Belleville News-Democrat, IL
Nov 10 2006
Armenian Church in Swansea celebrates its 50th anniversary this
weekend
News-Democrat
The Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Armenian Church at 400 Huntwood
Road in Swansea is celebrating its 50th anniversary today and Sunday.
The parish has more than 100 members from across the bi-state region
and includes the children and grandchildren of the church founders,
as well as new Armenian-Americans who have come to the United States
in the last 10 to 20 years.
At 7 p.m. today, members will host a welcome reception and memorial
garden dedication at the church featuring survivors of the Armenian
Genocide, where more than one and a half million Armenians died
between 1915 and 1918 in what is now modern day Turkey.
Sunday at 10 a.m., the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His
Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern) at the church, followed by a
Golden Anniversary Banquet at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in
Fairview Heights. The banquet will begin at 1 p.m.
Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, will offer remarks. Other speakers
will address the church's impact on the community and on preserving
Armenian culture. A memorial walk ceremony honoring members of the
local Armenian community will also be held at the banquet.
Contact Zabelle Vartanian at 398-4302 or [email protected] for
more event information.
Nov 10 2006
Armenian Church in Swansea celebrates its 50th anniversary this
weekend
News-Democrat
The Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Armenian Church at 400 Huntwood
Road in Swansea is celebrating its 50th anniversary today and Sunday.
The parish has more than 100 members from across the bi-state region
and includes the children and grandchildren of the church founders,
as well as new Armenian-Americans who have come to the United States
in the last 10 to 20 years.
At 7 p.m. today, members will host a welcome reception and memorial
garden dedication at the church featuring survivors of the Armenian
Genocide, where more than one and a half million Armenians died
between 1915 and 1918 in what is now modern day Turkey.
Sunday at 10 a.m., the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His
Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern) at the church, followed by a
Golden Anniversary Banquet at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in
Fairview Heights. The banquet will begin at 1 p.m.
Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, will offer remarks. Other speakers
will address the church's impact on the community and on preserving
Armenian culture. A memorial walk ceremony honoring members of the
local Armenian community will also be held at the banquet.
Contact Zabelle Vartanian at 398-4302 or [email protected] for
more event information.