March 14, 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:
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH IN ENCINO
Sunday, March 16, 2014 is the third Sunday of Lent, Sunday of the
Prodigal Son.
On this day, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will
preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in
Encino.
***
PRELACY LADIES AUXILIARY HOSTS
TRADITIONAL LENT LUNCHEON
On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, the annual traditional Lent luncheon
organized by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary was held at Carousel Restaurant in
Glendale under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian.
The day began with Sunrise Service at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale
presided over by the Prelate and with the participation of clergy members
and deacons.
Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian delivered the spiritual meditation with the
theme “O Christ, Who are the way and the truth and the life, guide our souls
to ascend from the earth into heaven” from the words of the Sunrise Service
hymn, calling on the faithful to walk in the path of Christ. The service
came to a close with a moving rendition of the “Lord have mercy” hymn sung
collectively by the clergy, and the Lord’s Prayer.
The luncheon followed at Carousel. Among the 250 guests at the
sold-out event where Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian and member
Ms. Ani Mgrdichian-Garikian, representatives of ARS Central and Regional
Executives and local chapters, members of parishes’ Ladies Guilds, and
Prelacy sponsors.
On behalf of Carousel Restaurant greetings were conveyed to the
Prelate and guests, after which Mrs. Alvard Barseghian delivered welcoming
remarks on behalf of the Ladies Auxiliary, stating “we have gathered to
enjoy this lunch reception together but also to renew our faith as members
of the Armenian Apostolic Church”, and that the luncheon is organized
annually to preserve and honor our traditions and customs.
The Prelate then invited the ladies to officially commence the
luncheon with the Lord’s Prayer. After the blessing of tables, His Eminence
conveyed his message, blessing and commending the Ladies Auxiliary for their
diligent service and the guests for their continuous support and
encouragement. His Eminence commended also Carousel’s owners, the Cholakian
family, and thanked them for their donation.
During lunch, Fr. Boghos spoke about Lent, noting that during the
forty-day period, as a sign of mankind’s separation from God, the altar
curtain is closed, the Bible is covered, and Holy Communion is not given;
but we can regain God’s favor through fasting, repentance, and spiritual
renewal during Lent.
Donations were made throughout the luncheon by guests inspired by
the festive atmosphere. The luncheon also featured traditional Armenian
songs performed by the Element band.
***
FERRAHIAN STUDENTS SPEND MEMORABLE DAY WITH THE PRELATE DURING SCHOOL VISIT
By the invitation of the Ferrahian School administration, on
Tuesday, March 11, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
visited the school’s two campuses, accompanied by Holy Martyrs Church Pastor
Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian and Executive Council member Mr. Toros
Kejejian.
The day began at Holy Martyrs ARS Ashkhen Pilavjian Pre-School and
Marie Cabayan Elementary School, where the Prelate was greeted by Mr. John
Kossakian, Principal, Ms. Vehik Gabrielian, Pre-School Director, Mr. Tro
Tchekidjian, Assistant to the Principal, and school board members.
The Prelate first visited the Pre-School and Nursery, where he was
greeted with recitations by the young students, to whom he spoke in an
easily comprehensible manner.
An assembly with the third, fourth, and fifth grade students
followed at “Haig Minassian” Hall. Mrs. Azadouhi Ghazarian served as Master
of Ceremonies. Students presented a cultural program of songs, poetry, and
dance dedicated to Vartanants and the Armenian language. The Principal
greeted the Prelate and guests, and then invited His Eminence to address the
students. The Prelate had a warm interaction with the students during a
question and answer session. He then delivered his message in which he
commended the administration for the instruction they are providing and the
students for their program, and emphasized that the spirit of St. Vartan and
St. Mesrob Mashdots will remain alive as long as we speak Armenian, pray in
Armenian, take pride in our identity, and be the faithful descendents of our
forefathers and heroes. The program concluded with the Lord’s Prayer and the
benediction by the Prelate.
His Eminence and guests then had the opportunity to discuss future
expansion plans with the Principal, who briefed them on anticipated
projects.
The visit continued at the Ferrahian High School campus with an
assembly at “Dikranian” Hall. The students greeted the Prelate with
welcoming remarks and recitations. The Principal spoke to the students
about the inspiring visit they had at the North Hills campus earlier in the
day, then invited the Prelate to address the students. The assembly was an
interactive one, with the students asking the Prelate questions and the
Prelate engaging the youth in conversation. The question and answer session
focused primarily on our faith, church life, youth participation in
community life, and canonization of Genocide martyrs. Ms. Ani Bertizlian
moderated the discussion. In conclusion, His Eminence spoke to the students
about the importance of speaking in our native tongue, living as faithful
Christian Armenians by upholding our language, faith, and heritage, and
drawing the youth to our church. The administration and students thanked
the Prelate for the insight and message he conveyed and expressed their wish
for similar visits in the future.
A Lent lunch with the senior class followed, during which the
Prelate spoke to them about the meaning of Lent as a time for
self-discipline, introspection, and spiritual strengthening.
The day was a memorable one for the administration, students, and
for the Prelate as well.
***
PRELATE VISITS SAN FRANCISCO PARISH COMMUNITY
On Sunday March 9, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, paid a pastoral visit to the San Francisco parish community. In
the morning, His Eminence presided over Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory
Church. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered
the sermon. Deacons Khatchig Shannakian and Avo Markarian assisted at the
altar.
Sunrise Service was held at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy
presided over by the Prelate. In his address to the faithful, His Eminence
greeted the parish community and introduced the day’s celebrant and two
deacons, who are also priesthood candidates. The Prelate stated that in the
past year, new clergy assignments were made within the Prelacy, and the time
has come for St. Gregory Church to have a new parish priest as well.
The sermon by Fr. Boghos was on the Sunday of Expulsion, with the
theme “by eating the fruit, they consumed the bitterness of sin and death,”
and the message that through the acknowledgment of our sins and repentance,
we can have the hope of re-entering into God’s favor through the
Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
A reception followed at “Vasbouragan” Hall after the service. Board
of Trustees Chair Mr. Rostom Aintablian welcomed the Prelate and guests.
His Eminence conveyed his blessings, commending the efforts and service of
community members.
In the afternoon, the Prelate, Fr. Boghos, and deacons attended the
ARS “Erepouni” Chapter 80th anniversary celebration held at “Saroyan Hall”
of the Khachaturian Armenian Community Center.
His Eminence delivered the invocation and conveyed his message,
commending the ARS members for their service and wishing them success in
their future endeavors.
The Prelate’s visit concluded with a meeting with Parish Pastor
Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Board of Trustees, Delegates, and Executive
Council representative Mr. Sako Shrikian. During discussions on matters
concerning the church and community, His Eminence advised to set aside
personal expectations and wishes and to seek God’s will instead.
***
PRELATE DELIVERS INVOCATION AT ACF ANNUAL GALA
On Saturday, March 8, the annual gala of the Armenian Cultural
Foundation was held at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The Prelate
attended and delivered the invocation and his well wishes.
In his invocation, the Prelate commended the dedicated service of
the leadership and volunteers of the ACF in carrying out the organization’s
worthy mission. His Eminence commended especially their efforts in
instructing the youth on our history and culture and planting in them seeds
of love and pride for our heritage. In conclusion, the Prelate called upon
the Lord to bless the organization and its members who faithfully and
selflessly devote their time and energies to working together for a common
good, the sponsors and friends who continue to lend their generous moral and
financial support, and to guide us to the fulfillment of our collective
goals.
From: Baghdasarian