GLENDALE, CA — Rev. Fr. Hovhannes Hovhannisian, the former priest of the historic Dadivank Monastery in Artsakh and currently serving at the Yerablur Military Pantheon in Armenia, will participate in the “United for Artsakh” rally and march on Sunday, November 8, 2026, in Glendale.
Fr. Hovhannes will offer prayers and bless participants with the Holy Cross of Dadivank Monastery, bringing a powerful spiritual connection to Artsakh and its centuries-old Armenian Christian heritage.
Known for his steadfast service at Dadivank following the 2020 Artsakh War, Fr. Hovhannes became a prominent symbol of the Armenian spiritual presence in the historic monastery. His current ministry at Yerablur, the final resting place of Armenian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in defense of the homeland, further connects his pastoral service to the sacrifices and national struggles of the Armenian people.
The community-wide gathering will focus on the release of Armenian prisoners and hostages held in Azerbaijan, the right of return for Artsakh’s forcibly displaced Armenian population, the protection and restitution of Armenian cultural and religious heritage, and support for the continued political and collective rights of the people of Artsakh.
The rally will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, at the intersection of Artsakh Street and Broadway in Glendale. Participants will then proceed in a silent march to St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church on Central Avenue, where a candlelight vigil will be held.
Fr. Hovhannes’ participation, together with the Holy Cross of Dadivank, will add a solemn spiritual dimension to the gathering, reaffirming the enduring connection between the Armenian people, their faith, and their ancestral homeland of Artsakh.
For event information and RSVP, visit UnitedForArtsakh.org.
