Supreme Spiritual Council Meeting in Held in Burbank
04.11.2017
From November 1 to 3, under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; the regular Supreme Spiritual Council meeting was held in the headquarters of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, in Burbank, California.
The meeting was opened with the Lord’s Prayer, following which His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America welcomed His Holiness and the Council members; on behalf of the clergymen and laymen. His Eminence reflected on the details of the Pontifical visit of His Holiness on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Diocese. His Eminence stressed that this historic visit of the Catholicos of All Armenians caused great joy and enthusiasm in the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, strengthening the love and devotion towards Holy Etchmiadzin and Homeland. He gave his assurance that following the visit of His Holiness, the Diocese renovated with faith, dedication and love, would continue their mission for the benefit of the vibrancy and prosperity of the Armenian Church.
The Catholicos of All Armenians conveyed his blessings and message to the Council members. His Holiness stressed that Armenian youth and teenagers were the core of this Pastoral visit. His Holiness noted with pleasure that being far from the Homeland; nationalism and love for church are powerful within them, as well as zeal for the preservation of the Armenian language and national values. The Armenian Pontiff reflected with satisfaction on his first pastoral visit to Mexico, where he conveyed his blessings to the local Armenians and jointly prayed for the souls of the victims of the earthquake.
His Holiness expressed his appreciation to Archbishop Hovnan Derderian; Joseph Kanimian, Chairman of the Diocesan Council; and spiritual servants and laymen of the Western Diocese, for the warm reception and hospitality during the Pontifical visit.
The Catholicos of All Armenians also congratulated the newly elected Council members wishing them productive and fruitful activity.
The Co-Chairman of the meeting were His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America and His Eminence Archbishop Khajak Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America.
Following the adoption of the agenda, the minutes of the Council Meeting from May 16-17, 2017, was read and approved.
The Council discussed the draft of the diocesan by-laws, which was prepared by the Permanent Commission on Constitutional Guidelines. Archbishop Hovnan and fellow committee members His Grace Bishop Arshak Khahchatryan and Mr. Gevork Danielyan, Doctor and Professor of Legal Sciences; provided an overview of the document. The Council members offered their comments and suggestions. Following the necessary corrections and editing, the document will be delivered to all Dioceses for their review.
Mr. Aso Tavitian, President of the Tavitian Foundation, presented a report on the progress of the project to improve the operations of the Armenian Church. He reported that the activities of the preparatory phase has already been completed and he will have meetings and interviews with Diocesan primates, clergymen and laymen in the coming months. On this occasion the Council members expressed their gratitude to Mr. Aso Tavitian for the work completed to date, expressing hope that results of the study will contribute to the more effective organization of the operations of the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Hovnan presented the details of the programs planned for the “2018, Year of the Youth”. His Eminence noted that the summation of the year will be the international pilgrimage to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, scheduled for July 5-8. During the year, youth pilgrimages will also be organized with Diocesan Primates to Holy Etchmiadzin.
During the meeting, a joint meeting was held with members of the Western Diocesan Council, during which Archbishop Hovnan, presented a general report on the activities of the diocese and programs that had been implemented.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness reflected with satisfaction on the effective work of the Council members, for the benefit of overcoming challenges facing the church. His Holiness conveyed his personal appreciation and blessing to the Primate of the Diocese and members of the diocesan council for the proper organization of the Pontifical visit and Supreme Spiritual Council meetings, praying to God for the brightness of the Diocese and welfare of the Armenian-American faithful.
The meeting was closed with the Protector Prayer.
