Diocesan Primate Visits Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School

On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, visited Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School in Sherman Oaks. He was accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, and Deacon Mikayel Margaryan.

Also present at the school were the Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America, Principal Arpi Avanesian, and members of the faculty.

In honor of His Eminence’s visit, the students presented a special program celebrating their Armenian heritage and Christian values. The program was followed by an engaging question-and-answer session, during which students had the opportunity to speak directly with the Archbishop, fostering a warm and meaningful connection between the Church and the younger generation.

For decades, Merdinian Armenian Evangelical School has played a vital role in educating Armenian youth, combining academic excellence with the preservation of Armenian heritage and the transmission of Christian values. The visit reaffirmed Archbishop Derderian’s continued commitment to Armenian education and the spiritual formation of future generations.

Chancery of the Western Diocese