50 Years of Priesthood and 53 Years of Sacred Music
On Sunday , June 4th, the St. Sarkis Church Community was honored with the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, who attended Church Services as he occasionally does. However, this Sunday was different because June 4th marked the 50th anniversary of His ordination to the holy priesthood (June 4, 1967). The Pastor, the Board of Trustees and Auxiliary bodies of the Church worked together to host a surprise event to celebrate this important milestone. Although The Armenian Prelacy is planning to commemorate this paramount achievement formally, in the month of November, this Sunday's event was a prelude to the upcoming one in November.
Veh Bezdikian, the Master of Ceremonies, began the program and spoke about his experience with Serpazan. He then invited Harry Seoylemezian who spoke on behalf of the Executive Council of The Armenian Prelacy by highlighting the leadership qualities of Serpazan in various parishes of the Armenian Prelacy. Mr. Krikor Nercessian, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, also spoke kind words and emphasized how Serpazan has a positive impact on St. Sarkis Church.
Fr. Nareg Terterian thanked everyone for organizing this wonderful event. He especially thanked Serpazan for the inspiration he provides through his exemplary leadership and presented Serpazan with a cross pin engraved with the date on the back.
His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian reminisced his days as a Seminarian and how he was a candle bearer 50 years ago when Oshagan was becoming a priest. He also enthusiastically spoke about the 50th ordination anniversary celebration honoring His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan this Fall. Following his encouraging speech, Naomi Megerian gracefully recited an anthology of Armenian poems.
Oshagan Serpazan thanked everyone and expressed how this verse from Matthew 22:37 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." kept Him going for all these years.
The Main Hall was filled with parish members indulging in live music played by Mr. Ashot Soghomonyan while savoring an appetizing luncheon. The Organizing Committee tended to every detail of the event and made it look effortless in such a short time.
One of the highlight of the day was the performance of Datevig Choir conducted by Ms. Haigouhi Megerian. A group of seventeen boys and girls sang the Sharagans. It was like watching beautiful angels sing. Not only did these children's parents feel proud, but the performance was moving for all of the parishioners and clergy as well. Datevig was recently formed and in this short period of time, these children delivered a beautiful selection of Armenian Hymns. Serpazan was so moved that He expressed his wish to be the first one to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with Datevig choir singing Badarak.
Another reason to celebrate was to recognize Gail D'Onofrio. Gail served as the choir organist at St. Sarkis Church and recently retired after 53 years of service. The Pastor remarked that it is rare to find a parishioner for 50 years that continues to serve and inspires others. Deacon Frank Kabarajian communicated Gail's incredible contributions to the St. Sarkis Community. Deborah Agopian, as a young voice, spoke about how Gail's been an inspiration in her life and presented her with a gift on behalf of the choir. The Ladies Guild also acknowledged her with a bouquet of flowers and cake. Mrs. D'Onofrio sincerely thanked everyone including the choir directors throughout the 53 years along with Juliette Milian and Haigouhi Megerian as organists. She also thanked all the Pastors of St. Sarkis Church (Der Asoghik Kelejian, Hayr Anoushavan and Der Nareg Terterian). She also thanked Serpazan for the certificate and concluded her speech by thanking her beautiful family.
The day couldn't have ended any sweeter. A selection of tasty desserts was served at each table along with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan's anniversary cake.
Veh Bezdikian, the Master of Ceremonies, began the program and spoke about his experience with Serpazan. He then invited Harry Seoylemezian who spoke on behalf of the Executive Council of The Armenian Prelacy by highlighting the leadership qualities of Serpazan in various parishes of the Armenian Prelacy. Mr. Krikor Nercessian, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, also spoke kind words and emphasized how Serpazan has a positive impact on St. Sarkis Church.
Fr. Nareg Terterian thanked everyone for organizing this wonderful event. He especially thanked Serpazan for the inspiration he provides through his exemplary leadership and presented Serpazan with a cross pin engraved with the date on the back.
His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian reminisced his days as a Seminarian and how he was a candle bearer 50 years ago when Oshagan was becoming a priest. He also enthusiastically spoke about the 50th ordination anniversary celebration honoring His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan this Fall. Following his encouraging speech, Naomi Megerian gracefully recited an anthology of Armenian poems.
Oshagan Serpazan thanked everyone and expressed how this verse from Matthew 22:37 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." kept Him going for all these years.
The Main Hall was filled with parish members indulging in live music played by Mr. Ashot Soghomonyan while savoring an appetizing luncheon. The Organizing Committee tended to every detail of the event and made it look effortless in such a short time.
One of the highlight of the day was the performance of Datevig Choir conducted by Ms. Haigouhi Megerian. A group of seventeen boys and girls sang the Sharagans. It was like watching beautiful angels sing. Not only did these children's parents feel proud, but the performance was moving for all of the parishioners and clergy as well. Datevig was recently formed and in this short period of time, these children delivered a beautiful selection of Armenian Hymns. Serpazan was so moved that He expressed his wish to be the first one to celebrate the Divine Liturgy with Datevig choir singing Badarak.
Another reason to celebrate was to recognize Gail D'Onofrio. Gail served as the choir organist at St. Sarkis Church and recently retired after 53 years of service. The Pastor remarked that it is rare to find a parishioner for 50 years that continues to serve and inspires others. Deacon Frank Kabarajian communicated Gail's incredible contributions to the St. Sarkis Community. Deborah Agopian, as a young voice, spoke about how Gail's been an inspiration in her life and presented her with a gift on behalf of the choir. The Ladies Guild also acknowledged her with a bouquet of flowers and cake. Mrs. D'Onofrio sincerely thanked everyone including the choir directors throughout the 53 years along with Juliette Milian and Haigouhi Megerian as organists. She also thanked all the Pastors of St. Sarkis Church (Der Asoghik Kelejian, Hayr Anoushavan and Der Nareg Terterian). She also thanked Serpazan for the certificate and concluded her speech by thanking her beautiful family.
The day couldn't have ended any sweeter. A selection of tasty desserts was served at each table along with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan's anniversary cake.