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WD Newsletter
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church
Passing of Prime-Godfather of Mother Cathedral Levon
Paronyan
Mr. Levon Paronyan, the Prime-Godfather of the Mother
Cathedral, passed away on April 6, 2008 .
By Divan of the Diocese
Published: Apr 14 2008
It is with sincere regret that we report the passing of Mr.
Levon Paronyan, the Prime-Godfather of the Mother Cathedral,
on April 6, 2008. The ‘funeral home-service’ was
held at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Pasadena. His
Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, accompanied
by clergy from the Western Diocese, participated in the
service.
Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretsian, Pastor of St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church, read a biographical piece about the
late Prime-Godfather of the Mother Cathedral. The Primate in
his remarks recalled the radiating faith of the late Levon
Paronyan and his unconditional love for Jesus Christ our
Lord which was truly manifested through his devotion towards
his family, the Church and Armenia. The Primate made the
important announcement regarding the designation of Mother
Cathedral to be named after St. Ghevond (Levon) in honor of
the great and beloved Prime-Godfather of the Mother
Cathedral, Levon Paronyan.
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, sent
a letter of condolence to the family of the deceased wherein
the Pontiff consoled and comforted the members of Paronyan
family, enumerating the great virtues of Levon Paronyan as
an exemplary son of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church.
*Church Service and Funeral*
Before noon, on April 10, 2008, the faithful gathered at
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church –Pasadena, to pay
tribute to the memory of the Prime-Godfather of the Mother
Cathedral. His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
Primate, accompanied by His Grace Bishop Sion Adamyan,
Primate of Armavir, and several clergy from the Western
Diocese, presided over the church service. His Eminence in
his remarks spoke fondly of Levon Paronyan; emphasizing that
his faith truly bore the fruits of generosity and
selflessness towards the Church.
Very Rev. Fr. Baret Dz. V. Yeretsian, Pastor of the St.
Gregory the Illuminator Church – Pasadena, assisted by
several other clergy, presided over the funeral service.
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presided over the
Memorial Luncheon of Levon Paronyan held at the Nazareth and
Sima Kalaydjian Hall located at the Arshag and Eleanor
Dickranian Complex of the Western Diocese.
The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North
America, providing spiritual guidance and leadership to the
Armenian Apostolic community, is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit,
tax-exempt organization comprised of 47 churches in 16
western states. It was established in 1898 as the Diocese of
the Armenian Church encompassing the entire United States
and Canada. In 1927 the Western Diocese was formed to
exclusivly serve the western United States.