Western Diocese

On Friday August 17^th, 2007 His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, attended a reception hosted by the Armenian General Benevolent Union in honor of Dr. Zaven Messerlian, principal of the Armenian Evangelical College in Beirut, Lebanon. The primate was accompanied by Fr. Baret Yeretzian, parish priest of St. Gregory Armenian Church, Pasadena.

In his closing remarks Abp. Hovnan Derderian commended Dr. Zaven Messerlian for his most outstanding role in the academic life of the Armenian Evangelical College in Beirut. He said, “Dr. Messerlian is a man of vision who with the depths of Christian faith has fulfilled his responsibilities as an authentic academician and teacher with a special love and dedication for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. ‘Nations are born, nations flourish, and nations are united when talented people turn their creative lives into the fertile ground of God’s graces.’ ”

Dr. Messerlian was granted the encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and the medal of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob for his years of dedicated service for the Armenian people. The encyclical was read by Fr. Baret Yeretzian.