Western Diocese

The third annual joint commemoration of the Armenian Genocide sponsored by the St. Peter Armenian Church and Youth Ministries Center and the St. Mark Episcopal Church of Glendale took place on April 23, 2008 inside the St. Peter sanctuary.

This commemoration is part of the ongoing dialogue between the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles and the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church.

Representing the two Primates were His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian representing Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Western Diocese and His Grace Bishop Chester Talton, representing Bishop Jon Bruno, Episcopal Diocese.

The service was a solemn remembrance of victims of all Genocides. In a long litany recited by the hosting priests, Fr. Vazken Movsesian and Fr. Mark Weitzel, the suffering of humanity was remembered from the beginning of time.

Two readings were offered in lieu of a homily. The first was a reading from Nancy Kricorian’s “Zabelle” read by Madlyn Mgrublian. The second was a reading by author and poet Lory Bedikian, entitled “Citadel of Swallows.” The audience was moved to tears by the very moving words expressed in these creations.

The church choirs sang a variety of hymns that set a melodic tone for the evening. Dr. Deacon Hrair Dekmejian, choir leader for St. Peter, brought the Armenian hymn close to the hearts of the hundreds in attendance. At the end of the service the St. Mark Episcopal choir brought their offering of praise by singing the Lord’s prayer in Armenian.

At the conclusion of the service, every attendee approached the altar and offered incense in memory of the fallen Martyrs of 1915.

In attendance was Glendale City Clerk, Ardashes Kassakhian. He commented, “The City of Glendale can spend thousands of dollars trying to organize the ‘perfect’ event for the commemoration of the Genocide and it wouldn’t hold a candle to the simple, love filled message of hope that your [Fr. Vazken] collaboration with the Episcopalian Church presented.”