Western Diocese

Latest News

Great Lent begins on Monday, February 20

The Great Lent begins on February 20. In efforts to educate and enrich the spirituality of the Diocesan faithful, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America has prepared a series of (seminars/lectures) explaining the meaning and significance of the Great Lent.

St. Leon Armenian Cathedral Hosts First Clergy Conference of the Year

The first Clergy Conference of the year was held on February 13, 2012 at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. The conference began at 10:00 a.m. with a Morning Prayer Service inside the spiritual center of the Western Diocese. Deacon Matthew Ash, appointed Pastor of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco delivered the message of the day.

Feasts Days of Ghevontiants and Vartanats to be Celebrated at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral

February 13th marked the The Feast Day of St. Ghevont the Priest and His Companions. Three days later on February 16, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Feast Day of St. Vartan the Warrior and His Companions.

Women’s International Day of Prayer to be Held at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral

Armenian Christian women from all the greater Los Angeles area Armenian Churches; Apostolic, Brethren, Brotherhood, Catholic, Evangelical and Nazarene, cordially invite you to the Annual Women's World Day of Prayer, Friday, March 2, 2012. The Christian women of Malaysia have chosen the theme for this year, "Let Justice Prevail". The bilingual program for this prayer service is planned by women of all participating Armenian churches.

CYMA 2012 – Preparing for a Trip of a Lifetime

Dear Parents of the Armenian Church Western Diocese, In 2004, His Eminence, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian founded a program called Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA). For the past eight years CYMA has taken over 120 Armenian youth to their homeland. Click here to view a video of last year’s CYMA trip – “A Life Changing Pilgrimage to the Motherland.”

Primate Celebrates Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew, Cupertino

While on a pastoral visit to Northern California, on February 12, Diocese the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew Armenian Church in Cupertino. At the conclusion of the service the Primate read aloud the Pontifical Encyclical with which His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, bestowed St. Nerses the Graceful medals upon St. Andrew parishioners Dr. Peter Abaci and Mr. Noubar Manoukian.

St. Andrew, Cupertino Hosts Annual Banquet

On February 11, 2012, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, attended the Annual Banquet of St. Andrew Armenian Apostolic Church. Closed to 100 faithful attended the banquet which was held in the Amirian Hall of the Parish.

Blessings for the Family - Diocesan Task Force targets Domestic Violence with Walk and Service

In the West, it’s known as Valentine’s Day, but if you celebrate Christmas on January 6, as do the Armenians, February 14 is the Feast of the Presentation of Christ – 40 days after Christmas.

Primate Meets with Parish Council of St. John, San Francisco

On Friday, February 10, 2012, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian visited St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco and met with the members of the Parish Council.

Northern Regional Meeting Held at St. John, San Francisco

Every year, the Primate presides over three regional meetings in order to discuss Diocesan issues and to update each respective region about the current activities taking place in the Western Diocese. On February 11, 2012, St. John Armenian Church was host to this year’s Northern Regional Meeting.

Primate's 2012 February Schedule

11 – Morning: St. John, San Francisco – planned visitation with Parish Council members Regional Meeting – Northern California Evening: St. Andrew, Cupertino – Annual Banquet

Youth Blessing Day at St. John Garabed, Hollywood

At the decree of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Feast Day of St. Sarkis was dedicated to the youth of the Church. The Feast Day of St. Sarkis is celebrated with great excitement at St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood.

Primate Pays Pastoral Visit to the Armenian Church in Las Vegas

On February 1, 2012, the Primate, accompanied by Dn. Harout Markarian, Executive Director of the Western Diocese, paid a visit to the Armenian Apostolic Church in Las Vegas where they met with the members of the Parish Council and the Building Committee. The Primate was briefed on the construction efforts of the church as well as related matters pertaining to the Parish.

Upcoming Feast Days

On February 13 and 14, the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the Feast Days of St. Ghevont the Priest and His Companions and the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple (Dyuarnuntarach), respectively.

Primate Pays Pastoral Visit to Armenian Community in Utah

On February 6, 2012, the Primate paid a pastoral visit to the Armenian faithful community in Salt Lake City, Utah. The visit was organized by the Armenian Relief Society.

St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church Celebrates 2nd Anniversary

On February 4, 2012, the faithful community of St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Santa Clarita celebrated the parish’s 2nd Anniversary with a Gala Banquet at Great Caesar Banquet Hall in Tujunga, California. Attending the event with Diocesan Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian were guest clergymen the Very Rev. Fr. Maghakia Amiryan (Holy Etchmiadzin) and Rev. Fr. Yeremia Khachatryan.

Primate Celebrates Divine Liturgy and Ordains Deacon at St. Sarkis, Santa Clarita

In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Sarkis, on Sunday, February 5, 2012, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Santa Clarita, California.

Primate’s February 2012 Schedule

3 – Evening: Pastoral Visit to St. John Garabed, Hollywood 4 – Morning: Visitation – Cathedral’s “Little Angels” Saturday School Morning: 10 AM – Cathedral’s Ladies’ Guild Evening: St. Sarkis, Santa Clarita – Name Day Celebration (Banquet)

MDS Science Lab Unveiling Ceremony

Another historic chapter was written was in the life of AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, when the two High School Science Labs were blessed and dedicated.

Primate's Heartfelt Call to Action - Lets Give All Our Children a Secure Childhood

For almost two decades, “Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund,” a sponsorship program in its 18th year, pursues a most divine and God pleasing task, namely to assist orphans and needy children of Armenia. These disadvantaged yet brilliant children are unprepared to face life’s challenges for they become dependent upon the bits of charity and benevolence.