Meeting Of Western Diocesan Clergy Of Los Angeles Area

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). Upon the invitation
and under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
on Wednesday, December 12, the clergy of the Los Angeles area had their
last meeting of the year, also attended by his Eminence Archbishop
Vatche Hovsepian, His Eminence Archbishop Dirayr Mardigian, Primate
of Bulgaria and Rumania, and His Eminence Archbishop Arsen Berberyan.

The meeting began with the Morning Service, after which the Primate
greeted and addressed the clergy.

According to the Press Office of the Diocese, the Primate referred to
his schedule of 2005, his Pastoral visits, the dates and locations
where he will celebrate Divine Liturgy, as well as conferences and
other events. The schedule will be completed in the near future.

The Primate also mentioned the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Karekin
II, Catholicos of All Armenians, which is to take place on June 1-20,
2005, stating that for the past several months a committee has already
been planning the details of the Pontiffâ~@~Ys visit.

The Primate's address focused on the construction of the Mother
Cathedral, and the fact that new donations are pledged constantly. The
Construction Committee is dedicated to this vital mission, and the
legal paperwork is almost completed. His Eminence made a plea to the
clergy to increase their efforts in securing Godfathers and donors
for the Cathedral.

On June 4th the Catholicos of All Armenians will officiate over the
Ground-breaking ceremony of the Mother Cathedral. To provide first
hand information regarding the progress of the Mother Cathedral
project, the Primate has sent an official invitation to Los Angeles
based organizations, Armenian media and press, clergy, parish council
chairmen and Diocesan standing committee representatives to be present
at a reception to be held at the Diocese on January 12.

His Eminence also reminded the attendees that on Christmas Day,
January 6, 2005 the traditional reception will take place at the
Diocese. The reception is open to all faithful. Following the
traditional House Blessing ceremony with the participation of
the clergy, the Primate will officiate the blessing of Khachkars
commisioned on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. Youth representing each parish of the Diocese will take
part in this special ceremony. Following, Archbishop Derderian will
visit each parish and consecrate their Khachkar, which will then be
situated in an appropriate place in the church.

The publication of books and booklets is an important part of the
Primate's mission. The last booklet published is entitled "Key
Elements of the Christian Faith", with a publication volume of 5000
copies. Dr. and Mrs. Bedros and Garine Taghlyan from St. John Garabed
Armenian Church in Hollywood became the sponsors of this publication,
in the memory of their beloved father, Hagop Taghlyan.

The Diocese of Gougark, Armenia, is the Sister Diocese of the Western
Diocese. The Western Diocese has adopted around ten Sister Parishes
in Armenia, Artsakh and Georgia, which it supports every year.

In the upcoming year five churches of the Diocese will adopt parishes
in Artsakh. The ACYO will adopt the ACYO of the Artsakh Diocese,
to financially assist their projects. It is the Diocese's goal to
have 30 Sister Parishes by the end of next year. The faithful can
also participate in this mission by making their own donations.

The Primate also announced that the Western Diocese will support
the St.  Nersess Hospital in Yerevan, which functions under the
auspices of the Mother See.  For the implementation of this project
the Primate is currently meeting with doctors who have shown the
interest to participate in this beneficial project.

Another item on the agenda was a reminder of two pilgrimages to Armenia
and Jerusalem in the upcoming year. Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian,
Pastor of St.  Mary Armenian Church in Costa Mesa, is in charge of
the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

To spread the Word of God and at the same time make the faithful aware
of the activities of the Diocese, parishes and auxiliary bodies,
a television program will soon begin under the leadership of Very
Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V.  Yardemian.

After a dialogue with the Clergy around certain issues, the Primate
invited Archbishop Dirayr Mardigian who informed the participants
of the spiritual life and mission of the Dioceses of Rumania and
Bulgaria. He congratulated wholeheartedly the various projects of
the Primate and expressed his appreciation that under the guidance
of the Primate, the Western Diocese is able to financially assist
the Mother See, her Sister Parishes, the Motherland and Artsakh.

The Primate expressed his gratitude to the clergy who serve the
Armenian Church and their parishes with devotion. He wished them all
a successful year, filled with new accomplishments.

The meeting closed with the Lord's Prayer.