Western Diocese

At 5:30 pm, a reception took place at the Taglyan Cultural Center, situated adjacent to St. John Armenian Church of Hollywood. There were a number of guest clergy and public officials in attendance. The dignitaries were received and greeted by the clergy from the Diocese.

His Holiness, accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese, His Eminence Khajag Barsamian, the Primate of the Eastern Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, His Grace Bishop Yezras Nersisyan, the Primate of New Nakhijevan and Russia, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiatzin, Very Reverend Father Hovnan Hakobyan, Staff-bearer of the Catholicos, and Father Ktridj Devedjyan, Head of the English Media Department of the Mother See, the Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles, and Honorable Armen Liloyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, led by a procession of clergy, entered Taglyan Cultural Center. The Canopy-carriers were Dr. Jerry Taglyan, Chairman of Diocesan Council, Benefactor Jack Kalaydjian, Dr. Hagop Sarkissian, member of St. John Parish Council, and Vartkes Guruian, Superintendent of Arshag Dickranian School.

His Holiness consecrated a cross-stone, then, accompanied by the Benefactors—Honorable Doctors Bedros and Garine Taglyans— performed the inaugural ceremony by cutting the ribbon. Afterward, the invitees entered the Hall and took their seats.

Joseph Kanimian,Esq., Vice Chairman of the Diocesan Council, conducted the evening’s event. Garine Avagian performed the U.S. and Armenian national anthems, in the beginning. Afterward, His Holiness blessed the table. The Chair woman of the organizing committee, Flora Dunaians and Hermine Janoian welcomed the guests in English and Armenian. Mr. Kanimian in his remarks thanked His Holiness for his Third Pontifical Visit to the Western Diocese and the blessings he’s bestowed upon the community. He stressed the point that the Western Diocese would always support the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and His Holiness’s initiated programs and spiritual mission.

Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles, offered his greetings to His Holiness, fondly remembering the honor of meeting and personally speaking with His Holiness during his last trip to Los Angeles. He praised His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and his leadership at the Western Diocese and among the Armenian Community, emphasizing the important and constructive role of the Armenian Community in Los Angeles, as the second largest Armenian community outside of Armenia.

According to the Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, the Honorable Armen Liloyan, the Third Pontifical Visit was extremely inspiring. He reflected on the high level of cooperation that existed between the Armenian government and the Mother See, benefiting the Armenia people. The Armenian Church and the Mother See had played an extremely important role in preserving Armenians and the Armenian identity in the absence of national government in Armenia for many centuries, from otherwise certain disappearance in history, said the Consul general. He continued that in todays free and independent Armenia, the Church played a vital role in the lives of our people and that we were obliged to His Holiness and his wise leadership.  

A video presentation was shown during the event about the Gevorkian Theological Seminary and how the young students were educated and prepared for priesthood. The sheer number of students at the seminary evoked a great sense of pride in the audience, indicating that in the near future a significant number of priests to be ordained in the Holy Etchmiadzin.   

The benefactors of the center, Pharmacist Doctors Mr. and Mrs. Bedros and Garine Taglyan, are also the benefactors of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Western Diocesan. The center is a gift on the occasion of the 80th anniversary to the Diocese. The Taglyans should be appreciated for their contribution and service, which will be enjoyed by the faithful community. In recognizing the building projects of the Western Diocese we should also honor the construction and consecration of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Pasadena, as well as the inauguration of the Varnum Paul Hall in the St. John Church complex in San Francisco.