Western Diocese

On March 4, 2007 The University of Southern California Armenian Studies Department held its Second Anniversary Gala Banquet at the Beverly Hilton. The banquet officially honored the former United States Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia for his dedicated services rendered to United States and Armenia.

Mr. John Marshall Evans served from 2004 to 2006 as US Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia. He has great experience in the diplomatic field and speaks Russian, French, Czech and some Farsi, and has studied Eastern Armenian.

A fine program was presented during which a video presentation was shown. Harut Sassounian, President of the United Armenian Fund introduced the Keynote Speaker, Mr. John Marshall Evans, who delivered his speech emphasizing justice for all humanity. His speech was very much appreciated by all.

Considering that His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of Western Diocese had departed for Armenia in order to participate in the Supreme Spiritual Council's meeting at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and to form an International Armenian Church Youth Organization, the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian attended and represented the Primate. He read the following Benediction of the Primate.

"Almighty God, tonight we are gathered here to honor and congratulate Ambassador John Evans for his life-long service in the ranks of the Foreign Affairs Department of the US Government during which he also served as Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia.

Ambassador Evans is a true public servant. He selflessly chose to sacrifice his position in exchange for his God-given privilege to stand firm for human justice and freedom of speech.

As you all know, he did not express his convictions about the Armenian Genocide behind close doors or privately, but chose to say what he was convinced of openly and loudly and is his capacity as a formal representative, while still in office, knowing bravely that his words would have dire and punitive actions against his personal professional status. Rightly so, Ambassador Evans predicted his dismissal and yet took the courage to fight for what is right and represents a just cause in the eyes of God.

Almighty God, we thank you for tonight's fellowship and gathering. It is truly an evening of enlightenment.

Our gathering, once again, marks another major step on our journey to gain justice and recognition for the millions who perished in the Armenian Genocide of 1915 – the first Genocide of the 20th Century.

Almighty God, even though Ambassador Evans has been relieved from his duties by his superiors, we pray that he stands righteously before You and the whole of humanity.

Mr. Evans, allow us to bestow upon you the title of Ambassador of Justice."