Western Diocese

On January 15, 2008, Steve Padilla, Religion Editor of the Los Angeles Times, visited the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church in Burbank, California, and met with His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. The Vicar General of the Western Diocese, the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, the Chancellor of the Western Diocese, Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, several other clergy and representatives from the Diocesan Council and other organizations were present during the luncheon which was held at the Armen Hampar Room of the Western Diocese. The meeting afforded the Primate the opportunity to become acquainted with Mr. Padilla and to discuss, among other things, different aspects of the Armenian Church, the history of the Armenian Church, our relationships with other religious denominations, and plans for the construction of the Cathedral. The Primate appointed the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church of Glendale, to serve as a liaison with Mr. Padilla and Lily Ring Balian to be the public relations contact. The Primate expressed his thanks and appreciation to Mr. Padilla for the very productive visit and for sharing in a dialogue to become more acquainted with our faith. Following the luncheon meeting, the Primate led Mr. Padilla on a tour of the Diocese.