The Diocese
Posted: 11/17/2017
On November 12, 2017, His Excellency Vigen Sargsyan, Defense Minister of the Republic of Armenia paid his first visit to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.
Upon his arrival, the Defense Minister was greeted by Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, AGBU Vice-President Mr. Sinan Sinanian and other leaders of the Armenian-American community.
Accompanying the Minister Vigen Sargsyan were His Excellency Grigor Hovhannisian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States and His Excellency Valery Mkrtumyan, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia.
In the function organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia in Washington DC, the Defense Minister held a townhall meeting with the members of the Armenian-American community at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall of the Western Diocese.
During the evening, Mrs. Elizabeth Agbabian was honored by the Defense Minister in recognition of her selfless service and contributions to the Motherland.
Armenian veterans, leaders of Armenian organizations, and members of the community participated in the townhall meeting which was moderated by Armenia Fund President Mrs. Maria Mehranian. The Defense Minister answered questions from the general public during the hour-long meeting.
His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, His Eminence Archbishop Pargev Martirosyan, Primate of the Diocese of Arstakh, Diocesan clergy, Rev. Berdj Djambazian, Union Minister of the Armenian Missionary Association of America, were also present.
