Pontifical Visit: His Holiness Meets with Armenian School Students

[Kalantarian Kevo]

Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
3325 North Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, Ca 91504
Tel: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
Web: http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/

His Holiness Meets with Armenian School Students

The procession of clergy accompanying His Holiness Karekin II entered
the Kalaydjian Hall where anticipating students enthusiastically
clapped in honor of His Holiness. Vehapar accompanied by the Primate
and the other bishops, as well as the Vicar General of the Western
Diocese, Very Reverend Father Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian, between 10:00
and 11:00 am, met with the students of the Armenian schools in the
Greater Los Angeles area. There were representatives from the
following schools: Manookian-Demirjian, AGBU Pasadena, Arshak
Tigranian, Alfred and Margarita Hovsepian, Alec Pilibos, Ferahian,
Mesrobian, Shamlian, Mertinian, and Sts. Sahag-Mesrob.

The clergy from the Western Diocese were also present at the event,
as well as the superintendents and teachers from the mentioned
schools above. We would gladly announce that the students had
researched and chosen their questions in advance for Vehapar through
a competitive process in order to have the most fruitful Q&A session
with the Catholicos.

The Vicar General of the Western Diocese, Very Reverend Father Dajad
Dz. V. Yardemian, who was in charge of organizing the event,
addressing Vehapar, gave a warm introduction of the students,
describing the students’ vigor and effortlessness in learning
our most precious mother-tongue, and absorbing the Christian faith
and values and the precious heritage of our forefathers. The Very
Reverend Father also explained the meaning of the word
“Catholicos.”

The U.S. and Armenian national anthems were performed by students
Meline Hambartsumian (singer) and Lusine Galstian (pianist), both
>From Alec Pilibos School. His Holiness was very pleased with the Q&A
segment of the ceremony, answering the wide-range of question with
candidness and sincerity.

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian welcomed Vehapar with a deep
sense of appreciation, emphasizing the critical importance of His
Holiness’ Visit, hoping that we as the members of the Western
Diocese will measure up to the expectations of His Holiness in terms
of our faith and dedication to our Diocese the Church and the
Community. His Eminence gladly announced that this had been the first
meeting His Holiness had with the students during His Third Pontifical
Visit. The Primate invited His Holiness to address the audience.

Vehapar offered his blessing on the occasion of the 80th anniversary
of the establishment of the Western Diocese. Then, Vehapar spoke of
the importance of our youth and their proper education, and that the
parents and educators bore a great responsibility in this regard. The
clergy in the Western Diocese under the effective and exemplary
leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian have played an
impressively constructive role in the life of the community, Vehapar
added, however that there was more needed to be done to secure a
bright and faithful future for the youth of the community, as
exemplary U.S. citizens who would ultimately benefit both the
Diaspora, the Fatherland, Karabagh, and the Holy Etchmiadzin.

The event was concluded when His Holiness offered the
“Bahbanich” blessing-prayer. The students as well as all
other participants received a prayer-book on the occasion of the 80th
anniversary of the establishment of the Western Diocese.
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