Bishop John Harvey Taylor of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles (in red vestments at front center right) is pictured among the clergy taking part in the 2021 ecumenical prayer service hosted by the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America at St. Leon’s Cathedral in Burbank. At the Dec. 6, 2022 service, Taylor, who will be honored as “ecumenist of the year,” will also preach. Photo: Western Diocese
[The Episcopal News] At the invitation of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, Bishop John Harvey Taylor will preach at the Dec. 6 12th Annual Ecumenical Prayer Service set for 7 p.m. at St. Leon Ghevontiants Cathedral, 3325 N. Glen Oaks Blvd., Burbank.
Taylor will be honored as “‘Ecumenist of the Year’ for his vast contributions to the ecumenical life of the community,” the Western Diocese noted in announcing the service, which is scheduled to be livestreamed via the Western Diocese website.
Musical offerings, anchored by the St. Leon Cathedral choir, will include selections by a quartet from All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena, conducted by its music director, Weicheng Zhao.
St. Leon Ghevontiants Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, Burbank. Photo: Western Diocese
Local faith leaders gathering with Derderian and Taylor to engage the service’s theme of ecumenical collaboration will include Father John Bakas, dean of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles; the Rev. Linda Culbertson, general presbyter of the Presbytery of the Pacific, Presbyterian Church USA; the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, former general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Christ; Cor-Bishop Bet Rasho of St. Mary Assyrian Church of the East; the Rev. Hendrik Shanazarian, minister of the Armenian Evangelical Union; Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, ecumenical and interreligious officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles; and Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, vice-moderator of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches.
Coordinating service arrangements is Hayk Madoyan, ecumenical officer of the Western Diocese.