Western Diocese of the Armenian Church

09/15/2026

ENG 👇 20-րդ դարասկզբին Կալիֆորնիայի հայերի թիւը արագ աճում էր յատկապէս նրա համար, որ նահանգը գրաւիչ ու բարենպաստ էր հողի մշակութեան եւ գիւղատնտեսութեան համար։
«20 հազար էյքր կոշտ կամ կիսամշակ հողեր հայոց աշխատանքով ու քրտինքով մշակուած ու դրախտի վերածուեր է San Joaquin հովտին մէջ, կեդրոն ունենալով Ֆրէզնօ քաղաքը, որ միանգամայն կեդրոնն է Քալիֆօրնիա նահանգին», գրում են Կալիֆորնիայի հայերը Գէորգ Ե. Սուրէնեանց Կաթողիկոսին ուղղուած 11 Փետր. 1917 խնդրագրում՝ հիմնաւորելու համար առանձին թեմական հաստատութիւն ստեղծելու առաջարկը։

Լուսանկար – 20-րդ դարասկզբին կալիֆորնիայում «Սեխի եւ ձմերուկի արտադրութեան արքաներ»՝ Գրիգոր և Յարութիւն Առաքելեանները աշխատանքի պահին։
______________________________

At the beginning of the 20th century, the number of Armenians in California grew rapidly, especially because the state was attractive and favorable for land cultivation and agriculture.

“20,000 acres of hard or semi-cultivated land have been worked by Armenian labor and sweat and turned into a paradise in the San Joaquin Valley, with Fresno as its center — which is entirely the heart of the State of California,” wrote the Armenians of California in a petition dated February 11, 1917, addressed to Catholicos Gevorg V Surenyants, in order to justify their proposal to establish a separate diocesan structure.

Photograph – At the beginning of the 20th century in California, the “kings of melon and watermelon production,” Grigor and Harutyun Arakelian, at work.

09/14/2026

In this episode of Dust & Glory, I sit down with Ridvan Aydemir, known online as the Apostate Prophet, to talk about his journey from Islam to atheism and eventually to Orthodox Christianity. We speak about faith, family, the cost of following the truth, and the painful history between our two peoples—Armenians and Turks—and what Christ asks us to do with all of it.

09/14/2026

09/14/2026

09/13/2026

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khatchverats)

09/13/2026

Sunday Expressions "Exaltation of the Holy Cross"

09/11/2026

Primate Engages Parish Leaders In Diocese-Wide Community Building Initiative

The Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church recently completed an extensive series of meetings with parish leaders throughout the Diocese, as part of the Diocese’s continuing efforts to strengthen parish life and communities.

Between May and July 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian—through 20 separate in-person and virtual meetings—met with over 250 pastors, Parish Council members, ministry and parish committee leaders, deacons, and active parish volunteers.

The meetings were part of the Diocese’s Community Building initiative, developed under its Institutional Innovation Initiative to strengthen sustainable parish membership and leadership. Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, Director of Institutional Innovation, joined the Primate in the meetings, which were held primarily via Zoom. Each session included remarks by the Primate, a presentation by Dr. Tchilingirian, and an open discussion with parish leaders.

The initiative builds on the Diocese’s Mission, Vision and Values and emphasizes that a vibrant church community requires more than programs and events. Community-building is understood as an essential expression of the Church’s mission—one that depends on intentional outreach, meaningful relationships, active participation and a strong sense of belonging.

Throughout the meetings, the Diocese’s three interconnected pillars of Faith, Fellowship, and Heritage were emphasized. These pillars are at the core of efforts to strengthen evangelization and spiritual formation, create welcoming and engaged parish communities, and preserve Armenian Christian identity through ministry, service, culture, and education.

The discussions also focused on four areas that are essential to the vitality of parish communities: (a) community-building, (b) leadership development, (c) stewardship and sustainability, and (d) strategic planning. Parish leaders explored ways to make these focal areas part of their ongoing agenda and periodic deliberations.

“A central message of the Community Building initiative is that sustainable parish membership begins with meaningful connections,” explained Dr. Tchilingirian. “The parish is first and foremost a community of faith, not simply a building or an organization, but essentially a community of people who share a common Christian faith and Armenian heritage.”

The Primate’s meetings were designed to lead to practical parish-level action, rather than concluding with discussion alone. Each participating parish was asked to identify in the coming months two or three priority areas for community-building and develop practical plans for implementing them over the next 12 to 18 months. Parishes were also encouraged to strengthen collaboration among clergy, Parish Councils, ministry leaders and parishioners.

The meetings included parishes throughout California as well as Arizona, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, reflecting the geographic breadth and diversity of the Western Diocese.

09/11/2026

EXALTING THE CROSS, LIFTING UP OUR BURDENS
by Diran Avagyan

This Sunday, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, one of its major feasts. According to tradition, the Cross of Christ was raised for veneration following its recovery from Persian captivity and return to Jerusalem.

We all have our own crosses to carry in life. Rarely, however, do we lift them up. We often carry them silently and privately, bleeding on the inside while shining on the outside.

I see this in the life of our church as well, particularly when people submit prayer requests. Often, these requests are anonymous or offered for others. Seldom have I seen people request prayers for themselves, disclose their names, or specify the reason for their prayer. In my observation, this is not always out of concern for confidentiality or a desire to put others first, but most likely because of cultural stigma, shame, and the fear of being judged.

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross calls us not to be ashamed of raising our own crosses, sharing our vulnerability, and disclosing our wounds and traumas. It is about telling our own stories and acknowledging our struggles, fears, and worries. It is about lifting them up and surrendering them to God. The Exaltation of the Cross is about healing and liberation, overcoming trauma and the sense of victimhood. It is about victory, enduring hope, and embracing life.

The Exaltation of the Cross is also a reminder that we do not have to bear our crosses alone. If we allow others to help us, and if we allow Christ to walk with us on the path of the Cross, He will shoulder our yoke and lighten our burden.

09/11/2026

By the kind invitation of Edward Skvarna, Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety for the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority Police Department, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian visited the airport and was given a tour of the new 14-gate, 355,000-square-foot terminal, which replaces the existing facility and includes plans for up to 6,637 parking spaces.

His Eminence was impressed by the terminal’s beautiful and innovative design, thoughtful landscaping, and careful attention to creating a pleasant and welcoming travel experience for passengers.

In his remarks, Archbishop Derderian thanked Chief Skvarna for his gracious invitation and congratulated the airport authorities on this significant achievement, describing the new terminal as a dream come true for the entire community.

The visit was especially meaningful for the Western Diocese as it prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary with commemorative events throughout 2027 and to host its 100th Diocesan Assembly, welcoming hundreds of clergy, delegates, and guests. As neighbors, the Diocese cherishes its warm relationship with the airport authorities and values the airport’s important role in serving the Diocesan community.