PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The Sts. Vartanantz Church Mourad Armenian School celebrated Armenian Christmas on Saturday, January 6, 2024, following the Christmas Badarak and the Blessing of the Water.
During the Divine Liturgy, the 7th grade students beautifully recited the Havadamk (Nicene Creed) as they stood in front of the altar in their shabeegs and veils. They also witnessed the ceremony of the Blessing of the Water, during which Matt Burke was honored as Godfather of the Holy Cross.
Immediately after church services, approximately 180 guests, including students, made their way to the Aramian and Fermanian Halls for the Christmas Hantes (recital). Thanks to the efforts of the parent-teacher organization (PTO), the hall was bustling with Christmas cheer and a festive atmosphere.
The Mourad Armenian School 7th grade students reciting the Havadamk (Nicene Creed)
In her opening remarks, Mourad Armenian School co-director June Mangassarian thanked everyone for supporting the school and commended the students and teachers for their dedication. “Our students brighten up our days, every Saturday. They come to school with big smiles and eager to learn our language,” said Mangassarian. Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian then offered the opening prayer.
Co-director Lala Attarian highlighted the vital role of Armenian institutions in our struggle to preserve our identity, language and heritage. She also mentioned that our students have had an active role in raising funds for their brothers and sisters from Artsakh. Moreover, she proudly announced that Mourad Armenian Saturday School has established the Sister School program with the “Nor Oughi” school in the Ararat province of Armenia, an ongoing project that aims to help students connect with their peers in the homeland. Attarian invited Mourad School Committee chairman Hagop Khatchadourian to present his remarks.
Khatchadourian reflected on the message of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, proclaiming 2024 as the “Year of Human Resources Preparation.” “Let us rekindle our mission of devoted work, and let’s revamp our activities in Providence…Considering the challenges of our community, we need to work together to ‘prepare’ our future leaders and teachers,” said Khatchadourian. Finally, he invited the community to attend the 90th anniversary celebration of the Mourad Armenian School, which will take place on April 6, 2024.
The students then began their performance, including songs and a piano solo. They sang with enthusiasm under the direction of music director Baron Raffi Rachdouni. When the children started singing Gaghant Baba, Santa appeared with a bag full of gifts for the students on stage, as well as babies and siblings in the audience. Gifts were donated by the Providence ARS “Arax” and “Ani” chapters and Taline Badrikian, author of children’s books. After Santa left, the raffle tickets were drawn, and everyone, winners or not, departed with delight and joy! The event concluded with Rev. Fr. Nazarian’s appreciative remarks and the closing prayer.
The food, prepared and served by the Ladies’ Guild and the Men’s Club, was delicious and plentiful. Special thanks to PTO members Ani Dedeyan, Alenoush Hagopian, Megan Khatchadourian and Melanie Zeitounian, the students and teachers who all worked hard for this unprecedented event. It really takes a village to put on such an event!
The Mourad Armenian School thanks all the families who supplied the desserts and the following establishments and individuals for their generous donations: Ani’s Full-Service Salon, Dedeyan family, The Gentleman Cigar Lounge, Hercules Pizza, Iskenderian family, Karo’s Barber Shop, Kodos Jewelry, Krikorian family, Noreen LaFazia, My Car, Inc., The Patio on Broadway, Pizza Palace, PJ’s Pub, Talar Restikian, Sako’s Pizza and Virginia and Spanish Peanut Company.