Weekly News – September 21, 2012

PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY AT
ST. SARKIS CHURCH IN PASADENA

On Sunday, September 23, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Sarkis Church in Pasadena.

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BIBLE STUDIES TO RESUME THIS COMING WEEK

Following the summer break, on Monday, September 24, Bible study sessions will resume in our parishes.  The sessions are led by Religious Council Chair Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, local pastors, Christian Education Department Executive Secretary Deacon Khatchig Shannakian, and Mr. Krikor Misserlian.  The Armenian Ecclesiastical Brotherhood also offers Bible study in a number of our parishes.

Please contact your local church office for further details.

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LEBANESE CONSUL GENERAL VISITS THE PRELACY

On Thursday, September 20, 2012, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, welcomed to the Prelacy Consul General of Lebanon, The Honorable Johnny Ibrahim.  St. Mary’s Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Vazken Atmajian and Executive Council members Mr. Toros Kejejian and Mr. Vahan Bezdikian participated in the meeting.

The meeting was a continuation of the Consul General’s previous visit to the Prelacy in May of this year.  It was the third meeting between the Prelate and the Consul General since Mr. Ibrahim’s appointment to the post earlier this year.

The discussion centered on situation in Lebanon and the general unrest in the Middle East region, and on the welfare of the Lebanese people in Lebanon and in the Diaspora.  The Prelate highlighted the strong bond between the Armenian and Lebanese peoples, and reaffirmed the support of the Lebanese-Armenian community in the Western U.S. for their adopted homeland of Lebanon.

The Prelate commended Mr. Ibrahim for his meritorious leadership thus far as Consul General of Lebanon, wished him success and pledged the support of the Prelacy in his current and future diplomatic endeavors  The meeting ended with a mutual call for continued collaboration and support between the two communities.

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PRELATE CELEBRATES THE FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
AT HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL IN MONTEBELLO

On Sunday, September 16, 2012, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross was celebrated in Prelacy Churches with Divine Liturgy, the Blessing of the Four Corners of the Earth service, and the blessing of basil.   The Feast is also the name-day of Holy Cross Cathedral of Montebello.

On this occasion, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate celebrated Divine Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and conducted the blessing of madagh and basil at Holy Cross Cathedral.

As the choir sang the “Hrashapar” hymn, the Prelate was led in a procession onto the altar to begin the Liturgy.

The Prelate began his sermon by first giving a brief background on the various feasts celebrated in the Armenian Church dedicated to the Holy Cross, and on unique traditions of the Armenian Church with regards to the day’s Feast.  Referring to the Holy Cross as the core of Christianity and the symbol of the promise of salvation, the Prelate reflected on the deep meaning and significance of the Cross to faithful Christians.  “The Cross is the perfect demonstration of the immense depth of God’s love for us, His children. It signifies victory, a victory that we would be unable to win for ourselves,  freedom from sin, and triumph over death.  It is a weapon against enemies, protection for those who believe, and comfort to those who fear.  It is life-giving, which indeed is a great message of hope for mankind”, stated the Prelate.

At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, the Prelate conducted the Blessing of the Four Corners of the Earth, which is a ceremony of blessing and glorification to God for His bounty, His goodness and abundance throughout the world, and then blessed the basil which the faithful took home with them.

The Prelate was then led in a procession to “Bagramian” Hall where the blessing of madagh took place, which is the commemorating of the departed through requiem service.

A traditional luncheon followed at the hall organized by the Parish Ladies Guild.

Given that the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is the first day of Sunday School classes after the summer break, Sunday school students participated in the Divine Liturgy of their local Churches and received Holy Communion to start the new academic year.

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