Blog Archives
Diocesan Staff Give Presentations in Tampa, Orlando Parishes
The Diocese’s Armenian Studies coordinator Gilda Kupelian and Christian Education coordinator Elise Antreassian visited two Florida parishes, where they made presentations and held meetings with local community leaders and educators.
On Saturday, July 21, Kupelian and Anteassian led a program titled “Raising Children of Faith in the Armenian Tradition – What Every Parent Should Know,” at St. Hagop Armenian Church in St. Petersburg. Over 30 parishioners attended, gathering in the sanctuary for a discussion on spiritual formation and a PowerPoint survey on important Armenian historical, literary, and cultural figures. A fellowship hour followed, during which the community considered a parish retreat in the fall or spring.
Armenian Community Members in Tampa
The afternoon program was arranged by the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, pastor at St. Hagop Armenian Church. Their membership has nearly tripled in recent years according to Fr. Demerjian, who has been working tirelessly with the Parish Council to plan Sunday School, youth, and cultural initiatives to serve the needs of the growing community.
On Sunday, July 22, Diocesan staff visited Soorp Haroutiun Armenian Church in Orlando, where more than 50 parishioners gathered for the day’s program. Visiting priest Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
Following services, Ms. Kupelian gave a PowerPoint presentation on Armenian heritage and culture. Ms. Kupelian and Ms. Antreassian then met with the pastor, Parish Council member Rita Harvey, parishioner Anna Stepanyan Vega, and teaching volunteers to discuss the launch of a new Sunday School in the fall. The school will offer both Christian and Armenian studies for parish children and teens.
Florida Armenians Mourns the Loss of Haig “Ike” Basdekian
Haig Armenag Basdekian was born January 15, 1931 in Washington DC, the second of four children, Edward, Haig, Naomi and Mary to parents Armenag and Akabe Basdekian. He was raised in Washington, DC and as a young man became involved in the Armenian community and the ACYOA.
He was a founding member of the St. Mary’s Armenian Church of Washington, DC and served as its first parish council chairman. He has been a member of the Knights of Vartan for the past 50 years and was instrumental in starting the Knights of Vartan Ani Lodge in Washington, DC. He was a founding member and past commander of Hayasdan Lodge in Boca Raton, Florida.
In October, 1957, he married Mary Ann Kalyjian of Philadelphia. They were married for 40 years until her passing in 1998. Haig and Mary Ann had two wonderful daughters, Andrea, who now lives in Washington, DC, and Ani, who now lives in New York City with her fiancé Scott Yeckes.
In 1969, Haig and his family relocated to Ft. Lauderdale. Haig continued his career as a mechanic opening Ike’s Auto Service in Ft. Lauderdale. Haig continued this business right up until his last days, for the last 15 years with his colleague and close friend, Hrair “JR” Alboyadjian.
Service to his Armenian Church and community has always been a mainstay in Haig’s life and his giving of his time, treasure and talents has been a constant, no matter where he lived and which community he served, including Armenia itself. Haig was instrumental and founding member of what eventually became the St. David Armenian Church, from its earliest years in Ft. Lauderdale. For the past 14 years, he has been a faithful and committed member and supporter of the St. Mary Armenian Church of Hollywood and was one of the godfathers of the church representing the Knights of Vartan. His presence has been a constant at St. Mary’s, in church every Sunday, always supporting the church financially as a benefactor for many church projects including the playground, and physically with his continuing volunteer efforts whenever called upon to serve.
In addition, he has been a benefactor and supporter of the Diocese’s Ararat Center, the Armenian Tree Project and in Armenia, where he donated a patient room to the Children’s Hospital in Yerevan.
In addition to his service to his Armenian church and community, Haig has always been a dedicated and devoted family man, always available with his love, his support, his encouragement and guidance to not only his children, but also to his siblings and his many nieces and nephews. In recent years, he has also been a family man for Cookie Devers and her family, son Lloyd, daughter in law Ivy, and their children, Andrew and Tatiana.
Haig Basdekian entered eternal rest on June 14, 2012 at the Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. May God bless and illuminate beloved Haig Basdekian’s soul in the heavenly Jerusalem in eternal peace. Amen.
Kindly provided by Rev. Fr. Vartan Joulfayan, St. Mary Newsletter, June 2012.
*UPDATE: Mr. Basdekian’s 40th Day Requiem Service will be held on Sunday, July 29 at St. Mary Armenian Church in Cooper City, Florida.
Fifth Clergy Conference Held at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
On June 6th, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Brotherhood held its Fifth Clergy Conference attended by 81 celibate priests from Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as representatives from the Great House of Cilicia and the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople. Following the opening prayer, the organizing committee chairman, Very Reverend Fr. Nareg Berberian of St. David Armenian Church in Boca Raton, Florida, began the conference emphasizing the value of having the clergy assemble every other year to benefit all the clergy who are serving in the different Dioceses around the world. Fr. Nareg Berberian stressed the importance of remaining faithful to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and to His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, as well as working in unity and sharing our brotherly love toward each other. On behalf of the Brotherhood, Fr. Nareg Berberian expressed his gratitude to His Holiness for his fraternal care.
Fr. Aren Jebejian, Fr. Nareg Berberian, Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, His Holiness Karekin II, Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, Fr. Simeon Odabashian, and Fr. Taniel Findilian
Then His Holiness delivered his message and gave his blessing in appreciation of their ministry of service. His Holiness stressed the presence of all the clergy here strengthens and optimistically inspires the church for future generations. His Holiness reminded them that they not only stay connected with their fellow brothers, but also, as brothers in Christ to focus and reflect on their ministry and its role in the life of the church. His Holiness advised them to continue zealously to build up the glory of the Armenian Church with the Christ and our fathers as their spiritual leaders. At the end of his message, His Holiness wished they would stay firm in their vocation and accomplish more in keeping the faith of our people strong as they serve in the vineyard of our Lord.
The subject matter of the conference was how the clergy can spread the teachings of the church through social media. The speaker of this theme was Artur Petrossyan, Director of Communication of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church. Following the PowerPoint presentation, the clergy were divided into four groups to discuss how they can enhance communication between the community and the pastor through the use of the internet, as well as how they can offer spiritual messages to their flock through the same media.
There was one day set aside for missionary outreach in the region of Armavir. More than 120 clergy were dispersed into the different towns and villages to visit families, bless their homes, and visit schools, hospitals and youth centers. On Saturday evening, around midnight, in the Mother See Cathedral, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated and members of the Brotherhood renewed their vocation to serve our Lord and returned back to their parishes with renewed inspiration.
Florida Armenians 