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.

13th Anniversary of the Consecration of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Holy Church of the Desert!

     On Sunday, January 12, 2025, the faithful of St. Garabed Armenian Church of the Desert gathered with joy and reverence to celebrate the 13th anniversary of the Church’s consecration. This milestone was made even more momentous by the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, who served as the celebrant and homilist. The congregation warmly welcomed Archbishop Derderian, expressing their heartfelt gratitude for his continued fatherly care, visionary leadership, and unwavering guidance. Following the Divine Liturgy, a celebratory banquet was organized by the Parish Council. During the banquet, Archbishop Derderian commended the collective efforts of the Church’s leadership and community, recognizing their faithfulness, dedication, and devotion to advancing the mission of St. Garabed Church.

     This joyous occasion also marked a monumental milestone: the full repayment of our Church’s mortgage. This remarkable achievement was not merely a financial accomplishment but a testament to the unwavering faith, generosity, and deep commitment of our parishioners to their spiritual home. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all benefactors and sponsors whose generous support and contributions made this vision into reality.

     Vartan Nazerian, Chairperson of the Diocesan and St. Garabed Parish Councils, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone whose generous donations and sacrifices made this remarkable achievement possible. He also extended his sincere thanks to the members of the Parish Council and the Ladies’ Society for their dedication and tireless hard work. Their steadfast support and love for St. Garabed Church have truly transformed this vision into reality, ensuring a strong and enduring foundation for generations to come.

     Archbishop Hovnan Derderian introduced Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, a renowned scholar and leader who was appointed as the Director of Institutional Innovation. Dr. Tchilingirian addressed parishioners and guests, presenting a groundbreaking innovation that sets new standards of excellence for the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church and our community. His vision and leadership promise to inspire transformative growth and progress within the Diocese, strengthening its mission and impact for future generations.

     Rev. Dn. Gevork Gevorkian, Pastor of St. Garabed Church, reflected on the profound significance of its consecration of St. Garabed Church, emphasizing that it represents far more than the transformation of a physical space. He highlighted that it is a call to the transformation of our hearts, relationships, and understanding of God and ourselves. Deacon Gevork described this moment as an invitation to turn to the Lord Jesus with renewed faith, open our hearts, and allow Him to transform us into living stones, building a spiritual foundation firmly rooted in His love and grace.

     One of the evening’s most cherished moments was the presentation of the prestigious Hye Spirit Award to Anoush Avakian, Shakeh Bazerkanian, Hasmik Arakelian, and Medick Yarijanian by His Eminence Archbishop Derderian. These outstanding individuals were celebrated for their exemplary service, unwavering dedication, and heartfelt love for the church and its community. Their tireless efforts and contributions have profoundly enriched the life of St. Garabed Church, serving as an enduring example of faith, commitment, and unity for all.

     In the artistic portion of the program, Dn. David Gevorkian performed a Gomidas song on the traditional Armenian wind instrument, the duduk, captivating the audience with its soulful and evocative melodies. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Dn. David for sharing his talent and enriching the event with this beautiful performance.

     The Primate’s visit, filled with blessings, encouragement, and spiritual enrichment, will forever hold a cherished place in the hearts of St. Garabed’s faithful. Together, we continue to draw strength and inspiration from the love and unity that define our church community as we carry forward the legacy of faith entrusted to us. Thank you all for being a part of this very special occasion.

     May the Lord bless each of us abundantly!

Successful Christmas Party at St. Garabed Armenian Church of the Desert!

We are filled with joy and gratitude as we celebrate the success of the Christmas Party organized by the St. Garabed Armenian Church Armenian and Sunday Schools. It was a beautiful evening of unity, tradition, and festive cheer that brought together our students, parents, teachers, and the greater church community. We are immensely proud of our talented students, who showcased their Armenian heritage through heartfelt performances, music, and recitations that truly embodied the spirit of Christmas. Their dedication and enthusiasm are a testament to the bright future of our community.

A heartfelt thank you to the teachers and volunteers for their hard work and commitment to ensuring the event was seamless and memorable. Special thanks to the parents for their unwavering support and to everyone who joined us in celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

At St. Garabed, we continue to preserve and nurture our faith, language, and culture together, ensuring our church remains not just a sanctuary of worship but a radiant home for our parishioners. May the joy of this holy season fill your hearts and homes with peace, love, and abundant blessings.

Prayerful wishes,

Dn. Gevork Gevorkian

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

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.

Second Clergy Conference of the Year Convenes at the Western Diocese