September 19, 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:
PONTIFICAL ENCYCLICAL ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
NORTH AMERICAN PRELACY
By the ordinance of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
on Sunday, September 21st, the Pontifical Encyclical of H.H. Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, on the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of Prelacy in North America, which coincides with the 35th
anniversary of the Western Prelacy, will be read in all Prelacy Churches.
The Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Garabed Church
in Hollywood during which he will read the Pontifical Encyclical.
By the direction of the Prelate, prayers will also be offered during
Divine Liturgy in all Prelacy Churches in celebration of the 17th
anniversary of Armenia’s independence.
PRAYERS FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE TURKEY BUS CRASH
By the ordinance of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
on Sunday, September 21st, special prayers will be offered for the victims
of the bus crash which occurred in Eastern Turkey near the Iran border on
September 9th.
On this solemn occasion, requiem service will also be offered for
the souls of the victims at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale in which members
of the "Friends of New Julfa" Committee, which serves under the auspices of
the Prelacy, will participate.
PRELATE WELCOMES VISIT OF ARMENIA’S
MINISTER OF ECONOMY NERSES YERITSYAN
On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 17th, Armenia’s Minister of
Economy H.E. Nerses Yeritsyan paid an official visit to the Prelacy, where
he was welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, as well
as Relgious Council Chair Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Religious Council
Vice-Chair Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, and Executive Council member Mr.
Khatchig Yeretzian. Among the delegation accompanying Mr. Yeritsyan was
Consul General the Honorable Armen Liloyan and ministry and consulate staff.
During their meeting the Prelate and guests discussed the challenges
Armenia has overcome, with Mr. Yeritsyan detailing the economic progress the
republic has experienced and current efforts to further modernize the system
to make Armenia a competitor in the global economy. Mr. Yeritsyan concluded
by speaking on the purpose of his current visit to Los Angeles.
The Prelate then spoke of the mission of the Prelacy and
achievements since its establishment 35 years ago, including the endeavors
of our churches and schools. In conclusion, the Prelate reasserted the
commitment of the Armenian community of California and of the United Stated
in general to the welfare of Armenia, and actively contributes to the
prosperity of our nation.
The meeting ended with the exchange of mementos, following which the
guests were given a tour of the headquarters.
PRELATE WELCOMES ANTELIAS
YOUTH CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
Under the auspices of H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, in mid-August a youth conference titled "The Youth and the
Challenges of the 21st Century" took place at the Seminary in Bikfaya,
Lebanon. By the ordinance of the H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, ten youth from the Prelacy participated in the conference under the
direction of Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian.
On Wednesday, September 17th, the participants met with the Prelate
to thank him for the unique opportunity and to convey their thoughts on the
conference. The Prelate commended them for their active participation
throughout the conference as well as their commitment to their fellow youth
within the Western Prelacy, encouraging them to continue on their path of
service with even greater vigor.
On Sunday, September 21st, an interview with members of the
delegation will air on the Prelacy weekly program on Horizon television.
PRELATE SENDS A LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO
MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA FOLLOWING THE METROLINK CRASH
On Monday, September 15th, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, sent a letter of condolence to Los Angeles Mayor the Honorable
Antonio Villaraigosa, following the tragic Metrolink crash which occurred on
Friday.
On behalf of the Prelacy Councils and parishioners, the Prelate
expressed his sympathies for the lives lost in the tragedy and conveyed to
the Mayor that special prayers were offered in all our Churches on Sunday,
September 14th, for the souls of the victims and for the speedy recovery of
the injured.
"YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION" LECTURE SERIES
The Prelacy Religious Council, under the direction of the Prelate,
has organized lectures in various parishes in celebration of "The Year of
Christian Education".
The next lecture in this series is a three part lecture by Very Rev.
Fr. Muron Aznikian on "Religious Education in Family, School, Social, and
Community Life", the first of which will take place on Tuesday, September
23rd, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. Part two and three of
the series will take place on Wednesday, October 1st and Wednesday, October
8th respectively at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church.
The lecture series continues on Tuesday, October 14th, with a
presentation by Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian on "Our Youth and the Need
for and Importance of Religious Education".
PRELATE PRESENTS MAESTRO HOVHANNES TCHEKIDJIAN WITH A LETTER OF BLESSING
On the evening of Sunday, September 14th, Maestro Hovhannes
Tchekidjian of the State Academic Choir of Armenia was honored at during a
concert which took place at Glendale Presbyterian Church. Various artists
participated in the event.
The Prelate attended the concert, during which he presented Maestro
Tchekidjian with a letter of commendation and blessing. Rev. Fr. Ardag
Demirjian accompanied the Prelate.