REQUIEM SERVICE FOR A.R.S. MEMBERS TO BE HELD
IN PRELACY CHURCHES
By the ordinance of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and upon the request of the Armenian Relief Society Regional Executive, each year a requiem service is held in all Prelacy Churches for members of the Armenian Relief Society.
This year’s requiem service will be held on Sunday, February 26.
The Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy and requiem, and will deliver the sermon at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County.
The ARS Orange County “Sevan” and “Karni” Chapters, and the San Diego “Rubina” Chapter have jointly organized a commemorative event to be held following Divine Liturgy at the “Ghazarian” Hall of the Barsamian Armenian Center adjacent to the Church. The Prelate will attend and convey his message.
We urge our faithful parishioners to attend this solemn service and pay tribute to the memory of the devoted servants of the Armenian Relief Society.
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PRELACY LADIES AUXILIARY GREAT LENT LUNCHEON
On Wednesday, February 29, the Prelate will preside over Sunrise Services at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. The service begins at 10:00 a.m.
The Prelate will then attend the annual Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary Great Lent Luncheon which will take place at “Armenak Der Bedrossian” Hall starting at 11:30 a.m.
During the luncheon, Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian will speak on Great Lent.
A cultural program will also take place.
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PRELATE TO DELIVER THE INVOCATION AT THE
ACF ANNUAL BANQUET
The annual banquet of the Armenian Cultural Founration will be held on Sunday, February 26, at the Montage Beverly Hills.
The Prelate will attend and deliver the invocation.
Executive Council members will also be in attendance.
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ARMENIAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE GALA
On the evening of Friday, February 24th, the Armenian-American Chamber of Commerce 13th annual Business Awards Gala will be held at the Glendale Hilton.
The Prelate will attend and deliver his message.
During the banquet, individuals and organizations will be honored for their contributions to the community.
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CHAMLIAN SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS
VISITS THE PRELACY
On the morning of Friday, February 24, 2012, the graduating class of Vahan and Anoush Chamlian School visited the Prelacy where they were welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, and Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian. The students were accompanied by Principal Mr. Vazken Madenlian, Vice-Principal Mrs. Rita Kaprielian, teachers and parents.
Upon their arrival, the students, teachers, and parents gathered at the “St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen” Chapel where they participated in a prayer service and received Holy Communion from the Prelate.
After breakfast and a group photo taken in the Prelacy courtyard, the students headed to the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall where they presented a cultural program of recitations, music, and song.
Student Council President Talish Babayan expressed thanks and gratitude to the Prelate on behalf of the students for his leadership and guidance.
Principal Vazken Madenlian also participated in the cultural program with a musical performance on the piano. In his message, he expressed gratitude for the closeness that exists between the Prelacy and Chamlian School, both physically and spiritually, and the care that the school receives from the Prelacy. Speaking of the students’ upcoming trip to Armenia, he expressed gratitude that he will once again be joining them on their pilgrimage. He concluded by presenting the Prelate with a token of appreciation and thankfulness, an artwork symbolizing the “Year of the Armenian Book” proclaimed by H.H. Catholicos Aram I.
Reflecting on a poem by Vahan Tekeyan dedicated to Vartanants that the students recited earlier, the Prelate noted that the spirit of Vartan lives on in our people until this day, and in the students as well who will soon embark on their pilgrimage to Armenia. The Prelate stated that in different regions of Armenia, they will learn about different aspects of our history and heritage, and that the Armenian spirit will further be cultivated and rooted in them and they will return stronger in their identity. The Prelate also noted that the day’s visit is part of their spiritual preparation to travel to Armenia, and bringing to their attention that we are currently in Great Lent, advised them to prepare spiritually also for Easter by reflecting on their lives and vowing do fill their lives with good deeds. In conclusion, the Prelate commended the students for their strong Armenian spirit, which was manifested through their beautiful program, and concluded by stating that upon their departure each student, teacher, and parent would be receiving a prayer book, and urged the students especially to devote a time each day for prayer.
The gathering came to a close with the singing of the Cilician anthem by three students, and the benediction by the Prelate.
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PRELATE PRESIDES OVER FIRST SUNRISE SERVICE AT
HOLY MARTYRS CHURCH IN ENCINO
On Wednesday, February 22nd, the Prelate presided over the first Sunrise Service of Great Lent at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino.
Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian, and Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian participated in the service.
Alongside the faithful in attendance were students of Ferrahian High School.
During the service, the Prelate spoke to the faithful, and specifically to the students, about Great Lent.
The annual Lent luncheon hosted by the local ARS “Anahid” Chapter followed at the adjacent “Dikranian” Hall.
The Prelate delivered his blessings and message on this occasion.
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