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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 31, 2013
___________________
Watertown Celebrates Its Name Day
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited the St. James Church of Watertown, Mass., on
Sunday, December 15, as the parish observed its 82nd anniversary and held
its annual name day banquet.
The Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, parish pastor, celebrated the Divine Liturgy,
during which Archbishop Barsamian ordained subdeacon Shant Broukian to the
diaconate. Also taking part in the service were the Very Rev. Fr. Krikor
Maksoudian, Rev. Fr. Arsen Barsamian, and Rev. Fr. Dajad Davidian.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a banquet was held to celebrate the Feast of
St. James the Bishop of Nisibis, for whom the Watertown church is named.
Two longtime parishioners, Haig Krekor Deranian and Charles Shahe
Guleserian, were presented with the "Parishioner of the Year" award. Despite
a snowstorm in Boston the night before, the community gathered to
congratulate the honorees, who have lovingly served their parish and Diocese
for more than 30 years.
Both Mr. Deranian and Mr. Guleserian have served as Sunday School teachers,
parish council chairs, and Diocesan delegates, in addition to taking up
other roles at the local and Diocesan levels.
During the banquet program, Mr. Deranian and Mr. Guleserian's sons offered
warm memories of the influence their fathers have had in their lives. Fr.
Davidian, who grew up with both honorees, offered congratulatory remarks.
Mr. Deranian began attending St. James Church in 1953. He said he is most
proud of his 17 years as a Sunday School teacher. In addition to serving his
parish, he has taken on leadership roles with the Armenian Church Endowment
Fund (ACEF) and is a member of the Diocesan Board of Trustees. Mr. Deranian
has also been active in the local Armenian community, especially through the
Knights of Vartan.
A lifelong member of St. James, Mr. Guleserian recalls his parents enrolling
him in Sunday School in 1944. For the past 23 years, he has served as a
Diocesan delegate, and is also a member of the Diocesan Board of Trustees.
In addition, Mr. Guleserian is co-vice president of the Armenian Heritage
Park Foundation and a member of the Knights of Vartan.
Archbishop Barsamian expressed his appreciation to Mr. Deranian and Mr.
Guleserian for their dedication to the Armenian Church.
"Thank you for dedicating your time, talents, and treasure to the Armenian
Church. You are examples to the young generation of parishioners," he said.
"May the Lord continue to bless you both and guide you in your service."
Last year's Parishioners of the Year, Ed Brewster and Karen Dederyan,
organized this year's banquet.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Newly ordained deacon Shant Broukian serves on the altar.
Photo 2: From left: Charles Shahe Guleserian, Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian,
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, and Haig Krekor Deranian.
From: Baghdasarian
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 31, 2013
___________________
Watertown Celebrates Its Name Day
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited the St. James Church of Watertown, Mass., on
Sunday, December 15, as the parish observed its 82nd anniversary and held
its annual name day banquet.
The Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian, parish pastor, celebrated the Divine Liturgy,
during which Archbishop Barsamian ordained subdeacon Shant Broukian to the
diaconate. Also taking part in the service were the Very Rev. Fr. Krikor
Maksoudian, Rev. Fr. Arsen Barsamian, and Rev. Fr. Dajad Davidian.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a banquet was held to celebrate the Feast of
St. James the Bishop of Nisibis, for whom the Watertown church is named.
Two longtime parishioners, Haig Krekor Deranian and Charles Shahe
Guleserian, were presented with the "Parishioner of the Year" award. Despite
a snowstorm in Boston the night before, the community gathered to
congratulate the honorees, who have lovingly served their parish and Diocese
for more than 30 years.
Both Mr. Deranian and Mr. Guleserian have served as Sunday School teachers,
parish council chairs, and Diocesan delegates, in addition to taking up
other roles at the local and Diocesan levels.
During the banquet program, Mr. Deranian and Mr. Guleserian's sons offered
warm memories of the influence their fathers have had in their lives. Fr.
Davidian, who grew up with both honorees, offered congratulatory remarks.
Mr. Deranian began attending St. James Church in 1953. He said he is most
proud of his 17 years as a Sunday School teacher. In addition to serving his
parish, he has taken on leadership roles with the Armenian Church Endowment
Fund (ACEF) and is a member of the Diocesan Board of Trustees. Mr. Deranian
has also been active in the local Armenian community, especially through the
Knights of Vartan.
A lifelong member of St. James, Mr. Guleserian recalls his parents enrolling
him in Sunday School in 1944. For the past 23 years, he has served as a
Diocesan delegate, and is also a member of the Diocesan Board of Trustees.
In addition, Mr. Guleserian is co-vice president of the Armenian Heritage
Park Foundation and a member of the Knights of Vartan.
Archbishop Barsamian expressed his appreciation to Mr. Deranian and Mr.
Guleserian for their dedication to the Armenian Church.
"Thank you for dedicating your time, talents, and treasure to the Armenian
Church. You are examples to the young generation of parishioners," he said.
"May the Lord continue to bless you both and guide you in your service."
Last year's Parishioners of the Year, Ed Brewster and Karen Dederyan,
organized this year's banquet.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Newly ordained deacon Shant Broukian serves on the altar.
Photo 2: From left: Charles Shahe Guleserian, Rev. Fr. Arakel Aljalian,
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, and Haig Krekor Deranian.
From: Baghdasarian