Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New
York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: chrisz@armeniandiocese.org
Website: www.armenianchurch.us
May 17, 2026
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ATTENTION EDITOR: Three photos
attached, with captions below. Additional photos may be downloaded here:
HEADLINE:
A Spirit of Renewed Hope
Animates Diocesan Assembly Gala Banquet
The crown jewel of a
memorable week in Milwaukee, WI, was the 124th Diocesan Assembly Gala Banquet, held
in the grand Imperial Ballroom of the Pfister Hotel on Friday, May 1.
The host parish,
Milwaukee’s St. John the Baptist Armenian Church, ensured that the banquet was
an elegant stage on which to honor church leaders for their contributions to
the life of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.
Primate Bishop Mesrop
Parsamyan presided over the evening. Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
delivered the invocation. Words of welcome were given by parish council chair
Lyle Dadian, and Diocesan Assembly chair Herman Purutyan offered a toast. Host
parish Assembly Committee chair Harold Aghjian delivered warm remarks to the
assembled guests and dignitaries.
Remarks by the host parish
pastor, Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan, connected listeners to the parish’s deep
Milwaukee roots. He spoke of the construction of the community’s first sanctuary in the 1940s, and its
consecration by Archbishop Karekin Hovsepian—the great churchman who would
later become Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. This historical link has
served the parish as a powerful reminder of its strength and continuity.
The evening’s celebratory
atmosphere was enhanced by a stunning musical program, featuring a melodic
performance on the traditional Armenian instrument, the Qanun, played by
sisters Lilia and Alexandria
Yaralian, accompanied by Dimitri Glarus on the piano.
The highlight of the
evening was the presentation of Diocesan awards to three distinguished honorees:
“Armenian Church Members of the Year” Ara Cherchian and John Kaishian, and
“Friend of the Armenians” Dr. Robin Darling Young.
Ara Cherchian was honored for his immense generosity and
dedication to the St. Vartan Cathedral Renovation Project and numerous vital
projects in Armenia. In his gracious remarks, Mr. Cherchian reflected on his
upbringing in Iran, and his arrival in America to pursue education at Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute and the University of Chicago—which eventually led Ara
and his wife Valerie to Milwaukee, beginning their deep and abiding devotion to
the city’s Armenian community. He extolled the church for preserving Armenian
identity and the virtues that have allowed Armenians to prosper in the U.S.
John Kaishian was celebrated for his visionary gift providing his property for over
30 years to host Hye Camp, the foundation upon which generations of Armenian
youth in the Midwest have built their identity. John Kaishian’s son, Fr. Sahak
Kaishian, accepted the award on behalf of both his parents, recalling the
foundational role several generations of his family have played in the life of
the Milwaukee Armenian Church community, and thanking the Diocese for
recognizing his father with the award.
(NOTE: In the days following
the assembly, the Diocese received the sorrowful news that John Kaishian passed
away, on May 14, 2026. We extend our deep sympathies and prayers to the
Kaishian family.)
* A Beacon of Faith
The distinguished scholar
from Washington, DC, Dr. Robin Darling Young, was honored as this year’s
“Friend of the Armenians” for her profound contributions to the study of
Classical Armenian and Armenian theology. In her remarks, Dr. Young recalled
the moment in her life when she first encountered the writings of Movses Khorenatsi,
and was introduced “to a civilization as compelling as it was fascinating.” She
thanked the Diocese and the entire Armenian community for welcoming her and
embracing her scholarship, and looked forward to continuing a lifetime of
study, bringing the intellectual and spiritual treasures of the Armenian
heritage to the global audience.
As the banquet concluded,
Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan shared a poignant closing reflection.
Inspired by a visit to Milwaukee’s North Point Lighthouse, Bishop Mesrop noted
its unique status as a beacon situated on land rather than at the sea’s edge.
He drew a powerful connection to the Assembly’s theme, “Renewed in Hope,”
stating that the church serves as an “inland lighthouse” a steadfast guide that
leads the faithful through life’s uncertainties while remaining anchored in the
firm ground of tradition.
The Primate went on to
praise Fr. Guregh and Yn. Silva, the host parish committee leaders and
volunteers, and all the parishioners for extending their warmth and hospitality
to the visitors from across the Diocese.
The spiritual energy of the
event spilled out into the city itself, as Milwaukee’s iconic Hoan Bridge was
illuminated in the Red, Blue, and Orange colors of the Armenian flag throughout
the evening hours of May 1, as a tribute saints, martyrs, and survivors of the
Armenian Genocide. As the bridge glowed against the city skyline, it stood as a
symbol of a community that remains a radiant and unshakeable source of light in
the world.
St. John Church’s Diocesan
Assembly executive committee, under the presidency of pastor Fr. Guregh
Hambardzumyan, included Harry Aghjian (Chair), Maritza Armagan (Vice Chair),
and Gary Seabrook (Treasurer). Subcommittees were led by Mary Keutelian
(Website & Social Media; Commemorative Booklet), Yn. Diana Keutelian
(Registration), Yn. Silva Hakopyan (Yeretzgins’ Breakfast),
Laurie Dadian (Welcome Desk), Nancy Seabrook (Gala Banquet), Ramelann Kalagian
(Badarak Luncheon), David Luhrssen (Publicity), Donald Rask
(Photography), and Larry Dadian (Transportation).
Organizing Committee
Members included Casey Aghjian, Alina Atayan, Joanie Baylerian, Michelle
Baylerian, Marissa Baylerian, Lisa Boyadjian, Bryan Boyadjian, Lyle Dadian,
Nicole Dadian, Sandy Densmore, Knarik Fasulyan, Kristina Faryants, Larisa
Feriyans, Jan Gred-Hammer, Kerrie Kashian, Russell Kashian, Sue Kashian, Noubar
Kazazian, Rev. Fr. Nareg Keutelian, DeAnn Kokott, Jan Kopatich, Inna Petrosyan,
Donald W. Rask, Anastasia Vasilyeva, EvaSophia Vasilyeva, Angelina Weitzer, and
Arpik Weitzer.
—5/14/26
***
PHOTO CAPTION 1:
The 124th Assembly of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America convened April 30 to May 2, 2026, in Milwaukee, WI, hosted by
the city’s St. John the Baptist Armenian Church. The gala banquet at the city’s
historic Pfister Hotel was an elegant stage on which to honor church leaders for
their contributions to the life of the Eastern Diocese. Pictured here, the
distinguished scholar Dr. Robin Darling Young is honored as this year’s
“Friend of the Armenians” for her contributions to the study of Armenian
theology. She is shown here with Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Fr. Guregh
Hambardzumyan, and Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan.
PHOTO CAPTION 2:
Ara Cherchian was honored as one
of two recipients of the Eastern Diocese’s “Armenian church Member of the Year”
award, for his generosity to the St. Vartan Cathedral Renovation Project and
numerous vital projects in Armenia. Here, Mr. Cherchian accepts his award flanked
by Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan and host parish pastor Fr. Guregh
Hambardzumyan.
PHOTO CAPTION 3:
The second recipient
of the Eastern Diocese’s “Armenian Church Member of the Year” award was John Kaishian, honored for his longtime leadership
of the Milwaukee community, and his visionary founding of the Diocese’s Hye
Camp, where generations of Armenian youth in the Midwest have built their
identity. Here, Mr. Kaishian is congratulated by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan during
the Diocesan Assembly’s concluding liturgy. Sadly, Mr. Kaishian passed away shortly
after the Diocesan Assembly, on May 14, 2026.
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