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:

September 25, 2006
___________________

AVAKS START FALL SEASON WITH SEVERAL PLANNED EVENTS

By Florence Avakian

The St. Vartan Cathedral Avaks senior citizens group began its fall 2006
season recently with a myriad of activities planned for the next few months.

Already on the menu is a three-day trip — from September 26 to 28 — to the
Diocese’s Ararat Center in picturesque upstate New York. Participants on
the trip will enjoy comfortable sleeping quarters, three delicious meals
daily, worship services, Bible study, films, excursions to nearby locations
such as apple orchards, and fellowship.

Meetings take place every Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Avaks
first attend a one-hour Bible study with St. Vartan Cathedral Dn. Sebuh
Oscherician. A delicious lunch is served at 12:30 p.m., followed by an
interesting program is presented. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan
Cathedral, directs the group.

Highlights of the spring season included a five week Lenten study session,
starting with a supper appropriate to Lent, a service in St. Vartan
Cathedral conducted by Fr. Chevian, and Bible reading and discussion.
During the Feast of Ascension (Paregentan), Diramayr Shakeh Kahdejian
organized festivities which included the vijag ceremony, where fortunes are
told.

The spring 2006 season was filled with a number of films, videos from
Armenia and Jerusalem, as well as interesting lectures and trips. Featured
musical performers and speakers included St. Vartan Cathedral choir director
Khoren Mekanejian, singer Maro Partamian, Diocesan Zohrab Resource Center
Director Aram Arkun, Diocesan Armenian Studies Coordinator Gilda
Buchakjian-Kupelian, and journalist Florence Avakian.

In June, more than 90 people attended an outdoor picnic which took place
under sunny skies on the Cathedral plaza. It was followed by dancing to the
music of John Vartan and his band, and special prizes to the lucky ticket
holders.

The much-anticipated climax to the season’s activities took place from June
20 to 22, as 30 Avak members and guests journeyed in two large vans to the
Diocesan Ararat Center in upstate New York. Stopping first at the St. Peter
Church in Watervliet, NY, they were given a tour of the sanctuary by the
pastor, Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, after which they enjoyed Armenian
refreshments in the church hall.

During their two days at the Ararat Center, nestled among the magnificent
hills of the Catskills, the Avaks attended daily morning services conducted
by Fr. Chevian, and Bible study classes taught by Dn. Oscherician. A
shopping trip to a nearby mall was also undertaken. In the evenings, films
were shown, followed by music and singing, and always accompanied with a
special snack of wine and fruits.

For Ara and Rosemary Akian, the trip was "beyond expectations, a very
spiritual experience, with well organized programs in very inviting
premises."

For long-time Avak member Araxie Chirishian, "everything was perfect, the
best. It couldn’t have been better."

And Sarkis Matossian called the institution of the Ararat Center by the
Diocese of the Armenian Church "a great accomplishment, in not only training
Armenian youngsters to serve the Church, but also as a wonderful meeting
place for all Armenian groups to come together in a place of superb mountain
scenery."

— 9/25/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Avaks senior
citizens group enjoy the annual picnic on the cathedral plaza in June 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Avaks senior
citizens group take part in a program on staying physically fit during one
of the group’s spring 2006 sessions.