The Diocese
Posted: 05/08/2026
Archbishop Vartan Kasparian (1874-1966) was one of the first Armenian clergymen to serve in the Western United States. On April 15, one of his relatives, Ronda Berkeley, met with Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, to donate several hand-written journals, letters, prayer books and hymnals to the Western Diocese.
The donation of these artifacts is made on behalf of the Kasparian and Jebejian families, will be part of a presentation next year as the Diocese celebrates its 100th Anniversary. According to Fr. Vazken Movsesian, chairman of the Centennial celebrations, “This donation gives us a glimpse of the Armenian Church in the pre and post-Genocide years here in the Western United States. Archbishop Vartan Kasparian, and a few other clergy, defined the Christian witness here, as the Western Diocese was being formed.”
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, upon receiving these artifacts, immediately assigned diocesan staff to catalogue and curate the collection. He noted that parts of the collection, including Archbishop Vartan’s ornate vestments and episcopal staff, will be displayed in diocese’s Zoroyan museum for everyone to become more familiar with the esteemed clergyman.
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kasparian, of Visalia, who is the namesake of the late archbishop, shared other memorabilia from the archbishop, including vestments, pictures, and most importantly, rare and vintage films of the archbishop, which were digitized to accent and enhance the future exhibit. Yeretzgin Danna Kasparian, who arranged for the digitization process, along with Fr. Vartan scripted commentary to the films which lacked sound tracks.
In 2027, as the Western Diocese celebrates it’s 100th anniversary, a special exhibition of this material and media will be presented. As a preview to that exhibit, at the Diocesan Assembly held in Fresno (Apr 30-May 1) some of the artifacts were displayed as a preview to the larger exhibit. Fr. Vartan Kasparian was on hand to share his thoughts on the collection and the archbishop. Delegates and clergy were pleased to have Fr. Vartan in their midst and the opportunity to reconnect.
The Centennial Celebration begins on January 6, 2027. Check the Diocesan website for the latest information.
Some brief facts about Archbishop Vartan Kasparian
Born in Mouradcha (Brussa), Ordained July 12, 1898 by Patriarch Haroutiun Vehabedian, at the Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem. Dispatched to the United States in 1912 by the Catholicos. Serves the budding Armenian Church in California, laying the foundation, consecrating and/or forming several of the parishes, including Holy Trinity, Fresno; St. Mary, Yettem; Sts. Sahag/Mesrop, Reedley; St. Vartan, Oakland, St. Gregory, Fowler; St. James, Los Angeles; St. Sarkis, East Los Angeles; St. Gregory, Pasadena; St. John, San Francisco, St. James, Sacramento; St. Paul, Fresno. He was onsecrated a bishop in 1945 in Holy Etchmiadzin by Kevork VI, elevated to archbishop in 1948 and was one of the ordaining bishops of the Venerable Catholicos Vazken I in 1955. He passed away in 1966, leaving a large legacy which the Western Diocese is honored to share.
