PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: <mailto:[email protected]>
[email protected]
Website: <;
June 19, 2009
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A NEW CROSS, AND TWO NEW SUB-DEACONS, FOR RICHMOND PARISH
Parishioners gathered at St. James Armenian Church in Richmond, Va., on
Sunday, June 14, to celebrate the ordination of two altar servers and the
consecration of a new cross that will soon adorn the church dome.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), celebrated the Divine Liturgy and ordained two young
men – Johnny Chadoian and Kevork Ozbalik – to the rank of sub-deacon.
The two have been serving as acolytes for five years and working hard to
prepare for the sub-deaconate.
"They are very dedicated to the church," said the Rev. Fr. Mesrob Hovsepyan,
pastor of St. James Church. "It is amazing to see how much they have grown
in their faith and service."
In honor of the occasion, four new robes and stoles for the altar servers
were donated by parishioners Jamie and Margaret Accashian, Steven and Dorian
Barsamian, Murad and Melanie Kerneklian, Marni Pilafian, and Joyce Soghoian.
Harry and Liz Deloian donated new altar covers to the church.
Following the ordinations, Archbishop Barsamian consecrated the church’s new
cross, donated by Harut and Sevana Ayvazian.
The cross – 1.5 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall – will be installed on the dome
of the church later this year to replace the existing stone cross, which was
damaged by lightning.
The church dome has never seen an Armenian cross, Fr. Hovsepyan said, and
the community is looking forward to the addition.
Handcrafted in Aleppo, Syria, the new aluminum cross was made to capture
both the simplicity and the elegance of traditional Armenian design.
It was a created by Harut Ayvazian’s father, Kevork Ayvazian, whose foundry
in Aleppo is known for the metalwork it supplies to Armenian churches
worldwide, including the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Harut and Sevana Ayvazian were both involved in the design process, which
took about two months.
The couple is active in the area’s Armenian community. They have been
members at the St. James parish for some 10 years and run an Armenian store
close to the church.
Harut Ayvazian says he is proud of the finished product, and glad to be part
of "the enrichment of the Armenian Church," especially in a small community
where it’s particularly important and challenging to preserve the Armenian
identity.
"If you see that cross, you are going to know that this is an Armenian
church," he said.
A luncheon was held after services. A number of parishioners offered
instrumental and vocal performances and remarks were made by parish council
chair Leiza Bouroujian.
"It’s a blessing to see people in a parish coming together, devoting their
time and effort to build up the life of their church," said Archbishop
Barsamian. "That is what the dedicated parishioners in Richmond have done in
the case of their two new sub-deacons, and in the case of their beautiful
new cross. Our whole Diocese is proud of their accomplishment."
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian ordains Johnny Chadoian and Kevork
Ozbalik to the rank of sub-deacon at St. James Church in Richmond, Va.
Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian consecrates a new cross at St. James
Church in Richmond, Va. The cross was donated by Harut and Sevana Ayvazian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
