Metropolitan Gerasimos Visits The Western Diocese

In efforts to solidify the ecumenical bond between the Armenian and Greek communities, on January 7, 2016, the Day of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ in accordance to the Greek Orthodox Church calendar, the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, the Bishop of the Greek Metropolis of San Francisco to the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank.  Archbishop Derderian was accompanied by Diocesan clergy the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and the Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan. 

Accompanying Metropolitan Gerasimos were His Grace Bishop Apostolos from the Greek Metropolis of San Francisco and the Very Rev. Fr. John Bakas, Dean of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral.  In April 2015, at the Primate’s invitation, the Very Fr. John Bakas participated in one of the largest ecumenical gatherings hosted by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a memorable ecumenical event in a series of events commemorating the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Metropolitan Gerasimos was among the ecumenical dignitaries in attendance for the consecration of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral on September 11, 2010. During the ceremony, His Eminence was invited to deliver his heartfelt message to the faithful Armenian community.