On May 7, 2017, the Primate presided over the official dedication of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Mexico. Archbishop Derderian was accompanied by the Very Rev. Fr. Sasoon Dz. V. Zumrookhdian, Pastor of St. Geragos Armenian Church in Las Vegas, and Mr. Asadour Sarafian.  

The Primate’s delegation was welcomed by His Excellency Ara Ayvazyan, the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Mexico and leaders of the Armenian-Mexican community. Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony were His Eminence Monsignor Franco Coppola, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Mexico, Eparch of the Maronite Diocese of Mexico His Grace Bishop George Saad Abi Younes, former US Ambassador to Mexico the Honorable Robert Weisberg, Mexico-Israel Chamber of Commerce President Mr. Meny Samra Cohen, Russian Federation’s Ambassador to Mexico His Excellency Eduardo Malayan, President of Founder of Mexico’s Museum of Memory and Tolerance Mrs. Sharon Zaga, and Mrs. Sonia Arakelian, founder and curator of the “Armenia: An Open Wound” Armenian genocide exhibition in Mexico’s Museum of Memory and Tolerance.

In recognition of her unwavering service to the Armenian-Mexican community and her relentless pursuance of justice towards the recognition of the Armenian Genocide at the national level, Mrs. Sonia Arakelian was recognized with the Pontifical Message of Blessing and Commendation. Arakelian became the first individual in the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Mexico to be graced with such an honor.

“Your unrelenting dedication and enduring affection for the Armenian nation and people is inspiring and commendable, indeed. Through your courageous actions, you have taken on a monumental role in voicing the injustice of the Armenian Genocide which was perpetrated against our people by the Ottoman Turks from 1915 to 1923. We hereby present you the Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and wish you continued success in your God-pleasing endeavors,” said Archbishop Derderian to the honoree.   

His Eminence expressed his wholehearted gratitude to the esteemed guests for the love and respect they have demonstrated to the Armenian community of Mexico.

Archbishop Derderian conveyed his genuine wishes to Ambassador Ayvazian and on behalf of the entire Diocese wished the His Excellency continued success in his diplomatic career. 

The Diocese of the Armenian Church of Mexico was transferred to operate under the jurisdiction of the Western Diocese in November 2014 by the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Since the transfer, the Diocesan Primate has made close to ten pastoral visits to the Armenian community in Mexico with the aim to unite and strengthen the Armenian-Mexico community.