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Together We Progress

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Communiqu

CONSTRUCTION OF THE DIOCESAN CATHEDRAL CONTINUESEXPEDITIOUSLY

Armenian Churchis the birthplace of my soul

- Vahan Tekeyan

These symbolic words of contemplation, by Vahan Tekeyan, were inspired by the Armenianpeoples wealth of religious experiences. These words also indicate an intense spiritual reality.

The physical church is the tangible representation of the spiritual church, which in the eyes of believers are drawn together for people to experience the spiritual church. After all, according toour Church Fathers, The church is understood as a dwelling of God (St. John CatholicosOdznetsi); as the earthly heaven (St. Nerses of Lumbron); or the heaven on earth (St. GrigorVard. of Datev).

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In one of the fundraising booklets published by the Cathedral Fundraising Committee, HisEminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderians message in part reads as follows: the Cathedral willnot only symbolize the faith of our forefathers , but will serve as a testimony of our own faith tothe future generations The construction of the Cathedral shall unite us more, as the touchstoneof our faith.

After five years of enormous challenges, numerous meetings, and several revisions of thebuilding plans, the construction of the Cathedral has begun with much fanfare and jubilation, andis now in full swing beside the existing building of the Diocesan Headquarters. The magnificentframes of the Cathedral are already installed and clearly visible from some distance. Manyvisitors gaze to the outline of the future Cathedral and are filled with joy and spiritual jubilation.

Besides the Cathedral Building Committee, engineers, architects, construction managers andworkers; benefactors and donors; sculptors, brass artists, interior-designers, stained glass artists,and various service committees show great enthusiasm and determination to do their best in their

area of work and meet the construction deadline for the Cathedral which is set for February 10,2010.

The Primate and the Cathedral Fundraising Committee have been working hard to raise funds forthe approximately $18 million project. Many faithful have cheerfully responded to the calls of their Primate and the Fundraising Committee by providing a financial contribution to this God-

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The Cathedrals underground facilities will include several rooms, including, a conference room,several classrooms, an exhibition room, a museum, and an archive-room. According to leadarchitect Karen Khoudikian, the open space of the project is designed especially to facilitateoutdoor events for up to 700 participants (including portable seats). Several offices andadditional rooms will be built on the second floor of the Cathedral.

The successful progression of the construction of the Cathedral demonstrates our collectivepassion and resolve for the speedy completion of this magnificent church in the WesternDiocese.

The Cathedral is primarily being built to cater to the increasing spiritual needs of our largepopulation of faithful in the area and beyond. According to one of our Church Fathers, JohnYerzengatsi: Those who attend church and witness the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and listen to the words of the Holy Bible and ask for penitence become worthy to see Christ.

The Cathedral will become the gathering ground for the faithful of the Diocese, where they willattain the worthiness to see Christ, as suggested by the luminary clergyman centuries ago.

The Word of God, the redemptive message of the Holy Bible, is spread through word of mouth,faith, confession of faith, and spirituality. The construction of the Cathedral under the leadershipof the Primate of the Western Diocese will strengthen the Diocese to become more involved in

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Western Diocese of The Armenian Church of North America 3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank

(818) 558-7474

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