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Florida Armenians Congratulate Arman Avedyan
Boca Raton, FL – On Sunday, July 23, Florida Armenians gathered at St. David Armenian Church to congratulate Sub-Deacon Arman Avedyan on his acceptance to Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory in Armenia. During this four-year program, Avedyan will train his voice and master the language of music, while embarking on new adventures and a new life in the homeland.
Like many of his friends in south Florida’s growing Armenian-American community, Avedyan started serving God and fellow parishioners at the age of 14. Beginning as an Acolyte on the altar under the guidance of Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, pastor of St. David Armenian Church, Avedyan began to develop and display his talents, delivering powerful and uplifting renditions of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Badark (Divine Liturgy).
Arman Avedyan (center-left) with family
“In January 2012, at my 20th Anniversary banquet in Mardigian Hall of St. David Armenian Church, Arman Avedyan sang “Nessun Dorma” which is an aria from the final act of Puccini’s opera Turandot, and is one of the best-known tenor arias in all opera,” stated Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian. “It was then that I realized he would be a wonderful candidate for the Yerevan Conservatory. Since that time, all efforts to admit him to the conservatory have succeeded, and I am extremely pleased to see the fruition of all the many years of work in the Deacon’s Training Program at St. David Church have such an exciting result for him. I am very proud of his accomplishment and am confident he will work hard in continuing his education and nurturing his career at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory in Armenia, and look forward to his success in the future,” stated Fr. Nareg.
Still early in his career, Arman Avedyan has already performed at Florida Atlantic University, Florida Suncoast Opera Guild, Lynn University and various Armenian-American community events throughout Florida. “Years of preliminary training, practice and performances have lead to the opportunity of a lifetime,” Avedyan told FLArmenians. “I cannot wait to begin my studies. This really is a dream come true,” Avedyan said.
Below is Arman Avedyan’s recital of “e lucevan le stelle” Tosca, Puccini, at Lynn University in Boca Raton.
St. David Armenian Church Honors Archdeacon Nick Potookian
St. David Armenian Church Honors Archdeacon Nick Potookian
Boca Raton, FL – On Sunday, April 22, St. David Armenian Apostolic Church hosted parishioners for a special award ceremony and luncheon to honor Archdeacon Nick Potookian for his fervent dedication & outstanding commitment to the service of our Church. Very Reverend Fr. Nareg Berberian, Pastor of St. David Armenian Church, presented the award on behalf of the Parish Council. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Potookian for his faithful service on the Holy Altar every Sunday, noting that he was one of the best deacons we have had at St. David during his pastorate.
Potookian’s daughter, Doreen A. McCord, spoke very highly of her father, expressing how wonderful he is and always diligently focused on providing for his family since he came to America from Jerusalem where he was born in 1932. After working at the United Nations in New York City, he moved to Florida in 1994 where he started serving in St. David Armenian Church. He was ordained a Deacon by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. Mrs. Anna Damirjian, a long-time close friend, also extolled her praises emphasizing his humility and good nature. Sub-Deacons Brian Adamian and Gregory Merjian gave their testimonies of how Mr. Potookian is so helpful on the altar and makes them feel very comfortable. In addition to serving in the church, Potookian is a past master of a Masonic Lodge, Belleville Lodge No. 108, F. & A.M., in Belleville, New Jersey. While in Florida, he received the Hyram Award, the highest award in Masonic Lodge. He is a past Commander of the Knights of Vartan. He is also the Captain of the Citizens Observer Patrol in the community where he lives.
Florida Armenians 