June 27, 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:
PRELATE SALUTES PASSAGE OF RETURN OF CHURCHES MEASURE
On Thursday, June 26, 2014, the House Foreign Affairs Committee
adopted H.R. 4347 holding Turkey accountable for the return of stolen
Christian properties in Turkey and occupied Cyprus.
Earlier in the week, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
sent letters to members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee urging them
to vote in favor of the measure.
In his letter, the Prelate stated; `It is a devastating reality that
present-day Armenia is merely a shell of what it once was. In addition to
the nearly two million innocent Armenian men, women, and children massacred
by the Ottoman Empire during the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, the lands,
homes, churches, schools, and businesses that our ancestors so proudly built
by the sweat of their brows were demolished to remove all traces of the
Armenian people. What makes this tragedy even more appalling and hard to
bear is that these atrocities continue to this very day with no repercussion
or outrage from the global community.
The Christian minorities that remain in the region continue to be
oppressed and persecuted. Our sacred sites and properties continue to be
annihilated to destroy every last trace of our existence. We cannot bring
back the properties that were confiscated and obliterated, but we can work
together to ensure that what is left is protected and returned to the
rightful owners. It is high time that Turkey be held accountable for its
past and present actions. It is high time for religious and ethnic
minorities in Turkey and in the four corners of the earth to be able to live
in peace without threat of persecution.’
`We salute this righteous decision by the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, which is a huge step forward in our cause. We thank the
leadership and volunteers of the ANCA who worked tirelessly to ensure this
victory in the days and weeks leading up to this crucial vote’, said the
Prelate upon hearing news of the vote.
***
PONTIFICAL THANKSGIVING PRAYER IN PRELACY CHURCHES
By the ordinance of the Prelate, on Sunday, June 29, Pontifical
Thanksgiving Prayer (Hayrabedagan Maghtank) will be offered in Prelacy
Churches celebrating the 19th anniversary of the election and consecration
of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
The Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy and Thanksgiving Prayer
service at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino, where he will also deliver the
sermon.
Executive Council members will attend services at their local
parishes.
We invite our faithful to join us in prayer for the continued
prosperity of the Holy See of Cilicia and for good health and many more
years of leadership for our beloved Pontiff.
***
39TH HOMENETMEN NAVASARIAN GAMES AND FESTIVAL
The 39th Homenetmen Navasartian games and festival will take place
from July 2 – 5 at Birmingham High School from July 2nd to the 5th.
On Thursday, July 3rd, the Prelate will visit the festival booths
and convey his blessings and encouragement to the organizers and
participants. His Eminence will be accompanied by Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian.
On Saturday, July 5th, the Prelate will attend the closing ceremony
and convey his message.
On Saturday, June 28, the Prelate will attend the Navasartian
Victory Banquet and deliver his message.
***
PRELATE WELCOMES WORLD VISION REPRESENTATIVES
On Thursday, June 26, 2014, the Prelate welcomed representatives of
World Vision, who had come to provide information on the organization’s
partnership with the Armenian Apostolic Church for their child sponsorship
program.
Rev. David Snyder, Church Partnership Officer of World Vision Church
Relations, and Dr. Artur Martirosyan, Coordinator of the Armenian Child
Sponsorship Campaign, noted that of the tens of thousands of children who
have been sponsored in Armenia, a significant number has been through World
Vision. The guests sought the blessings and support of the Prelate and the
Prelacy for the continued success of the campaign.
The Prelate commended World Vision’s mission for the sustained
development of Armenia, and offered his blessings and support of the child
sponsorship program.
For more information on sponsoring a child, please visit
***
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AT AYF CAMP
The annual AYF camp is underway. For the second year, camp
directors requested weekly lectures be offered to the youth on religious
topics.
By the ordinance of the Prelate, Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, Rev. Fr.
Karekin Bedourian, and Deacon Khatchig Shannakian have been appointed to
alternately visit the camp to provide religious instruction to the youth.
The first session was held on Wednesday, June 25th with a lecture by
Deacon Khatchig Shannakian on the role of the Armenian Church in the
preservation of our national identity.
***
CHAPLAIN RAFI GARABEDIAN HONORED BY
THE L.A. COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
On Saturday, June 21, 2014, Chaplain Rafi Garabedian, who heads the
Western Prelacy Prison Ministry program, was honored with a Certificate of
Appreciation from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for his
dedicated service to the inmates of Los Angeles County.
The annual “Volunteer Appreciation Awards Ceremony” is held to
recognize and celebrate community members who volunteer their time to help
inmates rehabilitate their lives.
From: Baghdasarian
www.westernprelacy.org
www.churchkidsarmenia.org