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Diocese of Armenian Church of America Participates in Florida Activities
Jacksonville Parish Completes Hall Renovation
Last weekend, parishioners of the Jacksonville mission parish gathered for the provisional opening of the church’s new hall. On Sunday, February 17, the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s Director of Mission Parishes, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and performed a Home Blessing service in the new facility.
The hall is located on the first floor of a two-story building that the parish purchased in the summer of 2011. Since then, parishioners have worked together to renovate the building, which will serve as a community center, where local Armenians can gather for worship, and for cultural and social programs. The second floor, which will be completed soon, will be used for liturgical celebrations and performing sacraments. The formal blessing ceremony will be presided over by Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian later this year.
[PHOTOS from Jacksonville Mission Parish]
Parish Council chair Elmira Grigoryan expressed her appreciation to the community for its dedication to the project. Special thanks went to Suren Vardanian and Harout Baboyan, who have been overseeing the renovations.
Also during his visit, Fr. Abdalian performed a requiem service to honor the Armenian victims of Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing. Many of the families in Jacksonville moved to the U.S. after fleeing anti-Armenian pogroms in Sumgait and Baku.
ACYOA Juniors Gather for Retreat in Florida
Earlier in February, Jennifer Morris, the Diocese’s Youth Outreach Coordinator, traveled to the Sunshine State where she led the Western Florida ACYOA Juniors Retreat.
More than 20 teens from St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, and Soorp Haroutiun Church of Orlando, gathered for small group discussions and Bible study sessions that encouraged them to think about how they can better share the light of Christ in their everyday lives.
[PHOTOS from Western Florida ACYOA Juniors Retreat]
On Sunday morning, the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, pastor of St. Hagop Church, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and welcomed Jennifer Morris to speak to the parish about the Diocesan Summer Camp programs. The retreat was hosted by St. Hagop Church, with the leadership of youth adviser Yn. Anna Demerjian and the support of several parish volunteers.
Story combined from the February 21st Armenian Church E-Newsletter.
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.
Requiem for the late Archbishop Aghan Baliozian (1946-2012)
With great sorrow, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America learned of the passing of His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, the longtime Primate of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, who entered into his eternal rest on September 22, in Sydney, Australia. He was 66.
Archbishop Aghan was greatly beloved by the people he served. He was a leader in the international ecumenical movement, and was highly admired as a prominent figure in his country’s religious life. Click here for biographical background on Archbishop Aghan.
In a directive issued earlier this week, Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian requested that parishes of the Eastern Diocese remember Archbishop Aghan Baliozian through a hokehankisd service on Sunday, September 30.
Florida Armenians 