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: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org
Website:

October 12, 2009

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PRIMATE VISITS ST. KEVORK ARMENIAN CHURCH OF HOUSTON, TX AS COMMUNITY
CELEBRATES LEGACY OF GOMIDAS

Day’s Events Include Recognition of Longtime Parishioners, Blessing of New
Kitchen

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited St. Kevork Armenian Church of Houston, TX, on
Sunday, October 4, as the community gathered to mark the 140th anniversary
of the birth of Gomidas, to honor longtime parishioners, and to celebrate
the opening of its renovated kitchen.

During his visit, the Primate presented the Diocesan "St. Vartan Award" to
Mr. and Mrs. Zohrab and Arpi Tcholakian and Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Barbara
Hagopian for their many years of service to the Armenian Church. Both
couples are longtime members of the St. Kevork Church, having served on the
Parish Council, the Women’s Guild, and other organizations.

"The church is always in their hearts"

The "St. Vartan Award" recipients, Zohrab and Arpi Tcholakian, came to the
U.S. from Beirut, Lebanon in the mid-1970s. After living in Los Angeles,
they eventually settled in Houston, where they became active in the local
Armenian community and were involved in the building of St. Kevork Church.

Following a successful career in architecture, Mr. Zohrab Tcholakian opened
a deli with his wife, Arpi. The couple later expanded the business,
establishing a large supermarket.

Called Phoenicia Specialty Foods, the supermarket carries Armenian imports
as well as products from Greece, France, Lebanon, and other parts of the
world. The Tcholakians often donate food for church events and are known in
the community for employing newly arriving Armenian immigrants at their
Houston store.

"They are very successful, and at the same time very humble," said Parish
Council chair Vreij Kolandjian. "The church is always in their hearts."

The other "St. Vartan Award" recipients, Sam and Barbara Hagopian, moved to
Houston in 1979 from the East Coast, where they attended St. Sarkis Armenian
Church in Niagara Falls, NY, and St. Paul Armenian Church in Syracuse, NY.

In Texas, the couple ran a pest fumigation company and later started a
successful real estate business. Much of their free time was spent
volunteering at church and Armenian community events.

"They keep supporting the church," said Mr. Kolandjian. "They have been
active in every way they can."

The Primate also presented certificates of recognition to Parish Council
members, including vice chair Sarkis Ohanian, secretary Dikran Kismisian,
treasurer Paul Visser, assistant treasurer Helen Marout, and members Arminee
Keshishian and Armond Partian.

Also honored were Deacons Hovig and Vrouir Frankian, organist Nancy
Tutunjian, Stepan Nazarian, and Karabet Balyan.

Armenian School Board chair Christine Kolandjian awarded an honorary diploma
to Kayane Haroutounian for her 10 years of service to the Armenian School.
She was also presented with a bust of writer and poet Khachatur Abovyan on
the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Abovyan’s birth.

Celebrating the work of Gomidas

During a luncheon and program dedicated to the celebration of the 140th
anniversary of the birth of Gomidas, Armenian School students performed
Gomidas’s song "Gakavig" while choir members sang "Kele-Kele," "Alakyaz,"
and "Mer Turaneh."

The Rev. Fr. Zenob Nalbandian, pastor of St. Kevork Church, spoke about the
life and work of Gomidas, including his birth in the Ottoman Empire in 1869,
his survival of the Armenian Genocide, and his tragic death in Paris in
1935. Fr. Nalbandian performed the songs "Mogats Mirzeh" and "Hayastan."

"Armenian music would not have been the same without the immense
contribution of Gomidas Vartabed, without his commitment to preserving our
rich heritage," the Primate said. "It is inspiring to see the St. Kevork
Church family gather to remember his work, and to share it with the young
people of this community."

The program also featured the viewing of a filmed concert by soprano Isabel
Bayrakdarian.

"It was a lovely program," Fr. Nalbandian said, adding that it’s important
for parishioners, especially for the young generation, to celebrate the
legacy of one of the greatest Armenian musicians.

Another highlight of the day was the blessing and opening of the parish’s
renovated kitchen – a project generously sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Arno and
Lilik Krbashyan and Mr. and Mrs. Henrik and Aida Nazarian.

Archbishop Barsamian blessed the new facility. A wall plaque honoring the
Krbashyan and Nazarian families was unveiled in the church hall.

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Photos attached (by Andre Melikian).

Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian honors Mr. and Mrs. Zohrab and Arpi
Tcholakian at St. Kevork Armenian Church of Houston, TX.

Photo 2: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian honors Mr. and Mrs. Sam and Barbara
Hagopian at St. Kevork Armenian Church of Houston, TX.

Photo 3: Mrs. Aida Nazarian and Mrs. Lilik Krbashyan cut the ribbon at the
opening ceremony of the new kitchen at St. Kevork Armenian Church of
Houston, TX.

Photo 4: Parish Council chair Vreij Kolandjian, Armenian School Board chair
Christine Kolandjian, Mr. Zohrab Tcholakian, Mrs. Arpi Tcholakian,
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Mrs. Barbara Hagopian, Mr. Sam Vrej Hagopian,
the Rev. Fr. Zenob Nalbandian, and Ann-Marie Tcholakian.