Western Diocese

Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, the Ladies Society Central Council chaired by Araxie Boyamian, organized its Annual Retreat that took place from March 17-19, 2010. The Retreat Committee Lena Simonian and Meline Agagianian planned an exciting spiritual retreat in a beautiful location at Mater Dolorosa Passionist Center in Sierra Madre, California. This year's theme, "The Meaning of Lent; Road to Victory," was elaborated by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasparian Religious Director of the retreat and Parish Priest of St. Mary Armenian Church in Yettem, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Parish Priest of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena, and Mashdots Jobanian, Director of Religious Education Department of the Western Diocese. Time had been set aside for Christian Fellowship, devotionals and spiritual worship about Lenten Practices of the Armenian Church,  a Look at Lent, Jesus Christ; The Way, The Truth, and The Life (The Eucharist) and "How can I make Lent spiritually profitable."

The Very Rev Fr. Dajajd Dz V. Yardemian, Vicar General, representing the Primate, presided over the program of the day on March 18, 2010. Fr. Dajad stated that the Lenten Journey is forty-nine days of fasting and prayers so that we may deepen our Christian faith and reflect on our relationship with God. He quoted the Apostle St. Paul who said, "To me Christ is life". On Friday, March 19, 2010 Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan, Parish Priest of the Armenian Church of the Desert celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The following members of the Ladies Society Central Council including Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Aida Sethian, and Advisors Mrs. Arpi Barsam and Alice Skenderian also took part in the retreat.    

The faithful returned to their respective parishes spiritually uplifted and renewed.