The Diocese
Posted: 03/29/2022
At the invitation of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, Metropolitan Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, on Monday, March 28, 2022, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, attended a welcoming reception in honor of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Archbishop of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Held at the Hall of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the reception was organized by the Very Rev. Fr. John Bakas, the Dean of the Cathedral. Accompanied by the Rev. Fr. Haroutioun Tachejian, Pastor of St. James Armenian Church of Los Angeles, Archbishop Derderian greeted his brother in Christ with warm regards.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were Her Excellency Evgenia Beniatoglou, Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles, the Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa, former Mayor of Los Angeles, the Honorable Alex Villanueva, Sheriff of the County of Los Angeles, the Right Reverend Alexei Smith, Ecumenical Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, clergy of the Greek Orthodox Church as well as leaders of the Greek-American community.
In his remarks, Archbishop Derderian referenced the filial bond between the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Los Angeles, one centered on carrying out the message of the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As a token of his gratitude Archbishop Derderian presented Archbishop Elpidophoros with a commemorative album published on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the consecration of St. Leon (Ghevontiants) Armenian Cathedral.
On March 29, Archbishop Elpidophoros met with faith leaders at St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena. The Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian attended the fellowship accompanied by Archpriest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Pasadena.
