Western Diocese

Febuary 2008 Archive

Women Saints’ Day Service

On February 25, 2008, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Women Saints’ Day Service was held at St. John Armenian Church in Hollywood, California.

Family Promise of San Fernando Valley: A Community Response for Homeless Families

Primate Visits ‘The Lincy Foundation’

On February 15, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, accompanied by Mr. Armen Hampar, Mr. Berj shahbazian and Mr. Joseph Kanimian, Esq., Vice Chair of the Diocesan Council, paid a special visit to the Lincy Foundation and met with the newly appointed president, Mr. Jay Rakow.

Khoren Balian Remembrance Evening at Western Diocese

On February 20, 2008, the Primate presided over a commemorative evening on the first anniversary of Khoren Balian’s passing, held at the Western Diocese. Khoren Balian was a renowned intellectual, writer and singer.

Requiem for Martyrs of Artsakh

Upon the initiative of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, on Sunday, February 24, 2008, a special requiem for martyrs of the liberation of Artsakh was performed in all churches of the Western Diocese. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of the liberation of Artsakh.

Primate’s Pastoral Visit to St. Mary of Yettem, California

On February 21, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian paid a pastoral visit to St.

Primate’s Pastoral Visit to Las Vegas Parish

Primate Visits Arizona

Mother Cathedral Building Committee Meeting

Stewardship Program Committee Met at Western Diocese

Renewal of Faith Pilgrimage to Armenia, 2008

Primate’s Pastoral Visit to Ventura County, California

On Sunday, February 24, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian accompanied by Deacons from the Western Diocese paid a pastoral visit to the Armenian Church.

Primate Visited T.C.A. Arshag Dickranian School

On February 19, 2008, the Primate visited T.C.A. Arshag Dickranian School in Hollywood and met with a group of students in one of the classrooms.

Western Diocese Honors Los Angeles Chief of Police William Bratton

Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, a reception was held in honor of Los Angeles Chief of Police William Bratton at the Taglyan Cultural Center, St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood on the evening of February 19, 2008.

Primate Presided over St. Gregory the Illuminator Parish Council Meeting

Primate’s Revised Schedule for February 21-29

Southern California Regional Meeting

On Saturday, February 16, 2008, the Primate presided over the Southern California Regional Meeting. Improvement of coordination and interrelations between the Western Diocese and several Parishes were the main topic discussed during the meeting.

Primate Visits Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian School

On February 13, 2008, the Primate visited St. Gregory Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian School in Pasadena. The Primate was enthusiastically greeted by school children, teachers and staff members, headed by Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretsian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena.

“They Are Our Future” Art Exhibition at Western Diocese

On February 15, 2008, six young Armenian artists displayed their works at an art exhibition at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church.

Mother Cathedral Building Committee Meeting

Diocesan Council Meeting

Western Diocese Endowment Fund Meeting

n February 16, 2008, the Chancellor of the Western Diocese, Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, presided over the Endowment Fund Meeting.

Choir Committee Meeting

Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian presided over the Choir Committee meeting at the Western Diocese, on February 16, 2008. Mrs. Neli Semerjian chaired the meeting. The concerns and problems facing the choirs of the several parishes were carefully considered and discussed during this meeting.

CYMA Meets at Western Diocese

On Saturday, February 16, 2008 the first CYMA Q&A event was held at the headquarters of the Western Diocese.

Western Diocese Summer Camp Committee Meeting

On Saturday, February 16, 2008, the Primate presided over the Western Diocese Summer Camp Program Committee meeting.

Primate’s Pastoral Visit to Santa Clarita Armenian Church

37th Debutante Ball

The 37th Debutante Ball of the Western Diocese was held on February 17, 2008, at Beverly Hill Hotel.

Primate Visited St. Andrew Armenian Church

Schedule of Primate’s Pastoral Visits to Armenian Schools

Primate Visits Armenian Apostolic Church Brotherhood

n February 4, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, accompanied by the Vicar General of the Western Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Archpriest Hovsep Hagopian and Dn. Hovnan Vartanyan, paid a pastoral visit to Armenian Apostolic Church Brotherhood of Glendale.

President of USA Armenia Fund Western Region Visits Western Diocese

On February 5, 2008, Mrs. Maria Mehranian, President of USA Armenia Fund Western Region, paid an official visit to His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

First Vigil Service of Lent at Western Diocese

On February 6, 2008, starting at 7:00 p.m., the Primate presided over the special prayer vigil of the Lent at the Western Diocese.

Santa Clarita Armenian Church Parish Council Meeting

On February 6, 2008, the Santa Clarita Armenian Church Parish Council Meeting was convened at 8:00 p.m. in the Primate’s office at the Western Diocesan Arshag and Eleanor Dickranian Complex. The Visiting Parish Priest, Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian and Dn. Arsen Hairapetyan also participated in this meeting.

Primate Visits Eastern Diocese and St. Nersess Seminary

On Thursday, February 7, 2008, the Primate flew from Los Angeles to New York, to visit the Eastern Diocese and St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New Rochelle.

Summer Camp Committee meets at Western Diocese

 

8th Anniversary of Anahid Fund

 On February 9, 2008, the 8th anniversary of Anahid Fund—a non profit organization that assists pregnant women and low-income families with infant children in Armenia—was celebrated at Taglyan Hall of St. John Armenian Church in Hollywood.

Hovsepian School Annual Reception

 

Primate’s Pastoral Visit to Portland Armenian Church

On Sunday, February 10, 2008, the Primate paid a pastoral visit to the Armenian Church in Portland, Oregon. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon.Â

75th Anniversary of Rafael Hambardzumian and Exhibition

 

Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund Grand Gala

Under the auspices of the Western Diocese, the ECF fundraising banquet took place at Ritz Carlton/Langham Huntington Resort and Spa, on February 1, 2008. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, accompanied with the Vicar General of the Western Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardermain and Very Rev. Fr.Dz. V. Baret Yeretsian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena, participated in this event.

Bone Marrow Donor Registry Executive Committee at Western Diocese

The Bone Marrow Executive Committee, headed by Dr. Frieda Jordan, paid a cordial visit to His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian at the Western Diocese, on February 1, 2008. 

Diocese Participates in Episcopal Pro-Cathedral Dedication

On Saturday, February 2, 2008 Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian represented the Primate at the dedication of St. John’s Episcopal Church of Los Angeles as the Pro-Cathedral for the Episcopal Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Fr. Dajad was accompanied by Dn. Matthew Ash and Dn. Arsen Hayrapetyan.

Primate’s Pastoral Visit to Armenian Church of Seattle, WA

On February 4, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, paid a pastoral visit to the Armenian Church in Seattle, Washington, whereupon he celebrated the Divine Liturgy, assisted by the Parish Priest, Fr.Yeghia Isayan, and delivered the sermon.

St. Vartan Day at Western Diocese

On January 31, 2008, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church hosted a special event honoring the memory of St. Vartan and his companions who took arm for the first time in the history to defend the Christian Faith and the integrity of Armenia as an independent country.

Guest Clergy Visit Western Diocese

His Grace Bishop Bagrat Galstanian, Primate of the Diocese of Canada, and Fr. Hovhanes Hovhanesyan, Vicar General of the Diocese of Artsakh and Abbot of Gandzasar Monastery, visited the Western Diocese. On January 31, 2008, the Primate of the Diocese of Canada met with His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese. Later in the evening, the two Primates participated in the St. Vartan Day event which was held at the Western Diocese.

Primate’s Schedule for February 2008

 

Clergy Gathered on St. Ghevont and His Companions Day at St. John Armenian Church in Hollywood

On January 29, 2008, the clergy from several states from the vast jurisdiction of the Western Diocese gathered at St. John Armenian Church in Hollywood for a day-long meeting in observance of St. Ghevont and His Companions Day.Â

Candidates McCain, Romney and Huckabee Don't Seem Interested in Armenian Voters

While Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards issued strong statements last month recognizing the Armenian Genocide and expressing support for other Armenian issues, Republican candidates John McCain, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee do not seem as interested in courting Armenian-American voters.

Commemoration Evening in Memory of Hrant Dink at Western Diocese

In the evening of January 25, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, presided over the commemorative event in memory of Hrant Dink, on the first anniversary of the assassination of the slain journalist, in the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall of the Diocesan complex in Burbank, California.

Sunday School Teachers Gather at Western Diocese

On Saturday, January 26, 2008, the Sunday School teachers for the newly established parishes of Antelope Valley, La Canada-Crescenta Valley, Santa Clarita (Valencia), Victorville, Ventura County, Boise (Idaho), Burbank, as well as Scottsdale, Arizona gathered at the Western Diocese to share their experiences and discuss the issues pertaining the Sunday School Program. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, accompanied by several clergy from the Diocese, presided over the meeting. The Primate expressed his appreciation to the participants for their presence and thanked for their crucially important service to the Church. The Primate in his remarks lauded the importance of the Sunday School programs to the mission of the Church. In the second part of the meeting, Mrs. Debbie Derderian, spoke extensively on the importance of Sunday School programs and the responsibility that has been entrusted with them in providing proper Christian education for the future generations. The Vicar General of the Western Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, offered the concluding remarks in which he presented directives for the betterment of the Sunday School programs to the participants, wishing them even more success in their mission.

Primate’s Pastoral Visit to Arizona

On Sunday, January 27, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, paid a pastoral visit to the Arizona Parish on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Church in the state.

CYMA to host first annual Q&A on Feb. 16

For those of you interested in participating in the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia 2008, we highly recommend that you attend our Feb. 16 Q&A session to express your questions and concerns. We encourage you to bring your parents, so you can together learn about our mission and introduce yourselves to those involved.

Renewal Of Faith 2008 Pilgrimage

Organized by the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, the pilgrimage will begin from Los Angles on September 18, 2008 and continue for duration of two weeks through October 2, 2008.