Western Diocese

On Tuesday, January 8, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian met with the student clergy, Fr. Zaven Markosyan and Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, as well as the clergy candidates, Dn. Vahe Abovian, Dn. Mayis Shahbazyan, Dn. Mkrtich Kasackikyan, Dn. Ryan Tellalian, Dn. Kevork Hallajian, and Dn. Arsen Hairapetyan.

The main topic discussed during this meeting was the education of the student clergy and clergy candidates in the United States.  The Primate offered his word of advice on how to be a successful graduate student in theology, wishing them all success in their education, which would be followed by their ordination to priesthood and their selfless yet prepared service to the diverse and challenging parishes throughout the vast jurisdiction of the Western Diocese of North America.

The meeting was followed by a prayer session at the Armen Hampar Room of the Western Diocese, where the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General of the Western Diocese, as well as the Chancellor of the Western Diocese, Archpriest Sipan Mekhsian, joined the Primate and the students for the prayer.