Western Diocese

Every year, the Primate presides over three regional meetings in order to discuss Diocesan issues and to update each respective region about the current activities taking place in the Western Diocese. On February 11, 2012, St. John Armenian Church was host to this year’s Northern Regional Meeting.

Deacon Matthew Ash, appointed Pastor of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco and Diocesan clergy Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Pastor of St. Andrew Armenian Church in Cupertino and Vicar of the Northern Region and Rev. Fr. Asoghig Jamgochian, Pastor of St. James Armenian Church in Sacramento participated in the meeting.  

In all, close to 40 people including Parish Council Chairs and Parish Council members accompanied their Pastors at the meeting which was chaired by Diocesan Council member Greg Tcherkoyan. In a brief overview of 2011, Archbishop Derderian mentioned the noteworthy events of the past year. He noted last month’s historic consecrations of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Rancho Mirage and Holy Resurrection Armenian Apostolic Church in Seattle, Washington.

In his report, Diocesan Youth Director Fr. Avedis Abovian presented an extensive overview of such Diocesan youth programs as the ACYO Sports Weekend, the Armenian Summer Camp (Camp Hye Sierra) and Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA). He reflected on last year’s successful CYMA trip and encouraged all clergy and parishioners to spread the word about CYMA as well as the 2012 Armenian Summer Camp as early registration ends on April 30.

In his closing remarks, the Primate thanked the participants for their committed service to the Western Diocese and stressed the importance of a cohesive relationship between each parish and the Diocesan Headquarters.