Western Diocese

On May 1, 2008, starting at 11:00 AM, the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of Ascension was held at the Western Diocese. Many of the Diocesan Clergy and faithful, including the participant of the 56^th LSCC Assembly, were present during this magnificent church service. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon in Armenian and Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan offered the sermon in English. At the conclusion of the church service, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presided over a requiem service for the deceased.

Banquet

After the church service, a procession of chanting clergy, led by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, followed by the faithful, entered the Nazareth and Siam Kalaydjian Banquet Hall to celebrate the Feast of Ascension.

Mrs. Araxie Boyaniam delivered welcome and the invocation. Mrs. Hermine Janoyan served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the event. The other members of the organizing committee were Mrs. Diyana Danielian and Mrs. Annette Kosker. Guests enjoyed a musical performance by Elise Tashjian, Arpi Barsam and Diyana Danielian.

The Primate offered the following remarks on the occasion of the Feast of Ascention:

… A Soul Generated by Love

-          Martin Luther King

 

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don’t have to know Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know Einstein’s theory of relativity to serve.  You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

-          Martin Luther King

 

I purposely chose these words for this year’s assembly. Through this message Martin Luther King transformed the spiritual lives of tens of thousands thus guiding them to make the inner search into the depth of their souls there to find the God-given gift of love.

 

Our mission as dedicated members of the Armenian Church is clear: to serve God our Lord and during our journey of service bring the light of God to the hearts of the faithful.

 

The rewards of our service will be given to us by God. This perception will help us all understand that true rewards come from God alone and not from people, for we are all equal in the eyes of God.

 

The Ladies’ Society is and should be spiritually the most powerful presence in the life of our Diocese, as is the role of a mother in the life of the family. The main mission of the ladies’ Society will remain to be the Christian education of our children. I firmly believe that the Ladies’ Societies of all our communities need to rethink about this mission and play a more active role especially in the leadership of the church. In order to succeed in our mission we ought to take important steps in our fellowship life in the coming years:

 

1.      To facilitate open forums for all the women of the community and lead them into fruitful discussions for the benefit of the church.

2.      To establish closer relationship with the existing bodies of the churches.

3.      To become the hosting committee for the churches on Sundays.

 

Our church needs to become a church in service. Our church needs to expand her services beyond the walls of the church. Our church needs to be engaged in the life of the community. The church is not an exclusive church. And to make this happen we need your help and guidance but above all your love – doubled with new members. The life of Christ our Lord remains to be the true example of service and leadership, who reflects his love unconditionally.

 

The words of Martin Luther King convey to us a challenging message: “Love is the most durable power in the world. This creative force, so beautifully exemplified in the life of our Christ, is the most potent instrument available in mankind’s quest for peace and security.”

 

If we exercise the grace of love within our community we then become the Living Church. I say these words with the firm belief that with you the ladies of the Diocese we can become the Living Church and move mountains.

 

Therefore, it is my request that we rethink about our mission and calling and reach out to the members of our communities with new perspectives, with new methods, with a deeper love and with a renewed spirit of service. With an embracing heart and soul we can bring all the women of this Diocese into the life of the Church, entrusting them all with special tasks and responsibilities. The success of our mission lies in our hearts, in our frequent fellowships, in our in-depth relationship as was the case with Christ with his disciples.

 

In my closing remarks I would like to thank God for the blessing of your service and love. My special thanks to the members of the Central Council, but especially to Mrs. Silva Katchigian whose dedication and passion cannot be appreciated with words. Her leadership in the life of the Diocese has been exceptional and exemplary.

 

On your behalf and I myself I congratulate her for her accomplishment.

 

Afterwards, the LSCC elections for 2008-2009 were held. The election results are indicated below:

• Chair: Araxie Boyamian
• Vice Chair: Lena Sinanian
• Rec. Secretary: Ani Lanuza
• Corr. Secretary: Arpy Mazloumian
• Treasurer: Rebecca Jorjorian
• Advisor: Mary June Kaiser
• Advisor: Joanne Hallaian
• Advisor: Elizabeth Maronyan
• Advisor: Meline Agagaianian