January 2, 2015
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 ST. MARY’S CHURCH IN GLENDALE
– REQUIEM FOR ARF LEADER VAHAN HOVANNESIAN
On the morning of Sunday, January 4, the Prelate will preside over
Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. During the requiem service,
a special prayer will be said for ARF Bureau member and Armenia’s Ambassador
to Germany Vahan Hovannesian, who passed away on December 28, 2014. The
Prelate will deliver his tribute, commending Vahan Hovannesian’s lifelong
service to the Armenian nation and cause.
A memorial gathering will follow at the Church “Armenak Der
Bedrosian” Hall, organized by the ARF Central Committee.
***
EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY AND MADAGH BLESSING
AT THE NORTH HOLLYWOOD PARISH
On Sunday, January 4, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, will celebrate the first Divine Liturgy of the New Year at the
North Hollywood parish, deliver the sermon, and conduct the blessing of
madagh on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the establishment of the
parish.
The service begins at 2:00 p.m. The church is located at 13050
Vanowen St. in North Hollywood (St. Paul Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church).
A New Year and Christmas reception will follow in the Church hall,
presided over by the Prelate. Sunday School students will participate with a
cultural program.
***
EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY CELEBRATED
AT THE CRESCENTA VALLEY PARISH
– READING OF PONTIFICAL ENCYCLICAL ON THE GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL
On Sunday, December 28, 2014, the Pontifical Encyclical of His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, on the occasion of
the Genocide Centennial was read at St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother
Cathedral in Antelias and throughout all Churches of Holy See Prelacies
worldwide. Within Western Prelacy Churches, the Feast of St. Stephen the
Protomartyr was also commemorated on this day.
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine
Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and read the Pontifical Encyclical at the
Crescenta Valley parish. Parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian and deacons
assisted at the altar. H.E. Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian was in attendance, as
well as Executive Council member Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian, first Foreign
Minister of Armenia and current MP Raffi Hovanissian, parish board members
and representatives of sister organizations.
The Feast of St. Stephen, a celebration of deacons, was commemorated
prior to the Lord’s Prayer. Candles in hand, deacons knelt before the
Prelate to receive his blessings. His Eminence encouraged them to follow the
example of St. Stephen, the first deacon and first martyr, by serving
faithfully and humbly and setting an example to others with their service.
Afterward, as the choir sang the hymn “Hrashapar”, the Holy
Encyclical of His Holiness Aram I was brought forth to the altar to be read
by the Prelate. His Eminence then briefly touched on the day’s Gospel
reading from Luke 19:11-28 on The Parable of the Minas, and on the eve of a
New Year urged the faithful to be good stewards of God’s blessings and
utilize them for His glory, because “to everyone who has will be given; and
from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
Prior to “Der Voghormya”, on behalf of the parish community Fr.
Ghevont thanked the Prelate for accepting their invitation and for inspiring
the faithful with his message and blessings. Thus, he asked the faithful to
pray for the health and well-being of the Prelate and continued successes in
his leadership. Finally, Fr. Ghevont greeted Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian and
honored guests. The service came to a close with requiem prayers offered for
loved ones.
A luncheon hosted by the parish Ladies Guild followed. The Prelate
was escorted in a procession to the lobby where he blessed the table. The
collective singing of Cilicia followed and the ceremony concluded with the
benediction by the Prelate.
***
PRELATE’S CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
On Tuesday, January 6, the Birth and Theophany of our Lord Jesus
Christ will be celebrated in all Prelacy Churches with Divine Liturgy and
the blessing of water. 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.
On Monday, January 5, Christmas Eve will be celebrated in Prelacy
Churches with Divine Liturgy followed by the Jrakalooyts – Lighting of the
Candles service. The Prelate will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
On Wednesday, January 7, at 10:00 a.m., Christmas memorial day
requiem service will be held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills “Hall of
Liberty” and Forest Lawn Glendale “Church of the Recessional”, presided over
by the Prelate and with the participation of clergy.
***
CHRISTMAS SERVICES TO BE HELD AT
GLENDALE MEMORIAL AND ARARAT HOME
At the start of each New Year, it has become a tradition for the
Prelate and clergy to visit and conduct prayer services at Glendale Memorial
Hospital and Ararat Home in Mission Hills to spread Christmas cheer to the
patients and residents.
Christmas will be celebrated at Glendale Memorial Hospital on
Monday, January 5, with the Blessing of Water conducted by the Prelate, who
will be assisted by Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian and St. Mary’s Church pastors.
The service begins at 11:30 a.m. in the Main Lobby.
Services at Ararat Home will be held on Thursday, January 8,
beginning at 10:00 a.m. with morning service and the blessing of water in
the Nursing Facility Dining Room. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:30
a.m. at the Sheen Chapel by Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, who will also deliver
the sermon.
Following the service, the Prelate and clergy will be hosted to a
luncheon by the administration.
***
PRELATE WELCOMES DIRECTOR JIVAN AVETISYAN
On Friday, January 2, 2015, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Director Jivan Avetisyan, who is currently
in the U.S. for the screening of his latest film Tevanik. The director was
accompanied by community activist Arick Gevorkian. Executive Council
Vice-Chair Dr. Dikran Babikian participated in the meeting.
The visit began with a mutual exchange of New Year well wishes. Mr.
Avetisyan gave an overview of his movie Tevanik, which is about the Artsakh
liberation and the efforts of villagers to protect their lands, and invited
the Prelate to the Los Angeles area screening which will be held on January
9 at Beyond the Stars Palace in Glendale.
The Prelate commended and congratulated the Director on his
achievements and wished him continued successes in his future projects.