PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

April 17, 2007
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SENIORS GROUP GATHERS IN NEW YORK CITY’S ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL

The Avaks are at it again. This dynamic group of seniors at the St. Vartan
Cathedral in New York City has a full schedule of interesting activities
planned for April, May, and June.

The schedule includes films, a news lecture by journalist Florence Avakian,
a trip to Lancaster, PA on June 7, a three-day retreat to the Diocesan
Ararat Center from June 12 to 14, and the annual picnic on May 31 at St.
Nersess Seminary in New Rochelle, New York, featuring delicious food,
entertainment and prizes.

The June 7 all-day trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, will entail travel on a
deluxe air-conditioned bus with breakfast, an all-you-can-eat lunch,
shopping, and tickets to the famed Sight and Sound Theatre’s much acclaimed
musical play "In the Beginning," and prizes and entertainment on the way
back

During this past year, the Avaks were treated to lectures by the Fr. Vahan
Hovhanessian, Dr. Zareh Hovanesian, Dr. Knarig Khachadourian, Dr. Arthur
Kubikian, lawyer Jack Cilingirian, fitness instructor Arpine Dod, singer
Maro Partamian, and videos from Armenia.

In December, they attended a showing of the feature film "The Nativity" at a
local theatre. In March the seniors traveled to the Asia Society in New
York City to view the "Treasures of Persia" exhibition.

The Avaks meet every Thursday at the St. Vartan Cathedral at 11:30 a.m. for
a one hour Bible study with Dn. Sebuh Oscherician, followed by a lunch and
program at 12:30 p.m. The director of the Avak program is the Fr. Mardiros
Chevian, dean of the St. Vartan Cathedral.

For more information, seniors can call the cathedral at (212) 686-0710.

— 4/17/07

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 get a lesson from fitness
instructor Arpine Dod.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian speaks about Holy Week to the
Avaks senior citizens group during one of their regular Thursday afternoon
meetings at St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City.