A gala marking the 50th anniversary of St. Mary’s Church in Glendale was held on Sunday, May 3, at the Glendale Hilton Hotel, under the auspices of Western Prelate Archbishop Kegham Khacherian.
The gala was sponsored by Ara Ter Minassian and Marlene Ter Minassian, the son and daughter of the church’s founding benefactor family. The event was organized by the 50th Anniversary Committee chaired by community activist and benefactor Garo Eshgian.
Ara and Marlene Ter Minassian with Prelate Khacherian and Church and Prelacy officials
Among those in attendance were former Western Prelates Archbishops Moushegh Mardirossian and Torkom Donoyan; the Chairman of the Prelacy Executive Council Vahe Hovaguimian and his wife Hasmig; members of the Executive Council and their spouses; the Dean of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian; members of the clergy; members of the Board of Trustees and affiliated church bodies; delegates to the Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly; Glendale Mayor Ardashess Kassakhian; past and current city officials; Armenian community leaders; benefactors and supporters of the Western Prelacy; regional leaders, deacons, scribes, choir members; and more than 400 guests.
The clergy serving at St. Mary’s Church St. Mary’s 50th Anniversary Committee
Following the blessing of the tables, Mistress of Ceremonies Christa Kurkjian delivered the evening’s opening remarks, following which Berj Karazian performed the national anthems of the United States and Armenia.
The head table
Very Reverend Zareh Sarkissian, St. Mary’s parish priest, then delivered the opening remarks for the church’s 50th anniversary celebration, welcoming the attendees.
Committee chair Garo Eshgian and his wife, Sosse, with guests and supporters
“Today, we are gathered here not only to celebrate a fiftieth jubilee, but also to experience in our lives the living presence of God’s indescribable grace.” Very Rev. Sarkissian noted that the church’s five decades of service represent far more than a number, embodying instead the story of generations marked by sacrifice, faith, loyalty, tears, and joy.
Glendale Mayor Ardashess Kassakhian Judge Zaven Sinanian Board of Trustees chair Garo Kurkjian Very Reverend Zareh Sarkissian
Speaking on the meaning and mission of the Armenian Church, Sarkissian emphasized its spiritual role and national identity as a “teacher of mind and soul.” He added that St. Mary’s Church serves as the crown and refuge of Armenian Christian identity and as the guardian of the sacred faith and traditions of our forefathers, stressing that it “is not confined within time, but having come from eternity, it moves toward eternity.”
Guests then viewed a documentary prepared by Seta Krikorian presenting the church’s fifty-year history. A second video message followed, during which attendees received the congratulatory remarks, blessings, and well wishes of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.
The next part of the program featured remarks by Glendale Mayor Kassakhian, who congratulated the spiritual center of the heavily Armenian-populated city of Glendale on its golden jubilee. Reflecting on the importance of prayer not only in personal and family life, but also in overcoming national crises and global turmoil, he expressed hope that St. Mary’s Church would continue to serve as a leading force for Armenian unity, empowerment, and spiritual and cultural mission.
Western Prelate Archbishop Kegham Kacherian
During the gala, Archbishop Khacherian and Chairman of the St. Mary’s Board of Trustees Garo Kurkjian honored seven deacons who had faithfully served at the Holy Altar of St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church for more than twenty-five years. Each deacon was presented with a commemorative crystal plaque by Archbishop Khacherian. The honorees were Jacques Naldjian, Hrair Tedjirian, Kevork Dolmadjian, Raffi Naldjian, Raffi Keshishian, Setrag Karadolian, and Raffi Kurkjian.
The program then continued with a candle-lighting ceremony, followed by an address by Honorable Judge Zaven Sinanian, who reflected on his personal and family connection to St. Mary’s Church.
Sinanian described the spiritual center as a bridge between America and Armenia and as a unifying force that connects our present lives and national identity by transforming them into an active and engaged collective community.
Referring to modern Armenian history, he stated that the scars of the Armenian Genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire remain deeply rooted within Armenians today, as descendants of a people deprived of their homeland.
Addressing the current circumstances surrounding Artsakh, Sinanian emphasized that despite the immense tragedies inflicted upon the Armenian people, Armenians continue to preserve with dignity the traditions of their ancestors and the aspiration to keep the Armenian Church strong, flourishing, and enduring for future generations.
“Who, in the next 50 years, will take our places and honor us just as we today honor the founding generations of this church,” stated Sinanian. He concluded his remarks with a pan-Armenian message, expressing that with God’s help, the words “Armenia, faith, and remembrance” must remain alive within the life of the Armenian people for generations to come.
The congratulatory remarks of Archbishop Khacherian focused both on the anniversary gala and the previously held “Golden Jubilee Concert” in April honoring the church’s 50th anniversary.
The Prelate noted that it was no coincidence that St. Mary’s Church had consistently experienced growth and success throughout its fifty-year journey.
On this occasion, he quoted the words of benefactor Ara Ter Minassian: “What greater satisfaction can a person experience in life than the great joy of building a church?” The Prelate described these words as a symbol of enduring success and connected them to the centuries-old Armenian tradition in which benefactors throughout history built churches as national strongholds dedicated to the preservation of faith and identity.
Archbishop Khacherian also recognized the benefactors whose generosity has enabled the faithful sons and daughters of our people, and entire generations, to recognize the Armenian-Christian spirit as an inseparable part of their identity. He further emphasized that, through their benefaction, they continue to contribute not only financially, but also morally, to the spiritual, national, and cultural life that ensures the enduring success of the Armenian community.
Referring to those honored during the gala, Archbishop Khacherian praised the spirit of volunteerism demonstrated by the deacons, all responsible bodies, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly for the flourishing of the church. Reiterating his previous remarks that Los Angeles serves as a “benefactor” community for the Armenian Diaspora, the Prelate especially praised the Armenian community of Glendale and its Prelacy Armenian Schools for their continued accomplishments and successes.
At the conclusion of his remarks, the Prelate warmly acknowledged the Chairman of the Executive Council, Vahe Hovaguimian, along with the members of the Executive Council. He highly praised the dedication and service rendered by all past members of the Executive Council throughout the decades.
He also especially commended all the benefactors of the Western Prelacy and expressed his appreciation to all past and present Boards of Trustees, officers, employees, and devoted volunteers of St. Mary’s Church.
The Prelate further extended special recognition to the members of the 50th Anniversary Committee, particularly the Committee Chairman, Garo Eshgian, for their selfless service and for commemorating the half-century milestone of their beloved church through such distinguished and high-caliber celebrations.
Archbishop Khacherian offered his blessings upon all those gathered in the hall and encouraged everyone to continue serving God and the Armenian nation with the same spirit, devotion, and dedication as they look ahead to the next 50 years.
The gala dedicated to the 50th anniversary of St. Mary’s Church concluded with a moving performance of the hymn “Cilicia” by Berj Karazian, joined in unison by all guests in attendance. The evening also featured musical performances by the “Element” band, which entertained guests with beautiful musical selections throughout the program.
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