November 9, 2006
PRESS RELEASE
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: prelacy@aol.com
Website: <; PRELATE PRESENTS REV. BARKEV DARAKJIAN WITH A PONTIFICAL ENCYCLICAL On the morning of Wednesday, November 8, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed Rev. Barkev Darakjian, long time Pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church, to the temporary Prelacy offices, where he presented him with a Pontifical Encyclical by H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, in honor of his 50 years of service. On October 21, the Armenian Evangelical Union honored Rev. Darakjian's 50 years of service with a special ceremony. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian represented the Prelate at the event, where he read the text of the Encyclical and conveyed the Prelate's best wishes. At the meeting, Rev. Darakjian was accompanied by a delegation of clergy and representatives from the Armenian Evangelical Union, namely Rev. Joe Matossian, Rev. Ron Tomassian, Mr. Hagop Lousararian, Mr. Avedis Demirjian, and Mr. Zaven Khanjian. Also present were Prelacy Christian Education Department Directors Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian and Barthev Gulumian. The Prelate once again congratulated Rev. Darakjian, wishing for God to grant him many more years of service. Rev. Darakijian then presented the Prelate with a letter of thanks. The meeting was also an opportunity to discuss issues of concern to the Armenian people, and the efforts of both communities to alleviate these issues.