St. Thomas Welcomes His Grace, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan on Palm Sunday at the 60th Celebration of its Consecration

Palm Sunday- April 13th, 2025, was a very special day at Saint Thomas Armenian Church, as the parish was honored with the presence of His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, who celebrated the Holy Divine Liturgy – Holy Badarak- delivered the homily and presided over the celebratory banquet which followed the church services. The day was particularly special as it marked the 60th anniversary of the consecration of St. Thomas Armenian Church.

Overflowing crowds attended the church service, which culminated in the moving Turnpatsek service (Opening the Doors) led by pastor V. Rev. Fr. Papken Dz. V. Anoushian, assisted by Deacon Dr. Levon Capan.

Following the services, the large crowd filled the church's Mekhjian Atrium to capacity to enjoy the 60th anniversary consecration banquet with a delicious meal.

MC Erna Kajayan invited the Parish Council to escort the honorees to the dais.

Fr. Papken said prayers for the souls of Esa & Maryam Garipian, Krikor & Gulperi Alaca, Mateos & Hayganus Parsamoglu and Varujan Barsamian in whose memory Karnig and Ipek Garipian and Hagi and Nadya Garipian had donated the banquet.

Deacon Dr. Levon Capan, Parish Council chair, greeted the attendees and gave a welcoming toast on behalf of the St. Thomas parish council.

A beautiful musical interlude was offered by special guest, mezzo-soprano, Hasmik Mekanejian, who sang Gomidas’s Hoy Nazan, a Makhmur Ahchig, a Neapolitan song-Torna a Surriento and another beautiful encore after a standing ovation.

The highlight of the program was the presentation of the St. Thomas award to three worthy and dedicated recipients. They were Aram Setian, Talin Hagopian, and Anita Altinbas. Father Papken read the inscription on the plaques and presented the award to each recipient. He thanked each person for their dedication to Saint Thomas, recognized their devoted service by describing their hard work and activities in support of the church. Victoria Setian gave an outstanding address describing her father Aram Setian’s extensive educational, professional, altruistic accomplishments, while Tanya Tirpanciyan gave an impassioned speech describing her mother and aunt’s dedication and commitment to family, hard work assisting the church treasurer and devotion to God.

As Aram Setian was the founding president of AESA-NE, (Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America-North East) several past presidents who followed in his footsteps, its current president, treasurer and other board members were present in his honor and to show their support.

A major fundraiser for St. Thomas on Palm Sunday is its Cake Sale, chaired this year by Jack and Sylva Torosian and Misak and Anjel Torosian who made a generous donation along with a multitude of parishioners. A substantial amount was raised for the church. A beautiful cake was ceremoniously cut and distributed to the attendees.

As Palm Sunday is ACYOA day, the St. Thomas Junior-juniors representatives Nasya Bestepe, Rania Bestepe and Nicole Adanas, presented Fr. Anoushian with a donation check from their fundraising efforts. The youths also assisted in serving at the banquet.

Fr. Anoushian conveyed his thanks and gratitude to the numerous volunteers and generous donors, who made the banquet possible. In particular he thanked Jack and Sylva Torosian for chairing and organizing the banquet so successfully, Misak and Anjel and Jack and Sylva Torosian co-chairing the Cake Sale fundraiser. He also extended a special thank you to Dr. & Mrs. Harout and Shake Mekhjian for their substantial donation for the Mekhjian Atrium soundproofing, and again for another donation toward the church lightning rod - along with generous donations from Dr. Jacques Gulekjian, and Dr. & Mrs. Levon and Ani Capan. Hayr Soorp also thanked Arto and Ani Ozgun for their benevolence, many other donors, banquet committee members and all those who worked very hard for the church.

His Grace Bishop Parsamyan concluded the event with his warm remarks. He expressed his heartfelt thank you to the pastor of St. Thomas, Fr. Papken Anoushian; the parish council and all the auxiliary organizations. Srpazan Hayr congratulated Hayr Soorp and the parish on the 60th anniversary of the consecration of the church and said he was happy to be part of the celebrations. Thus, a beautiful day came to an end.