On April 22, 2012, Sunday of the Church, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian was the celebrant and homilist at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. He was assisted at the holy altar by Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian and the Cathedral Deacons. Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian and Archpriest Fr. Souren Dzadourian participated in the service.

On April 22, 2012, in commemoration of the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, an evening of classical music was organized by the Cultural Committee of the Western Diocese. Hundreds attended the free event which was held at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Diocesan Primate.

This year marked the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, 2012, hundreds of thousands of Armenians from different regions of the country, as well as the Diaspora, visited the Genocide Memorial in Tsitsernakaberd Park to pay homage to the 1,500,000 victims of the Armenian Genocide.

More than 50 elderly residents of Ararat Home in Mission Hills participated in the blessing and dedication ceremony of a beautiful cross-stone from Armenia as part of the commemoration event of the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian presided over the ceremony which took place in the courtyard of the chapel.

The annual event at the Genocide Memorial in Montebello is arguably one of the most important commemorative events globally. On April 24, 2012 more than 37 organizations, political and religious groups, hosted 2,000 guests at the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument at Bicknell Park to commemorate the 97th Anniversary of the Genocide.

On April 23, 2012, the Consulate General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles held a flag lowering ceremony and candle light vigil in commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. The flag lowering ceremony followed the honoring of two internationally renowned personalities, who have made a tremendous contribution to the global Armenian Genocide recognition and condemnation efforts.

Thousands of people marched through the streets of Hollywood on April 24 to observe the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide as part of a call for the Turkish government to take responsibility for the deaths of about 1.5 million Armenians from 1915 to 1923.

In commemoration of the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, hundreds gathered near Glendale Civic Auditorium for a three hour-long candlelight vigil organized by the Unified Young Armenians, Inc. (UYA).

On Wednesday, April 24, 2012, ARCLA Board Member Joseph Kanimian, Esq. participated in the ARC Town Hall meeting with American Red Cross CEO and President Gail McGovern. The meeting was held on the campus of the University of Southern California.

On Thursday, April 19, 2012, the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region’s Planned Giving Committee organized a luncheon-lecture on the topic of “Inter-Generational Communication Strategies.” The event took place at the historic Cravens Mansion in Pasadena.

Holy Cross Church Armenian church members met with elected officials at the California State Assembly yesterday, April 19th, 2012 at the state capitol to pass a resolution acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and honoring the memory of those that were lost.

On Thursday, April 19, 2012, the California State Legislature commemorated the 97th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

In the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Sunday following Easter Sunday is known as Krknazatik or New Sunday. On April 15, 2012, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presided over the New Sunday service at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. Cathedral Pastor Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretzian and Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian participating in the service.

On April 15, 2012, the Leadership Council of USC Institute of Armenian Studies honored USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education for championing the Armenian Genocide Digitization Project. Held at the prestigious Beverly Hilton Hotel, the event raised more than $7 million for the noble cause. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian attended the event and commended the organizers and the institute leadership for spearheading the extensive project.

1 – Diocesan Headquarters – Event Organized by Jerusalem Armenians 2-6 – 85th Annual Diocesan Assembly (St. Apkar, Arizona) 6 – St. Apkar, Arizona (Celebrant and Homilist)

We present to you the upcoming schedule of events commemorating the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

On April 13-14, 2012, ACYO members throughout the Western Diocese came together to attend the annual ACYO Leadership Conference. The conference was held at the Diocese Headquarters, which was spear headed by Fr. Avedis Abovian, ACYO Youth Director. The weekend was led by a guest speaker, Don Simmons, who taught ACYO members about planning S.M.A.R.T.

Along with members of the Armenian diplomatic corps, clergy and business community, Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich proclaimed April 24, 2012 as “Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923” throughout Los Angeles County.

We are pleased to present to you photos from Holy Week as celebrated throughout the parishes across the Western Diocese.

As the spiritual center of the Western Diocese, St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank attracted more than 5,000 faithful on Easter Sunday. The celebration began with a Morning Prayer service at 9:30 a.m. Within a matter of minutes, St. Leon Armenian Cathedral was filled to capacity as only standing room remained.

During the Holy Week as we sang heartfelt melodies at St. Peter Armenian Church in Glendale, we read in between Gospel passages regarding the last days of Our Lord on earth before His Crucifixion. “The curtain of the Jerusalem Temple was rent into two from top to the bottom” at the time Christ was crucified, as said in the Gospels. An amazing sign had its blessed echo in this lively church of St. Peter, headed by its Pastor the Reverend Father Vazken Movsesian.

At Holy Etchmiadzin, a festive parade of young students representing the various youth centers (Hayortats Tnner) established by the Holy See led the faithful to the cathedral on Easter Sunday. Inside, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

Los Angeles County Public, Private and Charter Schools Honored as Role Models for Excellence in Arts Education On March 1, the Music Center, one of the top performing arts centers in the world, announced the winners of the 30th Annual Music Center BRAVO Awards. This year’s Fifth Supervisorial District Winner, under Supervisor Michael Antonovich, was Mr. Shahé Mankerian, the Principal of St. Gregory Hovsepian School in Pasadena. Established in 1982, the Music Center BRAVO Awards recognizes teachers and schools for innovation and excellence in arts education, honoring educators who use the arts to revitalize teaching, enhance student achievement and foster self-esteem, teamwork and cross-cultural communication and understanding.

“HE IS NOT HERE; FOR HE HAS RISEN” (Matthew 28:6) These words are uttered by an angel of the Lord to the women who went to see the sepulcher of Christ at dawn on Sunday. There, the women are met by God’s angel who informs them of the Miraculous and Victorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with the words “He is not here; for He has risen.”

For two decades, Friends of Armenia (Hayrenik Miutyun) has provided financial and material assistance to the people of Armenia and Artsakh. This year marked the organization’s 20th anniversary of establishment. Over 300 friends and supporters attended the celebratory banquet held at the Bagramian Hall in Montebello.

On April 4, 2012, Diocesan clergy of the Greater Los Angeles Area visited the elderly at Ararat Home on the blessed occasion of the Victorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A Home Blessing (Dunorhnek) service was held for the senior citizens who also received communion. Addressing the seniors, the clergy encouraged them to remain steadfast in their Christian faith and to lead lives filled with prayer.

5 – Maundy Thursday – St. Leon Armenian Cathedral 6 – Good Friday – St. Leon Armenian Cathedral

Over 1000 faithful flocked the spiritual center of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America on Palm Sunday. Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral was the celebrant and homilist in a service presided by Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America proudly announces the Ordination and Consecration of Dn. Matthew Ash to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood on April 29, 2012. Since returning from Holy Etchmiadzin in January, Dn. Ash had been appointed by the Primate as Pastor of St. John Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco.

Under the auspices of Diocesan Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Western Diocese Cultural Committee, presents a Sacred Concert, "Serpazan Hamerk" on April 22, 2012 in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.