EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY AND BLESSING OF MADAGH ON THE NAME DAY OF ST. GARABED CHURCH IN HOLLYWOOD
Monday, January 14, 2013 is the Feast of St. John the Forerunner, which is also the name day of St. Garabed Church of Hollywood.
On this occasion, on Sunday, January 13, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Garabed Church. Parish Pastor Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian will assist at the altar.
The blessing of madagh will take place after the service, followed by a celebratory luncheon at “Karapetian” Hall organized by the Parish Pastor and Board of Trustees. This annual luncheon is also an opportunity to recognize and honor church and community members for their service to our collective life.
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PRELACY FAMILY REJOICES AT THE PRELATE’S NEW YEAR AND CHRISTMAS DINNER
– MR. & MRS. EDDIE & TALIN AMROYAN HOST THIS YEAR’S DINNER
– NEW DONATIONS BY THE CAROLAN AND KHACHATURIAN FAMILIES
– “GAGIK AND KNARIK GALSTIAN MEMORIAL FUND” ESTABLISHED
On the evening of Sunday, January 6, over 600 members of the Prelacy extended family gathered for an evening filled with tradition and merriment at the annual “Prelate’s New Year and Christmas Dinner”, which was held at Holy Cross Cathedral “Bagramian” Hall in Montebello.
The dinner was organized by the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary and hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Eddie and Talin Amroyan. The Master of Ceremonies was Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian.
The official program began with the procession of the Prelate and Clergy members into the hall, candles in hand. It was a moving and heartwarming scene. With the hall illuminated only by candlelight, the crowd was still and followed attentively as the peaceful sound of Christmas hymns sung by the clergy filled the atmosphere.
Master of Ceremonies Fr. Vicken welcomed the guests and conveyed his wishes for a happy New Year and a Merry Christmas. He then invited representatives from the Ladies auxiliary and Executive Council to in turn deliver their remarks.
Remarks were also conveyed by the Consul Generals of Armenia and Lebanon.
The annual Prelate’s Christmas Dinner is a unique occasion for the community to hear directly the guiding words of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, who each year communicates to the guests through this taped video message.
The evening also featured a cultural program of music and dance. Throughout the night, guests enjoyed traditional Armenian songs performed by the “Donagan” Band on traditional Armenian instruments. The newly re-organized Prelacy “Lousavorich” Choir, led by conductor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian, performed Christmas hymns, and two dances were presented by Hamazkayin “Barouyr Sevag” Chapter “Nairi” dance group, led by artistic directors Cathering Hairabedian and Ari Libaridian.
The highlight and conclusion of the evening was the Prelate’s message.
The evening came to a close with the benediction by the Prelate and the collective singing of the Cilician and Pontifical anthems.
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CHRISTMAS LITURGY IN PRELACY CHURCHES
Sunday, January 6, was a most festive day for Armenians worldwide as faithful gathered with their families to celebrate the Birth and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, exchanging good tidings of love, peace, and goodwill, and wishes for a blessed New Year. Western Prelacy faithful ceremoniously celebrated the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany beginning on Christmas Eve, Saturday, January 5th, with Divine Liturgy and the lighting of the candles service (Jrakalooyts). The Prelate celebrated Christmas Eve service at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena. The celebration continued the following morning with Divine Liturgy and the blessing of water in Prelacy Churches.
On Sunday morning, Prelacy Churches were filled to capacity as faithful gathered for Christmas service to collectively celebrate the Birth, Theophany, and Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Prelate celebrated Holy High Mass at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino where over 1,500 parishioners had assembled to partake in the joyous service and hear his spiritually uplifting sermon which centered on the tidings of peace, love, and humility brought to mankind by Christ’s Birth. “Christ was sent to save man from sin. The good news of His Revelation came from Bethlehem but how will He be revealed in our lives and souls so that we too can receive His Light? The timeless message of the Nativity and Theophany can live in us when we lead our lives following to Christ”, said the Prelate. Continuing his sermon, His Eminence reflected on the symbolic ceremony of the blessing of water, stating that through the Baptism of Christ, our Heavenly Father revealed His will and promise for mankind, and our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated that He was ready to fulfill God’s will and journey to the Cross to grant us redemption and salvation. The ceremony took place at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, with Sunday School student Alexander Tavitian as the Godfather of the Cross.
On the morning of Monday, January 7, Christmas memorial day services were held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills “Hall of Liberty” and Forest Lawn Glendale “Church of the Recessional”. The Prelate presided over the service at Hollywood Hills Forest Lawn.
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AMBASSADOR JOHN HEFFERN VISITS ST. GARABED CHURCH OF LAS VEGAS
On Tuesday, January 8, 2013, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, His Excellency John Heffern, visited St. Garabed Church of Las Vegas to become familiarized with the parish community and get acquainted with the church construction progress. The Ambassador was accompanied by Mr. Chris Smith, COO of Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy.
During his visit, Ambassador Heffern met with St. Garabed Church Parish Pastor Archpriest Fr. Avedis Torossian, Parish Council Chair Mr. Adroushan Armenian, and construction committee members Mr. Levon Gulbenkian and Mr. Koko Darakjian.
The Ambassador toured the facility and was briefed about the construction project, which is scheduled to be completed in March 2013. Parish representatives also reported that on Sunday, January 6, Christmas service was held inside the Church for the first time, with an unprecedented 250 faithful in attendance.
Ambassador Heffern congratulated the community on their achievements and promised to visit the completed church during his next U.S. tour.
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H.E. BISHOP MIKAEL MOURADIAN CELEBRATES 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION
On Sunday, January 13, the 25th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of His Excellency Bishop Mikael Mouradian, Eparch of the Armenian Catholic Church of the U.S. and Canada, will be celebrated at St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church in Glendale.
On this occasion, Bishop Mikael will celebrate Holy Mass, which will be followed by a special reception at the Church “Kouyoumjian” Hall.
Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian will attend the Mass and reception and convey the Prelate’s well wishes.
