2004 Annual Report of the Department of Mission Parishes

The Department of Mission Parishes maintains ongoing contact with estab­lished mission parishes, through their respective parish councils and visiting pastors. Through this contact, the department ascertains the needs of each community, assists in outreach and growth, and plans regular visits. In the absence of local clergy, the department also provides for the regular celebration of the Divine Liturgy or the midday (jashou) service in mission parishes, according to local needs and financial means.

Visitations in 2004

The Eastern Diocese currently has 19 mission parishes, in the following locations: Ocala, Orlando, Jacksonville and Bonita Springs, FL; Atlanta, GA; Baton Rouge, LA; Cape Cod, MA; Ann Arbor and Lansing, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Kansas City, MO; Brooklyn and Rochester, NY; Charlotte, NC; Memphis and Nashville, TN; Austin and San Antonio, TX; Columbus, OH.

Fr. Zenob Nalbandian was responsible for the Mission Parish program for much of 2004, regularly traveling to the following parishes: Kansan City, MO (visited the first week of every month); Nashville, TN (second week of every month); Orlando, FL (third week of every month).

As of Aug. 2004, Dn. Ara Kadehjian, became interim coordinator of the Mission Parish program; he visited and assisted in services and sacraments at the following parishes and communities: St. James, Evanston, IL (Sep. 25-26); St. Mark, Springfield, MA (Oct. 2-3, Nov. 20-21); Columbus, OH (Oct. 17-18); Atlanta, GA (Oct. 30-31); St. Paul, Syracuse, NY (Nov. 27-28, Dec. 11-12).

The department was aided by numerous clergy who made visits to mission parishes: Abp. Anania Arabajyan; Abp. Yeghishe Gizirian; Bp. Vicken Aykazian; Fr. Sooren Chinchinian; Fr. Shnork Kasparian; Fr. Krikor Maksoudian; Fr. Aren Jebejian; Fr. Kegham Zakarian; Fr. Daniel Findikyan; Fr. Simeon Odabashian; Fr. Zenob Nalbandian; Fr. Paree Metjian; Fr. Arten Ashjian; Fr. Arsen Barsamian; Fr. Garen Gdanian; Fr. Mesrob Benlian; Fr. Nersess Jebejian; Fr. Sahag Kaishian; Fr. Tavit Boyajian; Fr. Mikael Devejian; Fr. Yeprem Kelegian; Fr. Krikor Sabounjian; Fr. Mampre Kouzouian.

Notes on Particular Communities

• Kansas City, MO: A vibrant community with many immigrants from Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia. The parish owns the St. Garabed Church, but the church has not been consecrated and is in need of repair.
• Nashville, TN: The community, comprised of immigrants from Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia, rents a non-Armenian church for its services. The parish council is looking for land to buy for a future church; people are receptive, and there is a potential for growth.
• Orlando, FL: The St. Garabed mission parish does not have its own church, and has been using a non-Armenian sanctuary. The parish is comprised mainly of local Armenians, with some immigrants from the Middle East and Armenia.
• Jacksonville, FL: The growing mission parish of Jacksonville is composed of immigrant Armenians from Baku, Armenia, Russia, and the Middle East. Though it currently uses a Greek church for its services, the parish council is looking into the purchase of land as an investment.
• Charlotte, NC: As the year 2004 ended, the Charlotte parish was looking forward to the consecration of a new sanctuary. The original date in January was postponed, as was a subsequent date in March; at this writing, a date in June has been selected. Though the community is comprised of about 200 families in the greater Charlotte area, with a mailing list of nearly 500 families in North and South Carolina, the entire cost of construction has been donated by Mr. Sarkis Acopian, of Easton, PA. The mission parish would not have reached this point without the support of the Primate. Fr. Daniel Findikyan has served as visiting pastor for the last seven years.
• Naples, FL: The parish is in the process of re-organization. In 2005 a special effort will be made to increase the parish council and start an aggressive program of religious and spiritual activities. The parish has not been able to make serious progress due to a lack of dedicated persons.
• Ocala, FL: The St. Sarkis Church was inactive in 2004. The hope is to reactivate the parish, at least to hold some activities and services. During the year there was a baptism in the church.
• Baton Rouge, LA: The parish council is anxious to complete construction/ renovation, and to begin 2005 in its new church. Current plans include: renovating the church hall, constructing a cupola (dome), creating space for an office and other amenities. As soon as these are done, a church consecration will take place.

Personnel: Fr. Zenob Nalbandian coordinated the Department of Mission Parishes partway through 2004; in Aug. 2004, Dn. Ara Kadehjian, became interim coordinator of the Mission Parish program.