SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL MEETING AT THE DIOCESAN HEADQUARTERS
hern-california-regional-meeting-at-the-diocesan-h eadquarters/
Oct 02 2009
On September 26, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Parish Priests, Parish Councilmembers and
Diocesan Delegates of Southern California assembled in the Hampar Room
of the Diocesan Headquarters for the periodical Southern California
Regional Meeting. Several Parish Priests, Parish Councilmembers,
Diocesan Delegates from Southern California and the Diocesan Staff
members attended the meeting.
Following the opening prayer, the Primate introduced Diocesan Council
Member Mr. Robert Barsam and briefly spoke about Dn. Martin Zakaryan’s
ordination and consecration to the priesthood on October 12th and 13th
at the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage. His
Eminence also noted that the 83rd Diocesan Assembly will convene on
April 30, 2010 at the Diocesan Headquarters. The Primate also informed
that St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church in Fowler will celebrate
its 100th anniversary in 2010. In 2011, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic
Church will do the same.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian also introduced Vahe Sargsyan the new
director of the Diocesan Sunday School and Diocesan television
programs. Rev. Fr. Avedis Abovian then reflected on the progress of
the Christian Youth Mission to Armenia (CYMA). The Diocesan Youth
Director noted that under his direction, the participants of the CYMA
program will soon complete the renovation project of a needy family’s
house in Gyumri, Armenia.
The Primate addressed the success of this year’s Diocesan Summer Camp
which had over 400 participants over the course of four weeks. He
thanked the Diocesan clergy for their efforts in directing the
religious activities of the camp as well as making it a pleasurable
environment for the youth. Next year’s Hye Camp will take place from
July 18 through August 14.
Hayk Madoyan, Director of Arakel and Shake Aga-Sarkisian Library of
the Western Diocese, spoke of a newly initiated book program in which
the Diocese will concentrate on obtaining more books with religious
content. He also spoke about the ways books could be donated to
the Diocese. Currently, the library has around 3000 books available
to readers.
Jobanian, Director of the Christian Educational Department of the
Diocese on vacation, the Primate informed of the Department’s progress
and its upcoming Bible Study sessions. The Executive Director of the
Western Diocese, Harout Markarian discussed Western Diocese website
and the daily administrative tasks facing the Diocese staff.
Diocesan Council Member Mr. Robert Barsam in his remarks noted that
the Diocesan Assembly has approved changes to the Parish Dues. These
changes will take into effect starting in 2010. Mr. Barsam also
mentioned that he and Mr. Nazar Ashjian will hold special meetings
with the Parish Council Treasurers.
The chairman of Pasadena’s St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church,
Vahe Skenderian made a special acknowledgement of the dedicated work
of the Executive Director of the Western Diocese, Harout Markarian.
the Primate gladly informed the participants of the meeting that His
Holiness Karekin II will be arriving in Los Angeles on September 10,
2010. His Holiness will be presiding over the consecration rite of
the Cathedral on September 11, 2010. On Sunday, September 12, the
Supreme Patriarch will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The day will
close with a formal banquet. The Catholicos, Karekin II will return
to Holy Echmiadzin on September 13, 2010.
His Eminence acknowledged and praised the dedicated efforts of all
individuals in their respective churches. Additionally, the Primate
informed about the newly formed Regional Advisory Bodies in the
Northern, Central and Southern California areas of the Diocese. The
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian will be holding special meetings with
each body throughout the year. The meeting was adjourned with the
distribution of the Primate’s remaining 2009 schedule as well as the
entire 2010 calendar year schedule.