PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
April 16, 2010
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ON PALM SUNDAY, ST. THOMAS CHURCH CELEBRATES ITS 45TH ANNIVERSARY
By Madlen E. Setian
On March 28, St. Thomas Armenian Church of Tenafly, N.J., celebrated the
45th anniversary of its consecration, and was honored by the presence of
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.
The Primate of the Eastern Diocese celebrated the Divine Liturgy, delivered
an inspiring homily, and presided over the celebratory dinner. The church
overflowed with parishioners for the Palm Sunday service, which celebrated
Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week.
The banquet opened with remarks by Mistress of Ceremonies Mary Cruickshank.
Seated at the dais were the Primate, St. Thomas pastor the Very Rev. Fr.
Papken Anoushian, and "St. Thomas Award" honorees Haci and Nadya Garipian,
and Karnig and Ipek Garipian.
Fr. Anoushian offered a short prayer for the souls of Penyamin, Arusiag and
Mesrop Hamparsumian, in whose memory the banquet had been donated by Krikor
and Ani Hamparsumian.
Parish Council chair Dr. Levon Capan thanked the Hamparsumians, Nigogos and
Mayreni Araian (who led a cake sale fundraiser), and chef Manuk Camcikyan,
and acknowledged the ACYOA Juniors’ participation throughout the day.
The St. Thomas Girls’ Basketball Team and their coach, Andrew Martaian, were
congratulated for winning the A.C.S.A. championship, and presented their
pastor with the trophy.
The parish’s Akh’Tamar Dance Ensemble beautifully performed several Armenian
folk dances under the direction of Sylva Asadourian.
Palm Sunday is "ACYOA Day" throughout the Eastern Diocese, and the parish
ACYOA Juniors co-chairs Ararat Gocmen and Peter Afarian, along with
treasurer David Gazarian, presented Fr. Anoushian with a $1,000 donation for
the church.
Fr. Anoushian congratulated the performers and honorees, and thanked those
who sponsored and worked on the dinner, before proceeding to the
presentation of the "St. Thomas Awards."
He enthusiastically described the benevolent contributions of the Garipian
family to St. Thomas over many years, and praised their devotion to the
church and Armenian causes. Fr. Anoushian expressed deep gratitude to both
Garipian couples for never turning him down when he appealed to them-he
recalled how Haci and Nadya had even cancelled a trip when asked to chair a
church event.
He praised the faithful service of Karnig Garipian during his six years on
the Parish Council, and described Ipek and Nadya’s help with food
preparations for bazaars, Palm Sundays, and Easters. He commended them all
as "faithful and devoted" pillars of St. Thomas Church-words reflected in
the inscription on the plaques he presented to both couples as this year’s
"St. Thomas Award" recipients.
Lisa Garipian and Robert Garipian each offered endearing remarks on their
respective sets of parents. On behalf of all the award recipients, Karnig
Garipian conveyed his heartfelt thanks to St. Thomas’ pastor and Parish
Council for the distinguished award.
In his remarks, Archbishop Barsamian congratulated the honorees, Fr.
Anoushian, and the parish, and made special note of the participation of the
youth in the life of St. Thomas church. He said he was very proud of the
Armenian youth in the U.S. and their many accomplishments. The Primate
closed the event with a prayer.
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Photo attached: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Very Rev. Fr. Papken Anoushian,
Parish Council chair Dr. Levon Capan, and "St. Thomas Award" recipients Haci
and Nadya Garipian and Karnig and Ipek Garipian posed for a group photo at
St. Thomas Church on Palm Sunday.
From: Baghdasarian