Blog Archives
Hurricane Irma Advisory for Florida Armenians
Dear Readers:
We are days away from the expected landfall of Hurricane Irma, the strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricane ever recorded. As we anticipate the storm, we would like to provide our readers with important information to help us all prepare properly, for ourselves and our neighbors.
If you haven’t already, please sign up here to receive timely Florida Armenians email alerts and updates.
On Tuesday, Governor Scott declared a state of emergency for all 67 counties in Florida. This preliminary move activates federal agency assistance and prepares state and local agencies to deliver emergency services, disaster relief, safety equipment and critical supplies well in advance. In Florida, County Governments are responsible for shelters, evacuation routes, deliver of aid and emergency services, so please check your County Government website for more information.
Below you will find important information regarding hurricane preparedness, government agency and emergency contact information, as well as notices from our Armenian Churches in Florida.
We hope you will find this information useful, and will follow the guidelines to ensure you and your families safety.
Sincerely,
Taniel Koushakjian & Arsine Kaloustian
Florida Armenians
flarmenians@gmail.com
Florida Armenian Church Advisories Regarding Hurricane Irma
Below is a summary of Florida Armenian Church advisories of cancellation of religious services for Sunday, September 10, 2017:
St. David Armenian Church (Boca Raton, FL)
Services Cancelled This Sunday
For the safety of our parishioners, the Parish Council and I have decided to cancel all the activities for this weekend including the Morning Service and the Divine Liturgy for this Sunday, September 10th, and we are praying for the Lord’s Divine protection around you and your families during this upcoming hurricane.
Prayerfully,
Fr. Paren
St. Mary Armenian Church (Hollywood, FL)
St. Mary to Serve as Hurricane Shelter, Services Cancelled This Sunday
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
As we all know by now, the hurricane Irma is set to hit South Florida and travel northward covering almost all of Florida.
Those of you who may need special help, please contact your nearest fire station, police department or designated shelter to plan your safety ahead of time. Once the hurricane approaches South Florida, there won’t be enough time to plan and prepare. THIS IS THE TIME TO PLAN YOUR SAFETY.
Also, should you need to evacuate whether voluntarily or mandatory, please let me know by Saturday. I will open our church to serve as a shelter for all our families.
Get gasoline, batteries for your radio and flashlights, non-perishable food and water today.
Keep praying with me and everyone else so God may weaken the hurricane’s strength and save us from all harms.
God is with us,
Fr. Vartan
Cell: (954) 296-1406
St. Hagop Armenian Church (Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL)
Services Cancelled This Sunday
Due to potential high winds and heavy rains, St. Hagop Armenian Church will NOT have services this Sunday September 10th. We will resume on Sunday September 17th for the Feast of the Cross and our new first day of Sunday School. Please help us spread the word. We have a number of parishioners who do not do e-mail. Call them!
If you become aware of a pastoral emergency during this time, as always please call Fr. Hovnan’s cell at 727-771-5270. If you are having a medical emergency or the effects of the storm require emergency help, call 911.
Advisories from Sourp Haroutiun Armenian Church (Orlando, FL), and the Jacksonville Armenian Church Mission Parish have not been issued at this time.
Hurricane Irma: Be Prepared
The 10th Anniversary of Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian’s Ordination
By Suren Oganessian
FLArmenians Tampa/St. Petersburg Contributor
Sunday, August 13, 2017 was a day of two celebrations at St. Hagop Armenian Church in Pinellas Park, Florida. Not only was it the day of the annual Blessing of the Grapes, but it was also the date chosen to celebrate Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian’s tenth anniversary of being ordained into priesthood. Local Florida Armenians traveled from as far as Sarasota to be a part of this special event, which was not only an important anniversary for Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, but for the Armenian community of Tampa Bay itself.
Fr. Hovnan has accomplished much in the U.S. and in Armenia, having taught there with the U.S. Peace Corps from 1996 to 1998, and then helping to establish the Armenian Volunteer Corps in 2000. He joined the Diocese of the Armenian Church in 2003, and in June 2007 he was ordained and assigned to be a pastor at St. Hagop. Before the establishment of St. Hagop Armenian Church, Armenians of the Tampa Bay area had no place else to conjugate, not without a long drive to Orlando or Boca Raton. In the last decade, the church has become a beacon for the local Armenian community, which though small is finally beginning to establish itself in the area. “The Armenian community here is very welcoming,” Fr. Hovnan told FLArmenians.com. “People here are from everywhere, making it very diverse. The community is always looking forward,” he said.
The day began with the Divine Liturgy, moving on to the Blessing of Grapes and a celebratory luncheon for Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian. Presiding over the ceremony was Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, who traveled all the way from New York City. It was one of many visits he has made to St. Hagop Armenian Church over the last ten years. He has watched the local parish grow from 23 members in 2007 to over 150 today. “With God, things become possible,” said Archbishop Barsamian at the accompanying luncheon. “To have an Armenian Church in St. Petersburg 50 years ago would have been seen as a dream. But it is good to dream.” Thanks in part to the excellent spiritual leadership Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, he went on to say, that dream has come to fruition.
Fr. Hovnan Demerjian accepted the praise of his peers with humbleness and optimism for the future. While Fr. Hovnan’s immediate mission in coming to Tampa Bay – to build the church and the accompanying Shahnasarian Hall – has been completed, he notes that the long-term mission to “bring people together in a family of God” is ongoing. Over the next ten years, Fr. Hovnan has even bigger plans. “The work of building the Armenian community we all want has just begun. In the next ten years, we hope to have an improved Sunday school and even more faith and heritage programs,” Fr. Hovnan said.
Gulf Coast Armenian American Community Announces Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemorations
PINELLAS PARK, FL – On Friday, April 24, 2015, Gulf Coast Armenians centered in Tampa/St. Petersburg will join Armenians around the world in solemnly commemorating the Armenian Genocide.
Beginning in 1915, the Ottoman Turkish government launched a premeditated campaign of genocide against their Armenian citizens. Approximately 1.5 million Armenians—75% of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire—were killed. This was the first modern example of genocide in the 20th century. Indeed, the very word genocide (denoting the destruction of an entire people) was originally coined in 1944 to describe the policy of systematic extermination used by the Young Turks regime against the Armenian people, and that the Nazis subsequently waged on European Jews.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of this dark chapter in world history and a series of specially orchestrated events are taking place around the world. On the Gulf Coast of Florida Armenian Americans have planed a diverse program of religious, academic, and physical activities to commemorate the lives of those lost a century ago. Below is the listing of events in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area on and around April 24th:
“Stop Genocide” 5K Commemorative Walk/Run
Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 8:30AM
Ft. Desoto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway South, St. Petersburg, FL 33715
All walkers and runners are invited to participate in Tampa’s first-ever 5K dedicated to the Armenian Genocide and towards raising awareness about all genocides. Interested participants can register on Active.com. Guests can also connect with other runners on the Stop Genocide 5K Facebook event page.
Orphans of the Genocide Screening & Director Q&A
Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 7:00PM
The Florida Holocaust Museum
55 5th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Hear from South Florida film director Bared Maronian as he presents his documentary on the orphanages that housed the many orphans who lost parents and were separated from siblings during the Armenian Genocide.
Orphans of the Genocide & The Armenian Genocide Airing on WEDU+
Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at 8:00PM, and 9:30PM on WEDU+
Orphans of the Genocide is a documentary by South Florida film director Bared Maronian showing the orphanages that housed thousands of orphans who lost their parents and were separated from siblings during the Armenian Genocide. Film starts at 8:00 PM (90 minutes).
The Armenian Genocide is the complete story of the first Genocide of the 20th century. It features interviews with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Samantha Power, and best-selling author Peter Balakian, and contains historical footage of the events.
Narrated by Julianna Margulies, it also includes narrations by Ed Harris, Natalie Portman and Laura Linney, among others. Film starts at 9:30PM (60 minutes).
“Rising from the Ashes of Tragedy” Lecture and Student Panel Discussion
Thursday, April 23, 2015 at 2:00PM
University of South Florida (USF)
Tampa, Main Library
4th Floor Grace Allen Room
The USF Libraries Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center host Armenian scholar Dr. Garabet Moumdjian for a presentation entitled “Rising from the Ashes of Tragedy – Armenia’s Triumph Over Its Genocide.” A panel discussion by USF students will follow the presentation.
FEATURED EVENT: An Evening of Remembrance
Friday, April 24, 2015 at 7:00PM
St. Hagop Armenian Church
7020 90th Avenue, Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Armenian heritage comes to life in gifted performances of song and prayer to remember those lost in the Armenian Genocide and to celebrate their ongoing legacy.
“Rising from the Ashes of Tragedy” Lecture and Q&A
Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 7:00PM
St. Hagop Armenian Church
7020 90th Avenue, Pinellas Park, FL 33782
Armenian scholar Dr. Garabet Moumdjian presents “Rising from the Ashes of Tragedy – Armenia’s Triumph Over Its Genocide,” followed by Q&A.
For a full listing of Armenian Genocide 100th anniversary commemorative events in Florida, please visit our Florida Armenians 2015 Page.
Florida Armenians 