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PRESS RELEASE
September 21, 2007
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Voice: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
www.armen ianchurchwd.com <http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/>
Unveiling Ceremony of the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City Sign at City Hall
BURBANK - On Friday, September 21, 2007, at 9:30 am, American and
Armenian officials, as well as community leaders, gathered at the corner
of First and Main streets, for a ceremony unveiling the Los Angeles -
Yerevan Sister City sign. Los Angeles City Council President Eric
Garcetti, Los Angeles 4^th District Council Member and President of
Sister Cities of Los Angeles Tom LaBonge, were joined by His Eminence
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of North America, along with the Chairlady of the Los
Angeles - Yerevan Sister City Association Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, in
addition to other community members. Together they unveiled the
long-awaited Yerevan sign, the result of two years of planning, meeting,
and traveling to make this dream come true.
Councilman Garcetti, who represents the `Little Armenia' section of the
city, is one of the key members of this association. He helped
facilitate the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City relationship in August
2005, when he approached Yerevan and Cambridge, Massachusetts sister
city affiliates to share their affiliation with Los Angeles. He then
traveled to Armenia to meet with the Mayor of Yerevan and seek the
approval of authorities in Armenia. Next, Councilman Garcetti
facilitated the formation of a volunteer working group consisting of
Armenian - American entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders
to formally establish the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City
Association. In February 2007 the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City
Association became a reality.
After the unveiling of the Yerevan street sign today, the 16^th
anniversary of the independence of Armenia, various delegations gathered
in the Tom Bradley room of the Los Angeles City Hall. Councilman
Garcetti presented a proclamation to the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister
City Association celebrating the historic day. His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Primate, concluded the presentations by a closing
prayer, wherein he stated: `Almighty God, bless this historic moment, as
we all become partners in a most pleasing and uplifting undertaking by
the city of Los Angeles. We pray to God with a joyous heart and make a
promise to serve humanity in all corners of the world. For a nation
which has survived genocide, and has endured decades of communist
oppression, this historic moment initiated by the Sister Cities
Association, challenges us all with a new vision in building
relationships, understanding human culture, completing capabilities to
strengthen competitiveness, providing economic opportunity and quality
of life, understanding the beauty of God's creations surrounding us, and
rebuilding our God-given land and the city of Yerevan through the
mission of the Sister Cities Association.'
Also participating in today's event on behalf of the Western Diocese of
the Armenian Church of North America along with the Archbishop Derderian
were Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardumian, Vicar of the Western Diocese, Very
Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian
Church of Pasadena, as well as John Avedian, Deacon Carl Bardakian,
Shoghig Giragosian, Armen Hampar and Berj Shabazzian. The event
concluded with an exhibit of photographs by various Armenian artists.
September 21, 2007
Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91504
Voice: 818-558-7474
Fax: 818-558-6333
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>
www.armen ianchurchwd.com <http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/>
Unveiling Ceremony of the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City Sign at City Hall
BURBANK - On Friday, September 21, 2007, at 9:30 am, American and
Armenian officials, as well as community leaders, gathered at the corner
of First and Main streets, for a ceremony unveiling the Los Angeles -
Yerevan Sister City sign. Los Angeles City Council President Eric
Garcetti, Los Angeles 4^th District Council Member and President of
Sister Cities of Los Angeles Tom LaBonge, were joined by His Eminence
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church of North America, along with the Chairlady of the Los
Angeles - Yerevan Sister City Association Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, in
addition to other community members. Together they unveiled the
long-awaited Yerevan sign, the result of two years of planning, meeting,
and traveling to make this dream come true.
Councilman Garcetti, who represents the `Little Armenia' section of the
city, is one of the key members of this association. He helped
facilitate the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City relationship in August
2005, when he approached Yerevan and Cambridge, Massachusetts sister
city affiliates to share their affiliation with Los Angeles. He then
traveled to Armenia to meet with the Mayor of Yerevan and seek the
approval of authorities in Armenia. Next, Councilman Garcetti
facilitated the formation of a volunteer working group consisting of
Armenian - American entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders
to formally establish the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City
Association. In February 2007 the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister City
Association became a reality.
After the unveiling of the Yerevan street sign today, the 16^th
anniversary of the independence of Armenia, various delegations gathered
in the Tom Bradley room of the Los Angeles City Hall. Councilman
Garcetti presented a proclamation to the Los Angeles - Yerevan Sister
City Association celebrating the historic day. His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Primate, concluded the presentations by a closing
prayer, wherein he stated: `Almighty God, bless this historic moment, as
we all become partners in a most pleasing and uplifting undertaking by
the city of Los Angeles. We pray to God with a joyous heart and make a
promise to serve humanity in all corners of the world. For a nation
which has survived genocide, and has endured decades of communist
oppression, this historic moment initiated by the Sister Cities
Association, challenges us all with a new vision in building
relationships, understanding human culture, completing capabilities to
strengthen competitiveness, providing economic opportunity and quality
of life, understanding the beauty of God's creations surrounding us, and
rebuilding our God-given land and the city of Yerevan through the
mission of the Sister Cities Association.'
Also participating in today's event on behalf of the Western Diocese of
the Armenian Church of North America along with the Archbishop Derderian
were Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardumian, Vicar of the Western Diocese, Very
Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian
Church of Pasadena, as well as John Avedian, Deacon Carl Bardakian,
Shoghig Giragosian, Armen Hampar and Berj Shabazzian. The event
concluded with an exhibit of photographs by various Armenian artists.