July 25, 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 PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA
Sunday, July 27, 2014 is the Feast of the Transfiguration of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
On this day, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in
Pasadena.
July 27 is also the 31st anniversary of the martyrdom of the Lisbon
5. Given that requiem service does not take place on major feast days, upon
the request of the ARF Central Committee and by the ordinance of the
Prelate, "Der Voghormya" prayers will be offered in all Prelacy Churches for
the souls of the young men who sacrificed their lives for our cause.
***
DIVINE LITURGY AND BLESSING OF MADAGH ON THE NAME DAY OF THE PRELACY "ST.
DERTAD AND ST. ASHKHEN" CHAPEL
On Sunday, July 20, 2014 the Feast of St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen,
the first Christian king and queen of Armenia, which is also the name day of
the Prelacy "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel, was celebrated with
Episcopal Divine Liturgy and the blessing of madagh.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, at the Crescenta Valley Parish. His Eminence also
delivered the sermon, conducted the blessing of madagh, and presided over
requiem service during which prayers were offered for the soul of Alexan
Pilavjian, husband of Chapel benefactor Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian. Parish
Pastor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian and deacons assisted at the altar.
Executive Council Chair Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian and member Mr. Vahrij Pilavjian
were among the faithful in attendance.
Prior to delivering the sermon, the Prelate first greeted the
faithful and extended his well wishes for the health of benefactor Mrs.
Ashkhen Pilavjian. His Eminence quoted the words of Movses Khorenatsi
referring to St. Dertad as the second father of our enlightenment and the
forerunner who alongside St. Gregory paved the path for our spiritual
enlightenment. He then presented the life history of St. Gregory the
Illuminator and King Dertad, the crossing of their paths and how by the
grace of God they escaped death and brought enlightenment to Armenia,
transforming it into the first Christian nation. The Prelate also
highlighted the exemplary family formed by King Dertad and Queen Ashkhen,
stating that the values and principles of the Christian Armenian families
are needed today more than ever in our national and church life. His
Eminence concluded by praying for God to guide us according to His will and
commandments, and for our families to follow in the example of the first
Christian family.
Prior to "Der Voghormya" prayers, Fr. Ghevont expressed gratitude to
the Prelate on behalf of the parish community for his blessed presence, for
his inspiring message on the Armenian family. He then invited the
congregation to pray for the health and strength of the Prelate so that he
may continue his leadership of our Prelacy for years to come.
At the conclusion of the service the Prelate presided over the
requiem service. The blessing of madagh followed at the courtyard of the
Prelacy main entrance. The celebration came to a close with the Cilician
anthem and the benediction by the Prelate.
***
PRELATE WELCOMES MEMBERS OF THE ANCA-WR
"AMERICA WE THANK YOU" INITIATIVE
On Tuesday, July 22, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
welcomed members of the ANCA-WR "America We Thank You: An Armenian Tribute
to Near East Relief" initiative.
Participants in the meeting included ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian,
Esq., committee Co-Chairs Ms. Vanna Kitsinian, Esq. and Ms. Hermineh
Pakhanians, ANCA-WR Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan, and members
Missak Kelechian, Ara Khachatourian, and Nora Yacoubian.
The ANCA-WR recently announced a collaboration with the Near East
Foundation to honor the critical role of the Near East Relief in aiding
survivors during and in the years following the Armenian Genocide,
especially from 1915-1930.
The guests had come to discuss the efforts and role of various
religious communities and churches in the aftermath of the Genocide and to
receive the Prelate's blessings and thoughts as they move forward in their
work.
The Prelate commended the members for their efforts in honoring the
invaluable assistance of the Near East Relief and wished them success in
their upcoming endeavors. His Eminence pledged his support to the
initiative, specifically by means of reaching out to the leaders of the
various churches who were involved in the relief efforts.
***
PRELACY HOSTS RECEPTION IN HONOR OF
POETRY COMPETITION WINNERS
On Saturday, May 10, 2014, the Western Prelacy hosted the first
annual Southern California Armenian Schools' Poetry Competition at the
"Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. The event was held under the
auspices of the Prelacy, in collaboration with the Consulate General of
Armenia in Los Angeles, and organized by the Board of Regents of Prelacy
Schools, Avan Shushi Plaza Hotel, Asbarez Newspaper, and Horizon Television.
On Wednesday, July 23rd, a reception was held at the Prelacy,
presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, to commend
and award the winners of the competition. Executive Council Chair Mr. Vahe
Hovaguimian and member Dr. Dikran Babikian were in attendance, as well as
Board of Regents Co-Chair Mrs. Maggie Sarkuni and member Ms. Charlotte
Sassounian, organizing committee and jury members, Prelacy Schools'
Principals and Directors, competition winners and their families.
Master of Ceremonies Dr. Babikian welcomed the guests, commended all
the participants and their teachers, and expressed hope that the event
becomes an annual tradition.
Mr. Alec Baghdasarian spoke of the annual Avan Shushi Plaza Hotel
poetry festival and expressed hope that the festival grow year by after and
become a pan-Armenian event, and announced that six youth from our community
will compete in this year's upcoming festival.
Mrs. Maggie Sarkuni thanked the organizers and commended the
participants, and emphasized the importance of such events in the lives of
the younger generations.
The presentation of awards followed by organizing committee members
Mihran Toumajan and Nane Avagyan. Two students recited poetry on this
occasion.
The event concluded with the Prelate's message. His Eminence
commended the organizers for initiating and successfully carrying out this
important endeavor, which he stated awakens in our youth love and a bond
with our culture. He commended also the students for their participation
and the parents and teachers for promoting the national instruction of our
youth. In conclusion, the Prelate presented books to the winners and jury
members in appreciation for their participation.
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 PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA
Sunday, July 27, 2014 is the Feast of the Transfiguration of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
On this day, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in
Pasadena.
July 27 is also the 31st anniversary of the martyrdom of the Lisbon
5. Given that requiem service does not take place on major feast days, upon
the request of the ARF Central Committee and by the ordinance of the
Prelate, "Der Voghormya" prayers will be offered in all Prelacy Churches for
the souls of the young men who sacrificed their lives for our cause.
***
DIVINE LITURGY AND BLESSING OF MADAGH ON THE NAME DAY OF THE PRELACY "ST.
DERTAD AND ST. ASHKHEN" CHAPEL
On Sunday, July 20, 2014 the Feast of St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen,
the first Christian king and queen of Armenia, which is also the name day of
the Prelacy "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel, was celebrated with
Episcopal Divine Liturgy and the blessing of madagh.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, at the Crescenta Valley Parish. His Eminence also
delivered the sermon, conducted the blessing of madagh, and presided over
requiem service during which prayers were offered for the soul of Alexan
Pilavjian, husband of Chapel benefactor Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian. Parish
Pastor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian and deacons assisted at the altar.
Executive Council Chair Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian and member Mr. Vahrij Pilavjian
were among the faithful in attendance.
Prior to delivering the sermon, the Prelate first greeted the
faithful and extended his well wishes for the health of benefactor Mrs.
Ashkhen Pilavjian. His Eminence quoted the words of Movses Khorenatsi
referring to St. Dertad as the second father of our enlightenment and the
forerunner who alongside St. Gregory paved the path for our spiritual
enlightenment. He then presented the life history of St. Gregory the
Illuminator and King Dertad, the crossing of their paths and how by the
grace of God they escaped death and brought enlightenment to Armenia,
transforming it into the first Christian nation. The Prelate also
highlighted the exemplary family formed by King Dertad and Queen Ashkhen,
stating that the values and principles of the Christian Armenian families
are needed today more than ever in our national and church life. His
Eminence concluded by praying for God to guide us according to His will and
commandments, and for our families to follow in the example of the first
Christian family.
Prior to "Der Voghormya" prayers, Fr. Ghevont expressed gratitude to
the Prelate on behalf of the parish community for his blessed presence, for
his inspiring message on the Armenian family. He then invited the
congregation to pray for the health and strength of the Prelate so that he
may continue his leadership of our Prelacy for years to come.
At the conclusion of the service the Prelate presided over the
requiem service. The blessing of madagh followed at the courtyard of the
Prelacy main entrance. The celebration came to a close with the Cilician
anthem and the benediction by the Prelate.
***
PRELATE WELCOMES MEMBERS OF THE ANCA-WR
"AMERICA WE THANK YOU" INITIATIVE
On Tuesday, July 22, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
welcomed members of the ANCA-WR "America We Thank You: An Armenian Tribute
to Near East Relief" initiative.
Participants in the meeting included ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian,
Esq., committee Co-Chairs Ms. Vanna Kitsinian, Esq. and Ms. Hermineh
Pakhanians, ANCA-WR Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan, and members
Missak Kelechian, Ara Khachatourian, and Nora Yacoubian.
The ANCA-WR recently announced a collaboration with the Near East
Foundation to honor the critical role of the Near East Relief in aiding
survivors during and in the years following the Armenian Genocide,
especially from 1915-1930.
The guests had come to discuss the efforts and role of various
religious communities and churches in the aftermath of the Genocide and to
receive the Prelate's blessings and thoughts as they move forward in their
work.
The Prelate commended the members for their efforts in honoring the
invaluable assistance of the Near East Relief and wished them success in
their upcoming endeavors. His Eminence pledged his support to the
initiative, specifically by means of reaching out to the leaders of the
various churches who were involved in the relief efforts.
***
PRELACY HOSTS RECEPTION IN HONOR OF
POETRY COMPETITION WINNERS
On Saturday, May 10, 2014, the Western Prelacy hosted the first
annual Southern California Armenian Schools' Poetry Competition at the
"Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. The event was held under the
auspices of the Prelacy, in collaboration with the Consulate General of
Armenia in Los Angeles, and organized by the Board of Regents of Prelacy
Schools, Avan Shushi Plaza Hotel, Asbarez Newspaper, and Horizon Television.
On Wednesday, July 23rd, a reception was held at the Prelacy,
presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, to commend
and award the winners of the competition. Executive Council Chair Mr. Vahe
Hovaguimian and member Dr. Dikran Babikian were in attendance, as well as
Board of Regents Co-Chair Mrs. Maggie Sarkuni and member Ms. Charlotte
Sassounian, organizing committee and jury members, Prelacy Schools'
Principals and Directors, competition winners and their families.
Master of Ceremonies Dr. Babikian welcomed the guests, commended all
the participants and their teachers, and expressed hope that the event
becomes an annual tradition.
Mr. Alec Baghdasarian spoke of the annual Avan Shushi Plaza Hotel
poetry festival and expressed hope that the festival grow year by after and
become a pan-Armenian event, and announced that six youth from our community
will compete in this year's upcoming festival.
Mrs. Maggie Sarkuni thanked the organizers and commended the
participants, and emphasized the importance of such events in the lives of
the younger generations.
The presentation of awards followed by organizing committee members
Mihran Toumajan and Nane Avagyan. Two students recited poetry on this
occasion.
The event concluded with the Prelate's message. His Eminence
commended the organizers for initiating and successfully carrying out this
important endeavor, which he stated awakens in our youth love and a bond
with our culture. He commended also the students for their participation
and the parents and teachers for promoting the national instruction of our
youth. In conclusion, the Prelate presented books to the winners and jury
members in appreciation for their participation.