December 7, 2007
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]
Website:
WESTERN PRELACY CELEBRATION OF THE
YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE
On Sunday, December 16th, a celebration of the Armenian Language
will take place at "Karapetian" Hall of St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, at
4:00 p.m. The event is being held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and is organized by the Prelacy Outreach
Committee. Dr. Viken Yacoubian, Principal of Rose and Alex Pilibos School,
will lecture on "The Armenian Language: Anchor of our Survival:
The event will also feature a book presentation of Jacques
Hagopian’s "Mesrobaveb" which was published recently by the Prelacy and is
dedicated to the Year of the Armenian language and the inventor of our
Alphabet St. Mesrob Mashdots.
PRELATE PRESIDES OVER DIVINE LITURGY AND
UNVEILING OF MEMORIAL AT ST. GARABED CHURCH
On Sunday, December 2nd, the Feast of the Apostles Saints Thaddeus
and Bartholomew were celebrated at St. Garabed Church with Divine Liturgy
presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who also
delivered the sermon on the first enlightener Apostles of our nation.
Divine Liturgy was celebrated by parish pastor Archpriest Fr. Vicken
Vassilian who was assisted at the altar by the newly ordained deacons.
Referencing the parable of the barren fig tree, the Prelate in his
sermon extolled the lives of Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew stating that
they planted the seeds of Christianity and, unlike the barren fig tree, bore
the fruits of their labor and illuminated the Armenian nation with the light
of Christ. He continued "let us use our God-given graces and gifts to
glorify Him, to become closer to Christ, nourish our spirits, and enhance
our church, our families, and our community life.
Following Divine Liturgy and requiem the Prelate was led in a
procession to the courtyard to officiate over the unveiling and blessing of
the new memorial. The white marble memorial depicting the Virgin Mary with
baby Jesus in her lap was donated by Mr. Haroutiun Ojenian and his children
Khatchadour and Ojen in memory of his parents Khatchadour Ojenian and
Zarouhie Jawahirian. A marble fountain was also built adjacent to the
memorial.
The Prelate, surrounded by the pastor, deacons, donors, Board of
Trustees, and delegates, blessed the memorial, recited a prayer blessing the
memory of Khatchadour Ojenian and Zarouhie Jawahirian, and expressed his
appreciation and best wishes to Mr. Ojenian and family.
The ceremony came to a close with the Lord’s Prayer and "Giligia".
MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
OF ORIENTAL ORTHODOX BISHOPS
On the morning of Tuesday, December 4th, the meeting of the Council
of Oriental Orthodox Bishops of the Western United States took place at St.
Mary and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church in Northridge.
The Prelate participated in the meeting along with Very Rev. Fr.
Muron Aznikian and Rev. Razmig Khatchadourian.
Among the items on the agenda was the third annual gathering for
Oriental Orthodox Churches’ Sunday School students to take place on
Saturday, December 8, at the Western Diocese in Burbank.
Also discussed was the plan of a youth gathering during the Lent.
The council members also sent a joint congratulatory letter to H.H.
Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, who was recently elected
President of the Middle East Council of Churches.
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH CELEBRATION OF THE ARMENIAN
LANGUAGE
Holy Martyrs Church in Encino has organized a celebration of the
Armenian language which will take place under the auspices of the Prelate on
Tuesday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m. The event is organized by the parish
Pastor and Board of Trustees and features Mrs. Azadouhi Ghazarian as the
keynote speaker.
The parish choir members and Sunday School students will participate
in the artistic portion of the program.
PRELATE PRESIDES OVER THE ANNUAL BANQUET OF
THE CRESCENTA VALLEY PARISH
On the evening of Friday, November 30, the annual banquet of the
Crescenta Valley parish took place under the auspices of the Prelate.
The Prelate attended the banquet and was accompanied by Very Rev.
Fathers Muron Aznikian, Fr. Barthev Gulumian and St. Mary’s Church Pastors.
Also in attendance were Executive Council member Mr. Nerses Melkonian, St.
Mary’s Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Zareh Markarian, Delegate Mr. Isahak
Kazanjian, and representatives of sister organizations.
The invocation was offered by Rev. Ardag Demirjian followed by
welcoming remarks by Parish Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Dikran Der
Sarkissian who detailed the activities and projects of the church.
The evening concluded with the benediction by the Prelate who also
conveyed his message to the parish and commended their service.