The Diocese
Posted: 06/14/2019
St. John Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of San Diego held its 42nd Anniversary Banquet on Sunday, June 9, with His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, and The Very Rev. Father Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian, Parish Priest.
Lisa Kradjian, Parish Assembly Chairman and outgoing superintendent of St. John Garabed Armenian Sunday School, served as Master of Ceremonies. The national anthems were sung by Ani Kradjian (American) and Sona Baghdasaryan (Armenian), accompanied by Jeff Madigan, who also performed original music composition "The Long Journey Home." Recitations also came from Mrs. Arshalous Buchaklian (Vahan Tekeyan's poem, "The Armenian Church") and Mari and Ani Kradjian ("Pari Yegaik Took Surpazan"). ACYO Chairman Isabel Mkrdech sang "Im Hayreni."
The St. John Garabed Family of the Year was The Tokatlian Family: Taline & Daniel, Daron & Lucine, who were present and surrounded by family to accept their award for their constant dedication to the church, including Taline's recent two years as Chairman of the Ladies Society and Daniel's service on the Auditing Committee.
The Diocesan Hye Spirit Award was presented to Mrs. Hasmig Sillano for her decades of service to St. John Garabed in many of the church's organizations, and particularly for being the church's ambassador and greeter to welcome all who attend.
The Sustaining Members of the Church were honored for being members 30-40 years ago and still are members today: Mirielle & Alan Yaghdjian, Annie & Nishan Chadergian, Dikranouhi & George Kirazian, Maida & Noubar Markarian, Hasmig Sillano, Gary Takessian, Harry Guzelimian, Carol & Garo Artinian, Arus & Vahan Serpekian, Terry & Berge Minasian, Marianne & Greg Babikian, Janet Desmond, Vahe Derounian, Arshalous & Robert Buchaklian, and Sunny Van Cleave.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian gave his keynote remarks and affirmed the church and its dedicated faith and service over the years and encouraged the next chapter of the life of the church as it moves to the new property near Del Mar, where the new church campus will be built. As the final anniversary banquet to be held at the church's 30th street property, the event concluded with a cake cutting ceremony with the honorees, Archbishop Derderian, Fr. Pakrad, and the Church Godfathers Noubar and Maida Markarian, and the Primate’s benediction.
