Under the presidency of the Primate and the chairmanship of Dr. Vahram Biricik, the Stewardship Program of the Western Diocese has been revitalized. We are pleased to provide a brief overview of the Diocesan Priesthood-Candidates who have heard the calling to serve the flock of Christ.

On June 21, 2011, the Western Diocese welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, Grand Sacristan (Lousararabed) of the Cathedral of St. James in Jerusalem. After touring St. Leon Armenian Cathedral and the Diocesan Headquarters, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian met with the Primate.

Having welcomed the invitation of the Primate, on June 20, 2011, Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, Pastor of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood led a group of dedicated faithful on a pilgrimage to St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank.

On June 19, 2011, Glendale High School was the venue for the 24th Annual “Ara Dance Studio Concert.” To the delight of the audience, the talented dancers performed traditional Armenian, Russian, Flamenco and various other dances. Representing the Primate at the event was Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, Pastor of the Armenian Apostolic Church of La Canada and Crescenta Valley.

At the invitation of the Primate, on June 19, 2011, His Eminence Archbishop Avak Assadourian, Primate of the Diocese of Iraq, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral.

On Sunday, June 19, 2011, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, paid a pastoral visit to the Armenian Church in Denver, Colorado.

On June 18, Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, Pastor of St. John Garabed Armenian Church and Vicar of Southern California represented the Primate at the year-end commencement ceremony of Little Angels Art School in Burbank.

On June 18, 2011, the Primate presided over the AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian class of 2011 graduation ceremony. Accompanying the Primate was Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys.

On June 18, 2011, the Primate attended the graduation and commencement ceremony of the AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School in Pasadena, California.

Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, a special event celebrating the literary works of renowned theologian and prolific writer Archpriest Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian will take place on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 6:00 pm, at the Zorayan Museum of the Western Diocese. The event is organized by the Tekeyan Cultural Association and is open to the public.

On July 26, His Eminence Archbishop Yeprem Tabakian, member of the Brotherhood of Holy See of Cilicia, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Following the service, he will accompany the Primate in consecrating the cross-stones (khatchkars) situated on the exterior wall of the Cathedral.

June 16, 2011 was a memorable day in the life of the Western Diocese. At the invitation of the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon on the 60th anniversary of his ordination and consecration into the Sacred Order of the Priesthood.

We are pleased to announce to the entire faithful of the Western Diocese that His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America has made the following appointments.

On June 14, the Primate paid a pastoral visit to St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles and met with the members of the Parish Council. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the appointment of a new Parish Priest effective September 1, 2011.

The Armenian Allied Arts Association (AAAA) 2011 Annual Awards Ceremony was held on June 12, 2011 at the Balwind Park Performing Arts Center. The Primate was represented by Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, Parish Priest of the Armenian Church of La Canada and Crescenta Valley.

On June 13, 2011, the Primate, accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, Vicar of Southern California and Dn. Harout Markarian, Executive Director of the Western Diocese, paid a visit to the Armenian Church in Las Vegas.

At the invitation of the Primate, on June 12, His Eminence Archbishop Avak Assadourian, Primate of the Diocese of Iraq celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys.

On June 12, 2011, with the participation of Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon. Following the service, the Primate bestowed four levels of Acolyte upon Shant Artinian and Hovhannes Hovhannisian. Hovhannes Gumruyan, George Ketenjian and Hovhannes Marukian were ordained into the Diaconate of the Western Diocese.

June 18 Diocesan Council Meeting Graduation Ceremonies of AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian and AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Schools

Spring into summer and register It’s still not too late to register for Week 1 (July 17 – July 23). The Camp Committee is also searching for nurses with an RN license for all four weeks of camp. For information, please contact Maral Dakessian at mdakessian@gmail.com

Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, an evening honoring the rich legacy of Lebanese-Armenian author, editor and intellectual Barouyr Aghbashian was held on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hampar Room of the Western Diocese.

From June 10 to 15, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, led an inter-ecclesiastical and pontifical visit to Armenia’s neighboring republic, Georgia. His Holiness was invited by the Catholicos-Patriarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Ilya II, and by the Diocesan Council of the Armenian Church’s Diocese of Georgia.

On June 10, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, departed the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and made a Pontifical and Inter-Church visit to Georgia. His Holiness paid an official visit to the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Armenian Diocese and Armenian community of Georgia, at the invitation of His Holiness Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, and the Diocesan Council of the Armenian Diocese of Georgia.

June 15 Barouyr Aghbashian Event – Western Diocese June 16 (Evening) – 60th Anniversary of Ordination into the Priesthood of His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian

On June 9, the Primate, accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General, attended a reception at the future site of the RA Consulate. The Consulate of the Republic of Armenia has been seeking to acquire a new office building to serve as its headquarters. The new location of the RA Consulate will be 345 North Central Avenue, Glendale, CA 91203.

On June 8, the Primate held a special meeting with Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, Pastor of St. John Garabed Armenian Church of Hollywood and the members of the Parish Council. The purpose of the meeting centered on the formation of a Construction Committee in order that the committee present a construction plans for the church rebuilding project during the upcoming Parish Special Assembly.

For over seven years, the Diocesan Stewardship Program has been one of the primary missions of the Western Diocese. The mission of the program involves covering the cost of living while a group of promising young men who have accepted a calling to serve Christ, our Lord, while they continue their education and journey toward the Priesthood.

On June 7, the U.S. Western Region of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party organized an evening dedicated to 30th anniversary of the passing of Kersam Aharonian, Editor in Chief of “Zartonk” Armenian Newspaper from 1946 to 1981.

On the evening of June 7, the Primate met with Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, members of the Parish Council and Chairs of auxiliary committees. The Primate heard their concerns and offered pastoral guidance and direction.

Throughout the years, the Western Diocese has maintained close relations with the Armeian Students’ Association of Woodbury University.

On June 6, members of the Cathedral Consecration Anniversary Committee met at the Western Diocese. The celebration festivities will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2011 with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. and a formal banquet later that evening.

On June 6, 2011, Rev. Fr. Daniel Karadjian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Binghamton, New York visited the Western Diocese and met with the Primate. On Sunday, June 5, the guest clergy participated in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral.

On June 6, twenty Ladies Guild members of the Valley Chapter of Ararat Home visited the Western Diocese, met with the Primate, and toured St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. The guests were treated to a reception in the Hampar Room of the Western Diocese.

Taking the time from his busy schedule, the Primate makes it a priority to visit Armenian Schools. From June 6-10, the Primate visited four Armenians Schools.

We are happy to inform that the Western Diocese has organized a pilgrimage to the Homeland of Armenia and Holy Etchmiadzin. The trip is scheduled for October 28 - November 11, 2011. More information will be provided in future communiqués.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, Archbishop Norvan Zakarian, Primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of France, ordained and consecrated Deacon Sarkis Rasho-Hovanissian into the holy priesthood, at the Holy Cross of Varak Armenian Church in Arnouville lès Gonesse, France. Archbishop Zakarian bestowed Deacon Sarkis with the priestly name “Manvel.”

On June 4, 2011, the Primate, accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, attended an ARF event dedicated to the anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia (May 28, 1918).

On June 2, 2011, Armen Rustamyan, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia, visited the Western Diocese and met with the Primate. Joseph Kanimian Esq. and Dr. Harout Yaghsezian were also present in the meeting.

We are pleased to inform that under the auspices of the Primate, a special reception in honor of His Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate in Jerusalem, will be held at the Hampar Reception Room of the Western Diocese on June 23, 2011.

On June 2, 2011, Barouyr Aghbashian, Editor-in-Chief of “Zartonk” Armenian newspaper, visited the Western Diocese and met with the Primate.

Over 300 of the Diocesan faithful attended the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and received Holy Communion on June 2, 2011, the Feast Day of the Ascension of Christ, our Lord. Presided by the Primate, this year’s Hampartzum service was held at St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood.

On the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the Armenian Church of La Verne, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon.

On June 2, the Armenian Church celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The day marks the ascent of our Lord into heaven, on the 40th day after His Resurrection.

The long-awaited DVD of the consecration of the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral is here! The two-disc DVD is available for purchase at the Diocesan Bookstore for $20. Call the Office of the Western Diocese (818) 558-7474 (ext. 112) to purchase your copy of the memorable consecration. We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Share and relive the fond memories of the historic consecration weekend with your loved ones!

May 31 - June 1 – St. Kevork Armenian Church – Portland, Oregon (Ordination of a Deacon) June 2 – St. John Garabed – Hollywood, California (Hampartzum and Luncheon) June 5 – Armenian Church of La Verne (Divine Liturgy and Awards Presentations)

On Thursday, June 2, on the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided at the ordination of seven deacons into the holy priesthood, in a service at the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. Bishop Hovakim Manukian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and ordained the deacons.

On Sunday, May 29, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno, California.

On May 31, 2011, the Primate paid a pastoral visit to the Armenian-American community in Portland, Oregon. He was greeted by St. Kevork Parish Council Chair Mher Sharyan and Rev. Fr. Yeghia Isayan, Pastor of the Armenian Church in Seattle. In the evening, the Primate ordained Kevork Barseghian as a Deacon of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Primate returned to Los Angeles on the following day.

CYMA is proud to announce that this summer 22 youth members from California and Arizona will partake in a journey of a lifetime. They will reconnect to their ancestral roots by visiting iconic sites as Khor Virap, Noravank, Haghpat and Sanahin. On July 8-10, CYMA members will also participate in the PanACYO Assembly.

Spring into summer and register for the Diocese’s summer camp program. Applications for Hye Camp are available for download online. Click here to fill out an application. The early bird discount has been extended for Week 1! It’s not too late to register for Week 1 and Week 3.

We are happy to inform that at the invitation of the Primate, three Archbishops will be the celebrants and homilists at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in the month of June.

The 2011 ACYO Sports weekend was held from May 27-29 at Buchanan High School in Fresno, California. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presided over the events. “As we share our God-given talents with our friends, we unify and become an essential part of a Christian family” conveyed the Primate in his message to the youth. Rev. Fr. Parsegh Andryan, visiting clergy from the Diocese of Artsakh was among the many clergymen who came to Fresno to demonstrate their support for the youth of their Parish.

On May 21, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians along with his Pontifical retinue, arrived in Santiago, the capital of the Republic of Chile.