Archbishop Hovnan Derderian

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, named Vahram at his baptism, was born on December 1, 1957 in Beirut, Lebanon.

• 1970: At the age of 13, Vahram attended the theological seminary of the Cilician Catholicosate, in Bik­faya; Lebanon and graduated from the seminary in 1975.
• 1976: He traveled to Etchmiadzin, Armenia to continue his theological studies at the Gevorkian se­minary.
• 1980: Vahram completed his studies at the Gevorkian seminary. He was ordained as a celibate priest by His Holiness Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, and was renamed Hovnan.
• In the same year, by the recommendation of His Holiness Vasken I, Very Rev. Father Hovnan travelled to Oxford University, England, to enhance his studies in the theological field.
• 1983: Upon graduating from the Oxford Theological School, Very Rev. Father Hovnan obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Theology. In the same year, he retuned to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and began teaching the following subjects; Armenian Church History, General Church History and liturgical music. In addition to his teaching assignments, he worked on his doctoral thesis in theology, by comprising an in-depth study on the topic, "Guides to Church Feasts."
• 1984: Very Rev. Father Hovnan is elevated to the rank of a Vartabed (Doctor of Theology).
• During the same year, he was appointed pastor of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Toronto, Canada. He served the Toronto community for the following 6 years. Through his efforts, the Armenian Church Youth Organization of Canada (ACYOC) was re-established and became an active and vibrant group.
• 1987: Very Rev. Father Hovnan organized the consecration of the newly built church, which was conducted by His Holiness Vazken I. In addition, he received a Master's Degree in Theology from Oxford University. Also, on the occasion of the conferment of the rank of Dzairakuyn Vartabed, he presented and published a work entitled "A Practical Manual of Pastoral Theology."
• 1990: On May 25-26, during the meeting of Diocesan Delegates held in St. Catharine's, Ontario, Very Rev. Father Hovnan Derderian was elected Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of Canada.
• On October 7, in the Cathedral of St. Etchmiadzin, he was ordained and consecrated as a Bishop by His Holiness Vasken I.
• 1993: February 18, His Grace was elevated to the rank of Archbishop by His Holiness Vazken I. 1995: His Eminence was re-elected as Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada for his second term.
• 2000: His Eminence was re-elected as Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada for his third term.
• The vision of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian to bring together ACYO members from the Dioceses of the world is realized as ACYO youth gather for the first time in Holy Etchmiadzin.
• 2003: On May 3, His Eminence was elected as the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America by the 76th Annual Assembly.
• 2004: Archbishop Hovnan Derderian consecrates St. Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church in Glendale. Changes are implemented in the Diocesan structure. A younger generation of professional Diocesan staff is hired.
• 2005: His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians pays Second Pontifical Visit to the Western Diocese and presides over the official opening ceremony of the “Aga-Sargsyan” Library of the Diocese. The Christian Education Department of the Western Diocese is formed. “The Voice of the Armenian Church” television program is launched.
• 1995: His Eminence was re-elected as Primate of the Armenian Church of Canada for his second term.
• 2003: On May 3, His Eminence was elected as the Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America by the 76th Annual Assembly.
• 2011: His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, honors Diocesan Primate Archbishop Hovnan Derderian with the honorary medal of the second rank for services contributed to the Motherland.