Western Diocese

The Vicar General of the Western Diocese, the Very Reverend Father Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, representing His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, accompanied by Sylva Khachiguian, Dn. Vahe Abovian and Remo Alexandri visited the 16-unit Harborside Terrace project, on Monday, October 29, 2007. President Carter also visited the site at the same day.

Habitat for Humanity has realized projects in Yerevan, Lori and Vayots Dzor. Since its founding in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, Habitat for Humanity International has built and rehabilitated more than 200,000 houses in 100 countries with families in need, becoming a true world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing.

His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, visited Habitat for Humanity’s Musicians’ Village on October 17, 2007. During his goodwill visit to New Orleans, the Catholicos expressed his sympathy for those suffering the effects of Hurricane Katrina, noting that Armenian is also still recovering—from the devastating 1988 earthquake that inspired his work with Habitat for Humanity.

There are some active churches of the Western Diocese who are especially involved with Habitat for Humanity. During the October 29^th tour at the Harborsite Terrace project, Patty Lee, Faith Relations Manager of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, presented a detail presentation about the site and other ongoing projects in the greater Los Angeles area. The Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian stressed the importance of Habitat for Humanity in eliminating the fundamental problem of poverty housing, thanked all volunteers for their selfless service and asked God to bless and strengthen their commitment to the good work.