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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
September 8, 2005
"AVAKS" SENIORS GROUP READY TO BEGIN NEW YEAR OF ACTIVITIES AT ST.
VARTAN CATHEDRAL
The "Avaks" senior citizens group at New York City's St. Vartan
Cathedral will begin a new season of activities at noon on Thursday,
September 15, 2005.
Held every Thursday at noon, the group meets first in St. Vartan
Cathedral for Bible study then heads down to the Cathedral complex's
Guild Hall for a delicious lunch, which is topped off with an
interesting program, all organized by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.
Vartan Cathedral.
Before their break for the summer, the Avaks had a dynamic year
jam-packed with activities, including: lectures, films, trips, parties,
and picnics. Guest lecturers last year included: visiting Archbishop
from Etchmiadzin Nerses Bozabalian; the then newly-ordained priest Fr.
Bedros Kadehjian; a psychologist from the Republic of Armenia, Dr.
Khachadour Gasparyan; and journalist Florence Avakian. The weekly
gatherings also sometimes featured musical presentations by guests such
as St. Vartan Cathedral choirmaster Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, singer
Maro Partamian, and pianists Anna Mintanciyan and Jeannette Chirikjian.
Occasionally the seniors were taught light exercise techniques by
fitness instructor Arpine Dod. The group also saw many interesting
films and videos last year, such as Henri Verneuil's memorable "Mayrig"
and the award-winning "Aram Khatchaturian."
But the seniors didn't just stay at the Cathedral. Last season saw them
taking several interesting trips. They had a three-day retreat at the
Diocesan Ararat Center in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York in
both the fall and the spring. They also went to Lancaster, PA, for the
much-anticipated musical show "Noah." An all-day trip to Philadelphia
included a tour of the historic sites and the Genocide Memorial there,
as well as a cruise down the Delaware River. This August Fr. Chevian
led many of the Avaks and other seniors from throughout the Diocese on a
special week-long trip to Jerusalem, including a visit to the Armenian
Patriarchate, that was brought about by the desire of the seniors.
In December, the group celebrated its yearly rollicking Christmas party
with a delicious chicken and pilaf lunch, after which the Christmas
revelers participated in the traditional grab bag of gift-giving.
Christmas carols were enthusiastically sung by the group led by singer
Maro Partamian, who herself offered several seasonal songs.
The spring season ended with a picnic held on the Diocesan plaza under a
cloudless sunny sky, replete with a delicious chicken and luleh kebab
lunch. The John Vartan Ensemble played catchy musical selections as the
attendees took to the dance floor with their skillful moves.
Several Avak attendees voiced their enthusiasm at the conclusion of the
year's activities. Maestro Khoren Mekanejian said he looks forward to
the weekly Avak luncheon and program. "The feeling of togetherness and
warmth by all who attend is inspiring," he said.
Albert Der Tatevasian who attends the Avak gatherings with his wife,
Alice, and sister-in-law puts in on the monthly calendar. "Thursday is
Avaks day, and we make no other plans for that day," he declared.
Angel Vantzian, at first, attended with reluctance, and only with the
urging of her sister, Elmas. "After several get-togethers, I found
myself looking forward to the weekly gatherings with acquaintances who
eventually became good friends," she said. "The lunches are wonderful,
and the lectures and programs interesting."
And long-time member Mary Bahadurian summed up the weekly Avaks
gatherings with just one word: "wonderful." She explained that "the
main reason for the group's success is Fr. Mardiros' enthusiasm and
dedication." She listed his special traits. "He's a very good
organizer, and has a sense of humor which the group appreciates. It's
plain that everyone enjoys the special camaraderie."
For more information on the Avak gatherings, call Fr. Mardiros Chevian
at (212) 686-0710.
-- 9/8/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website,
www.armenianchurch.org.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): The St. Vartan Cathedral "Avaks" seniors group
gather at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The St. Vartan Cathedral "Avaks" seniors group get
ready for a cruise on the Delaware River during their 2004/05 season.
Their 2005/06 season of activities begins September 15, 2005.
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.org
September 8, 2005
"AVAKS" SENIORS GROUP READY TO BEGIN NEW YEAR OF ACTIVITIES AT ST.
VARTAN CATHEDRAL
The "Avaks" senior citizens group at New York City's St. Vartan
Cathedral will begin a new season of activities at noon on Thursday,
September 15, 2005.
Held every Thursday at noon, the group meets first in St. Vartan
Cathedral for Bible study then heads down to the Cathedral complex's
Guild Hall for a delicious lunch, which is topped off with an
interesting program, all organized by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St.
Vartan Cathedral.
Before their break for the summer, the Avaks had a dynamic year
jam-packed with activities, including: lectures, films, trips, parties,
and picnics. Guest lecturers last year included: visiting Archbishop
from Etchmiadzin Nerses Bozabalian; the then newly-ordained priest Fr.
Bedros Kadehjian; a psychologist from the Republic of Armenia, Dr.
Khachadour Gasparyan; and journalist Florence Avakian. The weekly
gatherings also sometimes featured musical presentations by guests such
as St. Vartan Cathedral choirmaster Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, singer
Maro Partamian, and pianists Anna Mintanciyan and Jeannette Chirikjian.
Occasionally the seniors were taught light exercise techniques by
fitness instructor Arpine Dod. The group also saw many interesting
films and videos last year, such as Henri Verneuil's memorable "Mayrig"
and the award-winning "Aram Khatchaturian."
But the seniors didn't just stay at the Cathedral. Last season saw them
taking several interesting trips. They had a three-day retreat at the
Diocesan Ararat Center in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York in
both the fall and the spring. They also went to Lancaster, PA, for the
much-anticipated musical show "Noah." An all-day trip to Philadelphia
included a tour of the historic sites and the Genocide Memorial there,
as well as a cruise down the Delaware River. This August Fr. Chevian
led many of the Avaks and other seniors from throughout the Diocese on a
special week-long trip to Jerusalem, including a visit to the Armenian
Patriarchate, that was brought about by the desire of the seniors.
In December, the group celebrated its yearly rollicking Christmas party
with a delicious chicken and pilaf lunch, after which the Christmas
revelers participated in the traditional grab bag of gift-giving.
Christmas carols were enthusiastically sung by the group led by singer
Maro Partamian, who herself offered several seasonal songs.
The spring season ended with a picnic held on the Diocesan plaza under a
cloudless sunny sky, replete with a delicious chicken and luleh kebab
lunch. The John Vartan Ensemble played catchy musical selections as the
attendees took to the dance floor with their skillful moves.
Several Avak attendees voiced their enthusiasm at the conclusion of the
year's activities. Maestro Khoren Mekanejian said he looks forward to
the weekly Avak luncheon and program. "The feeling of togetherness and
warmth by all who attend is inspiring," he said.
Albert Der Tatevasian who attends the Avak gatherings with his wife,
Alice, and sister-in-law puts in on the monthly calendar. "Thursday is
Avaks day, and we make no other plans for that day," he declared.
Angel Vantzian, at first, attended with reluctance, and only with the
urging of her sister, Elmas. "After several get-togethers, I found
myself looking forward to the weekly gatherings with acquaintances who
eventually became good friends," she said. "The lunches are wonderful,
and the lectures and programs interesting."
And long-time member Mary Bahadurian summed up the weekly Avaks
gatherings with just one word: "wonderful." She explained that "the
main reason for the group's success is Fr. Mardiros' enthusiasm and
dedication." She listed his special traits. "He's a very good
organizer, and has a sense of humor which the group appreciates. It's
plain that everyone enjoys the special camaraderie."
For more information on the Avak gatherings, call Fr. Mardiros Chevian
at (212) 686-0710.
-- 9/8/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese's website,
www.armenianchurch.org.
PHOTO CAPTION (1): The St. Vartan Cathedral "Avaks" seniors group
gather at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The St. Vartan Cathedral "Avaks" seniors group get
ready for a cruise on the Delaware River during their 2004/05 season.
Their 2005/06 season of activities begins September 15, 2005.
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress