Western Diocese

On January 5, 2008, on the occasion of the Eve of Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Primate visited St. John Armenian Church of Hollywood to celebrate Divine Liturgy and offer the sermon. A reception was held at the Taglyan Cultural Center, following the church service.

On January 6, 2008, on the feast day of Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Primate celebrated Divine Liturgy, offered the sermon and presided over the Blessing of Water Ceremony at the Diocesan Headquarters. Despite the heavy rain, over 800 enthusiastic faithful-members of the Western Diocese filled the Kalaydjian Hall of the Diocesan Headquarters to celebrate the Birth of Christ. In his remarks the Primate exclaimed, “Christ is Born and Revealed. Blessed is Revelation of Christ. Today we celebrate the birth of Christ our Lord in our spirituality. The celebration becomes true when we are able to renew our calling and vocation in the service of the Church, the Community, and the youth. The celebration of Christ our Lord becomes true when we instill within our hearts hope, dreams, and vision in our God-given lives. The celebration of Christ our Lord helps us to better understand that the New Year is in a way, a tool granted to us by God, that we may live it for the fulfillment of God pleasing missions. ”

This Christmas Divine Liturgy marked the first occasion when the renowned Khatchadourian Choir served as the official Choir of the Mother Cathedral. During future Feast Day celebrations the Khatchdourian Choir will lend their powerful and inspiring voice to Divine Liturgies celebrated at the Diocesan Headquarters. The Primate acknowledged the conductorship of Dn. Stepan Gozumian, and the dedication of the choir members for the benefit of the Diocesan faithful.

In the evening, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, presided over the Diocesan Christmas Reception held at the Kalaydjian Hall, located at the Western Diocesan Headquarters, which started at 6:00 p.m. Admission was free to the general public. The clergy of the Diocese, over 20 in number, led by the Primate and Abp. Vatche Hovsepian, processed into the Hall, where several hundred faithful were gathered. The Primate conducted the traditional Home Blessing Ceremony, following which he addressed the crowed with words of salutation and celebration. In his remarks, His Eminence humbly reflected on the success the Diocese has had in the construction of the Mother Cathedral, securing over 10 million dollars in funds for the project, as well as the Diocese’s contributions to humanitarian causes of over 1 million dollars. The Primate also acknowledged the presence of the Honorable Armen Liloyan, Consul General for the Republic of Armenia, who he invited to address the audience. In his remarks the Consul General congratulated the Primate and Diocese for the spiritual achievements of the past year, and offered his wishes for continuing success in the upcoming year.