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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
December 9, 2013
___________________
Houston Parish Celebrates 50 Years, Unveils New Facilities
In celebration of its 50th anniversary last month, St Kevork Church of
Houston, TX, announced the completion of a three-part building project, and
unveiled its new park and outdoor basketball court.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited the parish on the weekend of November 23-24,
and presided over the anniversary events.
On Saturday afternoon, Archbishop Barsamian blessed the newly built,
high-school size Bedikian Youth Basketball Court. The Primate was assisted
by the Rev. Fr. Martiros Hakobyan, parish pastor.
Among those taking part in the blessing ceremony were benefactors Dr. Hagop
and Sylva Bedikian, Diocesan Council chair Jim Kalustian, and parish council
chair Vreij Kolandjian. Fundraising for the basketball court was also
carried out by the young people of the parish.
Above the dedication plaque, the parish installed a graphic rendition of St.
Vartan Mamikonian-creatively designed by Zareh Aghajanian-to represent the
youth basketball team, the "Vartans."
A reception followed in the home of Mr.Vreij and Christine Kolandjian.
On Sunday, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy. He was
assisted by Fr. Hakobyan and Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, pastor of St. Sarkis
Church of Dallas, TX.
During the service, Archbishop Barsamian ordained Haikaz Gharakhanian to the
diaconate. A longtime parishioner of St. Kevork Church, Mr. Gharakhanian is
the principal of the parish's Armenian School.
The Primate expressed his appreciation to the Nazarian family for making
possible renovations to the St. Kevork sanctuary. Thanks to their
generosity, the church installed a marble bema and dais, designed by Zohrab
Tcholakian.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Barsamian led a
procession to the St. Kevork Khanoyan Park, built adjacent to the church.
The park was donated by Ara Khanoyan and designed by Nazar Dawood. It
features beautiful landscaping and a large gazebo. The Primate led an
Antasdan (Blessing of Fields) service, and blessed the benefactors of all
three construction projects.
Later that afternoon, 350 people gathered for a banquet in the church's
Hekimian Hall. Mr. Kolandjian served as the master of ceremonies and opened
the program with a welcoming address. He spoke about the pride and strength
of the Houston community and highlighted some of its achievements.
Several parishioners were honored for their dedication to St. Kevork Church.
Archbishop Barsamian presented the "St. Vartan Award" to Mr. Khanoyan and
Nazar and Tania Dawood.
Certificates of recognition were presented to Zareh Aghajanian, Nina
Aivazian, Anais Babajanian, Dn. Garbis Balian, Samar Dawood, Araz
Gharakhanian, Kevork Kasparian, Kristine Khachatryan, Lilit Kirsh, Nairi
Kyoumjian, Karlen Malkhassian, Lilia Maranjyan, Tony Masraff, Artyom
Nahapetyan, Vanoush Ohanian, Julietta Palyan, Areg Sahakian, Eliane
Sahakian, Zaven Sahakian, Araz Sarkissian, Iveta Shahinyan, Karina
Shtenberg, Huleh Simonian, Hulik Stepanian, and Garo Yeriazarian.
During a cultural program, choreographer Hulik Stepanian led dancers in an
impressive performance. Sylva Bedikian and Andre Melikian presented a video
on the establishment of the Houston parish and its accomplishments.
The day's banquet was prepared and donated by Tony Masraff.
Fr. Hakobyan spoke about the founders of St. Kevork Church, emphasizing that
they built a legacy for future generations of Armenian Christians in
Houston. "They established this beautiful sanctuary as a gift to all of
us-to give us a place where we could gather to worship the Lord and to
preserve our rich heritage," he said.
He went on to express his gratitude to all parishioners who have served and
continue to serve in various parish organizations. "Everyone has played some
part in our parish story," he said. "Now it is our time to write a new
chapter for St. Kevork Church."
Archbishop Barsamian congratulated the community on its milestone and on the
new projects dedicated over the anniversary weekend.
"Yours is a parish with a rich history, and may God remember all those who
have built and sustained St. Kevork throughout these 50 years," Archbishop
Barsamian said. "You should be proud that the spirit of 'living the Gospel'
has been exemplified by the people of this parish, through your service on
the altar, your efforts in parish organizations, your outreach to the
community, and your ministry to each other."
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Fr. Martiros Hakobyan bless the
Bedikian Youth Basketball Court in Houston.
Photo 2: Parishioners pose with Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Hakobyan on the
new basketball court, home of the Houston "Vartans."
Photo 3: The Primate ordains longtime parishioner Haikaz Gharakhanian to the
diaconate.
Photo 4: Archbishop Barsamian leads an Antasdan service in the St. Kevork
Khanoyan Park.
Photo 5: A young dancer performs at the anniversary banquet.
Photo 6: The new gazebo at St. Kevork Khanoyan Park.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
December 9, 2013
___________________
Houston Parish Celebrates 50 Years, Unveils New Facilities
In celebration of its 50th anniversary last month, St Kevork Church of
Houston, TX, announced the completion of a three-part building project, and
unveiled its new park and outdoor basketball court.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited the parish on the weekend of November 23-24,
and presided over the anniversary events.
On Saturday afternoon, Archbishop Barsamian blessed the newly built,
high-school size Bedikian Youth Basketball Court. The Primate was assisted
by the Rev. Fr. Martiros Hakobyan, parish pastor.
Among those taking part in the blessing ceremony were benefactors Dr. Hagop
and Sylva Bedikian, Diocesan Council chair Jim Kalustian, and parish council
chair Vreij Kolandjian. Fundraising for the basketball court was also
carried out by the young people of the parish.
Above the dedication plaque, the parish installed a graphic rendition of St.
Vartan Mamikonian-creatively designed by Zareh Aghajanian-to represent the
youth basketball team, the "Vartans."
A reception followed in the home of Mr.Vreij and Christine Kolandjian.
On Sunday, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy. He was
assisted by Fr. Hakobyan and Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, pastor of St. Sarkis
Church of Dallas, TX.
During the service, Archbishop Barsamian ordained Haikaz Gharakhanian to the
diaconate. A longtime parishioner of St. Kevork Church, Mr. Gharakhanian is
the principal of the parish's Armenian School.
The Primate expressed his appreciation to the Nazarian family for making
possible renovations to the St. Kevork sanctuary. Thanks to their
generosity, the church installed a marble bema and dais, designed by Zohrab
Tcholakian.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Barsamian led a
procession to the St. Kevork Khanoyan Park, built adjacent to the church.
The park was donated by Ara Khanoyan and designed by Nazar Dawood. It
features beautiful landscaping and a large gazebo. The Primate led an
Antasdan (Blessing of Fields) service, and blessed the benefactors of all
three construction projects.
Later that afternoon, 350 people gathered for a banquet in the church's
Hekimian Hall. Mr. Kolandjian served as the master of ceremonies and opened
the program with a welcoming address. He spoke about the pride and strength
of the Houston community and highlighted some of its achievements.
Several parishioners were honored for their dedication to St. Kevork Church.
Archbishop Barsamian presented the "St. Vartan Award" to Mr. Khanoyan and
Nazar and Tania Dawood.
Certificates of recognition were presented to Zareh Aghajanian, Nina
Aivazian, Anais Babajanian, Dn. Garbis Balian, Samar Dawood, Araz
Gharakhanian, Kevork Kasparian, Kristine Khachatryan, Lilit Kirsh, Nairi
Kyoumjian, Karlen Malkhassian, Lilia Maranjyan, Tony Masraff, Artyom
Nahapetyan, Vanoush Ohanian, Julietta Palyan, Areg Sahakian, Eliane
Sahakian, Zaven Sahakian, Araz Sarkissian, Iveta Shahinyan, Karina
Shtenberg, Huleh Simonian, Hulik Stepanian, and Garo Yeriazarian.
During a cultural program, choreographer Hulik Stepanian led dancers in an
impressive performance. Sylva Bedikian and Andre Melikian presented a video
on the establishment of the Houston parish and its accomplishments.
The day's banquet was prepared and donated by Tony Masraff.
Fr. Hakobyan spoke about the founders of St. Kevork Church, emphasizing that
they built a legacy for future generations of Armenian Christians in
Houston. "They established this beautiful sanctuary as a gift to all of
us-to give us a place where we could gather to worship the Lord and to
preserve our rich heritage," he said.
He went on to express his gratitude to all parishioners who have served and
continue to serve in various parish organizations. "Everyone has played some
part in our parish story," he said. "Now it is our time to write a new
chapter for St. Kevork Church."
Archbishop Barsamian congratulated the community on its milestone and on the
new projects dedicated over the anniversary weekend.
"Yours is a parish with a rich history, and may God remember all those who
have built and sustained St. Kevork throughout these 50 years," Archbishop
Barsamian said. "You should be proud that the spirit of 'living the Gospel'
has been exemplified by the people of this parish, through your service on
the altar, your efforts in parish organizations, your outreach to the
community, and your ministry to each other."
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Fr. Martiros Hakobyan bless the
Bedikian Youth Basketball Court in Houston.
Photo 2: Parishioners pose with Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Hakobyan on the
new basketball court, home of the Houston "Vartans."
Photo 3: The Primate ordains longtime parishioner Haikaz Gharakhanian to the
diaconate.
Photo 4: Archbishop Barsamian leads an Antasdan service in the St. Kevork
Khanoyan Park.
Photo 5: A young dancer performs at the anniversary banquet.
Photo 6: The new gazebo at St. Kevork Khanoyan Park.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress