Western Diocese

On April 28, 2010, the Primate presided over the Annual Clergy Assembly of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America convened as part of the 83^rd Diocesan Assembly at the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank, California. His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian and visiting clergy the Very Rev. Fr. Asbed Balian were also present during the Assembly. 35 Diocesan Clergy along with a number of Diocesan Priesthood-Candidates brought their participation to this session. The Assembly was chaired by Rev. Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasparian. The Recording Secretaries were Rev. Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian and Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan.

The day long meeting began at 10:00 AM with a morning service. Following the service, the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General read the message of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. In it, His Holiness wrote, "As members of the clergy, you have been called upon to continue the mission of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the words of the Apostle Paul, 'we are God's fellow workers' (1 Cor. 3:9) and we are called upon in this life to become His witnesses, 'He who hears you, hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me' " (Luke 10:16).   

Archbishop Derderian welcomed the Diocesan Clergy and read his message.

"My dear brothers in Christ, priests and pastors of the Western Diocese, I would like to share with you few thoughts, which I believe are important for the renewal of our faith in God and for the rejuvenation of our spirituality as we continue to be engaged in the life of the Church, as agents of God, as spiritual architects of our communities.

The words "Being a Christian, or follower of Jesus Christ, requires much more than just having a personal and transforming relationship with God. It also entails a public and transforming relationship with the world" are chosen from the book "The Hole in the Gospel" authored by the president of World Vision US. These words are addressed to us all, as we all aim to dedicate our lives for the mission and well-being of the Church. We all know well that we have embarked on a quest to be model Christians. In order to complete this ideal lifestyle, we need to transmit the love of God to the people of God. This certainly challenges us to have the "personal and transforming relationship with God, cultivating within us a pure soul, a heart full of divine love and a mind led by divine wisdom. The message however, very clearly conveys to the Christian believer a special requirement much more than just having a personal and transforming relationship with God, it also entails a public and transforming relationship with the world. The world is represented manifold: the family setting, the church community and the extended community at large. As ambassadors of Christ and the Armenian Church, we need to exercise our faith and bring the light into the world. Christ our Lord, in addressing to His disciples commanded them saying: "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven". I urge you all to take heed to this message, and apply it in your church and community life."

The main points of discussion during the Assembly were the following:

-          The spiritual mission as the main focus of the lives of the clergy

-          Abiding to the rules and traditions of our Church on all levels

-          The close relationship between the Parishes and the Diocesan Headquarters

By the request of the Primate, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians congratulated the following members of the clergy:

Rev. Archpriest Fr. Artoon Sempadian, on the occasion of the 60^th year of his ordination to the Priesthood, the Very Rev. Fr. Kegham Dz. V. Zakarian, on the occasion of his 50^th year of ordination to the Priesthood, Rev. Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, on the occasion of his 50^th year of ordination to the Priesthood, Rev. Fr. Mikael Kyureghyan, on the occasion of his 70^th birthday and on the occasion of his 25^th year of ordination to the Priesthood. The Primate bestowed upon each member of the clergy with a pectoral cross and commended them for their dedicated service.

During the Assembly, Mr. Haig Aram Krikorian received special recognition for his years of meticulous and scholarly research on the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Mr. Haig Aram Krikorian is the author of a newly published book entitled, "Lives and Times of the Armenian Patriarchs of Jerusalem: Chronological Succession of Tenures" The book was published in 2009 and is dedicated to His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the 82^nd Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. In his remarks, Mr. Krikorian stated that he chose to write the book in English so that the future generations of Armenians living in the Diaspora can acquire the historical knowledge of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem. The Primate commended Mr. Krikorian and handed him an Armenian wooden cross as a sign of appreciation.    

In the second session of the Assembly, Mrs. Debbie Derderian, the Chair of the Christian Education Council presented the past and upcoming events of the Christian Education Council. Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian, Diocesan Youth Director informed about the planned Summer Camp, ACYO and CYMA activities for 2010.

In his closing remarks, the Primate stressed about carrying out the mission of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church, publications, church construction, ordination of new Priests, his participation in the Supreme Spiritual Council Meetings at the Mother See, the visit of His Holiness Kiril I, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia to Armenia, the creation of new Dioceses by the decision of His Holiness Karekin II, and the visitation of His Holiness to the Western Diocese on the occasion of the consecration of the Diocesan Cathedral in September 2010. The Primate sadly informed of the passing of His Grace Nshan Topuzian of the Great See of Cilicia and requested that the members of the Diocesan clergy pray for his soul.

The Primate concluded the Clergy Assembly with a closing prayer. The next Assembly is scheduled for August 17, 2010.