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January 17, 2014
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 VISIT THE FRESNO PARISH COMMUNITY ON THE 113TH ANNIVERSARY OF
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
This weekend, the Holy Trinity Church family of Fresno will
celebrate its 113th anniversary. The Prelate will join the community in
celebrating this joyous occasion.
On Saturday, January 18, the Prelate will preside over and deliver
his message at the 113th anniversary banquet organized by the Pastor and
Board of Trustees.
On Sunday, January 19, His Eminence will celebrate Divine Liturgy,
deliver the sermon, and ordain eight acolytes at Holy Trinity Church.
During his visit, the Prelate will also meet with the Pastor and
Board of Trustees to discuss Church endeavors.
***
PRELATE HOSTS MEETING OF ARMENIAN CHURCH LEADERS
On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, a meeting of the four religious
leaders of the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical Churches was
held at the Prelacy hosted by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, with the participation of H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Bishop
Mikael Mouradian, and Rev. Joe Matossian.
The four leaders meet regularly to discuss issues of mutual concern.
Wednesday's meeting centered on preparations for the joint commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide this April 24, preparations for the Genocide
centennial next year, and ecumenical relations and collaborative efforts.
The Prelate hosted the leaders to lunch after the meeting.
***
NAME DAY CELEBRATION OF ST. GARABED CHURCH
OF HOLLYWOOD
On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, the Armenian Apostolic Church observed
the Feast John the Forerunner, which is also the name-day of St. Garabed
Church of Hollywood. In celebration of this occasion, on Sunday, January
12, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine
Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and conducted the blessing of madagh. His
Eminence also presided over the name-day luncheon at the conclusion of the
service.
Parish Pastors Archpriest Fr. Viken Vassilian and Archpriest Fr.
Hrant Yeretzian assisted at the altar.
In his sermon, the Prelate spoke of the virtuous character and
mission of St. John as the Forerunner to Christ. His Eminence stated that
St. John was "great in the sight of the Lord" (Luke 1:15) and noting the
distinction between being great in the sight of God and great to the eyes of
man said that it is possible to be seen as great by men for wealth or
talents you possess, but it is much more preferable and important to be
great in the sight of the Lord by obeying His commandments, even if doing so
causes harm from men. Thus, he advised that we become examples to others by
our obedience to God and by being true Christians filled with the Holy
Spirit and radiating positivity within our surroundings.
The Prelate conducted the blessing of madagh at the conclusion of
Divine Liturgy.
His Eminence then presided over the celebratory luncheon at
"Karapetian" Hall.
The program began with welcoming remarks by Archpriest Fr. Vicken
Vassilian, followed by the blessing of tables by the Prelate.
It has become a beloved tradition for the Pastor and Board of
Trustees to honor an individual at this annual luncheon for his or her
service to the church and community. This year's honoree was former
Delegate and Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Dikran Sarkuni.
Fr. Vicken acknowledged and thanked all the day's sponsors. Church
consecration Godfather Mr. and Mrs. Vahe and Veronika Karapetian this year
also sponsored the madagh expense and donated $6,000 to the church and
Prelacy. Mrs. Jessica Vartougian donated $5,000 on the first anniversary of
her mother Isgouhi Sarkissian's passing, and Rose and Alex Pilibos School
also donated $5,000.
Fr. Vicken presented Mr. Sarkuni's record of service and invited
Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Dajad Yeretsian, who presented Mr. Sarkuni with
a memento on behalf of the Board. Tereza Yerimyan presented Mr. Sarkuni
with a certificate of appreciation from California State Assembly member
Adrin Nazarian and Los Angeles City Council member Paul Krekorian. Mr.
Sarkuni thanked Fr. Vicken and the Board for the honor and on this occasion
donated $5,000 to the church and $1,000 to the school in his wife Maggie's
and daughter Marae's name.
Fr. Vicken then invited the Prelate to present Mr. Sarkuni with his
letter of blessing, which was read by Fr. Vicken. His Eminence stated that
the day is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to serving faithfully
and dutifully for the glory of God and the advancement of our church and
people. He commended Mr. Sarkuni for his service and also the church
volunteers and guests for their service and support.
The event also included a cultural program performed by Pilibos and
Sunday School students.
The celebration came to a close with the Prelate's benediction and
"Cilicia".
***
PRELATE WELCOMES ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY BOARD MEMBERS
On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed the visit of Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR)
Board members, headed by President Dr. Frieda Jordan. The Prelate was
joined by Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian and member Dr. Dikran
Babikian.
The Prelate welcomed the guests and commended their humanitarian
service, comparing it to that of the Good Samaritan. Mrs. Boghossian also
commended the devotion of the members to a noble cause.
Members of the ABMDR Board of Directors and Advisory Board come to
the Prelacy at the start of each year to convey New Year well wishes to the
Prelate and convey information about their recent and upcoming endeavors.
Dr. Jordan reported that the ABMDR had a successful year, raising the number
of donors to 25,000, with hopes of raising the number to 30,000 this year on
the 15th anniversary of the organization. The members expressed gratitude
for their collaboration with Memorial, Adventist, and Children's Hospitals,
and reported that members recently visited with Armenian communities in
Bulgaria and Cyprus and hope to establish ties in Russia soon. Their next
meeting will be in Oslo.
In keeping with a long-established tradition, the organization
requested that special prayers for patients be offered in Prelacy Churches
on April 6, and announced that their annual walk-a-thon will take place on
May 3rd and the annual banquet on August 10th. ABMDR members also visit our
schools to educate the youth on the organization's mission.
Delegation member Mr. Hratch Lukassian, who recently climbed Mt.
Ararat, presented the Prelate with a memento of his journey.
His Eminence presented the guests with copies of a recently
published student prayer book dedicated to the mothers, prayer cards
dedicated to the Year of the Armenian Mother, and the Prelacy wall calendar.
ABMDR once again thanked the Prelate for his and the Prelacy's
support and encouragement.
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 VISIT THE FRESNO PARISH COMMUNITY ON THE 113TH ANNIVERSARY OF
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
This weekend, the Holy Trinity Church family of Fresno will
celebrate its 113th anniversary. The Prelate will join the community in
celebrating this joyous occasion.
On Saturday, January 18, the Prelate will preside over and deliver
his message at the 113th anniversary banquet organized by the Pastor and
Board of Trustees.
On Sunday, January 19, His Eminence will celebrate Divine Liturgy,
deliver the sermon, and ordain eight acolytes at Holy Trinity Church.
During his visit, the Prelate will also meet with the Pastor and
Board of Trustees to discuss Church endeavors.
***
PRELATE HOSTS MEETING OF ARMENIAN CHURCH LEADERS
On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, a meeting of the four religious
leaders of the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical Churches was
held at the Prelacy hosted by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, with the participation of H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Bishop
Mikael Mouradian, and Rev. Joe Matossian.
The four leaders meet regularly to discuss issues of mutual concern.
Wednesday's meeting centered on preparations for the joint commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide this April 24, preparations for the Genocide
centennial next year, and ecumenical relations and collaborative efforts.
The Prelate hosted the leaders to lunch after the meeting.
***
NAME DAY CELEBRATION OF ST. GARABED CHURCH
OF HOLLYWOOD
On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, the Armenian Apostolic Church observed
the Feast John the Forerunner, which is also the name-day of St. Garabed
Church of Hollywood. In celebration of this occasion, on Sunday, January
12, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine
Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and conducted the blessing of madagh. His
Eminence also presided over the name-day luncheon at the conclusion of the
service.
Parish Pastors Archpriest Fr. Viken Vassilian and Archpriest Fr.
Hrant Yeretzian assisted at the altar.
In his sermon, the Prelate spoke of the virtuous character and
mission of St. John as the Forerunner to Christ. His Eminence stated that
St. John was "great in the sight of the Lord" (Luke 1:15) and noting the
distinction between being great in the sight of God and great to the eyes of
man said that it is possible to be seen as great by men for wealth or
talents you possess, but it is much more preferable and important to be
great in the sight of the Lord by obeying His commandments, even if doing so
causes harm from men. Thus, he advised that we become examples to others by
our obedience to God and by being true Christians filled with the Holy
Spirit and radiating positivity within our surroundings.
The Prelate conducted the blessing of madagh at the conclusion of
Divine Liturgy.
His Eminence then presided over the celebratory luncheon at
"Karapetian" Hall.
The program began with welcoming remarks by Archpriest Fr. Vicken
Vassilian, followed by the blessing of tables by the Prelate.
It has become a beloved tradition for the Pastor and Board of
Trustees to honor an individual at this annual luncheon for his or her
service to the church and community. This year's honoree was former
Delegate and Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Dikran Sarkuni.
Fr. Vicken acknowledged and thanked all the day's sponsors. Church
consecration Godfather Mr. and Mrs. Vahe and Veronika Karapetian this year
also sponsored the madagh expense and donated $6,000 to the church and
Prelacy. Mrs. Jessica Vartougian donated $5,000 on the first anniversary of
her mother Isgouhi Sarkissian's passing, and Rose and Alex Pilibos School
also donated $5,000.
Fr. Vicken presented Mr. Sarkuni's record of service and invited
Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Dajad Yeretsian, who presented Mr. Sarkuni with
a memento on behalf of the Board. Tereza Yerimyan presented Mr. Sarkuni
with a certificate of appreciation from California State Assembly member
Adrin Nazarian and Los Angeles City Council member Paul Krekorian. Mr.
Sarkuni thanked Fr. Vicken and the Board for the honor and on this occasion
donated $5,000 to the church and $1,000 to the school in his wife Maggie's
and daughter Marae's name.
Fr. Vicken then invited the Prelate to present Mr. Sarkuni with his
letter of blessing, which was read by Fr. Vicken. His Eminence stated that
the day is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to serving faithfully
and dutifully for the glory of God and the advancement of our church and
people. He commended Mr. Sarkuni for his service and also the church
volunteers and guests for their service and support.
The event also included a cultural program performed by Pilibos and
Sunday School students.
The celebration came to a close with the Prelate's benediction and
"Cilicia".
***
PRELATE WELCOMES ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY BOARD MEMBERS
On Tuesday, January 14, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed the visit of Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR)
Board members, headed by President Dr. Frieda Jordan. The Prelate was
joined by Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian and member Dr. Dikran
Babikian.
The Prelate welcomed the guests and commended their humanitarian
service, comparing it to that of the Good Samaritan. Mrs. Boghossian also
commended the devotion of the members to a noble cause.
Members of the ABMDR Board of Directors and Advisory Board come to
the Prelacy at the start of each year to convey New Year well wishes to the
Prelate and convey information about their recent and upcoming endeavors.
Dr. Jordan reported that the ABMDR had a successful year, raising the number
of donors to 25,000, with hopes of raising the number to 30,000 this year on
the 15th anniversary of the organization. The members expressed gratitude
for their collaboration with Memorial, Adventist, and Children's Hospitals,
and reported that members recently visited with Armenian communities in
Bulgaria and Cyprus and hope to establish ties in Russia soon. Their next
meeting will be in Oslo.
In keeping with a long-established tradition, the organization
requested that special prayers for patients be offered in Prelacy Churches
on April 6, and announced that their annual walk-a-thon will take place on
May 3rd and the annual banquet on August 10th. ABMDR members also visit our
schools to educate the youth on the organization's mission.
Delegation member Mr. Hratch Lukassian, who recently climbed Mt.
Ararat, presented the Prelate with a memento of his journey.
His Eminence presented the guests with copies of a recently
published student prayer book dedicated to the mothers, prayer cards
dedicated to the Year of the Armenian Mother, and the Prelacy wall calendar.
ABMDR once again thanked the Prelate for his and the Prelacy's
support and encouragement.