Western Diocese

DINNER-DANCE AT ST. APKAR ARMENIAN CHURCH

A dinner and dance event took place Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the Melikian Hall of the Armenian Church Cultural Center. The guests were treated to the music of Khachik and his band.

BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. APKAR ARMENIAN CHURCH OF ARIZONA

The first gathering of Armenians in Arizona took place in 1957. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in 1963 by the His Eminence Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, then Primate. The Parish is very well organized and is comprised of Armenian Americans, Middle-Eastern Armenians and Armenians from many other countries. We would like to express our gratitude to His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem for paying special attention to this Parish and its abilities during his years as the Primate of the Western Diocese. 

The church acquired its own site in 1982 through the donation of a two-acre parcel of land by Ms. Margaret Hovsepian. The Armenian Church Cultural Center was built with the donations of Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Melikian and others and was officially opened in January 1992. The Armenian Church Cultural Center served as the gathering place for the church service as well as for other events.

Through Ms. Hosepian's generosity, it became possible to start the construction process of the church. On his pontifical visit to the Western Diocese, His Holiness Karekin II attended the Arizona Parish on June 16, 2005 and blessed the land on which St. Apkar was being built.       

We would like to address a special mention to Pastor Zacharia Saribekyan, Chairman of the Parish Council Dn. Jirair Avakian, the construction committee, the church choir and the Parish faithful, all, whose donations have contributed to the construction efforts of St. Apkar Armenian Church. 

CONCECRATION OF ST. APKAR ARMENIAN CHURCH                                  

Primate leads the consecration rite On Sunday, September 20, 2009, beginning at 10:00 AM, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Serving at the Holy Altar were Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan, pastor of the host church, Fr. Manoog Markarian, pastor of St. John Garabed Armenian Church of Hollywood, California and the Deacons of St. Apkar Church. The Khachadourian Choir, led by Dn. Stepan Gozumyan, sang the hymns of the Divine Liturgy.  His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, consecrated St. Apkar Armenian Church of Arizona in Scottsdale.  The Primate acknowledged and praised the hard work of Fr. Zacharia and awarded him with a pectoral cross.  Several dedicated Parishioners were also awarded with gifts for their service to the Church.  The Primate also recognized the efforts of all donors, faithful and volunteers. The Mayor of Scottsdale was also awarded for his dedication and service to the Armenian-American community.    

ST. APKAR BANQUET AND AWARDS

St. Apkar's Consecration and the Divine Liturgy was followed by a banquet in which His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian awarded certificates and medals of appreciation to those people who were vital in realizing the completion of St. Apkar Armenian Church.  The recipients included volunteers, the long-time faithful, deacons, the Chairman of the Parish Council Dn. Jirair Avakian, the Fundraising Committee Chairman Suzie Grigorians, Mrs. Rita Bebekian, members of the Ladies Society and others. In his parting speech, His Eminence blessed everyone present and bestowed well wishes to the faithful Clergyman of St. Apkar Armenian Church.