Western Diocese

On Saturday, January 13, 2007 the Holy Translators School (Srpotz Tarkmanchatz) Alumni of North America and the Friends of the Jerusalem Armenians organized the 8^th annual Christmas Eve Service at St. John’s Armenian Church in Hollywood.

The Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem as well as the other Orthodox Churches of Jerusalem adheres to the Old Calendar (heen domar). In accordance with the tradition, the Armenian faithful travel from Jerusalem to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem (Armenian altar) and the Grotto of the Nativity to observe the birth of Jesus Christ. In Hollywood, the Night Service began at 11:00 PM followed by the Morning Service. The Gospel was read at midnight, followed the Night and Morning Services.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America presided at the service. The Primate commended those present for keeping the traditions that they learned in their days in the Holy Land. He expressed his prayers to the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem as well as the St. James Brotherhood of Jerusalem. Rev. Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, pastor of St. James Armenian Church, read the Christmas message of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem and former primate of the Western Diocese. Other clergy participating were Very Rev. Fr. Kegham Zakarian of the St. James Brotherhood of Jerusalem, Very Rev. Fr. Asbed Balian, pastor of the Armenian Church of Las Vegas, Dn. Parsegh Kartalian, Dn. Hrair Karaverdian, Dn. Mihran Toumajan, Dn. Carl Bardakian, Dn. Hrair Nalbandian, and Mr. Nahabed Melkonian also participated in the service.

Tarkmanchatz alumni from as far away as Seattle and Detroit traveled to Los Angeles for this special event. The Primate congratulated the Godfather of the Cross, Parsegh Kartalian, a dedicated member of the Armenian Church and community. Afterwards Bethlehem style breakfast was served for all those in attendance.