St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

Jerusalem Patriarch Torkom Manoogian is Honored by Catholicos Karekin II and the Republic of Armenia, with the “ST. MESROB MASHDOTS MEDAL”

St. Sarkis Church — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:38:58 +0000

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, traveled to Jerusalem on Monday, February 15, where he presented His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, with the “Medal of St. Mesrob Mashdots.”
Accompanying His Holiness were Archbishop Navasart Kjoyan, Primate of the Araratian Pontifical Diocese in Yerevan, Armenia, and Bishop Arshak Khachatrian, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate, were invited by His Holiness Karekin II to attend the presentation ceremony as members of the Brotherhood of St. James of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Also attending the ceremony were the Primates of other Dioceses of the Armenian Church, government officials, and guests.
The Mesrob Mashdots Medal is an exemplary distinction awarded by the Republic of Armenia, at the order of its President. Armenian President Serge Sargsian issued the medal to Patriarch Torkom Manoogian on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Patriarch’s enthronement, and in recognition of his lifetime devotion to, and leadership of, the Armenian Church and nation. Click here to read more.

Helping the Victims of the Haitian Eathquake

St. Sarkis Church — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:31:55 +0000

It has been 21 years now since the earthquake that destroyed large areas of Armenia—and 21 years since the world’s beautiful outpouring of goodwill towards our country and its people. This week, another such tragedy has taken its toll—this time on the island nation of Haiti. In a region already beset by difficulties, this natural disaster has been especially destructive, and the images coming out of the news have been terribly disheartening.

We are asking all our parishes to contribute to the relief of this disaster. Our Diocese and its humanitarian aid organization, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), will be contributing to the effort to assist the earthquake victims, working through the National Council of Churches.

Individuals and parishes can make checks out to the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (please write “Haitian Earthquake Relief” in the memo). All funds collected should be sent to the Diocesan Center (630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016) no later than Friday, January 22. Individuals can also CONTRIBUTE NOW through our Diocesan website. Click here to read more.

Above all, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, asks everyone to include the people of Haiti in your prayers; to ask our Lord to bestow peace on the victims and consolation on their families; and to strengthen the rescue workers as they perform their compassionate work.

His Holiness Karekin II Honored in Moscow, Russia

St. Sarkis Church — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:25:33 +0000

The International Foundation for Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations has bestowed on His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, this year’s Unity of Orthodox Peoples Award. His Holiness traveled to Moscow, Russia this week to receive the honor, which will be presented by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who chairs the Foundation for Unity.

Other recipients of this year’s Unity of Orthodox Peoples Award include Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev and filmmaker Emir Kusturica. Now in its tenth year, the program was established by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, who led the Russian Orthodox Church until his passing in 2008.

Christmas Eve Family Dinner: A Very Special Evening of Joy, Music and Fellowship

St. Sarkis Church — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:25:05 +0000

Saint Sarkis tried something new this year with a December 24th “Christmas Eve Family Dinner” which was a big success with ”147″ in attendance. We were very happy that so many families chose to spend this glorious evening as a church family and had opportunity to share deep joy in this Celebration of Birth of Christ. We gathered for the singing of Christmas Carols in the sanctuary followed by a lovely dinner prepared by the Parish Council and served by the ACYOA.

The committee was chaired by Melkum Janumyan, Anni Kastorian, Pierre Arbajian & Diane Tudor.

At National Council of Churches Assembly, ABP. Aykazian Reflects on His Term as President

St. Sarkis Church — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:44:42 +0000

The National Council of Churches’ annual general assembly met November 11-13 in Minneapolis, Minn., under the joint presidency of Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, NCC President and Legate of the Diocese, and Bishop Johncy Itty (who chairs the board of directors of the NCC’s outreach arm, Church World Service).

The meeting marked the last time the country’s largest ecumenical organization would gather under Archbishop Aykazian’s presidency. Elected to a standard two-year term of office in 2007, he is the first Armenian clergyman (and the first of the Oriental Orthodox family of churches) to be elected to head the NCC. Archbishop Aykazian also serves on the central committee of the World Council of Churches, and is an active figure in the national and international ecumenical arenas.

The 2009 NCC assembly called upon member churches and world governments to advance toward more universal justice and peace. The Rev. Michael Kinnamon, the NCC’s general secretary, and the Rev. John McCullough, executive director of Church World Service, made forceful presentations on combating poverty, and on addressing reform of the U.S. healthcare system. Click here to read more.

President Obama Responds to Joint Letter from Diocese and Other Armenian Organizations

St. Sarkis Church — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:26:16 +0000

President Barack Obama recently responded to a joint letter co-authored by the Eastern and Western Dioceses, the AGBU, and the Armenian Assembly of America with respect to the normalization of relations between Armenia and Turkey. The joint letter was issued in September.

In his response, President Obama wrote that the process of normalizing relations between Armenia and Turkey “has important benefits for the future of both countries.” In addressing the question of the Armenian Genocide, the President wrote, “My interest remains the achievement of a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts. I believe that the best way to advance that goal is for the Armenian and Turkish people to address the facts of the past as part of their efforts to move forward.” To read more, visit the Armenian Assembly’s website.

Diocesan News: Four Clergy Appointments Announced

St. Sarkis Church — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:15:17 +0000

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), recently appointed four priests to serve parishes in Waukegan, IL, Cheltenham, PA, Cleveland, OH, and St. Paul, MN. The four priests – Rev. Fr. Paren Galstyan, Rev. Fr. Hagop Gevorgyan, Rev. Fr. Martiros Hakobyan, and Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan – completed their studies in Armenia and were ordained there prior to their arrival in the U.S., with the blessings of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and at the invitation of the Primate.

They spent the last few years interning with clergy in the Eastern Diocese to learn more about the Armenian Church of America and to prepare to serve the local Armenian communities.

Mediterranean Night

St. Sarkis Church — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:58:14 +0000

On November 13th, 2009 St. Sarkis embarked on a “joint” fundraiser with our neighbors St. Vincent DePaul Roman Catholic Church.

A “Mediterranean Dinner” was planned and executed by both parishes working together and we are happy to report it was a BIG success. We served “319” dinners with the help of many volunteers. St. Sarkis is a small Parish and partnering with St. Vincent provided a successful fundraiser for both parishes.

The committee was chaired by Myrna Seropian along with Noelle Sarkissian, Lena Neau & Donna Loutigian.

Saint Sarkis Armenian Church Welcomes Archbishop Vicken Aykazian…

St. Sarkis Church — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:52:11 +0000

The St. Sarkis community in Charlotte had the privilege to welcome Archbishop Vicken Aykazian for the weekend of September 18-20th.

Vicken Surpazan hosted a “youth breakfast” on the morning of September 19th and was joined in the evening by Dr. Garo Garibian of Philadelphia for a cocktail reception and a slide presentation about “The Current State of Christians in the Holy Land”.

The reception was open to the public and Armenian community was joined by many of its’ ecumenical friends and neighbors.

The weekend ended with Sunday Badarak, whereby Archbishop Aykazian was the celebrant and Dr. Garibian served on the altar as a deacon.

The Event could not have been possible without efforts of Dr. Sylvie Bastajian-Yessayan who planned, organized and chaired this event.

Diocesan Summer Intern Program

St. Sarkis Church — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:38:55 +0000

We are pleased to announce that the Diocese will be working in partnership with the AGBU Summer Intern Program to offer an eight-week internship at the Diocese Center in New York during the summer of 2009 for young adults between 20-26. For more information or to receive an application, please contact College Ministry Facilitator Julie Hoplamazian at or 212-293-1254.