PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
October 21, 2011
_______________________________________________
A Celebration of Marriages at Holy Trinity Church IN CAMBRIDGE, MA
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, Mass., on
Sunday, October 16, as the community came together for a special celebration
in its yearlong observance of the church's 50th anniversary.
Titled "A Day of Celebrating Marriages," the gathering recognized couples
who were married at Holy Trinity Church over the past five decades.
Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and at the conclusion of
the service offered a blessing to the couples and their families.
In his sermon, Archbishop Barsamian reflected on this year's Diocesan theme
of "Ministry of the Faithful," and noted that marriage is itself a ministry,
which encapsulates the spirit of the call to serve the Lord.
"Whenever two souls come together to form a single unit, it demands courage,
humility, sacrifice, and faith from both parties," Archbishop Barsamian
said. "Each member in a marriage cares for, comforts, and supports the
other-and this activity is almost a perfect illustration of what true
ministry in Christ represents."
The Primate also blessed the church's wedding crowns, which recently
received a fresh layer of gold plating. During a champagne reception held
later in the afternoon, the crowns were at the center of an arrangement of
wedding photographs highlighting the many families that began their journey
at Holy Trinity Church.
David Maher, the mayor of Cambridge, extended congratulatory remarks to the
parish on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Parish delegate James
Kalustian also offered a toast to Archbishop Barsamian on the occasion of
his 40th anniversary of ordination into the priesthood and his 60th
birthday.
"What better way to honor our parish's 50th anniversary than celebrating
with our Primate," said the Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, parish pastor. "What
was particularly joyful to witness was the fellowship that took place during
our reception-it resembled a family reunion."
Holy Trinity Church was originally located on Shawmut Avenue in Boston. But
as families began moving to the suburbs in the boom of the post-war years,
the parishioners decided to relocate their church to Cambridge, where the
present building was consecrated in September 1961.
The parish is planning additional events as part of the 50th anniversary
year, with a series of programs scheduled for the spring and fall of 2012.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian blesses Holy Trinity Church's wedding
crowns, which recently received a fresh layer of gold plating.
Photo 2: Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Vasken Kouzouian with altar servers at
Holy Trinity Church.
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
October 21, 2011
_______________________________________________
A Celebration of Marriages at Holy Trinity Church IN CAMBRIDGE, MA
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, Mass., on
Sunday, October 16, as the community came together for a special celebration
in its yearlong observance of the church's 50th anniversary.
Titled "A Day of Celebrating Marriages," the gathering recognized couples
who were married at Holy Trinity Church over the past five decades.
Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and at the conclusion of
the service offered a blessing to the couples and their families.
In his sermon, Archbishop Barsamian reflected on this year's Diocesan theme
of "Ministry of the Faithful," and noted that marriage is itself a ministry,
which encapsulates the spirit of the call to serve the Lord.
"Whenever two souls come together to form a single unit, it demands courage,
humility, sacrifice, and faith from both parties," Archbishop Barsamian
said. "Each member in a marriage cares for, comforts, and supports the
other-and this activity is almost a perfect illustration of what true
ministry in Christ represents."
The Primate also blessed the church's wedding crowns, which recently
received a fresh layer of gold plating. During a champagne reception held
later in the afternoon, the crowns were at the center of an arrangement of
wedding photographs highlighting the many families that began their journey
at Holy Trinity Church.
David Maher, the mayor of Cambridge, extended congratulatory remarks to the
parish on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. Parish delegate James
Kalustian also offered a toast to Archbishop Barsamian on the occasion of
his 40th anniversary of ordination into the priesthood and his 60th
birthday.
"What better way to honor our parish's 50th anniversary than celebrating
with our Primate," said the Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, parish pastor. "What
was particularly joyful to witness was the fellowship that took place during
our reception-it resembled a family reunion."
Holy Trinity Church was originally located on Shawmut Avenue in Boston. But
as families began moving to the suburbs in the boom of the post-war years,
the parishioners decided to relocate their church to Cambridge, where the
present building was consecrated in September 1961.
The parish is planning additional events as part of the 50th anniversary
year, with a series of programs scheduled for the spring and fall of 2012.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian blesses Holy Trinity Church's wedding
crowns, which recently received a fresh layer of gold plating.
Photo 2: Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Vasken Kouzouian with altar servers at
Holy Trinity Church.