December 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: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
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THE PRELATE ACCOMPANIED H.H. CATHOLICOS ARAM I
ON HIS VISIT TO THE EASTERN UNITED STATES
-18 YOUTH FROM THE WESTERN PRELACY PARTICIPATED IN THE YOUTH GATHERING
On Thursday, December 7, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
returned to Los Angeles from a weeklong visit to the Eastern United States,
where he had accompanied the entourage of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of
the Great House of Cilicia, during His visit to the Eastern United States.
His Holiness visited Detroit, Michigan, during the weekend of December 1 –
3, 2006, where He addressed Armenian youth, students and young adults, at a
gathering organized by the three Prelacies, encouraging them to take the
renewal of the Armenian Church seriously.
His Holiness visited the United States upon a special invitation by St. John
‘s University in Minnesota to receive the Pax Christi Award. In addition,
He was invited to speak at the University of Notre Dame’s `Interdisciplinary
Conference on the Dynamics of Religious Coping’. During His trip He
requested that the young adults of all three prelacies organize a meeting,
so that issues regarding the youth of the Armenian Apostolic Church could be
discussed.
His Holiness arrived in Detroit on December 1st where He was
greeted by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, H.E. Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern United States, H.E. Archbishop Khajag
Hagopian, Prelate of Canada, members of Prelacy councils, Pastor and Board
of Trustees of St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn, and representatives of various
community organizations.
In the youth gathering entitled `Your Church, Your Future, Engage,’ His
Holiness challenged attendees to do just that; engage. `We must remind
ourselves that we are the first Christian nation which accepted Christianity
as a state religion, but at the same time, we must realize that our church
directly needs renewal,’ He told the youth. `By renewal I don’t mean
changing the language of the liturgy or introducing some changes in the
administration or the structure of the church. This would be a very
superficial and one-sided perception of renewal. By renewal I understand
making our church a people’s church impacting the life of our people. By
renewal I mean making our church responsive to the needs and expectations of
our people. By renewal I mean reaffirming the missionary, evangelistic and
educational outreach of the church. Therefore the renewal must be perceived
as a process permeating the entire life of the church.’
In his remarks, H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern
USA, stressed the importance of greater participation of the youth in our
Church life. Through his biblical meditation, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, placed the emphasis on serving
the spiritual needs of people. The Prelate of Canada, H.E. Archbishop
Khajag Hagopian, in his turn shared the concern of the youth and invited
them to take an active part in the reformation of the church.
The youth gathering, jointly organized by the three Prelacies, brought
together young adults from different parts of the USA and Canada. The
delegation of 18 youth from the Western United States was led by His
Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, accompanied by Christian
Education Department Co-Director Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
Delegates of the Western Prelacy A.C.Y.A. took active roles during the
weekend event, including greeting His Holiness upon arrival to the hotel,
participating in all scripture readings during the event, and joining the
weekend services both as deacons and sub-deacons. The program of the
educational gathering also included testimonials, lectures, panel
discussions, informal meetings and a musical event. Worship and biblical
meditations were at the heart of this gathering.
During `Hrashapar’ service at St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Detroit on
Friday, December 1st, His Holiness Aram I addressed attendees by
emphasizing: `Not only should we build Churches, we must be built by the
Church, we must become the Church. The Church is not an organization, it is
a community of faith, hope, and love.’
During the second day of the event, in a powerful message addressed to the
youth gathering, Catholicos Aram I challenged the Armenian young adults to
take the renewal of the Armenian Church seriously: `We must be proud that
the Armenian Church is an ancient Church. We must remind ourselves that we
are the first Christian nation which accepted Christianity as a state
religion, but at the same time we must realize that our Church direly needs
renewal.’
At the end of His address, His Holiness engaged in a dialogue with the youth
by responding to the many questions related specifically to the renewal of
the Armenian Church.
The gathering was concluded by a firm commitment of the youth to remain
faithful to the very theme of this event, `Your Church, Your Future, Engage’
.
In the following days, the Prelate accompanied His Holiness to
Indiana and Minnesota where he was present at lectures and church services,
most notably at St. John’s University where His Holiness received the Pax
Christi award. The Prelate returned to Los Angeles on the evening of
Thursday, December 7th.
PRAYERS OFFERED ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE
ARMENIA EARTHQUAKE
Thursday, December 7, was the 18th anniversary of the devastating earthquake
in Armenia. Upon the ordinance of the Prelate, Prelacy churches opened their
doors and welcomed our faithful to pray in memory of the victims.
At St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, a special service was
offered with the participation of students from Rose and Alex Pilibos High
School.
On this day, our faithful parishioners and students prayed for
the souls of the victims and also for the safety of our homeland and all
mankind.
HOLY MASS AT THE LAS VEGAS PARISH
On Sunday, December 10, Holy Mass will be offered at the Armenian Apostolic
Church of Las Vegas, at the Lakes Lutheran Church.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian
will conduct Mass and offer the sermon. Service will begin at 3:00 p.m.
STUDENT GATHERING TO CELEBRATE
THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN SCHOOL
As you well know, H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, had
declared 2006 to be `The Year of the Armenian School’. Therefore, throughout
the year, Prelacy schools organized various events to celebrate the Armenian
School.
On Friday, December 15, the last of these celebrations will take place under
the auspices of the Prelate and with the participation of all Prelacy
Schools. The student gathering, which was initiated by the Board of Regents
of Prelacy Schools, will take place at `Avedissian’ Hall of Ferrahian High
School.
During the event, representatives of the Executive Council and
Board of Regents will deliver their remarks. Concluding remarks will be
made by the Prelate.
ACYA CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Central Board of the ACYA has organized a Christmas party to
take place on Friday, December 15, at 8:00 p.m., at the `Armenak Der
Bedrosian’ Hall of St. Mary’s Church, in Glendale.
The event is being held under the auspices of the Prelate and
with the participation of youth from all Prelacy churches.
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
On Sunday, December 17, the Christmas celebrations of St.
Garabed, Holy Martyrs, and Holy Cross Cathedral Sunday Schools will take
place under the auspices of the Prelate. The festivities will begin
following church services, at 1:00 p.m.
St. Mary’s Church Sunday School has planned its celebration for
December 24, at 10:30 a.m. in the church hall.