Western Diocese

December 2007 Archive

• Western Diocese Holds 4th Annual Christmas Banquet And Celebrates Primate’S 50th Birthday — Dec 31

  The Christmas Season was off to a joyous beginning with the 4th Annual Christmas Celebration Banquet of the Western Diocese held on December 1, 2007 at the newly opened Taglyan Cultural Center in Hollywood, California. As in years past, three distinguished individuals were honored for their effective leadership and exceptional contributions to the life of our community. Receiving honors this year were the Honorable Eric Garcetti, President of the Los Angeles City Council, and two well known distinguished benefactors of the Armenian Church, Nishan Derderian and Armen Hampar.

• Year of Prayer — Dec 28

  Prayer is the root of an honest and righteous life. A constantly praying person would turn his life to an ever flowing spring of goodness and righteousness. A person consistent in prayer, first and foremost, is a follower of Christ. He lives a life of prayer and is transformed by prayer, during his earthly lifetime.  A dedicated person to prayer, during his lifetime, is permanently reminded of his God-given life and the blessings thereof as heavenly gifts that must be valued and rededicated to God even more gracefully.

• Turkish Party Leader Gives Great Christmas Gift to Armenian Cause — Dec 27

  
  In a historic decision on December 12, Switzerland’s Federal Tribunal confirmed a lower court’s conviction of Turkish Party leader Dogu Perincek for denying the Armenian Genocide.

• Primate’s Schedule - January 2008 — Dec 26

  On January 1, 2008, the Primate celebrates Divine Liturgy and offers sermon at St.

• APN Scholarship Distribution Event — Dec 26

  On December 17, 2007, the annual Armenian Professional Network Scholarship Distribution Event took place at Armen Hampar Reception Room of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church. This year, 5 outstanding students were chosen for the award. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, presided over the event.
  

• The Khachadourian Choir of The Mother Cathedral — Dec 21

  Upon the invitation and instruction of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian the Khachdourian Choir will perform permanently at the Diocesan Headquarters and in the near future, regularly, as the designated Mother Cathedral Choir.

• Children’s Christmas Party — Dec 19

  On Friday December 14, 2007, once again, the Kalaydjian Hall of the Western Diocese was filled with the cheerful children who had come to participate in the annual Children’s Christmas Party of the Western Diocese. This event has become a beautiful annual tradition in the Western Diocese.

• “Learn to Live” Event — Dec 19

  On Friday, December 14, 2007, the “Learn to Live” event took place at Cedars Hall, in Tujunga, California. It was the initial opening reception for the newly formed organization. The “Learn to Live” aims to promote healthy way of life among the children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 18, through educational and development programs.

• A.R.F. Presidential Candidate Visits the Western Diocese — Dec 19

  On December 15, 2007, Mr. Vahan Hovanisyan, A.R.F. Presidential Candidate in the upcoming presidential elections of the Republic of Armenia, visited His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese at the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank, California.

• Primate Celebrates Divine Liturgy and Offers Sermon at St. James Armenian Church, Los Angeles — Dec 19

  On Sunday, December 16, 2007, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, assisted by Rev. Fr. Archpriest Arshag Khatchadourian, celebrated Divine Liturgy and offered the sermon at St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles.

• "HAYATSK" T.V. Program — Dec 19

  On Sunday, December 16, 2007, the inauguration ceremony of the “HASK” organization and the “HAYATSK” T.V. program took place in Glendale, California. Rev. Fr. Archpriest Hovsep Hagopyan, Pastor of La Canada and Crescenta Valley Armenian Church, represented the Primate at this event.

• "Kach Nazar" 8th Annual Christmas Telethon for Orphan/Disabled Children in Armenia — Dec 19

  Starting at 7:00 p.m., on Sunday December 16, 2007, the 8th annual Christmas Telethon to the benefit of the orphan and disabled children in Armenia lasted until 2:30 a.m. The local satirical “Kach Nazar” periodical, under the leadership of its founder and chief editor, Mr. Hovanes Balaian, has been the driving force behind this wonderful and God-pleasing charity project.

• Primate’s December Schedule (II) — Dec 14

  On December 17, the Primate will preside over the Armenian Professionals Network meeting and distribution of the Educational Financial Aid.

• Message from the Chairmen of the Endowment Fund — Dec 14

• Primate’s Pastoral Visit to Arizona — Dec 12

  His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, paid a prescheduled pastoral visit to Arizona Parish on December 6-7, 2007. The enthusiastic parishioners headed by the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Zachariah Saribekyan greeted the Primate.

• Students of Oriental Orthodox Sunday Schools Joint Gathering Hosted by Western Diocese — Dec 12

  The Oriental Orthodox Churches’ Sunday School Students of the greater Los Angeles region partook in a wonderful Gathering  event, hosted by the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church at the Diocesan Headquarters, in Burbank, California, on December 8, 2007.

• ACYO Meeting — Dec 12

  On Saturday, December 8, 2007, the ACYO Central Committee members met at the Diocesan Headquarters.

• Primate’s Pastoral Visit to Costa Mesa — Dec 12

  On Sunday, December 9, 2007, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, celebrated Divine Liturgy, assisted by the Rev. Fr. Archpriest Moushegh Tashjian and deacons, and offered the sermon at St. Mary Armenian Church of Costa Mesa, California. The Primate also consecrated stained-glasses with the images of the saints, the holy altar mural and several stone-crosses, to be installed underneath of the holy images at the church.

• Building Fundraising Brunch — Dec 12

  The Church service was followed by a fundraising reception in the backyard of the church. During the reception, the Primate expressed his great satisfaction with the enthusiastic Parish and their future expansion plans through purchasing an adjacent property to the church. The Primate thanked Fr. Tashjian, the Parish Counci,l and the Fesjian Hall Building Committee for their efforts in this regard.

• Primate to Attend St. James Christmas Event — Dec 12

  The St. James Christmas Concert, due to the outstanding efforts of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Archpriest Arshag Khatchadourian, has become a beautiful annual tradition in celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Primate's Representative Attends “Nor Or” 85th Anniversary Symposium — Dec 12

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• Children’s Memorial Day at St. Peter of Glendale — Dec 12

  Children’s Memorial Day was commemorated in Los Angeles County on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at the St. Peter Armenian Church & Youth Ministries Center, 632 W. Stocker St., Glendale. The service began at 7:00PM with remembrances, prayers and meditations. A candle lighting ceremony followed in front of the church building, all to honor infants, teenagers and young adults who have left us before their time.

• Primate’s December 2007 Schedule (I) — Dec 12

  On December 11, the Primate presided over the Executive Clergy Meeting at the Diocesan Headquarters.

• Primate’s 2008 Christmas Message — Dec 11

  In the Christendom, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the peace of God. The birth of Christ was the manifestation of God’s boundless love which established a new refuge where his radiating peace, emanating from within himself, became the path of peace, life and truth.

• Those Who Want Reconciliation Versus Those Who Seek Justice — Dec 11

  While I anticipated that Turkish denialists would be unhappy with my last column, “Armenians Demand Justice, Not Recognition,” I did not expect that among my vocal critics would be “liberal” Turkish scholars and their Armenian cohorts.

• 4th Annual Christmas Banquet & Primate's 50th Birthday Celebrations — Dec 07

  The annual Christmas celebration of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church has become a beautiful annual tradition, a joyous opportunity for the active and involved members of the Western Diocese, clergy, and distinguished friends  of the Armenian Community in the realm of public service, to gather and enjoy the beginning of the holiday season . The 4^th annual Christmas celebration banquet was of a different significance. It was also the 50^th birthday of our Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

• 3rd Annual Oriental Orthodox Joint Spiritual Gathering — Dec 07

  On Saturday, December 8, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the joint Oriental Orthodox Churches Sunday School Students (between ages 9 to 15) event will take place at the Western Diocesan Headquarters of the Armenian Church, in Burbank, California.

• Conclusion of 80th Anniversary Celebrations — Dec 07

  The Concluding ceremony of the 80th anniversary celebrations took place at St.

• CYMA’s First Annual Dinner Dance Extravaganza a Success — Dec 05

  The Christian Youth Mission to Armenia held its first annual dinner dance extravaganza on November 30 at the Long Beach Hyatt. With a crowd of approximately 180 guests, consisting of ACYO members, supportive parents, and dedicated donors, the event was a success.