88th Annual Diocesan Assembly Convenes
The 88th Annual Assembly of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America convened on Friday, May 1, 2015 at the Hampar Family Room of the Diocesan Headquarters. The year’s biggest convention was presided by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Diocesan Primate.
Following breakfast and registration, an official call to order was made at 9:30 a.m. and the opening prayer was delivered. One hundred five delegates joined clergy and assembly officers in taking part in this year’s Assembly. Following the Primate's opening prayer, Archbishop Derderian informed the delegates about the passing of Mr. George Dunaians, a beloved benefactor of the Western Diocese, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena and Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian School. A prayer for his departed soul was delivered by Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian.
This year's Diocesan Assembly Officers were Mr. Bob Barsam (Chairman), Richard Mushegain, Esq., (Vice-Chairman), Hon. Judge Adrienne Krikorian (English Secretary), and Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian (Armenian Secretary).
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Bob Barsam extended his gratitude to the Primate for his enduring leadership as well as pastoral support and guidance. The Diocesan Assembly Chair expressed his appreciation to the delegates for their cordial presence and participation, commended the dedication of the Diocesan staff under the leadership of the Executive Director Dn. Haroutioun Markarian, and addressed his gratefulness to the members of the Diocesan Council for their unwavering service rendered for the betterment of the Western Diocese.
The assembly approved the agenda after minor adjustments. After the appointment of the resolutions, parliamentary, acknowledgments, nomination and balloting committees, Mr. Barsam invited the newest clergyman of the Western Diocese the Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Ksachikyan to deliver the day's spiritual message.
Father Yeghishe reflected on the importance of the Armenian family and its vital role of preserving the Armenian identity. The Pastor of St. James Armenian Church in Sacramento also stressed the need to strengthen the spiritual family, namely the Church, wherein faithful receive spiritual nourishment to walk alongside the Almighty God and to lead Christ-like lives.
In the Pontifical Message of H. H. Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians addressed to the clergy and the Diocesan delegates, His Holiness wrote in part "It brings us tremendous joy in knowing that you have remained loyal to the mission of your forefathers as you continue to strengthen your churches, enhance your educational and cultural programs and collectively strive for truth and justice. We call upon you to continue to support and enrich the Western Diocese through your God-pleasing endeavors. Fortify your faith, strengthen your communities and become exemplary Armenian-Americans. Pay special attention and provide compassionate care for the young generation. Encourage them to learn the Armenian language. Educate them about our history and traditions. Motivate them to become carriers of God's divine love, to become visionary leaders and advocates of voicing the truth and demanding justice."
Click here to read the Pontifical Message in its entirety.
Prior to delivering his report, the Primate reminded the delegates that the activities of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America are published on the Diocesan website and are disseminated on a weekly basis.
Archbishop Derderian expressed his gratitude to the Diocesan staff, under the leadership of Dn. Harout Markarian, for their unrelenting dedication and commitment to the mission of the Western Diocese. The Primate spoke at length about the significance of the year 2015 in the life of the Armenian people in the Motherland as well as in the Diaspora. He reflected on the number of events at the Diocesan as well as parish levels commemorating the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide, the most significant of which will take place on May 7th at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.
He thanked Rev. Father Vazken Movsesian, Chairman of the Centennial Commemoration Committee of the Western Diocese for his tireless service in planning, organizing and executing a number of exceptional commemorative events.
Archbishop Derderian also reflected on his pastoral visits to Mexico City following the transfer of the Diocese of Mexico under the jurisdiction Western Diocese by the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II. The Primate spoke about the establishment of a parish in Mexico City and the events which had been organized in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia. He reflected on the successful trip to Mexico’s capital with the Diocesan delegation in March where a solemn celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the memory of the 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide was held at the Cathedral. An unprecedented event took place at Mexico City’s Museum of Tolerance on April 16 with the official exhibition dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. He noted the tremendous leadership role taken by Mrs. Sonia Arakelian in organizing the exceptional exhibition.
The Primate also referenced to the historic canonization of the 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide on April 23, 2015 in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The largest canonization in history was presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, with the participation of 12 bishops and archbishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The momentous event saw the participation of government officials, ecumenical leaders, and tens of thousands of faithful.
Archbishop Derderian also spoke about revitalizing the Diocese stating "cohesiveness, mutual respect, and acceptance can transform, revamp, rejuvenate and revitalize the life of the church." He spoke about properly catering to the needs of the youth. "Our youth goes through difficult times. The competition in schools and the ensuing peer pressure, the rivalry in career and economic insecurity, the temptations of life and social injustice distance our youth from the church only to bury them in the increasing problems of everyday life. The youth needs guidance and understanding, but above all, practical help. We don’t get tired of repeating this. In addition to the spiritual nourishment, we have to provide our youth with scholarship opportunities, connections, networking, access to land dream jobs, thus becoming part of their success." said the Primate.
Click here to read the Primate's address in its entirety.
Chairman Antranik Zorayan presented the report of the Diocesan Council which highlighted last year's Diocesan activities. Mr. Zorayan had represented the Western Diocese at the historic canonization ceremony in Holy Etchmiadzin on April 23rd. The Diocesan Council Chairman had also taken part in the commemorative events on April 24th and April 25th.
The delegates also heard reports from the Diocesan Council Treasurer Derek Ghookasian and the Endowment Fund Chairman Mr. Ben Krikorian.
Prior to recess, the delegates viewed a video presentation of the noble mission of "Mer Hooys - House of Hope" and the tremendous strides taken by the organization since its inception in 2008. Mer Hooys is dedicated to reaching out to teenage young women from disadvantaged lifestyles who do not have the means to otherwise acquire meaningful job skills development and training, an advanced education, life and social skills development, psychological and spiritual counseling and mentorship. The program operates in a recently renovated two story building in Yerevan recently named the “Nakashian Children’s Support Center” in honor of its benefactors, the late John, Arpine and Jack Nakashian. Mer Hooys provides a nurturing family environment that instills encouragement and hope for these young adults’ future. The President of Mer-Hooys is the Honorable Judge Adrienne Krikorian.
2nd Session
The second session commenced with elections. The Diocesan delegates cast their ballots to elect diocesan assembly officers, Diocesan Council members, Auditing Committee members and Endowment Fund Board. The elections yielded the following results:
Diocesan Assembly Officers:
Hon. Judge Adrienne Krikorian - Chairlady - St. Peter Armenian Church, Van Nuys
Richard Mushegain, Esq. - Vice-Chair - St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, Pasadena
Mrs. Suzie Grigorian - Secretary - St. Apkar Armenian Church, Scottsdale, AZ
Diocesan Council Members:
Mr. Greg Tcherkoyan –St. Vartan Arm. Church in Oakland, California
Mr. Berj Manoogian - St. Apkar Armenian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona
Dr. Kris Mirzayan - St. Mary Arm. Church in Costa Mesa, California
Joseph Kanimian, Esq. - St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, Burbank
Mr. Mher Sharyan – St. Kevork Arm. Church in Portland, Oregon
Arsen Danielian, Esq. - St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, Burbank
Mr. Derik Ghookasian - St. Peter Arm. Church in Van Nuys, California
Deacon Steve Adams - St. Paul Armenian Church, Fresno
Mr. Barkev Hamalian - St. Peter Armenian Church, Van Nuys
Mr. Vahe Skenderian - St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena
Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian – Pastor of the Armenian Church of Crescenta Valley
Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan – Pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Santa Clarita
Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash - Pastor of St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco
Rev. Fr. Serovbe Alanjian - Pastor of the Armenian Church of Ventura County
Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazan - Pastor of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank
Auditing Committee:
Ara Kassabian - St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles
WD Endowment Fund:
Matthew Geragos - St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church in Pasadena
Jack Chelloyan - St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys
John Yaldezian, Jr. - St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys
Charles Tateossian - St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco
On behalf of her fellow Acknowledgment Committee members Mrs. Lily Balian and Mrs. Arpi Barsam, Mrs. Aida Askejian extended her gratitude to the Primate for his tireless service, to all presenters and delegates for their kind participation in the 88th Annual Diocesan Assembly.
In his closing remarks, the Primate called upon the participants to renew their covenant with God and to love and respect one another without reservation. His Eminence commended the tireless service of Mr. Antranik Zorayan, noting the benefactor’s commitment to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Western Diocese, St. Mary Armenian Church of Costa Mesa and a number of other missions and projects.
The Primate also thanked Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian, Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, Dn. Jeff Hazarian and Mrs. Suzie Grigorians whose terms in as members of the Diocesan Council had expired.
The 88th Annual Diocesan Assembly concluded with the closing prayer by Father Yeghishe Ksachikyan.
First Meeting of the 2015-2016 Diocesan Council
Under the presidency of the Primate, the newly elected members of the Diocesan Council convened immediately following the Assembly. Internal elections were held for the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary yielding the following results:
Joseph Kanimian, Esq. - Chairman - St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, Burbank
Mr. Greg Tcherkoyan – Vice Chairman - St. Vartan Arm. Church in Oakland, California
Mr. Derik Ghookasian – Treasurer - St. Peter Arm. Church in Van Nuys, California
Dr. Kris Mirzayan - Secretary - St. Mary Arm. Church in Costa Mesa, California
Banquet in Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Antranik Zorayan
Close to 200 people gathered at the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall at 7 pm for a banquet in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Antranik Zorayan. In recognition of their dedication to the Armenian Apostolic Church, His Holiness Karekin II had addressed his Pontifical congratulatory wishes to the benefactors.
On behalf of the entire parish family of St. Mary Armenian Church of Costa Mesa, Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Tashjian, the Pastor, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Zorayan for their Christian spirit and generosity and wished the couple long and healthy lives.
The honoree expressed his gratitude to the Primate for his leadership, support and guidance. He also thanked the guests for their cordial presence.