Hovnan Derderian

, Catholicos of All Armenians. Following his orientation Derderian attended Oxford University in England, where in 1983 he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Theology. After a year lecturing at the Seminary in Etchmiadzin, Derderien was appointed pastor of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Toronto, Canada, where he served for six years. In appreciation for his services he was honored with an Encyclical by His Holiness Vazken I in 1986.

In 1987 Derderien received his Master's Degree in Theology from Oxford University, and was rasied to the rank of "Dzairakuyn Vartabed." In 1990 he was elected Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church on Canada, and later the same year, was ordained as a Bishop by His Holiness Vazken I in the Cathedral of St. Etchmiadzin. On February 18, 1993 he was made an Archbishop, and was reelected as Primate of Canada in 1995 and again in 2000. During his tenure in Canada, he initiated many important missions in support of the newly independent Republic of Armenia, including CYMA - the Canadian Youth Mission to Armenia which he founded in 1992 in cooperation with a group of young volunteers within the community led by university student Ronald Alepian.

On May 3, 2003 Derderian was elected Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America by the 76th Annual Assembly.

References

* [http://armenianchurchwd.com/archbishop/index.php Biography from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America web site]
* [http://www.armenianchurchwd.com Website of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America]
* [http://www.armenianchurch.org Website of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin]