Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan joined more than 100 parishioners and friends at Holy Ascension Church in Trumbull, CT, on Saturday, March 25, 2023, to celebrate the parish’s 92nd anniversary.
It was in June of 1931 that then-Primate Bishop Ghevont Tourian consecrated Holy Ascension as the 20th Armenian Church consecrated in North America.
At the anniversary event, Fr. Mesrop presided as Primate. He was accompanied by Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian.
Following the very well attended Peace Hour, group and Parish Council photos were taken in the sanctuary together with the Primate and Vicar.
All enjoyed a catered Lenten dinner in the Agahigian-Sherinian Church hall, donated by parish council chair Heather Tarpinian, in memory of her beloved husband, Vinnie Crisci, whose untimely passing only two months ago, left the parish in a great shock and pain.
Serving as Master of Ceremonies was Deacon Thomas Dabakian, a longtime member with more than half a century of service to Holy Ascension, and the only person in the parish to have received the St. Nerses Shnorhali medal from the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, on the petition of pastor Fr. Untzag Nalbandian. Dn. Tom introduced the head table, which included the Primate, Vicar, pastor, Yn. Setta, parish council chair, and Dn. Levon Altiparmakian, Diocesan Council Liaison to the Trumbull parish.
Heather Tarpinian welcomed the Primate, Vicar and Dn. Levon, as well as the guests and parishioners to this special event. She spoke highly of Fr. Untzag’s leadership all these years. During the dinner, those present enjoyed a video titled “Yeraz Im Yergir, Hayreni” (My dream country, Armenia), shown by Kit Kaolian.
Together the parishioners sang “Happy Anniversary to Soorp Hampartsum” and Heather extinguished the candle on the cake, enjoyed by all.
Fr. Untzag introduced the eight “Holy Ascension” Award recipients: Heather Tarpinian & Vinnie Crisci; Dr. Robert Badrigian & Dr. Cynthia Gentes; Dorothy Bengoian; Kit Kaolian; Andy Daquesian; Tatyana Papyan; Chuck & Laura Tashjian; Tom Allen & Karen Nazaretian Allen. Fr. Untzag and the Parish Council established this award in 1990 to be given to worthy parishioners for their service or generosity or for both. More than 50 parishioners have received this award since 1990. Fr. Untzag spoke about each one and they received their “Holy Ascension” Award plaques from the Primate.
The audience enjoyed piano renditions by Narina Yakhshibekova of Arno Babajanyan’s “Vagharshabad Dance” and Hasmik Fomin played Aram Khachadourian’s “Waltz Masquerade.” Both talented performers, Narine and Hasmik are also our Sunday organists.
In his remarks, the Primate shared the top priorities of the Diocesan Council, and praised Fr. Untzag for leading the parish for almost 40 years and thanked him for serving this Diocese for the past 45 years. He presented Fr. Untzag with an artwork by Michael Aram.
The evening was joyous. Everyone left the hall uplifted, happy and with a renewed commitment to their beloved Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension. Click here to view photos.