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Armenian Church of America’s Annual Diocesan Assembly to Convene in Boca Raton May 2-5
Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Janet Mardigian to be honored at May 3 banquet as Diocesan “Members of the Year”
Boca Raton, FL – The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) is pleased to announce the details of the 111th Diocesan Assembly, scheduled to convene May 2 through 5, 2013, in Boca Raton, Florida.
St. David Armenian Church will host the Diocesan gathering, which will bring together several hundred Armenian Church leaders from throughout the Eastern Diocese—including clergy, parish delegates and parish council chairs, the Diocesan Council, leaders of Diocesan organizations, and members of the Diocesan staff.
His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will preside over all the gatherings and events.
A highlight of the week of activities will be the annual Diocesan Assembly awards banquet, on the evening of Friday, May 3. At that time, Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Janet Mardigian will be honored as the Diocese’s 2013 “Armenian Church Members of the Year.” Natives of the St. John Armenian Church of Southfield, Michigan, Edward and Janet Mardigian have been heroic benefactors of the Diocese and the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), and are continuing the grand legacy of leadership, participation, and support established by Edward’s late parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Helen Mardigian.
The “Friend of the Armenians” award will be presented to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, who visited Armenia in the wake of the 1988 earthquake.
Prior to the Assembly itself, clergy from across the Diocese will meet for their annual Clergy Conference and retreat, from Monday, April 29 through Wednesday, May 1.
The Diocesan Women’s Guild General Assembly also convenes during the week. This year, leaders of parish Women’s Guilds will begin their annual meeting on Thursday, May 2, at 10:00 a.m. under the presidency of the Primate, with all Diocesan clergy participating. The Women’s Guild Central Council’s fourth annual Woman of Wonder (WOW) Appreciation Luncheon will be held on Saturday, May 4. This year’s honorees are Carol Norigian, Nina Stapan, Claudette Sarian, Rose Kazanjian, and Naomi Davitian.
The Diocesan Assembly will convene on Thursday, May 2 at 4:00 p.m., with sessions continuing to the afternoon of Saturday, May 4. In addition to the regular business sessions and reports from the Diocesan Council, FAR, and various Diocesan organizations, one entire morning session will be devoted to a presentation of the new Diocesan theme for the coming year: “Living the Gospel of Christ.”
On Sunday, May 5, the Primate will preside over a special Divine Liturgy at St. David Church for the Assembly attendees.
The host parish, under the leadership of the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, has arranged for accommodations at the Marriott Boca Raton Hotel (5150 Town Center Circle, Boca Raton, FL 33431), where the sessions will also take place. To register, please click to print out the forms below and follow the instructions for submission.
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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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.
Florida Armenians 