GLENDALE—On January 25, the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) officially opened a branch office in Glendale, California, located at 1101 North Pacific Avenue, in the heart of the Armenian Community of the Greater Los Angeles area.
Over 80 people attended the opening ceremony. The guests included AMAA Board members, AEUNA Pastors, Haigazian University Board members, Child and Orphan Care Committee members, representatives from the Diocese and Prelacy and members of the media and local City Council.
Levon Filian, AMAA West Coast Executive Director, welcomed the guests and thanked God for the opportunity to open an office on the West Coast. Rev. Ron Tovmassian, Senior Pastor of the United Armenian Congregational Church of Los Angeles, offered the opening prayer. Rev. Joseph Matossian brought greetings on behalf of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America and introduced the clergy guests. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, conveyed his congratulations and greetings. Rev. Father Ardak Demirjian, representing Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, Primate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, conveyed the Archbishop’s greetings. Rev. Dr. Vahan Tootikian, Executive Director of the Armenian Evangelical World Council, shared his involvement with the AMAA for over 40 years and congratulated the Board for its vision to open an office on the West Coast to better serve the Armenian Community. Rev. Mgrdich Melkonian, AMAA’s Interim Executive Director/CEO, and Dr. Joseph Zeronian, AMAA President, shared their heartfelt comments. Harut Sassounian, representing the United Armenian Fund, welcomed the AMAA as a longtime partner in serving Armenians.
Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian presented a resolution to the AMAA from the city of Los Angeles, honoring the AMAA for its extensive humanitarian and Christian ministry around the world and congratulated the AMAA for opening an office in Glendale. The closing prayers and the Lord’s Prayer were offered jointly by all the clergy present.
Following the ceremonies, the guests were invited to a reception, toured the facilities, and congratulated each other and the community for a new chapter of AMAA’s ministry and service in the Greater Los Angeles area.
