Western Diocese

On April 19^th, upon the invitation of Sheriff Leroy D. Baca, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, made a pastoral visitation to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. Accompanying the Primate were Fr. Vazken Movsessian, Pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church Youth Center in Glendale, Mashdots Chobanian, and Dn. Mkrtich Ksachikyan.

This visitation marks the first time the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy within a California correctional facility. The Primate formally established the tradition to perform annual Liturgies during the Easter season. Prior to the celebration of the Liturgy, the Rev. Fr. Vazken Movsessian offered an introduction to the services that were about to be conducted. He also thanked the Sheriff Baca as well as Division Chief Sam Jones. Holy Communion was administered to those in attendance. At the end the Primate delivered the Sermon.

In his sermon the Primate said, “We are here to extend to you the love of Christ and assure you that Christ is with you. We expect from you that you should always cherish your prayerful lives even though you are in prison. Do not imprison your souls; remember that even in freedom there are many who have imprisoned their souls by rejecting God in their lives.”

His Eminence then invited Fr. Vazken to address the inmates. In his passionate words he inspired the inmates saying, “We all have crosses in our lives. The resurrection reminds us and promises us that the day will come when our crosses will be taken away. Therefore, stay steadfast in faith and never lose your hope.”

At the conclusion the Primate sincerely thanked the Honorable Sheriff Baca, Chief Sam Jones, Mr. Tevan Aroustamian, accompanying the Sheriff, and the entire staff of the Twin Towers facility for their good works and especially for helping to coordinate the day’s visitation.