Western Diocese

BURBANK - On Friday, September 21, 2007, at 9:30 am, American and Armenian officials, as well as community leaders, gathered at the corner of First and Main streets, for a ceremony unveiling the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City sign. Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles 4^th District Council Member and President of Sister Cities of Los Angeles Tom LaBonge, were joined by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, along with the Chairlady of the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City Association Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, in addition to other community members. Together they unveiled the long-awaited Yerevan sign, the result of two years of planning, meeting, and traveling to make this dream come true.

Councilman Garcetti, who represents the `Little Armenia' section of the city, is one of the key members of this association. He helped facilitate the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City relationship in August 2005, when he approached Yerevan and Cambridge, Massachusetts sister city affiliates to share their affiliation with Los Angeles. He then traveled to Armenia to meet with the Mayor of Yerevan and seek the approval of authorities in Armenia. Next, Councilman Garcetti facilitated the formation of a volunteer working group consisting of Armenian - American entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders to formally establish the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City Association. In February 2007 the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City Association became a reality.

After the unveiling of the Yerevan street sign today, the 16^th anniversary of the independence of Armenia, various delegations gathered in the Tom Bradley room of the Los Angeles City Hall. Councilman Garcetti presented a proclamation to the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City Association celebrating the historic day. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, concluded the presentations by a closing prayer, wherein he stated: `Almighty God, bless this historic moment, as we all become partners in a most pleasing and uplifting undertaking by the city of Los Angeles. We pray to God with a joyous heart and make a promise to serve humanity in all corners of the world. For a nation which has survived genocide, and has endured decades of communist oppression, this historic moment initiated by the Sister Cities Association, challenges us all with a new vision in building relationships, understanding human culture, completing capabilities to strengthen competitiveness, providing economic opportunity and quality of life, understanding the beauty of God's creations surrounding us, and rebuilding our God-given land and the city of Yerevan through the mission of the Sister Cities Association.'

Also participating in today's event on behalf of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America along with the Archbishop Derderian were Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardumian, Vicar of the Western Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena, as well as John Avedian, Deacon Carl Bardakian, Shoghig Giragosian, Armen Hampar and Berj Shabazzian. The event concluded with an exhibit of photographs by various Armenian artists.