Western Diocese

Upon the request of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, and approval of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, three Priests from the Western Diocese have been recently elevated to the rank of Archpriesthood.

§  Fr. Shnork Demirjian, who was ordained and consecrated to the Priesthood in 1991, has served most ably as the Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys. On Sunday April 13, 2008, the Primate, after celebrating the Divine Liturgy and delivering the sermon, will bestow the rank of Archpriesthood upon Fr. Shnork Demirjian on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, at St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys. During the ceremony the encyclical of the Pontiff will be read. His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, and Archpriest Fr. Zaven Demirjian will partake in the service. A reception will follow the church service and the bestowment ceremony.

§  Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian was ordained and consecrated to the Priesthood in 1988. He started his service in the Eastern Diocese. In 1992, the Reverend Father moved to the West Cost, under the jurisdiction of the Western Diocese, where he began his service as the Pastor of St. James Armenian Church in Sacramento. Since September 1, 2006, Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian has served as the Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Fowler (Fresno Region).  On Sunday, June 1, 2008, the Primate, after celebrating the Divine Liturgy and delivering the sermon, will bestow the rank of Archpriesthood upon Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian. A reception will follow the church service and bestowment ceremony.

§  Fr. Sarkis Petoyan was ordained and consecrated to the Priesthood in 1998 and has most diligently and enthusiastically served since then as the Pastor of St. John Armenian Church – San Francisco. The Reverend Father has led several pilgrimages to Armenia and coordinated charity activities for the benefit of sister churches in Armenia as well as other charity causes in the past several years.  On Sunday, June 22, 2008, the Primate, after celebrating the Divine Liturgy and delivering the sermon, will bestow the rank of Archpriesthood upon Fr. Sarkis Petoyan. A reception will follow the church service and bestowment ceremony.