PRELATE TO CELEBRATE DIVINE LITURGY AT
THE CRESCENTA VALLEY PARISH
On Sunday, December 16, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley, which holds its services at the Prelacy hall. A luncheon hosted by the Parish Pastor and Board of Trustees will follow.
The Crescenta Valley Church Education Committee organizes monthly lectures which are held immediately following the Church service. This month’s lecture will take place on Sunday, December 16, and features Attorney and Armenian Bar Association Chairman Garo Ghazarian who will speak on “The Armenian Bar Association’s Defense of Armenian Rights.”
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CHAMLIAN SCHOOL FIRST GRADE CLASS
VISITS THE PRELACY
The Prelacy headquarters has become a pilgrimage site for students of Prelacy Schools who throughout the year visit with their principals and teachers. During these visits, students meet with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and receive his blessings and message. They also present a cultural program of songs and recitations.
Continuing in this tradition, on Friday, December 14, 2012, Vahan and Anoush Chamlian first grade students visited the Prelacy accompanied by Vice-Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, teachers, and parents. Given that the day’s religion lesson was on the Birth of Jesus Christ, the teachers thought it appropriate for the students to spend time at the Prelacy and hear the story of His Birth directly from the Prelate.
Upon their arrival, the nearly one hundred students were divided into groups and led to the “St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen” Chapel where they were photographed with the Prelate. They then gathered at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall where the students performed a cultural program. In a warm and familial environment, the Prelate then told the story of the Birth of Christ through a slide-show presentation.
The visit concluded with the students presenting the Prelate with gifts, and the Prelate presenting them with an illustrated cards of the Lord’s Prayer card and the Birth of Christ.
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PRELACY FAMILY NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
Each year on the threshold of the New Year and Christmas, Clergy, Executive Council members, Clergy, Councils, members of Prelacy committees, and staff join H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, for a new Year and Christmas luncheon hosted by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall.
This year’s luncheon took place on Thursday, December 13, 2012.
The luncheon began with the invocation and blessing of tables led by the Prelate and with the participation of clergy members. During the lunch, guests exchanged well wishes to one another and participated in the singing of Christmas and traditional Armenian songs.
Remarks and well wishes were delivered by Religious Council Chair Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian, Ladies Auxiliary Chair Mrs. Salpi Srourian, and representatives of Prelacy Committees, Board of Regents, Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools, and staff.
In his closing message the Prelate first conveyed his New Year and Christmas well wishes to all. He thanked the Ladies Auxiliary for hosting this annual luncheon and for their dedicated service throughout the year, and also thanked the members of the various committees present for their service. The Prelate reflected on concerns of the Prelacy and challenges facing the Armenian nation and people, emphasizing that we can overcome any and all obstacles with unwavering will, devotion, and unity. He concluded by wishing that the coming year be free of difficulties and full of good.
The luncheon came to a close with the benediction by the Prelate, and the singing of the Cilician anthem. Guest also received illustrated color prints of the Lord’s Prayer, and copies of Jacques Hagopian’s new book recently published by the Prelacy in honor of the Year of the Armenian Book.
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PRELACY HOSTS TOWN HALL MEETING WITH
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA JOHN HEFFERN
On Friday, December 7, the Western Prelacy hosted a town hall meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John A. Heffern at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall. The Ambassador was accompanied by his wife Libby and Mr. Jeffrey Paretchan, USAID Armenia Public Private Alliance Specialist and Diaspora Outreach Coordinator.
Upon his arrival the Ambassador had a private meeting with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, in his office, after which they headed to the “Sulahian” Reception Room for a meeting with Religious and Executive Councils representatives.
The town hall began at 7:00 p.m. with welcoming remarks by United Armenia Fund President and California Courier publisher Mr. Harut Sassounian, who served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.
The Prelate then delivered his message in which he reflected on the 24th anniversary of the Armenia earthquake and the 20th anniversary of U.S.-Armenia relations.
Mr. Sassounian then spoke briefly on the role of an Ambassador and after presenting Ambassador Heffern’s CV, invited the honored guest to make his presentation.
Through a slide-show presentation, Ambassador Heffern presented the Embassy’s mission goals in Armenia which are to help Armenia succeed as a democratic, prosperous, and secure country, and elaborated on the work the Embassy doing in various realms to achieve this goal.
A question and answer session followed moderated by Executive Council member Ms. Ani Mgrdichian-Garikian.
In conclusion, as a memento the Prelate presented Ambassador Heffern with the book “Rescued Armenian Treasures from Cilicia” and his wife Libby with a pearl cross.
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PARTICIPATION IN RECEPTIONS FOR ARMENIA’S
PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN
Last weekend, Prime Minister of Armenia His Excellency Tigran Sargsyan visited Los Angeles where a number of receptions were held in his honor.
On Sunday, December 9, 2012, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa hosted a brunch for the Prime Minister at Getty House, the official Mayoral residence. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, attend and conveyed his well wishes to the Prime Minister.
At noon, a reception was hosted by the ARF-WR Central Committee for the Prime Minister and his delegation. The Prelate attended this reception as well, accompanied by Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian and Vice-Chair Mr. George Chorbajian. His Eminence greeted the Prime Minister and his delegation by conveying welcoming remarks in which he wished the honored guest success in his mission.
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AN EXEMPLARY GIFT TO MESROBIAN SCHOOL
On Wednesday, December 12, the Prelate, accompanied by Executive Council member Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian and his wife Satig, visited Armenian Mesrobian School in Montebello.
The visit took place on a happy occasion. Mr. Der Ohaneesian had recently won a raffle held by the School, the grand prize of which was a car.
The students welcomed the Prelate and Mr. and Mrs. Der Ohanessian with a cultural program of songs and recitations.
Moved by the joyful New Year and Christmas atmosphere, Mr. and Mrs. Der Ohanessian announced that they were donating the value of the prize, worth $15,000, to the School in support and encouragement of its mission in educating and instructing our youth.
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PRELATE REPRESENTED AT INSTALLATION MASS OF
NEW BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
On Monday, December 10, Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann was installed as the Fourth Bishop of Orange. The Prelate had received an invitation from the Diocese of Orange to participate in the Installation Mass.
Forty Martyrs Church Pastor Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian represented the Prelate and conveyed his congratulations and well wishes to the new Bishop.
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