Western Diocese

On Friday February 23rd 2007 an important meeting took place at the City Hall in Los Angeles where American political figures, Armenian Clergy, and Representatives from cultural and education institutions attended. During this important political gathering the Mayors of Los Angeles and Armenia met to sign the Sister City agreement. Mayor Yervant Zakharyan arrived from Yerevan to meet with a Mayor Villorgasa. The purpose of the agreement is to build relations and have exchanges to strengthen the financial and economic structure of both cities. The representatives of the Armenian Church include the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the former Primate Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the Vicar General Fr. Dajad Yardemian, Archpriest Fr. Manouk Markrian, Armen Hampar, and Berge Shabazian. During the meeting there were official addresses by Eric Garsat , Mayor Villorgorosa and Mayor Yervant Zakharyan. They not only talked about the interrelation and importance of the agreement but they also talked about the sad reality of the Armenian Genocide. There was a strong stress of importance that the United States of America recognize the Armenian Genocide. At the conclusion of the event Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, as the Primate of a large Armenian community, addressed those present and stressed the importance of having sister cities and the signing of the agreement. Archbishop Hovnan stressed the importance of understanding each others Culture and with this relationship we would be able to draw from each others strengths and experiences.