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Western Diocese Ecumenical Fellowship

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  • Western Diocese Ecumenical Fellowship

    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/


    Ecumenical Fellowship



    Upon the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian,
    Primate of the Western Diocese, ecumenical Divine Liturgy was
    celebrated by Archbishop Hovnan Derderian in the Kalaydjian Hall of
    the Western Diocese, marking the first time in Diocesan history that
    such an event took place. The Liturgy began at 10:30 a.m. with the
    participation of the Primates and clergy of the Armenian, Coptic and
    Syriac Orthodox Churches.

    His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, His Grace Bishop
    Serapion, Primate of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and His Eminence Mor
    Clemis Eugene Kaplan, Primate of the Syriac Orthodox Church, took part
    in the service.

    Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church
    in East Los Angeles, read the part of the Deacon. Very Rev. Fr. Muron
    Aznigian, Rev. Fr. Bartev Gulumian and a clergy of the Syriac Church
    served on the Altar. Rev. Fr. Asoghig Garabedian and Rev. Fr. Trdat
    Bozigian, who are visiting from Etchmiadzin, Armenia, as well as
    Deacon Vahe Abovian and Deacon Mayis Shahbazian, also served on the
    Altar. The Liturgy was sung by the Burbank Parish Choir, directed by
    Siranoosh Der Boghosian and organist Sirarpi Zirekians. Members of
    the St. James Armenian Church Choir also participated.

    His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, His Grace Bishop Sebouh
    Chouldjian, Primate of the Diocese of Gougark, and around 100 clergy
    representing the Armenian, Coptic, and Syriac Churches, were in
    attendance.

    A moving moment of the ceremony was when the clergy approached the
    Holy Altar in four rows to receive Holy Communion from Archbishop
    Derderian and the Primates.

    In his message Archbishop Hovnan Derderian expressed his joy in this
    ecumenical event between three churches which share the same theology.
    The Primate also emphasized the fact that the Oriental Orthodox
    council was called to life three years ago and has been chaired for
    the past two years by Bishop Serapion. The Primate presented icons to
    the three bishops present, in appreciation of their participation in
    the day's service.

    In his message Bishop Serapion thanked Archbishop Derderian for
    hosting this service, and thus strengthening the ties between the
    Oriental Orthodox Churches.

    Archbishop Kaplan, upon thanking the Primate stressed the importance
    of collaboration between the Oriental Orthodox Churches in the United
    States, as is done in the Middle East. He also underscored the
    significance of the proper training of our youth in Christian ethics.

    Archbishop Mardirosian expressed his joy in witnessing the brotherly
    love which was present during the day.

    Very Rev. Fr. Dajad Dz. V. Yardemian made a presentation entitled
    `The Personal Transfiguration of a Christian.'

    A reception took place in the Galleria following the Divine Liturgy.
    The tradition of the joint Divine Liturgy will also continue in the
    future, hosted each year by a different church.





    Ecumenical Sunday School Bible Competition



    Organized by the Oriental Orthodox Churches of Western America, a
    Sunday School Bible Competition was held on Saturday, May 13, 2006,
    at St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church, in Glendale, California.
    Sunday school students from the Armenian, Coptic and Syriac Orthodox
    Churches participated in the competition that began at 10:00 a.m. and
    concluded at 2:15 p.m. His Grace Bishop Serapion, His Eminence
    Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, and His Eminence Mor Clemis Eugene
    Kaplan were present, accompanied by clergy.

    Sunday school students from St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys,
    St. Gregory Armenian Church in Pasadena, the Armenian Church of
    Burbank, and the Armenian Church of Crescenta Valley (Tujunga),
    represented the Western Diocese. To promote fellowship among the
    churches, students were divided into 16 groups, each containing an
    equal number of children from each of the churches.

    The competition began by a five minute prayer from the youth of each
    church. The First and Second Rounds of competition were held between
    10:45 - 12:00 pm. The Third and Final Rounds of competition were held
    between 12:15 - 12:50 pm, after which, the Primates of the respective
    churches addressed the students and urged them to continue to learn
    about our Christian faith and teaching.

    The winners were announced during the awards ceremony. The winning
    team contained two students from the Sunday School of Crescenta
    Valley and one from the Burbank Parish. The day's program closed with
    a prayer.

    OFFICE OF THE WESTERN DIOCESE
    May 16, 2006
    Burbank, California
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