PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
September 29, 2009
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AVAKS BEGIN FALL SEASON WITH TRIP TO ARARAT CENTER
BY FLORENCE AVAKIAN
The fall season has ushered in a new schedule of events for the St. Vartan
Cathedral Avak group gatherings, with the hardy senior ladies and gents
missing none of the weekly events under the leadership of St. Vartan
Cathedral dean, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian.
The Avaks are now preparing for their three-day trip to the Ararat Center in
upstate New York, from September 29 to October 1. The program includes daily
worship services, Bible study, exercise, apple-picking, and other
entertainment.
Last spring, the Avaks took a trip to Washington, D.C., replete with a full
program. The trip included a special visit to Washington’s St. Mary
Armenian Church, with a lunch hosted by the local Armenian community.
Also on the schedule were visits to the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum,
the Natural History Museum, and the Library of Congress. Participants
received professional guided tours of historic Washington, D.C. including
the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, the White House, Embassy Row, and the
National Archives.
Other trips the Avaks have taken over the past several years include a
three-day trip to Montreal, Canada. In addition to these pleasurable
out-of-town excursions, the Avaks meet every Thursday, during which they
attend Bible classes with Deacon Sebuh Oscherician, enjoy a delicious
homemade lunch, and are enlightened by a cultural program.
The Avaks have seen films and videos, heard lectures, and enjoyed musical
programs after lunch. Last season, talks have been given by Diocesan Vicar
General, the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian; Holy Martyrs Armenian Church
pastor, the Very Rev. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian; Dr. Svetlana Amirkhanian; St.
Vartan Cathedral choirmaster Khoren Mekanejian; Diramayr Shake Kadehjian;
Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center director Dr. Rachel Goshgarian;
FAR representative Arto Vorperian; Flushing Armenian Home director Aggie
Ellian; cosmetologist Rita Oscherician; fitness instructor Arpine Dod; and
journalist Florence Avakian. Musical programs were shared by St. Vartan
Cathedral soloists Hasmig Meikhanedjian and Maro Partamian.
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Photo attached: Members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Avaks group listen
during a cultural presentation last season.