[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 87 (Thursday, June 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO ARCHBISHOP VATCHE HOVSEPIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2011

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor His Eminence 
Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian upon his 60th anniversary of consecration 
and ordination into the priesthood.
  Archbishop Hovsepian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, where he received 
his elementary education at the Mesrobian Armenian National School, and 
later was accepted as a postulate at the Antelias Theological Seminary. 
Upon successfully completing his studies, he was ordained Father Vatche 
Hovsepian, and served in the capacity of assistant dean and instructor 
of the Seminary.
  In 1953, Father Vatche went to England to further his theological 
studies, and was simultaneously active in the World Council of Churches 
Youth Movement. After attending the College of the Resurrection near 
Manchester, he continued his studies at the University of Edinburgh, 
Scotland. During his stay in Edinburgh, Father Vatche was a vibrant 
member of the Theological Commission. When Father Vatche was assigned 
to the Pastorate of the Holy Cross Armenian Church of Union City, New 
Jersey in 1956, he diligently continued to pursue his studies and 
obtained his Bachelor of Divinity Degree at the New Brunswick 
Theological Seminary at Rutgers University.
  Father Vatche's journey continued to Canada during the influx of 
Armenian immigrants to the region. In 1967, he was designated as 
``Bishop of Canada,'' and he immediately organized a new Diocese. 
Through the efforts, dynamism, and perseverance of the Bishop, a 
cathedral with school facilities was purchased in Montreal, Quebec.
  In 1971, Archbishop Vatche was elected as the Primate of the Armenian 
Church of North America Western Diocese. Upon attaining his new role, 
the Primate arrived at the Diocesan Headquarters, which at the time was 
a rented house in Los Angeles, California. Immediately, he began 
searching for a potential site for a cathedral, and a church was soon 
purchased in Hollywood, California. This church was later transformed 
into the St. John Armenian Cathedral, where the vast Armenian 
population living in Hollywood frequented every Sunday.
  In 1988, when the disastrous earthquake struck in Armenia, the 
Archbishop established the Orphan's Fund, through which the Diocese 
sends aid and medical supplies to the orphans in Armenia regularly. In 
addition, Archbishop Vatche was instrumental in the founding of the St. 
Gregory Alfred and Marguerite Hovsepian Armenian School in Pasadena, 
California, as well as numerous other Armenian Day Schools in the 
community. Under Archbishop Vatche's leadership and guidance, the 
Western Diocese purchased a multi-purpose complex in Burbank, 
California, where the present Diocesan Headquarters stands. Archbishop 
Vatche has also actively participated in civic issues, and has met with 
five Presidents of the United States and various religious leaders.
  I ask all Members to join me in thanking Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian 
for his selfless dedication and commitment to the Armenian community 
and wish him well in all future endeavors.

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