Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Western Prelacy News - 10/31/2014

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Western Prelacy News - 10/31/2014

    October 31, 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: www.westernprelacy.org


    100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSECRATION
    OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OF FRESNO

    This weekend, Holy Trinity Church of Fresno will celebrate the 100th
    anniversary of the consecration of the Church. The celebration will begin on
    Saturday, November 1, 2014, with a gala banquet presided over by H.E.
    Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. On Sunday, the Prelate will
    celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Trinity. His
    Eminence will be accompanied by Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian and Deacon Khatchig
    Shannakian. Executive Council members will participate in the weekend's
    festivities.
    By the invitation of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of
    the San Joaquin Valley, on Sunday afternoon, the Prelate will participate in
    the groundbreaking ceremony of the Armenian Genocide Memorial to be
    constructed at the Fresno State campus.

    ***

    HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH OF ENCINO
    CELEBRATES 51 YEARS OF SERVICE

    On Sunday, October 26, 2014, Holy Martyrs Church of Encino was
    filled beyond capacity as the community had come together for the 51st
    anniversary of the consecration of the Church, which was celebrated with
    Episcopal Divine Liturgy and blessing of madagh. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
    Mardirossian, Prelate, conducted the services and delivered his message to
    the parish community. Among the faithful in attendance were Executive
    Council Chair Mr. Vahe Hovaguimian, delegates, community representatives,
    Sunday School and Ferrahian 8th grade students.
    The Prelate thanked the Lord for the day and extended his greetings
    to the gathering of church, school, and organizational members,
    congratulating them on the special occasion and wishing them many more
    anniversary celebrations to come. His Eminence reminded them that the
    church is a body of believers and the altar is the light radiating faith,
    hope, and love to the community. He noted that requiem prayers would be
    offered later in the service in memory of all departed church servants,
    adding, "Let their faith and pledge of service inspire you all today". Next
    the Prelate turned this attention to the day's feast, the Discovery of the
    Holy Cross, the message of which, he stated, is summarized beautifully by
    the words of the feast's hymn, "Source of Life (Genats Payd), un-concealable
    treasure which the Jews attempted to conceal, revealed by the Empress; let
    us worship". His Eminence gave some background information on the feast,
    explaining that the Cross was discovered in the year 326 by the efforts of
    the Empress Helena, mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine. The excavation
    led to the discovery of three Crosses, and it was only when a recently
    deceased young man came to life on one of them, that it was revealed as the
    True Cross.
    With the True Cross, said the Prelate, what was formerly a symbol of
    death was transformed into the symbol of life, and all who believed lived a
    new and enlightened life. Citing from the day's Scripture reading, he
    reiterated that there are those for whom the preaching of the Cross is
    foolishness, but to us believers he said, it is the power of God. People
    today strive to meet societal standards for success and well-being. They are
    plagued by worry and fears and seek comfort in worldly things. We must seek
    the comfort of the eternal kingdom instead, said the Prelate, because our
    lives become enriched when we enrich our souls. Addressing the parents
    specifically, he recognized the great sacrifices they make to provide a good
    life for their children, but he urged them to place as much effort on the
    spiritual nourishment of their children.
    "Today, let us be renewed by the message of the Cross as the path to
    salvation. Let us surrender our troubles and place our utmost faith and
    trust in the power of the Cross. Let us be renewed also in our adherence to
    our religious and national values and guide our children to develop into
    good Christians and Armenians and our capable leaders of tomorrow", advised
    the Prelate, and concluded by calling on all to embrace the responsibilities
    entrusted to each one of them as children of the Armenian church and nation
    and to serve for the progress of both in the with the vision of "the church
    builders, laborers, and all who served and now rest in the heavenly abode".
    Later in the service, on behalf of the parish community, Rev. Fr.
    Razmig Khatchadourian expressed gratitude to the Prelate for presiding over
    the celebration, thanked all of the day's sponsors for their donations in
    memory of loved ones, and thanked the Ladies Guild for preparing the madagh.
    Following the requiem service, the Prelate was escorted by a
    procession through the courtyard, where Homenetmen scouts were standing at
    attention, to Avedissian Hall for the blessing of madagh. The Prelate
    delivered the benediction, and the day's celebration came to a close with
    Cilicia and the Armenian National Anthem.

    ***

    PRELATE CONGRATULATES HONORARY CONSUL BERJ APKARIAN

    The Republic of Armenia recently established an Honorary Consulate
    in Fresno, the first in the United States. On Monday, October 20, the Office
    of the Honorary Consul officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony and
    banquet. Mr. Berj Apkarian, Board member of Holy Trinity Church, was
    appointed Honorary Consul by Armenia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward
    Nalbandian. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Ambassador of the
    Republic of Armenia in the United States Tigran Sargsyan, Consul General of
    the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles Sergey Sarkisov, Deputy Prime
    Minister of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh Artur Aghabekyan, Permanent
    Representative of the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh to the United States
    Robert Avetisyan, church and leaders.
    The Prelate sent a congratulatory letter to the Honorary Consul, a
    long-time Prelacy member and supporter, which was read by Rev. Fr. Vahan
    Gosdanian. "We were delighted to hear of your appointment as Honorary Consul
    of the Republic of Armenia in Fresno. We congratulate you on this great
    honor and wish you all the best in your new responsibilities. With your
    extensive service to our national life, within the Fresno Armenian
    community, at Holy Trinity Church as a deacon, delegate, and board member,
    and beyond, we are confident that you will bring your valuable input and
    contributions to the advancement of the new Consulate's mission, just as you
    have contributed to the endeavors of our Prelacy and of the Catholicosate of
    Cilicia," read the letter.

    ***

    PRELATE DELIVERS INVOCATION AT
    ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION RECEPTION

    On the evening of Wednesday, October 29, the Armenian Bar
    Association Annual Judges' Night reception was held at Phoenicia Restaurant
    in Glendale, honoring Judges David S. Wesley, Kevin C. Brazile, and Ashley
    Tabaddor.
    The Prelate attended and delivered the invocation. He congratulated
    the worthy service of the guardians of the justice system and prayed for God
    to guide them in their duty to uphold the law of the land and serve with
    justice and integrity. He blessed the members of the Armenian Bar
    Association and all our legal professionals, asking for God's guidance in
    their daily pursuit of justice so that they may serve with honor and good
    conscience.
    The Prelate also had the opportunity to meet with Sheriff candidate
    Jim McDonnell and convey his well wishes on the upcoming election.

    ***

    PRELATE WELCOMES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
    "ARMENIAN AMERICAN ORPHANS CHRISTMAS FUND"

    On Thursday, October 30, 2014, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh
    Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy representatives of the
    Armenian American Orphans Christmas Fund, who had come to personally thank
    the Prelate for participating in their 15th anniversary Telethon held on
    September 21 and to discuss their future projects.
    The guests, Founder and President Mr. Ovanes Balayan, and board
    members Mr. Tomik Alexanian and Ms. Nune Avetisyan, spoke of the
    organization's mission of providing for needy children in cities and
    villages across Armenia.
    The Prelate highly commended Mr. Balayan's initiative in
    establishing the benevolent organization years ago and the dedicated service
    of all the members who contribute to its charitable endeavors. The Prelate
    presented mementos to the guests and wished them continued successes in
    their mission.
    The visit also afforded the opportunity to converse about the
    Armenian Genocide centennial and commemorations being organized for the
    occasion. The Prelate noted that in commemoration of this solemn
    anniversary, on July 19, 2015, His Holiness Aram I will conduct the blessing
    of Muron at the Genocide memorial in Bikfaya, for which Armenians from
    around the world will gather as pilgrims to be part of the historic event.

Working...
X