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.