Western Diocese

Febuary 2012 Archive

Women’s Prayer Day Follows Sunrise Service at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral

On 10:00 a.m. on February 22, 2012, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presided over the Sunrise Service at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Organized by the Ladies Society Central Council, the Women’s Day of Prayer immediately followed the service.

"The Genocide in Art"

On February 23, 2012, the Glendale Public Library auditorium hosted an event titled “The Genocide in Art.” Organized by the Armenian Writers Association of California (AWAC) and Stephanie’s Art Gallery, the event featured guest lecturer and author of The Color of Pain: The Reflection of the Armenian Genocide in Armenian Painting, Shahen Khachaturyan. The cultural portion of the program featured Salpy on flute and Sosy on the harp.

41st Annual Debutante Ball Hailed Huge Success

Vive L’Debutante Ball! Celebrating its 41st year, the Debutante Ball, sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Western Diocese under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, never fails to bring together family and friends to rejoice in the accomplishments of our young women. This year approximately 400 guests were in attendance at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 19 to witness the presentation of eight lovely young women of Armenian descent.

AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School Students Visit Western Diocese

On February 23, 41 AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School students accompanied by principal Dr. Talin Kargodorian and school teacher Lisa Simonian, visited the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank. Greeted by Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, the students toured St. Leon Armenian Cathedral and the Diocesan complex.

Lenten Seminars at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral

In efforts to educate and enrich the spirituality of the Diocesan faithful, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America has prepared a series of (seminars/lectures) explaining the meaning and significance of the Great Lent. The first Lenten seminar was held on Wednesday, February 22. Lecturer Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian reflected on the topic inner expressions of the Revelation of God.

St. James, Los Angeles Hosts CEC Workshop

On February 18, 2012, St. James Armenian Apostolic Church in Los Angeles hosted a seminar organized by the Christian Education Council of the Western Diocese. The seminar was presided over by Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Pastor of St. James and was chaired by CEC Chairlady Debbie Derderian.

MDS Students Perform Vartanantz Play

Continuing the annual tradition established a quarter century ago, a Vartanantz commemorative event, organized with the collaboration of St Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys and AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School (MDS), was held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012, in the church sanctuary.

Lenten Reflections – Week Two

In continuing the weekly series of the Primate’s Lenten reflections, we are pleased to present to you the Second Week of the Great Lent.

Supreme Spiritual Council Meeting to be Held in Holy Etchmiadzin

On Sunday, February 26, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian will depart to Holy Etchmiadzin where he will participate in the year’s first Supreme Spiritual Council meeting. Archbishop Derderian will return to Los Angeles on Tuesday, March 6.

Great Lent begins on Monday, February 20

The Great Lent begins on February 20. In efforts to educate and enrich the spirituality of the Diocesan faithful, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America has prepared a series of (seminars/lectures) explaining the meaning and significance of the Great Lent.

St. Leon Armenian Cathedral Hosts First Clergy Conference of the Year

The first Clergy Conference of the year was held on February 13, 2012 at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. The conference began at 10:00 a.m. with a Morning Prayer Service inside the spiritual center of the Western Diocese. Deacon Matthew Ash, appointed Pastor of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco delivered the message of the day.

Feasts Days of Ghevontiants and Vartanats to be Celebrated at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral

February 13th marked the The Feast Day of St. Ghevont the Priest and His Companions. Three days later on February 16, the Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Feast Day of St. Vartan the Warrior and His Companions.

Women’s International Day of Prayer to be Held at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral

Armenian Christian women from all the greater Los Angeles area Armenian Churches; Apostolic, Brethren, Brotherhood, Catholic, Evangelical and Nazarene, cordially invite you to the Annual Women's World Day of Prayer, Friday, March 2, 2012. The Christian women of Malaysia have chosen the theme for this year, "Let Justice Prevail". The bilingual program for this prayer service is planned by women of all participating Armenian churches.

CYMA 2012 – Preparing for a Trip of a Lifetime

Dear Parents of the Armenian Church Western Diocese, In 2004, His Eminence, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian founded a program called Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA). For the past eight years CYMA has taken over 120 Armenian youth to their homeland. Click here to view a video of last year’s CYMA trip – “A Life Changing Pilgrimage to the Motherland.”

Primate Celebrates Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew, Cupertino

While on a pastoral visit to Northern California, on February 12, Diocese the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew Armenian Church in Cupertino. At the conclusion of the service the Primate read aloud the Pontifical Encyclical with which His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, bestowed St. Nerses the Graceful medals upon St. Andrew parishioners Dr. Peter Abaci and Mr. Noubar Manoukian.

St. Andrew, Cupertino Hosts Annual Banquet

On February 11, 2012, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, attended the Annual Banquet of St. Andrew Armenian Apostolic Church. Closed to 100 faithful attended the banquet which was held in the Amirian Hall of the Parish.

Blessings for the Family - Diocesan Task Force targets Domestic Violence with Walk and Service

In the West, it’s known as Valentine’s Day, but if you celebrate Christmas on January 6, as do the Armenians, February 14 is the Feast of the Presentation of Christ – 40 days after Christmas.

Primate Meets with Parish Council of St. John, San Francisco

On Friday, February 10, 2012, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian visited St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco and met with the members of the Parish Council.

Northern Regional Meeting Held at St. John, San Francisco

Every year, the Primate presides over three regional meetings in order to discuss Diocesan issues and to update each respective region about the current activities taking place in the Western Diocese. On February 11, 2012, St. John Armenian Church was host to this year’s Northern Regional Meeting.

Primate Pays Pastoral Visit to the Armenian Church in Las Vegas

On February 1, 2012, the Primate, accompanied by Dn. Harout Markarian, Executive Director of the Western Diocese, paid a visit to the Armenian Apostolic Church in Las Vegas where they met with the members of the Parish Council and the Building Committee. The Primate was briefed on the construction efforts of the church as well as related matters pertaining to the Parish.

Primate's 2012 February Schedule

11 – Morning: St. John, San Francisco – planned visitation with Parish Council members Regional Meeting – Northern California Evening: St. Andrew, Cupertino – Annual Banquet

Youth Blessing Day at St. John Garabed, Hollywood

At the decree of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Feast Day of St. Sarkis was dedicated to the youth of the Church. The Feast Day of St. Sarkis is celebrated with great excitement at St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood.

Upcoming Feast Days

On February 13 and 14, the Armenian Apostolic Church will celebrate the Feast Days of St. Ghevont the Priest and His Companions and the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple (Dyuarnuntarach), respectively.

Primate Pays Pastoral Visit to Armenian Community in Utah

On February 6, 2012, the Primate paid a pastoral visit to the Armenian faithful community in Salt Lake City, Utah. The visit was organized by the Armenian Relief Society.

St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church Celebrates 2nd Anniversary

On February 4, 2012, the faithful community of St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Santa Clarita celebrated the parish’s 2nd Anniversary with a Gala Banquet at Great Caesar Banquet Hall in Tujunga, California. Attending the event with Diocesan Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian were guest clergymen the Very Rev. Fr. Maghakia Amiryan (Holy Etchmiadzin) and Rev. Fr. Yeremia Khachatryan.

Primate Celebrates Divine Liturgy and Ordains Deacon at St. Sarkis, Santa Clarita

In celebration of the Feast Day of St. Sarkis, on Sunday, February 5, 2012, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Santa Clarita, California.

Primate’s February 2012 Schedule

3 – Evening: Pastoral Visit to St. John Garabed, Hollywood 4 – Morning: Visitation – Cathedral’s “Little Angels” Saturday School Morning: 10 AM – Cathedral’s Ladies’ Guild Evening: St. Sarkis, Santa Clarita – Name Day Celebration (Banquet)

MDS Science Lab Unveiling Ceremony

Another historic chapter was written was in the life of AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, when the two High School Science Labs were blessed and dedicated.

Primate's Heartfelt Call to Action - Lets Give All Our Children a Secure Childhood

For almost two decades, “Etchmiadzin Children’s Fund,” a sponsorship program in its 18th year, pursues a most divine and God pleasing task, namely to assist orphans and needy children of Armenia. These disadvantaged yet brilliant children are unprepared to face life’s challenges for they become dependent upon the bits of charity and benevolence.

Blessing and Dedication of the Cathedral’s Water Fountain

On the morning of January 28, the Primate performed the Blessing and Dedication ceremony of the water fountain located adjacent to the Southern (Oruncakciel) Entrance of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Donated by Dr. John and Gladys Saroyan, the Primate blessed the benefactors and their daughter Lynn Sirvard Saroyan, conveyed to them his genuine wishes and commended their dedication to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.

Armenian Church to Celebrate Feast Day of St. Sarkis the Warrior

In the Armenian Church Calendar, the Feast Day of St. Sarkis the Warrior falls on Saturday, February 4. St. Sarkis (Sergius) the Warrior is one of the most beloved saints among the Armenian nation. Together with his 14 soldiers-companions, he was martyred for the sake of his Christian faith.

St. Sarkis Santa Clarita to Celebrate 2nd Anniversary of Consecration

This weekend, the faithful community of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Santa Clarita is preparing to celebrate the Second Anniversary of consecration.

St. Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa Celebrates Pastor’s Milestone

Sunday, January 29, 2012 was a memorable and moving day for Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian, his family, relatives, friends and hundreds of St. Mary parishioners who attended the church services and the banquet that followed in the Fesjian Hall, in honor and tribute to Archpriest Fr. Moushegh's 40th Anniversary of Ordination and Consecration into Priesthood and 20th Anniversary as Pastor of St. Mary Armenian Church.

ACYO Central Council Holds Regional Meetings

Led by the Diocesan Youth Director Fr. Avedis Abovian, the Central Council was busy this past month with meetings in the Southern, Central and Northern regions. The purpose of these three meetings was to update each ACYO chapter about Central Council happenings, planned events, and goals for the year. During the meetings, chapters were asked to come up with a few realistic and measurable goals that could be attained during the course of the year.

Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian Represtents Primate at Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - SCEC Honors Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian

On January 29, 2012, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Los Angeles was home to the celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Pastor of St. James Armenian Church in Los Angeles, represented the Primate in the event organized by the Southern California Ecumenical Council, (SCEC).