Western Diocese

Febuary 2007 Archive

• Primate Attends Meeting of Mayors of Yerevan and Los Angeles — Feb 25

  On Friday February 23rd 2007 an important meeting took place at the City Hall in Los Angeles where American political figures, Armenian Clergy, and Representatives from cultural and education institutions attended.

• St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church hosts "Beat Cancer" event — Feb 23

  Steve Kechichian has leukemia. He needs a bone marrow transplant. You can help. It’s that simple.

• Western Diocese hosts 2007 Debutante Ball — Feb 22

  On Sunday, February 18^th the Ladies Auxiliary hosted the 2007 Debutante Ball at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Once again, after months of hard work the ladies hosted an amazing evening for faithful of the Western Diocese. Most remarkably this year had a record number of debutantes participating. 24 debutantes and their family and friends, as well as those of the escorts gathered to celebrate our young generation. Master of Ceremonies was Adrienne Krikorian, prominent lawyer and long time servant of the Armenian Church.

• Action Required for The Holy Fire Ceremony — Feb 22

  The Holy Fire Ceremony is a religious ceremony that takes place on the Saturday of Holy Week, within the Tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

  Christians believe that, during the ceremony, the Holy Fire descends from Heaven and lights up the lamp within the Tomb of Christ, thereby symbolizing the Resurrection of Christ and his victory over death. The descent of the fire from heaven is one of the greatest miracles of Christianity, being the divine revelation of Jesus himself. For this reason, the Holy Saturday ceremony is the holiest one for the Eastern Churches. These churches include the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox and Jacobite-Syrians; all participate in the Holy Saturday ceremony.

• Vicar General and Clergy Candidates Visit St. Nersess Seminary — Feb 20

  On Monday, February 5, 2007, Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian and Dn. Kevork Halladjian, Dn. Matthew Ash, and Dn. Mkrtich Ksachikyan traveled to St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, in New Rochelle, New York. The purpose of the visit was to introduce the deacons, who are clergy candidates of the Western Diocese, to the programs of the St. Nersess Seminary. The faculty, staff, and students of St. Nersess Seminary were extremely gracious hosts and made every effort to introduce and include the visitors in the seminary life during their brief stay.

• “Night of Love” 31st Anniversary of AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School — Feb 20

  On Friday February 9^th in the evening, the 31^st Anniversary of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School was celebrated with a fine program. Welcoming remarks were given by Mrs. Celene Culhaoglu, Vice-Chair Lady, with the mission orated by Mrs. Alina Simon. Mr. Sinan Sinanian  addressed those assembled as well on behalf of the School Board of Trustees. The Invocation was delivered by His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian who congratulated the school and all the dedicated servants who work to educate our young generation. He blessed them and wished them continued success in their mission.

• Diocesan Deacons Attend Orthodox Lecture Series — Feb 20

  On Saturday, February 10, 2007, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Los Angeles and the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies hosted the 3^rd annual Bible lecture series featuring the speaker the Very Rev. Dr. Paul Nadim Tarazi. Among the attendees was the Pastor assigned to serve the communities of North Hollywood and Sun Valley, Fr. Zaven Markosyan. Accompanying Fr. Zaven were Dn. Kevork Halladjian, Dn. Mayis Shahbazyan, Dn. Matthew Ash, and Dn. Mkrtich Ksachikyan. The lecturer, Very Rev. Fr. Paul is Professor of Old Testament at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY, where he teaches Old and New Testament, Biblical Hebrew, and Homiletics. The lecture was on “Baptism and the Eucharist According to Scripture.” 

• Primate visits the Armenian Church and Community of Seattle — Feb 20

  His Eminence accompanied by Mrs. Silva Katchigian, chairlady of the Ladies Society Central Council visited the Armenian Church of Seattle on Sunday February 11^th.  The Primate celebrated Divine Liturgy, delivered the sermon, and ordained acolytes, sub-deacons and deacons. He commended Parish Priest Fr. Yeghia Isayan, the Parish Council, and the Ladies Society for their dedication and determination to construct an Armenian Church

• “Generation Next” — Feb 20

  On Sunday February 11^th from 5 to 9 PM, around 70 to 80 students gathered at the Pasadena AGBU center to celebrate the presentation of the Lord to the Temple and the Feast of St. Vartan. The opening remarks were given by Mr. Ara Arzoumanian who invited the Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, pastor of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena and representative of the Primate, to deliver his message. Fr. Baret spoke about the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple and St. Vartan, and commended the AGBU for supporting our youth. He also spoke about the difficulties that the youth face today and encouraged them to overcome their difficulties with their Christian faith.

• Vartanantz Celebration at the Kalaydjian Hall of the Western Diocese — Feb 20

  On Thursday February 15^th Vartanantz feast was celebrated at the Kalaydjian hall at the Western Diocese with the participation of the Knights and daughters of Vartan. At 6pm the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, pastor of St. John Armenian Church, Hollywood and the Vicar of Southern California. Fr. Andon Saroy, pastor of the Armenian Catholic Church also participated in the services. Fr. Manoug delivered an inspiring sermon emphasizing the strong faith and determination of St. Vartan and his companions who were martyred for their faith and the fatherland. All the clergy and many of the Faithful received Holy Communion

• A Series of Meetings at the Western Diocese — Feb 20

  On Saturday February 17^th the Primate of the Western Diocese, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, presided over several meetings at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese. These meetings were held for the following bodies:

  ·        The Diocesan Council

  ·        The Cathedral Construction Committee

  ·        The Endowment Fund Board

  ·        The WD Choir Association Central Council

  ·        The ACYO

  The Diocese each weekend hosts meetings such as these with pride as they encourage the growth and development of the many programs of the Western Diocese.

• ACYO Hosted 3rd Annual Leadership Conference — Feb 20

  On Saturday February 17^th the ACYO Central Council proudly hosted the 3^rd Annual ACYO Leadership Conference at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese with 35 young leaders in attendance. The Leadership Conference is opportunity for youth from throughout the Western Diocese to gather and discuss issues of faith and practical leadership techniques in order that they may become more effective leaders in their parishes. The theme of this year’s conference was Vartanantz and what models can be derived from the revered St. Vartan in the context of being leaders in the church. Presentations were made by Mashdots Chobanian, Director of Religious Education Department, as well as the members of St. Gregory Pasadena ACYO, and members of the Central Council.

• March Upcoming Events — Feb 16

  March 2 – His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, will be attending a reception in honor of Fernando Award recipient, Judge Armand Arabian.

• Clergy of the Western Diocese Assemble in San Diego — Feb 15

  On the evening of Monday, February 12^th thirty clergymen of the Western Diocese assembled at St. John Armenian Church, San Diego for a 3-day conference. The conference was presided by Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese. This event coincided with the celebration of the Feast Day of the Sts. Ghevontiantz Priests, and Vartanantz was observed as well. Additionally celebrated was the 40^th Anniversary of the ordination of the former Primate Abp. Vatche Hovsepian to the office of Bishop.

• Christian Churches Together In The United States — Feb 09

  The public celebration of the formation of Christian Churches Together in the USA was held on Wednesday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pasadena Presbyterian Church This is the largest Ecumenical group in the United States of America and the Armenian Apostolic Church  is a part of this Christian organization.  The theme this year was “Open our ears and loosen our tongues.”  (Mark 7: 31-37).
  

• Feast Day Of St. Sarkis The Warrior Celebrated At St. Sarkis Armenian Church In East L.A. — Feb 09

  On Sunday, February 4, 2007, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Armenian Church.  During the Divine Liturgy he ordained Ari Demiral and Adis Badrosian as Deacons.

• Zvartnotz Dance Group Program — Feb 09

  The Zvartznotz Dance Group presented “Armenian Cross Stones,” on Sunday, January 28, 2007 at the Glendale High School Auditorium.
  

• Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School Celebrates Twenty-Fifth Anniversary — Feb 09

  On Sunday, February 4, 2007, at the Deukmejian Hall of the Ararat Home of Los Angeles, the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the establishment of the Merdinian School was celebrated.

• Clergy Conference On The Feast Day Of St. Ghevont, Divine Liturgy And Ordination At St. John Garabed Armenian Church In San Diego — Feb 09

  The first Clergy Conference of this year will be held at St. John Garabed Armenian Church in San Diego from February 12 to 14,  2007  Approximately 30 clergymen will participate in this conference.
  

• Lenten Vigil Services — Feb 09

  By the will of God we are almost in the season of the great Lent which is a time for our spiritual examination and spiritual preparation before celebrating the Holy Easter.  Besides the great Lent the Armenian Church has weekly Lenten periods as well as on all Wednesdays and Fridays.
  

• Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America to Honor Dr. Richard Hovannisian — Feb 08

  The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America will hold “An Evening with Richard Hovannisian” at 8:00PM on Friday, February 16, 2007. The event, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, will honor Dr. Richard Hovannisian’s life and contributions to the Armenian community.

• CYMA-WD Now Accepting Applications for 2007 Program — Feb 06

  It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that the Executive Committee of the 2007 Christian Youth Mission to Armenia of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America (CYMA-WD) would like to announce that is accepting applications for its 2007 program. Applications will be submitted online at the CYMA-WD.org website.

• Western Diocese Second Annual Stewardship Dinner — Feb 05

  On January 28, 2007 the Western Diocese held their second annual Stewardship dinner which honored the American Armenian International College Board of Trustees who made a substantial donation to the Diocesan Stewardship Program in 2006.  The Trustees honored were Mr. Jack Jandegian, Chairman, Mr. Edmond Azadian, Late Mr. Vartkes Barsam, Late Mr. John Ketchoyan, and Dr. Simon Simonian.  The attendance to this prestigious annual event was by invitation only to the Stewards of the Diocese and their families.