Western Diocese

In the recent years, under the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, several new parishes have been established and a number of the existing parishes have been reorganized or expanded. Meanwhile, several clergy and priesthood-candidates have been recruited by the Western Diocese to meet the spiritual needs of the large number of our faithful throughout the Diocese. There is an increase in the number of deacons and acolytes ordained throughout the Diocese, and after many years new priests are being ordained and consecrated in the Western Diocese.

Thanks to the tireless efforts and dedication of the members of the Stewardship Committee, the Western Diocese has been able to enroll the priesthood-candidate deacons in theological graduate-programs at some of the best seminaries and universities throughout the country.

We are pleased to announce that upon the decision of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Dn. Razmik Sargissian and Dn. Samuel Safaryan have been recently recruited as priesthood-candidates and will join the Diocese in the near future.  

Dn. Razmik Sargissian - A brief biography

Razmik Sargissian was born on April 2, 1982, in Aleppo, Syria. He attended the local Armenian School, ‘Zavarian,' and then continued his education at the Karen Jeppe Armenian Seminary in Aleppo, Syria.

He then continued his theological studies at the Theological Seminary of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, from 1997 to 2001. Meanwhile, he was ordained a deacon of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church in 2000 by His Eminence Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian. Dn. Razmik Sargissian graduated from the seminary in 2001.

Dn. Razmik Sargissian also attended the Ajaryan University in Armenia, from 2001 to 2003.

In 2004-2005, Dn. Razmik Sargissian serves as an Armenian language instructor at the St. Stephanie Armenian Cultural Center in France. He also served as a librarian and youth group director at the same institution. During his stay in France he studied French.  Since 2007, he has served as the permanent deacon of the St. John Armenian Church of Paris.

Dn. Samuel Safaryan - A brief biography

Samuel Safaryan was born on July 22, 1984, in Etchmiadzin, Armenia. He attended the Vahan Rshtuni elementary and secondary school and then continued his education at the Nesessian School. In 2000, he was admitted to the Armenian Seminary of Jerusalem. In 2005, he successfully graduated from the seminary and became a Forth-Degree Acolyte of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church and received the permission to be a Stole-Bearer, from His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem.

In 2007, he was ordained to the diaconate by the Grand Sacristan of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, His Eminence Archbishop Norhan Manoogian. He graduated with outstanding grades. Afterwards, he took the international GCE (General Certificate of Education) exam. Under the directive of the Mother See, Dn. Samuel Safaryan has served in various capacities at different holy sites and church retreats.   

Dn. Razmik Sargissian and Dn. Samuel Safaryan as the latest Priesthood-candidate recruited by the Western Diocese will continue their theological education in the United States and with the grace of God will be ordained and consecrated to the Priesthood in the future.