Western Diocese

Students arriving for the event at the Diocese His Excellency Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles (L) and Clergy joined the children and the Primate for the event On the morning of Friday, December 11, 2009, starting 11:00 AM, close to five hundred students from Armenian Schools throughout the greater Los Angeles area arrived at the Diocesan Headquarters' Kalaydjian Hall, accompanied by a number of teachers and parents. Several Clergymen from the Western Diocese, headed by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian as well as His Excellency Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles were present and greeted the school children to the Diocese. The assembly was organized on the occasion of the blessed Christmas season. This event has become a revered tradition in the Western Diocese, as this was the sixth time it has been held.

The Primate in his Christmas message to the youth warmly welcomed the participants, including His Excellency Grigor Hovhannissian. He offered his sincere thanks to the school responsible for this year's program: AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, Canoga Park. Besides AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School, students were brought from Sts. Sahag and Mesrob School, T.C.A. Arshag Dickranian School, and Hovsepian School.  

A scene from "A Christmas Carol" This year, 10 students from Drama Conservatory and another 25 fifth graders from AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School in Canoga Park performed "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, directed by Mrs. Adrianne Alvarez-Jackson. It was indeed a well rehearsed performance and the young and talented actors, under the directorship of Mrs. Alvarez-Jackson, truly captured the imagination of all the children in the audience. Both the Primate and the Consul General of Armenia highly praised the performers and Mrs. Alvarez-Jackson for their marvelous performance.A scene from "A Christmas Carol" Mrs. Alvarez-Jackson and her assistant received special gifts from the Primate. All the participating students in the play received wooden crosses made in Armenia as a token of appreciation from the Primate for their great performances.

When the program concluded the Primate once again addresses the youth, offering his thanks to all those who contributed to the Primate's Sixth Annual Christmas Pagaent, especially Mark Geragos, Esq., for sponsoring the gift packages for the children. The Primate then encouraged the children to sing songs so that Santa Claus or "Gaghan Papa" could join them. Students receive gifts from the Diocese at the end of the programHe entered the assembly with the applause of the children, as he danced to the stage. He encouraged the students to listen to their teachers and parents, and wished them a Marry Christmas. The Primate concluded the festivities by teaching the youth a special chant which is sung on Christmas Day.

As the youth departed they were presented with gifts from the Diocese.