Western Diocese

With the invitation of the Primate, on June 22, 2010, former president of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan and his wife Inna Ghukasyan visited the Western Diocese. 

They were accompanied by His Excellency Grigor Hovhanissian, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Ara Aghishian Esq., President of Armenia Fund, US Western Region and Mr. Sarkis Kotanjian, Executive Director of Armenia Fund, US Western Region.  

Upon their arrival, the Primate greeted them and led them to the Cathedral of the Western Diocese where the former president and the distinguished guests witnessed the completed spiritual and religious center of the Western Diocese. The Primate informed Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan about the consecration of the Cathedral on September 11, 2010 by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Mr. Ghukasyan is presently the Ambassador at Large of the Republic of Armenia and the Vice President of the Board of Trustees of "Hayastan" All-Armenia Fund.

The Primate then led the guests to the Armen and Gloria Hampar Reception Room of the Western Diocese for a luncheon-reception. The luncheon-reception was graciously hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Aramayis Paronyan and Natella Lalabekyan-Paronyan. The Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General and Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian were also among the Diocesan clergy present at the luncheon-reception.   

The Primate expressed his appreciation to Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan for his kind visit to the Western Diocese. He commended the former president for his humanitarian initiatives in Artsakh and the communities of the Diaspora. Distinguished guests including Benefactor Albert Boyadjian, Ara Agishian Esq., His Excellency Grigor Hovhanissian, Diocesan Council Vice-Chair Robert Barsam, Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, former Diocesan Council Chairman Joseph Kanimian Esq., Mrs. Savey Tufenkian, reflected on his exemplary service of Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan in Artsakh and his commendable humanitarian missions in the Diaspora.

Mr. Arkady Ghukasyan expressed his gratitude to the Primate for the warm welcome. He added that he was overjoyed and proud to witness the magnificent Cathedral of the Western Diocese in these distant shores. He thanked the representatives of the Armenian-American community for contributing to the prosperity of Armenia and Artsakh.

Mr. and Mrs. Arkady and Inna Ghukasyan parted the Western Diocese after received the blessings of the Primate.