The 97^th Annual Assembly of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America was held on Friday, May 3. Presided by the Diocesan Primate His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the assembly was hosted by St. Apkar Armenian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. The meeting commenced with the Primate’s opening prayer. A prayer for the souls of the late Archbishop Aris Shirvanian, Archpriest Fr. Datev Tatoulian, George Ouzounian and Bob Der Matoian was offered. Welcoming words were expressed by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian to the Very Rev. Fr. Anania Tsaturyan and the Rev. Fr. Tade Takhmazyan, who had just arrived in the Western Diocese as visiting clergymen. Following roll call, the assembly agenda was adopted and the previous year’s assembly meeting minutes were approved.

The Pontifical Letter of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians addressed to the delegates of the 97^th Annual Diocesan Assembly was read at the start of the opening session. In his letter, His Holiness extended his paternal greetings and best wishes to the Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the spiritual leader of the Western Diocese, the clergy, the diocesan and parish councils, and the delegates of the Assembly. The Catholicos of All Armenian fondly referred to the steadfastness with which the faithful of the Western Diocese and the Diocese of Mexico serve as they strive to enhance their national-ecclesiastical life. The Pontiff also expressed his appreciation to the faithful of the Western Diocese for their unwavering support of the residents of Artsakh who were forcibly displaced from their ancestral homeland and have now found refuge in the Republic of Armenia. His Holiness commended the Diocesan Primate for his resolute spiritual leadership, noting the numerous spiritual, educational and cultural missions which define the Western Diocese. The Catholicos of All Armenians concluded his letter by conveying his pontifical blessings to the clergy and  faithful, exhorting them to continue to instill in the hearts of the young generation the love and appreciation of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Motherland.

Then, the Diocesan Primate invited the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan, Grand Sacristan of St. Leon (Ghevotiants) Armenian Cathedral to deliver his remarks.

Following the delivery of Fr. Yeremia’s remarks, elections for new members of the Diocesan Council, Election and Nominating committees were held. The elections were followed by a video presentation chronicling the numerous missions realized at the Western Diocese under the guidance of the Diocesan Primate over the past twenty years.

Thereafter, the Diocesan Primate delivered his message to the Assembly. Archbishop Derderian’s message was centered on a verse from the Proverbs: "Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established" (Proverbs 16:3). At the beginning of his speech, the Primate expressed his gratitude to the Assembly for receiving the vote of confidence at last year’s assembly and reaffirmed his commitment to serve the Armenian Church with unwavering determination.  His Eminence emphasized that all initiatives and accomplishments of the Western Diocese are rooted in Christian values and driven by the principles of our rich Armenian heritage. By presenting clear strategic directions, the Primate invited the participants to partake in the collective mission of the Western Diocese to become exemplary Armenian Christians, bringing continued prosperity to the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Archbishop Derderian also touched upon the educational mission and preparation of clergy, stating that the Western Diocese has undertaken an immense responsibility and commitment clergy preparation. “A modern clergyman should be equipped with the necessary knowledge, to humbly engage in an effective pastoral mission, to cater to the spiritual and religious needs of our people,” His Eminence stated in part.

In this context, the Primate specifically addressed the program of the Stewardship Program, the Committee of which oversees the continuation of preparing the future wave of Diocesan clergy. He emphasized the importance of the Diocese’s cooperation with St. Nersess Armenian Theological Seminary which provides theological, pastoral, and Armenian education to Diocesan priesthood-candidates.

Speaking about new construction initiatives, Archbishop Derderian highlighted the continual expansion of the Western Diocese and the growing number of communities within its jurisdiction. Planned construction projects pursue a clear strategy of tending to the religious, spiritual, educational, and cultural needs of our communities. The building projects of the Western Diocese are multitudinous and keep the Diocese thriving and vibrant in carrying out its mission.

Referring to the Endowment Fund, Archbishop Derderian expressed great appreciation for the foresight of the founding fathers of the Western Diocese, stating that Endowment Fund has recorded unprecedented growth over the last two decades.

Archbishop Derderian compared Christ's commandment "Love each other as I have loved you" to a beacon that paves the way and illuminates our way of life. Noting the numerous humanitarian missions undertaken by the Western Diocese, His Eminence reflected on the Diocese’s influence in alleviates burdens of the less fortunate, instilling hope, and transforming lives.

In his report, Archbishop Derderian stressed deep concern for the modern challenges in political, social and economic spheres as well as declines in spiritual and cultural values, which threaten our Christian identity and sense of belonging. He emphasized that overcoming these challenges will require diligence in pastoral care, inspiring hope and the strengthening our communities. The church will have an immense role in the spiritual nourishment of the faithful in aiding them to overcome the aforementioned trials.

Significant emphasis was also placed on lay ministry. Responding to the vital role of the laity, Archbishop Derderian emphasized the difficulties of clergy in ministering to communities alone. A faithful and educated laity will be a key element in effectively and efficiently spreading the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our communities and becoming His ambassadors in the process.

His Eminence referenced the importance of the Internet and social media through which the Western Diocese has been able to expand the scope of its mission and become accessible to faithful around the world. One of these platforms is Epostle.net, led by Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, who disseminates the Word of God implementing modern-day communications methods.

His Eminence highlighted the ability of the Western Diocese to keep pace with the rapidly changing world as the institution continues to adopt innovative and creative methods of adaptation. In this regard, the spiritual leader introduced the delegates to Dr. Hratch Tchhilingirian, the Diocese’s Director  of "Institutional Innovation," a long-term program, the purpose of which is to make the best use of the offerings of science and innovation, to enrich and disseminate the spiritual and cultural values of our people.

In three years, the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America will celebrate the centenary of the institution. In his conclusive remarks, Archbishop Derderian called upon the faithful reaffirm our love and zealous Christian spirit for the Armenian Apostolic Church, to work and pray collectively for the prosperity of the Western Diocese and to contribute to the strengthening of its mission.

The Primate’s remarks concluded with words of gratitude to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians for his paternal guidance and support for the noble mission of the Western Diocese and the welfare of Christ’s flock. Archbishop Derderian’s words of appreciation were also conveyed to the clergy, the Diocesan Assembly and the Parish Council for their unconditional dedication and service. Lastly, His Eminence thanked the Diocesan staff, headed by the executive director Dn. Harout Markarian.

Reports were also presented by Mr. Vartan Nazerian, Chairman of the Diocesan Council; Dn. Harout Markarian, Executive Director of the Western Diocese; Mr. Diran Avagyan, Director of Special Mission Projects and the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian, Director of E-Postle.net, respectively. They thanked the Primate and all dedicated faithful for the numerous accomplishments recorded in the past year on diocesan and parish levels.

The Diocese’s new long-term strategic plan was presented by Strategy Committee Co-Chairs Dr. Varoujan Alteparmakian and Dr. Hratch Thilingirian. 

After a discussion, the delegates of the 97th Diocesan Assembly approved the 2025 budget of the Western Diocese. The results of the Diocesan Council are presented.

In his closing remarks, the Diocesan Primate thanked the clergy, the Diocesan Assembly and the Parish Councils for their dedication, service, love and support. He expressed his appreciation to Dn. Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Chairman of the Assembly, Dn. Steve Adams, Vice-Chair and and Mrs. Pamela Abaci, Secretary for their steadfastness.

Mr. Derik Ghookasian, Chair of the Stewardship Committee was awarded the “St. Gregory of Nareg (Surb Krikor Naregatsi)” cross by the Diocesan Primate noting the recipient’s exemplary Christian spirit and unwavering dedication and loyalty to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash, Pastor of St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco was honored as "Clergy of the Year" for his outstanding pastoral service. Long-time San Diego parishioner Mrs. Kathy Kassardjian was honored with the Archbishop Award. The Primate conveyed his words of gratitude to the Rev. Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan, Parish Priest of St. Apkar Armenian Church for his gracious hospitality and welcoming spirit. His Eminence presented the clergyman with a pectoral cross as a token of his appreciation. Archbishop Derderian especially appreciated the Ladies' Society of St. Apkar Armenian Church Church in Arizona for their kindhearted service and presented each of them with handmade church sculptures. Holy Resurrection Armenian Church of Seattle received the distinction as the Parish of the Year.

Vardan Nazerian - Chair

Derik Ghookasian – Vice-Chair

Michael Missakian - Treasurer

Suzy Grigorians - Secretary

Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan - Advisor

Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian - Advisor

Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian - Advisor

Rev. Fr. Serovpe Alanjian - Advisor

Rev. Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian- Advisor

Betros Anserlian – Advisor

Silva Katchiguian - Advisor

Alex Esibov – Advisor

Dr. Varoujan Alteparmakian - Adviser

Dr. Artin Knadjian - Advisor

Ara Yerganyan - Advisor

In summarizing the Ladies Society Assembly, the Clergy Conference and 97^th Annual Diocesan Assembly, the Primate exhorted all to renew their calling to service and to uphold the sacred Christian values which we commonly hold in reverence. “All of our aspirations will be realized on the path of self-knowledge and improvement, making the church a most relevant spiritual edifice, for the Armenian Apostolic Church is a ‘living church,’”

Finally, the Primate bishop emphasized that, just as in the past twenty years, as well as in the coming decades, the Western Diocese will be diligently committed to the training of new clergy, establishing new parish communities for the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the prosperity of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The 97th Annual Diocesan Assembly, presided by the Diocesan Primate, marked the launch of a new, long-term diocesan structure innovation project, the goal of which is to make the Diocese a more modern organization that can thrive in a changing world while adopting new and more effective ways to tend to the needs of the Armenian-American communities of Western United States.

Chancellery of the Western Diocese

May 8, 2024