Western Diocese

On Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 10:30AM, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Santa Clarita. Serving at the Holy Altar were Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan, Parish Priest, the Very Rev. Fr. Mkhitar Grigoryan, guest clergyman from Armenia, Dn. Yeghia Jendian from St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno and Deacons Sarkis Skayan and Guzh Khachikyan.

Following the church service, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presided over the consecration rite of St. Sarkis Armenian Church. He was assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian; Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General; Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretzian; Rev. Archpriest Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian; Rev. Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian and Rev. Archpriest Fr. Mikael Kyureghyan.

Also present for the ceremony were Diocesan Council Chair Joseph Kanimian Esq., Diocesan Council Members Mr. Armen Hampar, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barsam, Mrs. Lily Ring Balian; and Ladies Society Central Council Chair Mrs. Araxie Boyamian with her husband Robert.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, and His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian consecrated the crosses of the Godparents of St. Sarkis Armenian Church, including the Grand Benefactor, St. Sarkis Armenian Church of East Los Angeles; Prime Godparents, Heros and Anahit Kajberouni, Lyla and Taleen Askejian, Nshan and Ruby Derderian, Raffi and Rosanne Haddad and Family, Edward Simonian, Vartan and Lida Vahramian and Family; Godparents: Rev. Archpriest Fr. Nareg and Paitsar Matarian, Mr. and Mrs. Armenak Balian, Dn. and Mrs. Stepan Gozumian, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Khatchigian, Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Moloyan, Mr. and Mrs. Vartavar Tutak, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hampar and the Ladies Society of St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Santa Clarita. Junior Godparents: Simon and Araxi Chelebyan, Vrej Demirchyan, Matthew Garcia, Vartan Karapetian, Hagop and Arsha Loussararian, Arsen Melidonian.  

In his message published in the booklet of the day, the Primate reflected on the history of St. Sarkis while looking forward to the glorious future.    

We extend our blessings and greetings to Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan, the members of the Santa Clarita Parish Council, the Ladies Society, the Building Committee, Deacons, Acolytes and all other auxiliary bodies as well as all the other beloved members of the Armenian Church of Santa Clarita, California.

With the Grace of God and through the joint efforts of Fr. Nerses and the members of the Parish Council, it became possible for the Armenian Church of Santa Clarita to acquire its own building, which we visited for the first time on June 17, 2009.  On Sunday, June 28, 2009 the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at this church for the first time by Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan, Parish Priest, during which our message for the day was also read to the parishioners. After the completion of the most urgent and necessary renovations and modifications inside the church-building; and with the participation of His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Diocesan Clergy and Deacons; we performed the dedication rite of the church-building and consecrated the holy altar, on August 9, 2009. We prayed to the Lord to preserve the Armenian Church of Santa Clarita and transform it to a golden bridge between the faithful in the area and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

With the Grace of God, we will officiate over the consecration ceremony of the church on December 20, 2009. We call on all the faithful of the Armenian Church of Santa Clarita to bring their generous participation to the ongoing remodeling project of the church, which is a house of prayer and redemption for all of us. On this auspicious occasion in the history of the Armenian Church of Santa Clarita, let us reflect on the following words from Apostle Paul: "Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7). We are confident that in the spirit of Christian fellowship and love, our beloved faithful in Santa Clarita will become the good hands of the Lord in financially supporting the renovation and remodeling project of the church. By doing so, you will tremendously lighten the financial burden of the parish, allowing the Armenian Church of Santa Clarita to be entirely vested in its educational and spiritual mission in the community.   

Banquet and Awards

The ceremony was followed by a banquet where His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian offered the blessing of the tables. In his welcoming message, Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan, Parish Priest, extended his sincere appreciation to the Primate and Joseph Kanimian Esq., whose joint efforts made it possible for the Parish to acquire the church property.

Rev. Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian, former Parish Priest of St. Sarkis Armenian Church of East Los Angeles gave a heartfelt message in which he remembered the late Parish Priests and thanked Yeretsgin Matarian, members of the Parish Council and Ladies Society for their dedicated service to St. Sarkis Armenian Church of East Los Angeles. Furthermore, Fr. Nareg expressed his sincere appreciation to the Primate and His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian for their special care toward the Parish.

Mr. William Simonian, master of ceremonies during the banquet and Chair of the Parish Council expressed his appreciation to the Primate, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian and the Ladies Society on behalf of the Parish Council. In his message, Mr. John Toungaian, former Chair of the Parish Council, also expressed his appreciation to the Primate for paying special attention to the Parish.      

Mr. David Perry, representing Michael D. Antonovich, member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, conveyed his congratulatory message and awarded certificates of appreciation to Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan and Parish Council Chair Mr. William Simonian. In turn, Fr. Nerses and Mr. Simonian expressed their appreciation to Mr. Michael D. Antonovich and Mr. David Perry.

Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan and Mr. William Simonian presented a panting to the Primate as their sign of appreciation.

The Primate commended the dedication of Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan, the Parish Council, the Ladies Society and the cultural and religious teaching staff. He stressed the importance of working collectively to strengthen St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Santa Clarita.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian awarded certificates of blessing and commendation to the following members of the Parish Council: William Simonian, Harout (Harry) Soghomonian, George Tabaghian, Ani Askejian, Donara Simonian and John Toungaian. The following members of the Ladies Society were also awarded with certificates of blessing and commendation for their dedicated service: Maral Sabounjian, Hasmik Toufenkchian, Lida Vahramian, Takoush Karapetian, Chritine Vahramian, Alece Tchakerian, Hasmik Tabaklian, and Arnik Ellen. 

The banquet concluded with a parting prayer by the Primate.