ԱՆԱՊԱՏԻ ՍՈՒՐԲ ԿԱՐԱՊԵՏ

ՀԱՅԱՍՏԱՆԵԱՅՑ ԱՌԱՔԵԼԱԿԱՆ ԵԿԵՂԵՑԻ

WELCOME TO ST. GARABED

ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH OF THE DESERT

Today more than ever, our souls need guidance and enrichment. God’s wisdom is the fountain of life that can enrich our souls. We invite you to actively participate in the Church to deepen your faith, glorify the Lord our God through worship, and receive His wisdom, peace, and solace.

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The Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God and Grape Blessing at St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert

It was a day of celebration in Rancho Mirage as the St. Garabed church was filled to capacity with congregants who witnessed a very unique revelation of the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Assumption, August 18, 2024.

On this day, Gina Enzor was anointed with holy Chrism (muron) to be part of the Body of the Armenian Church. Deacon Gevork Gevorkian, the Spiritual Pastor of the St. Garabed parish, had prepared Mrs. Enzor for the service and the reception of the Sacrament by instructing her on the elements of Faith in the Armenian Church. The Rev. Father Ronald Atwood, a retired Roman Catholic priest who had directed Mrs. Anzor to the Armenian Church, was in attendance and sat in the chancel area during the Divine Liturgy through to the grape blessing.

At the invitation of Deacon Gevork, Father Vazken Movsesian celebrated the Holy Divine Liturgy. Before his sermon, Fr. Vazken welcomed Gina Enzor and Father Ronald and proceeded to explain the service that was about to take place. He especially focused on the Holy Muron, with which Mrs. Anzor would be consecrated. This is not a conversion of Faith, he explained (she was baptized in the Roman Church), but it is to give her the essentials to grow and mature in her faith in Orthodox Tradition.

Gina Enzor came before the congregation and professed the Faith of the Church, and read the confession. Deacon Gevork served as her godfather, sponsoring Mrs. Anzor into the Church and presenting her for the Sacrament. Anointing all of her senses, Father Vazken concluded the service, “Peace unto you, saved of God. Peace unto you anointed of God.” The congregation broke out in the most joyous and celebratory applause for the new member of the Armenian Church.

During his sermon, Father Vazken shared his most overwhelming joy, first congratulating Deacon Gevork for organizing the parish with such a warm and unifying expression of Christian faith. He shared his delight at seeing the Church filled from one side to the other with standing room only. Second, Father Vazken shared the miracle that had taken place that morning. “Only 100 years ago, the enemy said there would be one Armenian left, and that, in a museum. Today, not only are we here in Rancho Mirage celebrating our Holy Liturgy in our language, but we also have people such as Gina Anzor who see the beauty of purity in our Church and want to follow and join.” With those words, he officially welcomed Gina Anzor into the Church.

Following the grape blessing service, the new member of the Armenian Church was greeted and welcomed by members of the congregation. One woman welcomed her but asked a question that many were wondering, “If you don’t speak Armenian, how are you getting anything out of the Church?” Mrs. Enzor told Deacon Gevork, “I understand the Mass and follow the service in English; my heart hears the word of God. My mind feels the power of the liturgy and it is yearning for more. I don’t care about the words being spoken. The Holy Spirit is leading me to the depth and core of the sacred scriptures.”

Mrs. Anzor was filled with much gratitude for Deacon Gevork. She admits, “My life has indeed changed.”

Father Ronald expressed his gratitude in a short note to Deacon Gevork: “Holy Mary is paramount in my priestly life as the Roman Church declares Her the Mother of Priests. And Deacons, too, I am sure. Being with you and enveloped in the splendor of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, I felt a true taste of Heaven! Your chanting is so beautiful, and the choir is so ethereal. I am still hearing the sacred tones in my heart!”

St. Garabed Armenian Church is the jewel of the desert, and today, it is experiencing a spiritual renascence.

To learn more, contact Deacon Gevork at (401) 714-9842

email: deacon.gevork@stgarabed.org

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER-OF-GOD

St. Mary died in Jerusalem fifteen years after the Resurrection of Christ. The Apostles, except St. Bartholomew, buried her with great reverence in the Garden of Gethsemane. When Bartholomew came to visit the tomb and pay his respects, he found it empty. He and the Apostles were convinced her body had been taken to heaven by the Lord. The Church sanctioned this belief between the 9th and 12th centuries.

On the day of the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God (ASDVADZADZIN - Bearer of God), the Blessing of Grapes takes place immediately after the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. As thanksgiving for the fruitfulness of the year, fruits are presented to God to be blessed. The grapes are considered the queen of fruits, thereby symbolizing all crops. The Holy Virgin Mary is considered the "Tree of Life" who gave birth to the "Good Fruit" (Christ) for our salvation. Christ compared Himself to the Vine (John 15:1) and blessed the cup of wine to be His Blood. Grape wine is used in Holy Communion as the Blood of Christ that was shed for the salvation of humanity.

2024 FEASTS ON THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR

Of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church

06 January 2024 – Nativity and Epiphany

13 January 2024 – Feast of the Naming of Jesus Christ

15 January 2024 – Birth of John the Baptist

27 January 2024 – Saint Sarkis

8 February 2024 – Saint Vartanants

11 February 2024 – Great Lent

14 February 2024 – Presentation of the Lord to the Temple

6 March 2024 – Median Day of Lent

16 March 2024 – Saint Gregory the Illuminator’s Entry to the pit

24 March 2024 – Palm Sunday

31 March 2024 – Easter

24 April 2024 – Holy Martyrs’ Day of the 1915 Armenian Genocide

28 April 2024 – Apparition of the Holy Cross

9 May 2024 – Ascension

19 May 2024 – Pentecost

27 May 2024 – Saints Hripsimiants

28 May 2024 – Saints Gayaniants

30 May 2024 – Saint John the Baptist

1 June 2024 – Saint Gregory the Illuminator’s Delivery from the pit

2 June 2024 – Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin

15 June 2024 – Discovery of the Relics of Saint Gregory the Illuminator

20 June 2024 – Saint Sahag and Saint Mesrob

7 July 2024 – Feast of the Transfiguration

18 August 2024 – Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

15 September 2024 – Exaltation of the Holy Cross

28 September 2024 – Saint George

29 September 2024 – Holy Cross of Varak

12 October 2024 – Holy Translators

27 October 2024 – Discovery of the Cross

02 November 2024 – Feast of All Saints

9 November 2024 – Holy Archangels Gabriel and Michael

17 November 2024 – Start of 50 days Lent to Christmas

30 November 2024 – Saints Thaddeus and Bartholomew

14 December 2024 – Saint Hagop (James) of Nisibis

23 December 2024 – Saint David the Prophet

24 December 2024 – Saint Stephen the Protomartyr

26 December 2024 – Saint Peter and Saint Paul

According to Sacred Tradition, a portion of the Holy Anointing Oil of Exodus 30, which Moses and Aaron had blessed, still remained in Jesus' time. Jesus Christ blessed this oil and then gave some of it to Thaddeus, who took the holy oil to Armenia and healed King Abkar of a terrible skin disease by anointing him with the holy oil. St. Thaddeus is said to have buried a bottle of the Holy Anointing Oil in Daron under an evergreen tree. St. Gregory the Illuminator discovered the hidden treasure and mixed it with the Myron that he had blessed. It is said that “To this day, whenever a new batch of muron is prepared and blessed, a few drops of the old one go into it, so that the Armenian holy Myron, which is composed of olive oil and forty-eight aromas and flowers, always contains a small amount of the original oil blessed by Moses, Jesus Christ, and Gregory the Illuminator.”

The holy anointing oil of the Armenian Church is called Holy Muron. The right to bless the Holy Muron is bestowed upon the Catholicos of All Armenians once every seven years. The Holy Muron is composed of olive oil, rose water, and forty-eighth herbs and flowers. With the Holy Myron, the Armenian Apostolic Church performs the Sacrament of Confirmation, which follows Baptism, the anointing of priests and bishops. As well it is used for the consecration of the foundation of the new churches being built. their crosses, columns and walls, altars, the images of the Mother of God with the infant Christ. It is also used during the Blessing of the Water.

This past Sunday, we had the guest Rev. Deacon Steven Hovagimian serve with us. He donated this beautiful cross to our St. Garabed Armenian Church, which Deacon Gevork brought from Armenia. This cross will be used during various occasions, including processions, weddings, blessings of the water, etc. Thank you for the heartfelt donation.

June 23, 2024

ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍ ՅԱՐԵԱՒ Ի ՄԵՌԵԼՈՑ

THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF CHRIST AS AN INVITATION TO AN ABUNDANT LIFE

The much-anticipated Resurrection and the fulfillment of Christ's promise mark the pinnacle of every Christian's journey, wherein we experience a profound spiritual renewal at the core of our being.

Indeed, the mystery of the Holy Resurrection stands as the central pillar of our existence and faith. Without resonating with the truth of Christ's Resurrection, our lives lose their creativity and fruitfulness.

As we celebrate Easter, we perceive life through the prism of the Holy Scriptures, recognizing the Son of God as the path to truth and holiness, ultimately leading us to God. At the break of Easter dawn, we receive spiritually the promised light and an abundance of life.

To celebrate Easter means to be in Christ's presence, to believe in His salvific mission, and to journey with Him from the crucifixion at Golgotha to the empty tomb - a symbol of victorious resurrection.

The essence of the Holy Resurrection lies in spiritual rebirth, where the faithful encounter the risen Lord, partaking in the divine presence, hope, and promise emanating from Him. Thus, we are called to witness the mystery of resurrection by being crucified and resurrected with Him.

As we celebrate Easter, we delve into the depths of our souls to revive and nourish whatever lies dormant or lifeless in our personal lives, families, and communities.

Through prayer, we come to understand that “lives illuminated by the light of resurrection strive for perfection, grounded on the solid rock of faith, acknowledging both strengths and growing edges.”

Words fall short of explaining the mystery of the resurrection. Faith becomes the key to understanding its undefinable and unfathomable meaning. Essentially, resurrection acts as a bridge connecting heaven and earth. Embracing this truth provides the strength and internal resources to excel and improve our lives, preserving the sanctity of family and embodying the spirit of peace.

Blessed are those who quench their spiritual hunger and thirst with the Holy Resurrection. It serves not only as a well of spiritual nourishment but also as a door to our internal world. A scientific mind is not required to grasp the most pivotal and life-changing event in human history—the resurrection of Christ. Humility and faith, coupled with a prayerful life in service to others, suffice, echoing the example set by our forefathers.

Therefore, dear faithful, our Easter message to you is to renew your spiritual life, deepen your faith and spirituality, and, above all, impart Christian teachings to your children, enriching their lives with blessed and prayerful words and deeds. The more spiritually enriched they are, the more protected they will be, enveloped in constant prayer and the truths of Scripture.

Immersed in the mystery of Resurrection, let us defeat the sinful person dwelling within us so that the new person may emerge. Our souls yearn for renewal, echoing the words of St. Nersess the Graceful, "Renewer of the old, make me new, adorn me afresh." Christ is the door to the new life, and His Resurrection leads to life in abundance.

Christ is Risen from the dead!

Blessed is the resurrection of Christ!

Prayerfully, Abp. Hovnan Derderian,

Primate Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America

Feast of the Holy Resurrection

Սիրելինե՛ր,

Փառք ու պատիւ Ամենակարող Աստծուն, որ Քրիստոսի Յարութեան այս հրեշտակային լուրը եկաւ նորոգելու մեր հոգեւոր կեանքը, որն առաւել քան երբեւէ կարիք ունի՝ դիմակայելու աշխարհի անհանգստութիւններին, արհաւիրքներին եւ չար յարձակումներին: Այսօր մենք ապրում ենք տագնապալի մի աշխարհում, որը լի է վախով, վշտով, ցաւով, կորուստով, զանազան վարակների ախտերով, եւ մենք կարող ենք ասել. «Բայց ո՞ւր է յաղթանակը»: Յաղթանակը, սիրելինե՛ր, իւրաքանչիւրիս մէջ է, յաղթանակը նրանց մէջ է, ովքեր հաւատում են, որ մահն իրենց չի կարող բաժանել Քրիստոսից, որ մահը այլեւս չարի յաղթանակը չէ, քանզի մահն այլեւս բաժանում չէ:

Քրիստոսի խորհրդաւոր Յարութիւնը ոչ միայն Նրա յաղթանակն է ընդդէմ մահուան, այլ նաեւ մեր, ողջ մարդկութեան յաղթանակը: Տօն է յատկապէս հայ ժողովրդի համար, ով ազգերից առաջինն է յայտարարել, որ հաւատում է յարութիւն առած Քրիստոսին, որի նմանութեամբ եւս տառապել է, կրել մեծ նեղութիւններ, հալածանքներ եւ ցեղասպանութիւններ, բայց միշտ քաջաբար պայքարել է պահելու համար կենդանի հաւատը, յոյսն ու կեանքը: Յարութեան այս խորհրդաւոր եւ սքանչելի լուրով եկէ՛ք նորոգենք եւ վերակենդանացնենք մեր հաւատը՝ մեր կեանքում Փրկչի ներկայութեան գիտակցման միջոցով: Թող Քրիստոսի Յարութեան՝ կեանքի յաղթանակի ուրախալի աւետիսը մեզ ազատի փորձութիւններից եւ պարգեւի խաղաղութիւն եւ անսպառ երկնային օրհնութիւններ։ Յարութեան տօնի առիթով աղօթական բարեմաղթանքներով ողջունում եմ ձեզ եւ ձեր ընտանիքները ամենաուրախ սքանչելախորհուրդ ողջոյնով.

Քրիստոս Յարեաւ ի Մեռելոց,

Օրհնեալ է Յարութիւնը Քրիստոսի:

ԳԷորգ Սրկ․ Գէորգեան

Dear faithful,

Praise and thanks be to Almighty God that this angelic news of the Resurrection of Christ came to renew our spiritual life, which more than ever needs us to resist the world's anxieties, disasters, and evil attacks. Today, we live in an alarming world full of fear, sorrow, pain, loss, and various diseases, and we can say: "But where is the victory?" Victory, beloved, is in each of us; victory is in those who believe that death cannot separate them from Christ, that death is no longer the victory of evil because death is no longer separation. No matter how frightening, evil, and dark the world is nowadays, we know that victory has already been won, that God has won, and that we who believe in Him partake together in His triumphant Resurrection.

The mysterious Resurrection of Christ is not only His victory over death but also ours, the victory of all mankind. It is a Feast, especially for the Armenian people, who were the first among the nations to declare that they believed in the risen Christ, in whose likeness they also suffered, endured great tribulations, persecutions, and genocides, but always fought valiantly to keep alive their faith and hope and life. With this mysterious and wondrous news of the Resurrection, let us renew and revive our faith through the awareness of the Savior's presence in our lives. May the joyful news of Christ's Resurrection, the victory of life, free us from trials and grant us peace and endless heavenly blessings. On the occasion of the Resurrection Feast, with these thoughts and prayerful best wishes, we once more greet you and your families with the most joyous, mysterious, and wondrous greetings:

Christ is Risen from the dead!

Blessed is the Resurrection of our Lord!

Dn. Gevork Gevorkian

The ACYO-WD and the St. Garabed Rancho Mirage ACYO invite all ACYO members across the Western Diocese and youths to join us for our Lock-in on March 9-10, 2024. We have a list of activities exemplifying our four pillars and are excited to have you all join us! Make sure you sign up with the QR code in the flier and message us if you have any questions!

This past weekend, the St. Garabed Rancho Mirage ACYO hosted their very first lock-in retreat on March 9-10, 2024 at St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert. ACYO members from all across the Western Diocese were invited to attend the overnight lock-in. Members participated in a spiritual discussion and question-and-answer session with ACYO-WD Youth Director Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan, where they all shared stories of when they knew they would devote their lives to Christ. During breaks, members played games, wrote prayers and Bible verses on the prayer wall, and enjoyed a delicious lenten meal provided by the St. Garabed Ladies Society. Later in the evening, all practiced in a midnight-hour jamergutyun service. They closed the night by singing Psalms and making nshkars for the members of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of the Desert. The next morning, the youth attended Divine Liturgy, with Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan as the celebrant and several youths serving on the altar and singing in the choir. Afterward, the congregation were invited to the hall to enjoy a lenten lunch, while the youth learned the importance of giving back to the homeless and less fortunate, especially during this time of lent.

On behalf of the ACYO-WD Central Council, we would like to extend a special thank you to Dn. Gevork Gevorkian and the Gevorkian family for their generosity in hosting the lock-in for the ACYO members and to the St. Garabed Ladies Society for preparing all of the meals for the weekend.

SCHEDULE OF HOLY WEEK CHURCH SERVICES - 2024

2024 GREAT LENT SCHEDULE

GREAT LENT WEDNESDAY VIGIL

Հ Ա Ղ Ո Ր Դ Ա Գ Ր Ո Ւ Թ Ի Ւ Ն

Մեր ժողովուրդի զաւակներուն ազնիւ ուշադրութեան կը յանձնենք անցնող տարուայ ընթացքին Անապատի Հայաստանեայց Առաքելական Սուրբ Կարապետ Եկեղեցւոյ կարեւոր իրագործումներուն ամփոփ զեկոյցը:

2023 տարուայ մեծագոյն յաջողութիւնը եղաւ Անապատի Սուրբ Կարապետ Եկեղեցւոյ Շաբաթօրեայ եւ Կիրակնօրեայ դպրոցներուն հաստատումը: Երկու կառոյցներուն բացումը շրջանէն ներս մեծապէս խթանեցին կապը եկեղեցւոյ եւ ծնողներուն միջեւ, զարկ տուին հոգեւոր ու հայեցի կրթութեան զարգացման եւ փոխադարձ վստահութեան: Այս առաքելութեան լծուած են նուիրեալ եւ պարտաճանաչ ուսուցիչներ, որոնք անհրաժեշտ գիտելիքներ կը փոխանցեն օր ըստ օրէ աճող մեր աշակերտութեան: Մեծ ուրախութիւն ու գոհունակութիւն է տեսնել համայնքը համախմբուած եկեղեցւոյ, մեր հոգեւոր ու հայկական աւանդութիւններուն շուրջ: Կիրակնօրեայ եկեղեցական արարողութիւնները կը կատարուի բծախնդրութեամբ եւ եկեղեցի այցելողներու թիւը զգալի աճ կ՛արձանագրէ: Ուրախութեամբ կ՛արձանագրենք, թէ հեռաւոր շրջաններէ հայեր եւս կը միանան եկեղեցական արարողութիւններուն եւ Անապատի Եկեղեցին առաւել եւս կեանք կ՛առնէ իր հաւատացեալներով: Սուրբ Կարապետ Եկեղեցւոյ մասին նաեւ հետաքրքրուած են տեղացի ոչ հայեր, որոնք զանազան առիթներով կ՛այցելեն եկեղեցի եւ մեր հաւատացեալներուն հետ կը հետեւին մեր արարողութիւններուն:

Արեւմտեան Թեմի Թեմակալ Առաջնորդ՝ Գերշ. Տէր Յովնան Արք. Տէրտէրեանի տնօրինութեամբ Բարեշնորհ Գէորգ Սրկ. Գէորգեան կը կատարէ իրեն վստահուած պարտականութիւնները, թէ՛ եկեղեցիէն ներս, հսկելով եկեղեցական արարողութիւններու կատարման եւ թէ՛ եկեղեցիէն դուրս՝ հովուական ծառայութեամբ: Գէորգ Սարկաւագ տարբեր առիթներով կ՛այցելէ իրեն խնամքին վստահուած ծխայիններուն տուները եւ հիւանդանոցներ: Ան օգտագործելով համացանցը առաւելագոյն չափով կը փորձէ հասնիլ եւ շփման մէջ մտնել բոլորին հետ: Ան Սուրբ Կարապետ եկեղեցւոյ պաշտօնական կայքէջին նախագիծը պատրաստեց, որ մեծ արձագանգ գտաւ մեծ թիւով այցելուներու կողմէ:

Անցնող տարուայ ընթացքին համագործակցելով ծխական խորհուրդին հետ Գէորգ Սարկաւագի ջանքերով զարկ տրուեցան հովուական առաջնորդութեան, հոգեւոր ու աղօթական կեանքին, հանդիպելով թէ՛ զոյգերու, խումբերու կամ անհատներու հետ: Սարկաւագը ճգնաժամերու, վիշտի եւ կամ սուգի ժամանակ ներկայ է եղած համայնքի զաւակներուն կողքին, զանոնք մխիթարած, խրախուսած եւ հոգեւոր աջակցութիւն մատակարարած անոնց: Անցնող տարուայ ընթացքին զանազան առիթներով Սրբազան հօր յատուկ կարգադրութեամբ այցելու հոգեւորականներ պատարագեցին Սուրբ Կարապետ Եկեղեցւոյ մէջ: Հոգեւոր հրատարակութիւններու ծիրէն ներս, տեղին է նշել, թէ տարբեր գրքոյկներ լոյս տեսան Հայաստանի մէջ եւ օգտագործուեցան հոգեւոր ու կրթական կառոյցներուն եւ ծխայիններուն կողմէ:

Ուրախութեամբ կը յայտնենք, թէ Սրբազան հօր տնօրինութեամբ Գէորգ Սարկաւագ Գէորգեան պիտի շարունակէ իր ծառայութիւնը մատուցանել շրջանէն ներս ի խնդիր համայնքի հոգեւոր աճին եւ զարգացման:

Դիւան Առաջնորդարանի

Հիւսիսային Ամերիկայի Արեւմտեան Թեմ

PRESENTATION OF SAINT NERSES SHNORHALI MEDALS

On Sunday, January 21, 2024, the eve of the Fast of the Catechumens, the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral. With the Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presiding over the service, the spiritual center of the Western Diocese was filled with hundreds of faithful who participated in the service. Among the Diocesan clergy participating in the service were the Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, the Rev. Fr. Mikayel Kyureghyan, and the Rev. Fr. Nzhdeh Keshishyan. During the service, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian called forth to the nave Mrs. Aida Askejian and her spouse Mr. Markar Askejian, Mrs. Aida Sethian and her spouse Dr. Nubar Sethian, and Mr. Ara Babayan and her spouse Sonia Sumbulian Babayan.

The Primate introduced the honorees to the parishioners, informing the congregants about the selfless and unwavering service of the distinguished individuals rendered to the Armenian Apostolic Church. In recognition of their Christian zeal, unrelenting dedication, and steadfast support of the mission of the Armenian Church, Mrs. Aida Askejian, Mrs. Aida Sethian, and Mr. Ara Babayan were honored with the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and were presented with the prestigious St. Nerses Shnorhali (the Graceful) medals. In his remarks, the Diocesan Primate commended the honorees' loyalty and commitment to serving Christ, our Lord, upholding the sacred traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church and staunch belief and support of the Stewardship Program of the Western Diocese which pursues the God-pleasing mission of educating and preparing the future wave of Diocesan clergy through to shepherd the flock of Christ.

The service was followed by a Stewardship luncheon in the Nazareth and Sima Kalaydjian Hall in honor of the medal recipients. It was attended by the Diocesan Council Chairman Mr. and Mrs. Vartan Nazerian, Chairman of the Stewardship Committee Mr. Derik Ghookasian, and his spouse Adrineh, Stewardship Committee members, supporters, and friends.

12th Anniversary of Consecration St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Holy Church of the Desert

Last Sunday, January 14, 2024, the faithful of St. Garabed Armenian Church of the Desert were excited to welcome and receive the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, who the day’s celebrant and homilist. The faithful received the opportunity to express their gratitude to Archbishop Derderian for his continued pastoral care, vision, and guidance. We also were delighted to have Rev. Fr. Vatche Ayrapetyan with us. David Gevorkian was ordained to the holy order of the Diaconate by the Srpazan Hayr. After the service, the Primate participated in a banquet organized by the Parish Council. Archbishop Derderian commended the collective efforts of Pastor Rev. Dn. Gevork Gevorkian, the Parish Council, the Lady's Society, and Armenian/Sunday Schools for their loyalty, devotion, steadfastness in their faith and dedication to carrying out the mission of St. Garabed Armenian Church. Aida Dinkjian and Jaqueline Tutunjian received the Hye Spirit Award from His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. On behalf of parishioners of St. Garabed Church, the Primate’s visit will forever remain dear in our grateful hearts.

ՍՈՒՐԲ ԾՆՆԴԵԱՆ ԺԱՄԱՆԱԿԱՑՈՅՑ / CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Primate Presides Over Clergy Conference Held at the Diocesan Headquarters

Diocesan clergy gathered at the Headquarters of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, to take part in the third clergy conference of the year. Held at the Hampar Room of the Western Diocese, the conference was presided by the Diocesan Primate H.E. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian.

The day commenced with the morning prayer service at St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral during which the clergymen beseeched the Almighty to bless and have mercy upon the flock of Christ and to preserve and protect the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Armenian nation. The day's homily was delivered by the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan.

The pastoral, liturgical, administrative, and disciplinary issues were discussed. The ongoing humanitarian assistance by the Western Diocese to the more than 100,000 displaced refugees from Artsakh was emphasized by the Diocesan Primate in which more than $300,000 has been transferred to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to be allocated to our brothers and sisters from Artsakh.

ՍՐՏԱԳԻՆ ԿՈՉ ԹԵՄԻՍ ՀԱՒԱՏԱՑԵԱԼՆԵՐՈՒՆ ԱՐՑԱԽԱՀԱՅ ԳԱՂԹԱԿԱՆԱՑ ՕԺԱՆԴԱԿՈՒԹԵԱՆ Ի ՆՊԱՍՏ

Սիրելի՛ հայորդիք,

Բոլորս ալ իրազեկ ենք, թէ ինչ կատարուեցաւ Արցախահայութեան հետ վերջին շաբաթներու եւ օրերու ընթացքին։ Մեր 100,000-է աւելի Արցախահայ քոյրերն ու եղբայրները բռնի տեղահանութեան զոհ դարձած են եւ այժմուս Հայաստան կը գտնուին։ Փառք Աստուծոյ, որ ցեղասպանութենէ մազապուրծ մեր հայրենակիցները՝ տառապեալ եւ սգաւոր, Մայր Հայաստանի մէջ իրենց անմիջական հոգածութիւնը կը ստանան պետական աջակցութեան, միջազգային եւ տեղական կազմակերպութիւններու եւ անհատ բարերարներու շնորհիւ՝ անշուշտ նաեւ զօրակցութեամբ մեր Ս․ Եկեղեցւոյ, Մայր Աթոռ Ս․ Էջմիածնի։ Մեր ազգի պատմութեան մէջ խոր ցաւ պատճառող իրավիճակ է ասիկա եւ մեր բոլորիս հոգու պարտքն է օգնութեան ձեռք մեկնել Արցախահայութեան, ովքեր այսօր խիստ կարիքներու մէջ են։ Արդ, մեր սրտագին խնդրանքն է, որ Ձեր առ Աստուած բարձրացրած աղօթքները հայրենիքի խաղաղութեան եւ բարօրութեան համար նաեւ գործնական արտայայտութիւն ունենան մարդասիրական առաքելութեանն ի նպաստ նուիրաբերումներով։ Արցախահայ գաղթականերուն օգնութեան նպատակով Ձեր սրտաբուխ նուէրը կրնաք ուղարկել հետեւեալ հասցէով․

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America

3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd

Burbank, CA 91504

Memo: Artsakh Refugee Fund

Թող Աստուած վարձահատոյց ըլլայ Ձեզ եւ մշտապէս օրհնէ բարի կամեցողութեան եւ հայրենասէր ոգու համար։

Մնամք սիրոյ ողջունիւ,

Աղօթարար՝

Յովնան Արք․ Տէրտէրեան, Առաջնորդ

Հիւսիսային Ամերիկայի Արեւմտեան Թեմի

HEARTFELT APPEAL TO THE FAITHFUL OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE IN SUPPORT OF ARTSAKH REFUGEES

Beloved Fellow Compatriots,

I trust that you are all well-informed about the recent developments in Artsakh over the past few weeks and days. Once again, our brothers and sisters, numbering over 100,000, have been forced to become refugees, compelled to leave their homes and ancestral lands. It is a blessing from the Merciful God that these innocent men, women, and children, who have been afflicted by grief and trauma due to ethnic cleansing, were able to find safe haven in Armenia. There, they receive initial assistance through government initiatives, local and international organizations, individual philanthropists, and, of course, with the support of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. These are indeed somber times for our nation, and it is our Christian duty and moral obligation to offer support to the refugees from Artsakh. With this in mind, we humbly appeal to you, asking that your prayers for the peace and safety of our Motherland also find practical expression through your generous donations to aid the Artsakh refugees. To contribute, kindly send your heartfelt donations to the following address:

The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America

N. Glenoaks Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91504

Memo: Artsakh Refugee Fund

May the Lord reward and bless you for your benevolence and patriotic spirit.

In Prayer,

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate

Western Diocese, Armenian Church of North America