By Mary Mukhtarian
The 20th anniversary of the consecration of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Dallas, TX, was marked on Saturday, February 4, with a banquet at the Hilton Lincoln Centre Ballroom. Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presided over the festivities honoring the Armenian community of Dallas-Fort Worth.
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: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org
Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net
February 13, 2012
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ST. SARKIS CHURCH OF DALLAS MARKS 20 YEARS
By Mary Mukhtarian
The 20th anniversary of the consecration of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Dallas, TX, was marked on Saturday, February 4, with a banquet at the Hilton Lincoln Centre Ballroom. Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presided over the festivities honoring the Armenian community of Dallas-Fort Worth.
Mistress of Ceremonies Maral Aznavourian introduced the evening’s cultural program, which included performances by young local talent. Njteh Keleshian sang an affecting “Giligia”; Lucine Dayian skillfully performed “Erevan Erepouni” on a grand piano; Maggie Aznavourian and Lena Ohanian recited poetry in Armenian and English, conveying the pride all Armenians feel through the words, “We are. We shall be. And we will multiply.” Bedig Bozigian sang “Hayrenik” accompanied on piano by Stefan Sarokhanian.
The young dancers of St. Sarkis Church performed “Sardarabad” and “Vartavar.” Maral thanked Kristina Kheshvadjian for coming from California to train the St. Sarkis youth in all the dances, in preparation for the local ArmeniaFest.
The parish council chair and vice chair, Raffi Ohanian and Dr. Vahe Dayian, expressed the community’s appreciation for the presence of the dignitaries. They listed significant parish accomplishments, including its 40 students enrolled in Armenian School, its 50 members in the ACYOA, and the countless others who make up the St. Sarkis Sunday School, Women’s Guild, Seniors’ Program, and Social Committee.
Zovig Koulian, a beloved parishioner, was named as this year’s “Steward of the Church,” to everyone’s delight.
Archbishop Barsamian paid tribute to two generous parishioners who have purchased and donated a plot of land, on which the future, larger St. Sarkis Church will stand. “It is a joy and pleasure to present the ‘St. Vartan Award,’ which is given for exemplary leadership in the Armenian Church, to Mr. and Mrs. Elie and Ella Akilian,” he said.
On behalf of the couple, Mr. Akilian thanked the Primate and the community for the honor, accepting the award on behalf of “all the kind deeds that people did for us through the years.”
Elie, his wife Ella, and children Natalie and Michael, have always been supportive members of the community. From humble beginnings in Lebanon, Elie Akilian became a resident of Dallas in the early 1970s. After years of working as an engineer for local electronics companies, he co-founded Inet Technologies with friend Sam Simonian, a successful telecom company that was eventually sold to industry giant Tektronix. He later founded the company that produces the popular Wizard 101 video game, acknowledged as one of the safest, parent-approved games.
The new church property was purchased in October of last year, out of the community’s desire to build a church with traditional Armenian architecture, and spacious enough to include classrooms, sports facilities, and a hall.
To conclude the evening, the Primate reminisced about the day 20 years earlier when he consecrated the St. Sarkis Church, and he praised the parish godfather, Dr. Sarkis Kechejian. He noted that the Dallas church held a special place in his heart, for it was the first one he consecrated as a bishop.
On Sunday, February 5, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church, accompanied by the parish’s deacon-in-charge, Dn. Justin Ajamian.
Diocesan Music Ministry director Maestro Khoren Mekanejian played the organ and directed the choir.
Following services, the Women’s Guild served a luncheon in Kechejian Hall, after which the Primate and others drove to tour the new 4.5-acre church property in nearby Hebron.
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Photos attached (photos submitted by St. Sarkis Church).
Photo 1: Mr. and Mrs. Elie and Ella Akilian were recognized at the February 4 banquet for their generosity in purchasing property on which the Dallas parish plans to build a new house of worship.
Photo 2: Zovig Koulian, a beloved parishioner, was named as this year’s “Steward of the Church.”
PublicRelations [publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org]
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