Western Diocese

The Annual Clergy Assembly of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America was held on April 30^th, 2008 at the Diocesan Headquarters, and presided over by His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese. Present for the Assembly were 40 Parish Priests.

The assembly began at 9:00am with a breakfast which was hosted by the Burbank Parish Ladies Society. At 10:00am the attendees held Morning Service, at the completion of which the message of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, was read by the Very Rev Fr. Baret Yeretzian.

First Session

The primate offered his welcoming message to the clergyman saying that meetings of this nature were an occasion for them to renew their vocation.  In his remarks to the clergy the Primate offered quotes from the Rev. Martin Luther King, Patriarch Yeghishe Derderian of Blessed Memory.

The agenda of the meeting, which was prepared in a meeting of the Clergy Executive Council the previous day, then commenced. The Primate read each item one by one, giving an explanation

Following this, workgroups were formed from the clergy present to address five of the issues introduced by the Primate.

1. The Pan North American Clergy Assembly to take place in 2008. This group was chaired by Archpriest Fr. Shnork Demirdjian
2. The organization of Sunday Schools . This group was chaired by Fr. Datev Haroutiounian.
3. Saturday Schools in the parishes. This group was chaired by Fr. Moushegh Tashjian
4. Chaplancy Programs for Hospitals and Homes for the Elderly. This group was chaired by Fr. Vazken Movsessian
5. Sacramental Services. This group was chaired by Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian

Second Session

Following Lunch the second session began at 1:45 pm. The Primate invited the pastors of relatively new parishes to give brief reports regarding their growth and activities. These clergymen were Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Pastor of Ventura County and Santa Barbara, Fr. Zare Mansourian Pastor of the Armenian Church of Portland Oregon, Fr.  Yeghia Isayan Pastor of the Armenian Churches of Seattle and Idaho, Fr. Zakaria Saripekian Pastor of the Armenian Church of Arizona, and Fr. Serop Azarian Pastor of the Armenian Church of Las Vegas.

Then the Primate continued addressing matters on the agenda, and asked the chairs of the workgroups to present the result of their discussions. Once the reports were finished the Primate announced that the Diocesan Khatchadourian Choir had visited the holy land of Jerusalem to participate in Holy Week services according to the old calendar, and were led the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian, Vicar General of the Diocese.

The Primate then gave his closing remarks, stating that it is very important the clergy continue the education and renew themselves in their service and dedication. The Assembly was concluded with the Evening Service.