October 12, 2012
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:
FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS AND ARMENIAN CULTURAL MONTH TO BE CELEBRATED
On Saturday, October 13, the Armenian Apostolic Church will
celebrate the Feast of the Holy Translators, which is regarded as one of the
greatest Feasts. The Feast is a celebration of the invention of the
Armenian alphabet, on the alphabet’s founder St. Mesrob Mashdots, Catholicos
Sahak, King Vramshabouh, and the culture brought about the work of a host of
translators.
Eve of the Feast service will be held on Friday, October 12, at 7:00
p.m., at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino, presided over by H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and with the participation of clergy
members. The Prelate will deliver the sermon on this occasion.
In celebration of the Feast of the Holy Translators and Armenian
Culture Month, on Sunday, October 14, 2012, the Prelate will preside over
Divine Liturgy at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County. Very Rev. Fr.
Barthev Gulumian will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon.
Each year on this occasion, Forty Martyrs Church Pastor Archpriest
Fr. Hrant Yeretzian, Board of Trustees, and the administration and PTO of
Ari Guiragos Minassian School host a book fair to celebrate and honor the
legacy of the founder of the Armenian alphabet and our translator
forefathers.
Following Church services, the Prelate will conduct the opening of
the book fair at “Gugasian” Hall. A.G. Minassian School students will
attend Divine Liturgy and present a cultural program at the book fair.
BLESSING AND MOUNTING OF ST. GARABED CHURCH DOME
IN LAS VEGAS
Friday, October 5, 2012, was a special and memorial day for the St.
Garabed Church parish community of Las Vegas, as faithful witnessed the
blessing and mounting of the Church dome. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the ceremony.
As previously reported, the Prelate departed for Las Vegas on
Thursday, October 4, to oversee the progress of the Church construction. On
the same day, the Prelate met with Parish Pastor Archpriest Fr. Avedis
Torossian, Parish Council Chair Mr. Adroushan Armenian, and Ms. Lindy
Schumacher, who is the Nevada director of the Dream Fund at UCLA.
On Friday, a group of Parish representatives and members gathered at
the construction site where the Prelate presided over the blessing of the
dome and the mounting of the cross atop the dome. The cross was consecrated
by H.H. Catholicos Aram I during his Pontifical visit in October of 2011.
Church benefactor Mr. Larry Barnes participated in the special ceremony.
Mr. Barnes had made a generous allocation for the realization of this
endeavor in memory of his wife Seda Der Garabedian-Barnes. Executive
Council member Mr. Vahan Bezdikian, Ms. Lindy Schumacher, and Prelacy
sponsor Mrs. Arda Yemenidjian were also in attendance.
The Prelate blessed those who had come to witness the historic
occasion. He highly commended the members of the Parish Council and
Building committee who work diligently to ensure that the project goes forth
smoothly and in a timely manner. His Eminence also once again expressed his
gratitude to Mr. Larry Barnes, Dream Fund representative Ms. Lindy
Schumacher, and all sponsors for their generous benefaction which is
contributing to the realization of the community’s long-standing dream to
have a Church and Cultural Center. He wished that the project progresses as
efficiently as it has been thus far, and for its successful completion in
the near future.
With the singing of the “Oorakh Ler” hymn, the frame of the dome was
lifted and placed atop the Church structure. The ceremony came to a close
with the Prelate’s benediction.
After the completion of the Church, the adjacent hall, which is
currently used for religious services, will be transformed into a cultural
center for youth and adults alike. The center will feature an Armenian
language and history learning center equipped with interactive and modern
state of the art learning tools geared towards children and young adults, as
well as a modern library equipped with Armenian books, newspapers and
magazines both from national and international sources. The Center will
also house local sister organizations.
PRELATE PRESIDES OVER FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AT
ST. MARY’S CHURCH IN GLENDALE
On Sunday, October 7, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Mary’s
Church in Glendale.
The day’s Scripture reading was from the Epistle of Paul to the
Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 13:5, which says, “Examine yourselves as to
whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves,
that Jesus Christ is in you?-unless indeed you are disqualified.” The
Prelate expounded on this verse and invited the faithful to introspect and
examine whether they are living Christ’s commandments daily and not the
teachings of others, and urged them to live in the faith of our
forefathers, enriched with the light of Christ, which the Apostles brought
to our Armenian nation.
A special ceremony followed the service. Church Pastors, Executive
Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian, Board of Trustees members, Ladies
Auxiliary members, Sunday School students, Homenetmen “Ararat” Chapter
scouts, and faithful, gathered in the Church courtyard where the Prelate
presided over the raising of the American, Armenian, and California flags on
newly erected flagpoles sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Hovik and Seda Aghaian in
memory of their parents Yesai and Palig Aghaian.
Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian welcomed the attendees and thanked the
sponsors for their generosity in sponsoring the new flagpoles.
The Prelate then blessed the flags, after which Homenetmen scouts
raised them on the flagpoles. The singing of the American and Armenian
national anthems by Sunday School students accompanied the ceremony.
Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Zareh Markarian delivered his remarks on
this occasion, after which Sunday School students sang the Lord’s Prayer.
The ceremony came to a close with the Prelate’s closing remarks and
benediction. His Eminence in his turn thanked all the benefactors who help
the Prelacy flourish and commended especially the Aghaian and Galstyan
families for their geneoristy to the Prelacy and St. Marys’ Church.
A reception hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary followed.
PRELACY “LOUSAVORICH” CHOIR REORGNIZED
By the ordinance of the Prelate, the Prelacy “Lousavorich” Choir has
recently reorganized under the direction of Crescenta Valley Church Pastor
Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian.
The first gathering and practice will take place on Saturday,
October 20, at St. Mary’s Church “Armenak Der Bedrossian” Hall beginning at
2:00 p.m. Subsequent rehearsals will take place every Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
at the same hall.
Those interested in joining the Choir can call the Prelacy or Fr.
Ghevont directly at (818) 384-8252.
“YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN BOOK” CELEBRATION CONTINUES WITH SECOND LITERARY
LUNCHEON AT THE PRELACY
In celebration of the “Year of the Armenian Book”, on Thursday,
October 18, the second in a series of literary luncheons will be held at the
Prelacy “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall under the auspices of the
Prelate and organized by the Ladies Auxiliary.
The event will feature the presentation of author Mrs. Alice
Navasargian’s latest book The Immortals: A Pictorial Anthology of
Historiographic Works and a Brief History of Armenia and Armenians in
Persia. This is the author’s third book devoted to Armenian contributions
to the arts.
Prominent scholar and author Mr. Stepan Topchyan will present the
book.
Please contact the Prelacy to reserve seats.
SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL CONCERT ORGANIZED BY
ST. MARY’S CHURCH OF GLENDALE
The Pastors and Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale
have organized a spiritual and cultural center to be held under the auspices
of the Prelate on Sunday, October 21st. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. and
will take place at First Baptist Church of Glendale (209 N. Louise St.).
The concert features past and present soloists of St. Mary’s Church
choir accompanied by the Glendale Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maestro
Michael Avedissian
Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by contacting the Church office
at (818) 244-2402.
PRELATE WELCOMES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
KESSAB EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION
On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, board members of the Kessab Educational
Association (KEA) of Los Angeles visited the Prelacy where they met with
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. The delegation was headed
by Chairlady Mrs. Esther Chelebian-Tognozzi. The members were Dr. Hrair
Atikian, Mr. Hratch Majarian, Mr. Vartan Poladian, Mr. Soghomon Poladian,
and Mrs. Anahid Yaralian. Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian participated in the
meeting as well.
The guests had come to the Prelacy primarily to congratulate the
Prelate on his re-election earlier this year. The visit was also an
opportunity to exchange information on the endeavors of the Prelacy and the
KEA. Also discussed was the unrest in Syria, which is affecting Armenians
in Kessab and other regions. The members of the Kessab Educational
Association reported on how they are helping their brethren in Syria, and
expressed hope for peace to prevail in the country soon.
The visit concluded with the Prelate presenting the guests with
mementos.
PRELATE CONGRATULATES MOST REVEREND SALVATORE CORDILEONE ON HIS INSTALLATION
AS THE NINTH ARCHBISHOP OF SAN FRANCISCO
On Thursday, October 4th, The Most Revered Salvatore Cordileone was
installed as the Ninth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The Prelate was invited to participate in the Installation Mass,
however was unable to attend due to the fact that he was visiting the St.
Garabed Church parish community of Las Vegas at that time.
This week, the Prelate sent a letter to Archbishop Cordileone
congratulating him on his installation as the Archbishop of San Francisco
and extending his best wishes for a successful tenure.
ARMENIA FUND TELETHON LOGO UNVEILED
On the evening of Wednesday, October 10, the Armenia Fund 2012
Telethon logo was unveiled during a special ceremony held at the Consulate
General of Armenia in Glendale.
The Prelate participated in the ceremony and delivered his blessings
and message on this occasion. St. Mary’s Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Torossian accompanied His Eminence. Executive Council member Mr. Meher Der
Ohanessian, who is also the Prelacy representative to Armenia Fund, was also
in attendance.
SAYAT NOVA CHOIR ANNUAL PERFORMANCE
On Saturday, October 13, the annual concert of Hamazkayin “Baruyr
Sevag” Chapter’s Sayat Nova Choir will be held at Thorne Hall of Occidental
College. The choir is directed by Mrs. Nora Roumian-Bairamian.
The Prelate will attend and deliver his message. His Eminence will
be accompanied by Holy Martyrs Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian.
PRELATE REPRESENTED AT SPECIAL CEREMONY OF THE SYRIAC ORTHODOX CHURCH
On Saturday, October 13, Rev. Fr. Sabu Thomas Chorattil of the
Syriac Orthodox Church will be elevated to the rank of Chorepiscopos at St.
Mary’s Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church in Whittier.
The ceremony will be officiated by H.E. Mor Titus Yeldho Pathickal,
Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac
Orthodox Church in North America, and H.E. Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan,
Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Western United States Archdiocese of
the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Holy Cross Cathedral Pastor Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian will represent
the Prelate at this special ceremony.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
