On October 24, 2010, St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood celebrated the 90th anniversary of Archpriest Fr. Nshan Beilerian. On this special occasion, Archpriest Fr. Nshan Beilerian received a special plaque of appreciation from Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, Parish Priest of St. John.

“He who believes in me, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water’ ” (John 7:38)

On October 26, the Primate presided over the last Clergy Conference of 2010. Held at the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank, California, 26 Diocesan clergy participated in the conference.

It is the mission of the Western Diocese to tend to the spiritual needs of our beloved faithful. The process involves disseminating not only religious information, but historical, cultural and educational knowledge as well.

An exhibit showcasing the works of Avetis Manoukian was held at the Zorayan Museum following the church service on October 24, 2010. The artist is the father of yet another renowned artist Seta Manoukian.

On October 24, 2010, the Feast day of the Discovery of the Holy Cross, the Primate presided over the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank, California.

On Saturday, October 23, 2010 the UCLA Dodd Hall Auditorium was host to a symposium stressing the issue of Armenian Genocide Reparations. Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian represented the Primate during in the symposium.

The Primate presided over the Diocesan Endowment Fund meeting on October 23, 2010. Chaired by Mr. Ben Krikorian, various reports were presented during the meeting. Issues related to strengthening the Endowment Fund were also discussed during the meeting. The Primate commended the dedicated service of the members of the Endowment Fund.

On October 21, 2010, His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian was taken to a hospital in Jerusalem and treated for knee pain. Having spent the five nights at the hospital, the 91 year-old Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem returned to the St. James Monastery on October 26, 2010.

The November 2 congressional elections are expected to have a tidal wave effect on America’s political landscape. Campaign ads and political commentaries have flooded the airwaves and everyone is anxiously following the polls to see if their favorite candidate or party is going to prevail or get tossed out.

We are happy to inform the Diocesan faithful that the Bible Study sessions have commenced. Please refer to the following schedules for the dates and times.

October 23 Endowment Fund Meeting at the Western Diocese

On October 18, 2010 the Primate met with Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, Parish Priest of the Armeinan Church of La Canada and Crescenta Valley and the members of the Parish Council.

On October 18, the Primate, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian, visited the St. Gregory the Illuminator’s Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian School in Pasadena, California. On October 19, he visited the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian School in Pasadena.

On October 16, 2010, with the approval of the Primate, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian, Musical Director of the Western Diocese, met with St. Vartan Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan and the Choir Director. The aim was to meet with each Choir of the Western Diocese and ensure uniformity in singing of the liturgical chants of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church.

The Western Diocese is blessed to have such dedicated faithful as Mr. and Mrs. Antranik Zorayan. The Zorayans have always stood by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Western Diocese and St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa with their kind deeds, generosity and dedicated service.

On Sunday, October 17, 2010, the Primate presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank, California.

We are happy to inform that Ms. Makruhi Agopyan, deputy editor of “Marmara” Armenian newspaper in Turkey, visited the Western Diocese on October 14, 2010.

It is with great sadness that we inform about the passing of Rafael Babayan. A long-time member of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Mr. Babayan passed away on October 4, 2010.

The first problem with the widely circulated reports that several Armenians have defrauded Medicare out of millions of dollars is that these individuals are innocent until proven guilty. Only after a court establishes their guilt, they can be labeled as crooks or criminals.

On October 3, 2010, the “Good Samaritans” of the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral Parish organized an informative evening with psychologist Dr. Zarik Hacopian.

October 17 Primate will bestow the St. Nerses Shnorhali medals upon Mr. and Mrs. Saro Marukian and Mr. and Mrs. Raffi Marukian inside the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral.

On October 12, 2010, Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch paid a visit to the Western Diocese. She and her delegation received a warm welcomed by the Primate, the Vicar General, Joseph Kanimian Esq., Mr. Antranik Zorayan, Mr. Berj Shahbazian, Mr. Raffi Kendirjian and Dn. Harout Markarian, Executive Director of the Western Diocese.

On October 11, 2010, Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs Officer of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles visited the Primate at the Western Diocese.

Sunday, October 10, 2010, marked the first time the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at the newly-consecrated St. Leon Armenian Cathedral.

We are happy to inform that the Saturday and Sunday Schools commenced on October 9th and 10th, respectively. The classes will be held inside the newly consecrated St. Leon Armenian Cathedral.

Another historic chapter in the life of the Western Diocese was written on October 9, 2010. On that Saturday, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese presided over the Blessing and Dedication of St. Garabed Armenian Church in Rancho Mirage, California. The Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, the Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretzian, Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan, Parish Priest of St. Garabed, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian, Parish Priest of the Armenian Church of La Verne, Dn. Hovnan Vardanyan, Priesthood-Candidate of the Western Diocese, also participated in the historic event.

On October 3, 2010, the “Stars Theater” in Glendale was the venue for the 50th anniversary celebration of TV host and eloquent reciter Mrs. Nune Avetisyan. The evening was also dedicated to her 30 years of artistic achievement and 15th anniversary of her television program “Barev.”

On October 3, 2010, Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Parish Priest St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church celebrated the Divine Liturgy which was presided over by the Primate.

On October 11, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received Husain Arnus, Governor of the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, Syrian Arab Republic.

On October 7, with the blessing of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a three-day symposium was convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing. The symposium was organized by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Armenian Spiritual pastorate of the Netherlands. The event was dedicated to the founding of an Armenian printing house in Amsterdam in 1660 - "Holy Etchmiadzin and St. Sargis the Commander".

Turkish officials have been misrepresenting the facts of the Armenian Genocide for years. Even though this is saddening and even sickening, it is not surprising. Wrongdoers usually cover up their guilt and proclaim their innocence.

In 2008, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), an Alabama-based non-profit civil rights organization, published an article titled, "State of Denial: Turkey Spends Millions to Cover Up Armenian Genocide." It was a hard-hitting exposé of the Turkish government’s elaborate and sinister efforts to pressure U.S. politicians and entice academics to deny the facts of the Armenian Genocide.

On September 26, 2010, the Glendale Pacific Community Center was host to a celebration event marking the 70th anniversary and 50 years of artistic career of renowned artist Vladimir Atanian.

On September 21, 2010, the Primate, accompanied by the Vicar General, Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian and Rev. Fr. Mampre Kesabyan, attended a special reception dedicated to the 19th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Armenia.

October 1 – Primate will visit the TCA Arshag Dickranian School October 2 – As the Honoree, the Primate will attend the Association of Istanbul Armenians Event

On September 28, 2010, the Primate attended the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders meeting which was hosted by Rabbi Mark Diamond. Accompanying the Primate was Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian.

AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School In continuing the long tradition of paying visits to Armenian Schools, on September 27, 2010 the Primate visited the students at AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian School in Pasadena California. The Primate commended the students for their dedication and educated them about leading a life of prayer.

The Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYO) of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in San Diego celebrated its 35th anniversary on September 25, 2010. Past and present ACYO members were invited to the event to reflect on the invaluable memories.

On September 26, 2010, the “Nor Serount” Cultural Association had organized a special celebration event dedicated to the 19th anniversary of the Armenian Independence Day. Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian represented the Primate at the event and extended the Primate’s blessings and sincere wishes to the organizing body and the participants.

Under the auspices of the Primate, the Christian Education Council (CEC) met at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese on Saturday, September 25, 2010. It was chaired by Mrs. Debbie Derderian chaired the meeting.

On September 24, on the eve of the Feast Day of St. George the Commander (St. Kevork Zoravar), the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Kevork Armenian Church in Glendale, California. He was assisted by Rev. Fr. Mampre Kesabyan and the Parish Deacons.

On September 22, 2010, the Primate, accompanied by the Vicar General, attended a special welcoming reception of Archbishop Jose Gomez, the new Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles.

The “Junior Godfathers” meeting took place on September 21, 2010. The meeting was presided by the Primate and was chaired by Mrs. Alice Chakrian.

On September 21, 2010, the Primate presided over the (Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund) ECF meeting at the Western Diocese.

The Blessing and Dedication (Navagadik) ceremony of the Armenian Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. The Primate will be presiding over this historic event. A reception at the Kirkjan Hall will follow the ceremony.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian will preside over the Grand Opening event of the Zorayan Museum which will be held on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

We are pleased to inform you that in recognition of their committed service to the Western Diocese and the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, His Holiness Karekin II has sent a Pontifical Message of Blessing and Commendation to the Benefactors and the Members of the Building Committee.

On September 21, the Very Rev. Fr. Datev Hakobian, a Member of the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was elected as Primate of the Diocese of Romania during the Diocesan Assembly. On September 24, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians ratified the September 21st election. The Very Rev. Fr. Datev Hakobian, was previously the Spiritual pastor of the Armenians in the Netherlands.

The year 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the first St. Mary Armenian Church of Yettem. Bishop Moushegh Seropian consecrated the first church on July 3, 1911. In marking this centennial, the 100th anniversary committee has planned events for every other month, continuing until July 3, 2011.