Primate’s Message to the Faithful for the Great Lent

Twelve deacons were ordained into the Sacred Order of the Priesthood on Tuesday, February 2, 2016, the Feast of St. Ghevond the Priest and His Companions. The sacramental rite was held under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians in the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin during the celebration of the  Divine Liturgy.

The celebrant was His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, Primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn;  who anointed and ordained twelve deacons into the Holy Order of Priesthood.

His Grace consecrated the foreheads, then the right and left hands of the new priests with Holy Chrism (Muron) and gave them new names:

Deacon Rafael Petrosyan was renamed Fr. Vazgen; Deacon Gagik Hovhannisyan was renamed Fr. Geghard; Deacon Sarkis Galamdaryan was renamed Fr. Makar; Deacon Rafik Khachatryan was renamed Fr. Aris; Deacon Davit Saribekyan was renamed Fr. Sevak; Deacon Gevorg Gyozalyan was renamed Fr. Hrachya; Deacon Norvan Isakhanyan was renamed Fr. Vagharsh; Deacon Sevak Dermenjyan was renamed Fr. Grigoris; Deacon Mesrop Ashuryan was renamed Fr. Zareh; Deacon Hrant Aghasyan was renamed Fr. Sedrak; Deacon Poghos Balayan was renamed Fr. Ghukas; Deacon Arthur Mikaelyan was renamed Fr. Artsrun.

At the end of the ordination ceremony, the newly ordained priests conveyed their first blessings to the attendees.

In the evening of the ordination rite, the newly ordained priests, accompanied by Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan Grand Sacristan of the Mother See and His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, Primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn met with His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. 

A check for $30,000 was presented to Miss Rita Terterian, CHLA’s Assistant Vice President of Development by the CHLA-Western Diocese Joint Committee on Friday, January 29, 2016 at the hospital’s Wilson Library. The amount exceeded the original pledge of $25,000 made in November 2014. The donation will support CHLA’s Vision Center, Cancer Center, Literary Healing Department, the Neonatal and other departments.

The official presentation was made by Mrs. Alice Chakrian, Chair of the Joint Committee who was accompanied by her fellow committee members. The Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral represented the Primate at the ceremonial event.

The CHLA-Western Diocese Committee organized their inaugural luncheon in 2014, raising $15,000 in the process. In November 2015, the committee raised another $15,000 to benefit CHLA.   

Established in 2014, the CHLA/Western Diocese Joint Committee’s success depends on private contributions, your participation and support. The committee thanks the donors, supporters and all committed individuals who empower its mission to make a difference in children’s lives.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at the beautifully decorated Geragos Hall of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena.

In his remarks, the Primate reflected on the significance of receiving a quality education. “School enlightens the minds of children and the youth with knowledge. They cultivate their lives through their creative visions. The Armenian School is a safehaven. It is Armenia on a miniature scale and is the representation of Holy Etchmiadzin.”

“On this joyous celebration, we commend your collective efforts in continuing to building upon the strong foundation of this fine institution. Father Sarkis and Parish Council, the administration, the board of trustees, teachers and parents, it our collective duty to preserve and protect our church.” said His Eminence in part. 

The Armenian Educational Foundation (AEF) celebrating its 65th anniversary on January 31st 2016 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Long time AEF members and community philanthropists Ralph Tufenkian and Hacop Baghdassarian were honored during the banquet.

The Primate attended the gala and delivered his heartfelt remarks during the benediction. He commended the outstanding efforts of the Organizing Committee and congratulated the honorees.

In his remarks the Primate said, “Tonight we celebrate the vision and mission of the architects of the Armenian Educational Foundation. We commend the dedication of the benefactors and donors who have put their hearts and souls in a nation-building mission.

Tonight’s celebration becomes more inspiring as we acknowledge two distinguished individuals- Mr. Ralph Tufenkian and Mr. Hacop Baghdassarian. Our honorees have been engaged in the life of our community in many ways. They have lived purposeful lives and have enriched our spirituality with virtuous vision of giving from the heart to a God-pleasing cause, namely, the Armenian School.”

Since 1950, the Armenian Educational Foundation, Inc. (AEF) has been a cornerstone of the Armenian educational movement around the world. It has lent a helping hand to hundreds of students and to dozens of schools in numerous nations. Through its many years of giving, it has proven to be one of the most enduring and productive organizations in the Diaspora.

In the last 65 years, AEF has monumentally surpassed the goals the founding members envisioned. In the last 20 years alone, AEF has allocated over $7.7 million in financial assistance to Armenian students and educational institutions. AEF has built and supported numerous Armenian day schools in the United States, Middle East and Armenia.

His Eminence Archbishop Sebouh Chouldjian was the guest homilist at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral on Sunday, January 31, 2016. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, the Cathedral’s Pastor.

The Primate of the Diocese of Gougark in the province of Lori, Armenia, also participated in the two-day Diocesan clergy conference which convened on February 2, the Feast of St. Ghevont the Priest and His Companions.

On the occasion of the name day of St. Peter Armenian Church of Van Nuys, the Primate, assisted by Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirjian, performed the blessing of themadagh service. The madagh or offering was distributed to the parishioners.

On January 30, 2016, the Primate approved a committee which will be in charge of the preparatory work for the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA) 2016. Members include ACYO Alumnus Raffi Mughnetsyan, ACYO Central Council member Armand Yerjanian, Burbank ACYO member Victoria Amran and San Diego’s St. John Garabed Armenian Church ACYO Member Levon Parseghov. The meeting was chaired by Deacon Artak Khachikyan.

In the past few years CYMA has volunteered with the Fuller Center for Housing, Armenian Tree Project, and has organized its own social projects by building a house in Gyumri and renovating a monastery in Tavush.

In 2014, the youth participated in an immense project which included the completion of a youth center in the village of Tsovinar.

Presided by the Diocesan Primate, the construction committee held a meeting at the Diocesan Headquarters on Saturday, January 30, 2016. Chaired by Mr. Armen Hampar, the committee discussed matters related to St. Leon Armenian Cathedral as well as construction projects in parishes across the Western Diocese including the ongoing construction of the Armenian Church complex of Las Vegas, The Mesrop and Marian Megerdichian Independent Senior Living Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Summer Camp Chapel and Retreat Center as well as the rebuilding of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood in the Armenian architectural style.

The consecration of the Armenian Church of Las Vegas will be held on Friday, May 6, 2016. The Las Vegas parish will also host the 89^th Annual Diocesan Assembly.

The Armenian Church of Crescenta Valley will be consecrated by the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian on Friday, March 20, 2016.