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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 or (973) 943-8697
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
August 26, 2014
___________________
ARCHBISHOP BARSAMIAN Visits Kansas City Parish
By Anita Zakarian and Bill Rinck
After months of planning and weeks of preparation, the Armenian Church
Community of Kansas City, MO, hosted a three-day visit by the Primate,
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, on August 8-10. This was the Primate's first
trip to Kansas City, and the entire community worked diligently to make it
special and memorable.
Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese's director of Mission Parishes, arrived on
Thursday to meet with the local parish council to go over last-minute
details.
On Friday afternoon, the Primate arrived and was greeted at the airport by
20 community members who expressed their excitement and joy. Tigran
Topchian, a young parishioner and altar server, dressed in Armenian costume,
greeted the Primate with the traditional tray bearing salt and bread.
After spending time greeting each person, a limousine took the Primate, Fr.
Abdalian, and parish council chair Gary Hatutian to the Marriott Plaza
hotel, where later that evening the parish council hosted a dinner reception
for council members, their spouses, and community leaders.
During dinner the parishioners easily felt at home with Archbishop
Barsamian, as he welcomed each person to offer questions, comments, and
suggestions. He was especially interested in how the Diocese could be more
helpful to the Kansas City community. His words about the unique Armenian
Christian faith inspired everyone there.
Saturday afternoon, a picnic at a local park brought out 70 parishioners to
meet the Primate, interact with him, and enjoy the fellowship of each other.
The khorovadz was expertly prepared in the traditional Armenian
"village-style" by the men of the community, who took great pride in their
efforts. They invited the Primate to sit with them and play a few games of
tavloo.
After the picnic, members of the choir had an electrifying rehearsal with
Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, the Diocesan director of Music Ministry. The
hours flew by as choir members learned how to bring the music of the badarak
to life.
Sunday morning saw the community's St. Garabed Armenian Church filled with
parishioners eagerly awaiting the procession of the Primate into the
sanctuary. Most of those present had never seen a badarak with a complement
of clergy and altar servers in their splendid vestments walking in
procession. Archbishop Barsamian was assisted by Fr. Abdalian, deacons Vrej
Minassian and Vahe Bagdasarian; altar servers Gary Hatutian, Tigran
Topchian, and Michael Marifian (who was visiting from Bellville, IL).
Maestro Mekanejian demonstrated that even with a small choir, beautiful
sounds can be produced.
During the Primate's sermon, he congratulated the community for their
resolve to bring the presence of the Armenian Church to Kansas City. He also
committed himself to returning next year to consecrate the entire church
sanctuary.
Two of the founding members of the community-Zaven Hatutian and Armen
Hovsepian-were granted the "St. Vartan Award" for their many years of
service to the St. Garabed Armenian Church of Kansas City. Both gentlemen
were visibly moved by this honor.
Following a requiem service, the Primate moved to the newly installed
baptismal font, which he proceeded to consecrate. Assisted by Fr. Abdalian,
who first washed the font with water and wine, the Primate sealed the four
corners and the center of the font with holy chrism. He placed priestly
vestments on it, along with six candlesticks.
With his final blessing, the community gathered in the church hall to share
a meal once again with the Primate. Armenian songs were sung led by Tatev
Amiryan, Maestro Khoren, and Njdeh Asisian.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Barsamian (left) and Fr. Tateos Abdalian during the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy in Kansas City.
Photo 2: Parishioners play tavloo with Archbishop Barsamian.
Photo 3: Archbishop Barsamian congratulates Zaven Hatutian and Armen
Hovsepian, recipients of the "St. Vartan Award."
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710 or (973) 943-8697
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
August 26, 2014
___________________
ARCHBISHOP BARSAMIAN Visits Kansas City Parish
By Anita Zakarian and Bill Rinck
After months of planning and weeks of preparation, the Armenian Church
Community of Kansas City, MO, hosted a three-day visit by the Primate,
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, on August 8-10. This was the Primate's first
trip to Kansas City, and the entire community worked diligently to make it
special and memorable.
Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese's director of Mission Parishes, arrived on
Thursday to meet with the local parish council to go over last-minute
details.
On Friday afternoon, the Primate arrived and was greeted at the airport by
20 community members who expressed their excitement and joy. Tigran
Topchian, a young parishioner and altar server, dressed in Armenian costume,
greeted the Primate with the traditional tray bearing salt and bread.
After spending time greeting each person, a limousine took the Primate, Fr.
Abdalian, and parish council chair Gary Hatutian to the Marriott Plaza
hotel, where later that evening the parish council hosted a dinner reception
for council members, their spouses, and community leaders.
During dinner the parishioners easily felt at home with Archbishop
Barsamian, as he welcomed each person to offer questions, comments, and
suggestions. He was especially interested in how the Diocese could be more
helpful to the Kansas City community. His words about the unique Armenian
Christian faith inspired everyone there.
Saturday afternoon, a picnic at a local park brought out 70 parishioners to
meet the Primate, interact with him, and enjoy the fellowship of each other.
The khorovadz was expertly prepared in the traditional Armenian
"village-style" by the men of the community, who took great pride in their
efforts. They invited the Primate to sit with them and play a few games of
tavloo.
After the picnic, members of the choir had an electrifying rehearsal with
Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, the Diocesan director of Music Ministry. The
hours flew by as choir members learned how to bring the music of the badarak
to life.
Sunday morning saw the community's St. Garabed Armenian Church filled with
parishioners eagerly awaiting the procession of the Primate into the
sanctuary. Most of those present had never seen a badarak with a complement
of clergy and altar servers in their splendid vestments walking in
procession. Archbishop Barsamian was assisted by Fr. Abdalian, deacons Vrej
Minassian and Vahe Bagdasarian; altar servers Gary Hatutian, Tigran
Topchian, and Michael Marifian (who was visiting from Bellville, IL).
Maestro Mekanejian demonstrated that even with a small choir, beautiful
sounds can be produced.
During the Primate's sermon, he congratulated the community for their
resolve to bring the presence of the Armenian Church to Kansas City. He also
committed himself to returning next year to consecrate the entire church
sanctuary.
Two of the founding members of the community-Zaven Hatutian and Armen
Hovsepian-were granted the "St. Vartan Award" for their many years of
service to the St. Garabed Armenian Church of Kansas City. Both gentlemen
were visibly moved by this honor.
Following a requiem service, the Primate moved to the newly installed
baptismal font, which he proceeded to consecrate. Assisted by Fr. Abdalian,
who first washed the font with water and wine, the Primate sealed the four
corners and the center of the font with holy chrism. He placed priestly
vestments on it, along with six candlesticks.
With his final blessing, the community gathered in the church hall to share
a meal once again with the Primate. Armenian songs were sung led by Tatev
Amiryan, Maestro Khoren, and Njdeh Asisian.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Barsamian (left) and Fr. Tateos Abdalian during the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy in Kansas City.
Photo 2: Parishioners play tavloo with Archbishop Barsamian.
Photo 3: Archbishop Barsamian congratulates Zaven Hatutian and Armen
Hovsepian, recipients of the "St. Vartan Award."