Unprecedented Western Diocese Survey Offers New Insights into Parish Life

BURBANK — The Western Diocese of the Armenian Church has completed an unprecedented survey of its parish communities, held between May and July 2026, offering a broad, data-driven picture of the faith, experiences, priorities, and engagement of parishioners across the diocese.

More than 1,100 people participated in the survey from Western Diocese parish communities throughout California, as well as Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Respondents included both dues-paying members and the broader constituency of parishioners who worship and participate in the life of the Church.

The survey explored a wide range of areas, including personal faith and spiritual life, worship and preaching, parish membership and belonging, pastoral ministry, Parish Councils, community engagement, volunteering, and parish programs and activities.

“This research represents an unprecedented undertaking in the Armenian Church,” said Dr. Hratch Tchilingirian, Director of Institutional Innovation at the Diocese and principal investigator of the research. “To my knowledge, no Armenian diocese—or the Armenian Church more broadly—has previously conducted a parish survey of this scope, which examines so many dimensions of religious and community life across an entire diocese.” He explained that beyond measuring participation, the study sought to understand how parishioners experience their faith and their Church and what they value in parish life.

In the coming months, the survey results will be analyzed and shared through public presentations, parish community discussions, and publications.

“This first-of-its-kind research gives us an opportunity to listen carefully to the voices of our parishioners and to better understand their spiritual and community needs,” said Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese. “The findings will be an important resource for the Diocese and our parishes as we develop future programs and initiatives and continue building vibrant, welcoming, and Christ-centered parish communities throughout the Western United States.”

As the Western Diocese prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027, the preliminary findings offer a timely snapshot of parish life, revealing communities characterized by strong faith and attachment to the Armenian Church.. At the same time, the survey identifies opportunities to strengthen spiritual formation, parish life, pastoral ministry, leadership and communication, and community participation.