The first clergy conference of 2020 was held on February 18, the Feast of St. Ghevont the Priest and His Companions. Following a collective opening prayer, the Primate presided over the conference as he welcomed his fellow brothers in Christ to the Western Diocese and congratulated them on the auspicious occasion of the feast. 

After delivering welcoming remarks, the Primate presented his report. In the first session, administrative, organizational and pastoral matters were addressed and discussed during the opening session. The mission of stewardship, the ongoing renovation of the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Diocesan Summer Camp, the 10th anniversary of consecration of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, the ACYO, and Saturday and Sunday Schools of the Western Diocese were among the topics prioritized in the Primate’s report.

Reports were presented by the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsesian (Reclaim 2020), the Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan (Summer Camp), Diran Avagyan (organizational structure of parish assembly reports), and Dn. Harout Markarian, (implementation of effective communication tools).

The second session of the conference was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople His Beatitude Archbishop Malachia Ormanian, highlighting the late patriarch’s rich legacy. The first presenter was the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian whose presentation was titled Ormanian’s return to the Armenian Church. The Rev. Fr. Vazgen Boyajyan’s presentation was themed the unparalleled archives of Ormanian in Armenia. The Rev. Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan presented Ormanian’s prowess as a thinker and writer.

At 6:30 p.m., with the participation of Diocesan clergy, the Rev. Archpriest Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Pastor of St. Andrew Armenian Church of Cupertino celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral.