July 18, 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:
MEETING OF THE PRELATES AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAIRMEN OF THE THREE
PRELACIES OF
NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA
By the invitation of H.E. Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of
Canada, and the Executive Council, a meeting of the Prelates and Executive
Council Chairmen of the Prelacies of North America and Canada will take
place in Montreal on July 23rd and 24th. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, and Executive Council Chairman Dr. Garo Agopian will
participate in the meeting, as well as H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, and the Chairman of the Executive Council.
Items on the agenda include the collective celebration of the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of a Prelacy in North America under the
jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia, as well as issues of mutual concern
to the Armenian communities of North America and Canada.
On Thursday, July 17th, the Prelate welcomed to the Prelacy offices
the Vice-Chairman of the Executive Council of the Canada Prelacy Dr. Garbis
Harboyan, who was accompanied by his brother and Western Prelacy delegate
Mr. Krikor Harboyan. During their meeting the Prelate and guests had the
opportunity to discuss issues of immediate concern to our Prelacy, as well
as about the upcoming conference in Montreal.
PRELATE BLESSES FOUNDATION FOR
NEW YOUTH CENTER IN HOLLYWOOD
On Sunday, July 13th, the Prelate presided over Divine Liturgy and
delivered the sermon at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood. Following the
service, the Prelate blessed the foundation of the Los Angeles youth center.
Given that Saturday, July 12th, was the feast of St. Gregory the
Illuminator’s progeny, the Prelate’s sermon centered on the piety and the
virtue with which they lived their lives, and alluding to the building of
the youth center, he called on the youth to live their lives righteously in
the example of St. Gregory’s offspring.
The blessing of the foundation began with the flag ceremony and the
national anthems of America and Armenia. Among those in attendance were
members of the A.R.F. Bureau, Central Committee, and local chapter,
Homenetmen Central and Regional Executive members, principal of Rose and
Alex Pilibos School, Executive Council, parish committee members, and
architect Sam Yousefian.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by A.R.F. Karekin Njteh
representative Mr. Garo Ispenjian. Remarks were also offered by Mr. Seto
Boyajian who briefly went over the details of the will left by Mr. and Mrs.
Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian and Mr. Haig Garabedian due to which the
new youth center will be possible.
The Prelate in his message stated that just as the Armenian Church
is the bastion of our spirits and the Armenian School that of our minds, the
new youth center will be the bastion of subsequent generations and a place
our youth can develop and enhance their minds and souls.
Afterward representatives from each organization approached the
bricks that were laid out to form a cross and proceeded to place cement and
soil on them to signify that the center will be a stronghold for our youth.
A reception followed at "Karapetian" Hall.
CONFERENCE FOR PRELACY PASTORS, DELEGATES,
AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
On the evening of Tuesday, July 15th, Pastors, Delegates, and Board
of Trustees of Prelacy Churches gathered at the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der
Ghazarian" Hall, upon the invitation of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Executive Council, to discuss issues
concerning our parishes and to share their experiences. Central Executive
Council member Mr. Khajag Dikijian was also present at the conference, which
was hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary.
The conference started with prayer and welcoming remarks by the
Prelate. The Prelate called attention to upcoming events which will rely on
collaborative efforts such as the 50th anniversary of a Prelacy in North
America under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia, the 35th
anniversary of the Western Prelacy, and the observance of the Year of
Christian Education through various events. The Prelate also noted that
work continues in the establishment of a new high school, that the
activities of our youth groups and Sunday Schools are undergoing expansion,
and that the weekly television program was recently enhanced to include a
segment through which are faithful can learn about the rich history and
traditions of the Armenian Church.
Executive Council Chairman Dr. Garo Agopian, in his remarks,
outlined the issues to be discussed and explained the purpose of the
meeting, which was to exchange ideas and suggestions.
Mr. David Sarabian, Chairman of Holy Trinity Church of Fresno, was
then invited to report on the endeavors they have undertaken and their
outcomes, specifically the organizing of family retreats, which is unique to
their parish. The chairmen of the other churches were in turn invited to
report on their specific parishes. Remarks were also offered by Mr.
Dikijian, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and Executive Council member Mr.
Nerses Melkonian, all of whom presented practical suggestions to the
parishes’ representatives.
At the conclusion of the conference, the participants expressed
interest in having similar meetings on a regular basis. The evening came to
a close with the Prelate’s blessings and benediction.
PRELATE MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF
DAVIDIAN & MARIAMIAN EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 15th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy representatives of Davidian
and Mariamian Educational Foundation Mr. Vahik Satoorian, Chairman, and Mr.
Andranik Yeremian, Secretary. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and Executive
Council Chairman Dr. Garo Agopian were also present.
The representatives reported to the Prelate on the nature of their
activities, which focuses on providing Armenian language and culture
instruction to students attending public schools. They also discussed the
first telethon of the foundation, which took place last month, and thanked
the Prelate for the participation of the parishes and Executive Council.
The Prelate highly commended the endeavors and mission of Davidian
and Mariamian Educational Foundation and the devotion of its members,
wishing them success in their service to a new generation of youth.
SECOND LECTURE IN THE
"YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION" SERIES
On the evening of Wednesday, July 16th, the second lecture in the
"Year of Christian Education" lecture series took place under the auspices
of the Prelate at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. The lecture was organized
by the parish Pastor and Board of Trustees and featured Pastor of St.
Garabed Church Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian on the topic "The Explanation
of the Divine Liturgy".
The evening began with The Lord’s Prayer followed by welcoming
remarks by parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Khoren Babochian.
Fr. Vicken began his lecture by first speaking of the meaning of the
word "Badarak", and continued to present in detail the stages of the Liturgy
including Preparation, Synaxis, Sacrifice or Eucharist, and the Last
Blessing.
The artistic portion of the program was comprised of hymns presented
by the parish choir.
In his concluding remarks the Prelate commended all the participants
of the program, and stressed the deep significance of Christian Education
both in our individual and collective lives. The Prelate the announced that
with the collaborative efforts of the Prelacies of North America and Canada
a new publication of the Divine Liturgy was recently published which will
help our parishioners better comprehend the service.
The evening came to a close with the Prelate’s benediction and the
singing of "Giligia". A reception organized by the parish Ladies Auxiliary
followed at "Andon Andonian" Hall.
PRELACY SCHOOLS’ TEACHERS PARTICIPATE IN THE SECOND EDUCATION CONFERENCE OF
THE CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA
By the initiative of the Department of Armenological Activities of
the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, the second Armenian
education conference convened on Thursday, July 17th at the Seminary in
Bikfaya. The conference was held under the auspices of H.H. Aram I,
Catholicos, with the participation of educators from all the Prelacies under
the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia.
The purpose of the three day conference is to bring our educators
together from our communities around the world to evaluate the instruction
offered in Armenian language, history, and religion, and means of improving
the curriculum.
Over a hundred representatives are participating in the conference,
each of whom are offered the opportunity to report on the activities of
schools in their specific communities and to discuss their successes as well
as the challenges they face.
The schools of the Western Prelacy are being represented by Mrs.
Azadouhi Ghazarian and Mr. Saro Nazarian.