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: www.westernprelacy.org PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA On April 22, 2018, the fourth Sunday of Eastertide or Red Sunday, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. *** COMMUNITY-WIDE COMMEMORATION OF THE 103RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE On April 24, 2018, Armenians worldwide will commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and pay tribute to our 1.5 million holy martyrs through various religious, cultural, and political events. A number of community-wide commemorative events will take place in the Los Angeles area, most notably the following: On Sunday, April 22, the annual commemoration organized by the United Armenian Council will be held at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs' Monument in Montebello (Bicknell Park, 901 Via San Clemente) beginning at 2:00 p.m. The program will feature a religious ceremony by clergy from the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, and Evangelical Churches, political messages by Congressman Ed Royce, Congressman Adam Schiff, State Senator Anthony Portantino, and State Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian, remarks by Bob Morgenthau, great-grandson of U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire Henry Morgenthau, and cultural performances by students of Armenian Schools. The annual "March for Justice" will take place on Tuesday, April 24, at 12:00 noon. Tens of thousands will gather at Pan Pacific Park (7600 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles) and march to the Turkish Consulate where there a special program will take place. Transportation will be provided from Glendale, Burbank, La Crescenta, Pasadena, Montebello, Hollywood, North Hollywood, Encino, Canoga Park, an Van Nuys. Please call 888-924-1915 for more information. We call on our faithful to participate in these and all commemorations in large numbers. *** ORDINATION AND CONSECRATION OF BISHOPS IN ANTELIAS On April 14 and 15, 2018, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I elevated four members of the Holy See of Cilicia Brotherhood to the rank of Bishop during special ceremonies held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral in Antelias. Four clergyman received the rank of Bishop; Very Rev. Fr. Masis Zobouyan (Prelate of Kuwait and Neighboring Countries), Very Rev. Fr. Sipan Ketchejian (Prelate of Isfahan, Iran), Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian (Catholicosal Vicar of UAE and Qatar), and Very Rev. Fr. Torkom Donoyan (Vicar General of the Western U.S.). H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and members of the Executive Council and community participated in the ceremony. The ordination ceremony began on Saturday evening at St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral, where His Holiness Catholicos Aram I presided over the ritual of the examination of the faith of the priests. Following the reading of the recommendations of the Prelacies requesting their ordination and prayers, His Holiness led them to the ceremony of the confession of the true Orthodox faith. The priests confessed their faith, signed papers and vowed to remain loyal to the Catholicosate of Cilicia, to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, and to the Church and its faithful. On the second day of the ordination and the consecration ceremony, His Holiness conducted Divine Liturgy, assisted by the Prelate and H.E. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian. According to the Armenian Orthodox Church's tradition, His Holiness consecrated the forehead and right hand of each bishop with Holy Muron. During the ceremony, each bishop was also granted an episcopal staff, ring, and pectoral panagia, symbols of their newly received rank. At the end of the ceremony, His Holiness delivered his Pontifical message. Addressing the newly ordained and consecrated bishops, His Holiness described the vocation of the episcopate as service, obedience, humility, and accountability to the people. At the end of the two-day ordination and consecration ceremony, the new Bishops and the pilgrims who had accompanied them were received by His Holiness for a final blessing. *** CHAMLIAN SCHOOL'S ANNUAL WALK-A-THON TO THE PRELACY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE On Friday, , students of Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School walked to the Prelacy to pay homage to the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and renew their commitment to the pursuit of our cause. Prior to the walk-a-thon students had a candle-lighting ceremony on campus and planted a tree dedicated to the region of Shadakh in Western Armenia. The tree was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Ara and Jacqueline Tovmassian. Accompanied by Principal Dr. Talin Kargodorian, Vice-Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, teachers, and parents, the students then walked to the Prelacy where they were welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian, and Rev. Fr. Movses Shannakian. Upon their arrival to the Prelacy, students placed flowers before the Armenian Genocide centennial monument. Remarks were delivered by Armenian Club members and teacher Armenig Hayrabedian, with the message that they will remain committed to the pursuit of our cause and rights and will never forget our language and heritage. Group by group the students presented a program of patriotic songs and recitations. The Prelate delivered his message to each of the groups urging them to keep the legacy of our holy martyrs who gave their lives for our nation, church, and homeland alive, to be exemplary Armenians, to love our homeland, language, and heritage and keep fighting for our cause. He blessed the students and the teachers and parents who embed our national identity in our youth. The program concluded with Cilicia and the benediction. *** KEVORK BEDIGIAN'S LATEST BOOK PRESENTED AT THE PRELACY On Thursday, , writer and educator Kevork Bedigian's latest book dedicated to Aleppo, in particular to Karen Jeppe College on its 70th anniversary, was presented at the Western Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. The event was held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and was organized by the Western Prelacy Cultural-Education Committee in conjunction with Asbarez and the Karen Jeppe College Alumni Association Los Angeles chapter. The program began with welcoming remarks by Mr. Herair Jermakian, Chair of the Cultural-Education Committee. Committee member Mr. Moushegh Bedevian, who served as the Master of Ceremonies, highlighted the rich history and valuable contributions of Aleppo's Armenian community and spoke about the current situation and rebuilding efforts. Asbarez editor Mr. Apo Boghikian lauded Mr. Bedikian's intellectual discipline and his allegiance to our national values, both of which are reflected in his writings. He pointed out that Aleppo is oftentimes the topic of Mr. Bedikian's writings, with this seventh book solely dedicated to Aleppo and Karen Jeppe College. He also commended that the fact that the event had a young MC. ARS "Talin" Chapter Saturday School student Lily Dabbaghian read an excerpt from the book and a group of students sang two songs, one of which was written by Mr. Bedikian. Mrs. Dzovinar Ghazarian-Melkonian gave a synopsis of the book and spoke about the author's life and his inner world, noting that the book can be deemed an autobiography for through the pages one gets a sense of his upbringing, that which influenced and molded him. She stated that the book also gives a sense of Mr. Bedikian's eternal bond with his birthplace, how he carries the memories of decades past in his heart and is moved by the crisis of the present day, and his hope for Aleppo's rebuilding and revival of its invaluable role in our national and cultural life. The book is also a representation of the Aleppo's Armenian community in general, of its triumphs and hopes, she said. Mr. Bedikian's granddaughter Vana, presented a moving rendition of the song "Dear teacher" dedicated to her grandfather, her first teacher. The author first and foremost thanked the Prelate and organizers, those who assisted in the preparation and publication, the presenter and all program participants, family, and friends for their support. He reflected on his half-century of service as an educator and his deep love for our language which has been the driving force of his life. He noted also that the event itself is a demonstration of the people's love of reading. Finally, he stated that Aleppo is not a distant memory rather a living emotion, and that the book is a portrayal of this essence as well as an expression of gratitude to all the individuals, to Karen Jeppe College and the environment which shaped his identity. The Prelate began his message by stating that the day will be an unforgettable one, for in addition to the book presentation earlier in the day the Prelacy had hosted the visit of Tufenkian and Pilibos Schools' students who had come to renew their allegiance to our nation and cause. He echoed Mr. Boghigian's portrayal of Mr. Bedikian as a disciplined intellectual and highlighted the importance of discipline in all aspects of life. His Eminence commended Mrs. Ghazarian-Melkonian's presentation and lauded the book's merit as a beautiful expression of gratitude toward Aleppo and its national institutions. This evening is an invitation for optimism and strengthening of hopes regarding the rebuilding and revival of Aleppo, he said, and quoted a passage from the book where the author expresses this same hopefulness. The Prelate noted also that H.E. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of Aleppo, was just recently in Antelias to report the community's rebuilding efforts to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, which is yet another sign of the community's impending resurrection. He concluded by wishing that the book spur efforts to preserve and promote our national and religious treasures. The program concluded with the benediction and Cilicia. Guests enjoyed a reception hosted by the Karen Jeppe College Alumni Association Los Angeles chapter while the author signed copies of his book. *** PILIBOS SCHOOL JUNIORS VISIT THE PRELACY AHEAD OF PILGRIMAGE TO ARMENIA On Thursday, , the junior class of Rose and Alex Pilibos School paid a visit to the Prelacy to receive the blessings of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, ahead of their pilgrimage to Armenia. The visit also served as a renewal of the students' allegiance to our religious and national values. His Eminence was joined by Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian. The visit was held at the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. The program began with opening remarks by Ara Yacoubian, who expressed thanks for the warm welcome, highlighted the church's valuable role in the collective life of the Armenian people, and joyfully noted that he and his peers will be in Armenia during commemorations of the centennial and asked for the Prelate's blessings. Areni Chorbajian served as the MC and one by one invited her peers who presented a patriotic program of songs, recitations, and musical pieces. The Prelate commended the performances and expressed his delight at the students' visit, pointing out how much more mindful and mature they have become since their last visit three years ago. He lauded also the sentiments of nationalism and allegiance to our faith and nation echoed in the students' remarks. His Eminence stated that the students are fortunate to be visiting Armenia during centennial commemorations and urged them to really take in our rich history and heritage as they visit a number of historic and sacred sites. By the request of the students, the Prelate explained the history and meaning behind the Holy Muron and how it's made, noting that while many churches use a form of holy oil, the Holy Muron used in the Armenian Church is unique in formula and method of preparation. He explained that Holy Muron dates back to the time of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt, reached Armenia by Christ's apostles and the tradition reinstituted by St. Gregory the Illuminator. The Prelate emphasized the continuity of Holy Muron from the time of St. Gregory until the present and the combining of Holy Muron in Etchmiadzin and Antelias which is a beautiful symbol of our unity. He concluded by wishing them a safe trip and expressing confidence that they will return strengthened in their faith and national identity and will also remain bonded to our community life following their graduation next year and beyond. Afterward the Prelate answered questions posed by the students, giving further information on the Holy Muron and also speaking to them about challenges of our faith in the modern day. The program concluded with Cilicia and the Prelate's benediction. *** TUFENKIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS PAY TRIBUTE TO THE HOLY MARTYRS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AT THE PRELACY MONUMENT On Thursday, , the young students of Richard Tufenkian Pre-School visited the Prelacy where they paid tribute to the memory of the holy martyrs of the Armenian Genocide by placing flowers at the Genocide memorial monument. The students, accompanied by Director Mrs. Arsine Aghazarian and teachers, were welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who had returned from Lebanon the prior evening. Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian was alongside His Eminence. Following the collective singing of The Lord's Prayer, the Prelate spoke to the students about April 24 and our holy martyrs who gave their lives for our nation, church, and homeland. In response to a question by His Eminence, the students stated that they will join the cause of pursuing our stolen lands when they get older and will remain faithful to the legacy of our forefathers. The Prelate noted that the centennial of the first Republic of Armenia is a testament to our collective will and efforts. The students sang patriotic songs and the Armenian national anthem, after which they placed flowers at the monument. *** LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL COMMEMORATES THE 103RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE By the initiative of Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was commemorated at City Hall. Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian represented H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. During the commemoration, the City Council honored the following education leaders: Prof. Richard Hovannisian, Mr. Gabriel Injejikian, Ms. Vivian Ekchian, and the USC Shoah Foundation. ***