PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
June 16, 2005
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ARARAT CENTER HOSTS SENIOR GROUP
The St. Vartan Cathedral “Avaks” senior citizens group spent three days
at the Diocesan Ararat Center in Greenville, NY, from June 1 to 3, 2005.
This year, 30 seniors made the trip. It was the second year the seniors
group had a retreat at the Ararat Center in the heart of the Catskill
Mountains, and this year’s program was expanded to three days after last
year’s successful event.
The group visited with the senior citizens of nearby St. Peter Church in
Watervliet, NY, before heading to the Ararat Center. During the
retreat, lead by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, the
seniors had worship services, Bible study, and watched a movie. They
were also treated to a performance by the Armenian Dance Ensemble from
the St. Peter Church. Part of the program also included a refreshing
tour of the Catskill area.
Joining Fr. Chevian were Fr. Bedros Kadehjian and Dn. Levon Kirakosyan.
“The whole retreat was a wonderful get away from the city,” Fr. Chevian
said. “And the Ararat Center is the perfect place for such a retreat.
It’s good to see groups like our Avaks and others from our parishes
using this resource. It’s beautiful up there, and very contusive to
building fellowship and growing spiritually and educationally.”
The public will have a chance to visit the Ararat Center on August 6,
when it hosts the second annual Ararat Center Festival, a chance for the
Armenian public to gather for fun, music, and food in the
picture-perfect location.
Since it was bought last year, the Ararat Center has been used not only
by the St. Vartan Camp program, but also seniors groups, seminarians
from St. Nersess Seminary, parish organizations, and the Association of
Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA).
For more information on renting the facilities or the Ararat Center
Festival, visit the Ararat Center website:
— 6/16/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): The St. Vartan Cathedral “Avaks” meet with the
seniors of the St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, on Wednesday, June 1,
2005, on the first day of a three-day get away to the Catskill
Mountains.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): About 30 members of the “Avaks” senior citizens
group from New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral spent three days at the
Diocesan Ararat Center in upstate New York from June 1 to 3, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral,
and Fr. Bedros Kadehjian lead a morning service for members of the
cathedral’s “Avaks” senior citizens group at the Ararat Center in
Greenville, NY.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Young dancers from the St. Peter Church of
Watervliet, NY, entertain the St. Vartan Cathedral “Avaks” seniors group
during the seniors’ three-day stay at the Diocesan Ararat Center in
Greenville, NY, from June 1 to 3, 2005.
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