Western Diocese

September 2007 Archive

• Arrival of His Holiness Karekin II — Sep 30

  With the blessing of God, on the Sunday afternoon, His Holiness and His entourage arrived safely at the Los Angeles International Airport, and were greeted by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, and others.

• Vicar General Representes the Primate at ANC-WR Annual Banquet — Sep 30

  The 2007 Armenian National Committee America-Western Region Annual Banquet was held on September 30, 2007 at the Universal Sheraton in Los Angeles. More then 700 individuals were present including many of the Armenian American leaders as well as public officials from California and some members of Congress.

• Diocese to Celebrate 110th Anniversary of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in US — Sep 25

  It is with a sense of spiritual joy that following the 80^th Anniversary of the establishment of the Western Diocese of North American, the Western Diocese will celebrate the 110^th Anniversary of the Armenian Church's establishment in the United States.

• 80th Anniversary Celebration of the Alex Theater Celebration in Glendale — Sep 25

  On Sunday, September, 16, at 6:00pm, the 80^th Anniversary of the Western Diocese was celebrated with about 1400 people in attendance. The Primate presided over this important event, with the faithful people and special guests in attendance. The combined choir gathered from the Los Angeles area churches, under the direction of Gomidas Keshishian, performed hymns from the Armenian Church. The Zvartnots and the Vartan and Siranoush Dance Ensembles performed several interpretive dances.

• His Holiness’s Message for Independence Day Read in all Churches — Sep 25

  On the occasion of the 16th Anniversary of the Independence of Armenia, His Holiness Karekin II had sent a congratulatory message to His Eminence Abp.

• Exaltation of the Holy Cross — Sep 25

  On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on September 16 Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Armenian Church of Burbank (Diocesan Headquarters).

• Fr. Sarkis Petoyan Attends Banquet in Honor of Metropolitan Nikitas — Sep 25

  On Sunday, September 16^th, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, pastor of St. John Armenian Church, San Francisco, attended a banquet in honor of Metropolitan Nikitas

• Primate Visits Arizona — Sep 25

  On Wednesday, September 19^th, the Primate visited the Armenian Church of Arizona in Scottsdale and met with the newly appointed pastor, Rev. Fr. Zakaria Saribekian.

• Primate Visits San Francisco — Sep 25

  On Thursday, September 20^th, the Primate made a special visit to San Francisco and in the company of Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, pastor of St. John Armenian Church, paid a special visit to Mr. Varnum Paul, a benefactor of the Mother Church of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Western Diocese, and St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco, on the occasion of his 99^th Birthday.

• St. Peter Armenian Church of Van Nuys Celebrates Sunday School 50th Anniversary — Sep 25

  On Saturday, September 22^nd, at the Karagozian Hall of St. Peter Armenia Church in Van Nuys, under the direction of Fr. Shnork Demirdjian, Parish Priest, and the auspices of the Primate the 50^th Anniversary of the Sunday School of St. Peter was celebrated.

• Opening of the Paul Family Fellowship Hall in San Francisco — Sep 25

  On Sunday, September 23, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and offered the sermon at St. John of San Francisco. Fr. Sarkis and deacons served at the Holy Altar.

• The “Nor Seroont” Cultural Association’s Picnic in Glendale on the Occasion of Armenia’s Independence Day — Sep 25

  On the occasion of the 16^th Anniversary of the Independence of Armenia, on Sunday, September 23^rd, the Nor Seroont Association had a picnic in Verdugo Park in Glendale.

• Council of Eastern Orthodox Churches Meets at the Western Diocese — Sep 25

  On Tuesday, September 25th, the council of Eastern Orthodox Churches met at the Diocesan Headquarters and His Grace Bishop Serapion, of the Coptic Orthodox Church, conducted the meeting.

• Upcoming Events — Sep 25

  September 27th Encino Council Chamber of Commerce presents the 8th Annual Justice Armand Arabian Leader in Public Service Awards; to be attended by the Primate.

• Georgetown Rejects Turkish Attempt To Use Patriarch as Tool for Denial — Sep 24

  Last week, Turkish denialist circles tried to create a major scandal out of Georgetown University's cancellation of a planned speech by the Patriarch of Constantinople (Turkey), Mesrob II, titled “The Impasse between Turks and Armenians Must be Broken.”

• Unveiling Ceremony of the Angeles - Yerevan Sister City Sign at City Hall — Sep 21

  On Friday, September 21, 2007, at 9:30 am, American and Armenian officials, as well as community leaders, gathered at the corner of First and Main streets, for a ceremony unveiling the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City sign.

• Armenian Patriarch of Turkey in U.S. On Turkish Propaganda Tour Once Again — Sep 18

  This week Mesrob Mutafyan, the Armenian Patriarch of Turkey, is making his second visit to the United States in the past 6 months.

• Episcopal Diocese of LA Celebrates the 80th Anniversary of the Western Diocese — Sep 15

  It is truly with a sense of great pride that the Western Diocese informs the faithful that on Saturday, September 15^th, His Grace Bishop Jon Bruno, Primate of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, hosted a solemn evensong service in commemoration of the 80^th Anniversary of the establishment of the Western Diocese with many clergy and faithful in attendance from both Churches. A reception followed the service.

• Consecration of St. Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Church — Sep 14

  The dates of September 8 and 9, 2007, were days of spiritual rejoicing and renewal of our dedication when the St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena was consecrated by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, with the participation of Diocesan clergy, Deacons, and the church Choir.

• Consul General Of Armenia In Brazil, The Hon. Valery Mugrdoumian, Visits The Western Diocese — Sep 12

  The Consul General of Armenia in Brazil, the Honorable Valery Mugrdoumian, who also served in Los Angeles as the Consul General, visited the Western Diocese on September 5, 2007 and met with His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate.
  

• Benefactor Nazar Nazarian Visits Western Diocese — Sep 12

  On Thursday, September 6, 2007, one of the benefactors of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and an active member of the AGBU, Mr. Nazar Nazarian, visited the Western Diocese and had a warm discussion with His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate.

• Primate Meets With The Ladies Society Of The Three Parishes Of The Cathedral — Sep 12

  On the evening of Thursday, September 6, 2007, at the Western Diocese Headquarters, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, met with the Ladies Society of the three Parishes of the Cathedral (Burbank, Sun Valley-North Hollywood and Toluca Lake).

• Honorable Armen Liloyan, Consul General Of Armenia Visits Western Diocese — Sep 12

  We are happy to inform the Armenian faithful that the Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, the Honorable Armen Liloyan, is always in close relationship with the Western Diocese and His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate.

• Testimonial Banquet Honoring George Kevork Mandossian — Sep 12

  Under the auspices of the Primate of the Western Diocese, on the evening of September 9, 2007, a Testimonial Banquet was held honoring George Kevork Mandossian on the occasion of his Fifty Years of community service.
  

• Preliminary Plans Heralding The Celebration Of The 35th Anniversary Of The Armenian Assembly — Sep 12

  On Sunday evening September 9, 2007, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, attended a special gathering at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Ara and Julia Agishian to set forth the preliminary plans for the celebration of the 35th Anniversary celebration of the Armenian Assembly in Los Angeles on November 2-4, 2007.

• Camp Committee Meeting — Sep 12

  We are pleased to inform you that this year, as in years past, the Summer Camp completed its plans with great success.

• CYMA 2007 Reunion Held — Sep 12

  On Saturday, September 8, 2007, the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA) held a reunion in Carlsbad, California.

• The Opening of The Doors And Consecration of St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena — Sep 12

  It is with immense spiritual joy we inform the faithful of our Western Diocese that by the will of God on September 8, 2007 at 6:00 p.m., with His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presiding over the service, and with the participation of the Diocesan Clergy, the Deacons, and St. Gregory Armenian Church Choir under the Direction of Very Rev.. Fr. Baret Yaretsian, the "Opening of the Doors" church service was performed.

• Legal Remedies in Claiming Restitution for Genocide Losses — Sep 12

  September 8, 2007 could be a turning point in the pursuit of the Armenian Cause. On that date, University of Southern California's Institute of Armenian Studies organized an unprecedented symposium on "International Law and the Armenian Genocide: Recognition, Responsibility and Restitution."

• Official Opening of the Manoogian Demirjian Day School — Sep 08

   

  On Wednesday, August 29^th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian attended the official opening of the Manoogian Demirjian Day School for the 2007-2008 Academic year.

• Armenian Society of Los Angeles — Sep 08

  On Wednesday, August 29^th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian attended the groundbreaking of the Armenian Society of Los Angeles Headquarters.

• Fr. Norayr Kazazian Visits the Western Diocese — Sep 08

  We are happy to inform our faithful that the Very Rev. Fr. Norayr Kazazian, a member of the St. James brotherhood of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, is currently visiting the Western Diocese. 

• Opening of the Dickranian Day School — Sep 08

  On Wednesday, September 5^th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian attended the opening of the Dickranian Day School.

• Primate and Clergy Attend Meeting with World Vision Leaders — Sep 08

  On Wednesday, September 5^th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, attended a meeting hosted by World Vision International, Christian relief, development and advocacy organization, to discuss joint service-oriented missions.

• Primate Attends Opening of Hovsepian Day School — Sep 08

  On Thursday, September 6^th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian attended the opening of the Hovsepian Day School at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena.

• Primate Attends Dedication of Ardemis Nazarian Pre-Kindergarten — Sep 08

  On Thursday, September 6^th, 2007, His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Pre-Kindergarten at the Manoogian Demirjian School.  

• Stewardship Committee Hosts Dinner for Parish Priests and Councils — Sep 08

  Diocese hosted a dinner for the Parish Priests and members of the Parish Councils and auxiliaries of the Greater Los Angeles Area.

• St. Gregory to Consecrate Newly Constructed Church — Sep 08

  It is with great joy that the Western Diocese announces to the faithful that this weekend September 8^th through September 9^th, the newly constructed church building at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena will be consecrated.

• Primate to Attend Testimonial Banquet for George Mandossian — Sep 08

  On Sunday, September 9th, 2007, His Eminence Abp.

• Turkish-American Leaders Have Found 'The Perfect Time' to Sue Each Other — Sep 04

  Armenians have always blamed themselves for their lack of unity. Of course, Jews and other communities, who have their own internal quarrels, frequently express the wish that they were as united as Armenians! The recent dispute among Jewish-Americans regarding the ADL’s position on the Armenian Genocide reflects the natural diversity of opinion in a pluralistic society.