For the past 14 years, the administrators of the St. Ghevondyants Church of the Prelacy of the U.S. Western Diocese and believers have been gathering to celebrate the anniversary of the parish community. These events are exciting for the believers of the community, warm their hearts and help build stronger friendships.

On May 20, the Caesar Hall in Tujunga hosted another festive event. The day was very sacramental for the large family of the Church because it coincided with the 40^th birth anniversary of pastor, Rev. Fr. Priest Khajag Shahbazyan, reported Deacon Hovhannes Gumruyan to Hayern Aysor from the USA.

The nearly 400 attendees congratulated His Holiness’s birthday with joy and warmth and gave him many surprises. In his blessing and congratulatory remarks, Primate of the Diocese, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian praised His Holiness Khajag’s self-devoted service and dedication to the Church and the local Armenian community and granted the right to bear the priestly pectoral cross, wishing that the Lord’s Sign protect the St. Ghevondyants parish, guiding them to kindness and eternity.

One of the other surprises of the event was when His Grace, Fr. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian granted the special medal of the Prelacy to members of the parish, including Norik Grigoryan, Hakob Nalbandyan, Andre Shamalian, Gevorg Boyajyan and Vahik Alkhasyan, who have shown their unquestionable dedication to the Church, the community and the St. Ghevondyants Church for years.