Western Diocese

On Thursday, June 18th, 2007, the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and the opening of the Baidzar Turpanjian Bookstore took place at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, with the accompaniment of the Diocesan Clergy. During the dedication of the ceremony, His Eminence addressed the benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Patricia Turpanjian, with words of gratitude. Amongst the official guests of the day was His Excellency Mr. Armen Liloyan, the Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles. The dedication of the Bookstore took place with the participation of Archbishop Vatché Hovsepian, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Turpanjian who were present with families and their children, all of them witnessed the inspiring ceremony rewarded to the benefactors. Following the dedication of the Baidzar Turpanjian Bookstore, the guests were invited to a dinner reception in the Kalaydjian Hall, where a special program was presented in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Patricia Turpanjian and their family. The Master of ceremonies, Mr. Raffi Kendirjian, invited His Eminence Archbishop Vatché Hovsepian for the invocation. In his opening remarks Mr. Kendirjian welcomed the guests and thanked the Consul General for his presence. Words of appreciation were also conveyed by the Chairman of the Diocesan Council Deacon Dr. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Mr. Armen Hampar, Chairman of the Cathedral Building Committee. The attendees were entertained by singer Armen Hovhanissian and the Musical Band of Antranik Mouradian. As the evening proceeded, Mr. Paul Turpanjian, the youngest son of the benefactors was invited to address the guests with words of thanks (please refer to text of the speech). In his closing remarks, the Primate thanked the Turpanjians for their most generous donations to the Motherland, the Armenia Fund, the Western Diocese and to many other humanitarian causes. He then presented the Turpanjians with an Armenian Khatchkar in appreciation of their God pleasing endeavors. Ti is to note that Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Patricia Turpanjian are recipients of St. Gregory the Illuminator medal and the Encyclical by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians.