PRESS OFFICE
ARMENIAN CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA WESTERN DIOCESE
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Tel: (818) 558-7474
Fax: (818) 558-6333
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
May 25, 2004
COMMUNIQUE
PRIMATE PRESIDES OVER
ASCENSION DAY CEREMONY AT THE
ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF CRESCENTA VALLEY
On Thursday, May 20, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
accompanied by Rev. Fr. Baruyr Avetisyan, who is visiting from Armenia,
presided over the Ascension Day Ceremony of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of La Crescenta, in Tujunga. Also present at the ceremony
was Rev. Fr. Hovsep Hagopian, Pastor in Charge of the La Crescenta
Valley Parish.
An evening service took place at 6:30 p.m. officiated by the Primate,
after which Rev. Fr. Baruyr Avetisyan delivered the Sermon of the
day. Following, the Crescenta Valley Saturday and Sunday School
children, as well as the students of the Hye Bells Music School
presented readings from the Bible, songs and music. The ceremony
closed with the message of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.
A reception followed the ceremony in the church hall, where the
faithful were treated to a cultural program by the children.
PRIMATE VISITS THE ST. ANDREW
FRIDAY SCHOOL IN CUPERTINO
On Friday, May 21, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
paid a Pastoral visit to the Cupertino Parish where the students of
the St. Andrew Armenian Apostolic Church Friday School presented a
program dedicated to the Primate.
Although the Friday School of the church has been in existence for
forty years, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian’s visit marked
the first visit to the school by a Primate. In appreciation of their
dedicated service, His Eminence honored the principal Ms. Anahid
Nalvarian, as well as all the teachers and board members.
At the end of the program the Primate addressed the children, who
responded with tremendous enthusiasm to His Eminence’s visit and
his address.
PRIMATE’S FIRST PASTORAL VISIT TO CARMEL
On Saturday, May 22, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
paid his first Pastoral Visit to the Carmel Parish, accompanied
by Rev. Fr. Baruyr Avetisyan and Rev. Fr. Khoren Kirakosyan, who
arrived in Los Angeles last month, to participate in the 77th Diocesan
Assembly. Also accompanying the Primate was Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian
Pastor in Charge of the Carmel Parish.
In Carmel, the His Eminence celebrated his first Divine Liturgy
and delivered a Sermon centered on the words of His Holiness the Late
Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians, “A nation which refuses to die”.
Following the Liturgy a reception took place in the Church hall, with an
attendance of over 150 faithful, after which a unique gathering took
place between the Primate and the youth and other members of the
community.
PRIMATE CELEBRATES DIVINE LITURGY AND
OFFICIATES OVER ORDINATIONS AT
ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CHURCH
On Sunday, May 22, 2004 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America,
celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland
and officiated over the ordinations of Acolytes and Sub-Deacons,
and the blessing of veils. The Primate presented gifts to all those
who were ordained.
The Divine Liturgy was followed by the 47th Annual Banquet of
St. Vartan Armenian Church. The Banquet opened with the invocation of
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, after which a program took
place with the participation of the Sunday School students, as well as
remarks by Jeff Hazarian, Esq., and Archpriest Fr. Mesrob Sarafian.
His Eminence addressed the faithful with a message on the words of
Jesus Christ, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you”. He
said, “Christ our Lord reminds us all of the true meaning of teaching
in the life of a Christian. For to a Christian teaching has the
connotation of sharing our God-given grace and gifts with our fellow
brothers and sisters for the strengthening of the Christian Church.
“Through the Ascension of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we are
called to renew in our souls the Christian calling to respond to that
needs of the church and the community, to reawaken in or hearts the
Christian spirit, and above all to respond to the call to become the
spiritual architects of the church.”
DIVAN OF THE DIOCESE
May 25, 2004
Burbank, California