St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The 40th anniversary celebration of St. John Garabed Armenian Church was held on October 12, 2014, at the Taglyan Cultural Center in Hollywood. The grandiose event was held under the auspices of the Western Diocese and was organized by the Parish Council and the 40th Anniversary Committee. The evening’s honorary chairlady was Mrs. Rose Ketchoyan, the widow of John Ketchoyan, one of the founding members of St. John Garabed Armenian Church.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMibtIoDxVI

Attending the celebratory banquet were religious and civic leaders, community’s intellectuals and a great number of faithful. The evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies was attorney Tamar Poladian Esq. Welcoming remarks were delivered by Parish Council Chairman Hovhannes Davitian and 40th Anniversary Committee Chairman Armen Tashjian, Esq.

Congressman Adam Schiff, CA Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, CA Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian, LA City Councilmembers Paul Krekorian and Mitch O’Ferrell were among the dignitaries present at the evening. Conveying their heartfelt wishes, the public officials presented resolutions to the Pastor and the Parish Council of St. John Garabed Armenian Church on the auspicious occasion of the 40th anniversary. Representing CA State Senator Kevin DeLeon and CA Assemblymember Mike Gatto were the Baidzar Tovmassian and Mary Manoukian, respectively.

An inspirational video, prepared by Haroutyun Fodulyan and Ara Aharonian, was presented during the evening which reflected upon the four-decade-long history of St. John Garabed Armenian Church.

Guests were also introduced to the rebuilding project of the parish which will give the present church building a makeover in the Armenian architectural style.

Expressing his words of gratitude was Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian, who has served as pastor of St. John Garabed Armenian Church for nearly twenty years. Father Markarian spoke about the newly-launched initiative by the St. John Garabed Armenian Church Foundation Society. As the official commencement of the Church Foundation Society, founders Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Mr. Krikor Altounian, Mr. Sarkis Der Sarkissian, Dr. Arto Poladian, Mrs. Rose Ketchoyan, the widow of Mr. John Ketchoyan, Mrs. Sima Kalaydjian, the widow of Mr. Nazareth Kalaydjian and Mr. Jack Kalaydjian, the son of the late Nazareth Kalaydjian, Mr. Bob Simonian, the son of the late Sarkis Simonian were honored with souvenirs. Families of founders the late Mr. Garo Meghrigian and the late Mr. Richard Aslanian who were unable to attend will receive the souvenirs accordingly.

In his remarks, His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, former pastors and presently, Archpriest Fr. Manoug Markarian for their role in carrying out the mission of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Diaspora. Archbishop Derderian reflected on the significant role of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in the life of the Armenian-American community of Los Angeles. During the pastorate of Fr. Manoug Markarian, the church complex expanded and the initiative to rebuild the church building was introduced. In recognition of Father Manoug Markarian’s dedicated service to the Armenain Apostolic Church and his invaluable contributions toward the preservation of the Armenian identity in the Diaspora, the Primate named him an honorary “Avak Godfather” of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral and informed the guests that a celebratory evening is in the works on February 8, 2015, marking Father Markarian’s 60th birthday and his 20th anniversary as Pastor of St. John Garabed Armenian Church in Hollywood.

With the participation of nearly 500 guests, the evening concluded with the traditional cake-cutting ceremony. As a keepsake, guests received a 75-page commemorative booklet printed especially for the auspicious occasion.

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