Armenian Relief Society Satenig Chapter
4906 Flint Drive
Bethesda, MD 20816
(301) 229-8742
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13,2012
Contact: Sevan Kolejian - [email protected]
(301) 229-8742
OVERFLOW CROWD CELEBRATES ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS AT ANNUAL ARS GATHERING;
Congressman Chris VanHollen Represented at Holiday Luncheon
BETHESDA,MD -- Over 200 Armenian Americans from throughout the Greater
Washington, DC area celebrated Christmas and welcomed the New Year at the
annual Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Satenig Chapter luncheon held at the
Soorp Khatch Armenian Church `Arabian' Hall on January 6th.
The festivities took place following the morning Christmas mass and blessing
of the Holy Water, performed by Soorp Khatch Armenian church pastor, Rev.
Father Sarkis Aktavoukian. Parishioners were welcomed to the luncheon by ARS
Satenig Chapter chairwoman Jemma Simonian, who offered special thanks to all
the community organizations and supporters who have made this celebration a
success for over 15 years. Students of the Hamasdegh Armenian School then
delighted attendees with a Christmas pageant presentation, offering Armenian
readings heralding the birth of Christ.
`It's an honor and a pleasure for the ARS to bring together Armenian
families and friends from throughout the DC area each year to celebrate
Christmas and ring in the New Year,' said explained Ms. Simonian. `We look
forward to build on this spirit of giving as we continue our programs
locally and in the Homeland.'
Joining the community members at the luncheon was Ms. Lindsay Camacho, who
offered special Christmas greetings and remarks on behalf of Montgomery
County Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Ms.Camacho cited Rep. Van
Hollen's decades of outreach and cooperation with the Maryland Armenian
American community, including his leadership in the 2002adoption of a
resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide in the Maryland State Senate,
and his co-sponsorship of similar measures in the U.S.House. Ms. Camacho
concluded her remarks with the traditional Christmas greeting, `Christos
dznav yev haytnetzav'(Christ was Born and Revealed).
`It was a pleasure to have Ms. Camacho join us for our community Christmas
celebration,' Armenian National Committee Greater Washington DC Chairman,
Dr.Dikran Kazandjian. `We look forward to continuing to work closely with
Rep. Van Hollen the entire Maryland, Virginia, and DC Congressional
delegation as expand our efforts in support of Armenia, Karabakh and justice
for the Armenian Genocide in 2012.'
From: A. Papazian
4906 Flint Drive
Bethesda, MD 20816
(301) 229-8742
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13,2012
Contact: Sevan Kolejian - [email protected]
(301) 229-8742
OVERFLOW CROWD CELEBRATES ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS AT ANNUAL ARS GATHERING;
Congressman Chris VanHollen Represented at Holiday Luncheon
BETHESDA,MD -- Over 200 Armenian Americans from throughout the Greater
Washington, DC area celebrated Christmas and welcomed the New Year at the
annual Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Satenig Chapter luncheon held at the
Soorp Khatch Armenian Church `Arabian' Hall on January 6th.
The festivities took place following the morning Christmas mass and blessing
of the Holy Water, performed by Soorp Khatch Armenian church pastor, Rev.
Father Sarkis Aktavoukian. Parishioners were welcomed to the luncheon by ARS
Satenig Chapter chairwoman Jemma Simonian, who offered special thanks to all
the community organizations and supporters who have made this celebration a
success for over 15 years. Students of the Hamasdegh Armenian School then
delighted attendees with a Christmas pageant presentation, offering Armenian
readings heralding the birth of Christ.
`It's an honor and a pleasure for the ARS to bring together Armenian
families and friends from throughout the DC area each year to celebrate
Christmas and ring in the New Year,' said explained Ms. Simonian. `We look
forward to build on this spirit of giving as we continue our programs
locally and in the Homeland.'
Joining the community members at the luncheon was Ms. Lindsay Camacho, who
offered special Christmas greetings and remarks on behalf of Montgomery
County Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Ms.Camacho cited Rep. Van
Hollen's decades of outreach and cooperation with the Maryland Armenian
American community, including his leadership in the 2002adoption of a
resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide in the Maryland State Senate,
and his co-sponsorship of similar measures in the U.S.House. Ms. Camacho
concluded her remarks with the traditional Christmas greeting, `Christos
dznav yev haytnetzav'(Christ was Born and Revealed).
`It was a pleasure to have Ms. Camacho join us for our community Christmas
celebration,' Armenian National Committee Greater Washington DC Chairman,
Dr.Dikran Kazandjian. `We look forward to continuing to work closely with
Rep. Van Hollen the entire Maryland, Virginia, and DC Congressional
delegation as expand our efforts in support of Armenia, Karabakh and justice
for the Armenian Genocide in 2012.'
From: A. Papazian