EPISCOPAL DIVINE LITURGY ON THE 111TH ANNIVERSARY
OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OF FRESNO
On Sunday, January 29, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Holy Trinity Church in Fresno on the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the church. Parish Pastor Rev. Fr. Vahan Gosdanian will assist at the altar.
Immediately following the Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will preside over the 111th anniversary banquet and will deliver his message.
Executive Council member Mr. Bill Sahatdjian will also be in attendance.
On Saturday, January 28, the Prelate will have a meeting with the parish Pastor, Board of Trustees and Delegates to discuss issues concerning the parish.
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PRELATE SALUTES PASSAGE OF FRENCH BILL
CRIMINALIZING GENOCIDE DENIAL
On Monday, January 23, 2012, French Senate approved a bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian Genocide. The lower house of French Parliament passed the bill last month.
On behalf of our Prelacy, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, sent a letter to Consul General David Martinon of the French Consulate in Los Angeles, saluting the bold decision by the French Parliament and expressing gratitude to the members of Parliament.
” We are overjoyed and deeply moved by this decision by the French Parliament and highly commend the overwhelming number of members who courageously stayed true to their principles and voted in support of this crucial bill despite threats of sanction by Turkey. The passage of this bill is a triumph not only for the Armenian people but for all victims of Genocide, for it sends a message that human rights and justice will not be ignored. We anxiously look forward to the coming weeks and for President Nicolas Sarkozy to sign the bill into law, and are hopeful that other nations will soon follow in the footsteps of the French Parliament and together we can put an end to Turkey’s relentless campaign of denial.
President Sarkozy, the French government, and citizens have been one of our greatest supporters and friends, and for that we are ever grateful. Please convey our appreciation and praise to President Sarkozy for his personal support of and commitment to the bill, and to the members of the French Parliament for their noble decision,” stated the Prelate.
In light of this development and the recent adoption of the resolution in the U.S. Congress calling upon Turkey to return stolen Church properties, the Armenian National Committee Western Region has organized a community town hall to discuss the collapse of Turkey’s campaign of denial.
The town hall will be held on Sunday, January 29, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
St. Mary’s Pastors will represent the Prelate.
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MORNING SERVICE AND BLESSING OF WATER ON THE
FAST OF THE CATECHUMENS
Saturday, February 4 is the Feast of St. Sarkis. The feast is moveable and is observed the weekend after the Fast of the Catechumens, a fast established by St. Gregory the Illuminator.
The Sunday preceding St. Sarkis is the eve of the Fast of the Catechumens, when faithful fast for three days in fulfillment of their prayers.
The fast begins at midnight on Sunday, January 29 and continues until the morning of Wednesday, February 1, when faithful will gather at Prelacy Churches to break their fast by receiving Holy Communion and blessed water.
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PRELATE MEETS WITH ARMENIAN BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY REPRESENTATIVES
On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) Board of Directors members, led by President Dr. Frieda Jordan. Religious Council Chair Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian joined the Prelate in the meeting.
The meeting began with the guests conveying their New Year well wishes to the Prelate and Councils. They then reported on the events and projects the ABMDR has planned for this year, including the annual walk-a-thon, which is scheduled for October 20.
The representatives also requested that an announcement be made in Prelacy Churches informing the community of the mission of the ABMDR and urge them to support the organization, and like last year, set up information booths at Prelacy Churches on the first Sunday following Easter, New Sunday, to reach out to the community and register donors.
The Prelate highly commended the life-saving work that is carried out by the dedicated members of the ABMDR, and once again affirmed the full support of the Prelacy and its Churches in their mission.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of mementos by the Prelate.
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