Published on May 06 2011 by Divan of the Diocese.
The registration for the first session of the 84th Annual Diocesan Assembly commenced at 9:00 a.m. on April 29, 2011, at the Diocesan Headquarters. At 9:45 a.m., following the Primate’s invocation, a special prayer service was held for the souls of late lay leaders Dr. Gary Ara Lulejian, Dn. Dr. Arra Avakian, Mr. Paul Hachigian, Dr. Yeghiya Taglyan, Mrs. Marguerite Hovsepian, Mr. Civan Kalfa, and the dedicated faithful who passed away last year and earlier this year.
The Assembly officers included Dn. Steven Adams – Assembly Chair; Dn. Dr. Stephen Ovanessoff – Vice Chair; Becky Jorjorian – English Recording Secretary; Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian – Armenian Recording Secretary. Dn. Steve Adams informed that quorum had been reached as 88 of the 125 delegates were present. By the invitation of Dn. Adams, Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian delivered the day’s message themed “The Church, Priesthood and Service.”
In his opening remarks, Dn. Adams welcomed the Delegates, expressed his gratitude to the Primate and Diocesan Council Chair Armen Hampar for their support and noted the exceptional work of the Assembly Organizing and Welcoming Committees.
The Primate introduced visiting clergyman His Grace Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan to the delegates of the 84th Annual Assembly who later read the Message of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan is the Primate of the Diocese of Gegharkunik in Armenia.
The English translation was read by Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian. “We extend our Pontifical blessings from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to the Delegates of the 84th Annual Assembly of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. Under the leadership of your Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, you convene under the blessed dome of the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral.
Beloved faithful of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church,
The spirit of the Pontiff is filled with joy in hearing testimonies of your God-pleasing endeavors which enlighten the Armenian-American community of the United States of America with the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. With the construction of the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, you made a bold statement of your Christian Faith while preserving the architectural wonder and beauty of the Armenian Apostolic Church. We were pleased to witness firsthand the level of dedication and affection with which you serve. The fond memories of the historic consecration and your welcoming spirit still linger in our minds,” wrote the Pontiff in his message addressed to the delegates.
In his remarks, the Primate reflected on the Fourth Pontifical visit of His Holiness Karekin II to the Western Diocese in September 2010 and the consecration of the St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. The Primate expressed his gratitude to the Diocesan clergy, members of the Parish Councils, Ladies Societies, Delegates, Diocesan staff and all auxiliary bodies for their dedication and loyal service.
The Primate’s inspirational message to the Priests and the Delegates was based on the Second Letter of St. Paul to Timothy “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). The Primate stressed the importance of selfless and humble service while carrying out the mission of the Armenian Church.
Since 2005, the Archbishop’s Award has been presented to individuals who through their dedicated service exemplify the essence of the Christian spirit. The recipients of the 2011 Archbishop’s Award were: the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Vicar General; Dn. Jeff Hazarian Esq., (Armenian Church of Ventura County); Mrs. Debbie Derderian, (St. John Garabed, San Diego); Mrs. Diane Boyajian (St. Paul, Fresno). Mr. Vahe Skenderian (St. Gregory the Illuminator, Pasadena) and Mrs. Zaroohi Der Mugrdechian (St. Paul, Fresno) are also recipients and will be presented with the 2011 Archbishop’s Award. The first session concluded with the presentation of the committee and sub-committee reports.
Second Session
The second session resumed at 1:00 p.m. The Primate encouraged the Delegates and their Parishes to collaborate with the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry (ABMDR) whose members were present to answer questions about the mission of the ABMDR. The presentation of reports of different committee chairs continued in the second session.
Judge Adrienne Krikorian, founder of “House of Hope – Mer Hooys” delivered an informative Powerpoint presentation highlighting the mission of the program in Armenia. “Mer Hooys” is dedicated to reaching young men and women from disadvantaged lifestyles who do not have the means to otherwise acquire job skill development and training, advanced education, life and social skill development, psychological and spiritual counseling and mentorship.
By the invitation of the Primate, His Grace Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan, Primate of the Diocese of Gegharkunik shared a few words about the Diocese and the implemented programs. He thanked the Parishes of the Western Diocese for their continued support and invited the delegates to visit the Diocese of Gegharkunik in Armenia. Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan also thanked the Primate for the warm welcome and affection.
The following officers were elected during the 84th Diocesan Assembly.
Assembly Chair:
Dn. Jeff Hazarian, Esq.
Assembly Vice-Chair:
Dn. Steve Adams
Assembly Secretaries:
Mrs. Lily Ring Balian (English); Archpriest Fr. Sipan Mekhsian (Armenian)
Diocesan Council Members:
Armen Hampar
Robert Barsam
Suzie Grigorians
Yuri Hakobyan
Antranik Zorayan
Sarkis Der Sarkissian Barkev Hamalian
Diocesan Council Clergy Members:
Archpriest Moushegh Tashjian
Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian
Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian
Auditing Committee:
David Melcon
Endowment Fund Trustees
Dn. Varouj Altebarmakian
Lisa Kaloustian
Diocesan Council Meeting
After the elections, the Diocesan Council convened for a brief meeting to hold the internal elections of its officers. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, presided over the meeting. The results are indicated below:
President: His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Chair: Armen Hampar, (St. Peter, Van Nuys)
Vice Chair: Robert Barsam (St. James, Los Angeles)
Treasurer: Yuri Hakobyan (Armenian Church of Seattle)
Secretary: Suzie Grigorians (St. Apkar Armenian Church, Arizona)
Members:
Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian (St. Peter, Van Nuys)
Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan (St. Gregory the Illuminator, Pasadena)
Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian (St. Mary, Costa Mesa)
Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian (St. John Garabed, Hollywood)
Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan (St. Leon Armenian Cathedral)
Dn. Barlow Der Mugrdechian (St. Paul, Fresno)
Judge Adrienne Krikorian (St. Peter, Van Nuys)
Antranik Zorayan (St. Mary, Costa Mesa)
Greg Tcherkoyan (St. Vartan, Oakland)
Sarkis Der Sarkissian (St. John Garabed, Hollywood)
Barkev Hamalian (St. Peter, Van Nuys)
The 85th Annual Diocesan Assembly will be held in St. Apkar Armenian Church in Scottsdale Arizona.
Yorumlar kapatıldı.