The 96th Annual Diocesan Assembly convened on Friday, May 5, 2023 at the Hampar Family Room of the Arshag and Eleanor Dikranian Complex.

The Assembly commenced with an opening prayer and approval of the 95th Annual Assembly Minutes. The Honorable Judge Adrienne Krikorian served as the Assembly Chair with Professor Deacon Barlow Der Mugrdechian serving as Vice-Chair and Sandra Gostanian as the Secretary.

The representatives observed a moment of silence in memory of the late former Western Primate Archbishop Vache Hovsepian, who passed away nearly five months ago as they remembered his valuable contributions to the Western Diocese. A prayer for the repose of the souls of Antranik Zorayan, Greg Tcherkoyan, Lily Balian, Nazaret Kevonian, Dr. Vahram Biricik, Clara Margossian and Arpi Barsam was also offered.

The Pontifical message of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, addressed to the Assembly was read in Armenian and English.

“In our prayers, we give thanks to the Almighty God knowing that through the pastoral leadership you continue to bring prosperity to the Western Diocese and have convened to review the past year’s accomplishments and collectively plan the activities and missions for the upcoming year.
 
As a result of your steadfastness in your spiritual lives, your collective focus has been the vivacity and advancement of the Diocesan missions. As heirs of your forefathers, you preserve the traditions of the Western Diocese whose history spans nearly a century. Your loyalty to these traditions and values ensures that our people will preserve their ancestral Christian identity under the blessed dome of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
 
Through our resolute faith, you continue to support our Motherland and our people. We were pleased to learn of your collective efforts to reach out to Artsakh to ensure the preservation of our religious and cultural heritage, in the land which bears testament to the Christian Faith of our forefathers and our centuries-long ancestral homeland,” wrote His Holiness in part.

In his spiritual message, Archbishop Derderian expressed his gratitude to the faithful for the support and encouragement he has received in the past 20 years as the Diocesan Primate. “With deep gratitude and humility, I stand before you today to commemorate a significant milestone in my spiritual journey as your Primate for the past 20 years. I am grateful for your unwavering support, love, respect, and trust, which have enabled me to accomplish various God-pleasing projects and initiatives. I extend my hearfelt prayers of gratitude to the Merciful God and express my profound appreciation to our faithful who have strengthened me in my service. I extend my wholehearted gratitude and reverence to His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians for his continuous guidance and love,” stated Archbishop Derderian in part.

With an overwhelmingly favorable vote, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian was re-elected to serve as the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America for another eight years. 
 

“I am humbled in the presence of the Almighty God and distinguished assembly to accept the grace of serving my church and the faithful with the courage of the Christian Faith and a renewed commitment. I respond to God’s call with a loving heart and I once again call upon you all to become the inseparable part of the team to pray together, to work together in securing the prosperity of the Western Diocese.

This is the day when I thank God and all of you for your love respect and confidence which empowers me with the vision of service, always to follow the messages of Christ, our Lord radiating from the Gospels.

Life is a blessing to us all if and only when we are careful to become the spiritual architects of this precious gift from God. We are in a journey entrusted to us by the founders of this Diocese which needs to be valued and fulfilled and then the torch will need to be passed on to the new generation.

God bless you all and I kindly ask you to keep me in your prayers and I assure you that my prayer and love for your all will always remain dear to my heart,” stated His Eminence.

The Primate’s report highlighting the collective achievements in the last 20 years along with the reports of the Diocesan Council, the Executive Director of the Western Diocese, the E-Postle Mission and various others were presented during the assembly. Elections were held for officers of the Diocesan Assembly, the Diocesan Council and other Committees.

Following a group photo in the Turpanjian Plaza, the delegates were treated to a lunch at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall.

Celebration of the Divine Liturgy

On Sunday, May 7, the Diocesan Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral. “As your faithful servant, on the 20th anniversary of my election as Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, I renew my pastoral calling to serve the flock of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with renewed dedication and zeal,” said Archbishop Derderian. He thanked the faithful for their love and support throughout the years. “In all that has been accomplished at the Western Diocese in the last two decades is the reflection of our collective work,” stated Archbishop Derderian “and for that I am grateful to the Almighty God,” he concluded.
 

Following the service, the faithful were treated to a reception.   

Banquet on the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Cathedral Parish

In the evening, organized by the Ladies Society of St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral, close to 300 faithful attended a banquet at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Burbank Cathedral Parish. Themed “Embrace the Past – Inspire the Future,” highlights and accomplishments from the past two decades were presented.