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Western Prelacy News - 05/14/2010

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  • Western Prelacy News - 05/14/2010

    May 14, 2010
    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. GARABED CHURCH AND CONDUCT OPENING OF THE
    NEW YOUTH CENTER

    On Sunday, May 16th, 2010, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
    Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood
    and deliver the sermon.
    Following the service, the Prelate will preside over the opening of
    the newly constructed youth center adjacent to the church.
    In the evening the Prelate will deliver the invocation at the A.R.S.
    Centennial Gala Banquet. Executive Council members will also be in
    attendance.


    ACYA MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN 3RD ANNUAL ORTHODOX DAY OF PRAISE

    On Saturday, May 15th, the third annual Orthodox Day of Praise will
    take place at St. Peter and St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Santa Monica,
    with the participation of youth from the Oriental and Eastern Orthodox
    Churches.
    The gathering will begin with Divine Liturgy, followed by brunch,
    after which members of each church will sing hymns in their respective
    languages.
    The event serves to unite members of the Orthodox faith and
    celebrate and praise God through singing.
    Members of the Prelacy "Lousavorich" youth choir, led by Very Rev.
    Fr. Barthev Gulumian, will participate in the event.


    THE FEAST OF ASCENSION CELEBRATED WITH DIVINE LITURGY AND TRADITIONAL
    LUNCHEON

    On Thursday, May 13th, 2010, the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord
    Jesus Christ was celebrated with Divine Liturgy followed by the traditional
    luncheon. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over
    Divine Liturgy at St. Mary's Church in Glendale which was celebrated by Rev.
    Fr. Avedis Torossian. Pastor of St. Gregory Church of San Francisco Very
    Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian delivered the sermon.
    The traditional luncheon, which is organized each year by the
    Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary, followed at Anoush Restaurant in Glendale, with
    the participation of the Prelate, clergy members, and nearly 300 guests.
    This year's luncheon was hosted by Mrs. Taline Amroyan.
    Master of Ceremonies and Ladies Auxiliary member Mrs. Hourig
    Abdulian welcomed the guests then invited the Prelate to deliver the
    invocation. The Prelate commended the Ladies Auxiliary members for
    organizing this traditional event and expressed his thanks and appreciation
    to Mrs. Amroyan for hosting the luncheon. In honor of the "Year of the
    Armenian Woman", the Prelate conveyed his well wishes to all the women
    present, exalting their invaluable role in our individual and collective
    lives.
    Very Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Meloian spoke about the meaning and
    significance of the Feast of Ascension and the religious and national
    traditions associated with this feast.
    Guests also enjoyed a performance by singer Gagik Badalyan,
    participated in the traditional casting of lots and collectively sang
    traditional Hampartsoum songs.


    ANNUAL PRELACY CLERGY CONFERENCE

    On Wednesday, May 12th, 2010, the annual Prelacy clergy conference
    which traditionally takes place on the eve of the Representatives Assembly,
    was held at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall. The
    conference was presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,
    Prelate, with the participation of the clergy order.
    The day began with Evening and Morning Services at the "St. Dertad
    and St. Ashkhen" Chapel, followed by a spiritual meditation by Very Rev. Fr.
    Barthev Gulumian in which he reflected on a passage from the Gospel of
    Matthew on the importance of ministering and preaching the word of God.
    The conference convened at noon with opening remarks by the Prelate
    who commended the service and devotion of the clergy members, and wished
    success to the day's proceedings.
    The election of the officers followed, with Archbishop Tabakian
    elected as the Chairman and Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian as the Secretary.
    Archbishop Tabakian thanked the Prelate for the opportunity to participate
    in the conference and extolled the importance of clergy members working
    together as members of one family to achieve success in our service.
    During the first session the Religious Council report which will be
    presented at the Representatives Assembly was analyzed by the participants
    and revised accordingly.
    After lunch the second session convened with a lecture by Very Rev.
    Fr. Muron Aznikian on the calling of clergy and the importance of properly
    performing the rites and rituals of the Armenian Church.
    A discussion on activities anticipated for the upcoming year then
    took place, including the celebration of the "Year of the Armenian Woman",
    followed by the election of religious delegates to the Representatives
    Assembly and the drafting of suggestions to present to the upcoming
    Assembly.
    The conference closed with the Prelate's concluding remarks and
    benediction.


    PRELATE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEET WITH
    PASTORS AND BOARDS OF TRUSTEES

    In preparation for the 38th Representatives Assembly which will
    convene at the Prelacy on May 14, 2010, by the invitation of H.E. Archbishop
    Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and the Executive Council, on the evening of
    Tuesday, May 11th, 2010, Pastors and Boards of Trustees of Prelacy Churches
    gathered at the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall to discuss the
    general activities as well as the concerns of their respective parishes.
    Central Executive member Mr. Khajag Dikijian also participated in the
    meeting.
    The meeting opened with the Prelate's invocation, after which the
    Prelate and Executive Council Chair Dr. Garo Agopian welcomed the
    representatives and briefed them on the purpose of the meeting.
    Subsequently, one by one the Chairman or Board of Trustees
    representative of each church were invited to report on the past, present,
    and future activities of their churches and challenges they face.
    After the presentations, the representatives had the opportunity to
    discuss issues of concern to all parishes and to share their experiences and
    offer suggestions to one another.
    At the conclusion the Prelate commended the service of the Pastors
    and Boards of Trustees and wished them success in their future endeavors.
    The meeting closed with the benediction by the Prelate and the singing of
    the Cilician anthem.


    ST. MARY'S CHURCH CELEBRATES ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY

    On Sunday, May 9th, 2010, St. Mary's Church in Glendale
    ceremoniously celebrated its 35th anniversary with Episcopal Divine Liturgy,
    ordination of acolytes and stole bearers, and a gala banquet in the evening.
    The day began with Divine Liturgy celebrated by H.E. Archbishop
    Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. During the service, the Prelate ordained
    acolytes stole bearers, and advised them of the responsibilities and
    obligations they now bear as acolytes. After placing a stole on their left
    shoulders, the Prelate blessed them, thus ending the ordination ceremony.
    His Eminence then delivered the sermon, in which he referenced the
    invaluable service the church has been providing to the community over the
    past 35 years, and turning to the newly ordained acolytes, urged them to
    carry out their new responsibilities and obligations faithfully and serve
    their fellow man with love and devotion. In honor of Mother's Day, the
    Prelate congratulated all the mothers in attendance, commending them for
    their role and contribution in our individual and collective lives.
    In the evening the Prelate attended the 35th anniversary banquet
    which was organized by the Pastors and Board of Trustees. The banquet,
    which was held at Palladio banquet hall, was hosted by the hall's owner Mr.
    and Mrs. Avedis and Hasmig Keshishian.
    Pastors Reverend Fathers Vazken Atmajian, Ardak Demirjian, and
    Gomidas Torossian collectively delivered the invocation and blessed the
    tables, after which Master of Ceremonies Mr. Larry Zarian welcomed the
    guests and invited Mrs. Rima Boghossian to give a brief background on the
    history of the church.
    Singer Gagik Badalyan then entertained the guests with a set of
    traditional and popular songs.
    Following the cultural program, Chairman of the 35th anniversary
    committee Mr. Garo Eshgian delivered remarks on behalf of the committee,
    thanking sponsors and guests for their encouragement, participation, and
    contributions to the realization of the church's mission. A video of the
    history of the church and its achievements in the past 35 years followed.
    On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Chairman Mr. Zareh Markarian also
    addressed the guests, thanking all those who volunteer their time and
    resources for the advancement of the church.
    On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Zareh Markarian then
    presented church secretaries Mrs. Anoush Garabedian and Mrs. Houri
    Babahekian with plaques for their years-long service, and the pastors with
    mementos in appreciation of their leadership and service to their flock.
    In his remarks, Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian highlighted the church's
    role in the community and congratulate them on their 35th anniversary.
    Prior to the lighting of the ceremonious candles, Rev. Fr. Vazken
    Atmajian conveyed his well wishes to all the mothers in honor of Mother's
    Day, after which bouquets of flowers were presented to the grand benefactor
    of the church Mrs. Hilda Der Minassian, Tufenkian School benefactor Mrs.
    Savey Tufenkian, and Palladio banquet hall owner Mrs. Hasmig Keshishian.
    Fr. Vazken then called the banquet sponsors to gather for the candle
    lighting ceremony. The symbolic 36th candle was lit by Mrs. Hilda Der
    Minassian.
    To conclude the program, the MC invited the Prelate to convey his
    blessings and remarks on this joyous occasion. His Eminence first and
    foremost congratulated the St. Mary's Church family on this joyous occasion.
    He exalted the vision and dedication of the founding members, commending all
    the volunteers of the church who have followed in the footsteps and example
    of the founders, and wishing them new successes as they labor for the
    splendor of the church. The Prelate then awarded letters of commendation to
    Mr. Zareh Markarian, Mr. Sahak Kazangian, Mr. Hrair Balian, Dr. Khatchig
    Rechdouni, Mr. Vaghinag Babaian, Mr. Ruben Gourjian, and Dr. Hagop Der
    Megerdichian for their years-long service and commitment to the progress of
    the church.
    The celebration came to a close with the cutting of the 35th
    anniversary cake.
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