Reverend Joseph D. Matossian

GLENDALE, CA – The ANCA-Western Region announced today that Reverend Joseph D. Matossian will be honored with its Khrimian Hayrig Award at this year’s Annual Banquet on October 28 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. The award is given by the ANCA-WR to clerical figures who have devoted their lives to the Armenian nation, in the spirit of the award’s inimitable namesake.

“To be recognized for my service is an honor for which I am grateful to the ANCA-WR. Through our collective, steadfast pursuit of a better and just life for our community, I have no doubt that we will be successful,” said Rev. Matossian.

A man of great conviction, Rev. Matossian has served his people through his church for over four decades. He was the senior pastor of the Armenian Brotherhood Bible Church in Pasadena, California, where he was one of the founding members. From 1994 to 2004, he was the senior pastor at Emmanuel Armenian Congregational Church in Downey, California, where he served for almost 23 years. In 2004, he was elected to serve as Minister to the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America (AEUNA) for a four year term and was then reelected in 2008.

A founding board member of the Armenian Bible College, Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School, and the Armenian Gospel Mission (AGM), Rev. Matossian’s lifelong commitment to education and to helping families in need cannot be underestimated. In addition to the myriad responsibilities he has selflessly undertaken, Rev. Matossian also serves on the Corporate Board of Armenia Fund, Inc. of Southern California.

“The Khrimian Hayrig Award represents an acknowledgment of exemplary service and devotion to the Armenian people as a religious leader. Rev. Matossian personifies this special type of service and devotion and has done so throughout his life,” said ANCA-WR Co-Chair Nora Hovsepian. “We are happy to be honoring such a deserving individual with this award.”

The 2012 ANCA-WR Annual Banquet is the premiere gathering for Armenian American political leaders and activists, will take place on Sunday, October 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. To reserve seats, visit ancawr.org/banquet. For all other inquiries, please call 818-533-8587.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.