Church History

Christianity in Armenia can be traced back to the age of the Apostles. The Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew were the first evangelizer's of Armenia and, according to tradition, were martyred there. There is historical evidence of the existence of a Christian community and clergy in Armenia prior to the fourth century. The church historian Eusebius of Caesaria (c. 260-c.339) refers to Meruzhanes, a bishop of Armenia in the middle of the third century. It was at the beginning of the fourth century, in 301, that Christianity was first proclaimed as the official religion of Armenia. This proclamation was the result of the missionary activity of St. Gregory the Illuminator (240-332).

The fifth century historian Agathangelos recounts the works of the patron saint of the Armenian Church. St. Gregory, a relative of the Armenian king Tiridates (c. 238-314), was brought up as a Christian in Caesarea in Cappadocia. The pagan Tiridates had St. Gregory imprisoned for nearly fifteen years in Khor Virab (“deep dungeon”) in Artashat. Several years later, a group of Christian nuns, led by St. Gayane and fleeing persecution in Rome, came to Armenia. King Tiridates was attracted to one of the women, St. Hripsime, who resisted his attempts to possess her. In his anger, Tiridates had the women killed. After the martyrdom of the women, Tiridates was struck by an illness that turned the king into a wild boar. After all other attempts at curing him failed, the king’s sister St. Khosrovidoukht told her brother that only St. Gregory could cure him. Fifteen years had passed since Gregory’s imprisonment in the dungeon so he was presumed dead. But he was still alive and was released from the dungeon. Gregory cured Tiridates and converted the king and the royal family to Christianity. At this time, Gregory had still not been ordained. In 302, he left for Caesarea, which was an important see at the time, where he was ordained a bishop by Leontius, the Archbishop of Caesarea. Gregory returned to Armenia, baptized the king and the royal family, was installed as the first Catholicos, or chief bishop of Armenia, and continued to convert the Armenian people.

Another important event associated with St. Gregory was the vision that he had in Vagharshapat of Christ descending from heaven and striking the ground with a golden hammer. It is at this spot that the Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin (“the Only Begotten descended”) was built. Nearby were built the churches of St. Hripsime and Gayane, where the relics of the martyred nuns are kept.
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With the support of the royal family, Christianity was able to spread quickly throughout Armenia and within just a few centuries to permeate all aspects of Armenian life and culture. Furthermore, Armenian missionaries were sent among the Georgians and Alans, who also subsequently established their own national churches.

St. Gregory’s son, Aristakes, succeeded his father as Catholicos. Aristakes had been the representative of the Armenian Church at the Council of Nicaea (325). The Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical council, set forth the orthodox Christian doctrine of the Trinity. This doctrine is formulated in the Nicene Creed (Havadamk), which is professed every Sunday during the Divine Liturgy. Under Catholicos Nerses the Great (c. 326-373; Catholicos from 353 to 373), monasteries and various charitable institutions were first established throughout Armenia.

Our Parish

The year 1953 witnessed the formal establishment of the congregation of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church. The first membership meeting was held on October 16, 1953, where the first Board of Trustees was duly elected with the following members: Ashod Der Minassian, Lemyel Amirian, Frank Korkmazian, Garo Mootafian, Khoren Sahagian, Krikor Daigian, Armen Bazikian and Suren Saroyan. The board then called upon the assistance of several active ladies to form a Ladies’ Auxiliary. The first Divine Liturgy was held on December 27, 1953, in the Serbian church, and Reverend Father Yeghishe Mkitarian, a visiting priest from Fresno, celebrated the service. Mr. Krikor Krouzian directed the choir and Mr. Movses Markarian acted as the deacon.

The Board of Trustees felt the need to energize the Armenian youth and bring them closer to the church. In 1954, The Young Armenian Christian League (YACL) was formed under the guidance of the Board of Trustees. Thirty-four youth joined this group. The YACL members were also members of the choir organized and led by Mr. Krouzian, in whose home the rehearsals regularly took place. The choir also created an opportunity for social interaction among young couples who were introduced to one another, some of whom were fortunate enough to find their marital partners.

In 1954, with the approval of the general membership meeting, the Board of Trustees appointed a building committee whose prime consideration would be the acquisition of a site suitable for a church. The members appointed were: Messrs. George Mardikian, Lemyel Amirian, Krikor Krouzian, Vahram Haroutounian, Armen Bazikian, Avedis Karageozian, Shavarsh Mazakian, and Sam Harrison.

In 1955, after a long and arduous search, the Building Committee submitted four sites for consideration: (1) Jackson and Laguna Streets (2) 14th Avenue and Balboa St. (3) 19th Avenue and Judah St. (4) 51 Commonwealth Avenue.

In the interim, and with great difficulties, arrangements were made with the American Episcopalian, Greek, Syrian and Yugoslav churches in which to celebrate our church services. It is with a deep sense of gratitude that we recall the leadership and kind assistance given to us in those trying days by the Board of Trustees, and the priests who conducted the church services from various Armenian church communities, including Father Yeghishe Mkitraian from Fresno, Father Ashod Minassian from Los Angeles, Father Kourken Koudoukian from Los Angeles, and Father Papken Kasparian from Fresno. These priests came alternately every month to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in one of the above-mentioned churches.

The need for our own church property reached a crucial point. After an extensive research and study by the Building Committee and Board of Trustees, their findings were presented to the general membership meeting and it was suggested that 51 Commonwealth Avenue would be best suited for St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco.

In 1956, the membership meeting approved the purchase of the Commonwealth property for $67,500. The building already had a large library that could accommodate 120 people, a kitchen, and a number of other rooms that could house all the sister organizations and a few classrooms.

The Board of Trustees decided to temporarily convert the library into a church. Father Vahrich Shirinian was invited to assume the responsibilities of the permanent pastor. He moved to San Francisco with his family in June of 1957. His first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the temporary quarters of the building on June 9, 1957. Father Vahrich and other parishioners took it upon themselves to transform the library into a chapel and on November 24, 1957, the first service was celebrated in the “church”.

The general membership meeting, after hearing the reports of the Board of Trustees and the Building Committee, along with all the sister organizations, voted to adjunct with the Holy See of Cilicia. By a special decree (Gontag) from His Holiness Zareh I, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church officially came under the spiritual and administrative authority of the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia.

Meanwhile, the building committee continued its work in fundraising through banquets and various events to raise funds to pay off loans to build our church. Father Shirinian was assigned to the Encino Parish, and Father Nareg Shirikian then assumed the duties of our church. Immediately after his arrival, Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian (then Prelate of America) presided over a new building committee for building the church: President Krikor Krouzian; Secretary Sarkis Sarkisian; Treasurer Suren Saroyan; Carl Zekarian and Violet Goliti as advisors. On April 19, 1964, ground blessing services were performed by Archbishop Hrant Khachadourian, and Archpriest Nareg Shirikian with sixteen Godparents of our church. The foundation consecration took place on August 15, 1965. Mr. Tigran Kirakossian, who was a well-known authority on authentic Armenian Church architecture, prepared the design of our church, and construction began the latter part of August 1965. This began the official construction of the church on the adjoining garden to the property.

As the community grew, the need for an Armenian Community Center and school became a necessity in order to preserve our language and culture. Another loan was secured from the bank, and the purchase of the property at 825 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco became the new location for the center. Through the tireless efforts of Archpriest Datev Kaloustian, who was our pastor for 26 years, and the new fund-raising committee, headed by Leo Donian, bingo games, and donations from the parish, along with generous donations from Krikor and Melina Krouzian, Carl Zekarian, the first Armenian Day School opened its doors on September 1980, along with the new community social hall. The school was named, The Krouzian-Zekarian Elementary School, and through additional generous donations by Suren and Naomi Saroyan, the social hall was called The Saroyan Hall.

Enrollment in the school necessitated the enlargement of the premises, and through the generous donation of Hratch Tarpinian, and another loan from the bank, a second floor was built, which was named, The Vasbouragan Middle School. Through the dedicated efforts of the Bingo Committee and all those who participated in fundraising, and especially by Hank and Rita Khatchaturian, the mortgage was burned and the community center was then named The Khatchaturian Armenian Community Center.

It is here that great accolades must be given to the Board of Trustees and the Ladies Auxiliary of our church who have worked side by side with the Pastors and the various committees since the beginning and throughout the years, for the benefits of our church, hall and school, because without their tireless and very dedicated efforts none of this would have been nearly possible. Their charitable and unselfish devotion towards the church is unparalleled. Their compassionate sacrifices and love for its preservation and continuity is a shining example for all of us and for the future generation.

Under the spiritual guidance of our new Pastor, Very Rev. Papken Tcharian (now Prelate of Canada) our community experienced a renaissance of commitment and spirituality, and on December 31, 2000, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church was finally debt free for the third time!

Soon after many renovations of the church and center were made: the painting of the exterior and interior of the church, a handicap access ramp to the church entryway, renovations of the hall’s restrooms and floors, and landscaping. On the occasion of the 1700th Anniversary of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia, a youth choir, named “Shoghagat”, was started which participated with the regular church choir, and performed especially for His Holiness Aram I, when he visited our community in October of 2000. Through the generous donation of Hank and Rita Khachaturian, a beautiful “khatch Kar” was erected in the church courtyard in dedication to the memory of their parents.

It was during this time that our church had the honor of participating with the Bay Area Armenian community in the establishment of the Mt. Davidson Cross as memorial to the Genocide of the Holy Martyrs of 1915, and we continue in its committee.

Today, under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirosian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, our community has St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, the Krouzian-Zekarian Elementary School, the Vasbouragan Middle School, The Khachatourian Armenian Community Center and the Saroyan Hall, of all of which we can be justifiably proud. Our church and school, the two basic foundations of the San Francisco Armenian Community, have provided us with both a spiritual and intellectual light. Their light has woven and molded our granite-like will and indestructible character.

We were fortunate in having Archpriest Khoren Habeshian become our Pastor, after coming out of a six-year retirement to serve our church. until a permanent pastor became available. With his kind and loving leadership, we were able to carry on until recently a Vartabed was sent to us from Antelias, Lebanon, Very Reverend Barouyr Shernezian who enthusiastically serves our church today, and has reopened the doors of our Sunday School by the help of dedicated parents from within our community.

Our mission is far from finished. We marked the 50th Anniversary of the building and consecration of our church, and as we look to the future, we must strengthen our resolve to involve our younger generation in church and community life. We must inspire our parents and young adults to carry the torch, which has lighted our way through the centuries and continues to foster the nourishment of our spiritual path for generations to come.

May God strengthen our path and light our way with His Will to a new future, with new resolve, with new horizons, and with the love of our community.

His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia

His Holiness Aram I was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1947. He studied at the Armenian Theological Seminary in Antelias, the Near East School of Theology in Lebanon, the American University of Beirut, the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey in Switzerland and at Fordham University in New York. His major areas of specialization are philosophy, systematic theology and Near Eastern Church history. He holds an M. Div., an S.T.M., a Ph.D. and several honorary degrees. 

Catholicos Aram I was ordained as a celibate priest in 1968. Two years later he obtained the title of Vartabed, or Doctor of the Armenian Church. Late in 1978, while studying at Fordham University, he was elected Locum Tenens for the Diocese of Lebanon and a year later became the Primate of Lebanon. In 1980 he received an Episcopal ordination. Called to serve as the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Lebanon at a critical period in Lebanon’s history, His Holiness has made the following priorities the basic objectives of his pastoral work: reorganizing parishes and schools, reactivating social and church organizations, renewing community leadership and encouraging dialogue between the Christian and Muslim communities.

0n June 28, 1995 he was elected Catholicos by the Electoral Assembly of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia. He was consecrated in July of 1995. During his many years of service, His Holiness has displayed a wide range of interests and assumed important responsibilities in the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, as well as in the worldwide ecumenical movement. For many years he lectured on Armenological and theological subjects at the Armenian Seminary and at the Haigazian University in Lebanon. In addition to numerous articles he has authored in Armenian, English and French (some of which have been translated into Arabic, German, Spanish and Swedish), His Holiness Aram I has authored the following works:

• Nerses the Gracious: Theologian and Ecumenist, 1974, Beirut

• The Witness of the Armenian Church in a Diaspora Situation, 1978, New York

• The True Image of the Armenian Church, 1979, Antelias

• With the Will of Re-Building, 1983, Beirut

• The Christian Witness at the Crossroads in the Middle East, 1980, Nicosia

• With the People, 1989, Beirut

• Conciliar Fellowship: a Common Goal, 1991, Geneva

• Orthodox Perspectives on Mission, 1992, Oxford

• Nerses the Gracious and Church Unity, 1996, Antelias

• Towards an Ecumenical Ethic for a Sustainable Society in a Sustainable Creation, 1994, Geneva

• The Incarnation of the Gospel in Cultures: A Missionary Event, 1995, Beirut

• Towards 1700th Anniversary of the Christianization of Armenia, 1996, Antelias

• The Church and Ethnicity, 1996, Antelias

• The Challenge to be a Church in a Changing World, 1997, New York

• Jesus Christ: the Son of God- the Son of Man, 1999, Antelias

• Church, Nation and Homeland, 1999, Antelias

• In Search of Ecumenical Vision, 2000, Antelias

• L’eglise Face aux Grands Défis, 2000, Antelias

• The Armenian Church Beyond the 1700th Anniversary, Antelias

• The Mission of Faith, 2003, Antelias

• Justice, Paix, Reconciliation, 2003, Antelias

• The Christian Witness at the Crossroads in the Middle East. (3rd Edition)

• Der Zor: A National Sanctuary, 2005, Antelias, three editions

• The Dignity of Serving, 2005, Antelias

• For a Church Beyond its Walls, 2006, Antelias

• Pour un Monde Transformè, 2006, Antelias

• Dialogue with Youth, 2009, Montreal

• Life Must be Enriched by Values, 2009, Antelias

• A Journey of Faith, Hope and Vision, 2010, Antelias

• Taking the Church to the People, 2011, Antelias

• The Armenian Church, in progress

From 1972 to 1995, Catholicos Aram I served as the General Secretary for the Ecumenical Relations of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. In this position, he represented the Catholicosate at major ecumenical conferences and assemblies in different parts of the world.

His Holiness, in 1974, was one of the founding members of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). From the creation of the MECC he has served on the Council’s Executive Committee. As delegate of his Church, he attended the Nairobi (1975), Vancouver (1983), Canberra (1991) and Harare (1998) Assemblies of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

In 1975, His Holiness was elected as a member of the Faith and 0rder Commission of the WCC and in 1983 as a member of the Standing Committee of the same Commission. At the Vancouver Assembly, His Holiness was elected as a member of the Central Committee of the WCC. Later, at the Canberra Assembly, he was elected as Moderator of the Central and Executive Committees of this global and prestigious fellowship of churches. The WCC includes in its membership more than 350 churches from different confessions, cultures, nations and regions. His Holiness is the first 0rthodox and the youngest person to be elevated to such an important position in the WCC.

After serving a seven-year term as Moderator of the WCC, His Holiness was unanimously reelected at the Harare Assembly in December of 1998 for a new seven-year term. The reelection of His Holiness, which was based on his strong leadership, firm commitment, theological knowledge and administrative experience, is unprecedented in the history of the WCC. His Holiness completed his tenure as Moderator of the WCC in 2006 at the General Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Besides his important responsibilities in the WCC, Catholicos Aram I has also been a founding or active member of several international committees and organizations, such as: an honorary member of Pro 0riente, a Roman Catholic ecumenical foundation based in Vienna, as well as a member of its Standing Committee; a founding member of 0riental 0rthodox-Eastern 0rthodox Theological Dialogue; 0riental 0rthodox-Reformed Dialogue; 0rthodox ¬Evangelical Dialogue; and an honorary president of the international organizations “World Religion’s Museum” Foundation and World Religions for Peace; a member of International Committee for the Protection of Religious Sites. His Holiness has been instrumental in creating the Standing Committee of the Three Heads of the 0riental 0rthodox Churches in the Middle East (Coptic, Syrian, Armenian) and has played a pivotal role in initiating major theological dialogues and ecumenical encounters. Since 2005, His Holiness has played an instrumental role in re-organizing the Christian-Muslim Committee of the MECC, and in preparing the International Inter-Religious Conference organized by the WCC. In November of 2007, His Holiness was elected as President of the Middle East Council of Churches. Furthermore, He has brought significant contributions as a key note speaker and Moderator to the G8 Inter-Religious Summits.

In the last several years His Holiness has played a significant role in promoting inter-faith dialogue among Christians and Muslims. He has chaired and lectured at Christian-Muslim international conferences in Beirut, Geneva, Brussels and in London. 0n several occasions, His Holiness Aram I has given public lectures on Armenian, ecumenical and theological themes in various countries and in international circles. His CV appears in the Who’s Who in the World, in the International Directory of Distinguished Leaders and in many international directories and publications.

In a relatively short period of time (1995-2003), His Holiness Aram I has achieved the following:

He has reorganized and revitalized the work of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, particularly in the following domains: the Theological Seminary, the Department of Christian Education, the Department of Publications, the Department for Ecumenical Relations, the Department of Communications the Department of Youth, the construction of the ‘Cilicia’ Museum, the development of the church’s’ cultural and social activities.

He has brought a new dynamism into the Catholicosate-Dioceses relationship as well as into the internal life of each diocese by establishing a new and more positive working style. He has paid pontifical visits to all the Dioceses of the Catholicosate in the Middle East, Europe, North America and South America.

He has paid particular attention to the ecumenical relations of the Catholicosate by establishing a special department for ecumenical and inter-religious relations. He has encouraged clergy and laity to take part in the ecumenical movement, establishing close personal relations with world church leaders, hosting many church leaders and holding important ecumenical meetings.

In the area of infrastructure, His Holiness has realized a number of projects: construction of new buildings for bishops and monks; construction of a guesthouse and new offices; construction of a new section in the Catholicosate for archival materials, and renovation of the Seminary and the Catholicosate headquarters.

In the context of international relations, His Holiness has met a number of heads of states, political leaders and representatives of international organizations.

With his vision and commitment, His Holiness Aram I has made the Catholicosate of Cilicia a living center of reflection, action and dialogue.

THE ARMENIAN CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA The spiritual heritage of the Armenian Church and the historical memory of the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia have shaped the mission of the Catholicosate, which today embraces various dimensions and spheres of the life of the Armenian people.

THE ARMENIAN DIASPORA Throughout its history, and especially in difficult times, the Catholicosate has been actively present in the religious, educational, cultural and social life of the Armenian people. After the 1915 Genocide, it contributed crucially to the formation and organization of the Armenian Diaspora.

THEOLOGICAL FORMATION The Theological Seminary has played a pivotal role in the witness of the Catholicosate. Many teachers, married priests, monks, bishops and catholicoi have graduated from the Seminary and have served the Armenian Church and nation in an exemplary spirit of Christian dedication and witness.

DIAKONIA/SOCIAL SERVICES The Catholicosate has contributed significantly to the development of social services. It has not only encouraged social projects at the diocesan level, it has also initiated important social projects, mainly in Lebanon, Syria and Greece. It directly administered the Birds’ Nest 0rphanage in Jbeil, the Sanatorium, the popular housing project and the homes for elderly in Lebanon, Syria and Greece.

CULTURAL LIFE The Catholicosate promotes Armenian spiritual and cultural values as witnessed by its recent construction of a Museum and by its well-stocked Library. Its publishing house, which produces numerous titles every year, has established many important book fairs, conferences, seminars, cultural gatherings and concerts.

ECUMENICAL RELATIONS Since 1950’s ecumenism has been a major concern of the work of the Catholicosate. Its lay and clergy representatives participate actively in the meetings and conferences of the World Council of Churches (WCC).The ecumenical engagement of the Catholicosate was given a more organized form after 1962, when it became a member of this world family of churches. During the General Assembly in Nairobi, in 1975, Bishop Karekin Sarkissian (the late Catholicos of Etchmiadzin) was elected as a Vice-Moderator of the Central Committee (a position he held until 1983). At the 7th General Assembly in Canberra, in 1991, Archbishop Aram Keshishian (His Holiness Aram I), became the first 0rthodox, the first Middle Easterner and the youngest person ever to be elected Moderator of the Central and Executive Committees. His Holiness was re-elected at the 8th Assembly of the World Council of Churches in Harare, Zimbabwe, in 1998, and served in this capacity for an unprecedented 15 years until 2006.

THE ARMENIAN CAUSE Itself a victim of the Armenian Genocide, the Catholicosate was a key player in bringing the Armenian Cause to the attention of the world at large. It also worked to build its own people’s awareness of the Genocide.

THE MIDDLE EASTERN CONTEXT Having its headquarters in the Arab world, the Catholicosate has participated fully in the major events of this region. It has taken part in the struggle for independence of the Arab countries, mainly in Lebanon and Syria. It has strongly supported a just, comprehensive and permanent solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Being a firm believer and defender of co-existence and dialogue, the Catholicosate has taken part in all efforts aimed at creating and strengthening a shared and harmonious common life among religions, societies, cultures and civilizations in the Middle East.

Reverend Father Artsakh Badoyan

Parish Priest Of St. Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church

Արժանապատիւ Տէր Արցախ Քահանայ Պատոյեան ծնած է՝ 30 Մայիս 1983-ին, Պէյրութ, Լիբանան։ 1995-էն 2001 թուականը ուսանած է Մեծի Տանն Կիլիկիոյ Կաթողիկոսութեան Դպրեվանքէն ներս։ 2007-էն 2020 թուականը ծառայած է Սան Ֆրանսիսքոյի Ս.Գրիգոր Լուսաւորիչ եկեղեցւոյ ծխական համայնքին մէջ` որպէս մնայուն սարկաւագ եւ եկեղեցւոյ գրասենեակէն ներս որպէս Հոգեւոր Հովիւի օգնական։ Ան ունի Պսակաւոր Արուեստից վկայական եւ ներկայիս կ՚աշխատի ամբողջացնելու իր Մաքիստրոսի վկայականը։

2021-ի Յունուար 24-ին Լաս Վեկասի Ս. Կարապետ Եկեղեցւոյ մէջ Տէր Արցախ իր քահանայական օծումը ստացաւ ձերամբ՝ Գերշ. Տ. Թորգոմ Ս. Եպս. Տօնոյեանին։ 2024 թուականին, Սան Ֆրանսիսքոյի Ս. Գրիգոր Լուսաւորիչ Եկեղեցւոյ վարչակազմը, ծխական համայնքին անունով, Տէր Արցախը որպէս հոգեւոր հովիւ ունենալու պաշտօնական խնդրանք կը ներկայացնէ Ազգային Առաջնորդարան։ Կիրակի, 26 Մայիս 2024-ին, նախագահութեամբ Արեւմտեան Թեմի բարեջան Առաջնորդ՝ Գերշ. Տ. Գեղամ Խաչերեանին, Արժ. Տ. Արցախ Քհնյ. Պատոյեան իր անդրանիկ Ս. Պատարագը կը մատուցէ Սան Ֆրանսիսքոյի Ս. Գրիգոր Լուսաւորիչ Եկեղեցւոյ մէջ, որպէս ծխական համայնքին 12-րդ հոգեւոր հովիւը։

Rev. Fr. Artsakh Badoyan is born on May 30, 1983, in Beirut, Lebanon. In 1995, he was admitted to the Seminary of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and received his religious education for 6 years. From 2007 until 2020, he served at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of San Francisco as the parish's permanent Deacon and the church office's administrator. He holds a BA in Communication Studies from San Francisco State University and is currently working to obtain a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Rev. Fr. Badoyan was ordained as a married priest in Las Vegas St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church on January 24, 2021, by His Grace Bishop Torkom Donoyan. In early 2024, a formal transfer request to San Francisco was submitted for Rev. Fr. Artsakh Badoyan by St. Gregory church parish leadership to the Western Prelacy. Subsequently, Rev. Fr. Badoyan was assigned as the 12th Pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco, and he offered the inaugural Divine Liturgy on Sunday, May 26, 2024, presided over by Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy.