Western Diocese

The Oriental Orthodox Churches’ Sunday School Students of the greater Los Angeles region partook in a wonderful Gathering  event, hosted by the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church at the Diocesan Headquarters, in Burbank, California, on December 8, 2007.

Nearly 250 Sunday School students, teachers and superintendents from Armenian, Syriac and Coptic Churches, united in their faith, participated in this Gathering.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, presided over the event. His Grace Bishop Serapion, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian and several other clergy from the participating churches were also present during this joyful gathering.

Dn. Matthew Ash who conducted the program welcomed the guests and invited the Primate to offer his benediction upon the participants. His Eminence in his opening remarks stressed the importance of fellowship and brotherly love among the youngsters of the Oriental Orthodox Churches. He expressed his great joy that the Western Diocese had hosted the event. His Grace Bishop Serapion also resonating the Primates message in his speech, emphasized the importance of mutual love, besides other Christian tenants in the life of the Church.

The program proceeded in prayers raised in Armenian, Syriac, Coptic and English. His Eminence Archbishop Eugene Kaplan was in poor health condition and could not attend the event. The high ranking clergymen wished His Eminence a speedy recovery.

His Grace Bishop Serapion, President of the Council of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, on behalf of all participants, presented a beautiful cross to Mrs. Patricia Allaf as a token of appreciation for chairing the organizing committee. The joint organizing committee consisting of many dedicated members from the several participating churches did a wonderful job in organizing the event.

In conclusion, The Primate once again stressed the importance of the union among the Oriental Orthodox Churches and presented beautiful paintings to Bishop Serapion and Archbishop Mardirossian, as well as to Archbishop Kaplan in absentia.