With deep sorrow, the Eastern Diocese mourns the loss of His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the former and longtime Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, who passed away on December 18 in California, at age 92.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1930, and a member of the Brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin, Archbishop Hovsepian was honored during his final years as the eldest clergyman in the Armenian Church. But throughout his entire ministry—which encompassed seven decades—he stood as an example, for clergy and laymen alike, of that blend of piety, resolve, determination, and love for the people which characterizes the priestly vocation at its best.
Vatche Srpazan’s distinguished service intersected at many points with the Eastern Diocese, most notably through his service as pastor of Holy Cross Church in Union City, NJ, where he is still dearly remembered.
But he left his greatest mark, of course, on the Western Diocese. “There he was a genuine trailblazer, leading the Diocese to great heights, expanding its reach, and laying the groundwork for brilliant achievements of the future. He was fearless in taking on ever-greater challenges—and his execution of those challenges was marked by an admirable striving for substance and quality,” wrote Eastern Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan in an announcement to Diocesan leaders this week.
The Primate went on: “He remained, first and foremost, a humble servant of our Lord, and our church was fortunate to enjoy his leadership at a critical time. His wisdom, vision, and diligence brought honor to the Western Diocese, to the sister dioceses of North America, to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Armenian Church as a whole.”
Funeral arrangements for Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian will be as follows: The Divine Liturgy and final anointing will take place on Wednesday, December 28, at 9 a.m. PST, at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral in Burbank, CA. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, will be the celebrant. Interment will follow, after which a memorial luncheon will be held at the Western Diocesan Center.
Memorial donations may be made to “Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian Camp,” c/o the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church (3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank, CA 91504).
Representing the Eastern Diocese and its Primate, Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, at the December 28 funeral will be Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director.
Please consult the website of the Western Diocese for information on Vatche Srpazan’s life and ministry. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin released a brief video remembering Vatch Srpazan, which gives a sense of the forceful yet fatherly personality that endeared him to several generations of Armenian faithful. Click here to watch it.
We convey our profound condolences to Archbishop Hovsepian’s family, loved ones, and the many faithful who benefitted from his long leadership of our church. May our risen Lord Jesus Christ remember his faithful servant Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian on the great day of his judgment.