LOS ANGELES — A group of faithful from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church gathered today outside the Diocese offices to express anger and demand clear answers from church leadership.
Protesters said they directly approached Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan and asked where he stands—whether he supports His Holiness the Catholicos or, in the protesters’ words, “the traitors.” The posts claim Fr. Shahbazyan declined to answer and said he did not want to speak on that issue.
Demonstrators also criticized the continued absence of the Diocese’s Primate, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, saying he was not present today and that they were told he had traveled to San Jose to celebrate Badarak. The posts added a sarcastic aside noting that celebrities were arriving in the region for the Super Bowl at nearby Santa Clara, calling the timing a “brilliant coincidence,” and ending with a jab about whether the Primate is a fan of the “winning team” or the “losing team.”
The protest underscores rising frustration among believers who say silence from leadership has become unacceptable and who insist the Diocese must publicly clarify its stance and be accountable to the community.
