Monthly Archives: March 2017
Armenian Church Primate Barsamian Visits Naples
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), headquartered in New York City.
NAPLES, FL – The Armenian Church of Southwest Florida (ACSWFL) was honored to welcome Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian to Naples from February 25 to 27.
“Unlike the archbishops of most churches, who are tasked with baptizing or confirming or ordaining around their diocese, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, of the Armenian Orthodox Church, comes to Naples this weekend simply to be with his Southwest Florida flock.
“It will be his first time here since 2006, a cause for major celebration, with two dinners and the church’s service, known as the Divine Liturgy, on Sunday,” the Naples Daily News reported.
A private dinner was held on Saturday, February 25, at the Vanderbilt Country Club, hosted by the parish council.
On Sunday, February 26, the Primate celebrated badarak at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, with 100 faithful taking part in the service. His sermon focused on the observance of Poon Paregentan.
Following badarak, the mission parish organized a banquet to welcome the Primate at Longshore Lake Country Club in Naples, with 75 people attending.
“He’s a real Christian spirit,” FLArmenians.com Naples Contributor Frank Avakian Stoneson told the Naples Daily News. “He has really pushed for ecumenism, and he’s served on interfaith organizations around the world.”
During the banquet, Archbishop Barsamian presented “Certificates of Service” to five members of the parish council who retired last season after eight years of dedicated service.
The honorees are: Carole Meghreblian, chair; Joseph Meghreblian, treasurer; Suzanne Zakarian Szczesny, secretary; Mariam Tatosian, assistant secretary; and Kathy Mekjian, member.
Vartanantz Day Celebrated in South Florida
Members of the Knights of Vartan, Hayasdan Lodge at St. David Armenian Church.
BOCA RATON, FL – Last month, the Knights of Vartan, Hayasdan Lodge, in collaboration with St. Mary & St. David Armenian Churches of South Florida, held their annual Vartanantz Day celebration. The celebration marks the anniversary of the historic Battle of Avarayr, where 10,000 Armenian troops battled 300,000 Persians in a fight to defend the Armenian homeland, the first Christian nation, from the invading Zoroastrian Persian army. Vartan Mamigonian, for whom the day and organization are named, was the prince of Armenia and military general who led the fight and died for his faith on the battlefield of Avarayr.
The Knights of Vartan program included a short video presentation about Vartanantz Day, remarks from John Kochkerian, dinner, desert, and singing of Armenian patriotic songs.
Taniel Koushakjian speaking to students at Palm Beach Central High School.
Earlier that day, Arsine Kaloustian, Chair of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration, Inc. and Editor of FLArmenians.com, and Taniel Koushakjian, Founder of FLArmenians.com, gave presentations on the Armenian Genocide and the importance of human rights education to students at Palm Beach Central High School.
Armenian Singer, Songwriter, and Cigar Mogul Avo Uvezian Dies at 91
Avo Uvezian, in his prime, photographed in the Dominican Republic in 1997. Photo Copyright Domingo Batista.
Armenian singer, songwriter, and cigar mogul Avo Uvezian passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017 at his home in Orlando, FL. He was 91.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Uvezian moved to New York City in 1947, and began a long musical career. However, Avo Uvezian made his name when he launched Avo cigars in 1988 after a distribution deal with Davidoff.
According to Cigar Afficianado, “Known in the cigar industry for his Avo brands and his sharp sense of style, Uvezian was long a vivacious part of the cigar industry, touring in support of his cigars even at 90 years old. A showman and cigar lover, it wasn’t uncommon to see Uvezian play piano at a cigar event while puffing on one of his cigars and waxing poetic about the joys of smoking.”
Avo Uvezian is survived by his wife, Nivia, his sons Robert, Jeffrey and Ronnie, and his daughter Karyn.
Florida Armenians 