Burbank, CA – In a landmark move the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church has drawn a transformative mission roadmap aimed at deepening the Christian faith and spiritual lives of its communities, celebrating Armenian heritage, and creating vibrant, engaged communities.
“The aim of this renewed mission statement of our Diocese is to bring faith, culture, and community connection to the heart of daily life for Armenian community members, ensuring these pillars remain vibrant for future generations,” said Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese.
At the core of the Diocese’s renewed mission is a commitment to nurturing a deeper, personal relationship with God through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Armenian Apostolic tradition. With a range of new and existing programs aimed at meeting needs across all ages.
The Diocese’s mission includes a dedication to Armenian heritage and keeping it vital through a variety of cultural programs. These include a wide range of educational programs, including Armenian Day and Saturday schools, artistic and musical events, workshops, lectures, publications, and media productions and development of new content.
Community building and support is another critical component of the renewed mission of the Diocese. In many communities spread throughout the Western United States, the Armenian Church is the sole organization in a given region or city. It provides a nurturing space for community members to connect and build relationships as a community of faith and heritage. Over the last twenty years, under the leadership of the Primate Archbishop Hovnan, the Western Diocese has expanded into scores of established parishes and mission communities in multiple states in the Western United States.
In July of this year, a draft Mission, Vision, Strategy, and Values Statement was shared with over 400 leaders within the Diocese’s leadership network, inviting insights and feedback from clergy, parish council members, committee heads, and other community stakeholders. After a three-months review period, the Mission statement was finalized in early October. It will serve as the roadmap for the mission of the Diocese in the coming years.
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“The focus of the renewed Mission statement of the Diocese is on personal spiritual growth, cultural appreciation, and community engagement,” said Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, Director of Institutional Innovation of the Diocese.
“The new Institutional Innovation initiative is a forward-thinking strategy to ensure continued relevance and impact,” explained Dr. Tchilingirian. “At the heart of this initiative is a collaborative effort to modernize while remaining faithful to the Diocese’s core values.”
As a longstanding pillar of the Armenian community in the Western United States, the Western Diocese will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2027.