May 9, 2008
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 PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH
Sunday, May 11th, is the Feast of Pentecost as well as Mother’s Day.
On this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
preside over Divine Liturgy at Holy Martyrs Church and deliver the sermon.
The Prelate will also preside over special prayer services for the
victims of the cyclone in Myanmar. By the ordinance of the Prelate, prayers
will be offered in all Prelacy Churches for the victims.
We urge our faithful to assist in the relief efforts through the Red
Cross or World Vision.
ART EXHIBIT AT THE PRELACY FEATURING THE WORKS OF
RAZMIK HADJIKIAN
The Prelacy Outreach Committee, under the auspices of the Prelate,
has organized an art exhibit/sale to take place at the "Dikran and Zarouhie
Der Ghazarian" Hall. The exhibit will feature the works of artist Razmik
Hadjikian.
Opening night is on Friday, May 16th, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The exhibit will also be open on Saturday, May 17th, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00
p.m.
PRELATE TO ATTEND "SASNA YERGIR" PERFORMANCE
On the evening of Sunday, May 11th, a special show, titled "Sasna
Yergir" will be presented at Alex Theatre in Glendale. The show will feature
dance, song, and poetry by a variety of artists.
The Prelate will attend and convey his blessings.
PRELATE TO BE REPRESENTED AT UCLA BANQUET
The 10th anniversary banquet of the Friends of the UCLA Armenian
Language and Culture Studies is scheduled to take place on the evening of
Saturday, May 10th.
Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian will represent the Prelate at the
banquet.
WESTERN PRELACY CLERGY CONFERENCE
On the eve of the 36th Prelacy Representative Assembly, the annual
clergy conference was held on Wednesday, May 7th, at the "Armenag Der
Bedrossian" Hall of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. The conference was
presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, with the
participation of the clergy order. Former Prelate H.E. Archbishop Yeprem
Tabakian and retired clergy members also participated.
The day began with church services followed by a spiritual
meditation by the Prelate in which the he stressed the importance of prayer
and trust in God.
The conference convened with remarks by the Prelate who commended
the devotion and service of the clergy members, and wished for the day’s
proceedings to progress smoothly. He then presented a comprehensive report
of the Prelacy’s endeavors, including religious ceremonies, youth and Sunday
School activities, construction projects of our parishes and churches, the
establishment of a new high school, the need for new clergy members, the
spiritual needs of our parishioners, and adding new elements to the
Prelacy’s weekly television programming. The Prelate also spoke of the
organizing of joint events by the three Prelacies of North America and
Canada to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of a Prelacy
in North America, as well as the 35th anniversary of the Western Prelacy.
Archbishop Tabakian then thanked the Prelate for the invitation to
attend the conference and wished the participants success, stressing the
importance of collaboration. Following the election of Very Rev. Fr. Muron
Aznikian as Chair of the meeting and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian as
secretary, the annual report of the Religious Council was presented and
subsequent changes made.
Very Rev. Fr. Aznikian presented a draft of the events planned for
the "Year of Christian Education" which includes a lecture series to take
place at each church in the coming months.
The second session convened after lunch with Very Rev. Fr. Barthev
Gulumian presenting the clergy guidebook for review, which was later adopted
by the members and by the approval of the Prelate will be published and
implemented. The Prelacy by-laws was then presented by the Prelate,
followed by the election of religious delegates for the Representative
Assembly and the outlining of proposals to present to the Assembly. The
conference concluded with a discussion of future endeavors including the
General Assembly, the blessing of Holy Muron, and youth group activities.
The conference concluded in the evening with the Prelate’s closing
remarks and benediction.
PRELACY YOUTH PARTICIPATE IN
ORTHODOX DAY OF PRAISE
On the morning of Saturday, May 3rd, Prelacy youth, under the
direction of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, participated in
an Orthodox Day of Praise held under the auspices of the Coptic Orthodox
Diocese of Southern California and Hawaii. The event was organized and
hosted by St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica.
Among the participants were the Coptic, Syriac, Antiochian, Ethiopian, and
Russian Orthodox Churches. The Prelacy youth delegation was headed by
Christian Education Department Directors Very Rev. Fathers Muron Aznikian
and Barthev Gulumian.
The day began at 8:30 a.m. with the celebration of Divine Liturgy in
the Coptic Orthodox rite. At the conclusion of the Liturgy all participants
received Holy Communion, after which they headed to the adjoining hall for
brunch and a meet and greet with members of the sister churches.
The official program consisted of the singing of hymns by the choirs
of the ten participating churches. The program began with the Lord’s Prayer
and welcoming remarks by Pastor of the host church Fr. Paul Megally, who
acknowledged and thanked the members of all the churches for sharing in the
special day. Subsequently, a brief background was given on each church as
the choirs were invited up to offer their songs.
Closing remarks were offered by Fr. Paul who once again thanked all
the choirs for attending and for the preparation they undertook to make the
event a success. He exclaimed that there were eight languages represented
but one heart, one Lord, and one purpose, which was praise for our Lord
Jesus Christ. He then thanked the organizers and coordinators for their
diligent work in preparation for the event. The program concluded with the
Lord’s Prayer and the benediction by Fr. Paul.