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February 27, 2015
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
HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL IN MONTEBELLO
Sunday, March 1, 2015 is the third Sunday of Lent, known as Sunday
of the Prodigal Son. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Cross Cathedral
in Montebello.
***
PRELATE LECTURES ON THE CANONIZATION
OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MARTYRS
On Sunday, February 22, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at the
Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley. Following the service, by the
invitation of the parish Educational Committee, the Prelate delivered a
lecture on the canonization of Armenian Genocide martyrs.
The day began with Divine Liturgy celebrated by parish pastor Rev.
Fr. Ghevont Kirazian. By the ordinance of the Prelate and at the request of
the Armenian Relief Society Regional Executive, on this day requiem prayers
were offered in Prelacy Churches in memory of departed ARS members and
sponsors.
Near the conclusion of the service, on behalf of the parish family,
Fr. Ghevont welcomed the Prelate and wished for God to bless him with many
years of good health and leadership of the Western Prelacy. He then invited
the Prelate to deliver the sermon.
His Eminence began by explaining the meaning and message of each
Sunday of Great Lent, then focused on the message of that day, Sunday of the
Expulsion, which recounts the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. Last
Sunday, on the eve of Great Lent, we celebrated the good life that Adam and
Eve enjoyed in Paradise in the presence of God. This Sunday, we recall the
consequences when they disobeyed God's commandment, said the Prelate.
However, it was not the will of our merciful Lord for man to live a life
apart from Him, for man to be consumed with sin and death. And so, God
opened the path for our return to Him, He gives us the opportunity for
redemption, through sincere repentance and confession, concluded the
Prelate.
His Eminence then conveyed his message to the Armenian Relief
Society commending the organization's invaluable contributions to our nation
in the past 105 years and praying for the souls of the departed to rest in
peace. The service came to a close with the requiem. Guests enjoyed a
reception prepared by the parish Ladies Guild, after which they took their
seats at the `Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian' Hall for the Prelate's
lecture.
Parish Board of Trustees Chair and Master of Ceremonies Mr. Dikran
Der Sarkissian welcomed the guests and invited violinist Ophelia Nanakoulian
and pianist Shoushan Hagopian to present two musical selections. He then
invited the Prelate to deliver his presentation. His Eminence first
commended the Parish Pastor, Board of Trustees, and Educational Committee
for their hard work in organizing the monthly lecture series, and then began
his lecture, giving unique insight to the guests as a member of the
Canonization Committee.
The Prelate began by noting that preliminary discussions to canonize
the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide began twenty-five years ago, on the
75th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, by His Holiness Vazken I and His
Holiness Karekin II of blessed memory. At the time, Archbishop Zareh
Aznavorian of blessed memory composed the hymn dedicated to the martyrs,
which the Prelate read passages from. The hymn memorializes our martyrs who
shed their blood for the preservation of our Christian faith, our Armenian
identity, and our religious and cultural treasures.
His Eminence spoke about the two Bishops' Synods that were held in
Etchmiadzin in 2013 and 2014, stating that one of the issues discussed was
whether the martyrs should be canonized as individuals or collectively.
After lengthy deliberations, the Canonization Committee had decided that at
this stage, the martyrs would be canonized collectively, as the 1036 martyrs
of the Vartanants battle were. The Committee had also prepared the
declaration, the martyrology, and the procedure for the ceremony, which were
presented and approved by the Bishops' Synod. Archbishop Zareh's Hymn
Dedicated to the Martyrs of April was also adopted for the ceremony, which
will be conducted on April 23 in Etchmiadzin by H.H. Karekin II, Catholicos
of all Armenians, and H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
The Prelate explained the various conditions required for
canonization; a virtuous life, the embodiment of Christian virtues and the
presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, martyrdom as a profession of
faith, the presence of miracles during their life, the incorruptibility of
relics, thaumaturgical power of relics, reveal signs of God's authority in
response to prayers for intercession by faithful, and witnessing for the
spread of the Christian faith, for the defense of the church and the
Orthodox tenet, and for God's Word. In the past, said His Eminence, people
have been regarded as saints for miracles performed during their lifetime,
while in the case of others, their relics have been found by future
generations by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There are also martyrs
who were proclaimed saints by Catholicoi, or who were honored with special
feast days.
In the last part of this lecture, His Eminence explained that status
of our martyrs post-canonization. He first clarified that we do not worship
saints, we seek their intercession. Also, upon canonization, we will no
longer offer requiem prayers for them, instead they will be remembered
during Divine Liturgy.
A question and answer session followed and the event came to a close
with the benediction.
***
PRELATE PRESIDES OVER SUNRISE SERVICE AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH AND PRELACY
LADIES AUXILIARY LENT LUNCHEON
On Wednesday, February 25, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Lent Sunrise Service at St. Mary's
Church in Glendale, and later over the Western Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary
annual Lenten lunch.
The Sunrise Service commenced with the Lord's Prayer and continued
with psalms and hymns. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian, Archpriest Fr. Nareg
Pehlivanian, and St. Mary's Church pastors Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, Rev.
Fr. Gomidas Torossian, and Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian participated in the
service.
Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian delivered the meditation, in which he spoke
to the faithful about the true meaning of Lent, stating that Lent is not
about restricting the body of certain foods, rather feeding and nourishing
the soul. Lent prepares us to stand before God with strengthened spirits,
just as Moses fasted before he ascended Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten
Commandments, and Lent strengthens our spirit so that we can resist
temptation, as Jesus resisted when He was tested in the desert following His
fast, said Fr. Boghos.
The clergy then recited the renunciation against evil, followed by
the profession of faith to the tenets of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the
confession and dismissal, and `Lord have mercy', in which the faithful
joined. The spiritually stirring service concluded with the Lord's Prayer.
The Lenten lunch followed at Impressions Banquet Hall in Glendale
with the participation of 250 Prelacy sponsors and friends. The program
began with welcoming remarks delivered by Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs.
Alvard Barseghian. The Prelate commended the members of the Ladies Auxiliary
for their hard work and also thanked the guests for their support, and after
the blessing of tables invited Fr. Boghos Tinkjian to speak to the guests
about Great Lent.
Fr. Boghos spoke about the meaning and message behind each Sunday of
Great Lent which inspire us toward a spiritually fulfilling Lenten journey.
Guests also enjoyed a cultural program of songs, dances, and
recitations presented by Chamlian School students.
Encouraged by the festive atmosphere, donations were made throughout
the joyous and memorable afternoon.
***
CHAMLIAN SCHOOL 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
On Saturday, February 21, 2015, Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School
celebrated the 40th anniversary of its establishment with a gala banquet
held at Taglyan Hall in Hollywood. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
presided over the banquet, during which sixteen teachers and administrators
who have served at the school for over twenty years were honored. Executive
Council member Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian was among the guests in attendance.
The program officially commenced with the invocation by Rev. Fr.
Vazken Atmajian invocation. Principal Dr. Talin Kargodorian congratulated
and expressed gratitude to the evening's honorees and to all those who have
played a part in the progress of the school in the last forty years, in
particular former Principal Mr. Vazken Madenlian for his 23 years of
dedicated service.
In his message, the Prelate noted that the celebration of Chamlian's
40th anniversary on the eve of the Armenian Genocide Centennial is a symbol
of our nation's rebirth and a resounding message to Turkey that the Armenian
people live on. It is a day of great joy and pride not just for the school
but for the extended Prelacy family and for the community, because united
efforts and collective support has led to the success of the school since
its founding. Thus, he commended and congratulated the dedicated service of
the honorees and that of all the teachers, the parents for entrusting the
instruction of their children to the school, the sponsors for their valuable
contributions, and also the alumni, many of whom have reached prominent
positions and bring pride to their school as former students. His Eminence
paid special tribute to the late Stepan Kabadayan for his invaluable service
to the advancement of the Armenian Church and to the founding of Chamlian
School, and expressed gratitude to benefactors Vahan and Anoush Chamlian,
for their generosity, for which the school was dedicated in their honor.
Finally, he commended the past and current pastors and board members of St.
Mary's Church for their patronage of the school. The Prelate then announced
that in response to a request he had made to His Holiness Aram I, our
Pontiff was honoring Chamlian School with a Pontifical Letter of Blessing,
which His Eminence read and presented to the Principal.
***
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA REPRESENTATIVES
VISIT THE PRELACY
On Friday, February 27, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed representatives from the American University of Armenia
(AUA), Arina Zohrabian, Director of Admissions, and Mato Senekeremian,
Assistant Director of Development at AUA Corporation who had come to the
Prelacy to present the various study opportunities available at the AUA for
local Armenian-American students, including summer programs, study abroad,
and more.
The representatives reported that they have been visiting local
Armenian Schools this past week to spread the word aboutsummer and study
abroad programs, a full four-year undergraduate program, and Master's
programs.
The Prelate commended the guests for their hard work and wished them
success in this and future endeavors.
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
HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL IN MONTEBELLO
Sunday, March 1, 2015 is the third Sunday of Lent, known as Sunday
of the Prodigal Son. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Cross Cathedral
in Montebello.
***
PRELATE LECTURES ON THE CANONIZATION
OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MARTYRS
On Sunday, February 22, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at the
Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley. Following the service, by the
invitation of the parish Educational Committee, the Prelate delivered a
lecture on the canonization of Armenian Genocide martyrs.
The day began with Divine Liturgy celebrated by parish pastor Rev.
Fr. Ghevont Kirazian. By the ordinance of the Prelate and at the request of
the Armenian Relief Society Regional Executive, on this day requiem prayers
were offered in Prelacy Churches in memory of departed ARS members and
sponsors.
Near the conclusion of the service, on behalf of the parish family,
Fr. Ghevont welcomed the Prelate and wished for God to bless him with many
years of good health and leadership of the Western Prelacy. He then invited
the Prelate to deliver the sermon.
His Eminence began by explaining the meaning and message of each
Sunday of Great Lent, then focused on the message of that day, Sunday of the
Expulsion, which recounts the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. Last
Sunday, on the eve of Great Lent, we celebrated the good life that Adam and
Eve enjoyed in Paradise in the presence of God. This Sunday, we recall the
consequences when they disobeyed God's commandment, said the Prelate.
However, it was not the will of our merciful Lord for man to live a life
apart from Him, for man to be consumed with sin and death. And so, God
opened the path for our return to Him, He gives us the opportunity for
redemption, through sincere repentance and confession, concluded the
Prelate.
His Eminence then conveyed his message to the Armenian Relief
Society commending the organization's invaluable contributions to our nation
in the past 105 years and praying for the souls of the departed to rest in
peace. The service came to a close with the requiem. Guests enjoyed a
reception prepared by the parish Ladies Guild, after which they took their
seats at the `Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian' Hall for the Prelate's
lecture.
Parish Board of Trustees Chair and Master of Ceremonies Mr. Dikran
Der Sarkissian welcomed the guests and invited violinist Ophelia Nanakoulian
and pianist Shoushan Hagopian to present two musical selections. He then
invited the Prelate to deliver his presentation. His Eminence first
commended the Parish Pastor, Board of Trustees, and Educational Committee
for their hard work in organizing the monthly lecture series, and then began
his lecture, giving unique insight to the guests as a member of the
Canonization Committee.
The Prelate began by noting that preliminary discussions to canonize
the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide began twenty-five years ago, on the
75th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, by His Holiness Vazken I and His
Holiness Karekin II of blessed memory. At the time, Archbishop Zareh
Aznavorian of blessed memory composed the hymn dedicated to the martyrs,
which the Prelate read passages from. The hymn memorializes our martyrs who
shed their blood for the preservation of our Christian faith, our Armenian
identity, and our religious and cultural treasures.
His Eminence spoke about the two Bishops' Synods that were held in
Etchmiadzin in 2013 and 2014, stating that one of the issues discussed was
whether the martyrs should be canonized as individuals or collectively.
After lengthy deliberations, the Canonization Committee had decided that at
this stage, the martyrs would be canonized collectively, as the 1036 martyrs
of the Vartanants battle were. The Committee had also prepared the
declaration, the martyrology, and the procedure for the ceremony, which were
presented and approved by the Bishops' Synod. Archbishop Zareh's Hymn
Dedicated to the Martyrs of April was also adopted for the ceremony, which
will be conducted on April 23 in Etchmiadzin by H.H. Karekin II, Catholicos
of all Armenians, and H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
The Prelate explained the various conditions required for
canonization; a virtuous life, the embodiment of Christian virtues and the
presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, martyrdom as a profession of
faith, the presence of miracles during their life, the incorruptibility of
relics, thaumaturgical power of relics, reveal signs of God's authority in
response to prayers for intercession by faithful, and witnessing for the
spread of the Christian faith, for the defense of the church and the
Orthodox tenet, and for God's Word. In the past, said His Eminence, people
have been regarded as saints for miracles performed during their lifetime,
while in the case of others, their relics have been found by future
generations by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. There are also martyrs
who were proclaimed saints by Catholicoi, or who were honored with special
feast days.
In the last part of this lecture, His Eminence explained that status
of our martyrs post-canonization. He first clarified that we do not worship
saints, we seek their intercession. Also, upon canonization, we will no
longer offer requiem prayers for them, instead they will be remembered
during Divine Liturgy.
A question and answer session followed and the event came to a close
with the benediction.
***
PRELATE PRESIDES OVER SUNRISE SERVICE AT ST. MARY'S CHURCH AND PRELACY
LADIES AUXILIARY LENT LUNCHEON
On Wednesday, February 25, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Lent Sunrise Service at St. Mary's
Church in Glendale, and later over the Western Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary
annual Lenten lunch.
The Sunrise Service commenced with the Lord's Prayer and continued
with psalms and hymns. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian, Archpriest Fr. Nareg
Pehlivanian, and St. Mary's Church pastors Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, Rev.
Fr. Gomidas Torossian, and Rev. Fr. Ardak Demirjian participated in the
service.
Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian delivered the meditation, in which he spoke
to the faithful about the true meaning of Lent, stating that Lent is not
about restricting the body of certain foods, rather feeding and nourishing
the soul. Lent prepares us to stand before God with strengthened spirits,
just as Moses fasted before he ascended Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten
Commandments, and Lent strengthens our spirit so that we can resist
temptation, as Jesus resisted when He was tested in the desert following His
fast, said Fr. Boghos.
The clergy then recited the renunciation against evil, followed by
the profession of faith to the tenets of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the
confession and dismissal, and `Lord have mercy', in which the faithful
joined. The spiritually stirring service concluded with the Lord's Prayer.
The Lenten lunch followed at Impressions Banquet Hall in Glendale
with the participation of 250 Prelacy sponsors and friends. The program
began with welcoming remarks delivered by Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs.
Alvard Barseghian. The Prelate commended the members of the Ladies Auxiliary
for their hard work and also thanked the guests for their support, and after
the blessing of tables invited Fr. Boghos Tinkjian to speak to the guests
about Great Lent.
Fr. Boghos spoke about the meaning and message behind each Sunday of
Great Lent which inspire us toward a spiritually fulfilling Lenten journey.
Guests also enjoyed a cultural program of songs, dances, and
recitations presented by Chamlian School students.
Encouraged by the festive atmosphere, donations were made throughout
the joyous and memorable afternoon.
***
CHAMLIAN SCHOOL 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
On Saturday, February 21, 2015, Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School
celebrated the 40th anniversary of its establishment with a gala banquet
held at Taglyan Hall in Hollywood. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
presided over the banquet, during which sixteen teachers and administrators
who have served at the school for over twenty years were honored. Executive
Council member Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian was among the guests in attendance.
The program officially commenced with the invocation by Rev. Fr.
Vazken Atmajian invocation. Principal Dr. Talin Kargodorian congratulated
and expressed gratitude to the evening's honorees and to all those who have
played a part in the progress of the school in the last forty years, in
particular former Principal Mr. Vazken Madenlian for his 23 years of
dedicated service.
In his message, the Prelate noted that the celebration of Chamlian's
40th anniversary on the eve of the Armenian Genocide Centennial is a symbol
of our nation's rebirth and a resounding message to Turkey that the Armenian
people live on. It is a day of great joy and pride not just for the school
but for the extended Prelacy family and for the community, because united
efforts and collective support has led to the success of the school since
its founding. Thus, he commended and congratulated the dedicated service of
the honorees and that of all the teachers, the parents for entrusting the
instruction of their children to the school, the sponsors for their valuable
contributions, and also the alumni, many of whom have reached prominent
positions and bring pride to their school as former students. His Eminence
paid special tribute to the late Stepan Kabadayan for his invaluable service
to the advancement of the Armenian Church and to the founding of Chamlian
School, and expressed gratitude to benefactors Vahan and Anoush Chamlian,
for their generosity, for which the school was dedicated in their honor.
Finally, he commended the past and current pastors and board members of St.
Mary's Church for their patronage of the school. The Prelate then announced
that in response to a request he had made to His Holiness Aram I, our
Pontiff was honoring Chamlian School with a Pontifical Letter of Blessing,
which His Eminence read and presented to the Principal.
***
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA REPRESENTATIVES
VISIT THE PRELACY
On Friday, February 27, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed representatives from the American University of Armenia
(AUA), Arina Zohrabian, Director of Admissions, and Mato Senekeremian,
Assistant Director of Development at AUA Corporation who had come to the
Prelacy to present the various study opportunities available at the AUA for
local Armenian-American students, including summer programs, study abroad,
and more.
The representatives reported that they have been visiting local
Armenian Schools this past week to spread the word aboutsummer and study
abroad programs, a full four-year undergraduate program, and Master's
programs.
The Prelate commended the guests for their hard work and wished them
success in this and future endeavors.