Many Faithful Participate in Inaugural Holy Liturgy at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale
Posted on June. 29. 2023
An entire parish was put in a state of limbo for many years, patiently waiting for the primate of the Western Diocese, Arch. Hovnan Derderian to fulfill his promise. But they became victims of Arch. Derderian’s manipulations and broken promises. Finally, on Sunday, June 25, St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of Glendale Parish opened the Church independently.
Why were they put in a limbo?
According to reliable sources, Reverend Petros Baghramian of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, after serving for many years in the Armenian Church Diocese of Russia and New Nakhichevan, moved to Los Angeles to join many former members of his congregation and to continue his spiritual mission in America. (How did Rev. Petros and other dedicated priests become victims of Arch. Derderian’s tyranny… See the full article titled “ Western U.S. Armenians Strongly Condemn ARF-Autocrat Viken Hovsepian, Arch Hovnan Derderian, KGB Karekin II Twin Clans’ monopolization of both the Western Diocese and Western Prelacy” on the page…)
Immediately after his arrival, Priest Baghramian, always faithful to the Mother See, contacted Arch. Hovnan Derderian. They agree that Rev. Baghramian should create a church under the auspices of the Western Diocese. According to well-informed sources Derderian’s modus operandi: He lavishes ample promises to lure in a person or a group with a false pretense that he will support the creation of a new church. However, after keeping his prey in limbo for an extended period of time, Derderian not only breaks his promises, but putting his vindictiveness to work, he perpetrates the unimaginable. Unilaterally, he declares defrocked a spiritual servant with a true calling for spiritual mission. Hence Rev. Baghramian is declared “defrocked” with the complicity of Karekin II, who has usurped the Holy Etchmiadzin Throne of the Catholicosate of All Armenians.
According to the decision of the Parish Council of the Apostolic Church, on the occasion of the renovation of the church an inaugural Holy Liturgy was celebrated by Reverend Father Petros Baghramian with the participation of a large number of faithful. Rev Petros Baghramian is the founding pastor of St. Sarkis church.
The community of Armenian Apostolic faithful of Glendale witnessed and participated in the Church ceremonies experiencing spiritual renewal. The morning service was performed at 10:00, followed by Holy Liturgy at 10:30. In the performance of the Holy Liturgy, Rev. Baghramian was joined by Rev. Kevork Hallajian the founding pastor of the Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church of Upland which is located east of Pasadena and northeast of Montebello. Also joining was Rev. David Sahakian, Deacon Hovhannes Aghajanian, Deacon Andranik Igitbashian, Senior Deacon Kevork Ghazarian. Under the direction of long-time spiritual servant Vosgan Mkhitarian, Yeretskin Pauline Hallajian, Deacon Kevork Ghazarian, Vergine Hallajian, famous artist Nayiri Hovana, a young Armenian female vocalist, Rev. Vruyr Demirjian from Orange County, and Appo Jabarian took part in the Church choir.
The faithful listened to the spiritually nourishing sermon of Rev. Pastor Petros Baghramian. Rev. Baghramian expressed his gratitude to the benefactors of the Church — Mr. Hovhannes, Datev, Leon and George Dallakian, Haroutiun Sarkissian and family, Norayr Hovsepian and family, Armen Badalian and his sister Lusine Badalian.
The Church ceremonies were followed by the blessing of the ‘madagh’ and reception.
Since his arrival in Southern California, Priest Baghramian succeeded in inspiring and congregating a considerable number of believers in a relatively short period of time. Being a devoted spiritual servant of the Armenian Apostolic Church, his parish continues to experience steady growth. It should not be surprising if in the near future the church begins to look for a larger facility to accommodate a larger parish.
The Board of Trustees of the Church wishes to inform the public that “It has already been two years since the inception of a wonderful choir of small children and piano students in the Church of St. Sarkis. Parents can bring their children aged 6-12.” Also, the child care facility is already operating in the church building complex. The pastor of the church Rev. Petros Baghramian can be contacted at the following phone number. (747) 272-3978. St. Sarkis Church is located at 332 N. Pacific Avenue, Glendale CA 91204 (Corner Myrtle).