From the first day of the War in Artsakh, adhering to the call of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the Western Diocese fully engaged in the community-wide fundraising events benefitting the Hayastan All Armenian Fund (Armenia Fund).
 
Our homilies reflected the pain of our people, serving as messengers of the freedom-loving brothers and sisters in our Motherland. We exhorted the faithful of the Western  Diocese to unite and stand in solidarity with Artsakh and Armenia. We were spiritually gratified in knowing that many adhered to our call including Diocesan benefactors and a multitude of faithful who made financial contributions to the Pan-Armenian fundraiser.
 
We commend and express our wholehearted gratitude to all who took part in the fundraiser. Herewith, we present the contributions of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, the reverend clergy, the Diocesan parishes that have been transferred to Armenia Fund as of October 23, 2020.

We especially wish to thank the generous donation of $1,000,000 made by Knarig Clara Margossian (102 year -old) daughter of genocide survivors Margos and Elizabeth Margossian. The donation has been made in memory of her late parents, brother Antranig Andy Margossian and sister Shnorhig Grace Margossian.

Earmarked Donations Made to the Diocesan Headquarters $1,193,663.00

Donations Made by Diocesan Primate, Clergy and Deacons   $100,000.00

Parish Donations Made Directly to Armenia Fund                $1,094,851.00

                                                                                                          ------------
Total Donations                                                                        $2,388,514.00  

Once again, we wish to stress that the aforementioned donations have been transferred through October 23, 2020. This global fundraiser is continuous in nature. Another thorough report is expected in the beginning of December which will include all donations after October 23rd. 
 
Among the tens of fundraisers that have been organized, donations and pledges have been made by numerous individuals directly to Armenia Fund at the call of the Diocesan Primate, as has been community-wide practice since the inception of the Armenia Fund.
 
Besides financial donations, others have been made. These include donation of clothing goods, medical supplies, medicine, an ambulance and others.
 
The Western Diocese has gladly and voluntarily allocated the entire premises of the Diocesan Headquarters for the receipt and organization of these incoming donations of goods.
 
Under the auspices of the Western Diocese, a number of events have been hosted at the Western Diocese the organizers of which have transferred the incoming donations directly to Armenia Fund. The major events are listed below:

• September 29 – October 2 – Youth For Artsakh (Clothing and Medical Supplies Donations)

• October 3 – My Step – Artsakh Care Drive

• October 8 – Fundraiser Organized by the Armenian Consulate
  (participation of Diocesan Benefactors)

• October 8 – 10 – Drive Thru Fundraiser

• October 16 – Silence is Genocide – T-Shirt Signing Fundraiser (System of A Down Members)

• October 17 – Vendors Fair – Benefiting Artsakh - Loyal to Our Soil

From October 23-25, the Western Diocese announced a three-day period of lent and fasting

On October 28, the St. Leon (Srbots Ghevontians) Armenian Cathedral hosted a charity concert.

On November 1, a special bicycle ride themed “Ride For Artsakh” will commence from the Diocesan Headquarters in Burbank.

As the Diocesan Primate has stated in his homily, “We stand before a critical point in our history. The path to Golgotha is before us and we walk on the path to crucifixion. In these times, we are in need of Vartans and Shushans. Glory to God, for our people are stand united. We wish to live on the land graced to us by God and must commit and be obliged to protect the land where our martyred soldiers shed their blood.”

We pray to the Almighty God to grant our people victory and grant lasting peace in Armenia and Artsakh. It is also our genuine wish that our people in Armenia, Artsakh and the Diaspora continue to work in unison for a prosperous Motherland, today, tomorrow and always.
 
CHANCELLERY OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE
 
October 29, 2020
Burbank, California