January 3, 2014
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:
CHRISTMAS EVE DIVINE LITURGY
On Sunday, January 5, Christmas Eve will be celebrated in Prelacy
Churches with Divine Liturgy followed by the Jrakalooyts – Lighting of the
Candles service.
Given that Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy is traditionally celebrated
in the evening, and according to church canon we do not celebrate Divine
Liturgy more than once on the same altar on the same day, on Sunday morning
a prayer service will be held during which pastors will deliver their
sermons. Requiem service will also take place.
Divine Liturgy will take place in the evening.
The Prelate will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at
St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena.
By the ordinance of His Eminence, Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian will
visit the Colorado parish where he will celebrate Christmas Divine Liturgy.
Rev. Fr. Khoren Babochian will celebrate Divine Liturgy at the Corona
parish.
CHRISTMAS DIVINE LITURGY AND BLESSING OF WATER
On Monday, January 6th, the Glorious Birth and Theophany of our Lord
Jesus Christ will be ceremoniously celebrated with Divine Liturgy and the
blessing of water in all Prelacy Churches.
The Prelate will celebrate Divine Liturgy, deliver the sermon, and
conduct the blessing of water at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
In the evening, the Prelate’s New Year and Christmas Dinner will be
held at “Bagramian Hall” in Montebello with the participation of clergy,
councils, parishes, sister organizations, sponsors, and friends.
CHRISTMAS DIVINE LITURGY AND BLESSING OF WATER
AT ARARAT HOME
In celebration of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus
Christ, on Sunday, January 5th Divine Liturgy will be celebrated and the
blessing of water ceremony will be conducted at Ararat Home in Mission
Hills.
The day will begin at 10:00 a.m. with morning service and the
blessing of water in the Residents Dining Room of the Nursing Facility. The
Prelate will conduct the services, with the participation of clergy members.
Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at the Sheen Chapel
by Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian, who will also deliver the sermon.
Following the service, the Prelate and clergy will be hosted to a
luncheon by the administration.
MEMORIAL DAY REQUIEM SERVICE AT FOREST LAWN
On the morning of Tuesday, January 7, Christmas memorial day requiem
service will be held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills “Hall of Liberty” and
Forest Lawn Glendale “Church of the Recessional”, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
The Prelate will preside over the service at Hollywood Hills Forest
Lawn.
CHRISTMAS PRAYER SERVICE AND BLESSING OF WATER
AT GLENDALE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
In celebration of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus
Christ, on Friday, January 3, 2014, morning prayer service and the blessing
of water ceremony symbolizing the Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ was
conducted at Glendale Memorial Hospital.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, led the prayer
service, conducted the blessing of water, and conveyed his New Year and
Christmas blessings and well wishes to the administration, staff, and
patients. St. Mary’s Church Pastors assisted in the service. Glendale City
Council member Mr. Ara Najarian and Prelacy Executive Council member Dr.
Dikran Babikian were among the guests in attendance. Reporters from Channel
7 and LA Times were also present.
Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center President Mr. Jack Ivie
delivered welcoming remarks expressing his appreciation to the Prelate for
what has become a beautiful tradition.
The Prelate first delivered his message then conducted the service
and ceremony. His Eminence expressed thanks to God for the gift of another
year and for the opportunity to continue the tradition of gathering in the
first days of the new year to exchange well wishes to one another and
conduct the Blessing of the Home service beseeching God to protect and keep
in peace this facility, its faculty and patients. The Prelate explained the
blessing of the water ceremony signifying the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
River by John the Baptist and the use of the Holy Chrism (Muron) in the
Armenian Apostolic Church for blessings, consecrations, and anointing,
symbolizing the presence of the Holy Spirit. He explained that the oil used
today is revered because it contains part of the original oil blessed by St.
Gregory the Illuminator centuries ago, since whenever a new batch is
prepared and blessed, a small amount of the old go into it, thus preserving
continuity.
Reflecting on the start of a new year, the Prelate invited all to
resolve to thank God daily for the abundance of blessings in our lives, to
emulate the love and mercy of our Lord by demonstrating brotherly love,
compassion, and goodness to one another, to lift the spirits of the less
fortunate by sharing our blessings and spreading the good tidings of
Christmas to as many people as we can throughout the year. In conclusion,
His Eminence commended the hospital faculty for the care and compassion they
provide, prayed for the Lord to heal the infirm and restore them to health,
and wished that 2014 will be a blessed year for all filled with greatest
gifts of health, love, peace, and joy.
From: A. Papazian