Western Diocese

President Bako Sahakyan paid a cordial visit to His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church at the Diocesan Headquarters, on Wednesday, November 20, 2007.

The Primate accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the Vicar General of the Western Diocese, the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Several other clergymen from the Western Diocese, Vice Chair of the Diocesan Council, Mr. Joseph Kanimian, Esq. as well as several other distinguished members of the Diocese received the President and his entourage.

A Luncheon in honor of the newly elected president was held at the Armen Hampar Hall of the Western Diocese. His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian, Primate of Artshakh accompanied His Excellency Bako Sahakyan. Honorable Vartan Barseghian, Permanent Representitive of Artsakh at Washington D.C. and the Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, Honorable Armen Liloyan were among the members of the visiting Presidential entourage to the Diocese.

Many of the distinguished clergy and guests expressed warm remarks during the wounderful Luncheon at the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.

The Primate offered his enthusiastic remarks on the wonderful occasion, stressing the brotherly ties between the faithful of the Western Diocese and Karabakh. He once again assured the President of the wholesome and effective participation of the Western Diocese during the Armenia Fund Thanksgiving Telethon.

President Bako Sahakyan, thanking the Primate for the warm reception, expressed his deep gratitude to him for the brotherly hand His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the clergy and the faithful members of the Western Diocese have extended to Karabakh during all these years. His Excellency Bako Sahakyan lauded the essential role of the Primate of Artsakh, His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Mardirossian in the life of the Republic.

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On November 21, 2007, Honorable Vartan Oskanian, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Armenia visited the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, in Burbank, California. The Foreign Minister has arrived in California upon the invitation of Armenia Fund for the Thanksgiving Day telethon.