Expanding The Fundraising Mission Of The Renovation Of The Mother Cathedral Of Holy Etchmiadzin - Primate To Travel To The Dioceses Of The Armenian Church Of Brazil And Argentina

Beloved faithful,

The Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin is the birthplace of the Christian Faith of our ancestors. They have entrusted us with this spiritual treasure and it is our moral obligation to not only preserve it but to safely transfer it to the upcoming generations.

Holy Etchmiadzin is the essence of our existence. Let us pay homage to the spiritual center of the Armenian people in order that the souls of our nation may be exalted and led toward the eternal life.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and Chairman of the Fundraising Committee of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin will travel to the Dioceses of the Armenian Church of Brazil and Argentina from August 28 – September 1, 2019 to expand the mission and outreach of the Fundraising Committee.

From August 29-30, the Primate will travel to Brazil where he will meet with the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Brazil His Grace Bishop Nareg Berberian and the Diocesan Council. From August 31-September 1, Archbishop Derderian will travel to Argentina where he will meet with the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Argentina His Eminence Archbishop Kissag Mouradian and the Diocesan Council. On Sunday, September 1, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Buenos Aires.

During his visits to both Dioceses, Archbishop Derderian will extend the pontifical blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and will introduce the significant mission of the renovation of the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin to the faithful.

Archbishop Derderian will make the following trips in the upcoming months.

1. October 15-16 – Meeting with the Primates of the Dioceses of the Armenian Church of North America where a collective fundraising effort will be discussed.
2. October 24-25-26-27 – Visits to London, Paris, and Vienna and meetings with Diocesan Primates and Councils as well as fundraising preparatory events.
3. October 2 and October 31-November 2, presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Diocesan Primate will chair the Renovation Fundraising Committee Meeting in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
4. November 22-23-24 – Accompanied by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian will pay visits to Brussels, Amsterdam and Milan for meetings with the priests.
5. Visits to Australia to New Zealand for fundraising purposes are scheduled in late February 2020.

Office of the Western Diocese