Ladies Assembly Convened At St. Paul Armenian Church In Fresno

Presided by the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the annual Ladies Society Assembly of the Western Diocese convened on the morning of Thursday, April 30, 2026 at St. Paul Armenian Apostolic Church.

The Assembly opened with the prayer of His Eminence, after which the Archbishop reflected in his message on three principal themes. First, he spoke about the Resurrection of Christ, emphasizing that Christ’s Resurrection renews the faithful, fills them with hope, and strengthens them in the face of life’s trials. Secondly, he addressed the question of how one may perceive the presence of God in daily life, quoting Richard Baxter and stressing the importance of inner spiritual awareness and a personal relationship with God. The third point focused on prayer, where His Eminence highlighted the vital role of prayer in the life of the believer, also reflecting upon John F. Kennedy’s words, “Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men,” encouraging the faithful not to ask God for an easier life, but rather to grow stronger in faith and confront life’s challenges with spiritual fortitude.

In his welcoming remarks, the pastor of the host parish Rev. Fr. Yessai Bedros greeted the participants and expressed appreciation for the continued devoted service of the Ladies Societies. Following Fr. Yessai's remarks, the Chairlady of the Ladies Society Central Council, Mrs. Taleen Vartivarian, also welcomed the representatives from all regions and wished the Assembly a productive and successful course.

The mission statement of the Women’s Guild was presented, reaffirming the organization’s vision, mission, and areas of service of the Ladies Society. The keynote speaker, Mr. Diran Avagyan, then delivered a presentation entitled “Living with Purpose, Serving with Impact,” emphasizing the importance of conscious service, purposeful living, and active community engagement.

During the Assembly, reports were presented regarding the activities of the Central Council, along with the treasurer’s and accountant’s reports, while future programs and initiatives were also discussed.

In his closing remarks, His Eminence highly commended the selfless and devoted service of the members of the Women’s Guilds of the Western Diocese, emphasizing that they represent one of the most vital pillars of Church life. He encouraged them to continue their mission with renewed zeal, particularly by focusing on the spiritual upbringing of the younger generation, the preservation of Armenian identity, and the strengthening of community life.

The Assembly concluded with the Primate's prayer and group photograph.

Chancellery of the Western Diocese
May 7, 2026