Milestones

DURGARIANS EARN CHURCH'S HIGHEST LAY HONOR

Karnig and Karen Durgarian were presented with the St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal--the Armenian Church's highest lay honor--by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian on October 19. Along with supporting the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) the Durgarians have also been strong promoters of their local parish, the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators in Framingham, Mass., serving as Godparents of the church that was consecrated on October 19.

"They're both wonderful people. I've known him since I was 13," said Fr. Kirkor Sabounjian, pastor at the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators. "If you walk into our parish, they're there to greet you. They scrub the floors; they paint; they do everything and anything. They were both brought up in the Armenian Church, so from a young age church was always part of their lives. They care so much because they want their children to have the same experience."

CHOIR ASSOCIATION DEVOTEE HONORED WITH ST. NERSESS SHNORHALI MEDAL

Mary Selvinazian, a member of Holy Martyr's Armenian Church in Bayside, N.Y., was presented with the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian on October 25, during the banquet of the 57th Annual Assembly of the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America. His Eminence spoke highly of Ms. Selvinazian and her over 40 years of service to the Armenian Church, singling her out as one special leader "who truly exemplifies the spirit of dedication that makes the Choir Association such a vibrant and vital organization." In his address, the Primate referred to Ms. Selvinazian as "the kind of person who can be called upon to accept serious responsibilities, reliably and without fanfare. More to the point, whatever she undertakes, she does with total love and joy, bringing all her talents to bear, to make the task as success."

THREE HONORED IN GREENFIELD

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, on November 9, presented the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and a pontifical encyclical from His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to three leaders of the St. John the Baptist Church of Greenfield, Wis.: Arthur Kashian, Khachig Chobanian, and Sarkis "Sam" Avakian.

"These men and their entire families are deeply devoted to the Armenian Church and to their parish in particular," Archbishop Barsamian said. "Their tireless, continual efforts have kept St. John the Baptist Church successful all these years. They, along with their equally devoted wives and children, form a strong backbone for this parish."

The three men have been supporting the community since it was formed in 1940 as a mission parish to serve Armenians geographically isolated from parishes in South Milwaukee and Racine. The first church was consecrated in 1942.

MANUELIAN HONORED BY ARMENIAN CHURCH

Saying he is "a leader who truly exemplifies the loftiest spirit of dedication to our church and heritage," Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presented Gregory Manuelian, 44, of Holy Martyr's Armenian Church in Bayside, N.Y., with the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, September 21.

He is not only active in the parish, but at the Diocesan level, as well, said the Primate. "He is an ordained deacon of the church, who can be called on at a moment's notice, to take on serious responsibilities, reliably and without fanfare. As it happens, he is also the chairman of (Holy Martyr's) 45th anniversary committee, which makes this honor all the more appropriate," said the Archbishop.

JEKNAVORIAN RECEIVES ARMENIAN CHURCH HONOR

Dn. Ara Jeknavorian was in November presented by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian with the St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The Primate hailed Jeknavorian's years of service to the Armenian Church and his strong leadership among Armenian Americans. Jeknavorian, who serves as a deacon at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford, Mass., co-founded the Armenian Heritage Radio Hour, and actively participates as a member of a number of Armenian American organizations. He lives in Chelmsford with his wife Milka and their three children

10-YEAR ANNIVERSARIES

To mark their 10-year anniversary as priests during 2003, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian awarded Pectoral Crosses to Fr. Arakel Aljalian, pastor of St. James Church, Watertown, MA; Fr. Diran Bohajian, pastor of St. Leon Armenian Church , Fair Lawn, N.J., and Fr. Tavit Boyajian, pastor the Sts. Joachim and Anne Church, Palos Heights, Ill.

DIOCESE REVITALIZES PARISH CHOIR IN HOUSTON

Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, coordinator of music ministry for the Eastern Diocese, and Fr. Mesrob Benlian, pastor at St. Kevork Church of Houston, Texas, visited with members of the parish choir during the first week of September 2003, when Mekanejian traveled to Texas to help the reenergized choir learn Armenian hymns and patriotic songs. Since Mekanejian's visit, the choir, which practices several hours every Saturday has continued to grow, from 15 to about 30 singers. The members have seen their connection to the church strengthened by their involvement in the choir.