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:
October 19, 2006
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GALA 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH IN CHELTENHAM, PA
By Florence Avakian
It was a celebration not of a church building, but of the effort to see the
sanctuary built. It was a celebration of generations past who gave of their
time and effort to see a church blossom in their neighborhood.
"On this 40th anniversary of the Holy Trinity Church, we celebrate not only
this beautiful place, but more so, its members — those before us and those
yet to come. This church is living and breathing, and is surely eternal,"
said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), during festivities marking the anniversary of
the Church of the Holy Trinity of Cheltenham, PA.
The 40th anniversary of the consecration of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church
began with the Holy Badarak celebrated by the Primate on September 24, 2006.
During his inspiring sermon, in which he addressed the youth directly, he
likened them to Christ’s Disciples, who he had sent into the world to spread
the Gospel.
HONORING THE PAST
As the more than 250 parishioners and guests filed the church auditorium for
the gala banquet, a power point presentation took place detailing the
church’s history and the many individuals who played a crucial role in its
development.
It was in 1966 that the church was consecrated by then-Primate Bishop Torkom
Manoogian. It was the first time that a Primate who had been the former
pastor of a community returned to consecrate a newly built sanctuary.
In remarks during the banquet, the church’s current pastor, Fr. Tateos
Abdalian, poetically paid tribute to the founding fathers of the church,
"the visionaries of 40 years ago, who after facing trial and tribulations,
disappointments and hardship, had the courage to be like a small mountain
stream creating great rivers, like the small grain of corn waiting to sprout
to build again our Holy Trinity Church."
This theme was echoed by the recipient of the Dr. Albert Keshgegian, who was
presented with the St. Vartan Award during the banquet. Dr. Keshgegian has
found time in his busy schedule to serve, with dedication, his church as a
deacon, choir member, chairman of the ACYOA, Diocesan delegate, Sunday
School teacher, and parish council member. A biochemist employed in the
department of pathology at Main Line Hospitals, has also written several
books on meditation and lectured on various religious topics.
"Use your talents for their church, be it in writing, singing, making the
best pilaf, or even fixing a broken window. Listen to God’s voice within
you and follow it," Dr. Keshgegian told those gathered at the anniversary
banquet. "And what you end up accomplishing may be something far greater
than what you had ever though could be."
CELEBRATING THE FUTURE
In his remarks, the Primate recalled the recent Diocesan Assembly and
reiterated the Diocesan theme for the year: "Church and Home: One in
Spirit." He said this focus showed it was necessary to deepen our
understanding of the Armenian Church.
"We cannot be Armenian Christians on Sunday, and something else on Monday,"
he said. "We are obligated to exhibit a constancy of faith before our
children, before our families, before our communities, and even beyond."
"The Gospels remind us that a candle placed under a bushel sheds no light,"
he continued. "The purpose of carrying the Armenian flame is to stand in
its revealing light. My hope and prayer for you is that you find
inspiration in this celebration today, to carry the flame of our faith and
heritage, holding it higher, walking taller, than those who came before us."
It was a fitting message to a community celebrating its 40th anniversary,
urging today’s young Armenians to build upon the successes of those who came
before, those who built the Holy Trinity Church.
And, Fr. Tateos said, being involved in the Armenian Church in America
unites two strong identities, both of which are wonderful to embrace.
"My family was American and proud of everything that this country stood for.
But we were Armenians, and we never forgot our faith, our heritage, our
ancestry, our language, not as a museum curator, but as a living testimony
to the spirit of our people, a spirit that had been passed from generation
to generation for three millennia," he said.
The Primate expressed appreciation for Fr. Abdalian’s devotion and his
"never-ending labor, steadfast leadership, commitment to this church, the
community, and to our faith. This church has every right to be proud for
its accomplishments and successes — your youth, the educational programs,
your outreach ministry, and much more."
— 10/18/06
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, celebrates the badarak during on September 24, 2006, marking the
40th anniversary of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Cheltenham, PA.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Tateos Abdalian, pastor of
the Church of the Holy Trinity, present Dr. Albert Keshgegian with the St.
Vartan Award during the program celebrating the 40th anniversary of the
parish.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Members of the Akhtamar Dance Group perform during the
40th anniversary celebration of the Church of the Holy Trinity in
Cheltenham, PA, on September 24, 2006.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Peter Hovnanian, who served as master of ceremonies
during the banquet marking the 40th anniversary of the Church of the Holy
Trinity in Cheltenham, PA, leads a toast to the parish’s future on September
24, 2006.
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