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November 14, 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
REQUIEM PRAYERS FOR ARTSAKH DEFENSE ARMY PILOTS
On Wednesday, November 12, 2014, a military helicopter of the
Artsakh Defense Army was shot down by Azerbaijan near the border town of
Aghdam. The helicopter was conducting training exercises and was not armed.
All three crew members, Major Sergey Sahakyan, Senior Lieutenant Sarkis
Nazaryan, and Lieutenant Azat Sahakyan, were killed in the attack.
The Bishops' Synod, headed by H.H. Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, and H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
condemned the attack and called for requiem prayers to be offered in memory
of the pilots.
Thus, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, has advised
for requiem prayers to be offered in all Prelacy Churches on Sunday,
November 16. May God rest their souls and grant comfort to their loved ones.
***
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH SECOND BISHOPS' SYNOD
HELD IN ETCHMIADZIN
On Tuesday, November 11, 2014, the second Bishops' Synod convened in
Etchmiadzin with the blessings and presence of His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia.The Synod brought together 61 Archbishops and Bishops
from the Armenian Apostolic Church around the world. Items on the agenda
included the canonization of victims of the Armenian Genocide and various
theological and ecclesiastical matters. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, who is a member of the Canonization Committee,
participated in the Synod.
Prior to the opening of the Bishops' Synod, a prayer service was
held at the Mother Cathedral entreating the guidance of the Holy Spirit for
productive proceedings. The Synod began with the Lord's Prayer, after which
H.E. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Co-Chair, invited the two Pontiffs to
deliver their message. The election of the divan followed; H.E. Archbishop
Yeznik Bedrosian and H.E. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian were elected
Chairmen, and H.G. Bishop Vazken Mirzakhanian and H.G. Bishop Papken
Tcharian Secretaries.
The first two days of the Synod were dedicated to the canonization
rite of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the canonization of Armenian
Genocide martyrs. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and H.G. Bishop
Papken Tcharian, members of the Canonization Committee, presented reports on
this matter, which the participants analyzed and confirmed. The canonization
ceremony will be held in Etchmiadzin on April 23, 2015. Committee members
were asked to research the canonization of specific individuals, such as
Gomidas Vartabed and others.
The sessions on Wednesday and Thursday focused on the rituals of
Baptism and Christening. Committee members presented their work to
standardize the ritual among all Churches, which was approved by the Synod
after some revisions and will be sent to the Prelacies and Dioceses of both
Holy Sees to implement.
The final day's session began with a prayer for the crew members of
the Artsakh Defense Army killed in a helicopter attack the day before. The
Synod condemned the attack by Azerbaijan and expressed condolences to the
families and friends of the victims. During the third session, Mr. Vigen
Sargsyan, Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic of Armenia,
presented the government's plans next year relating to the Armenian Genocide
centennial. Various issues and concerns were discussed on the final day,
which will be followed up at the next Bishops' Synod to be held in 2016. The
three day Synod concluded with the blessings and message of the Pontiffs.
On Tuesday, November 11, the two Pontiffs met with President Serzh
Sargsyan. Discussion centered on Church-State collaboration,
Armenia-Diaspora ties, and related matters.
On Monday, November 10, the participants of the Bishops' Synod paid
a visit to the Dzidzernagapert Genocide Memorial where the Pontiffs laid
wreaths and led prayers in memory of the Genocide victims.
***
FETHIYE ÇETIN VISITS THE PRELACY
On Friday, November 14, 2014, Turkish lawyer, writer, and human
rights activist Fethiye Çetin visited the Prelacy where she was greeted by
members of the Catholicosate Central Executive, Prelacy Religious and
Executive Councils, and Ladies Auxiliary.
Ms. Çetin is the grandchild of an ethnic Armenian who was taken from
her family during the Genocide and forcibly converted to Islam. She is in
Los Angeles by special invitation of the United Armenian Council for the
Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide (UAC). She was accompanied to the
Prelacy by colleague Ms. Beghrin Esa, UAC representative Ms. Jackie
Tovmassian, and Organization of Istanbul Armenians representative Dr.
Ohannes Kulak Avedikian.
The meeting took place at the Sulahian Reception Hall. On behalf of
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Archpriest Fr. Vicken
Vassilian welcomed the guests and noted that His Eminence is in Armenia
participating in the Bishops' Synod. Fr. Vicken stated that the Prelacy
operates under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, which was
uprooted and exiled from Sis, adding that the Church remains committed to
the pursuit of our properties and our rights. He commended Ms. Çetin for her
human rights work and presented her with mementos on behalf of the Prelate.
Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Central Executive member
Mr. Vahe Yacoubian and Executive Council Chair Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian, who in
general spoke of the Armenian Genocide centennial and the Armenian people's
pursuit of truth and justice. They commended her and her colleagues for
their courageous human rights wok and wished them success in their
endeavors.
Ms. Çetin conveyed thanks for the warm welcome. She spoke of the
legal aspects of the Genocide and its aftermath, stating that she will not
rest until there is a just resolution. Referencing the recent apology of
President Erdogan, she stressed that an apology is not sufficient; that the
guilty must accept blame, feel remorse, and teach the truth in Turkish
textbooks, and the descendants of the victims and survivors must receive
reparations for their losses.
Ladies Auxiliary Chair Mrs. Dzovig Zetlian and Executive Council
member Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian respectively addressed the guest, expressing
pride in her work and wishing for a fitting centennial commemoration in
Taksim Square next year by scholars, dignitaries, and the people. The
discussion continued, during which Ms. Çetin reported that there is some
progress, albeit slow, noting that one political party has already
recognized the truth of the Genocide and work is underway for more
widespread recognition.
From: A. Papazian
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
REQUIEM PRAYERS FOR ARTSAKH DEFENSE ARMY PILOTS
On Wednesday, November 12, 2014, a military helicopter of the
Artsakh Defense Army was shot down by Azerbaijan near the border town of
Aghdam. The helicopter was conducting training exercises and was not armed.
All three crew members, Major Sergey Sahakyan, Senior Lieutenant Sarkis
Nazaryan, and Lieutenant Azat Sahakyan, were killed in the attack.
The Bishops' Synod, headed by H.H. Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, and H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
condemned the attack and called for requiem prayers to be offered in memory
of the pilots.
Thus, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, has advised
for requiem prayers to be offered in all Prelacy Churches on Sunday,
November 16. May God rest their souls and grant comfort to their loved ones.
***
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH SECOND BISHOPS' SYNOD
HELD IN ETCHMIADZIN
On Tuesday, November 11, 2014, the second Bishops' Synod convened in
Etchmiadzin with the blessings and presence of His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia.The Synod brought together 61 Archbishops and Bishops
from the Armenian Apostolic Church around the world. Items on the agenda
included the canonization of victims of the Armenian Genocide and various
theological and ecclesiastical matters. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, who is a member of the Canonization Committee,
participated in the Synod.
Prior to the opening of the Bishops' Synod, a prayer service was
held at the Mother Cathedral entreating the guidance of the Holy Spirit for
productive proceedings. The Synod began with the Lord's Prayer, after which
H.E. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Co-Chair, invited the two Pontiffs to
deliver their message. The election of the divan followed; H.E. Archbishop
Yeznik Bedrosian and H.E. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian were elected
Chairmen, and H.G. Bishop Vazken Mirzakhanian and H.G. Bishop Papken
Tcharian Secretaries.
The first two days of the Synod were dedicated to the canonization
rite of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the canonization of Armenian
Genocide martyrs. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and H.G. Bishop
Papken Tcharian, members of the Canonization Committee, presented reports on
this matter, which the participants analyzed and confirmed. The canonization
ceremony will be held in Etchmiadzin on April 23, 2015. Committee members
were asked to research the canonization of specific individuals, such as
Gomidas Vartabed and others.
The sessions on Wednesday and Thursday focused on the rituals of
Baptism and Christening. Committee members presented their work to
standardize the ritual among all Churches, which was approved by the Synod
after some revisions and will be sent to the Prelacies and Dioceses of both
Holy Sees to implement.
The final day's session began with a prayer for the crew members of
the Artsakh Defense Army killed in a helicopter attack the day before. The
Synod condemned the attack by Azerbaijan and expressed condolences to the
families and friends of the victims. During the third session, Mr. Vigen
Sargsyan, Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic of Armenia,
presented the government's plans next year relating to the Armenian Genocide
centennial. Various issues and concerns were discussed on the final day,
which will be followed up at the next Bishops' Synod to be held in 2016. The
three day Synod concluded with the blessings and message of the Pontiffs.
On Tuesday, November 11, the two Pontiffs met with President Serzh
Sargsyan. Discussion centered on Church-State collaboration,
Armenia-Diaspora ties, and related matters.
On Monday, November 10, the participants of the Bishops' Synod paid
a visit to the Dzidzernagapert Genocide Memorial where the Pontiffs laid
wreaths and led prayers in memory of the Genocide victims.
***
FETHIYE ÇETIN VISITS THE PRELACY
On Friday, November 14, 2014, Turkish lawyer, writer, and human
rights activist Fethiye Çetin visited the Prelacy where she was greeted by
members of the Catholicosate Central Executive, Prelacy Religious and
Executive Councils, and Ladies Auxiliary.
Ms. Çetin is the grandchild of an ethnic Armenian who was taken from
her family during the Genocide and forcibly converted to Islam. She is in
Los Angeles by special invitation of the United Armenian Council for the
Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide (UAC). She was accompanied to the
Prelacy by colleague Ms. Beghrin Esa, UAC representative Ms. Jackie
Tovmassian, and Organization of Istanbul Armenians representative Dr.
Ohannes Kulak Avedikian.
The meeting took place at the Sulahian Reception Hall. On behalf of
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Archpriest Fr. Vicken
Vassilian welcomed the guests and noted that His Eminence is in Armenia
participating in the Bishops' Synod. Fr. Vicken stated that the Prelacy
operates under the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, which was
uprooted and exiled from Sis, adding that the Church remains committed to
the pursuit of our properties and our rights. He commended Ms. Çetin for her
human rights work and presented her with mementos on behalf of the Prelate.
Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Central Executive member
Mr. Vahe Yacoubian and Executive Council Chair Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian, who in
general spoke of the Armenian Genocide centennial and the Armenian people's
pursuit of truth and justice. They commended her and her colleagues for
their courageous human rights wok and wished them success in their
endeavors.
Ms. Çetin conveyed thanks for the warm welcome. She spoke of the
legal aspects of the Genocide and its aftermath, stating that she will not
rest until there is a just resolution. Referencing the recent apology of
President Erdogan, she stressed that an apology is not sufficient; that the
guilty must accept blame, feel remorse, and teach the truth in Turkish
textbooks, and the descendants of the victims and survivors must receive
reparations for their losses.
Ladies Auxiliary Chair Mrs. Dzovig Zetlian and Executive Council
member Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian respectively addressed the guest, expressing
pride in her work and wishing for a fitting centennial commemoration in
Taksim Square next year by scholars, dignitaries, and the people. The
discussion continued, during which Ms. Çetin reported that there is some
progress, albeit slow, noting that one political party has already
recognized the truth of the Genocide and work is underway for more
widespread recognition.
From: A. Papazian