On May 15, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and Mrs. Rita Sargsyan, First Lady of the Republic of Armenia; visited the "Mer Hooys" Nakashian Children's Home. His Holiness was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; His Eminence Archbishop Natan Hovhannisyan, Head of the Monastic Council of the Catholicosate of All Armenians and Director of the Publishing Department of the Mother See; and Mrs. Hasmik Boghosyan, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Armenia.

A capacity crowd filled the Arbat Banquet Hall in Burbank on the evening of Saturday, May 18, 2013 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary Banquet of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral Parish and to honor Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan on the occasion of his 5th Anniversary of ordination and consecration in to the Priesthood.

On May 22, 2013, Armenian Patriarchal General Vicar of Constantinople H.E. Archbishop Aram Ateshian, accompanied by H.G. Sahag Mashalian visited the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank, California.

On Sunday, May 19, 2013, St. John Garabed Armenian Church in San Diego celebrated its 36th Name Day. The day’s celebrant and homilist was the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian. The service was presided by Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian.

The St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church of Yettem held their 36th Annual Armenian Food Festival on Thursday, May 16, 2013. The event took place at the Visalia Veteran's Memorial Building located in downtown Visalia which is about fifteen miles from the church.

It is with great pride that the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America announce that Dr. Varoujan Altebarmakian, noted leader in the health care industry and a devoted servant of the Western Diocese, was the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in ceremonies held on Ellis Island on May 11, 2013.

With the blessings of the Primate, Diocesan Priesthood-Candidate Dn. Sarkis Alanjian had been attending St. John’s Seminary in Camarrillo for the past three years. Deacon Alanjian graduated from St. John’s Seminary last week marking a new milestone in his life of service to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Sourp Hovhaness Mgrditch (St. John the Baptist) Church was consecrated in the city of Abovyan, in Armenia’s Kotayk region, by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The service was held before distinguished clergy and government officials as well as local residents.

What a better way to celebrate Mother’s Day other than to honor and show our appreciation to them. We believe that mothers are the most treasured gifts given to us from God. Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of Western Diocese, the Ladies Society of Armenian Apostolic Church of Crescenta Valley had organized a banquet on May 10, 2013 in the church hall to honor all mothers and specifically, Diramayr Mrs. Janet Derderian and two mothers from Crescenta Valley Church.

The Office of the Western Diocese presents a list of upcoming Diocesan events in the months of May, June and July.

We present to you key Diocesan missions that have been initiated or revitalized since the Primacy of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

According to the Armenian Church calendar, May 12, 2013 was observed as Second Palm Sunday (Yergrort Dzaghgazart). The seventh Sunday of Easter is called Second Palm Sunday because of the readings on that day. Beginning with New Sunday and continuing until Pentecost, the Armenian Church reads from the four Gospels every day in their proper order. Luke is read in the morning; John at midday; Matthew at the beginning of the evening hour; and Mark at the end of the evening hour. The sections related to Christ’s entry into Jerusalem coincide with the seventh Sunday of Easter, hence the designation of “Second Palm Sunday.”

The Feast of Ascension (Hampartzum) celebrations took place on Thursday May 9, 2013, at St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood. With the participation of Diocesan clergy of the greater Los Angeles Area, the Feast commenced with the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. Presided by the Primate, the day’s celebrant was the Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian, Pastor of the Armenian Church of Crescenta Valley. The Hampartzum celebration was held under the patronage of Diocesan benefactress Mrs. Rose Ketchoyan and was organized by the Hampartzum Committee.

For decades, the Turpanjian family has answered to the calling of the Almighty. Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian have been immersed in the life of the Armenian Apostolic Church through their generosity and steadfast support of her sacred missions. The benefactors of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America were honored on May 5, 2013 during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and the deacons of the Cathedral parish assisted the day’s celebrant, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate. Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian also participated in the service.

St. Leon Armenian Cathedral hosted this year’s Annual Clergy Assembly which convened on May 2, 2013 under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.