LA CRESCENTA—Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, on behalf of Prelacy-affiliated bodies and the clergy on Monday announced the passing Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian, one of the longest serving members of the Cilician Catholicosate Brotherhood and the first Prelate of the Western United States.
Lapajian passed away Saturday at Ararat Home in Mission Hills.
Archbishop Lapajian served within the Prelacy for over four decades as pastor of Holy Cross Church in Los Angeles and Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello.
By a decree from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, a requiem Mass was offered at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral in Antelias, and at St. Mary Chapel in Bikfaya on Sunday.
On the same day and by the ordinance of the Prelate, requiem was also offered at all Prelacy Churches. The Prelate presided over the service at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County.
Asbarez will provide more details, including funeral service information in upcoming editions.
May God bless Archbishop Sumbat Lapajian. He was the most humble and dedicated servant of the God that
I have knowen.
Religion is regarded by the common as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.