PONTIFICAL THANKSGIVING PRAYERS ON THE 18TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE CONSECRATION OF HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I
– PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER SERVICES AT ST. GREGORY CHURCH IN SAN FRANCISCO
On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, returned from Antelias where he was participating in the Catholicosate General Assembly. The Prelate was re-elected to the Religious Council for another four-year term, and Mr. Khajag Dikijian and Mr. Vahe Yacoubian were re-elected to the Laity Council.
On Saturday, June 22, the Prelate, will arrive in San Francisco where he will preside over the St. Gregory Church annual banquet that evening. This year’s banquet, organized by the Board of Trustees and Ladies Auxiliary, is being held to honor the 80th birthday and the achievements of Parish Pastor Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian. The Prelate will deliver his message at the banquet, which is taking place at the Khatchatourian Armenian Community Center “Saroyan Hall”.
This year marks the 18th anniversary of the election and consecration of His Holiness Aram I as Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. By the ordinance of the Prelate, on Sunday, June 23rd, Thanksgiving Prayers will be offered in Prelacy Churches on this occasion.
The Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy and Thanksgiving service at St. Gregory Church in san Francisco, where he will also deliver the sermon.
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MEETING OF ORTHODOX BISHOPS HOSTED BY THE
CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES
By the invitation of H.E. Archbishop Jose Gomez of the Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese, on Tuesday, June 18 a meeting of Orthodox Bishops was held at Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral Conference Center. The purpose of the meeting was for the leadership of the Churches to become better acquainted with one another and to explore possibilities of collaboration.
Issues discussed were defending the rights of Christian churches and communities in the U.S. in light of increasing secular influences and the decline of moral values, Christian-Islam relations, and illegal immigration. It was decided to invite leaders of Islam to the next meeting for a dialogue on Christians and Muslims living together peaceably, especially in the Middle East. Also discussed was the idea of reviving the spirit of the Edict of Milan issued by Emperor Constantine I in 313, which called for religious freedom and tolerance.
Given that the Prelate was out of the country at the time, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian attended on his behalf.
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FELLOWSHIP OF MIDDLE EASTERN CHURCH LEADERS
DISCUSSES PLIGHT OF CHRISTIANS IN THE REGION
On the evening of Monday, June 17, a fellowship of the religious leaders of Middle Eastern Churches was held at the Western Diocese in Burbank to assess the current state of Christian churches and communities in the Middle East, the difficulties they face and how the Diaspora can lend their support.
The leaders discussed means of raising awareness within the American government on the plight of Christians in the Middle East and how their human rights and religious freedoms are being overlooked as they are a dwindling minority in the region.
Given that the Prelate was out of the country at the time, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian attended on his behalf, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian and Mr. Tchagaspanian
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