Sunday, July 16, 2017 was a historic day in the life of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Fowler.  The community of the oldest parish of the Western Diocese received the blessings of the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian who celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the homily.

During the service, Archbishop Derderian granted four minor orders of acolyte to ten young men namely, Michael Bedrosian, Matthew Bedrosian, William Butts, Jimmy Cranford, Jacob Kazanjian, Rafael Kildirian, Peter Kildirian, Dylan Mostes, Peyton Mooradian and Deran Poochigian.

The newly ordained young men are devout students of the St. Gregory Sunday School and are delighted to serve at the altar.  Archbishop Derderian congratulated the altar servers wishing them a lifetime of selfless service to the Armenian Apostolic Church.  Perhaps a priest or two will come from their rank.

In addition to those ordained to the rank of Acolyte, James Cooper was ordained to the rank of Stole Bearer.  James is a faithful church member, along with his wife Jasmine and daughter Clara. 

His Eminence was assisted on the altar by Archpriest Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian, and Rev. Fr. Gomidas Chobanian.  Also in attendance, were Archpriest Fr. Vartan Kasparian and Archpriest Fr. Kevork Arakelian.

During the banquet which was held following the service, Dn. Ken Melkonian, the former Chairman of the Parish Council and an active member in the life of the Church, was awarded the Hye Spirit Award by Archbishop Derderian in recognition of his many years of service to the St. Gregory Church of Fowler.