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Florida Mission Parish Update from Armenian Church of Southwest Florida
Naples, FL – The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, Dean of St. Nersess Seminary celebrated Armenian Christmas with the parishioners of the Armenian Church of Southwest Florida (ACSWFL) on January 13, 2013. He was assisted at the altar by Seminarian student Levon Asdourian, and Deacon Allan Tossoonian of St. Hagop’s Church in Pinellas Park.
The service concluded with the Blessing of Water. Vahan Janoyan served as Godfather of the Cross. A procession then followed into the fellowship hall where Fr. Chevian performed a Blessing of the Home ceremony. Each family received a Nishghark from Fr. Chevian.
The ACSWFL annual bake sale gave parishioners the opportunity to purchase a variety of Armenian breads and desserts on display. A catered dinner followed with parishioners greeting old friends from up north and welcoming new members to the parish.
Sylvia Raubolt was presented a Waterford Cross by Fr. Chevian and Carole Meghreblian, chairperson of the ACSWFL. Mrs. Raubolt was one of the orginal parish council members until her retirement this year.
February & March 2013 Services at ACSWFL
The Armenian Church of Southwest Florida is pleased to welcome the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Director of the Zohrab Center in New York City, to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 1:00 pm. A light lunch will follow the service.
On March 3, 2013, at 1:00 pm, Fr. Tateos Abdalian, Director of Mission Parishes will celebrate Holy Badarak. The annual Lenten luncheon will follow.
[See more photos from ACSWFL here]
ACSWFL services are held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3901 Davis Blvd., Naples, Florida.
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NR#: 2013-03
Photo Caption 1: (L-R): Allan Tossoonian, Deacon, Rev. Mardiros Chevian, Celebrant, Vahan Janoyan, Godfather of the Cross, Levon Asdourian, Seminarian
Photo Caption 2: (L-R): Shirley Yergatian, Tony Akgulian, Diane Akgulian, Julie Couyoumjian
Photo Caption3: (L-R): Parish Council Members Pamela Torosian, Carole Meghreblian, Mariam Tatosian
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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NR#: 2013-02
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 