The Western Diocese is proud to announce that the Western Diocese Summer Camp Board has introduced a new program entitled the "Buy-a-Brick campaign." A fun and lasting way for the faithful to make a reasonable contribution to the improvement of the Camp property as well as become part of Camp history.

On Wednesday, June 30, the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia departs for their one month long pilgrimage to the Motherland. This will mark the 7th year that the mission, established under the leadership of Diocesan Primate Abp. Hovnan Derderian, will bring youth from the Western Diocese to experience their Ancestral Homeland and discover their faith.

With the 2010 Western Diocese Summer Camp program close to beginning, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian has announced the dates of his official visits. It is also with spiritual joy that the Diocese announces that on July 26 the Primate will also conduct the blessing of a khatchkar or cross-stone.

Excited for the upcoming 2010 Western Diocese Summer Camp program, Camp staff and counselors attended the mandatory Training Session on Saturday, June 26 which was held at John Muir Middle School in Burbank.

Having been victimized by many conquerors throughout history, Armenians have developed a strong instinct for survival. To stay out of trouble, they have learned to be loyal and even subservient to the states that ruled over them.

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

On June 19, 2010, the Primate presided over the Cathedral Building Committee meeting. It was chaired by Mr. Armen Hampar.

On June 19, 2010, the Primate, accompanied by Dn. Sarkis Alenjian, attended the commencement ceremony of the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School in Pasadena, California.

On June 19, 2010, the Primate, accompanied by Dn. Sarkis Alenjian, also attended the commencement ceremony of the AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School (MDS) in Canoga Park, California.

The first candle lighting service inside the newly constructed Cathedral took place on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Presided over by the Primate, the candle lighting ceremony was the first event of the Victory Ball.

Following the candle lighting service, the clergy and the faithful headed to the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall of the Arshag and Eleanor Dickranian Diocesan Complex.

On June 20, 2010, Fr. Avedis Abovian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Santa Clarita, California. The Primate delivered his spiritual message.

On June 20, 2010, Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of the Cathedral Parish in Burbank, California, celebrated the Divine Liturgy. The Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, and Archpriest Fr. Suren Tsaturyan also participated in the service. The Vicar General delivered the sermon of the day with the emphasis on Father’s Day and making appropriate quotations from the Holy Bible. Following the service, the Primate presided over a Requiem Service (Hokehankist). He especially prayed for the soul of the late Benefactor Mr. Vartkes Barsam.

On June 20, 2010, the Primate, accompanied by Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, attended the “Barekamutyun” Dance Studio Concert. The dance studio celebrated its 10th anniversary with a memorable evening of dance. The Primate congratulated the Dance Studio directors Mr. and Mrs. Arsen Ohanyan and Lusine Gevorkyan. He commended their dedication to preserving the Armenian culture and heritage in the United States of America.

On June 21, 2010, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians welcomed 31 members of the Standing Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. His Grace Bishop Hovakim Manukian, Director of the Inter-Church Relations Office of the Mother See, introduced the members of the Standing Commission. He reflected on the close relationship and cooperation between the Armenian Apostolic Church and ecumenical organizations.

On June 19, 2010, in the framework of the events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Armenian community of Saint Petersburg, at the Saltykov-Shchedrin National Library President Serzh Sargsyan and His Grace Bishop Yezras Nersissian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Russia, and Armen Gevorkyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia attended the opening ceremony for the exhibition of the Armenian manuscripts and ancient printed books and made an inscription in the book of Honorary Guests. Then President Sargsyan was escorted to the Voltaire Room where he observed the writer’s private library and artifacts relating him to Armenia and Armenians.

On June 19, 2010, on the occasion of the Feast Day of St. Gregory the Illuminator Discovery of His Relics, His Grace Bishop Sebouh Chouljian, Primate of the Diocese of Koukark accompanied by the Diocesan clergy, re-consecrated the Holy Atlar and the Baptismal Font. Following the consecration, the Very Rev. Fr. Vram Ghazaryan celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

On June 19, 2010, the Primate presided over the Diocesan Council Meeting at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese. Mr. Armen Hampar, Chair of the Diocesan Council and the Cathedral Building Committee informed about the finishing touches of the newly-constructed Cathedral including the installation of the pews.

The Summer Camp Executive Board held a meeting at the Diocesan Headquarters on June 19, 2010. With Armenian Camp less than one month away, the Armenian Camp Governing Board developed programs to make the month-long camp run more smoothly and efficiently.

The Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA) serves to unify and strengthen the Armenian community by establishing a bridge between the diaspora’s Youth and Armenia through participation in the social, religious, professional and cultural programs.

Headed by Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian, Musical Director, the Deacons' Committee held their monthly meeting at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese on June 19, 2010.

On June 13, 2010, the Primate presided over the Armenian Society of Los Angeles annual choir concert which was held at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall of the Western Diocese. The Primate was joined by Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of the Burbank Cathedral Parish.

Led by Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, Pastor of St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles, the members of the Ladies Society of St. James visited the Primate at the Diocesan Headquarters on June 16, 2010.

On June 16, 2010, numerous retired clergy of the Greater Los Angeles area visited the Primate at the Diocesan Headquarters.

On June 16, 2010, the members of the Board of Governors of the Armenian Bar Association (ABA), led by president Edvin Minassian Esq., met with the Primate at the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank.

In our previous communiqué, we mentioned that the Primate had been elected as the Chairman of the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders. On June 17, 2010, the Primate presided over the LACRL Meeting at the Headquarters Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. He was accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General.

On June 17, 2010, the Primate, with the participation of the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, Chancellor, Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of the Cathedral Parish, Dns. Adis Badrosian, Guzh Khachikyan and Sarkis Alenjian consecrated the nave cross stone of the Cathedral.

It is with deep sorrow that we inform the Parish Priests, members of the Parish Councils, Ladies Societies, Ladies Auxiliary Committees, Diocesan Delegates, all auxiliary bodies and the entire faithful of the passing of Dr. Gary Ara Lulejian, an exemplary servant of the St. Peter Armenian Apostolic Church of the Western Diocese.

June 19, 2010 Diocesan Council Meeting, Summer Camp Executive Board Meeting – Diocesan Headquarters

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, the Primate presided over the ACYO Central Council Meeting at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese. The meeting was held under the leadership of Fr. Avedis Abovian, Youth Director of the Western Diocese.

Under the leadership of Fr. Avedis Abovian, the ACYO held its Southern California Regional Meeting at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese on Saturday, June 12, 2010. ACYO members from the Burbank Cathedral Parish and St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena participated in the meeting.

On Sunday, June 13, 2010, Fr. Avedis Abovian, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Fowler, California. The Deacons served at the Holy Altar. Archpriest Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian, Parish Priest also participated in the service.

On Sunday, June 13, 2010, on the occasion of the 18th anniversary of St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon. He was assisted by Parish Priest Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian and the Deacons.

Turkey's growing influence in the Middle East, even before the naval confrontation with Israel over Gaza, had prompted some Arab countries to restrict the political rights of local Armenian communities. It is feared that the latest Gaza conflict, which catapulted Prime Minister Erdogan to a heroic stature throughout the Islamic world, would result in further limitations on Armenian activities deemed to be "anti-Turkish."

On June 5, 2010, under the leadership and direction of Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian, Diocesan Youth Director, the ACYO Central Council held its regional meeting at St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland, California.

On June 9, 2010, the Primate, joined by Dn. Adis Badrosian visted the AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School in Canoga Park, California. They were warmly welcomed by Principal Hagop Hagopian.

On June 9, 2010, on the occasion of Fathers’ Day (June 20), the Ladies Society of St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys organized a luncheon honoring a long-time dedicated servant of the Western Diocese, Mr. Derik Ghookasian as “Father of the Year.”

The Western Diocese continues to support and encourage the vital programs of the Armenia Fund which are being implemented in Armenia and Artsakh. On June 10, 2010, the Armenia Fund held a meeting at the Headquarters in Glendale, California. The Executive Director of the Western Diocese Harout Markarian represented the Primate.

With the blessing and presence of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, 2010 Good Deed Service Awards, an annual event organized by the Armenian Professionals Network of the Western Diocese (APN-WD), took place in the Western Diocese’s Armen and Gloria Hampar Primate’s Reception Room, on Monday, June 7, 2010, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

On June 19, 2010, we will dedicate the completion of the Cathedral and mark another milestone in the 84 years of the life of the Western Diocese and the Armenian community in the United States. On this auspicious day, there will be a brief church service and blessing of the guests by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese. "Our dear faithful, it is our sincere wish that everyone of you participate in this historic and monumental project to the best of your ability.

On June 11, 2010, the Primate invited His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, former Primate of the Western Diocese, to celebrate his 80th birthday.

On June 1, 2010, a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council was convened in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

On June 5, 2010, members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin traveled to the Monastery of Khor Virap to participate in the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the Feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator's Deliverance from the Dungeon. The Brotherhood members had gathered together in Armenia for their 2010 Conference. The celebrant of the Liturgy was Rev. Fr. Narek Avagian, Abbot of the Church of Khor Virap. On the occasion of the feast, the reliquary of the Right Hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator was taken from the Cathderal of the Mother See to Khor Vitrap.

On June 6, 2010, the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Feast of the Universal Holy Church of Etchmiadzin. Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin by Very Rev. Fr Sasoon Zumrookhdian, Vicar of the Pontifical Legate of Western Europe for Spain and Portugal.

On Memorial Day weekend, May 28-31, 2010, Armenian youth from all over the Western diocese gathered to participate in the 2010 Armenian Summer Games in Fresno, CA, hosted by the Western Armenian Athletics Association and ACYO-WD.

On May 30, 2010, Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno, California. Parish Priest Archpriest Fr. Arshen Aivazian and the Deacons of St. Paul participated in the service.

On June 1, 2010, the Primate, joined by Dn. Sarkis Eyledjian, visited the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian School in Pasadena, California. They were warmly greeted by Principal Dr. Talin Kargodorian. The Primate met with the students, commended them for their dedication to their studies.

On June 2, 2010, Bruce Nelson, Albert V. Garcilazo, Ph.D, and Elias Molina, M.A., Chaplains of Glendale Adventist Medical Center, visited the Primate at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese.

In the past week the world witnessed an amazing performance by a government leader that even the most accomplished Hollywood actor could not match! Turkey’s Prime Minister deserves an Oscar for presenting himself as a great humanitarian and protector of Palestinians. The people of Gaza are certainly oppressed and deprived, but Erdogan is not their knight in shining armor! One cannot champion human rights with unclean hands! This is the height of hypocrisy!

On June 4, 2010, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church celebrated the Primate’s 30th anniversary of the ordination into the Priesthood and the 20th anniversary of his ordination and the elevation into the rank of Bishop. The event was organized by the Jubilee Committee whose co-chairmen were Joseph Kanimian Esq., and Dr. Harout Yaghsezian.

June 6, 2010 was a memorable day in the life of the Western Diocese. At 9:30 a.m., His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian presided over the prayer service. At 10:30 a.m., amidst the jubilant voices of the Choir, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian led the procession into the church.

The church service was followed by a formal banquet which was organized by the Jubilee Committee headed by Mrs. Hermine Janoyan. The Invocation was offered by the Primate.

Not satisfied with its neo-Ottoman policies of regional domination, Turkey has decided to extend its influence far and wide, to the four corners of the globe. While making inroads into the Islamic world by pretending to sympathize with Palestinian suffering, Turkey has alienated Israel, its long-standing political and military partner, and its NATO allies.

On June 2, 2010, the members of the Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin will convene in the Mother See. This is the fifth assembly being held in recent times. Approximately 95 Members of the Brotherhood - Celebate Priests (Apegha), Archimandrites (Vardapet), and Senior Archimandrites (Dzayrakouyn Vardapet), have traveled to the headquarters of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church to participate in the meeting. They have arrived from different dioceses of the Armenian Church throughout the world to bring their service to Holy Etchmiadzin.

On May 22, 2010, on the occasion of the Feast Day of the Pentecost (May 23), four Celibate Priests were elevated to the rank of Vartabed at the Cathedral of St. James Armenian Monastery in Jerusalem. They included the Very Rev. Frs. Norayr (Apegha) Kazazian, Ghevont (Apegha) Hovhannisyan, Khat (Apegha) Jundurian, and Koryun (Apegha) Baghdasaryan.

On May 30, 2010, by the invitation of the His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, the Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretzian celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of his 44 anniversary of ordination into the Priesthood. The service was presided over by the Primate. Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, Parish Priest and Archpriest Frs. Sipan Mekhsian and Nareg Matarian also participated in the service.

Baptism is one of the Seven Holy Sacraments of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church. In the words of the Apostle Peter, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Dearly Beloved Sons and Daughters, We extend our pontifical blessings from Holy Etchmiadzin and congratulate you on the festive occasion of Republic Day.

On May 28, 2010, on the festive occasion of Republic Day, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, visited the Monument of Sardarapat to pay tribute to the eternal memory of numerous Armenians who perished in the fight for independent Armenian statehood. His Holiness was accompanied by Diocesan Primates and members of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin.

May 28 was named “Republic Day” in Armenia. On May 28, 1918, Armenians fought courageously and many of them died while defending their nation in the Battle of Sardarabad.

On May 23, the feast of Pentecost, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin during the celebration of Divine Liturgy, four deacons of the Armenian Church were consecrated and ordained to the Holy Order of Priesthood by His Grace Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus.

On May 31 the Holy Armenian Apostolic Holy Church celebrated the feast day of St. Hripsime the martyr.

On June 1, 2010, the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the feast day of St. Gayane and her Companions.