Under the auspices of the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Agape Circle of the Western Diocese hosted its 6th Anniversary Luncheon at the Castaway Restaurant on Thursday, October, 17, 2019. Graciously hosted by Mrs. Sato Yessayan, the sold-out event was attended by more than 300 friends, supporters, and donors. 

Among the dignitaries in attendance was The Honorable Vartan Gharpetian, Councilmember of the City of Glendale. 

Following a silent auction, welcoming remarks were delivered by Mrs. Armine Bedrossian and Mrs. Peggy Kankababian, Co-Chairs of the Luncheon Organizing Committee.

The keynote speaker at the function was the world-renowned Thomas C. Lee, M.D., Director of the Vision Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at USC’s Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Lee reflected on his collaboration with the Armenian Eye Care Project, which he joined in 2009, on a mission to Yerevan to help diagnose and treat an alarmingly high rate of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), a complex and aggressive blinding disease that was affecting one third of Armenian premature infants.

The audience viewed a presentation highlighting the outstanding contribution of Mrs. Marlene Yerevanian to the orphanage of Our Lady of Armenia in Gyumri.  In recognition of her selfless and God-pleasing deeds, Mrs. Yerevanian was honored by the women of the Agape Circle, receiving the Heart of Agape Award.

In her remarks, Mrs. Alice Chakrian, Chairlady, reflected on the history of the Agape Circle and its noble mission of to reaching out to the community of Los Angeles by supporting such venerable institutions as Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Glendale, and the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Mrs. Chakrian highlighted accomplishments and the upcoming projects of the Agape Circle. In continuing Agape Circle’s rich tradition of humanitarian assistance, Mrs. Chakrian presented a $10,000 check to Mrs. Tara Peterson, Executive Director of the YWCA Glendale for the renovation of the Women’s Shelter Garden Renovation.

A panel discussion moderated by Mrs. Eileen Keusseyan was held. Featuring Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lisa Arslanian, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Nora Chitilian-Kalachian, Doctor of Dentistry Dr. Stella Baghdasarian and Certified Health Coach and Personal Trainer Aida Torosyan, the theme of the discussion was “What Women Really Want to Talk About.”

In his remarks, Archbishop Derderian reflected on the noble mission of the Agape Circle. “With the formation of the Agape Circle of the Western Diocese in 2015, the outreach programs and social services of the church have been elevate to a new level, mobilizing all the segments of the community in mission partnership.

God brought our community together by virtue of Agape Circle’s philanthropic endeavors, instilling the powerful but, in the meantime, beautiful grace of giving.

With much gratitude, today we honor those institutions and individuals, who chose us as their missionary partners in sowing the good seeds of charity and giving.”

His Eminence expressed his wholehearted gratitude to the Agape Circle of the Western Diocese, chaired by Mrs. Alice Chakrian, the event’s honoree Mrs. Marlene Yerevanian, the keynote speaker Dr. Thomas Lee and the members of the panel for their guidance and insight.   

The event concluded with the Primate’s prayer.