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Western Prelacy News - 02/15/2013

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  • Western Prelacy News - 02/15/2013

    February 15, 2013
    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


    REQUIEM SERVICE FOR CATHOLICOS ZAREH I
    AND CATHOLICOS KHOREN I OF BLESSED MEMORY

    - A.R.S. REMEMBRANCE DAY

    By the ordinance of H.E. Archbisop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate,
    on Sunday, February 24, 2013 requiem service will be held in Prelacy
    Churches in memory of Catholicos Zareh I Payaslian, on the 50th anniversary
    of his passing, and Catholicos Khoren I Paroyan, on the 30th anniversary of
    his passing.
    Catholicos Zareh I Payaslian (1956-1963), the first graduate of the
    Seminary of Antelias, was an experienced church leader, having served as
    Primate of Aleppo (Syria) for sixteen years. During his short reign, the
    service of the Catholicosate was extended to various communities in the
    Diaspora who had been in desperate need of spiritual care for many years.
    The Seminary was also given particular attention, and relations of the
    Catholicosate with other churches and states of the Middle East were
    strengthened. In 1962, the Catholicosate became a full member of the World
    Council of Churches and sent observers to the Vatican Council II.
    Catholicos Zareh entered eternal rest on February 18, 1963.
    He was succeeded in 1963 by his close associate, Archbishop Khoren I
    Paroyan, Prelate of Lebanon. Under the Pontificate of Khoren I, the
    Catholicosate went through an era of achievements in various domains.
    Through his strenuous efforts the Catholicosate reached financial stability,
    the terrain of the Catholicosate was expanded, and new constructions came to
    meet the growing needs of the Catholicosate. Catholicos Khoren entered
    eternal rest on February 9, 1983.
    In coordination with the Armenian Relief Society Regional Executive,
    each year a day is designated ARS Remembrance Day, when requiem prayers are
    offered for departed members of the ARS. This year's service will be held
    on Sunday, February 24.


    PRELATE TO PARTICIPATE IN DIVINE LITURGY AT
    OUR LADY OF MT. LEBANON MARONITE CATHEDRAL

    On Sunday, February 17, the Maronite community of Los Angeles will
    celebrate the Feast of their Patron, St. Maron. On this occasion,
    Pontifical Liturgy will celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Lebanon - St. Peter
    Cathedral by His Excellency Robert Shaheen, followed by a luncheon at the
    Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel.
    H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will participate in
    the celebration.


    PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER VIGIL SERVICE AT
    ST. GREGORY CHURCH IN SAN FRANCISCO

    On Friday, February 15, the Prelate visited the parish community of
    St. Gregory Church of San Francisco and in the evening will preside over
    Lenten Vigil Service.
    The Prelate was accompanied by Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian, who is
    visiting from Lebanon. By the ordinance of the Prelate, on Sunday, February
    17, Fr. Arsen will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St.
    Gregory Church.


    POET JACQUES HAGOPIAN'S TWO MOST RECENT BOOKS
    TO BE PRESENTED AT THE PRELACY

    In 2012, the Prelacy published a number of book in celebration of
    the "Year of the Armenian Book" as proclaimed by His Holiness Catholicos
    Aram I. Among these were two new books by renowned poet Jacques Hagopian;
    the first, a book of poems dedicated to the Armenian book and language, and
    the second, a volume of the author's research studies and memoirs. The
    Prelacy has previously collaborated with Mr. Hagopian on many occasions and
    has published a number of his works.
    The presentation of these two books will take place on Wednesday,
    February 20, at 7:00 p.m., at the Prelacy "Dikran and Zarouhie Der
    Ghazarian" Hall.
    The event is being held under the auspices of the Prelate and is
    organized by the Prelacy Cultural-Educational Committee. Very Rev. Fr.
    Muron Aznikian will present the books. The evening will also feature a
    cultural program and a reception.


    PRELATE PRESIDES OVER FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD SERVICE AT ST.
    MARY'S CHURCH

    On Thursday, February 14, the Armenian Church celebrated the Feast
    of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple, "Dyarnentarach".
    On this day, mothers take their children to Church to present them
    to the altar for dedication, commemorating the Holy Mother of God presenting
    the Baby Jesus to the Temple forty days after His Birth. After the service
    a bonfire is lit in the Church courtyard, from which faithful light candles
    to take with them so that the Light of Christ would shine in their homes and
    misfortune would be kept out.
    The eve of the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord was celebrated
    in Prelacy Churches on Wednesday, February 13.
    H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over
    services and delivered his message at St. Mary's Church in Glendale.
    In his message, the Prelate stressed the importance for parents to
    follow in the example of the Holy Family and lead their children to the
    Light and Wisdom of Christ, for one of the greatest responsibilities of
    parents is the religious instruction of their children. Today, stated the
    Prelate, not only children but the Armenian nation as a whole needs the
    light, knowledge, care, and guidance of Jesus Christ. Referencing the "Year
    of the Armenian Mother" proclamation of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, the
    Prelate urged all mothers to fulfill their obligations in the proper
    instruction of their children. The Prelate concluded his message by inviting
    the faithful to take with them the light from the altar symbolizing the
    Light of Christ and illuminate their homes and lives as Christian Armenians.
    In a procession led by the Prelate, and accompanied by the singing
    of hymns, faithful headed to the Church courtyard where His Eminence lit the
    bonfire with the candle brought from the altar while clergy and faithful
    sang traditional national songs.
    Per tradition, Homenetmen leaders and scouts were in attendance and
    were hosted to dinner with the Prelate at "Armenak Der Bedrossian" Hall at
    the conclusion of services. Remarks were delivered by St. Mary's Church
    Pastor Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian, Homenetmen Regional Executive Chair Mr.
    Garnik Abrahamian, Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Zareh Markarian, Executive
    Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian, and Homenetmen Scouting Council Chair
    Ms. Talin Hinodya, who presented the Prelate with a memento on behalf of the
    scouts.
    The Prelate delivered the evening's concluding message, in which he
    highly commended the dedicated servants who carry out the organization's
    noble mission, and on this occasion presented the Homenetmen scouts with
    color illustrated prints of the Lord's Prayer. This long-standing tradition
    of having Homenetmen scouts participate in this special service is a tribute
    to Homenetmen's mission to preserve and celebrate our religious values and
    traditions and instill them in generations of youth. "Within the Homenetmen
    family, you grow physically, mentally, and spiritually, and with the
    instruction you receive you will develop into our future parents and leaders
    and serve for the progress of our larger family, the Armenian nation",
    stated the Prelate.
    The evening came to a close with the benediction by the Prelate and
    the "Harach Nahadag" anthem.


    PRELATE PRESIDES OVER FIRST SUNRISE SERVICE
    OF THE LENTEN SEASON

    Great Lent began on Monday, February 11 and continues until
    Saturday, March 30, Easter Eve.
    The seven-week period of Lent offers an opportunity for faithful to
    experience spiritual renewal; to cleanse themselves spiritually and come
    closer to God through prayer, abstinence or self-denial, and performing good
    deeds for the less fortunate. It is a time to prepare oneself spiritually
    to accept the good news of Christ's Resurrection.
    During the Lenten period, the Armenian Church has soulful services
    of prayer which typically take place on Wednesdays and Fridays.
    On Wednesday, February 13, the first Sunrise service was held in
    Prelacy Churches, with Vigil services to begin on Friday, February 15.
    In keeping with tradition, the Prelate presided over the first
    Sunrise service of Lent at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino, where he delivered
    his message to the faithful and to the Ferrahian School 9th, 11th, and 12th
    grade students in attendance. Given that His Holiness Catholicos Aram I has
    proclaimed 2013 the "Year of the Armenian Mother", the Prelate spoke to the
    students about honoring their parents, and also reflected on the role of
    mothers in the Bible, in our daily lives today, and the modern challenges
    they face.
    Following the service, the Prelate attended the annual Great Lent
    luncheon organized by the local ARS "Anahid" Chapter at "Dikranian" Hall.
    The event featured a talk on fasting by Mrs. Anahid Meymarian, and songs by
    Mrs. Sossy Poladian
    The Prelate commended the ARS members for their dedicated service,
    and speaking on Great Lent urged the guests to "cleanse their bodies through
    fasting and strengthen their faith through prayer" during Lent.


    PRELATE ATTENDS ST. GARABED CHURCH
    35TH ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION

    On the evening of Friday, February 8, the Prelate attended a
    reception celebrating the 35th anniversary of St. Garabed Church of
    Hollywood, which was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry and Alvard
    Barseghian. The Prelate commended the volunteers of the Church for their
    dedicated service and conveyed his blessings and message to the guests.


    PRELATE BESTOWS "ST. ASHKHEN" MEDAL TO
    RENOWNED SOPRANO ANNA NESHANIAN

    On Sunday, February 10th, the 60th jubilee celebration of
    world-renowned soprano Anna Neshanian was held at "Avedissian" Hall in
    Encino. Hundreds of music enthusiasts had gathered for this milestone
    anniversary, which was celebrated with performances by Anna Neshanian's
    students, excerpts by famed Armenian artists about her life's work, and a
    video presentation chronicling her rise to fame as one of the most prominent
    soprano singers in the world.
    During the event, Ms. Neshanian received numerous honors and gifts
    for her vast and invaluable contribution to the world of music. The Prelate
    honored Ms. Neshanian by presenting her with the Prelacy "St. Ashkhen the
    Queen" medal and letter of blessing, which was read by Rev. Fr. Razmig
    Khatchadourian. The Prelate highly commended Ms. Neshanian and wished her
    long and healthy years so that she may continue to touch the hearts of the
    Armenian people with her legendary voice.
    Anna Neshanian became the second woman to receive the medal, the
    first being awarded to Prelacy Chapel benefactress Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian.
    The medal is bestowed to women who have made vast contributions to the
    Armenian church and nation. The "St. Dertad the King" medal is awarded to
    men for similar contributions.



    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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