Category Archives: News
Florida Armenians Meet in Tampa with Armenian-American Community Leaders
Florida Armenians Meet in Tampa with Armenian-American Community Leaders
St. Hagop Prepares for Fourth Anniversary Consecration Dance
Tampa, FL – Last month, Florida Armenians representatives Arsine Kaloustian-Rosenthal and Taniel Koushakjian traveled to Tampa to meet with various Armenian-American community leaders. The Tampa/St. Petersburg area is home to approximately 3,000 Armenian-Americans throughout the year, and even more during winter months. The community is centered around St. Hagop Armenian Church, established in Pinellas Park in 1985, and consecrated on October 14, 2007, by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.
Community leaders from various ages and professions gathered to discuss issues important to the Florida Armenian-American community. From the Armenian homeland, to issues affecting Armenian-Americans, from youth issues to the importance of our faith, everyone was engaged in a lively discussion. In addition, plans for Florida Armenians and upcoming events and activities were shared and embraced by all the participants. Guests were especially pleased to be joined by Fr. Hovnan Demerdjian, Pastor at St. Hagop and his lovely wife Anna. Fr. Hovnan provided the blessing.
Tampa Armenians
“By discussing various issues that concern us in an open forum, the miles between us suddenly mattered much less,” stated Florida Armenians Communications Director Arsine Kaloustian-Rosenthal. “We were able to sit, not only as members of a Tampa church, a Boca Raton church, or an Orlando church, but as members of the Armenian-American Diaspora. We look forward to continuing these “town hall” style meetings in various Armenian communities throughout the state of Florida,” Kaloustian-Rosenthal said.
Participants also discussed plans for the upcoming fourth anniversary consecration dance, which will be held at St. Hagop Armenian Church on Saturday, October 15. Members from across the state-wide Florida Armenian-American community are encouraged to attend and support St. Hagop Armenian Church.
“We were delighted to meet the organizers of Florida Armenians and we are excited about their vision for the future of our community,” stated Alex Oganesova, Armenian Church Youth Organization (ACYOA) Chair at St. Hagop. “We are especially excited about our upcoming 4th Anniversary Consecration Dance and encourage all Florida Armenians to join us,” concluded Oganesova.
Armenian Church of Southwest Florida Participates in Ecumenical Service for Assumption Day
Armenian Church of Southwest Florida Participates in Ecumenical Service for Assumption Day
By Carole Meghreblian
FLArmenians Guest Contributor
On August 14, 2011, the Mission Parish of the Armenian Church of Southwest Florida (SWFL) was invited by Fr. Michael Rowe, Rector of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church to join his congregation in celebrating the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. Rt. Rev. Dabney T. Smith, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of SWFL celebrated the Holy Eucharist. An explanation of the Armenian custom of the Blessing of the Grapes on the Day of Assumption was provided by Fr. Rowe. The 11 parishioners of the Mission Parish of Southwest Florida were then called forward for the blessing of the grapes by Rt. Rev. Bishop Dabney T. Smith. The service was followed by a luncheon and, to our delight, the menu was chicken, beans and rice (which almost tasted like pilaf!).
Armenian Church of Southwest Florida
Realizing the demand to serve the spiritual needs of both local, permanent residents and our winter parishioners, the Armenian Church of Southwest Florida was formed in 2001. This mission parish which had begun by word of mouth, has steadily grown over the past decade.
Services are held in season only, specifically November, January-March, and sometimes April. Having no church of our own, services are held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Bonita Springs.
The first Badarak of the coming season will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2011, at 1:00 pm. For further information or to be placed on our mailing list, please contact me at 239-348-3804.
Carole Meghreblian is the Parish Council Chair of the Armenian Church of Southwest Florida.
St. David Armenian Church Youth Reorganize, Community Lay Leaders Participate in Religious Education Program
ST. DAVID ARMENIAN CHURCH YOUTH REORGANIZE, COMMUNITY LAY LEADERS PARTICIPATE IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
Boca Raton, FL – On Sunday, September 11, 2011, the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) Jrs. and Srs. gathered at St. David Armenian Church to reorganize the chapter and elect new officers. The meeting was presided by the Very Rev. Dr. Nareg Berberian, Pastor.
Fr. Nareg introduced FLArmenians Contributor George Macarian as the new Youth Advisor of the ACYOA Chapter at St. David Armenian Church.
Currently, there are over 20 ACYOA members. George Macarian explained that through his leadership, many programs and activities will be organized for them with the assistance of a new ACYOA Executive Board. There will be religious, educational, and social activities for them. During the meeting, five new officers were elected in the executive board.
St. David ACYOA Jrs. & Srs.
Florida Armenians would like to congratulate the newly elected officers and wish all the members a very successful year. We also congratulate George Macarian who recently graduated from the University of Florida, and has moved back to Boca Raton. He will be a great asset to the St. David chapter as a Youth Advisor and a liaison to the ACYOA Central Council.
In addition, the Diocesan Assembly has declared the upcoming year as “The Year of Lay Ministry.” Very Rev. Dr. Nareg Berberian has initiated a Religious Education Program for the lay leadership of our Church, so that the participants will closely study the faith, history and theology of the Armenian Church.
This seven week course is designed to enhance the knowledge of our lay leaders in the faith and theology of the Armenian Apostolic Church, while fulfilling their role as “Lay Ministers” of St. David Armenian Church. Participants will meet regularly every Thursday through October and further attendance from the community is highly encouraged.
The Religious Education Program will offer the following themes: The Sacraments of the Armenian Church, the Apostolicity of the Armenian Church, the Divine Liturgy, the Understanding of the Holy Trinity, the Theology of Death and Dying, the Holy Bible, and Contemporary issues the Armenian Church faces today.
St. David Armenian Church Lay Leaders
On Thursday, September 15, 2011, from 7:00 – 9:00p.m., more than 25 Lay Leaders participated in the first lecture series. Fr. Nareg spoke eloquently about the sacraments of the Armenian Church and its impact in our lives. He emphasized that the sacraments of the Church are the means to enter into the vineyard of the Lord and enhance our faith by maintaining its divine mystery in our lives. “Since we are offered to the altar of God during our baptism, we are called for the first time to become lay ministers of the Church and live through faith, hope and love,” stated Fr. Nareg.
In his remarks to the participants, Fr. Nareg noted, “To be a successful and effective lay minister, it is prerequisite to gain knowledge of the basic teachings of our Church so you may be able to identify yourself with the history and faith that you are called upon to serve as a representative of your church community. Without that basic knowledge, a lay minister will fail in his/her ministry.”
The participants were captured by the theme and fully engaged in a theological discussion. Carol Norigian, Diocesan Delegate and Chair of the Women’s Guild reflected, “As I continue to study about our Church, my faith and my service in the Armenian Church will strengthen, and I will appreciate the theology and the ancient tradition passed onto us through the generations.”
St. David Armenian Church Religious Education Program
On Sunday, September 18, 2011, the Diocesan theme was introduced to the parishioners of our Church. Fr. Nareg delivered a sermon based on Jesus’ word, “Follow me.” He focused on three points: 1) The Call comes from Christ; 2) The Call is simple; and 3) The Call is transformative. Being an active parish in our Diocese, St. David Armenian Church will continue to follow the directives sent by the Diocese to strengthen the lay leadership of the Church through educational and outreach programs.
The next course in the Religious Education Program will discuss the Divine Liturgy (Holy Badarak) of the Armenian Church, on Thursday, September 29, 2011.
Recently, our Pastor published his first handbook entitled, “Walking Through the Armenian Faith and History: An Instructional Handbook,” which will be unveiled in February 2012.
Florida Armenians 