Western Diocese

On February 27, 2010, the Primate presided over the Northern California Regional Meeting at St. Andrew Armenian Church in Cupertino, Santa Clara Valley. The participants included Parish Priests, members of the Parish Councils, Diocesan Delegates of the Northern California Region.

The following members of the clergy were present at the meeting: Rev. Archpriest Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Parish Priest of St. Andrew and Vicar of the Northern California region, Rev. Fr. Diran Avagyan, Parish Priest of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco, Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest of St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland and Rev. Fr. Asoghig Zhamgochian, Parish Priest of St. James Armenian Church in Sacramento.

The Primate informed about the current and future events at the Western Diocese and focused on the consecration of the Diocesan Cathedral which will take place on September 11, 2010 and will be presided over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.

The Chairs of the Parish Councils briefly informed the Primate about the current activities and future programs of their respective Parishes. The Primate stressed the importance of a mutual bond between the Parishes of the Northern Region. He encouraged the Parishes to develop Pilgrimages to the Headquarters of the Western Diocese and invited them to witness the progress of construction efforts of the Diocesan Cathedral.

The Primate thanked everyone for their presence and commended the efforts of Rev. Archpriest Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Parish Priest and the members of the Ladies Society for graciously hosting the Regional Meeting. He also met with the Advisory Council of the Northern Region.