On Sunday, June 28, 2026, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, consecrated St. Hripsime and All Saints Armenian Church in Denver, the first Armenian Apostolic church in the United States to bear the name of St. Hripsime.
The parish was established in 2003 to serve Armenians across Colorado. Its first Divine Liturgy was celebrated that December by the Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian at St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church. More than two decades later, the community has its own permanent home.
The church was built without a single major benefactor. More than 200 Armenian families pooled their resources, labor, and time to create the sanctuary.
On Saturday evening, the traditional Navagadik service was held, with the Primate conducting the symbolic opening-of-the-doors rite before the closed doors of the church. The following day, hundreds gathered for the consecration and Divine Liturgy. Among those in attendance were Anna Avetisyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles; Berj Apkarian, Honorary Consul in Fresno; Tigran Muradyan, Honorary Consul in Denver; and Derik Ghookasian, Chair of the Diocesan Council of the Western Diocese.
The name carries historic weight. St. Hripsime is revered as one of Armenia’s earliest Christian martyrs, and the Cathedral of St. Hripsime in Vagharshapat has stood for centuries as one of the Armenian Church’s most important sanctuaries.
Remarks followed from the Very Rev. Fr. Yeremia Abgaryan; Consul General Avetisyan; Derik Ghookasian; and Hrant Miramanyan, Chair of the Parish Council.
The consecration reflects the broader growth of the Western Diocese. When Archbishop Derderian became Primate in 2003, the Diocese had 14 churches. Under his leadership, that number has grown to 27, ahead of the Diocese’s Centennial in 2027.
Work continues on the holy altar and the baptismal font, both expected to be completed soon.
