Weekly News – November 30, 2012

 PRELACY TO HOST TOWN HALL MEETING WITH
U.S. AMBASSADOR JOHN A. HEFFERN

From December 5-9, 2012, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John A. Heffern will visit the Armenian Diaspora in Los Angeles where he will meet with representatives of the community to discuss current developments in Armenia, U.S. – Armenia relations, and U.S. assistance to Armenia.  He will meet with members of youth groups, representatives of community organizations, as well as clergy.

On Friday, December 7, the Prelacy will host a town hall meeting with Ambassador Heffern at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall, beginning at 7:00 p.m.  The community is invited to attend the meeting.

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PRELATE TO CELEBRATE FIRST DIVINE LITURGY AT
NEWLY CONSTRUCTED ST. GARABED CHURCH OF LAS VEGAS

This weekend, the St. Garabed Church parish community of Las Vegas will celebrate their achievements of the past year.

Having just returned from Antelias, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, will join the community on Saturday, December 1st, where he will preside over a year-end banquet celebration.

On Sunday, December 2nd, the Prelate will celebrate Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon inside the Church.  Though the Church is not completed yet, the service will take place inside the Church for the first time.  To date, services were taking place in the Church hall.  As previously reported, the parish community broke ground in August of this year on construction of the Church, which will be completed in spring of 2013.

Executive Council member Mr. Vahan Bezdikian will accompany the Prelate.

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PRELACY LADIES AUXILIARY
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE LUNCHEON

On the joyous occasions of New Year and Christmas, the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary organized its inaugural Christmas Boutique Luncheon, which was held under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, on Thursday, November 29, 2012, at Pandora Restaurant in Pasadena.

The event began with the invocation and blessing of tables by St. Sarkis Church Pastor Rev. Fr. Khoren Babochian, who also conveyed the Prelate’s blessings and well wishes.

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Ladies Auxiliary Chairlady Mrs. Salpi Srourian.  Remarks were also delivered by Executive Council Chairlady Mrs. Rima Boghossian.

Guests had lunch in a festive atmosphere while enjoying holiday music, and also had the opportunity to purchase holiday baskets prepared by Ladies Auxiliary members.

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PRELACY PUBLISHES TWO NEW BOOKS BY
JACQUES HAGOPIAN

In honor of the “Year of the Armenian Book” as proclaimed by H.H. Catholicos Aram I, throughout this year all Prelacies, including the Western Prelacy, have undertaken special events and projects to celebrate the Armenian Book.  In addition, by the ordinance of the Prelate and in conjunction with the Executive Council, the Prelacy has published and is currently publishing a number of books on this occasion.

The two latest books published are by renowned author Jacques Hagopian.  The first is a book of poems dedicated to the Armenian book and language, and the second is a volume of the author’s research studies and memoirs. The Prelacy has previously collaborated with Mr. Hagopian on many occasions and has published a number of his works.

The Prelate has written the introduction to both books, in which he highlights the role and importance of Armenian books in our national life and especially in the lives of our youth.  The Prelate writes, “for over 70 years, the author has utilized his talents for our literary heritage, for the education and instruction of our youth, the enrichment of our the heart and soul of the Armenian people.  His literary gifts and his work in spreading the Word of God is recognized by us all.  Indeed he was one of the first to heed the proclamation of H.H. Catholicos Aram I and the occasion of the Year of the Armenian Book presented us with his two new books.”  The Prelate concludes his introduction by wishing success to the author and that his pen remain mighty and fruitful.

Please contact the Prelacy to purchase your copies of these latest books.

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PRELACY “LOUSAVORICH” CHOIR UPDATE

We had previously reported that by the ordinance of the Prelate, the Prelacy “Lousavorich” Choir was recently reorganized under the direction of conductor Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian.

Practices continue to take place every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.

Those interested in joining the choir may contact Fr. Ghevont at 818-384-8252.

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PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA SERZH SARGSYAN IN ANTELIAS

ANTELIAS, Lebanon – While on an official visit to Lebanon, His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, and his wife visited Antelias. They were accompanied by the Foreign Minister and the Ministers of Education, Culture and Relations with the Diaspora. Upon their arrival, the band of Homenetmen played the Lebanese and Armenian national anthems and His Holiness Catholicos Aram I greeted the guests at his residence. Catholicos Aram I, the President and the delegation went to the Chapel of the Martyrs of the Genocide; H.E. Serzh Sargsyan placed a wreath, and His Holiness prayed for the souls of the one-and-a-half million victims of the Genocide.

After paying tribute to the martyrs, the Catholicos, the President and his delegation returned to the residence of the Catholicos where His Holiness and the President held a private meeting. After the meeting, the President, the First Lady and the delegation were invited to a reception, where they met members of the National Council of the Catholicosate, the clergy and representatives of civil society organizations of the Armenian community in Lebanon.

H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, who was in Lebanon at the time for meetings at the Catholicosate, also participated in the President’s visit.

After the choir sang the anthem of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, His Holiness welcomed the guests and said, “The Catholicosate of Cilicia accompanied, organized and served its people; it became for the world the symbol of the Genocide planned and executed by Turkey; the Catholicosate of Cilicia became the expression of the journey of faith of the Armenian people, and its conscience by upholding our moral, cultural, and national values. The Catholicosate of Cilicia became the symbol of the Armenian Diaspora and the revival of our people. The Catholicosate of Cilicia remains the voice of our people demanding from Turkey justice for its crimes and restoration of their rights. The Catholicosate of Cilicia suffered with communist Armenia and now rejoices at Armenia’s recovery of its independence. The Catholicosate of Cilicia remains committed to working towards the prosperity of Armenia and Karabagh.”

At the end of his speech the Catholicos thanked the President for his visit, for raising the issue of Genocide and defending the rights of the Armenians who had been deported from Turkey and had their properties confiscated. As an expression of his appreciation, His Holiness Aram I decorated President Serzh Sargsyan with the insignia “Cilicia Cross.” After thanking the Catholicos, the President said, “I strongly believe that Armenia and the Diaspora strengthen one another. Inspired by this conviction, I remain committed to strengthening both. The Armenian community in Lebanon not only represents large numbers, it also embodies the aspirations and hopes of our people; the Catholicosate of Cilicia is more than a spiritual centre; it is the foundation and the source of inspiration for safeguarding Armenian identity.

The visit of the President and his delegation ended with a special Thanksgiving Service at St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias.

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