Honoring A Legacy, Inspiring A Future At St. John Armenian Church

On Sunday, June 14, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, made a pastoral visit to St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

During the service, Archbishop Derderian granted the Four Minor Orders of Acolyte to altar server Grant Hillman and Daniel Koloyian was ordained as a subdeacon. His Eminence encouraged them to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with renewed dedication, humility, and zeal, emphasizing the sacred responsibility of church service and prayed that their commitment would inspire other young people to answer the call to serve the Church.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a reception was held in the church hall where Archbishop Derderian honored Yeretzgeen Betty Sempadian for her selfless and unwavering service to the parish. Presenting her with a special token of appreciation, His Eminence expressed the gratitude of the Diocese and the parish family for her decades of faithful stewardship, devotion, and commitment to the life of St. John Armenian Church. The Primate noted that the strength and continuity of the Church are sustained by devoted servants such as Yeretzgeen Betty, whose example of faith and sacrifice continues to inspire future generations.

Witnessing the vibrancy and active participation of the parish youth, Archbishop Derderian commended the pastoral leadership of Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash in nurturing and forming the future leaders of the Church. He expressed words of gratitude to the Parish Council and all auxiliary organizations of St. John Armenian Church for their steadfast commitment to spreading the light of the Gospel of Christ and serving as ambassadors of the Christian faith within their community.

Founded through the faith and perseverance of a small but devoted Armenian community in the early twentieth century, St. John Armenian Church has a rich and inspiring history. From its humble beginnings, when Divine Liturgies were celebrated in borrowed sanctuaries and the spiritual needs of the faithful were served by visiting clergy, the parish steadily grew into a vibrant center of Armenian Christian life. The consecration of St. John Armenian Church in 1942 and the eventual establishment of its present sanctuary in 1958 stand as enduring testaments to the sacrifices and vision of generations of faithful parishioners. 

Invoking God’s blessings upon the parish, His Eminence prayed that St. John Armenian Church would continue to flourish as a beacon of faith, hope, and service for generations to come.