ARMENIAN FESTIVAL USHERS IN NEW ERA
By: Kathryn Caggianelli, The Record

Troy Record, NY
June 11 2007

Photo: The Sipan Dance Group from St. Peter Armenian School performs
under the direction of Maria Derian at the Armenian Festival Sunday.

Tom Killips — The Record

WATERVLIET – Food was a major draw Sunday to the annual Armenian
Festival at St. Peter Armenian Church at 100 Troy-Schenectady Road,
but so, too, were traditional dancing by youngsters of The Sipan
Dance Group, the pony rides, games and spirit of community shared by
parishioners and visitors alike.

And the fact that it was the last time Rev. Stepanos Doukjian would
preside over a church event as its leader surely had some influence
on the turnout.

"I feel sad that he’s leaving but happy for him because he’s leaving
for a new position that he’s very excited about," said parishioner
Ronald Kaiser, a volunteer chef.

Doukjian has been pastor of the church for a little more than 11
years and is leaving for a position in New Rochelle as director of
youth and vocation at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. He officially
steps down July 1.

Father Bedros (Peter) Kadehjian of the Bronx will take over for
Douklian.

"This is a wonderful community with very dedicated members and a long
history in this area," Kadehjian said of the 200-plus parishioners
and families.

He was ordained in 2005 and has served as a parish priest in Houston,
Texas. When the opportunity became available to return to New York
Kadehjian was only too eager to apply. He arrived in April and has
been slowly transitioning from a part-time to full-time role.

"Many families here are first, second and third generation
Armenian-Americans. … I look forward to being able to unite people
in the tradition of the church and its liturgy," he said.

Doukjian, who mingled with parishioners and guests throughout the
afternoon, said he considered the fund-raiser to be a success based
on the turnout of well-wishers that afternoon and the fact that the
food was running out two hours ahead of schedule.

"Awesome is the way I would describe today. There’s something different
about this year’s festival; the feel of it. We shifted it to further
back on the property because we have expansion work planned on the
back of the church. As you can see some of the landscaping has already
been roped off," he said.

Doukjian said he was trying not to think about the fact that this
was his last festival at St. Peter.

The fund-raising efforts will support the church’s expansion project,
said parish council chairman Richard Hartunian.

"It will be about 2,000 square feet and will house new offices,
new meeting rooms and allow us to renovate the church’s bathroom
upstairs. We’ll also be adding an elevator for our elderly and
physically challenged parishioners and guests," he said.

The project comes with a price tag estimated to be between $500,000
and $750,000.

The fund-raising goal for Sunday’s festival was $14,000.

"Even if we meet that goal, we still have a long way to go,"
Hartunian said, adding that additional donations would be welcome
and much appreciated.

Perhaps the most popular menu items of the day were the chicken shish
kebab and losh kebab (ground lamb and beef), Kaiser said.

"It started at noon and we’ve seen a steady flow of people coming.

The weather’s been great," said John "Frenchie" Ekmalian, another of
the event’s chefs.

As popular as the food was it couldn’t compete with another attraction
that was strictly for the kids.

"Twist," a Painted Pony of America, endured the task of having 40
children on her back and seemed ready to accommodate even more.

Rachael Mahserjian, 6, of Latham, and her cousin, 8-year-old Rebecca
Moroukian of Niskayuna, were among the throng of youngsters eager
for a ride.

Rebecca admitted to feeling taller than everyone at the festival
once she climbed on Twist’s back and Rachael was clearly moved by
the experience, but too shy to talk about it.

d=18456972&BRD=1170&PAG=461&dept_id=70 21&rfi=6