The Diocese
Posted: 10/21/2016
With thirty-one Diocesan clergymen in attendance, the third and last clergy conference of the year was held on October 18 at the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank. The conference, which began with a Morning Prayer Service, was presided by the Diocesan Primate H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. The Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian, the Diocesan Vicar General chaired the conference.
The Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian delivered the day’s Gospel message encouraging his fellow brothers in Christ to remain steadfast and resolute in their pastoral service.
The Primate introduced to the clergymen the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan, who had arrived at the Western Diocese to continue his service with the blessings of H.H. Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. Father Yeremia will further his education in a theological seminary after which he will assume a pastoral role within the Diocese.
Archbishop Derderian also shared fond memories of standing alongside and encouraging the brave and courageous soldiers in Artsakh last September. The Primate also referred to last month’s Supreme Spiritual Council meeting which was convened for the first time in Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh. The City of New York will be the host city of the Supreme Spiritual Council, the Diocesan Representatives as well as the AGBU Board of Directors meeting from October 31 to November 3, 2016. On November 12, His Holiness will preside over the consecration ceremony of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. The Primate will attend the ceremony accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan.
Next year the Western Diocese will mark the 90 anniversary of the institution’s establishment. The planned celebratory events on the auspicious occasion were presented by Mr. Diran Avagyan.
The 90th Annual Diocesan Assembly will begin with the Ladies Assembly on May 3, the Clergy Conference on May 4, and will conclude with the 90th Annual Diocesan Assembly on May 5, 2017. The banquet and the recognition of 90 couples will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017.
On the joyous occasion of the 90th anniversary, the Western Diocese is preparing for the Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians in October 2017.
The following topics were on the agenda:
“Pilgrimage to St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral” or “An Homage to relics of the Armenian Genocide Martyrs”
(program and booklet presentation by the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian)
“The 90th Anniversary of the Western Diocese”
(presentation by Mr. Diran Avagyan)
“Leading the Youth toward the Church”
(Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian and Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash)
“Christian Education in the Armenian Church”
(The Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian)
“Dedication of 20 Sundays of the year to family, parents, the elderly, children, Godfathers and benevolence”
(Presentation by Mr. Mashdots Jobanian)
“The Syrian-Armenian Community”
(Presentation by the Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian, Vicar General)
“Reflections from a memorable pilgrimage to the Holy Land”
(Presentation by Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian)
In his closing remarks, the Primate informed the clergymen that the Western Diocese has transferred over $500,000 to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin through the Humanitarian Fund for Artsakh and will continue its mission of providing humanitarian assistance to Artsakh.
His Eminence expressed his gratitude to the clergy for their attendance and participation. The conference concluded with the Primate’s closing prayer.
