Tweet
Archbishop visits Chelmsford's Armenian Church
WickedLocal.com
Mar 22, 2013
Chelmsford - His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) recently presided
over a number of events at Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford.
The Women's Guild organization hosted a New England area observance of
Saintly Women's Day, which included a religious service and program
commemorating the oil-bearing women at Jesus' tomb - Mary Magdeline,
Mary Salome, and Mary (wife of) Clopas.
Following the service, some 100 guests gathered for a dinner and
program in the Kazanjian Memorial Ballroom. Participants included
clergy and Women's Guild members from the following Massachusetts
Armenian parishes: Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, St. James Church
of Watertown, Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, and the Armenian
Church at Hye Pointe of Haverhill. In addition, Women's Guild members
from Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, R.I., and the pastor
of Holy Translators Church of Framingham took part in the
commemoration.
Keynote speaker, the Honorable Mary Anne Sahagian, Essex probate and
Family Court first justice and a Sts. Vartanantz parishioner,
reflected on how her faith guided her throughout her career, and how
it helped her handle difficult cases surrounding children and
families. Judge Sahagian also spoke of her grandmother's influence on
her as a child and described personal faith experiences. She added
that women play an important role in carrying forward the mission of
the Armenian Church and serve as role models for their families.
Remarks were also made by Milka Jeknavorian, chairwoman of the
Sts. Vartanantz Women's Guild, Parish Council chairwoman Carol
Hildebrand, and Zita Butler, vice chairwoman of the Diocesan Women's
Guild Central Council.
"It is inspiring to see women of faith from our parishes come together
in prayer and fellowship," said the Rev. Father Khachatur Kesablyan,
pastor of Sts. Vartanantz. "We not only learn from the example of the
pious women at Christ's tomb, but also from the many dedicated
servants of the Lord among us today."
Archbishop Barsamian expressed his gratitude to the Chelmsford Women's
Guild for organizing the commemoration, which was served by members of
the parish's Men's Club.
"May God continue to strengthen our Women's Guild chapters across the
diocese," he said. "Following in the example of the oil-bearing women,
they bring the light of Christ into our homes and communities."
On Saturday evening, the primate met with members of the
Sts. Vartanantz Parish Council and diocesan delegates to review recent
and upcoming parish activities. Archbishop Barsamian outlined
resources available from the diocese for the parish's various
ministries stressing the many available youth programs, both here and
abroad, that connect Armenian youth across the country through their
Armenian Christian heritage. On Sunday, March 3, Father Kesablyan
celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Barsamian presiding. A
40th-day requiem service was also conducted in memory of the Very
Rev. Father Ghevont Samoorian, who had served as pastor of
Sts. Vartanantz for 25 years. Father Samoorian was responsible for
moving the parish from Lowell to Chelmsford in 1974, and inspired and
managed the construction of the new church on Old Westford Road.
In his homily, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the period of Great
Lent, emphasizing the parable of the Unjust Steward, which was the
theme of the Sunday service. He reminded the faithful that we are
called to be good stewards in the vineyard of our Lord. His Eminence
also spoke about the life of the late Very Rev. Father Samoorian and
the special role he played in the Chelmsford parish.
"Father Ghevont was one of the earliest American-born Armenians to
enter the priesthood of our church," he said. "In many ways, he showed
that a new generation of our people, born in a new land, could indeed
feel at home in an ancient heritage. Through his efforts, he even
managed to bring that heritage to others - as he did most visibly
through the construction of this magnificent church, Sts. Vartanantz
Church in Chelmsford, which he affectionately called `Little Ani.'"
Later in the day, Archbishop Barsamian joined members of the parish
youth group (ACYOA) and Father Kesablyan to visit the parish's most
senior member. The group surprised Tatios Tom Magarian, the last
remaining local area survivor of the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide, with
a cake and warm birthday wishes on the occasion of his 99th
birthday. Archbishop Barsamian said a prayer for Mr. Magarian and
blessed him on this special occasion. The visit was organized by
Father Kesablyan as part of the ACYOA's ongoing ministry to visit
elderly parishioners.
"Our visit with Mr. Magarian was a touching ending to an enriching
weekend," said Father Kesablyan. "The primate's visit always injects
our community with new energy. It is in this spirit of renewal that we
look forward to the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord."
WickedLocal.com
Mar 22, 2013
Chelmsford - His Eminence, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) recently presided
over a number of events at Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford.
The Women's Guild organization hosted a New England area observance of
Saintly Women's Day, which included a religious service and program
commemorating the oil-bearing women at Jesus' tomb - Mary Magdeline,
Mary Salome, and Mary (wife of) Clopas.
Following the service, some 100 guests gathered for a dinner and
program in the Kazanjian Memorial Ballroom. Participants included
clergy and Women's Guild members from the following Massachusetts
Armenian parishes: Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, St. James Church
of Watertown, Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, and the Armenian
Church at Hye Pointe of Haverhill. In addition, Women's Guild members
from Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, R.I., and the pastor
of Holy Translators Church of Framingham took part in the
commemoration.
Keynote speaker, the Honorable Mary Anne Sahagian, Essex probate and
Family Court first justice and a Sts. Vartanantz parishioner,
reflected on how her faith guided her throughout her career, and how
it helped her handle difficult cases surrounding children and
families. Judge Sahagian also spoke of her grandmother's influence on
her as a child and described personal faith experiences. She added
that women play an important role in carrying forward the mission of
the Armenian Church and serve as role models for their families.
Remarks were also made by Milka Jeknavorian, chairwoman of the
Sts. Vartanantz Women's Guild, Parish Council chairwoman Carol
Hildebrand, and Zita Butler, vice chairwoman of the Diocesan Women's
Guild Central Council.
"It is inspiring to see women of faith from our parishes come together
in prayer and fellowship," said the Rev. Father Khachatur Kesablyan,
pastor of Sts. Vartanantz. "We not only learn from the example of the
pious women at Christ's tomb, but also from the many dedicated
servants of the Lord among us today."
Archbishop Barsamian expressed his gratitude to the Chelmsford Women's
Guild for organizing the commemoration, which was served by members of
the parish's Men's Club.
"May God continue to strengthen our Women's Guild chapters across the
diocese," he said. "Following in the example of the oil-bearing women,
they bring the light of Christ into our homes and communities."
On Saturday evening, the primate met with members of the
Sts. Vartanantz Parish Council and diocesan delegates to review recent
and upcoming parish activities. Archbishop Barsamian outlined
resources available from the diocese for the parish's various
ministries stressing the many available youth programs, both here and
abroad, that connect Armenian youth across the country through their
Armenian Christian heritage. On Sunday, March 3, Father Kesablyan
celebrated the Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Barsamian presiding. A
40th-day requiem service was also conducted in memory of the Very
Rev. Father Ghevont Samoorian, who had served as pastor of
Sts. Vartanantz for 25 years. Father Samoorian was responsible for
moving the parish from Lowell to Chelmsford in 1974, and inspired and
managed the construction of the new church on Old Westford Road.
In his homily, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the period of Great
Lent, emphasizing the parable of the Unjust Steward, which was the
theme of the Sunday service. He reminded the faithful that we are
called to be good stewards in the vineyard of our Lord. His Eminence
also spoke about the life of the late Very Rev. Father Samoorian and
the special role he played in the Chelmsford parish.
"Father Ghevont was one of the earliest American-born Armenians to
enter the priesthood of our church," he said. "In many ways, he showed
that a new generation of our people, born in a new land, could indeed
feel at home in an ancient heritage. Through his efforts, he even
managed to bring that heritage to others - as he did most visibly
through the construction of this magnificent church, Sts. Vartanantz
Church in Chelmsford, which he affectionately called `Little Ani.'"
Later in the day, Archbishop Barsamian joined members of the parish
youth group (ACYOA) and Father Kesablyan to visit the parish's most
senior member. The group surprised Tatios Tom Magarian, the last
remaining local area survivor of the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide, with
a cake and warm birthday wishes on the occasion of his 99th
birthday. Archbishop Barsamian said a prayer for Mr. Magarian and
blessed him on this special occasion. The visit was organized by
Father Kesablyan as part of the ACYOA's ongoing ministry to visit
elderly parishioners.
"Our visit with Mr. Magarian was a touching ending to an enriching
weekend," said Father Kesablyan. "The primate's visit always injects
our community with new energy. It is in this spirit of renewal that we
look forward to the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord."