Tweet
ARMENIANS OF BAYSIDE CELEBRATE CULTURE, HISTORY
Jason D. Antos
Western Queens Gazette
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2010-09-15/Features/Armenians_Of_Bayside_Celebrate_Culture_History.html
Sept 15 2010
The Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs at Oceania Street and the
Horace Harding Expressway in Bayside, celebrated its annual street
festival in observation of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy
Cross on September 12. The holiday commemorates the cross that was
used in the crucifixion of Jesus.
The festivities commenced with a traditional procession of the Holy
Cross led from the church to Oceania Street accompanied by the clergy
and choir who blessed the "four corners of the earth" as part of
the ceremony.
More than 1,000 people, most of Armenian descent, feasted on Middle
Eastern food that included chicken kebabs, salads, a variety of pita
breads, desserts, coffee, imported teas, wine and beer.
Varoujan Vartanian and his band provided musical entertainment with
ethnic dance performances from the Holy Martyrs Aradzani and Hye Bar
Dance Groups, the Greek American Folk Dance Society and the Mexican
Folk Dance Group. Kristy and Julie Asriyan from the Vanush Khanamiryan
Dance Academy of New York serenaded the crowd with cultural favorites.
"This is a wonderful event," New York Armenian Home Executive Director
Aghavni "Aggie" Ellian said. "Today, we are all family."
Children's rides, games and festival foods were located at the far end
of Oceania Street. Youngsters enjoyed slides, a rock wall, a bouncy
house, cotton candy, ice cream and a ring toss.
Dozens of vendors sold Armenian themed novelties and gifts, including
books, music, movies and jewelry.
Admission to the festival was free and, despite a downpour that
occurred late in the afternoon, festival-goers continued to enjoy
themselves well into the evening.
"Queens is the multi-cultural center of our city," Assembly candidate
John A Messer said. "Festivals like this one are a prime example of
the tolerance and respect that we as residents of the borough show
to people of different backgrounds."
Prizes in the annual Grand Raffle included a cash first place prize of
$5,000, $2,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place. A mini
raffle featured more than a dozen prizes, including a camcorder,
a bicycle, jewelry, DVDs and dinner for two.
For more information, visit www.holy-martyrs.org/about_us.asp, or
call 718-225-0235.
From: A. Papazian
Jason D. Antos
Western Queens Gazette
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2010-09-15/Features/Armenians_Of_Bayside_Celebrate_Culture_History.html
Sept 15 2010
The Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs at Oceania Street and the
Horace Harding Expressway in Bayside, celebrated its annual street
festival in observation of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy
Cross on September 12. The holiday commemorates the cross that was
used in the crucifixion of Jesus.
The festivities commenced with a traditional procession of the Holy
Cross led from the church to Oceania Street accompanied by the clergy
and choir who blessed the "four corners of the earth" as part of
the ceremony.
More than 1,000 people, most of Armenian descent, feasted on Middle
Eastern food that included chicken kebabs, salads, a variety of pita
breads, desserts, coffee, imported teas, wine and beer.
Varoujan Vartanian and his band provided musical entertainment with
ethnic dance performances from the Holy Martyrs Aradzani and Hye Bar
Dance Groups, the Greek American Folk Dance Society and the Mexican
Folk Dance Group. Kristy and Julie Asriyan from the Vanush Khanamiryan
Dance Academy of New York serenaded the crowd with cultural favorites.
"This is a wonderful event," New York Armenian Home Executive Director
Aghavni "Aggie" Ellian said. "Today, we are all family."
Children's rides, games and festival foods were located at the far end
of Oceania Street. Youngsters enjoyed slides, a rock wall, a bouncy
house, cotton candy, ice cream and a ring toss.
Dozens of vendors sold Armenian themed novelties and gifts, including
books, music, movies and jewelry.
Admission to the festival was free and, despite a downpour that
occurred late in the afternoon, festival-goers continued to enjoy
themselves well into the evening.
"Queens is the multi-cultural center of our city," Assembly candidate
John A Messer said. "Festivals like this one are a prime example of
the tolerance and respect that we as residents of the borough show
to people of different backgrounds."
Prizes in the annual Grand Raffle included a cash first place prize of
$5,000, $2,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place. A mini
raffle featured more than a dozen prizes, including a camcorder,
a bicycle, jewelry, DVDs and dinner for two.
For more information, visit www.holy-martyrs.org/about_us.asp, or
call 718-225-0235.
From: A. Papazian