Western Diocese

On April 30, 2009, beginning at 9:45 AM, the 57^th Ladies Society Assembly, as part of the 82^nd Diocesan Assembly, convened for its day-long meeting at St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presided over the meeting - chaired by Mrs. Araxie Boyamian, Chair of the Ladies Society Central Council. Mrs. Ani Lanuza, Rec. Secretary of the Ladies Society Central Council, conducted the meeting.

After the invocation offered by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, the English translation of the letter of blessing and commendation of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, to the 57^th Ladies Society Assembly of the Western Diocese was read in its entirety by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian:

"We convey our Pontifical love and blessings from the Altar of Light - the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, to all you members of the 57^th Ladies Society Assembly who headed by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, have convened at St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles for the annual session of the assembly.

"Dear esteemed ladies,

"Throughout many centuries, the God-loving and dedicated Armenian women have kept the Armenian life alive, reinforced the institution of the Armenian family, and contributed wholeheartedly to our ancestral land and Holy Apostolic Church. As the beloved and faithful daughters of our Holy Church, you have passionately served the mission of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. During our Pontifical Visits to the Western Diocese we have satisfactorily witnessed your dedicated service and accomplishments in the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. Through your dedicated service you have elevated the status of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church in the blessed United States. It is with a grateful heart that we reflect on your dedicated service. We are confident of the Primate's and clergy's high level of satisfaction with your devoted service in the Diocese and many parishes.

"In lieu of the global financial crisis and its negative effects on governments and societies across the world, we call upon our beloved Church-loving faithful to be more forthcoming in assisting and contributing to our people's educational, cultural and charitable organizations in the Untied States to assure a smooth transition through this difficult period.

"It is our Pontifical prayer that the Almighty may keep you under His Benevolent protection and continue to bless you all gifted faithful with good health, longevity and prosperity.

"'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope' (Rom. 15:13)."

Rev. Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, Pastor of the host church for the 82^nd Diocesan Assembly, St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles, offered the welcoming remarks at the meeting.

Mrs. Araxie Boyamian, Chair of LSCC, also welcomed everyone at the meeting and introduced the members of the LSCC to the participants. She then invited Mrs. Lily Ring Balian, Chair of the Hosting Committee to offer her remarks. Following Mrs. Balian's remarks, chairs of the Ladies Societies of participating parishes introduced their parish priests to the assembly. The spiritual message for the day was delivered by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys, California.

During lunch Abp. Hovnan Derderian dedicated a song to the ladies of St. James Armenian Church for all of their hard work and dedication.

The 57^th Ladies Societies Assembly adopted the following motion regrinding the reelection of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian as the Primate of the Western Diocese for a second seven-year term in the afternoon session of the meeting:

"The 57^th Ladies Society Assembly announces its unanimous vote of confidentiality to His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, to continue his God-pleasing leadership and service in our Diocese. The Assembly reached this unanimous decision considering the following points:

• "During the last 6 years, the Primate has demonstrated an untiring enthusiasm, profound wisdom, and unyielding dedication in overseeing the life of the Diocese;
• The Ladies Society Central Council and all the Ladies Society Chapters throughout the Diocese have enjoyed His Eminence's special interest and encouragement in their efforts at the Diocesan and Parish level;
• The Primate has been extremely supportive of all projects and programs of the Ladies Society Central Council and the Ladies Society Chapter of various parishes throughout his service in our Diocese.

"Hereby the 57^th Ladies Society Assembly members urge the 82^nd Diocesan Assembly Delegates to cast their vote of confidentiality for His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, that we may secure an orderly and successful future for our Diocese."