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:
September 7, 2012
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Washington, DC, Parish Celebrates Renovation of Sanctuary
Parishioners of St. Mary Church of Washington, D.C., welcomed
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), as they celebrated the completion of
interior renovations at the church last Sunday.
Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and consecrated the
church’s newly renovated altars on Sunday, September 2.
`The St. Mary Church of Washington has had a long history of faithful,
devoted service,’ said the Primate. `As the church approaches 80
years, how wonderful it is to see the parishioners tending to it,
beautifying it, with such love and hope for the future.’
The renovation of the main altar was made possible thanks to the
generosity of parishioners Mr. and Mrs. Jirair and Anahit Nishanian.
The two smaller altars were underwritten by the George family and by
Mr. and Mrs. Sami and Annie Totah.
Other parishioners contributed funds for window enhancements and the
renovation of the church floor, ceiling, pews, and candle room. New
icons were also hung in the sanctuary.
Following services, the community gathered in the church hall for a
reception. Mr. and Mrs. Nishanian cut the celebratory cake, and the
entire parish celebrated the opening of the renovated sanctuary.
Joining the parish on this occasion were Ambassador Tatoul Markarian,
Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States; Robert Avetisyan, Permanent
Representative of Nagorno-Karabagh to the United States; Colonel
Mesrop Nazarian, Armenia’s Defense Attaché in Washington; and other
embassy staff.
The Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, parish pastor, said that the second
phase of renovations will involve exterior work, including the
building of a new bell tower at the entrance and the installation of a
new door being crafted in Armenia.
The parish plans to complete the project by early December, when the
community will mark the 80th anniversary of the consecration of
St. Mary Church. A banquet and program are scheduled for the weekend
of December 8-9.
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: A young parishioner kisses the cross during the procession at
St. Mary Church on Sunday, September 2. Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian consecrates the church’s renovated altar. Photo 3: Mr. and
Mrs. Jirair and Anahit Nishanian cut the celebratory cake at the
reception following services, with Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan (left) and
Archbishop Barsamian looking on.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
