Western Diocese

It is with great joy that we inform the entire faithful of the Western Diocese that on August 29, 2010, the Primate consecrated the St. Nishan Chapel inside the St. Leon Cathedral of the Western Diocese.

The Primate was assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, Archpriest Fr. Manoog Markarian, Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and the Deacons.

Mr. and Mrs. Nishan and Ruby Ann Derderian are the Benefactors of the Chapel. The Primate presided over the special ceremony where he blessed the cross-stone dedicated to the memory of Mr. and Mrs. Hairabed and Anna Derderian and Mr. and Mrs. Anthony and Virginia Alexander, the parents of the Benefactors.

In his spiritual message, the Primate said, "Our Cathedral St. Leon / Srpotz Ghevontians is a special gift to us from God. Over the past few years, the faithful of the Western Diocese have worked hard for the completion of the Cathedral. Amongst the many, Mr. and Mrs. Nishan Derderian have been exceptional in their unique ways. They have not only been Benefactors of this Cathedral and the Diocese, but have literally been Godfathers of every church in the Western Diocese in the past fifty years. In appreciation and in recognition to the countless gifts to the Western Diocese, the Chapel will be consecrated and blessed in the name of St. Nishan.

The Chapel will be the place where people will be praying to God for the renewal of their spiritual lives. What is most inspiring and uplifting is the deed of dedicating this Chapel in the memory of their parents.

Dearest Mr. and Mrs. Nishan and Ruby Ann Derderian,

We all are rejoicing for your selfless deeds. May the Good Lord reward you and strengthen you always as you continue to be a blessing for the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church."

Following the ceremony, the guests congratulated the Benefactors of the St. Nishan Chapel and expressed their sincere wishes.