Primate Pays Pastoral Visit To St. Kevork Armenian Church In Portland

On Sunday, September 27, 2026, the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian paid a pastoral visit to the Armenian community of Portland on the occasion of the Feast of St. Kevork the Warrior and the name day of St. Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church.

Archbishop Derderian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered his homily. This annual pastoral visit has become a cherished tradition for the Portland community. This year’s celebration coincided with the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak, giving the observance added spiritual significance.

During the Divine Liturgy, the Primate was assisted by the church’s Deacon-in-Charge, Dn. Gagik Martirosyan. His Eminence also granted four minor orders of acolyte to Arman Tifenkchyan, encouraging him to serve God’s Holy Altar and the Armenian Apostolic Church with dedication.

In his sermon, the Primate reflected on the life and witness of St. Kevork, highlighting his courage and steadfast faith in Christ as an enduring example for the faithful. He emphasized that a church’s name day is an invitation for its members to renew their faith and become more actively engaged in the life of the Church.

Reflecting on the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak, Archbishop Derderian spoke of the Cross as a symbol of Christ’s love, sacrifice, and victory over death, encouraging the faithful to embody its message through faith, love, and service.

The Primate also spoke about the significance of the acolyte rank, reminding the newly ordained that it is both an honor and a responsibility, calling him to continued spiritual growth and faithful service within the Church.

Archbishop Derderian expressed his appreciation to Deacon Gagik Martirosyan for his dedicated service to the Portland community, and thanked the Parish Council, affiliated organizations, and all those who generously contribute their time and talents to the life of the church and community.

At the conclusion of his message, the Primate congratulated the St. Kevork Church community and prayed that the faith and courage of St. Kevork would continue to inspire the faithful, while the Holy Cross of Christ would remain a guiding light and source of strength in their lives.

During his pastoral visit, Archbishop Derderian presented Letters of Blessing and Appreciation to Spartak Hakobyan for his longstanding and faithful service to St. Gevorg Church, and to Deacon Varouzh Ghazarian in recognition of his many years of diaconal service. Letters of appreciation were also presented to Napoleon Isikbay for his leadership in establishing the church building preservation fund and his continued care for the church facility, and to Ani Ranian for her years of dedicated participation in the choir and parish life.

The Primate’s pastoral visits provide important opportunities to strengthen the living bond between the Church and her faithful, engage directly with parish communities, and deepen their sense of belonging to the larger diocesan family. As the Western Diocese approaches its Centennial in 2027, these visits also offer an opportunity to reflect on the Diocese’s spiritual, educational, and national mission, renew its commitment to service, and move forward together with a shared vision and renewed purpose.

Chancery of the Western Diocese
September 27, 2026