Blog Archives
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.
Jacksonville Armenians Constructing New Parish Church, Young Members Pursue Academic Achievements
By Janna Mosinyan
FLArmenians Guest Contributor
Jacksonville, FL – The community here has grown to the point that, last year, our mission parish purchased a new property, which will serve as the epicenter of the Armenian-American community of Jacksonville. The new parish location will play an important role in the development of our community. It will be a place where local Armenians will be able to come together for worship, celebrations, and cultural and social events. This will enable the dream of Armenians living in northern Florida to manage their own institution, plan for bible studies, Sunday school and more, to become reality. The Jacksonville community has been working together to reform the building, as construction work takes place every Sunday with the help of dedicated community leaders. While church construction is in progress, the Armenian community of Jacksonville, Florida gathers each month for the monthly “Badarak,” or Divine Liturgy. The women’s choir is performing with the participation of Janna Mosinyan, Elen Mosinyan, Olivia Arslanian, Silva Baboyan, and male members Rafael Grigoryan, Aleksandr Shafiyev, Nicolas Yedigarov and Erik Mirzoyev are all active participants of the service as well.
Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian with Young Jacksonville Armenians
This summer has been especially productive for the young members of our community. Aleksandr Shafiyev recently represented the Armenian Community of Jacksonville on his pilgrimage to the Holly Land. Shafiyev was excited to discover that out of all the Christian nations, Armenians are one of two that have a special quarter in Jerusalem to practice their religion. “Now, that I have had an up-close experience of the Armenian traditions, I am eager to go back to my roots,” said Shafiyev. Hearing an Armenian who has never been to Armenia talk about his heritage with such a great pride is a delightful feeling. On July 11, 2012, The Eastern Diocese announced the recipients of the Diocesan Academic Scholarship for 2012-13. The Armenian community of Jacksonville is proud to announce that two of our students, Rafael Gregoryan and Erik Mirzoyev, have earned the scholarship by committing tremendous time and dedication to our community. Since 2008, I have been an active member of the Armenian-American community of Jacksonville, and it is evident that our local parish has been crucial for the success and development of young Armenians here. As an Armenian who arrived to United States only four years ago, I have found a little Armenia, here in north Florida, thousands of miles away from home.
Janna Mosinyan is an active member of the Jacksonville Armenian-American community, and sings in the parish choir. She is currently studying Political Science at the University of North Florida.
Florida Armenians 