On Wednesday, April 10, 2019, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the last Sunrise Service of Great Lent and delivered his message at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino. Among the faithful in attendance were Ferrahian School Principal Sossi Shanlian, teachers, and 10th to 12th grade students.
In his spiritual meditation, the Prelate recalled the Great Lent journey to renewal and self-correction through prayer and good deeds, as well as the bettering of our conduct and actions toward others, adding that this journey of self-improvement is not limited to the period of Great Lent and must become an ongoing process.
The traditional luncheon organized by the parish Ladies Guild followed at “Dikranian” Hall, during which California Courier publisher-chief editor and community activist Harut Sassounian spoke on the “Year of Armenian Media.”
The luncheon commenced with welcoming remarks by Ladies Guild Chairperson Nancy Bedirian. On behalf of the Los Angeles City Council, Greg Martayan presented a certificate of appreciation to the Ladies Guild. Fr. Razmig conveyed his gratitude to the Prelate for once again joining the parish community on this occasionand his commendation to the Ladies Guild for their hard work. He introduced Mr. Sassounian, highlighting his vast and varied accomplishments as a scholar, publisher and editor of the California Courier since 1983, founder and president of United Armenia Fund and Armenia Artsakh Fund, author of several books, and more, for which he has received many medals.
Mr. Sassounian lectured on the importance of maintaining the integrity of the press through unspoken rules such as fairness and accuracy in reporting, objectivity, and pithiness. He spoke also about his articles which appear in the California Courier and which are translated into various languages and published in a variety of newspapers.
In his closing message, the Prelate commended the parish Ladies Guild for their devoted service and wished for the spirit of Great Lent to transform us all into faithful and exemplary children of God and servants of our church and nation. His Eminence highly commended Mr. Sassounian for his decades-long exemplary service, in particular his efforts in Genocide recognition and the advancement of our cause, and affirmed the media’s essential role in our collective life.
