Western Diocese

On January 29, 2008, the clergy from several states from the vast jurisdiction of the Western Diocese gathered at St. John Armenian Church in Hollywood for a day-long meeting in observance of St. Ghevont and His Companions Day. The St. Ghevont and His Companions Day gathering of the Diocesan Clergy has become a beautiful and spiritually enriching tradition in the Western Diocese that offers a rear opportunity to the clergy from far-flung churches of the Western Diocese to gather under the same roof and rejoice their humble fellowship in the service of God and His people, in an uplifting spiritual environment filled with brotherly love and respect. It is also a valuable opportunity for the clergy to exchange ideas and discuss various challenges that the Church is confronted with nowadays.
Upon the invitation of the Primate, Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle (NY), also participated in this special gathering. Fr. Findikyan offered a thorough and comprehensive presentation about St. Nersess Seminary and its crucial role in the life of the church in the United States. He also responded to the questions raised by the present clergy regarding the recruitment efforts and other aspects of St. Nersess Seminary. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian stressed the importance of the implementation of the seven point program that had been drafted earlier as a result of mutual discussions and careful consideration to increase the positive contribution and involvement of the Western Diocese in the life of St. Nersess Seminary.
The day-long clerical meeting ended at 6:00 p.m. when the present clergy joined the faithful members of the community at the sanctuary of St. John Armenian Church to celebrate the Divine Liturgy. Earlier, that same day, a special requiem was performed in memory of the late clergy from the Western Diocese. The evening church service was followed by a reception.