*KHACHIG JANOYAN*
“Live with faith, pray with hope, serve with love” Apostle Paul
The Armenian national church and the Armenian culture have both played a big role in protecting the national image of the Armenian Diaspora and in nourishing it spiritually in foreign lands.
The belief and the culture of Armenians are one of the main factors that have helped the Armenian nation to survive and endure all throughout history.
Wherever Armenians have stepped, their first task has been building an Armenian church or a cultural center, since the Armenian Church is the source of our belief and our national shelter at the same time.
It’s the church that helps us keep connected, united, and organized. It’s our church that fills the heart of our youth with hope, faith, patriotism, planting in them the spirit of serving and helping one another.
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10 years ago, La Caniada city’sdiocesefoundation was laid with the care and support of the Primate of the diocese, His Eminence Der HovnanArchbishop Derderian. The assiduous and skilled clerical high priest Father Hovsep Hagopian was assigned as the pastor. Care giving committee was also assigned, whose supervision was entrusted to the humble us.
With the instructions and the wisdom of the Primate Archbishopthe committee members dedicated themselves to community work and were able to record new achievements every year. In a very short period of time, this committee was able to prove itself in the community life.
As a worship premises La Caniada city’s biggest hall the “Cornishone” was rented. On the very same premises a portable tabernacle was constructed and deacons as well as scribes were invitedto serve the tabernacle. Iconswere bought and the acolyte class of “Nerses Shnorhali Choir” was formed. A women’s auxiliary committee was also formed by the leadership of Mrs. Lena Simonian and the treasurer the deceased Mrs. Maral Gharibian-Sarafyan.
We also had our weekly and Sunday schools. A youth committee was formed and several events were realized and achieved. Two of our diocesedeacons wereordained to be crowned aspriests, and tens of others became deacons, semi-deacons and scribes. The committees visited Ararat Home, supported the community’s sister churches, schools, and through a financial contribution supported and helped Armenian various associations and organizations.
With the help and support of Father Hovsep and all those committees the La Caniada diocese became a fruitful unity and played a huge role in the life our community.
Tahanga city’s diocesewhich was active for several years and was founded in September 1986 was reconnected to the La Caniada diocese. The unity of these two gave life to La Crescenta Valley diocese.
Once this unity was achieved, a small piece of land was bought in La Crescenta city’s Foothill Avenue, later on with the guidance and help ofHis EminenceArchbishop Hovnan Derderian, we were able to buy a new land in Tahanga city, at 10154 Montair, Tujunga, California 91042.
Currently the diocese has a beautiful church, a big hall that fits approximately 200people and several office spaces.
The Primate Archbishop assigned a new pastor for the new church, Father Avedis Apovian, who had several responsibilities in the western diocese. He was able to bring a noticeable change with great results. New events were being held and organized. A new literary (Sourp Krots) academy, English Language courses, photography, dance and karate sessions were added on the schedule of the church activities that had an impact in the lives of the community members of the diocese. It’s a pleasure to mention that our weekly school was named after the Armenian Diaspora’s prominent figure Yervant Babayan.
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On Saturday, October 25th, at 8 pm, Western Diocese’s big family is going to celebrate its annual lunch-ball, by the patronage of His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, in Glendale’s Central Avenue’s Phoenicia restaurant.
It’s worth mentioning here that the diocese’s first element was established in September 1986 and its first mass was performed by former His EminenceArchbishopVatche Hovsepian on Sunday, May 1, 1987, in Glendale’s Vertugo Avenue’s Methodist church.
After years of devotion, hard work and faith today we have our own church, that successfully endure by the will of God and his grace.
It’s also worth mentioning here the names of all those priests who served our diocese:
The deceased High Priest Father Gomidas Shirinian
High Priest Father ZavenDemirdjian
Father Tavit Zelfeyan
High Priest Father Hovsep Hagopian
Father Avedis Apovian
Other host priests have visited our church and performed masses. Also several choir groups and singers have been invited from Armenia or abroad to give concerts such as the deceased late Loucine Zakarian, Marieta Anasian, conductorHenrig Anassian, Khachadourian Choir of Constantinople with the leadership of deacon Stepan Geozoumian,and Saint Peter Church’s “Gomidas Choir”.
It’s also an honor to mention here the names of all our chairmen:
Khachig Janoyan
Vartan Nazirian
Stepan Hovagimian
Norayr khachadouryan
Khachig Janoyan (2nd tenure)
Vahan Aladadyan
Onnig Alexanian
Vahan Aladadyan (2nd tenure)
Hrayr Yeghiayan
It’s worth to mention all those committee members, weekly school’s leaders, priests, scribes, donors, and philanthropists who have dedicated and devoted all their energy for the success of the diocese.
All those dedicators and supporters are invited to the big event and celebration.
Those who are interested and willing to attend can contact our chairman Mrs. Lena Simonian by calling to the following phone number (818) 383-1322.
The contribution price of the ticket is only 80 usd including the dinner.
Dear fellow compatriots let’s unite our hands and support this event by celebrating the anniversary of our beloved diocese, which has done has a lot for its children’s development.
We will be waiting for your calls.
