Western Diocese

On May 3th, the 55th Annual Assembly of the Ladies Society of the Western Diocese was held at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presided over the sessions at the assembly and opened the meeting with a prayer.  Archpriest Fr.  Arshen Aivazian read the message of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, on the occasion of the assembly, congratulating the delegates from the ladies societies throughout the Western Diocese.   Mrs. Silva Katchigian, Chair of the Ladies Society Central Council, welcomed the delegates and guests thanking them for their participation and hardworking efforts throughout the year.   She reported that 74 delegates were present.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian introduced Fr. Vahram Melikian and Fr. Ghevont Mayilian from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin who delivered remarks during the first session.  Welcoming remarks were delivered by Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, parish priest, Carl Bardakian, Chairman of the parish council and Joan Meymarian, Chair of the St. Gregory Ladies Society. They extended their warm and gracious hospitality.    Spiritual messages were given by Very Rev. Fr. Baret and Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasperian.

During the morning session, reports were received from the ladies societies from churches throughout the Diocese.  During the first session the Principal Shahe Mankerian of the Hovsepian School was invited to  make a presentation.  He expressed his thanks and appreciation for the donation made to the school by the ladies societies.  The conclusion of the first session of the assembly was a moving candlelight requiem service held in honor of deceased members of the Ladies Society.  During the luncheon the Primate thanked the members of the St Gregory Ladies Society for hosting the luncheon, and presented the Chair Joan Meymarian and the members of the Ladies Society gifts in appreciation of their devotion and dedicated service.

During the second session of the assembly a workshop was conducted by Zar Der Mgurdichian regarding the Vacation Bible School program.  Participants were instructed in how to conduct a vacation bible school during the summer and methods of teaching students about the sacrament of Baptism.

At the conclusion of the second session the Chair of the appreciation committee, Lily Balian, expressed the Society’s thanks to the Primate for instilling in them the energy and enthusiasm to serve the church. Despite his very busy schedule he diligently visits parishes throughout the entire Western Diocese.   She also thanked the host committee of St. Gregory for their warm and gracious hospitality.

She thanked Central Council Chair Silva Katchigian for her dynamic and effective leadership of the Central Council, taking time from her busy schedule to visit members of Ladies Societies at parishes throughout the Western Diocese.  She particularly expressed thanks and appreciation to the reverend clergy for their clear message of the value, strength and participation of our women in their churches, in their parishes, and in their communities.   The women in attendance felt rewarded, reassured and reenergized by their love and support.

In her closing remarks Mrs. Katchigian stated, she was “humbled to be serving with ladies who have served the church for over 50 years selflessly and against all odds. These are ladies who take the word service as a mission.” She continued by saying that they are “members of a group of people who stand as pillars of our faith and our church.”

The day concluded with the installation of the 2007-2008 Central Council by His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian. The officers for the upcoming year are Silva Katchigian, Chairman; Lucialle Boghosian, Vice-Chairman; Mary June Kaiser, Recording Secretary; Apry Mazloumian, Corresponding Secretary; Rebecca Jorjorian, Treasurer; Araxy Boyamian, Advisor; Sylva Gozurian, Advisor; Elizabet Maronyan, Advisor;  and Doris Sarkissian, Advisor.