Western Diocese

On June 20, 2010, Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of the Cathedral Parish in Burbank, California, celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, and Archpriest Fr. Suren Tsaturyan also participated in the service. The Vicar General delivered the sermon of the day with the emphasis on Father's Day and making appropriate quotations from the Holy Bible. Following the service, the Primate presided over a Requiem Service (Hokehankist). He especially prayed for the soul of the late Benefactor Mr. Vartkes Barsam.     

Following the service, the Primate led a procession to the Cathedral where he consecrated the Baptismal Font of the Cathedral. The Primate expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Jean Barsam, wife of the late Vartkes Barsam and her daughter Linda. He reflected on the dedicated service of Vartkes Barsam to the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church and the Western Diocese.