While the fires were ravaging through Los Angeles County His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, quickly addressed issues of survival that were plaguing members of the community. Since January 8, we have provided detailed accounts of fire-relief activities organized by the Western Diocese on our website, our parishes and through regular updates.
Latest Update: 1/31/2025
- The Sahag-Mesrob Armenian School in Altadena was completely destroyed in the fires. The AGBU is providing their Pasadena campus for Sahag-Mesrob to move its operations there. Classes began there on January 21, with the prayer and blessing of Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, Parish Priest of St. Gregory Armenian Church.
- The Western Diocese supplied $15,000+ of electronics for the classrooms for use in the Sahag-Mesrob Armenian School.
- Armenia Fund USA is providing $250,000 toward student tuition to families financially affected by the fires. This funding aims to provide tuition assistance to families who have lost their homes and are experiencing financial hardship, enabling their children to continue attending Armenian schools. Details
- The Western Diocese has identified select families who have experience horrendous loss. The Diocese is providing individual assistance to them. To this end, the WD Deacons Council is organizing a Diocesan-wide fund raiser to provide for these families. Donations may be made at https://epostle.net/firerelief_dc. Distribution to the families will be made on March 22.
- The 9th Annual Reclaim 2025 Conference (March 22) is donating ALL registration fee, in their entirety, to fire victims identified by the Diocese.
- The Primate asked for plate collections in all Diocesan churches to be allocated for fire relief. In mid-February those funds will be distributed to the Fire Fighter’s Foundation in both the Palisades and in Altadena.
Watch for further updates on the Western Diocesan social media pages, and through your local parish.
