Weekly News – March 1, 2013
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER DIVINE LITURGY
AT ST. GARABED CHURCH IN HOLLYWOOD
Sunday, March 3rd, 2013, is the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, also known as Sunday of the Steward.
On this day, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will preside over Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Garabed Church in Hollywood.
Following Divine Liturgy, the Prelate will preside over the annual Great Lent luncheon organized by the ARS "Mayr" Chapter at "Karapetian" Hall.
On Sunday, February 24, by the ordinance of the Prelate requiem prayers were offered in Prelacy Churches in memory of Catholicoi Zareh I Payaslian and Khoren I Paroyan on the 50th and 30th anniversaries of their passing respectively, and for members of the Armenian Relief Society. The Prelate presided over services at Holy Martyrs Church in Encino, after which he presided over the blessing of madagh in memory of ARS members.
PRELATE TO PRESIDE OVER SUNRISE SERVICE AND
MID-LENT LUNCHEON AT HOLY CROSS CATHEDRAL IN MONTEBELLO
Wednesday, March 6, is Mid-Lent or Michink.
On this occasion, and in keeping with tradition, the Prelate will preside over Sunrise Service at Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello.
The traditional mid-Lent luncheon organized by the Parish Ladies Aid will follow at the adjacent "Bagramian" Hall, presided over by the Prelate.
ORIENTAL ORTHODOX CHURCHES SUNDAY SCHOOLS
8TH ANNUAL GATHERING
On Saturday, March 2, 2013, the 8th annual Oriental Orthodox Churches Sunday School gathering will be held at St. Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood, under the auspices of the Council of Oriental Orthodox Bishops (H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, H.E. Archbishop Mor Clemis Eugene Kaplan, and H.G. Bishop Serapion) and hosted by the Western Prelacy.
The day will begin at 10:00 a.m. with Divine Liturgy conducted according to the rites of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
During Divine Liturgy the students will participate in the singing of hymns in their respective languages, and will receive Holy Communion from the Prelates. One student from each Church will also present a brief history of their respective Church.
At the conclusion of the service, the Prelates will convey their message on the following topics; Great Lent, what unites the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and our future in today's world in relation to current world events in the Middle East.
Students will then be assigned to groups according to age, and each group will be quizzed on the miracles of Christ and later create posters and skits on a miracle of their choice. There will also be a question and answer session with clergy.
PRELATE TO DELIVER INVOCATION
AT ACF ANNUAL BANQUET
The annual banquet-celebration of the Armenian Cultural Foundation will take place on Saturday, March 2nd, at the Montage Beverly Hills.
The Prelate will deliver the invocation. Executive Council members will also be in attendance.
ROSE AND ALEX PILIBOS SCHOOL STUDENTS
VISIT THE PRELACY
Throughout the year, students from various Prelacy Schools visit the Prelacy on different occasions to become familiarized with the headquarters and its endeavors.
On the morning of Friday, March 1, 2013, seventy students from Rose and Alex Pilibos School fifth and seventh grade classes visited the Prelacy, where they were welcomed by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. His Eminence was joined by St. Garabed Church Pastor Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian, and Crescenta Valley Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian.
Upon their arrival the students first visited the "St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen" Chapel, then assembled at the "Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian" Hall where the program began with the Lord's Prayer and a hymn from the Lenten Sunrise Service.
A cultural program prepared by the students followed.
Seventh grade student Sevana Bardakjian served as the Master of Ceremonies and invited her fellow students to successively present their program. Seta Kazarian thanked the Prelate for the welcome on behalf of the students. A group of students recited religious poetry and sang the Cilician anthem with the accompaniment of their music teacher Lucine Galsdian on the piano, and two students conveyed remarks expressing what this visit means to them, how religious instruction impacts their lives, and their thoughts on Lent and on the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple.
Archpriest Fr. Vicken Vassilian explained to the students the mission of the Prelacy and Prelate, and its overseeing of our Churches and Schools, then invited the Prelate to deliver his message.
The Prelate greeted the students and teachers and commended the students on their presentations. Going back to his days as a student, the Prelate related that when he was their age he also participated in a similar cultural program in which he portrayed Khrimian Hayrig, and which awakened in him the desire to become a clergyman and serve our Church and people. He wished that today's students are raised with the proper religious and national instruction so that they can grow into active servants and participants in our community life.
The Prelate also spoke on the meaning and message of Great Lent and on the "Year of the Armenian Mother" proclaimed by H.H. Catholicos Aram I, advising the students to write prayers for their mothers in appreciation for their love and instruction. His Eminence concluded by commending Principal Dr. Alina Dorian and teachers for their initiative in organizing these productive visits.
The program came to a close with the Lord's Prayer. The Prelate presented the teachers and students with books and prayer cards, after which the students toured the building to become acquainted with the activities of each department.
Student visits will continue in the coming weeks.
PRELACY LADIES AUXILIARY HOSTS
ANNUAL GREAT LENT LUNCHEON
Throughout the year, the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary organizes a number of educational and cultural events celebrating our rich heritage and traditions. Among these is the annual Great Lent Luncheon, which this year was held on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate.
The day began with Lenten Sunrise Service at St. Mary's Church in Glendale, presided over by the Prelate. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian delivered the day's message.
The luncheon followed at First Congregational Church of Glendale. Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian accompanied the Prelate. Among the guests were Executive Council Chair Mrs. Rima Boghossian, ARS Regional Executive Chair Mrs. Lena Bozoyan, and Board of Regents Co-Chair Mrs. Maggie Sarkuni.
The official program began with welcoming remarks by Ladies Auxiliary Secretary Mrs. Vartoug Avedikian, who also served as the event Master of Ceremonies. Mrs. Avedikian noted that this traditional event is also an opportunity to reflect on the profound message of faith, hope, and love that the Lenten season invites us to. She then invited the Prelate to bless the tables and convey his message.
The Prelate emphasized that the period of Great Lent preceding Easter is an invitation for continuous contemplation and self-evaluation for each individual Christian, a time to renew and revitalize our faith and spirits. Reminding the guests that H.H. Catholicos Aram I has dedicated this year to Armenian Mothers, His Eminence noted that it is fitting that the day's keynote speaker is a mother as well as an esteemed educator. The Prelate concluded his message by commending the members of the Ladies Auxiliary for their continued and committed service.
The event's keynote speaker was Mrs. Sona Badalian, long-time educator, ARS member, and St. Sarkis Church Ladies Guild and choir member. Mrs. Badalian noted that Lent is an invitation for prayer, introspection, purification, renewal, service and good deeds. She concluded her message by reflecting on the Pontifical Message of the "Year of the Armenian Mother", and highlighting the advice and suggestions of His Holiness to Armenian mothers, grandmothers, and women in general on this occasion.
The luncheon also featured a cultural program on songs, recitations, and dance performed by Rose and Alex Pilibos School students, as well as a song by Pilibos School teacher Mrs. Tamar Seraydarian.
43RD ANNUAL WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
On Friday, March 1st, women around the world observed the Women's World 126th annual Day of Prayer. Our local community also participates in this global movement, organizing an event each year on this day to bring together the women of our community for prayer, fellowship, and praise.
The 43rd annual Women's World Day of Fasting and Prayer was held on Friday morning at Armenian Christian Outreach of PazNaz in Pasadena with the theme "I was a stranger and You took me in". The event was organized by the women of the Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Evangelical, Nazarene, and Brotherhood Churches of Southern California.
Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian represented the Prelate and conveyed the message and blessings of His Eminence. Rev. Fr. Khoren Babochian also participated.
PRELATE LEADS VIGIL AND REQUIEM SERVICE
AT THE ARMENIAN ECCLESIASTICAL BROTHERHOOD CENTER
By the invitation of the Armenian Ecclesiastical Brotherhood, on the evening of Friday, February 22, 2013, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, visited their center in Glendale where he presided over Lenten Vigil service. The Prelate was accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Pehlivanian, and Deacon Khatchig Shannakian.
Requiem service was also held commemorating the one year anniversary of the passing of long-time Brotherhood member and former Chairman Arshag Kalenderian. In his message, the Prelate spoke of the meaning and significance of Lent and fasting, and paid tribute to Brother Arshag's memory and his six decades of service to the Armenian Church.
Young members of the Brotherhood recited St. Nerses the Graceful's "I Confess with Faith", and presented a cultural program dedicated to Brother Arshag's memory.
On this occasion, His Eminence presented Brotherhood Chairman Brother Sarkis Doghramajian with a framed and color-illustrated print of the Lord's Prayer.
During the ensuing reception, remarks were delivered by Brother Sarkis Doghramajian and Dr. Arshag Kazanjian.
Rose and Alex Pilibos School Students Visit the Prelacy
Prelacy Hosts 8th Annual Oriental Orthodox Churches Sunday Schools Bible Adventure Day