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: info@westernprelacy.org
Website: www.westernprelacy.org
PONTIFICAL THANKSGIVING PRAYERS ON THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELECTION AND
CONSECRATION OF HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I
On Sunday, June 25, 2017, the 22nd anniversary of the election and
consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia will be celebrated with Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayers in Holy See
of Cilicia Prelacies worldwide, including within Western Prelacy Churches.
We invite our faithful to join us in praying for long life and
pontificate for our beloved Pontiff.
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PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR CHURCH
IN SAN FRANCISCO
- VERY REV. FR. BAROUYR SHERNEZIAN TO RECEIVE PECTORAL CROSS
On Sunday, June 25, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in
San Francisco, during which he will conduct Pontifical Thanksgiving Prayer
service and deliver the sermon.
During the service, the Prelate will present Parish Pastor, Very
Rev. Fr. Barouyr Shernezian the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I conferring the privilege of wearing a pectoral cross, as
well as the cross itself.
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COMMUNIQUE
VERY REV. FR. TORKOM DONOYAN APPOINTED VICAR GENERAL OF THE WESTERN PRELACY
We are pleased to announce that on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, during
the first joint session of the Religious and Executive Councils presided by
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan
was appointed Vicar General of the Western Prelacy.
The Prelate had previously announced during the 45th Representative
Assembly that he would propose the candidature of Fr. Torkom for the post of
Vicar General at the first joint session. The proposal was unanimously
approved at Tuesday's meeting and has the blessing of His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I.
The Joint Council wishes Fr. Torkom great successes in his service
and mission, with the confidence that he will contribute valuably to the
advancement of our Prelacy in collaboration with the Prelate and Councils'
members.
The joint session also reviewed the decisions and proposals of the
Representative Assembly, among them a ten-year plan of action initiated by
His Holiness Catholicos Aram I to renew and revitalize our mission, which
will serve as the groundwork for the Religious and Executive Councils'
future endeavors.
WESTERN PRELACY JOINT COUNCIL
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PRELATE PRESENTS PONTIFICAL ENCYCLICAL AND PECTORAL CROSS TO VERY REV. FR.
DAJAD ASHEKIAN
On Sunday, June 18, 2017, the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin and Father's
Day, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Divine
Liturgy and delivered the sermon at Holy Trinity Church in Fresno, during
which he presented parish pastor, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Ashekian, the
Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia, granting him the privilege of wearing a pectoral cross, as well
as the cross itself.
During the service, after the choir sang the hymn "Oorakh Ler," the
Pontifical Encyclical was read by the Prelate and presented to Fr. Dajad
along with the pectoral cross. His Eminence congratulated Fr. Dajad on
receiving the privilege and also on the 5th anniversary of his ordination
into the priesthood, and commended his service to the Armenian Apostolic
Church and to the Fresno parish community in particular. As the day also
marked the 41st anniversary of the Prelate's ordination into the priesthood,
His Eminence spoke about the sacred calling of the priesthood and the mighty
responsibility of clergymen to be good shepherds, leaders, teachers,
counselors, and more. The Prelate commended Fr. Dajad for being faithful in
his calling thus far, wished him continued service with even greater drive
and dedication, and urged the parishioners to contribute to the advancement
of the parish community with their joint service.
Given that it was also Father's Day, the Prelate congratulated all
the fathers and highlighted the tremendous role of fathers as providers,
disciplinarians, teachers, role models, and an inspiration for their
children. He urged the fathers to recognize and comprehend their true value
and commit themselves to fulfilling their vast and worthwhile
responsibilities for the development and instruction of their children,
physically and spiritually.
Next, the Prelate delivered his sermon, beginning with the Feast of
Holy Etchmiadzin which was observed on that day, and the Feast of St.
Gregory the Illuminator's deliverance from the pit which was observed the
day before. His Eminence gave a background on the feast, which celebrates
the establishment of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin according to the
vision of St. Gregory the Illuminator. He relayed the familiar story St.
Gregory the Illuminator's vision, following the adoption of Christianity as
the official religion in 301, in which our Lord Jesus Christ descended from
heaven and with the strike of a golden hammer designated the site where the
Mother Cathedral of the Armenian nation was to be built, thus the name
Etchmiadzin, "the descent of the only begotten." The Prelate highlighted St.
Gregory the Illuminator's unyielding faith and absolute trust in God, which
gave him the strength to endure in the pit for thirteen years and granted
him the privilege of seeing our Lord Jesus Christ with His own eyes.
Finally, His Eminence reflected on the day's Gospel reading from
John 10:22-30, where Jesus emphasizes true discipleship and invites us to
follow Him like sheep to a shepherd. "The Jews in today's reading heard His
words but did not believe, they saw His works but did not comprehend His
message. We too have heard His words and seen His works, through the Bible,
through sermons, through instruction by our church fathers, and more, and
so, we must trust in Him and follow Him as our true and good shepherd with
great conviction, as did St. Gregory the Illuminator and all of our saints
and forefathers," stressed the Prelate. "Our Lord Jesus Christ wants to
provide for us, He wants us to heed His voice, to surrender to Him and allow
Him to give direction to our lives. On this festive day, inspired by day's
feast, readings, and especially by the prime example of our patron saint St.
Gregory the Illuminator, let us renew and reinforce our faith and let God
lead the way," he concluded.
The service concluded with Cilicia, after which faithful had the
opportunity to congratulate Fr. Dajad. A luncheon on this joyous occasion
followed.
***
HOMENETMEN 42ND NAVASARTIAN GAMES AND FESTIVAL
On Thursday, June 29, the 42nd annual Homenetmen Navasartian Games
and Festival will commence at Birmingham High School. This year's honorary
presidents are Mr. and Mrs. Vicken and Nono Apelian, and the Exemplary
Homenetmen member Dr. Shahe Yenikomshian.
On Sunday, July 2nd, the Prelate will attend the closing ceremony,
featuring the parade of athletes and scouts and the distribution of
championship trophies, and will deliver his message and blessings to the
Homenetmen family.
On Saturday, June 24, the Prelate will attend the Victory Ball at
the Beverly Hilton and deliver the invocation.
***
WESTERN PRELACY PARTICIPATION IN NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH SEMINAR IN CANADA
From June 9 - 11, 2017, the seventh annual North American Youth
Seminar was held at Camp Iawah in Kingston, Ontario, under the auspices of
H.E. Archbishop Papken Tcharian, Prelate of Canada, and organized by the
Prelacy of Canada's Armenian Religious Education Council. Over one hundred
youth attended, including youth group members of Holy Trinity Church of
Fresno, Menas Arisian and Alina Arakelian.
The retreat is held each year with the purpose of strengthening the
faith of the youth, to form a spiritual bond with God, meet and make friends
with other Armenians, and enjoy a weekend of fellowship.
The seminar officially convened on Friday evening with prayer and
welcoming remarks by Archbishop Tcharian. The next day began with Sunrise
Service and continued with spiritual reflections, lectures, and round table
discussions on various topics led by Very Rev. Fr. Keghard Khusbegian, Very
Rev. Fr. Vartan Tashjian, Rev. Fr. Paul Guirguis, and Deacon Dr. George
Leylegian.
On Sunday morning, participants attended Divine Liturgy celebrated
by Very Rev. Fr. Vartan Tashjian. Archbishop Tcharian delivered his message
to the youth during the service.
The weekend also included activities such as hiking, canoeing,
basketball, soccer, picnics, song and dance, and more.
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