Washington Parish Celebrates its Name Day and Honors a Local Leader
18 August 2011
The Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God was doubly special for parishioners at the St. Mary Armenian Church of Washington, D.C. Alongside the traditional celebrations of the feast day, including the Blessing of Grapes ceremony, which are shared with Armenian churches everywhere, Assumption is also the "Name Day" of the Washington parish.
On Sunday, August 14, parishioners welcomed Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, for their annual observance. The Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and performed the Blessing of Grapes service. He spoke about the life of St. Mary, emphasizing that her response to God's request is a lesson for all Christians.
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Our aspiration as Christians is to summon the faith to hear God's call in our lives," Archbishop Barsamian said, "and to summon the courage to answer-whatever the cost to us personally-‘Behold, I am the humble servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to His word.'"
Referring to the Diocese's ongoing focus on lay ministry, Archbishop Barsamian reminded parishioners "to be open to God's invitation, and to trust in God's greater purposes for our lives."
Following the services, the parish council hosted a luncheon where the community honored the council chair, Mr. Zakar Shahverdian, for his many years of service. Archbishop Barsamian presented Mr. Shahverdian with the Diocese's "St. Vartan Award."
Mr. Shahverdian has been involved with St. Mary Church for three decades. For the past five years, he's chaired the parish council; prior to that, he spent 10 years as the council vice-chair.
He also helped organize the Armenian community in nearby Baltimore, where some 120 families regularly gather for services, and where an Armenian School allows young people to grow familiar with their language and heritage. Mr. Shahverdian, who lives in Maryland, said that Baltimore has a growing community that hosts picnics and other activities throughout the year.
In Washington, Mr. Shahverdian has been active in various Armenian causes, including assisting with Genocide recognition efforts on Capitol Hill. He has never been to Armenia, but his wife, Patricia, traveled there after the 1988 earthquake and has since been involved in supporting orphanages in the homeland.
"In anything that has to do with the Armenian community and the Armenian Church, I am involved," he said. "As long as I live, I'll be helping."
Mr. Shahverdian says he draws his inspiration from his late mother, who moved to the United States from Iran to build a better life for her family, and had always reached out to others in need.
"He is a role model because he loves what he is doing and he does everything with humility," said St. Mary parish's pastor, the Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetian.
Mr. Shahverdian added that he was surprised to receive the St. Vartan Award. "It was humbling," he said. "I am grateful to the community for recognizing me."
Close to 150 people attended the luncheon last Sunday. Parish council vice chair Mike Tashjian served as the master of ceremonies. The day also included a blessing of madagh and a musical program featuring soloist Vivian Chakarian and oud and bouzouki player Mihran Kochyan.
