September 19, 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:
On the eve of the 23rd anniversaryof the independence of the
Republic of Armenia, we wish our brethren, from theDiaspora to the
Homeland, a happy Independence Day.
May God’s blessings and protectionbe upon our nation and
our people, and may He lead us to the realization of aunited Armenia.
***
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGYAT
ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA
OnSunday, September 21, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate,will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon at St. Sarkis Church inPasadena.
***
NAME DAY CELEBRATION OF
HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL OF MONTEBELLO
OnSunday, September 14, 2014 the Christian world celebrated
the Feast of theExaltation of the Holy Cross. The feast is also the name
day celebration ofHoly Cross Cathedral of Montebello. H.E. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian,Prelate, joined the parish community to celebrate
the special occasion withDivine Liturgy and the blessing of madagh.
ThePrelate celebrated Divine Liturgy, assisted at the altar
by Rev. Fr. AshodKambourian. Prior to delivering the sermon, His
Eminence conducted the Antasdan service, blessing the fourcorners of the
world, which for this feast is dedicated to the exaltation ofthe Cross
as it journeyed from Persia towards Jerusalem. Addressing
thecongregation, the Prelate first greeted and congratulated the parish
on theirname day celebration, conveying his blessings to all and
especially to theyouth, to Prelacy Schools’ students and to Sunday
School children who resumed anew school year on that day. His Eminence
thanked God for his safe return fromWashington D.C. where he had joined
the entourage of His Holiness Aram I,Catholicos of the Holy See of
Cilicia, at
t protecting andpreserving Christianity in
the Middle East.
ThePrelate began his sermon with a brief historical
background on the origin ofthe feast, its confiscation, recovery, and
triumphant return to Jerusalem. Hethen spoke of the triumphant message
and promise of the Cross, redemption andsalvation by the blood of our
Lord Jesus Christ. The Prelate noted how mankindwas immersed in sin,
with no means of cleansing and saving himself. So ourloving, just, and
powerful God, in His mercy, sent His Son to grant redemptionand
salvation to mankind and to free us from the destructive binds of sin.
Byway of the Cross, man was made into a new being and given the promise
of a newand everlasting life, a promise that is achieved through rebirth
by the HolySpirit and accepting Jesus Christ as our one and only Lord
and Savior. Theinvitation is open to all, said the Prelate, all one has
to do is embrace thelife-changing and life-saving gift.
ThePrelate then turned his attention to the battle being
waged in the Middle Eastagainst the Cross and against our brethren. He
noted that the Armenian peopleare all too familiar with persecution,
however, no matter the circumstances,our forefathers did not falter in
their faith nor did they lose hope. Theirfaith gave them hope and
strength to persevere. And so, he prayed for the powerof the Holy Cross
to once again embolden our Christian brothers and sisters, togive them
the strength to stand their ground and emerge victorious againstforces
of evil. In conclusion, His Eminence prayed for the Holy Cross toprotect
us all, to guard us against evil and preserve us from enemies, and to
leadus to everlasting life.
Atthe conclusion of the service the Prelate was led in a
procession to`Bagramian’ Hall where he blessed the madagh. The
ceremony came to a close withthe Cilician and Armenian anthems.
A lunch reception followed. In his remarks,Holy Cross
Cathedral Dean, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian first thanked thePrelate
for joining the community
them Executive Council Chair Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian, thanked
them for theirattendance and invited them to participate in parish life.
ThePrelate once again conveyed his blessings to the parish
family and wished thatall are filled with the inspiring hope and promise
of the Holy Cross.
***
PRELATE OF AZERBAIJAN DIOCESE VISITS THEPRELACY
OnTuesday, September 16, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate,welcomed H.G. Bishop Krikor Chiftjian, Prelate of
the Diocese of Azerbaijan,who is currently on a visit to Los Angeles.
Themeeting offered the opportunity for the Prelates to
discuss a number of issuesconcerning the Armenian church and nation in
the Diaspora and Armenia,including the upcoming Armenia-Diaspora
conference and the second Bishops’Synod which will be held in
Etchmiadzin in November. Both Prelates willparticipate in the Synod,
Bishop Krikor as a member of the Synod’s RitualsCommittee, and our
Prelate as a member of the Canonization Committee.
***
PRELATE WELCOMES ARMENIAN MISSIONARYASSOCIATION
AND HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVES
OnThursday, September 18, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate,welcomed the visit of Mr. Levon Filian, West Coast
Director of the ArmenianMissionary Association of America, and Hasmig
Baran, member of the HaigazianUniversity Board of Trustees and also of
the Board of Regents of PrelacySchools.
Theguests relayed information about the current endeavors of
the AMAA andHaigazian University, among them a joint banquet to be held
on November 15, forwhich they extended an invitation to His Eminence.
The Prelate and guests alsohad a general discussion about Armenian
Schools and theinstruction of Armenian youth.
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