Western Diocese

On July 11, 2010, the Feast Day of Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered an inspirational sermon at the Burbank Cathedral Parish. He was assisted by Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Parish Priest and the Deacons. Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, Chancellor, also participated in the service. Mrs. Jean Barsam and her relatives were among the distinguished guests present at the church service.

The Primate's spiritual message of the day stressed the importance of a life filled with prayer. He also informed the faithful that Mrs. Jean Barsam, one of the Benefactors of the Cathedral, would be dedicating the organ of the Cathedral to the memory of her late husband, Mr. Vartkes Barsam.

Following the service, the Primate led the procession to the Cathedral where he presided over the blessing and dedication of the organ. The Primate also led a prayer for the soul of the late Mr. Vartkes Barsam and reflected on the commendable life of Mr. Vartkes Barsam. His Eminence stressed the dedicated service of Jean Barsam's extended family to the Western Diocese.   

Following the dedication ceremony, the Primate presented each member of the Barsam family with a wooden cross and invited them for a small reception at the Armen and Gloria Hampar Reception Room.

Mr. Vartkes Barsam - A Short Biography

Mr. Varkes Barsam was a beloved son of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, a Benefactor of the Western Diocese and other Armenian organizations.

He was a dedicated member of St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles and had occupied numerous positions within the Parish Council. He also held position of Treasurer and Chairman of the Diocesan Council. As a member of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), Knights of Vartan, Armenian Assembly, and Board member of the Armenian American University in Yerevan, he fulfilled his duties with pride and excellence.

In appreciation of his dedicated service to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, His Holiness Vazken I bestowed upon him the St. Nerses the Graceful (Shnorhali) medal. In 1997, Mr. Barsam received "The Man of the Year" honor from the Knights of Vartan.

In addition to being a Godfather of the Cathedral, Mr. Vartkes Barsam was also a member of the Cathedral Committee as well as the Western Diocese Endowment Fund. His support for the Armenian Summer Camp was immeasurable. For his exemplary service in the United States, on May 13, 2006, Mr. Vartkes Barsam received the ELLIS ISLAND Medal of Honor.