Western Diocese

On Sunday, March 30, 2008, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Pasadena. Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretsian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Pasadena, Very Rev. Fr. Gegham Dz. V. Zakarian and Archpriest Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian, as well as several other clergy, participated in the church service.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian in his remarks referred to the calling in Matt. 28:20 - “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

On behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presented Mr. Sargis Vahagni, Writer, with the Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Medal. The encyclical of His Holiness was read during the church service by Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretsian wherein the Pontiff expressed his high regards for Mr. Sargis Vahagni and his valuable contribution to the Armenian culture.

At the conclusion of the church service, a requiem was held for the soul of the late teacher Ara Topjian, upon the request received from the alumni of Daruhi Hagobian and Hovagimian-Manoogian Schools in Lebanon. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian expressed his high regards for the deceased teacher and his enormous contribution to the cause of education in Lebanon.

A reception was held following the church service at the AGBU Center.