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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Hindoyan, 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.
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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.
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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..
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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.
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