Western Diocese

Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, the Ladies Society Central Council Chair headed by Mrs. Araxie Boyamian organized the 31^st Annual Observance of Women's Saints Day in honor of St. Hripsime. The scheduled events took place in four Parishes of the Western Diocese.

Central California

The first celebration event was held at St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno, California on February 16, 2010. It was presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian and included Rev. Archpriest Fr. Kevork Arakelian, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Arshen Aivazian, Parish Priest, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasparian, Parish Priest of St. Mary Armenian Church in Yettem, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian, Parish Priest of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Fowler and Vicar of the Central California Region and the faithful of their respective Parishes.

Rev. Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian, Diocesan Musical Director and Parish Priest of the Armenian Church in La Verne also participated in the event. The participants from the Ladies Central Council included Mrs. Araxie Boyamian, Chairman, Mrs. Rebecca Jorjorian, Treasurer, Mrs. Sara Der Matoian, Advisor, and Alice Skenderian, Advisor.

During the celebration event, Mrs. Araxie Boyamian and Rev. Archpriest Fr. Arshen Aivazian reflected on the life of St. Hripsime and her martyrdom in English. Furthermore, Yeretzgin Sirarpi Aivazian, Pauline Basmajian, and Zarouhi Vardanian read Armenian Holy Scriptures. In his closing remarks, the Vicar General commended the dedication of the Ladies Society Central Council for organizing the wonderful event. A reception followed the celebration ceremony.

Southern California

On February 17, the group headed to the Armenian Church of La Canada. The event was presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General. Close to 100 faithful had gathered to witness the celebration. Among the guest clergy included Very Rev. Fr. Kegham Dz. V. Zakarian, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, Parish Priest of St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, Parish Priest of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood and Vicar of the Southern California Region, and Rev. Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Parish Priest of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena.

The members of the clergy dedicated a special service to the life of St. Hripsime and sang a wonderful sharagan (hymn) dedicated to her.

Furthermore, the ladies from the La Canada Parish Mary Karnikian, Meline Agagianian, Ani Zakarian and Anahit Derian read Bible passages in English and Armenian.

Following the ceremony, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, Parish Priest and Mrs. Araxie Boyamian, Ladies Society Central Council Chair, welcomed everyone to the celebration ceremony and expressed their gratitude for their presence.

The Parish Priest reflected on the life of St. Hripsime and expressed his appreciation to the Primate and the Ladies Society Central Council for graciously organizing the beautiful event. Mrs. Lena Simonian, Chair of the Ladies Society of the Armenian Church of La Canada read the life of St. Hripsime in English. Other members of the Ladies Society Central Council included Mrs. Arpi Barsam, Advisor, Mrs. Aida Sethian, Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Ani Lanuza, Recording Secretary and Meline Agagianian, Advisor.    

On behalf of the Primate, the Vicar General expressed his appreciation to all members of the Ladies Society Central Council, clergymen, parishioners and faithful.

A reception followed the celebration ceremony. The Parish Priest and the Ladies Society Central Council also celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the ordination of Very Rev. Fr. Kegham Dz. V. Zakarian, and Rev. Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian.

Las Vegas, Nevada

The celebration event took place on February 18, 2010 at the Armenian Church of Las Vegas. It was presided over by the Vicar General. Rev. Fr. Serop Azarian, Parish Priest, Mrs. Araxie Boyamian, Ladies Society Central Council Chair and Alice Skenderian, Advisor participated in the celebration event.

Mrs. Olga Krikorians read Holy Bible passages. The Parish Priest reflected on the life of the martyr St. Hripsime in Armenian while Mrs. Araxie Boyamian did so in English.

The Vicar General offered the closing prayer.

Northern California

On February 19, 2010, the celebration event took place at St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland, California. It was presided over by Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Parish Priest of St. Andrew Armenian Church in Cupertino and Vicar of the Northern California region. He welcomed the members of the Ladies Society Central Council. Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest of St. Vartan, Rev. Fr. Diran Avagyan, Parish Priest of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco and Rev. Fr. Asoghig Jamgochian, Parish Priest of St. James Armenian Church in Sacramento also participated in the event. Chair Araxie Boyamian, Treasurer Rebecca Jorjorian, and Advisors Sara Der Matoian and Alice Skenderian were the representatives of the Ladies Society Central Council at the event.

Tigi Garabedian and Seta Yazjian read passages in Armenian and Seta Dominguez read in English. Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan and Mrs. Araxie Boyamian collectively reflected on the life of St. Hripsime, the martyr.  

Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian expressed the Primate's blessings to all and commended the dedicated service of the Ladies Society Central Council. A reception took place in the hall of the church.