The Prime Minister of Turkey Receb Tayyip Erdogan has reportedly issued a confidential decree (No. 2007-18) on July 3 banning the use of the term "sozde" (alleged or so-called) when referring to the Armenian Genocide.

On the evening of July 24, 2007, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presided over the Parish Council meeting of St. Gregory t he Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena and met with Pastor Very Rev. Baret Yeretzian and Chairman Vahe Skenderian.

On Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., under the Presidency of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate,  a presentation of Archbishop Arsen Berberian’s book, “The History of Armenian and Anglican United Church 1845 – 1905” was held in the Kalaydjian Hall at the Western Diocese Complex in Burbank.

The Board of Trustees of the Western Diocese Endowment Fund meets regularly under the Presidency of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate.

On the occasion of the 80th Anniversary, with the efforts of Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasparian, and Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian, on July 28, 2007, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., a spiritual retreat was held for adults at St. Mary Armenian Church of Yettem.

On Saturday, July 29, 2007, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, delivered the sermon at the Armenian Church of La Canada.

On Sunday, July 29, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the famous Hollywood Bowl, the “Spirit of Armenia” concert was held with the participation of well known and talented Armenian artists and dance groups.

A Retreat of the Western Diocese Sanahin Institute was held from July 19 to 21, 2007 at the Aldersgate Retreat Center and Chapel in Pacific Palisades, California.

The reunion of the Armenian School students of Iraq was held on Saturday, July 21, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. with guests enjoying a dinner dance at the Brandview Collection in Glendale.

On Sunday, July 22, 2007, Rev. Hovel Ohanian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at the Armenian Church of Burbank (Diocesan Headquarters).

The Armenian Apostolic Church of Riverside held a banquet on July 22, 2007, under the auspices of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Diocese and the 3rd Anniversary of establishing the Riverside Parish.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, visited the summer camp July 22 to 23, 2007 and presided over church services, met with the students and camp leaders and delivered his message. During the coming two weeks, he will again visit the camp.

CYMA's 12 pilgrims returned from their trip which focused on experiencing the foundations of our faith. CYMA's 16 interns continue to live and work in Yerevan, and will return on August 15. Learn about the amazing things which the pilgrims experianced during their time in the Motherland. You can find personal stories, and pictures by visiting www.cyma-wd.org[http://www.cyma-wd.org].

Vartavar, the celebration of the Transfiguration of Christ, is one of the five major feast days in the Armenian Church. On Sunday, July 15th, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at the Armenian Church of Burbank (Diocese).

In the morning of Monday, July 16th, at 10:30am in the Armen and Gloria Hampar Reception Room, the Armenian-Epispocal Dialogue Committee meeting took place.

On July 5th, 2007 the CYMA Pilgrims for 2007 arrived at LAX from their intensive two week pilgrimage to Armenia. They were received by ecstatic family members and friends as they exited the terminal. For these young faithful of the Western Diocese this was the end of their trip, but the beginning of their renewed mission within the Armenian Church.

We are happy to announce to the Diocesan Clergy, Parish Councils, Diocesan Delegates, auxiliary organizations, and our faithful that Abp. Hovnan Derderian has assigned Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan as the pastor of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Arizona.

With joy we also announce to the faithful that our Primate, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, has assigned Fr. Hovel Ohanian as visiting pastor of the Santa Clarita Armenian Church (Valencia), as well as the Ventura County Armenian Church (Camarillo). was recently ordained at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

In the morning of Sunday, July 8th, Primate and visiting priest Fr. Mikael Kyureghian, visited the Denver, Colorado Armenian Apostolic Church.

On July 11th, at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, Parish Council Chairman Richard Charshafian, was ordained to the order of Deacon by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

In the Morning of Saturday, July 14, at the Diocesan Headquarters, the Primate and Chairman Dn. Barlow Der Mgrdechian led the Diocesan Council’s monthly meeting.

On Saturday, July 14th, with the Primate presiding, and under the leadership of Chairperson Carina Karakashian, the Central Council held the monthly meeting at the Diocesan Headquarters.

In the evening of July 14th, Dr. and Mrs. Simon and Lena Simonian hosted at their residence a warm and friendly gathering with over 70 guests in attendance.

On July 2nd, The Very Rev. Fr. Samuel Aghoyan began his visitation to the Western Diocese. On July 15th, he celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena, and delivered the sermon.

On Monday and Tuesday, July 9-10, 2007, His Eminence Hovnan Abp.

The primate of the Western Diocese, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, for his first time celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Armenian Church of San Bernadino (Victorville) on July 1, 2007.

After languishing for more than a year in Washington, D.C., Richard Hoagland, U.S. Ambassador Designate to Armenia, is about to be reassigned to another country, according to several confidential but highly reliable sources.

On July 13, 2007 His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, received the Honorable Eric Garcetti, President of the Los Angeles City Council, at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese to discuss matters of mutual importance.

On Tuesday, June 26, 2007, the Commencement ceremonies of the Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian School of the St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church took place at the Diocesan Headquarters.

On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Canada Day, organized by the International Informatization Academy, was celebrated in Glendale at the Civic Auditorium.

On Thursday, June 28, 2007, Hovan Simonian’s book, “The Hemshin” was presented to the public at the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank.   This cultural program was organized by the alumni of the Getronagan School of Constantinople.

On Monday, July 2, 2007, a special pre-marital seminar was conducted at the Diocese Headquarters in Burbank. 

It is with immense spiritual joy that His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, conveys to pastors, councils and the Armenian faithful that Rev. Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, the pastor of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco, has lead his eighth pilgrimage to the Motherland of Armenia and the Holy Etchmiadzin.

  On Saturday, June 30, 2007, a Regional Youth Retreat in Fowler organized by the ACYO Central Council was held with 25 youth participating.

On Thursday, June 20, 2007, Rocky Delgadillo, City Attorney of Los Angeles, honored four prominent Armenian artists at his offices in downtown Los Angeles.

On Saturday June 23, 2007, Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian attended the Commencement ceremonies of the Arshag Dickranian School.

On Sunday, July 1, 2007, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, paid his first pastoral visit to the Victorville community accompanied by Rev. Fr. Mampre Kessabian and Deacons Mayis Shabazian and Arsen Hairabedian.

Douglas Frantz, Managing Editor of the Los Angeles Times, resigned last week following his controversial decision in April to block the publication of a major article on the Armenian Genocide, written by reporter Mark Arax.