St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church in Wynnewood, PA, marked the 10th anniversary of pastor Fr. Armash Bagdasarian’s ordination to the priesthood on Sunday, September 27, with parishioners and guests braving the weekend’s stormy weather to be part of the occasion.
Fr. Armash celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak, assisted by the parish’s young altar servers. Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian represented Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, while Fr. Haroutiun Damadian traveled from the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople to join his childhood friend for the anniversary. Fr. Haroutiun delivered the Armenian homily, with Fr. Simeon offering a message in English.
A luncheon and program followed, organized by the parish Women’s Guild and emceed by parish council chair Lisa Manookian. Young parishioners performed Armenian songs and dances, and Fr. Armash reflected on his first decade of priestly ministry, thanking Yn. Maran and their family, the parishioners, and the Primate for their support.
Also attending were Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan of Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, Fr. Asadur Minasian of the St. Mark’s Armenian Catholic Church, Sister Emma Moussayan and Sister Kayane Taslakian of the Armenian Sisters Academy, and guests from the Detroit community (where Fr. Armash served previously) and the ACYOA Central Council.
Fr. Haroutiun conveyed a message of blessing from Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople Archbishop Sahak Mashalian and presented Fr. Armash with a pectoral cross from Turkey. Fr. Simeon conveyed Bishop Mesrop’s greetings and presented a hand cross from Armenia on the Primate’s behalf.
The celebration also supported the restoration of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, with contributions received that day designated for the project.
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