Category Archives: Armenian Church
Armenian Church of Southwest Florida Celebrates First Badarak Service of 2012
Armenian Church of Southwest Florida Celebrates First Badark Service of 2012
Bonita Beach, Florida – On January 15, the Armenian Church of Southwest Florida celebrated their first Badarak service of 2012. Over 100 parishioners from across southwest Florida were present to welcome Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar of the Armenian Church of America. Florida Armenian local Mr. Vartkes Karaian served as Godfather of the Cross during the Blessing of the Water. A delicious luleh kebab dinner followed the service where guests renewed old friendships and welcomed new parishioners to the growing Armenian community in southwest Florida.
Deacon Zaven Hartutian, The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Deacon Allan Tossoonian, and Godfather of the Cross Vartkes Karaian
The next Badarak service will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm. Services are held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bonita Beach. For more information or to join our mailing list, please contact Carole at (239) 3804 or cmegh@comcast.net.
Photo caption (L-R): Deacon Zaven Hartutian, The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Deacon Allan Tossoonian, and Godfather of the Cross-Vartkes Karaian.
Upcoming Armenian Community Events Around Florida
Upcoming Armenian Community Events Around Florida
St. David Armenian Church, Boca Raton (Palm Beach County)
(561) 994-2335
Thurs, Jan. 5 – Armenian Christmas Eve – 7:00 PM
Fri, Jan. 6 – Armenian Christmas Morning Service – 10:00 AM
Fri-Sun, Jan. 13-15 – National ACYOA Chapter Workshop
Sat, Jan. 21 – Banquet Honoring Very Rev. Dr. Nareg Berberian’s 20th Anniversary of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood – 7:00 PM.
For ticket information please click here.
Fri-Sat, Jan. 26-27 – ACYOA Annual Camping Retreat, Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield Beach.
Sun, Feb. 3 – Book Presentation: Walking Through the Armenian Faith and History, by Very Rev. Dr. Nareg Berberian – 1:00 PM
Sat, Feb. 11 – Women’s Guild Cupid Capers Fun Night (Live Music) – 8:00 PM – ?
Sat-Sun, Feb. 25-26 – St. David’s Annual Bazaar
Mon. March 26 – St. David’s Charity Golf Tournament, Boca Raton
St. Mary Armenian Church, Hollywood (Broward County)
(954) 450-5578
Thurs. Jan. 5 – Christmas Eve Holy Badarak – 6:30 PM
Fri, Jan. 6 – SOORP DZNOUNT Badarak – 10:30 AM
Sat, Jan. 7 – Rehearsal for Children’s program – 10:00 AM, Pizza at 12:00 PM
Requiem Prayer at the Khatchkar-Memorial – 10:30 AM. Please call Fr. Vartan for Requiem request by Jan. 6th.
Sun, Jan. 8 – Blessing of Water – 10:30 AM. Armenian Brunch and Children’s Program – 12:30 PM
Fri, Jan. 13 – Feast of the Naming of our Lord JESUS CHRIST.
Sat, Jan. 14 – The Birth of St. John the Forerunner.
St. Hagop Armenian Church, Pinellas Park (Pinellas County)
(727) 545-0380
Sun. Jan. 1 – Divine Liturgy – 10:30 AM
Thur. Jan. 5 – Eve of Theophany (Jrakalooyts) Badarak – 6:00 PM
Fri. Jan. 6 – Theophany-Armenian Christmas Church Open For Prayer—No Badarak
Sat. Jan. 7 – Women’s Guild Luncheon-Safety Harbor – 2:00 PM
Sun. Jan. 8 – Divine Liturgy, Blessing Waters, Armenian Christmas Observed 10:30 AM, Young Professionals Meeting – 7:00 PM
Wed. Jan. 11 – Beginner’s Armenian Lesson #1 with Der Abraham (in Sanctuary) – 6:00 PM
Sun. Feb. 19 – St. Hagop Winter Bazaar – 12:30 PM
Armenian Church of Southwest Florida
The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian will celebrate the first Badarak of the season on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bonita Springs, Florida. Service will begin promptly at 1:00 pm. Advanced reservations for a luleh kebab luncheon (advanced reservations only) will follow Badarak. The next Badarak service will be held on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 1:00 pm. For further information or to be placed on our mailing list, please contact Parish Council Chair Carole Meghreblian at 239-348-3804.
House of Representatives Urges Turkey to Safeguard Christian Heritage, Return Confiscated Church Properties
House of Representatives Urges Turkey to Safeguard Christian Heritage, Return Confiscated Church Properties
Florida Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Gus Bilirakis Cosponsor H. Res. 306
Washington, DC – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted by voice vote H. Res. 306, legislation calling on the Republic of Turkey to protect its Christian heritage and return confiscated church properties. Introduced by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), H. Res. 306 was cosponsored by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairwoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), both members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.
“This bipartisan bill reflects America’s values and represents an important step towards preserving the heritage of the Armenian community and other minority communities within Turkey,” stated the Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian in Washington, DC.
As amended, H. Res. 306 calls on Turkey to “end all forms of religious discrimination” and return confiscated church properties and artifacts. The revised bill mirrors the Berman-Cicilline amendment that was adopted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee by a vote of 43-1 earlier this year.
“It has been my privilege to be a strong voice for oppressed religious minorities throughout the world,” Congressman Bilirakis said. “I am pleased that my colleagues once again sent a strong message in support of religious freedom in a manner that transcends party politics by unanimously condemning Turkey for failing to safeguard its Christian heritage or return confiscated church properties,” stated Bilirakis.
In addition to resolution sponsor Congressman Royce, who along with his colleagues invoked the memory of the Armenian Genocide and Turkey’s continued genocide denial, the following Representatives spoke in favor of the legislation: Howard Berman (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Eliot Engel (D-NY) and Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ). Turkish Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Edward Whitfield (R-KY) claimed time in opposition to the bill.
You can watch the debate on the bill here.
Florida Armenians 
