January 11, 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:
PRELATE TO CELEBRATE DIVINE LITURGY AT
THE ST. DERTAD AND ST. ASHKHEN CHAPEL
The first Divine Liturgy of the new year at the Prelacy St. Dertad
and St. Ashkhen Chapel will be celebrated on Saturday, January 12, at 6:00
p.m. Holy Mass will be celebrated by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate. The Prelate will also consecrate icons and deliver the sermon on
that day.
The next Divine Liturgy at the Chapel will take place on Saturday,
February 2nd.
PRELATE TO CELEBRATE DIVINE LITURGY
AT ST. GARABED CHURCH
Sunday, January 13, is the Feast of the Naming of our Lord Jesus
Christ as well as the eve of the Fast of Catechumens. On this occasion, the
Prelate will celebrate Divine Liturgy at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, as
well as preside over the blessing of madadgh on the name day of the church.
The Prelate will also ordain two acolytes during the service.
The Prelate will be assisted by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and
Parish Pastor Archpriest Rev. Vicken Vassilian.
Following services, a reception will take place at "Karapetian" Hall
organized by the Pastor and Board of Trustees.
PRELATE’S CHRISTMAS DINNER
AN UNPRECEDENTED SUCCESS
On Sunday, January 6th, Armenians around the world celebrated the
Birth and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Western Prelacy
celebration of this glorious feast commenced on January 5th and concluded on
January 7th.
On the evening of Saturday, January 5th, Christmas Eve services took
place in Prelacy churches with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, celebrating Divine Liturgy and delivering the sermon at St. Sarkis
Church in Pasadena. In attendance was California State Assembly Member
Anthony Portantino. On Sunday, January 6th, the Feast of the Nativity and
Theophany of our Lord was celebrated in all churches with Divine Liturgy and
the blessing of water. Archbishop Mardirossian conducted services at St.
Mary’s Church in Glendale. The Honorable Armen Liloyan, Consul General of
the Republic of Armenia, was in attendance.
In the evening, the Prelate’s traditional Christmas Dinner took
place at "Bagramian" Hall in Montebello with the participation of over 650
Prelacy friends among them the Consul Generals of Armenia and Lebanon,
Prelacy committees’ members, representatives of community organizations, and
sponsors.
The evening began at 6:30 p.m. with the entrance of the Prelate and
clergy singing Christmas hymns with candles in hand. Welcoming remarks were
made by Master of Ceremonies Rev. Hrant Yeretsian, followed by remarks by
Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs. Dzovig Zetlian and Executive Council Chair Dr.
Garo Agopian.
Following the taped message of H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, the Consuls of Armenia and Lebanon were then invited to
offer their thoughts on this occasion.
An artistic program also took place with the participation of
Hermine Amirian (Christmas hymns accompanied by Prof. Levon Aprahamian on
the piano), Prof. Levon Aprahamian and Arek Melkonia (piano), Gagik Badalian
(popular songs) and Salpi Srourian (recitation).
In his closing remarks, the Prelate reviewed the activities of the
previous year and outlined the projects planned in the coming year. He
concluded by thanking the Ladies Auxiliary for organizing the dinner as well
as all the benefactors and sponsors for their continued support.
The evening came to a close with the Prelate’s benediction.
DIVINE LITURGY AT ARARAT HOME
On the occasion of the Birth and Theophany of our Lord, Divine
Liturgy was celebrated on the morning of Friday, January 4th, at Ararat
Home, presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. The
blessing of water ceremony also took place.
Upon their arrival, the Prelate and clergy members visited the
hospital where the Prelate commended the administration for their hard work
and conveyed his blessings to the patients and administrators. The blessing
of water followed, after which the residents were offered Holy Communion.
Divine Liturgy was then celebrated in the chapel by Rev. Razmig
Khatchadourian, pastor of Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. During the service
the Prelate said a special prayer for long-time Ararat Home Board Chairman
and Prelacy friend, the late Bob Chamlian and for all our departed.
The visit concluded with the residents enjoying lunch with the
Prelate and clergy.
PRELATE TO HOST MEETING OF
COUNCIL OF ORIENTAL ORTHODOX BISHOPS
On Thursday, January 17, a gathering of the Council of Oriental
Orthodox Prelates and Clergy will convene at Holy Cross Cathedral in
Montebello. The meeting is hosted by our Prelate and the Pastors and Board
of Trustees of Holy Cross.
Alongside the meeting and discussion, Divine Liturgy will be
celebrated with the participation of the Prelates.
PRELATE REPRESENTED AT VARIOUS COMMUNITY EVENTS
On the evening of Thursday, January 10, Rev. Ardag Demirjian, Pastor
of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, represented the Prelate at the New Year
dinner of the Hamazkayin Regional Executive. Rev. Demirjian offered the
invocation and conveyed the Prelate’s well wishes to the guests.
On Sunday, January 13th, Rev. Khoren Habeshian will represent the
Prelate at an event in memory of Vartkes Bedrossian, which will take place
at Beshgueterian Hall in Pasadena.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
