Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
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Archbishop Hovnan Derderian (born December 1, 1957) is the youngest Armenian clergyman to have been elevated to the rank of Archbishop. Born in Beirut, Derderian studied at the Antelias Seminary and the Seminary of the Holy See in Etchmiadzin, Armenia. Upon his graduation in 1980 he was ordained a celibate priest by His Holiness Vazken I, 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. On May 3, 2003 Derderian was elected Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America by the 76th Annual Assembly.
