Western Diocese

Upon the invitation and instruction of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian the Khachdourian Choir will perform permanently at the Diocesan Headquarters and in the near future, regularly, as the designated Mother Cathedral Choir.

We gladly inform the faithful people that on December 6, 2008, on the feast day of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, will celebrate Divine Liturgy and offer the sermon. Upon the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the Primate will conduct the traditional ceremony of Blessing of Water, symbolizing the Baptism of Christ. Beginning January 6, 2007, Kachadourian Choir will begin its regular performances at the sanctuary of the Western Diocese.

A Brief History of Khachadourian Choir

During 1977-78, a large number of Armenians from the ancient City of Constantinople moved to the greater Los Angeles area. This vibrant and active segment of the Armenian Community of Los Angeles has most positively and continuously contributed to the betterment of the spiritual, educational, and cultural aspects of the Armenian Community in the cosmopolitan city of Los Angeles.

Khacahdourian Choir is one of the most significant gifts that the vibrant Constantinopolitan Armenians have offered to the Armenian Community of Los Angeles at large. Khachadourian Choir has been the brainchild of Dn. Stepan Gozumyan, Mr. Sarkis Setian and Mr. Yetvant Nizamian. Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the former Primate of the Western Diocese, in 1978, the choir was formed and named after the first Primate of the Western Diocese, the late Archbishop Karekin Khachadourian, who later on became the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople.

In 1980, the Khachadourian Choir moved to St. Sarkis Armenian Church in East Los Angeles, enriching the celebration of Divine Liturgy and other church services under the spiritual leadership of the pastors of the church, Archpriest Fr. Vartan Dulgarian and Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian as well as the Parish Councils of the church.

The fond memories of the Divine Liturgy celebrations during the Pontifical Visits of the late Catholicoi Vasken I and Karekin I; the venerable Patriarchs Shnork Kaloustian and Karekin Kazanjian as well as other high ranking clergy, has immensely resonated with and reinforced the choir’s enthusiasm in their God-pleasing service to the Church.

On Sunday, August 23, 1998, on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the choir, the Khachadourian Choir performed the Divine Liturgy at Holy Etchmiadzin and was favorably received and blessed by the late Catholicos Karekin I.

Khachadourian Choir, besides its priceless, obvious and ongoing service to the Church, has also been actively involved and contributed to the construction of church facilities in Armenia and other causes, namely, the $40,000 contribution towards the construction of St. Sarkis Church in Vanadzor, Armenia, the $25,000 donation to the Vestry of the Mother Cathedral in Burbank, California, and another contribution towards the publication of the “Mother Church” periodical.