St. John Armenian Church Of San Francisco Hosts Diocesan Council Meeting And Northern California Regional Meeting

The first Diocesan Council meeting of 2016 was held on Saturday, January 8, 2016 at St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco. The Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash and the parishioners of the San Francisco Parish welcomed the Diocesan Primate H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian; Joseph Kanimian, Esq. Chairman of the Diocesan Council and Diocesan Council members. The Bay Area regional meeting immediately followed the Diocesan Council meeting.

Reports were presented by Archbishop Derderian, Joseph Kanimian, Esq. and Deacon Harout Markarian, Executive Director of the Western Diocese. The Primate noted that the community will be the central theme of the year 2016. His Eminence informed the Diocesan Council members of the ongoing construction projects at the Western Diocese including those of The Mesrop and Marian Megerdichian Independent Senior Living Center in Scottsdale, Arizona; the church complex of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in San Diego, the church building and banquet hall of the Armenian Church of Las Vegas and the construction of the Holy Altar of the Armenian Church of Crescenta Valley, the consecration of which will be held prior to Holy Easter. The consecration date of the Armenian Church of Las Vegas has been scheduled for May 6^th. The church will host the 89^th Annual Diocesan Assembly from May 5-7, 2016.

Another topic of discussion was the revamping of the Stewardship Program of the Western Diocese which will be realized through the recruitment of new Priesthood-Candidates. His Eminence encouraged the priests to play an active role in the recruitment process through mentorship of promising young candidates.

The expansion of the Religious Education Department of the Western Diocese was also discussed. To present an overview of the mission of the Religious Education Department, the Department's Director Mashdots Jobanian, holds regular Bible Study sessions at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral and at Diocesan parishes. Mr. Jobanian also hosts a weekly radio religious program every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. on Radio Ayk (www.radioayk.com). Mr. Jobanian's Bible study programs are available on www.avedaran.com  The Diocese will act upon the growing need to provide spiritual nourishment to the flock of Christ.

In 2017, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America will mark the 90^th anniversary of its establishment. Preparations are underway for a grandiose celebration of the momentous event. A series of celebratory events are in the works.