St. Sarkis Church of Dallas Welcomes Primate, Celebrates Growth
04 March 2009
The Armenian Church of Dallas marked its 17th anniversary on Sunday, February 22, with an event that celebrated the parish’s growth and raised up young leaders for the future.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Dallas’s St. Sarkis Church, during which he ordained three young altar servers. He conferred the order of sub-deacon on Bedros Bozikian and acolyte on Razmig Dokmadjian and Njteh Keleshian.
“It was something new – something uplifting for the community,” said Dn. Sarkis Altunian of the ordinations.
Dn. Altunian, a longtime member of St. Sarkis, helped train the altar servers, who had also attended deacon-training programs at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary in New York. Dn. Altunian told how exciting it was for parishioners to see young people embracing their Armenian heritage.
At a luncheon following services, members of the Women’s Guild were honored with a “Steward Award,” presented annually by the parish.
Women’s Guild members “are the recipients of the stewardship award for their many accomplishments of outreach, ministry and companionship with each other and the parishioners of St. Sarkis Church,” commented parish council chair Steve Tabanian.
“They have done a lot for the growth of our church, and continue to do so by being a strong presence in our parish,” he added.
More than 150 people gathered for the daylong celebration. St. Sarkis Church was consecrated in November 1991. To honor its patron saint, the parish marks its anniversary in the winter around the time of the Feast of St. Sarkis the Warrior.
Dn. Altunian said the Primate’s visit, which also included a meeting with the parish council, injected new energy into the community.
“I personally was uplifted,” he said of the visit. “It really rekindled the flame of the community.”
Archbishop Barsamian expressed his gratitude to the Women’s Guild, and to the larger St. Sarkis community. Although the church is without a permanent pastor, parishioners have been organized and motivated in maintaining a healthy parish life.
“I fondly remember the beginnings of our Dallas parish, and it always makes me so proud to return here, to see how it’s faithfully grown and developed,” the Primate said.
Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan currently serves as the church’s visiting pastor. He celebrates the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis about twice a month, traveling from Detroit where he is in pastoral training. Other Sundays, Dn. Altunian conducts deacon services.
“It is a joy for me to visit the St. Sarkis community, to celebrate the Divine Liturgy, and to pray with the parishioners,” Fr. Sargsyan said. “It gives me joy to see love and unity in the community.”
He added, “This is a living and a growing church.”
