Western Prelacy: Oriental Orthodox Sunday School Bible Competition

PRESS RELEASE
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: <; Oriental Orthodox Sunday School Bible Competition You are all champions of faith, for you have chosen the path of Christ Declared the Prelate On the morning of Saturday, May 13, a Bible competition took place between Sunday School students of Oriental Orthodox Churches under the direction of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, at the `Armenak Der Bedrossian' Hall of St. Mary's Church in Glendale. The event, which was organized by the directors of the Sunday Schools, was held under the auspices of the H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, H.G. Bishop Serapion, Prelate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and H.E. Archbishop Mor Eugene Kaplan, Prelate of the Syriac Orthodox Church. The competition encompassed the first ten chapters of the Gospel of Matthew. Participating were 11 to 15 year old Sunday School students. Prior to the competition, the students, led by the Prelates and accompanied by their directors, gathered inside St. Mary's Church where each Church sang hymns and read prayers in its respective language. On behalf of the organizing committee Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, co-director of the Prelacy Christian Education Department, delivered encouraging remarks to the students. At the start of the competition the students split into groups, with each group being comprised of students from the various churches. During the competition the preparedness of the students on the subject matter and their eagerness to win first place was apparent. Following the competition the host Prelate Archbishop Mardirossian welcomed the Prelates and clergy members and commended the organizing committee and all the directors and staff of the Sunday Schools. Turning to the students he said, `You all are champions of faith, for you have chosen the path of Christ. Your participation today is evidence of that faith. You are like the man who built his house on a rock and not on sand. That solid rock is Christ. Stand firm on that rock.' Later on the Prelate presented mementos to the guest Prelates, followed by greetings and blessings by the Prelates of the sister churches. At the end of the event, medals were given to all participants and trophies to the winners. There were also t-shirts handed out to all participants with the logos of the churches. Following the closing prayer and `Bahbanich' a group picture was taken in front of the church, after which the students enjoyed lunch. At 3:00 p.m. the students and directors departed with joy and triumph in their hearts.