The Diocese
Posted: 05/10/2018
The 66th Annual Ladies Society Assembly, presided by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, was held on May 3, 2018 at St. Geragos Armenian Church of Las Vegas.
The meeting convened with the opening prayer by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America after which Lena Simonian, chair of LSCC invited Very Rev. Fr. Sassoon Zumrookhdian, Parish Priest of host Church to deliver his welcoming remarks. Fr. Sasoon reflected on the tremendous strides of the parish since its consecration two years ago. The priest noted the improvements the church has undergone in the last two years.
In his spiritual message, Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan stressed the importance of faith and prayer, referencing to them as essential tools in changing our inner spiritual world. The young priest, stressed the importance of selfless service and called upon the ladies to become hands of the Almighty in their respective communities.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by LSCC Chair Lena Simonian, as she also stressed the importance of supporting youth activities and missions. In the context of the year of the youth- as proclaimed by our Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian – The theme resonates with the core values of the Ladies Society as it pertains to the spiritual upbringing of our youth- crucial mission that starts within families. We need to reflect on the importance of preparing the next generation to rejuvenate the ladies Society and ensure its continuity. The preparation, of course involves instilling Christian values in the hearts and souls of the youth from an early age,” said the LSCC Chair.
She also commended the ladies for their dedication and hard work stating “we all know how hard it is to spare nothing for the benefit of the church and also manage juggling the obligations of family, job and church. It is with admiration that we the LSCC acknowledge your hard work and great service to the church because you do it gracefully and faithfully with utmost pride and maternal care. “Vartzgernit Gadar” dear sisters in Christ, Beloved Ladies Society members of the Western Diocese.
Major Ladies Society events throughout the year were recapped. They included pilgrimages to different churches where the ladies discussed cultivating new members, by-laws, fund raising venues, spiritual growth, Saturday and Sunday Schools and inclusion of the larger community into the church.
The Annual Women’s Prayer Day at the spiritual center of the Diocese, under the auspices of the Primate with was another important undertaking by the Ladies Society Central Counicl in 2017. The Women's Prayer Day consited of a Morning Prayer, a homily and reception during which 65 Saturday and Sunday school teachers of the Diocese were honored.
The Ladies Society Central Council also sponsored the publication of the newest Divine Liturgy Hymnal (Badarakamadooyts) and by raising $10,000 for the publication. The timely publication was welcomed by the Western Diocese as there had been a critical shortage in churches.
The chairlady introduced two speakers of different generations on the topic of preparing the generation next. Melene Ouzounian, was the first speaker whose inpirational speech It Takes a Village moved the delegates.
In her remarks, Melene Ouzounian reflected on the importance of the Armenian Apostolic Church in her life and her commitment to serving a member of the Ladies Society. "As representatives of Ladies Society we must use all means to help create a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere within the Ladies society and Parish Community. To volunteer or accept a leadership role when asked. To love the our Lord Jesus Christ, as our faith guides us to love one another. Most importantly, we must welcome and invite prospective members to events and monthly meetings and encourage membership. As leaders we must guide and share what we have learned to help others lead, to perpetuate our good works," said Mrs. Ouzounian.
A Powerpoint presentation was made by Taline Tokatlian, the Chairlady of St. John Garabed Church of San Diego. The speaker expressed her gratitude to her mother for her guidance and support. Her caring spirit and love for the Armenian Church made me join the ladies society and for that I will be forever grateful," said the young Chairlady. Taline Tokatlian's Powerpoint presentation is presented below.
Chairlady thanked everyone involved in this assembly and mentioned that God calls us and equips us if we’re needed in God’s plan.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Lena Simonian, who had served as the Chair of the Ladies Society Central Council for four consecutive years, expressed her wholehearted gratitude to the Primate for his guidance and support, to the members of the Ladies Society Central Council personally for their unrelenting dedication and enduring affection for the Armenian Apostolic Church. "When we are weak, we are actually made strong in Christ For God breathes His power through our frailty in ways we can’t imagine. This is why we as ladies society members should not be discouraged if the younger generation is not following in our footsteps but rather set the example of diligent service to God and Church," stated Mrs. Simonian.Â
In his remarks, the Primate commended the Ladies Society Central Council for the number of missions they had realized. Addressing the delegates of different parishes, the Primate said "Shortly, we will return to our to our communities with a new promise to safeguard and preserve the Armenian Apostolic Church, to strengthen her, the Armenian School and family. We will cherish our language and our sacred traditions with renewed vigor. Keep the words of Christ, our Lord alive in your hearts "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28)." The Primate blessed the Ladies Society Central Council, the delegates and noted the importance of involving the young generation in the mission of the Ladies Society in their respective parishes. "You are the ladies who shine in the life of the church and you pass on the torch to the young generation of faithful. Just like clergy, you are obliged to become modern-day apostles in order that the Church, the essence of our identity may flourish and thrive" concluded the Primate.
Folliwing the installation of the new central council officers, the assembly concluded with the Primate's closing prayer.Â
After elections were held Lucille Farsakian, (AAC, Ventura County), Noura Kazanjian (St. Peter, Van Nuys), Zarmig Kilislian (St. Peter, Van Nuys), Gladys Saroyan (St. James, LA), Ramela Seropian (St. Leon Cathedral, Burbank) and Belet Shahbazian (St. Leon Cathedral, Burbank) were elected to the Ladies Society Central Council.
Aida Chakarian (St. Peter, Van Nuys), Meline Agagianian (St. Peter, Van Nuys) and Adrineh Ghookasian (St. Peter, Van Nuys) will continue to serve in the Central Council.
