Western Prelacy News – 01/29/2010

January 29, 2010
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:

EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY AND BLESSING OF MADAGH
ON THE NAME DAY OF ST. SARKIS CHURCH

Saturday, January 30th, 2010 is the Feast of St. Sarkis, which is also
the name day of St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. On this occasion,
evening services will take place at St. Sarkis Church on Saturday
evening.
On Sunday morning, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and conduct the blessing of
madagh at St. Sarkis in honor of the name day of the church.
The Sunday preceding St. Sarkis is the eve of the Fast of
the Catechumens, when faithful fast for three days in fulfillment of
their prayers. The fast lasted until Wednesday morning when faithful
gathered at Prelacy churches to receive Holy Communion and blessed
water.

YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN WOMAN KICKS OFF WITH A
LITERARY LUNCHEON AT THE PRELACY

In response to the proclamation by H.H. Catholicos Aram I declaring
2010 the Year of the Armenian Woman, a number of events will take
place within the Western Prelacy throughout the year to honor the role
and contributions of the Armenian woman.
The celebration of the Year of the Armenian Woman kicked
off on Thursday, January 28th, 2010, with a literary luncheon at the
Prelacy `Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian’ Hall held under the
auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and
organized by the Ladies Auxiliary.
The hall was filled to capacity as nearly 150 women had
gathered for the event. Following the invocation by the Prelate,
Ladies Auxiliary Chair Mrs. Mariam Karapetian delivered the welcoming
remarks, in which she spoke of the purpose of the gathering, which is
the first in a series to be held throughout the year, and cited
passages from the Pontifical message on the value of the Armenian
woman.
The keynote speaker was renowned author and scholar
Mrs. Sona Zeitlian, who presented the topic `The Role of the Armenian
Woman in Armenian Life: Past and Present’.
Mrs. Zeitlian firstly noted that this and past
proclamations by His Holiness serve to broaden our knowledge and
foster our collective intellect as a community. She stressed that in
honor of the Year of the Armenian Woman, it is imperative that proper
recognition be given to Armenian women for their role as the pillars
of our families, given that healthy families are the foundation of
healthy and strong societies. She reflected on the monumental
responsibilities Armenian women have taken on in our history, from
pre-Christian times to the present-day, as defenders and promoters of
our national identity, instillers of our religious and national
values, and their contributions to our homeland and people through
social service organizations such as the Armenian Relief Society which
this year will be celebrating its centennial.
In conclusion, Mrs. Zeitlian touched upon challenges
facing Armenian women. She reminded the guests that in the days of
the First Republic of Armenia, women had the right to vote, which was
not a widespread phenomenon for that time. In the 21st century, the
challenge for the Armenian woman is to lead a life cognizant of her
rights and responsibilities, and of her input in society, all the
while bearing in mind the all-important truth of a healthy family
yields a strong society.
The cultural program included a recitation by Ladies
Auxiliary member Mrs. Salpi Srourian of a poem dedicated to Armenian
mothers.
The event concluded with the Prelate’s message. The
Prelate first informed the guests that the Pontifical Message of the
Year of the Armenian Woman will be read in Prelacy Churches on Sunday,
February 21st. The Prelate exalted the invaluable contributions of
Armenian women in our national life, and their multifaceted roles as
mothers, pillars of our families, educators, nurturers, and preservers
of our culture and traditions. He noted how centuries on, Armenian
woman continue to look to the Holy Mother of God, and the sacrificial
and virtuous life she lived, for inspiration and guidance. In
conclusion, the Prelate stressed the great importance of the Armenian
woman as an equal contributor to our collective lives and communities.

PRELATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY AT HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN FRESNO ON
THE 109TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHURCH

On Sunday, January 24th, 2010, Holy Trinity Church in Fresno marked
its 109th anniversary with Divine Liturgy celebrated by
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, followed by the annual
banquet. Parish pastor Rev. Fr. Vahan Gosdanian assisted at the
altar.
During Divine Liturgy, the Prelate ordained long-time
church servant Berj Apkarian a deacon.
At the conclusion of the service, the faithful gathered in
the church hall for the annual banquet, organized by the Pastor and
Board of Trustees. Each year during the banquet, individuals are
honored for their service and dedication to the church and its
endeavors. This year’s honorees were Allen Soujian, Mildred Shirin,
and Baghdasar and Tarjian Bedoian brothers. The Pastor and Board also
honored Hagop Ohanessian for his service within the Sunday School.
During the event, Deacon Meher Chekerdemian received
special recognition from the Prelate on his 50th anniversary as a
deacon. Mr. Chekerdemian is a decades-long servant of Holy Trinity
Church and the Fresno community, and has also served as a delegate and
a member of Prelacy committees.
The program also included a video presentation of the
church’s past year’s activities.

PRELATE WELCOMES ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY REPRESENTATIVES

On the evening of Tuesday, January 26th, 2010, H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy a delegation
from the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR), headed by Board
of Director’s president Dr. Frieda Jordan. Joining the Prelate at the
meeting was Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian.
The delegation had come to keep the Prelate abreast of the
events planned for the organization’s 10th anniversary which will be
celebrated this year.
The guests informed the Prelate of the organization’s
recent endeavors, including a donor recruitment drive which took place
in Artsakh at the start of the year.
The organization is planning a number of events throughout
the year to mark its 10th anniversary, the first of which is a
kick-off to take place on February 9th, at Phoenicia Restaurant.
The Prelate highly commended the mission of the ABMDR and
the dedication of the volunteers who are devoted to this cause. He
reaffirmed that the Prelacy and all bodies under its jurisdiction
remain committed to this cause and will lend their support
wholeheartedly, for which the representatives expressed their thanks
to the Prelate.

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