The Diocese
Posted: 04/22/2016
On the 101st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and at the invitation of California State Assemblymembers Katcho Achadjian, Adrin Nazarian and Scott Wilk and the California Armenian Legislative Caucus, on April 18, 2016, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, delivered the opening prayer before the State Assembly.
At the State Capitol in Sacramento, Archbishop Derderian was accompanied by Diocesan clergy Archpriest Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan, Deacon Daniel Aydenian and community members.
We present to the faithful the Primate’s Opening Prayer in its entirety.
Before we commence the opening prayer, I invite you all to pay tribute and homage to the victims of the recent acts of aggression committed by Azerbaijan’s military against ethnic Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh and reports of civilians being targeted including school children and the elderly shocked the world community. for those of us who have witnessed these shameful acts via social media have been shattered at the sheer horror which transpired.
The massive scale attacks on the military bases of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as well as Armenia’s bordering villages have claimed the lives of tens of soldiers and civilians, leaving hundreds more injured. The premediated military attacks on Nagorno Karabakh have been targeted on what is historically Armenian land.
The people of Artsakh will not be oppressed! Artsakh will be sovereign and free!
“Almighty God,
We lift up our prayers to You with reverence and trust to guide us and strengthen us all in our calling to serve and protect the people of God. We thank You for granting us with the blessed gift of life, for bestowing upon us all bounties of the world and challenging us to become Your good hands in our communities.
We pray for world peace and for all those who suffer as victims of injustice, war and poverty.
Today we pray for the souls and honor the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the 20th century premeditated and perpetrated by the Ottoman Turks in 1915.
California State Assembly’s recognition of the heinous crime against humanity encourages the Armenian American community of this Great State to remain steadfast in the quest for justice. Above all, the noble act grants us spiritual strength to hold firm the essence of our faith as devoted citizens of this blessed country of the United States of America.
In 2015, the Armenian American community and Armenians worldwide commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Very few survivors of the dark genocide remain and they pass on each day. However, their unconquerable spirit will live forever. We honored their memory, thus not only as a form of respect for their martyrdom but also as a clear message to all nations that the gift of life granted to us by God cannot be taken away forcibly or brutally. The 1.5 million Armenians who perished 101 Aprils ago have been canonized as saints of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
God’s divine peace can be secured with faith in the Almighty and respect for human life regardless of religion or ethnicity.
We are reminded of the words of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who in his last sermon said, "Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I have seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land!”
We are here today, with dual responsibilities as Armenians who ought to guard and cherish their God-given gifts and we are also here as citizens of the United States of America filled with the spirit of the founding fathers of this great nation to become exemplary leaders of our communities.
Almighty God, Bless this Assembly with their members and their mission. Grant them divine wisdom and love to carry on their duties diligently, to uphold firm justice for the past and be the path of justice for all generations to come. Amen.”
The California Armenian Legislative Caucus strives to ensure that California Armenian American’s voices are heard and given a platform. The Caucus serves as a forum for members from the California’s Senate and Assembly to identify key issues affecting Armenian Americans and develop and empower the Armenian American community throughout California.
