By Florence Avakian
A 25th birthday is always an occasion for great festivity, but when it is the silver anniversary of one’s own homeland, it is a monumental event. On Wednesday, September 21, such a celebration took place at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, under the auspices of Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.
The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) hosted its first annual “Donor Recognition Day” showing gratitude to all its supporters with a reception on the plaza of St. Vartan Cathedral on Thursday, September 15.
By Florence Avakian
On Wednesday evening, September 21, 2016, a gala celebration of art and music will take place at the St. Vartan Cathedral Complex in honor of the 25 years of Armenia’s independence. Presiding at the event will be Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). The honored guest will be Armenia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian. Fifteen Armenian fraternal organizations are participating in this singular ceremony, under the chairmanship of Sandra Shahinian, a community activist and a member of the Diocesan Board of Trustees.
The Eastern Diocese has announced the recipients of the 2016-17 academic year Diocesan scholarships.
The Diocese presents awards each year to students enrolled in four-year undergraduate programs who have demonstrated a high degree of scholarship and leadership in their local parishes.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, visited St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C., on Sunday, August 14, as the community observed the church’s name day.
During the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Barsamian blessed the veil of Mariam Karapetyan and ordained Ruben Karapetyan, Hovsep Seferian, Ashot Hovhannisyan, and Andre Alexandrian to the rank of acolyte. Archbishop Barsamian and the Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, parish pastor, performed the “Blessing of Grapes” service and blessed madagh.
