Community
Posted: 09/24/2026
A reception marking the 35th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia was held on September 21, 2026, at The Athenaeum in Pasadena, hosted by Her Excellency Anna Avetisyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles.
Diocesan Primate H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian attended the reception accompanied by the Diocesan Council Chairman and Diocesan clergy. In his invocation, Archbishop Derderian offered prayers and reflections on the significance of Armenia’s independence and the responsibility entrusted to each generation to safeguard and strengthen the homeland.
“Independence is sacred, and statehood is an absolute value,” Archbishop Derderian said. “The Republic of Armenia is a God-given gift entrusted to our generation to preserve, strengthen, and pass on to those who will come after us.”
Reflecting on the meaning of freedom, the Archbishop emphasized that independence carries with it a profound responsibility. “Freedom is not merely a condition we inherit. It is a responsibility we assume,” he said. “Independence requires moral responsibility, wisdom, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the prosperity and well-being of our people.”
Archbishop Derderian also called for vigilance, unity, and faith in safeguarding Armenia’s security and Christian heritage, while honoring those who sacrificed their lives for the homeland. “We honor them not only by remembering their names, but also by turning our grief into purpose and strengthening our commitment to the security, dignity, and future of our homeland,” he said.
The Primate further highlighted the enduring role of the Armenian Christian faith in the life of the nation. “For more than seventeen centuries, our Christian faith has sustained the Armenian people through triumph and tragedy, exile and return, destruction and resurrection,” he said. “Today, that same faith calls us not simply to celebrate the gift of independence, but to become worthy stewards of it.”
Among the distinguished guests attending the reception were Congresswomen Judy Chu and Laura Friedman, as well as Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Concluding his invocation, Archbishop Derderian prayed for the protection and peace of Armenia, wisdom for its leaders, courage for its defenders, and unity among Armenians worldwide.
“May our homeland live in peace and security, and may the Armenian people, in Armenia and throughout the world, remain steadfast in faith and united in our sacred responsibility toward our homeland,” he said.
