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CR: Honoring 50th Anniversary Of The Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat

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  • CR: Honoring 50th Anniversary Of The Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat

    Congressional Record: September 14, 2006
    >From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access
    wais.access.gpo.gov

    HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY AND SHOGHAGAT
    ARMENIAN CHURCH
    HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO
    of illinois
    in the house of representatives
    Thursday, September 14, 2006

    Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join
    me in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Holy Virgin Mary and
    Shoghagat Armenian Church located in Swansea, Illinois.
    The Church has historically been an integral part of the Armenian
    community. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its
    official religion in 301 A.D. So it was natural that the Independent
    Club, an organization of Armenian Americans, would seek to start a
    church for their community in 1956.
    The new Church, then named Holy Shoghagat Armenian Church, began in a
    small white structure at 13th and Summit Avenue in East St. Louis,
    Illinois. A neighboring parish house and additional parcel of land were
    later acquired.
    Circumstances required that the original church properties be sold in
    the early 1970's and for several years the congregation had to
    celebrate the liturgy in different local churches. Throughout this
    difficult period, the parish family stayed together and finally, in
    1978, the new Church in Swansea, Illinois was consecrated.
    On the occasion of their 50th Anniversary, in addition to celebrating
    that milestone for their local Church, the members of Holy Virgin Mary
    and Shoghagat Armenian Church are paying tribute to their ancestors who
    were victims of the Armenian Genocide, both those who lost their lives
    and those who survived. A large khatchkar, carved in Armenia, will be
    dedicated to honor those who suffered during that terrible period in
    history.
    For 50 years, Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Armenian Church has
    served, not only as a place of worship, but as a unifying religious
    center for the local Armenian community. Though their numbers may be
    small, their dedication to their Church and their culture remains
    strong.
    Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 50th
    Anniversary of Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Armenian Church and to
    wish the best to them for many years to come.
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