Armenians worldwide are justifiably outraged by the refusal of Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic leadership to bring the Genocide Resolution to a vote.

On the morning of December 24, 2010, the Taglyan Cultural Center of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood opened its doors by giving out free food to students and their needy families of Community Charter School.

January 1 10:30 a.m. - Divine Liturgy, St. Leon Armenian Cathedral January 2 St. Peter, Glendale New Year’s Divine Liturgy

Join AGBU Young Professionals from around the globe in San Francisco, CA for the 12th Annual AGBU SF Winter Gala, February 11-13, 2011, celebrating the "Love of Life," with exciting events raising funds for AGBU Children's Centers in Yerevan, Armenia. In February 1993, AGBU and the Holy See of Etchmiadzin joined forces to establish three Children's Centers in Yerevan, that provide art, computer, crafts, dance, gymnastics, history, language and music programs to local children after regular school hours and during the summer.

(Jan. 2) Armenian Church of the Northern Sierra Region, Carson City, Nevada – Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon

St. Leon Armenian Cathedral - His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon

St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, Burbank – Ceremonies to be presided by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate

The Christian Church began celebrating Christmas on January 6. Later, the date was changed for various reasons by other churches. To this day, the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church has remained loyal to the Canons of the Church. We celebrate the Blessed Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 6.

On January 1, 2011, at 10:30 a.m., Diocesan Youth Director Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank, California. The Primate will deliver the New Year’s Day sermon.

a. The Great Lenten Journey b. “I confess with Faith” – Prayer Book c. New Testament – Eastern Armenian

Thursday, January 13, 2011 – Parish Visitations St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena – Hovsepian School St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood

The Stewardship Program of the Western Diocese was transformed in 2004. Since the inception of this God-pleasing program, five new Priests have been ordained by the Primate and are currently serving in the Western Diocese.

The Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund Annual Grand Gala will be held on January 15, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at the Taglyan Hall of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood, California. To purchase tickets, please call the Western Diocese at (818) 558-7474 ext. 112.

On the morning of December 21, 2010, the students of AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School received Holy Communion from Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian, Parish Priest of St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys, Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian, Youth Director of the Western Diocese, and Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan, Parish Priest of St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Santa Clarita.

On December 20, 2010, the Primate met with the Parish Council of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco. He offered them guidance in successfully carrying out the mission of the Parish.

On December 19, 2010, the children of “Armenia” kindergarten in Glendale presented their New Year and Christmas plays.

On December 20, 2010, the Primate attended the swearing-in-ceremony of Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca. He was accompanied by Dr. Aramais Paronyan, Grand Benefactor of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral and Mr. Tevan Aroustamian.

Southwest Contractor Magazine, a publication of McGraw-Hill Companies, has named the Armenian Apostolic Church of Arizona [consecrated “St. Apkar”] Arizona “Best Worship Building for 2010” in its December 2010 issue.

On December 19, 2010, former athletes Mr. and Mrs. Aramayis and Manushak Hovhannissyan organized a fundraiser aimed at supporting retired Armenian athletes. Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, Parish Priest of the Armenian Church of La Canada represented the Primate at the event.

On December 16, 2010, the Primate, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Mampre Kesabyan, attended the 15th Anniversary Banquet of Xpress television program. The Primate commended Mr. Armen Atomts for his services rendered to the Armenian-American community through his television program and wished him continued success.

On December 18, 2010, under the direction of Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian, the Deacons’ Executive Council held a meeting at the Western Diocese. Dn. Dr. Ari Demiral, Dn. Kevork Halladjian, and Dn. Cristopher Markarian participated in the meeting chaired by Dn. Hamlet Mesrobian.

On December 18, the Primate presided over the Diocesan Council meeting at the Western Diocese. Chaired by Mr. Armen Hampar, the members reflected on the events of the past year and discussed the agenda for 2011.

Accompanied by parents and faculty, AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School students of Canoga Park and Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School students of Pasadena visited the Western Diocese on December 17, 2010.

On December 19, 2010, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles.

On December 26, 2010, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered an inspirational sermon at St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys, California.

Over the years, Armenians have gradually shifted their attention from the recognition of the Genocide to the pursuit of legal remedies for their massive losses suffered between 1915 and 1923.

The Miraculous Birth of Christ is the Doorway to a New Life The Blessed and Miraculous Birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the reflection of God’s immense love for humanity. Those who celebrate the Birth of Christ feel in the depths of their hearts and souls the beginning of a New Life.

On Saturday, December 11th 2010, the Primate presided over a fundraising event aimed at securing funds for the last stage of construction of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Seattle. The parishioners celebrated great progress in construction of the church. Only seven months ago His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presided over the Groundbreaking Ceremony. The church building is now in the final stage of construction.

We are deeply saddened to inform of the passing of St. John Garabed Parish Council Chairman Dr. Yeghia Taglyan Dr. Taglyan passed away suddenly on December 8, 2010. He was 60. He is survived by his mother Armenuhi, wife Lucia, two daughters Houri and Armine, brother, Dr. Petros Taglyan and family, sister Ovsanna Muradyan, and grandchildren Alec, Katherine and Armani.

On December 13, 2010, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Kevork Armenian Church in Portland, Oregon.

On December 11, 2010, the Narek Cultural Foundation, under the direction of Mrs. Rima Sarian, organized a celebration event marking its 21st anniversary. It was held at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall of the Western Diocese. Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian represented the Primate and expressed the Primate’s blessings and sincere wishes to the guests.

It is with great sorrow that we inform the passing of Armenian Genocide survivor and award winning filmmaker Dr. J. Michael Hagopian. He was 97.

We are deeply saddened to inform about the passing of the Most Rev. John T. Steinbock, Catholic Bishop of Fresno who entered eternal life on December 5, 2010.

On December 12, 2010, the Primate attended the 120th Anniversary Celebration Event of the ARF which was held inside the Glendale High School auditorium. He was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian and the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General.

At the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, a delegation of the Russian Orthodox Church, led by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, made a four-day visit to Holy Etchmiadzin, beginning on Saturday, December 11.

In commemoration of the 126th anniversary of his birth, on December 12, 2010, the Armenian Professionals Network organized a tribute in living memory of the internationally known intrepid Armenian thinker, writer, orator, and activist Shahan Natalie. Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian represented the Primate at the event.

The Primate’s Children’s Christmas Pageant is one of the revered traditions of the Western Diocese. On the morning of December 10, 2010, close to five hundred students from Armenian Schools throughout the greater Los Angeles area arrived at the Diocesan Headquarters' Kalaydjian Hall for the Seventh Annual Primate’s Children’s Christmas Pageant.

On December 9, 2010, the Primate presided over the first meeting of the newly elected Executive Council of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of the Western Diocese (AACCWD).

On December 9, 2010, the Primate presided over a meeting which sought to establish a central Council of the Diocesan Saturday Schools.

We are deeply saddened to inform about the passing of Paul M. Hachigian, a devout Christian, a loving husband and father, a church-builder and a wonderful person.

The traditional Ararat Home monthly banquet was held on December 7, 2010. Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, Chancellor, represented the Primate at the event.

On December 7, 2010, Mr. Grish Davtyan, President of the Armenian Writers Association of California (AWAC) accompanied by fellow members of the association visited the Primate at the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank, California.

On December 15, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, received twenty participants of the international symposium entitled "Crime, Prevention, Condemnation and Consequences of Genocide". The participants of the international symposium were accomplished experts in the field of Genocide studies. They were accompanied to the Mother See by Mr. Arman Kirakosian, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

By Pontifical Order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, Rev. Fr. Khoren Arakelian, currently serving as a spiritual pastor in the Armenian Diocese of Greece, was appointed to serve as the Locum Tenens of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church of the Diocese of Greece as of December 15.

By the Pontifical blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and by a Holy Pontifical Encyclical, two new dioceses were established in Armenia on December 10. The new Dioceses are the Diocese of Vayk and the Diocese of Tavush.

In a stunning development, a federal appeals court handed Armenian-Americans a major legal and political victory last week. It reversed its earlier ruling and decided that a California law extending the deadline for lawsuits against life insurance companies WAS constitutional, after all!

On December 7, 2010, the Primate presided over the first ever Ecumenical Prayer Service at the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Following the prayer service, a requiem service was held for Levon Paronyan, the late father of Dr. Aramais Paronyan, MD.

The City of Burbank was aglow on the night of December 4th as approximately 350 guests gathered around a huge beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the center of the Turpanjian Plaza of the newly constructed St. Leon Cathedral. The occasion was the 7th Annual Christmas Ball of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. Guests were greeted and blessed with an Opening Prayer by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, and then, led by Raffi Kendirjian, Chair of the Christmas Ball, joined in a breathtaking countdown from ten to zero as the tree lights glistened throughout the plaza.

On December 2, 2010, the Primate welcomed the members of the Los Angeles Affiliate of Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) and Westside Ararat Guild of the Los Angeles Ararat Home to the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral.

On December 7, 2010, the Primate presided over the Ladies Society Central Council (LSCC) meeting held at the Western Diocese. Chaired by Mrs. Araxie Boyamian, the members discussed the upcoming LSCC events in 2011 including the Women’s Saints Day.

On December 6, 2010, Dr. Daniel Aydenian, a dedicated member of the Holy Cross Armenian Church in Turlock as well as the Primate’s representative in Sacramento, participated in the swearing-in-ceremony of newly-elected State Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian.

Every first Sunday of each month, Rev. Fr. Zareh Mansuryan, Visiting Pastor, celebrates the Divine Liturgy and delivers the sermon at the Armenian Church of the Northern Sierra Region in Carson City, Nevada. The service is held at 11:00 a.m.

On December 5, 2010, the Primate, accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian and Rev. Fr. Mampre Kesabyan attended “Yerevan-70” concert held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Renowned artists from Armenia performed popular Armenian songs of the 1970s.

This year marks the 120th anniversary of the founding of Armenian Revolutionary Federation. On this occasion, the USC Institute of Armenian Studies and the Armenian Review have organized a commemorative academic conference on the ARF’s history, current activities and future prospects.

On December 4, 2010, Diocesan Youth Director Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian presided over the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA) meeting at the Western Diocese. The meeting was chaired by Armine Semerjian. We are happy to inform that next year’s CYMA trip will be held in the Tavoush Region (Marz) in Armenia.

On December 4, 2010, the Primate presided over the last Diocesan Council meeting of 2010. Chaired by Mr. Armen Hampar, the members summarized the events of the past year and prepared an agenda for 2011.

On November 30, 2010, the Parents-Teachers Organization (PTO) of AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School and AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School visited the Western Diocese and met with the Primate.

On December 5, 2010, close to 50 parishioners of the Armenian Church of Ventura County led a pilgrimage to the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank, California.

The Turkish Cihan wire service made a sensational revelation last week -- a Turkish hit squad had planned to assassinate a visiting Armenian Parliamentarian on March 22, 2009.

On November 22, 2010, 70 residents led by Osan Tapounjian, Ani Aruchian, Silva Amirian and Zhanna Sirakanyan, care providers of “Friendly” Adult Care Center, visited the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral of the Western Diocese.

To this day, the Primate has authored 57 religious books which have touched the lives of the faithful throughout the world. On December 2, 2010, the Armenian Writers Association of California, headed by Mr. Grish Davtyan, President of the Association, organized an evening dedicated the literary works of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese.

On November 28, 2010, the Primate attended the 80th celebration of Mr. Onnik Usarslanyan, benefactor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Santa Clarita.

The city of Vienna was the location of the fifth European Regional Pan-ACYO meeting. Held from November 19-22, 2010, the meeting was hosted by the Very Rev. Fr. Haikazoun Dz. V. Najarian, Legate of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Central Europe.

4 – Morning: Diocesan Council Meeting Evening: Christmas Ball 7 – Evening: Ecumenical Prayer Service (St. Leon Armenian Cathedral) 9 – Meeting with Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

On December 5, 2010, following the service, the Primate will recognize and honor donors and committee members of the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral with certificates of blessings and commendation. A light reception will follow the service.

We are proud to display a series of photographs displaying the construction efforts of the Armenian Church in Seattle. The second phase of construction should be completed by the end of 2010.

By the invitation of the Primate, on November 28, 2010, His Eminence Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Primate of the Diocese of Artsakh celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles.

By the invitation of the Primate, on November 28, 2010, Rev. Fr. Varak Hakobyan, Pastor of St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in Maralik, Armenia celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank, California.

The Primate presided over the 62nd Annual ACYO General Assembly which was held on November 26 and 27 at St. Apkar Armenian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.

On November 24, 2010, the Primate, accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian, Chancellor, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian,Visiting Pastor of Ararat Home and Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Parish Priest of St. Peter Armenian Church in Glendale, visited Ararat Home in Mission Hills.

Bako Sahakyan, President of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh), just completed his third visit to Los Angeles. Unlike his previous two visits, he was received last week by prominent political figures as a Head of State, even though his country is not officially recognized by the international community.