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St. Hagop Armenian Church in Tampa Celebrates 100th Birthday of Founding Member Ardavast Unjian
Pinellas Park, FL – On Sunday, December 30, 2012, St. Hagop Armenian Church was filled with friends and admirers of Ardavast Unjian, to congratulate him and celebrate his milestone 100th birthday (actually the day before on the 29th). Mr. Unjian is a special founding member of St. Hagop Armenian Church and of the Armenian Suncoast Society.
Following badarak, Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, pastor of St. Hagop Armenian Church, made his congratulatory remarks to Mr. Unjian, who was seated in the front of the church in a birthday chair with balloons. Fr. Hovnan then turned the program over to Eileen Barsamian Jennings, chairwoman of the event. She presented Mr. Unjian with a large poster board birthday card composed of 200 shiny pennies. Much to the surprise of Mr. Unjian and the congregation, Mrs. Barsamian Jennings also presented a special birthday card sent from The White House, in Washington, DC, and signed by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Parishioner Tanya Sarafian made a beautiful presentation in Armenian to Mr. Unjian of the large poster board birthday card. It was signed in English and Armenian by every possible member of St. Hagop’s. Dozens of signatures and personal messages covered both sides of the large card.
In a contrast of ages, the youngest 4 and 5-year-old children of the Sunday School and their teachers presented the “100th Birthday Boy” with a large collage depicting aspects of Mr. Unjian’s life, including his 80th birthday party, photos of him as captain of his boat Adventure, and his photos as President of the Armenian Suncoast Society. The poster was put together by the ACYOA under the supervision of Yeretskin Anna, with photos donated by Mr. Unjian’s long-time friend, Mrs. Louise Yardumian. Mrs. Yardumian also spoke to the congregation about many of Mr. Unjian’s past accomplishments as a professional engineer.
Later in the program, Mr. Unjian was happy to present to Fr. Hovnan a large, ancient Armenian Bible that belonged to his great grandfather and had been printed in Venice in 1733 (the first Armenian Bible was printed in Amsterdam in 1666). The congregation then kissed the historic Bible before going into the narthex to enjoy a beautiful luncheon featuring a variety of delicious, home-made dishes prepared by St. Hagop’s talented and dedicated Woman’s Guild.
“Mr. Unjian enjoyed his 100th birthday celebration, and he loved seeing so many friends who had come to congratulate him,” stated Fr. Hovnan. “It is a true pleasure to know him and to have such interesting conversations with our very own centenarian. Not only is he a wonderful man, he is still very charming at 100 years of age! What is his secret to longevity? You will have to ask him yourself,” Fr. Hovnan said.
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NR#: 2013-02
Photo Caption 1: Centennial Birthday Chairwoman Eileen Barsamian Jennings presents Ardavast Unjian his 100th birthday card on behalf of St. Hagop Armenian Church.
Photo Caption 2: Armenian School children and teachers present Ardavast Unjian with signed birthday wishes from parishioners of St. Hagop Armenian Church.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian Primate of the Armenian Church of America to Visit Boca Raton’s St. David Armenian Church
St. David Armenian Church
Boca Raton, Florida
Sunday, January 13, 2013
HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP KHAJAG BARSAMIAN
Primate, Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
will celebrate Holy Badarak
Morning Service – 9:45 a.m.
Holy Badarak – 10:30 a.m.
Immediately following Holy Badarak a light luncheon will be served at
Mardigian Church Hall
2300 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, FL
Please join us in welcoming our Primate to our Church.
St. David Armenian Church to Host 2013 Diocesan Assembly
Last month, the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, and Michael Guglielmo, the Diocese’s Executive Director, traveled to St. David Church in Boca Raton, Florida where they met with members of the 111th Diocesan Assembly Committee to discuss plans for next year’s gathering of Diocesan clergy and delegates. The entire Florida Armenian-American community is excited to play host to the 2013 Diocesan Assembly.
Along with a very full and exciting schedule of activities for the 2013 season, St. David Armenian Church has the honor of having been selected to host the 111th Annual Diocesan Assembly taking place from April 29 through May 5, 2013. The Assembly proceedings will be held at the newly renovated Boca Center Marriott Hotel on Military Trail in Boca Raton. “This undertaking is being ably chaired by Carol Norigian, Chairman of the Parish Council, and a very enthusiastic committee,” stated Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, Pastor of St. David Armenian Church.
The Assembly will be preceded by the Annual Clergy Conference beginning Monday, April 29, 2013 at Our Lady of Florida Conference Center in Palm Beach, and ending Thursday, May 2, 2013.
The Women’s Guild will hold its 27th Annual Assembly concurrent with the Diocesan Assembly from Thursday, May 2, 2013 through Saturday, May 5, 2013. On Saturday, the Women’s Guild Central Council will sponsor the 4th Annual “WOW” (Woman of Wonder) Luncheon at the Marriott Hotel. This year’s Women’s Guild Assembly will include a new session with clergy present, exciting mini-workshops and dynamic speakers.
Parishioners and friends are invited to join the Assembly participants at the gala Banquet and program on Friday evening, May 3 in the Ballroom of the Marriott Hotel where the presentation of the “Friend of the Armenians” and “Armenian of the Year” will be announced.
The Assembly sessions will culminate on Saturday evening with a dance also held at the Marriott Hotel. On Sunday, May 6, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. David Armenian Church followed by a Farewell Brunch.
This undertaking is being ably chaired by Carol Norigian, Chairman of the Parish Council and an enthusiastic committee; however, with so many categories to cover, we will be depending on your kind assistance and cooperation to make this a very successful Assembly. We are anxious to share our “southern hospitality” with our friends from all over the Eastern Diocese with warm hearts, welcoming smiles and a friendly hand.
To contribute and/or volunteer please contact St. David Armenian Church at (561) 994-2335.
Compiled from multiple sources.
Florida Armenians 