FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS AND ARMENIAN CULTURAL MONTH TO BE CELEBRATED
On Saturday, October 13, the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the Feast of the Holy Translators, which is regarded as one of the greatest Feasts. The Feast is a celebration of the invention of the Armenian alphabet, on the alphabet’s founder St. Mesrob Mashdots, Catholicos Sahak, King Vramshabouh, and the culture brought about the work of a host of translators.
Eve of the Feast service will be held on Friday, October 12, at 7:00 p.m., at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino, presided over by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and with the participation of clergy members. The Prelate will deliver the sermon on this occasion.
In celebration of the Feast of the Holy Translators and Armenian Culture Month, on Sunday, October 14, 2012, the Prelate will preside over Divine Liturgy at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County. Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon.
Each year on this occasion, Forty Martyrs Church Pastor Archpriest Fr. Hrant Yeretzian, Board of Trustees, and the administration and PTO of Ari Guiragos Minassian School host a book fair to celebrate and honor the legacy of the founder of the Armenian alphabet and our translator forefathers.
Following Church services, the Prelate will conduct the opening of the book fair at “Gugasian” Hall. A.G. Minassian School students will attend Divine Liturgy and present a cultural program at the book fair.
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BLESSING AND MOUNTING OF ST. GARABED CHURCH DOME
IN LAS VEGAS
Friday, October 5, 2012, was a special and memorial day for the St. Garabed Church parish community of Las Vegas, as faithful witnessed the blessing and mounting of the Church dome. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over the ceremony.
As previously reported, the Prelate departed for Las Vegas on Thursday, October 4, to oversee the progress of the Church construction. On the same day, the Prelate met with Parish Pastor Archpriest Fr. Avedis Torossian, Parish Council Chair Mr. Adroushan Armenian, and Ms. Lindy Schumacher, who is the Nevada director of the Dream Fund at UCLA.
On Friday, a group of Parish representatives and members gathered at the construction site where the Prelate presided over the blessing of the dome and the mounting of the cross atop the dome. The cross was consecrated by H.H. Catholicos Aram I during his Pontifical visit in October of 2011. Church benefactor Mr. Larry Barnes participated in the special ceremony. Mr. Barnes had made a generous allocation for the realization of this endeavor in memory of his wife Seda Der Garabedian-Barnes. Executive Council member Mr. Vahan Bezdikian, Ms. Lindy Schumacher, and Prelacy sponsor Mrs. Arda Yemenidjian were also in attendance.
The Prelate blessed those who had come to witness the historic occasion. He highly commended the members of the Parish Council and Building committee who work diligently to ensure that the project goes forth smoothly and in a timely manner. His Eminence also once again expressed his gratitude to Mr. Larry Barnes, Dream Fund representative Ms. Lindy Schumacher, and all sponsors for their generous benefaction which is contributing to the realization of the community’s long-standing dream to have a Church and Cultural Center. He wished that the project progresses as efficiently as it has been thus far, and for its successful completion in the near future.
With the singing of the “Oorakh Ler” hymn, the frame of the dome was lifted and placed atop the Church structure. The ceremony came to a close with the Prelate’s benediction.
After the completion of the Church, the adjacent hall, which is currently used for religious services, will be transformed into a cultural center for youth and adults alike. The center will feature an Armenian language and history learning center equipped with interactive and modern state of the art learning tools geared towards children and young adults, as well as a modern library equipped with Armenian books, newspapers and magazines both from national and international sources. The Center will also house local sister organizations.
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PRELATE PRESIDES OVER FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AT
ST. MARY’S CHURCH IN GLENDALE
On Sunday, October 7, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, presided over Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.
The day’s Scripture reading was from the Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 13:5, which says, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.” The Prelate expounded on this verse and invited the faithful to introspect and examine whether they are living Christ’s commandments daily and not the teachings of others, and urged them to live in the faith of our forefathers, enriched with the light of Christ, which the Apostles brought to our Armenian nation.
A special ceremony followed the service. Church Pastors, Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian, Board of Trustees members, Ladies Auxiliary members, Sunday School students, Homenetmen “Ararat” Chapter scouts, and faithful, gathered in the Church courtyard where the Prelate presided over the raising of the American, Armenian, and California flags on newly erected flagpoles sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Hovik and Seda Aghaian in memory of their parents Yesai and Palig Aghaian.
Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian welcomed the attendees and thanked the sponsors for their generosity in sponsoring the new flagpoles.
The Prelate then blessed the flags, after which Homenetmen scouts raised them on the flagpoles. The singing of the American and Armenian national anthems by Sunday School students accompanied the ceremony.
Board of Trustees Chair Mr. Zareh Markarian delivered his remarks on this occasion, after which Sunday School students sang the Lord’s Prayer.
The ceremony came to a close with the Prelate’s closing remarks and benediction. His Eminence in his turn thanked all the benefactors who help the Prelacy flourish and commended especially the Aghaian and Galstyan families for their geneoristy to the Prelacy and St. Marys’ Church.
A reception hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary followed.
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PRELACY “LOUSAVORICH” CHOIR REORGNIZED
By the ordinance of the Prelate, the Prelacy “Lousavorich” Choir has recently reorganized under the direction of Crescenta Valley Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian.
The first gathering and practice will take place on Saturday, October 20, at St. Mary’s Church “Armenak Der Bedrossian” Hall beginning at 2:00 p.m. Subsequent rehearsals will take place every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at the same hall.
Those interested in joining the Choir can call the Prelacy or Fr. Ghevont directly at (818) 384-8252.
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“YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN BOOK” CELEBRATION CONTINUES
WITH SECOND LITERARY LUNCHEON AT THE PRELACY
In celebration of the “Year of the Armenian Book”, on Thursday, October 18, the second in a series of literary luncheons will be held at the Prelacy “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall under the auspices of the Prelate and organized by the Ladies Auxiliary.
The event will feature the presentation of author Mrs. Alice Navasargian’s latest book The Immortals: A Pictorial Anthology of Historiographic Works and a Brief History of Armenia and Armenians in Persia. This is the author’s third book devoted to Armenian contributions to the arts.
Prominent scholar and author Mr. Stepan Topchyan will present the book.
Please contact the Prelacy to reserve seats.
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SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL CONCERT ORGANIZED BY
ST. MARY’S CHURCH OF GLENDALE
The Pastors and Board of Trustees of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale have organized a spiritual and cultural center to be held under the auspices of the Prelate on Sunday, October 21st. The event begins at 5:00 p.m. and will take place at First Baptist Church of Glendale (209 N. Louise St.).
The concert features past and present soloists of St. Mary’s Church choir accompanied by the Glendale Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Michael Avedissian
Tickets are $15 and can be reserved by contacting the Church office at (818) 244-2402.
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PRELATE WELCOMES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
KESSAB EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION
On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, board members of the Kessab Educational Association (KEA) of Los Angeles visited the Prelacy where they met with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. The delegation was headed by Chairlady Mrs. Esther Chelebian-Tognozzi. The members were Dr. Hrair Atikian, Mr. Hratch Majarian, Mr. Vartan Poladian, Mr. Soghomon Poladian, and Mrs. Anahid Yaralian. Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian participated in the meeting as well.
The guests had come to the Prelacy primarily to congratulate the Prelate on his re-election earlier this year. The visit was also an opportunity to exchange information on the endeavors of the Prelacy and the KEA. Also discussed was the unrest in Syria, which is affecting Armenians in Kessab and other regions. The members of the Kessab Educational Association reported on how they are helping their brethren in Syria, and expressed hope for peace to prevail in the country soon.
The visit concluded with the Prelate presenting the guests with mementos.
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PRELATE CONGRATULATES MOST REVEREND SALVATORE CORDILEONE
ON HIS INSTALLATION AS THE NINTH ARCHBISHOP OF SAN FRANCISCO
On Thursday, October 4th, The Most Revered Salvatore Cordileone was installed as the Ninth Archbishop of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
The Prelate was invited to participate in the Installation Mass, however was unable to attend due to the fact that he was visiting the St. Garabed Church parish community of Las Vegas at that time.
This week, the Prelate sent a letter to Archbishop Cordileone congratulating him on his installation as the Archbishop of San Francisco and extending his best wishes for a successful tenure.
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ARMENIA FUND TELETHON LOGO UNVEILED
On the evening of Wednesday, October 10, the Armenia Fund 2012 Telethon logo was unveiled during a special ceremony held at the Consulate General of Armenia in Glendale.
The Prelate participated in the ceremony and delivered his blessings and message on this occasion. St. Mary’s Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Gomidas Torossian accompanied His Eminence. Executive Council member Mr. Meher Der Ohanessian, who is also the Prelacy representative to Armenia Fund, was also in attendance.
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SAYAT NOVA CHOIR ANNUAL PERFORMANCE
On Saturday, October 13, the annual concert of Hamazkayin “Baruyr Sevag” Chapter’s Sayat Nova Choir will be held at Thorne Hall of Occidental College. The choir is directed by Mrs. Nora Roumian-Bairamian.
The Prelate will attend and deliver his message. His Eminence will be accompanied by Holy Martyrs Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Razmig Khatchadourian.
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PRELATE REPRESENTED AT SPECIAL CEREMONY
OF THE SYRIAC ORTHODOX CHURCH
On Saturday, October 13, Rev. Fr. Sabu Thomas Chorattil of the Syriac Orthodox Church will be elevated to the rank of Chorepiscopos at St. Mary’s Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church in Whittier.
The ceremony will be officiated by H.E. Mor Titus Yeldho Pathickal, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America, and H.E. Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Archbishop and Patriarchal Vicar of the Western United States Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Holy Cross Cathedral Pastor Rev. Fr. Ashod Kambourian will represent the Prelate at this special ceremony.
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