Archbishop Hovnan Derderian’s Recognition of Gabriel Moloyan’s 70th Anniversary of Public Service to the Community
On June 1, 2025, the Armenian community of Los Angeles gathered at the St. Leon Cathedral of the Western Diocese Church in Burbank, California. The Holy Liturgy was presided over by the Primate of the Western Diocese, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian. Also present were the Chairman of the Diocesan Council, Mr. Eric Ghukassian, with his wife, Adrine, as well as the Chairman of the Western American Governing Body of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Mehran Khatchadorian, and representatives of other Armenian-American organizations.
Halfway through the liturgy, Archbishop Derderian ascended the altar, surrounded by Father Manouk Av. Fr. Margaryan and Father Khajak Av. Fr. Shahbazian, and welcomed Gabriel Moloyan by recognizing his seventy years of public service in the community. Then Father Manouk Av. Fr. read the official letter of Prelate Hovnan, “Letter of Ordination and Appreciation to the Faithful Child of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, Venerable Gabriel Moloyan.”
Indeed, in that letter, the Archbishop emphasized, “Your entire life is characterized by the honorable stature of a skilled and enlightened journalist, editor, and educational worker. For decades, you served with exceptional dedication, first in the Middle East and then in California, in the political, educational, community, cultural, and journalistic spheres of the Armenian nation, for which you earned the respect and admiration of us all. In Lebanon, with other partners, you founded the Nor Serount Cultural Association. Upon moving to the United States, you continued to bring your useful services to the national, social, educational, and cultural spheres and skillfully held various responsible positions. You assumed the presidency of the Western United States Executive Committee of the SDHP many times. For many years, you were the Chairman of the Nor Serount Cultural Association. In 1984, with the support of a group of friends, you made a dream of having an Armenian daily school, the “Hovsepian” school, a reality, which became the lifeblood of the Armenian community in the region and, alongside the Armenian Church, of strengthening Armenian consciousness and the preservation of Armenian identity among the younger generations. In appreciation of your long-standing service to the nation, in 2005, you were awarded the Pontifical Decree of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and were awarded the Order of Saint Nerses.
In appreciation of your seven decades of tireless and dedicated service, you will now become the second person whose name will be inscribed on the marble plaque bearing the names of the centennial honorees prepared for the 100th anniversary of the Western Diocese.” At the end of his speech, Archbishop Derderian congratulated Gabriel Moloyan.
Celebration of Gabriel Moloyan’s 70th Anniversary of Public Service
On January 28, 2024, an honorary celebration of Gabriel Moloyan’s 70th anniversary of public service to the Armenian community and nation was held at the AEBU Center in Pasadena, California.
With more than 200 in attendance, the honored guests included Representative Judy Chu (28th Congressional District), Assemblymember Chris Holden (CA District 41), Pasadena City Mayor Victor Gordo, former Glendale City Mayor Vartan Gharpetian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Minister to the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America Reverend Hendrik Shanazarian, Social Democrat Hunchakian Party Central Committee Chairman Dr. Hampig Sarafian, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party Central Committee Member Dr. Raffi Balian, alongside representatives from Representative Adam Schiff’s office (30th Congressional District), representatives from State Senator Anthony Portantino’s office (CA Senate District 25), and board members from the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Organization of Istanbul Armenians, Armenian Society of Los Angeles, Armenian-American Museum and Cultural Center, Nor Serount Cultural Association, Armenian Athletic Association, and the Armenian Educational Benevolent Union.
The event’s hosts, Lena Manukian in Armenian and Harry Unell in English, chronicled Gabriel Moloyan’s lifetime of dedication and service. A brief biographical slideshow displayed the various images throughout Mr. Moloyan’s past. While speaking on behalf of Massis Weekly, Editor Krikor Khodanian focused on Mr. Moloyan’s role as an educator, cultural advocate, and journalist who never sought out titles or praise. Nor Serount Cultural Association Chairman Harut Der-Tavitian provided interesting anecdotes of Mr. Moloyan’s hard work and commitment to his duties and responsibilities. Mr. Der-Tavtian emphasized that the “Healthy Mind Healthy Body” ideal was manifest in Mr. Moloyan’s daily life. Further, Armenian Athletic Association Chairman Vartan Kojababian presented a plaque of appreciation and thanks to Mr. Moloyan’s service to the organization.
The evening would not be complete without a cultural component. A poetry reading was performed by Ani Marselian of Malkhasyan’s “Have You Not Been In Armenia”. The gifted singer Suzy Mazmanian performed Berberians “For Him” and Ayvazian’s “Armenia” accompanied by Isabel Kayayan on piano.
Mr. Moloyan gave his closing remarks and expressed his gratitude to the guests, attendees, organizers of the event, and his long time fellow volunteers. He expressed his concerns at the stagnation of the volunteer spirit in the diaspora and beckoned his fellow Armenian-Americans to organize and advocate for the community. Notably, Mr. Moloyan emphasized the importance of preserving our identity and to remain steadfast in our democratic ideals.