative for our faithful to
receive the blessings and guidance of His Holiness," said His Eminence
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, prelate of the Western Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, based in La Crescenta.
For Shirley Smith, who works to raise money for the Ararat Home,
the pontiff's visit was much appreciated among the residents.
"We're thrilled he's here," Smith said "It means a lot for the
residents at this stage of their lives to see him."