Western Diocese

Special Breakfast-Meeting at Diocese

At 10:00 am, a breakfast meeting took place between the donors of the Mother Cathedral, Godfathers, construction and fundraising committee members, as well as the clergy in attendance.  

Beside His Holiness, as he entered the hall, were His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the Western Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the Primate of the Eastern Diocese, His Grace Bishop Yezras Nersisyan, the Primate of New Nakhijevan and Russia, His Grace Bishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Holy See, Mother Etchmiadzin, Very Rev. Fr. Hovnan Hakobyan, Staff-bearer of the Catholicos, and Reverend Father Ktrij Devedjian, Head of the English Media Department.

Vehapar blessed the tables and then Dr. Harout Yaghsezian, chairman of the event organizing committee, welcomed His Holiness and all guests, and invited all for breakfast. 

The Primate once again expressed his gratefulness to Vehapar for the blessing of his visit, and introduced the public figures and Ecumenical Guests to His Holiness: His Eminence Archbishop Eugene Kaplan, Primate of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Grace Bishop Serapion, Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Very Reverend Father Alexis Smith, representative of Cardinal Roger Mahony.  His Eminence Archbishop Arsen Berberian and other esteemed clergy were present at the event.

Groundbreaking Ceremony of Mother Cathedral 

On Tuesday, October 2^nd, the Western Diocese embarked on a new era in its history when His Holiness, accompanied by His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, and other esteemed clergy from throughout the Armenian Church, presided over the Groundbreaking ceremony of the Mother Cathedral, and initiated the construction process for the eagerly awaited church.

The Los Angeles area choirs’ assembly, directed by Deacon Dr. Ari Demiral, led the procession of the clergy to the construction site of the Mother Cathedral. The procession included many Ecumenical and Governmental Guests. The Canopy-carriers were, Joseph Kanimian Esq., the Vice Chairman of the Diocesan Council, Benefactor Armen Hampar, Benefactor Berj Shahbazian, and the Supreme Spiritual Council member, Deacon Dr. Varouj Altebarmakian. His Holiness ascended to the special stage, accompanied by high ranking clergymen. The pompous ceremony was commenced by the Primate’s message when His Eminence expressed his appreciation that His Holiness has brought blessings from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the blessed Fatherland. Then, His Eminence introduced the following government officials to His Holiness: 

• Honorable Armen Liloyan, General Consul of the Republic of Armenia
• Assemblyman Paul Krekorian
• The Honorable Marsha Ramos, Mayor of the City of Burbank
• Honorable Tim Stehr, Police Chief of the City of Burbank
• Honorable Tracy Pancini, Fire Chief of the City of Burbank
• Honorable Bonnie Teaford, Public Works Director the City of Burbank
• Honorable Sue Georgino, Community Development Director  of the City of Burbank

After his introductions the Primate invited His Holiness to offer his message for the festive occasion. 

Vehapar’s speech was extremely inspiring and constructive, adorned by spirituality and references to the Holy Writings. His Holiness mentioned that during his last visit he had presided over the Mother Cathedral foundation ceremony, as well as the consecration of the God father’s cross-stones. He prayed that by the leadership of the Primate and with the assistance of the clergy, the benefactors and the Godfathers, the Mother Cathedral would be built and would serve the needs of the community. His Holiness distinctly lauded the contributions of the former Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, who was in attendance, for the earlier stages of the preparation for the construction of the Mother Cathedral.

His Holiness expressed his appreciation to the local government officials in attendance for being cooperative in the process of the construction. His Holiness also praised the United States for allowing people to practice their religion in freedom. 

In his concluding remarks, Vehapar presented the Primate with a consecrated painting depicting the “Ascension of Jesus Christ,” to be placed in the newly built Mother Cathedral. Then His Holiness released a single white dove, which was followed by another 49 doves, creating a joyous scene at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The ceremony was concluded by a large reception. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian introduced some of the guest clergy and benefactors to His Holiness. The guests left the Diocesan Headquarters with a great sense of satisfaction and treasured historic memories.