Tweet
PRESS OFFICE
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA WESTERN DIOCESE
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474
Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurchwd.com
COMMUNIQUÉ
PRIMATE PRESIDES OVER 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH IN YETTEM
On Sunday, May 30, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Armenian Church of North America Western Diocese,
presided over the 100th Anniversary celebration of St. Mary Armenian
Church in Yettem. One hundred years ago, when the community of Yettem
was first established, services were held in the garden. In the same
tradition, on May 30, Morning Services began in the garden, after which
the Primate celebrated Divine Liturgy in the church. In his Sermon the
Primate addressed the faithful community of Yettem with the words,
"Today we are challenged with two celebrations." Pentecost and the
100th Anniversary of St. Mary Armenian Church. The two celebrations
invite us to a new life, so that we may live a Christ-like life in
the community.^Ô
In the evening a banquet was held in celebration of the 100th
Anniversary, which included remarks by the Parish Council Chairman
Mr. Hartune Neffian, as well as by Anahid Soxman and Ed Tellalian.
Following, Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasparian, Pastor of St. Mary Armenian
Church, addressed the faithful in attendance and congratulated all
those who have served the church over the past years.
The closing remarks of the banquet were delivered by the Primate,
who inspired the faithful with his touching address. Below is the
message of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
"Pentecost has been spiritually the most enriching moment in the life
of Christ's apostles. After the Ascension as they gathered in the
upper room the Holy Spirit descended upon them and they were filled
with the Spirit. The Spirit transfigured the lives of the apostles
and led them to preach the Word of God and become witnesses of Christ.
As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, we are all filled with the
power of the Spirit and strengthened with the vision to become the
new apostles of the new times. Today the Holy Spirit descends into
the depths of our souls. It is only through our prayerful life that
we are able to grasp and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our
being. In my personal and pastoral life I have often been strengthened
by the Holy Spirit as a child, as a young man and as an ordinant.
For one hundred years our fathers have responded to the calling of
God as they have become recipients of the Holy Spirit and have become
apostles who spread the Word of God.
One hundred years with Christ marks a milestone in the life of St. Mary
Armenian Church. Today we are challenged to pave the road for yet
another 100 years of history in the life of the new generation. This
is the time to learn the past, render respect to our forefathers
for their vision and hardship, for their wisdom and perseverance,
for their love and dedication for the Armenian Apostolic Church.
We are here to enrich our lives with the same vision as our
forefathers. By being faithful to our forefathers, we fill our
God-given lives with Christian values, thus becoming a source of
inspiration for children and the youth. However, above all, we are
here to become the architects of the future church. We are challenged
to have the vision for a new church with the deep understanding that
the church can live only when we walk with Christ and become part of
his Crucifixion and Resurrection.
We ought to ask ourselves the question, "What is our mission? How
much do we give from our hearts to God and the community?" We ought
to respond to this question with the good faith in action, with
the courage to overcome the hardships of the days and times, and be
strengthened with the presence of God in our lives through prayer.
Let us thank God for bestowing in our lives abundant blessings. The
blessing of the life of our forefathers has bonded our lives with
Christ, enriched our spirits with the love of Christ and enabled us
to better understand that spiritual values are everlasting.
My message to you all today is to be the stewards of this church the
100th anniversary in another blessing bestowed upon all of you. In
this wonderful church we ought to see the presence of our forefathers
and hear the echo of their message.
Be the guardians of your Christian faith. Be engaged in making this
church the stronghold for the future generation. You have been blessed
with the legacy of 100 years; you are now blessed with the opportunity
to pass that legacy to the future generation. Participate; be engaged
in the life of this church. The church is the ground to test our faith
in Christ. The more we give, the more we strengthen our faith. The
more we strengthen our faith, the more we glorify our Lord.
Today, filled with spirit we give thanks to God Almighty for the
gift of the lives of the founders of St. Mary Armenian Church, the
pastors and the faithful members. Today, filled with the power of
the Holy Spirit we pray for the departed souls of the pastors and the
faithful members of this church who have lived a life similar to the
grain of wheat.
Today, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit we are transfigured
spiritually to continue our God-entrusted mission. Our mission is
to render respect to the founders of this church in action, in true
sacrifice.
Today, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit I extend to you
all my joy and true inspiration for the exemplary mission you have
accomplished under the able leadership of your beloved pastor Father
Vartan.
Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit let us pray for the
children and the youth, so that they also may attain the divine
wisdom and the love of Christ to hold firm their Christian faith,
and by remaining faithful to the faith of their forefathers, to
strengthen the foundation of the Armenian Church."
DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE
June 2, 2004
Burbank, CA
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA WESTERN DIOCESE
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474
Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurchwd.com
COMMUNIQUÉ
PRIMATE PRESIDES OVER 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH IN YETTEM
On Sunday, May 30, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Armenian Church of North America Western Diocese,
presided over the 100th Anniversary celebration of St. Mary Armenian
Church in Yettem. One hundred years ago, when the community of Yettem
was first established, services were held in the garden. In the same
tradition, on May 30, Morning Services began in the garden, after which
the Primate celebrated Divine Liturgy in the church. In his Sermon the
Primate addressed the faithful community of Yettem with the words,
"Today we are challenged with two celebrations." Pentecost and the
100th Anniversary of St. Mary Armenian Church. The two celebrations
invite us to a new life, so that we may live a Christ-like life in
the community.^Ô
In the evening a banquet was held in celebration of the 100th
Anniversary, which included remarks by the Parish Council Chairman
Mr. Hartune Neffian, as well as by Anahid Soxman and Ed Tellalian.
Following, Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasparian, Pastor of St. Mary Armenian
Church, addressed the faithful in attendance and congratulated all
those who have served the church over the past years.
The closing remarks of the banquet were delivered by the Primate,
who inspired the faithful with his touching address. Below is the
message of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
"Pentecost has been spiritually the most enriching moment in the life
of Christ's apostles. After the Ascension as they gathered in the
upper room the Holy Spirit descended upon them and they were filled
with the Spirit. The Spirit transfigured the lives of the apostles
and led them to preach the Word of God and become witnesses of Christ.
As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, we are all filled with the
power of the Spirit and strengthened with the vision to become the
new apostles of the new times. Today the Holy Spirit descends into
the depths of our souls. It is only through our prayerful life that
we are able to grasp and feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in our
being. In my personal and pastoral life I have often been strengthened
by the Holy Spirit as a child, as a young man and as an ordinant.
For one hundred years our fathers have responded to the calling of
God as they have become recipients of the Holy Spirit and have become
apostles who spread the Word of God.
One hundred years with Christ marks a milestone in the life of St. Mary
Armenian Church. Today we are challenged to pave the road for yet
another 100 years of history in the life of the new generation. This
is the time to learn the past, render respect to our forefathers
for their vision and hardship, for their wisdom and perseverance,
for their love and dedication for the Armenian Apostolic Church.
We are here to enrich our lives with the same vision as our
forefathers. By being faithful to our forefathers, we fill our
God-given lives with Christian values, thus becoming a source of
inspiration for children and the youth. However, above all, we are
here to become the architects of the future church. We are challenged
to have the vision for a new church with the deep understanding that
the church can live only when we walk with Christ and become part of
his Crucifixion and Resurrection.
We ought to ask ourselves the question, "What is our mission? How
much do we give from our hearts to God and the community?" We ought
to respond to this question with the good faith in action, with
the courage to overcome the hardships of the days and times, and be
strengthened with the presence of God in our lives through prayer.
Let us thank God for bestowing in our lives abundant blessings. The
blessing of the life of our forefathers has bonded our lives with
Christ, enriched our spirits with the love of Christ and enabled us
to better understand that spiritual values are everlasting.
My message to you all today is to be the stewards of this church the
100th anniversary in another blessing bestowed upon all of you. In
this wonderful church we ought to see the presence of our forefathers
and hear the echo of their message.
Be the guardians of your Christian faith. Be engaged in making this
church the stronghold for the future generation. You have been blessed
with the legacy of 100 years; you are now blessed with the opportunity
to pass that legacy to the future generation. Participate; be engaged
in the life of this church. The church is the ground to test our faith
in Christ. The more we give, the more we strengthen our faith. The
more we strengthen our faith, the more we glorify our Lord.
Today, filled with spirit we give thanks to God Almighty for the
gift of the lives of the founders of St. Mary Armenian Church, the
pastors and the faithful members. Today, filled with the power of
the Holy Spirit we pray for the departed souls of the pastors and the
faithful members of this church who have lived a life similar to the
grain of wheat.
Today, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit we are transfigured
spiritually to continue our God-entrusted mission. Our mission is
to render respect to the founders of this church in action, in true
sacrifice.
Today, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit I extend to you
all my joy and true inspiration for the exemplary mission you have
accomplished under the able leadership of your beloved pastor Father
Vartan.
Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit let us pray for the
children and the youth, so that they also may attain the divine
wisdom and the love of Christ to hold firm their Christian faith,
and by remaining faithful to the faith of their forefathers, to
strengthen the foundation of the Armenian Church."
DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE
June 2, 2004
Burbank, CA