The faithful of St. Mary Armenian Church of Livingston, NJ, gathered on May 16-17 for a joyful and deeply meaningful weekend celebrating the parish’s 100th anniversary: a milestone marked by worship, remembrance, gratitude for generations of faithful service—and optimism for the future.
Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan presided over the centennial celebration, which drew parishioners, former members, clergy, and friends from across the region, filling both the gala banquet on Saturday evening and Sunday’s anniversary luncheon to capacity.
Throughout the weekend, the atmosphere was one of reunion and shared history, as old friends reconnected and generations gathered to honor the parish’s enduring legacy.
Beautifully decorated for the occasion, the church’s Haroutune and Siranoush Toufayan Hall provided an elegant and festive setting worthy of the parish’s century-long history, and ideal for welcoming the visiting Primate to the milestone celebration.
The weekend’s events were coordinated under the leadership of Centennial Committee chair Kristine Casali, whose efforts helped bring together a celebration that balanced festivity with heartfelt reflection on the parish’s century-long journey.
A highlight of the celebration was a narrated slideshow presentation of the church’s history, created by Martin Dalakian and Samantha Burgraff. It traced the story of St. Mary parish from its origins in Irvington, NJ, through its relocation to Livingston, the destructive church fire of 1980, and the years of growth that followed—leading to the present day of renewal under parish pastor Rev. Fr. Voskan Hovhannisyan.
Honoring Faithful of the Past Century
With warmth and respect, the presentation recalled many of the faithful figures and clergy who shaped parish life over the decades, including beloved former pastors like Patriarch Shnork Kalustian, who served the parish as a vartabed in the 1940s, years before becoming Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople; and Bishop Houssig Bagdasian, the first American-born bishop of the Armenian Church.
Historic photographs and personal recollections prompted both laughter and emotion from the audience, underscoring the deep bonds shared by generations of parishioners.
As a tribute to that generational aspect, families active in the church’s early years were asked to stand up and be recognized. Later, a procession of young adults was applauded as the next generation to bless St. Mary Church.
A touching video segment focused on the eldest living members of the St. Mary community, who reminisced about earlier days and shared their warm good wishes for the emerging generation.
During the banquet, Bishop Mesrop bestowed the Diocesan “St. Vartan Award” on three longtime parishioners in recognition of their exceptional devotion and service to the Armenian Church: Berç Araz, Deacon Martin Dalakian, and Dr. Toros Kapoian. Presenting the medals, the Primate commended the honorees for their steadfast dedication and years of faithful leadership, and he thanked all of St. Mary’s faithful for their devotion to the church and the Armenian heritage.
An impressive centennial keepsake booklet, skillfully designed by Joseph Casali, was a thick compendium of people and events that have made St. Mary’s history. (Click here to view it.)
In his remarks, parish pastor Fr. Voskan Hovhannisyan said: “Without this church, many of us may have forgotten our roots. But because of St. Mary, generations learned to pray in the language of their ancestors, to sing the sharagans of our holy church, and to carry proudly the unshakable faith of the Armenian people. This church became more than stone and walls. It became our spiritual home. It became the heartbeat of our community. It became the place where Armenian faith and identity were preserved, protected, and passed from one generation to the next.”
He added: “May the Lord who guided this parish for one hundred years continue to bless and protect St. Mary Armenian Church. May the prayers of the Holy Mother of God, to whom this church is dedicated, always intercede for us. And may future generations one day gather, just as we do tonight, giving thanks to God for the faith we preserved and the love we passed on.”
Bishop Mesrop, in warmhearted words congratulating the parish on its centennial, highlighted the power of faith that the parish has embodied for the unknown future: “Faith does not always see the full road ahead. Faith takes the next step with God. It plants seeds whose shade we may not sit under. Faith builds for children who are not yet born. It says, ‘We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.’”
He concluded: “My prayer tonight is that St. Mary Armenian Church will continue to be a home of faith for generations to come. May it be a place where young people discover their calling, families are strengthened, the lonely are welcomed, the grieving are comforted, and all people encounter the living presence of Christ.”
Ordaining New Altar Servers
On Sunday morning, Bishop Mesrop celebrated the Divine Liturgy before a crowded sanctuary, and in his sermon focused on the spiritual significance of the centennial observance.
The service also featured the ordination of several altar servants from the parish community: Subdeacon Robert Sarkisyan, and newly ordained acolytes Mihran Maldjian, Armen Hallajian, Hagop Dishoyan, Hrach Hovhannisyan, and Vincent Diacheysn.
A Sunday luncheon program featured remarks, musical performances, and presentations by parish organizations and students, celebrating the spiritual and cultural life of St. Mary Church across its first century. Master of Ceremonies Deacon Roy Stepanian and pastor Fr. Voskan Hovhannisyan introduced Livingston Mayor Shawn R. Klein, who presented an official citation honoring the church’s centennial anniversary and its longstanding contributions to the township.
As the celebration concluded, the prevailing sentiment was one of gratitude—not only for the accomplishments and sacrifices of past generations, but also for the intense feeling of spiritual renewal that continues to define St. Mary Church.
Click here to view photos of St. Mary’s Centennial weekend.