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The 91st Annual Diocesan Assembly, presided by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, was held on Friday, May 4, 2018 at St. Geragos Armenian Church in Las Vegas. The meeting which was chaired by Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, commenced after registration with a call to order and an opening prayer by the Diocesan Primate.
Following the certification of delegates, the constitution of quorum and the adoption of the agenda, welcoming remarks were delivered by the Diocesan Assembly Chair Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian.
After the appointment of committees, the minutes of the 2017 Diocesan Assembly were approved.
The Armenian Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians addressed to the Diocesan delegates (link below) was read at the Assembly by the Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan.
The English translation of His Holiness’ Encyclical was read by the Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, Pastor of St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco.
In his homily, the Rev. Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan, Pastor of St. Apkar Armenian Church of Scottsdale, called upon the faithful to spread the divine love and peace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our communities. "We must understand that the gifts bestowed upon us are graces of God and ought to be shared. Thus, our understanding is derived from our close relationship with the Almighty, one that is strengthened through prayer," said Fr. Zacharia.
The Diocesan Primate presented his report wherein His Eminence referenced to the Armenian Church, school, culture, the Christian family, an educated society and a well rounded youth as the foundation of the mission of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.
In his report, the Primate expressed his gratitude to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians for his guidance and support. Archbishop Derderian also stated the unparalleled role of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian people, in the spiritual reawakening of the world's oldest Christian nation. "In the spirit of the ByLaws of the Western Diocese, our ties with the Mother See and the Catholicosate of All Armenians continue to remain strong. For each Armenian, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, as the spiritual center of our people, is the holiest of holies. With each visit, our loyalty to Holy Etchmiadzin and our Pontiff is renewed." stated the Primate.
His Eminence also noted the construction projects taking place at the Western Diocese. They include the new church construction in the City of Hollywood, the groundblessing of which was held on April 30, the construction of the new church complex in San Diego, the compex adjacent to St. Mary Armenian Church of Costa Mesa, the construction of a second retirement home adjacent to St. Apkar Armenian Church of Scottsdale, Arizona, the construction of a Chapel at the Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian Summer Camp, the expansion project of St. Peter Armenian Church of Van Nuys, the completion of the Turpanjian Complex of St. Geragos Armenian Church of Las Vegas with the construction of a new hall, the construction of a candle-lighting chapel at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral and other projects.
Archbishop Derderian highlighted the importance of newly formed parishes and the need for the preparation of the future wave of Diocesan clergy to lead the flock of Christ in such parishes. Referencing to newly-launched youth missions, the Primate spoke about the success of such missions as the Reclaim Conference, a three day youth conference and fellowship, Nerouj, a youth mission aimed at providing professional guidance, mentorship and networking, the Scholarship Fund, and the newest youth mission of all, Graduation Communion, the distribution of Holy Communion to graduating students of Armenian Schools.
More than ten missions are being realized in Armenia through the support of the Western Diocese. Some of them include Mer Hooys-House of Hope, kindergarten renovation projects, financial assistance to less fortunate children, the Artsakh Humanitarian Fund, the Syrian Armenian Relief Fund and others. Archbishop Derderian expressed his gratitude to the donors for their benevolence and generosity.
His Eminence also noted the active involvement and participation of the Western Diocese in ecumenical circles as well as in civic and public organizations.
Referencing to the challenges facing the Church, Archbishop Derderian noted the hierarchical division in the Armenian Apostolic Church as an important concern and may have an adverse impact on the overall activities of the Church. The operations of the Church are headed by two entities, the Diocese and the Prelacy, each with their respective structures. As such, resources are stretched thin and hence, become less effective. It is the Primate's prayer that mutual love and respect prevail in the Christian spirit of unity.
Other challenges faced by the Church include the presence of sects which disrupt and tear apart our communities and also other denominations. Another challenge is the issue of mixed marriages, which seems to be unavoidable. His Eminence noted that the Church is obliged to implement ways of tying mixed marriage families to the Church and the community.
Another concern for the Primate was the use of drugs, the acts of crime, imprisonment, and other horrific acts, in the lives of the youth. The multitude of fundraising activities that occur routinely whether they benefit Armenia, Artsakh, other segments of the Diaspora and or local humanitarian organizations also pose a challenge for the community noted the Primate. The sheer number of organized fundraisers distinctively lowers the financial contributions of the community, one that already has a tough time caring for its own needs. The great number of defrocked clergymen who choose not to reveal their status to the community’s faithful and continuously take advantage of the community’s unawareness is another alarming concern.
"Given all these circumstances, the Headquarters of the Western Diocese continues to operate and carry out its numerous missions. We continue to remain a national, religious and cultural center," stated the Primate.
The Primate concluded his message with a quote from French philosopher Ernest Renan - “The most beautiful things in the world are done in a state of fever.”
"As a people who have risen from the ashes of genocide, we are fully aware of Christ’s Resurrection, for we have paid the ultimate price of justice and righteousness. Therefore, we call upon you to remain steadfast in your ancestral Christian Faith and unrelenting to our sacred values and traditions. It is our shared responsibility to preserve the sanctity of the Armenian family and its value system. It is our common goal to ensure the purity and genuineness of that atmosphere which we have inherited and to pass it on to the young generation. The youth must follow in our example and awaits our guidance to lead them on the luminous path to righteousness," concluded the Primate.
Archbishop Derderian expressed his gratitude to the Catholicos of All Armenians, the Diocesan Council Chairman Joseph Kanimian, Esq., the Diocesan staff under the leadership of Executive Director Dn. Harout Markarian, for their unrelenting dedication and commitment to the mission of the Western Diocese.
In his closing remarks, Archbishop Derderian also spoke about fulfilling the mission of the Diocese by becoming the living Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and by bringing peace in the life of the Church.
A report was presented by Dn. Harout Markarian, Executive Director of the Western Diocese who highlighted the importance of Parish-Diocese interrelationship.
The delegates viewed a video presentation of the expansion of the Diocesan projects and missions.
Piece by Piece: A Western Diocese Production:
Reports also presented by the Diocesan Council Chair Joseph Kanimian, Esq., the Diocesan Council Treasurer Mr. Yuri Akopyan, Christian Education Council Chair Mrs. Gail Chelebian, Camp Board Chair Mr. Kevork Zoryan, President and Co-Founder of Mer Hooys the Honorable Judge Adrienne Krikorian, Camp Committee Treasurer Renee Misakian, AACCWD Chair Mr. Sevag Derderian, ACYO Chair Nataline Jindoyan, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian Scholarship Fund Chair Mrs. Alice Chakrian.
CEC Presentation
Abp. Hovnan Derderian Scholarship Fund Presentation
In recognition of their unwavering service rendered to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and the Armenian-American community, Mrs. Lena Simonian, Mrs. Alice Chakrian, Mrs. Araxie Boyamian, Mrs. Aida Sethian were honored during the Assembly. Receiving Certificates of Recognition from the Diocesan Primate, the honor was bestowed upon the ladies by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Among the honorees was Mrs. Cynthia Norian, who was unable to attend.
Elections were held for the positions of diocesan assembly officers, Diocesan Council members, Auditing Committee members and Endowment Fund Board.
The results of the elections are as follows:
2019 Diocesan Assembly:
Dn. Barlow Der Mugrdechian – Chair - St. Paul Armenian Church – Fresno, CA
Dr. Vahram Biricik – Vice Chair - St. Mary Armenian Church – Costa Mesa, CA
Arch. Fr. Sarkis Petoyan – Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church – Pasadena, CA
2018 – 2019 Diocesan Council:
Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian - Pastor of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in San Diego
Very Rev. Fr. Sasoon Dz. V. Zumrookhdian – Pastor of St. Geragos Armenian Church of Las Vegas
Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian - Pastor of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood
Rev. Fr. Serovbe Alanjian - Pastor of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church – Newhall, CA
Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan - Pastor of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral – Burbank, CA
Mr. Yuriy Akopyan – Holy Resurrection Armenian Church, Seattle WA
Mr. Barkev Hamalian - St. Peter Armenian Church - Van Nuys, CA
Joseph Kanimian, Esq. - St. Leon Armenian Cathedral – Burbank, CA
Mr. Ara Der Sarkissian – St. John Garabed Armenian Church – Hollywood, CA
Mrs. Sandra Gostanian – St. Paul Armenian Church – Fresno, CA
Hon. Judge Adrienne Krikorian – St. Peter Armenian Church - Van Nuys, CA
Mrs. Pamela Abaci – St. Andrew Armenian Church – Cupertino, CA
Mr. Rafi Hagopian – St. Apkar Armenian Church – Scottsdale, AZ
Mr. Marty Dakessian – St. Leon Armenian Cathedral – Burbank, CA
Mr. Vahe Skenderian – St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church – Pasadena, CA
First Meeting of the 2018-2019 Diocesan Council
Under the presidency of the Primate, the newly elected members of the Diocesan Council convened immediately following the Assembly. Internal elections were held for the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary yielding the following results:
Joseph Kanimian, Esq. - Chair - St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, Burbank
Hon. Judge Adrienne Krikorian – Vice Chair - St. Peter Armenian Church, Van Nuys
Mr. Yuriy Akopyan – Treasurer – Holy Resurrection Armenian Church in Seattle, WA
Mrs. Sandra Kazanjian Gostanian – Secretary - St. Paul Armenian Church in Fresno
The 2019 Diocesan Assembly will be hosted by St. Garabed Armenian Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage.
Gala Banquet
In the evening, the clergy and delegates took part in the gala banquet. A devout parishioner of St. Geragos Armenian Church of Las Vegas Mrs. Shakeh Andreassian was honored by the Diocesan Primate with the Archbishop's Award. His Eminence recalled meeting Mrs. Andreassian for the first time in 1997 and was inspired at the level of dedication of the honoree in serving her community with the utmost dedication and wholeheartedness. "Dear Mrs. Andreassian, the honor bestowed upon you is well deserved. For over two decades, you have served the Armenian-American community of the City of Las Vegas with unrelenting dedication and enduring affection. With this award, we commend your Christian spirit and pray that you continue your humble service to our to Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Armenian Apostolic Church," said the Primate.
