Армянская Церковь Во Имя Спасителя (Вочестер)

Шаблон:Churcht Armenian Church of Our Saviour (Worcester) Армянская Церковь нашего Спасителя (Вочестер), http://www.armenianchurch.net/parishes/info.php?parishid=28

Worcester, MA Armenian Church of Our Saviour

87 Salisbury Street Worcester, MA 01609 Telephone: (508) 756-2931 Fax: (508) 752-1239 Email: armenian.church@verizon.net WebSite: www.acoos.org Pastor: Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian

History

Established: 1891 Consecrated: November 2, 1891

Sanctuary: The parish owns its permanent sanctuary, which is not the original one. The church, the first Armenian Church in America, was originally located at 65 Laurel St. in Worcester. The current facility includes a cultural center, auditorium, assembly hall, and 16 classrooms.

Important Events: Visitations of His Holiness Catholicos Vazken I and His Holiness Catholicos Karekin I and the Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of founding of Armenian Church in the United States.

Milestones

Statistics

Armenians in general area: 2,000

Estimated number of members: 740

Dues-paid members: 429

Average number of sacraments: Baptisms: 15 Weddings: 4 Funerals: 29

(Figures from 2001) Pastors V. Rev. Fr. Hovsep Sarajian, 1889-93; V. Rev. Fr. Malachia Derounian, 1894-97; V. Rev. Fr. Mashdotz Papazian, 1897-98; Right Rev. Bishop Hovsep Sarajian, 1898-1906; V. Rev. Fr. Boghos Kaftanian, 1906-08; V. Rev. Fr. Ghevont Martougesian, Rev. Fr. David Der Avedisian, Rev. Fr. Mateos Manigian, and V. Rev. Fr. Dripoun Bidzakian, 1908-13; V. Rev. Fr. Arsen Vehouni (Primate), 1913-17; Rev. Fr. Serope Nershabouh, 1914-17; Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Kalchinjian, 1917-19; Rev. Fr. Atik Dzotzikian, 1919-30; Rev. Fr. Harutune Toumayan, 1930-31; Rev. Fr. Agop Mekjian, 1932-54; V. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Semerjian, 1953-56; V. Rev. Fr. Oshagan Nigolian, 1957; V. Rev. Fr. Alan Potukian, 1957-58; V. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Gizirian, 1957-63; V. Rev. Fr. Muron Gurjikian, 1963-72; V. Rev. Fr. Shnork Kasparian, 1972-74; V. Rev. Fr. Khajag Barsamian, 1975; V. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Gizirian, 1976-79; Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, 1976-82; V. Rev. Fr. Yeznig Balian, 1982-83; Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian, 1984-Present Parish Council Gregory Mazmanian, Chairman Edward Atamian, Vice Chairman Michael Mamishian, Secretary Archie Torosian, Assistant Secretary

Adrienne Kabian, Treasurer Paul Kheboian, Assistant Treasurer Council Members: Sarkis Balian, Harry Dostourian, Tiran Garabedian, Gary Manoogian, Shoo Tutunjian Delegates: Edward Bilzerian, Marsha Hovenessian, Jay Kapur, Michael Mamishian, Robert Shamgochian

Church Schools

Sunday School: 129 students

Armenian School: 35 students

Church Publications

Messenger Newsletter Parish Organizations

Women's Guild founded in 1949, 100 members; ACYOA Juniors founded in 1946, 14 members; Men's Club founded in 1946, 100 members; Choir, 20 members; Senior Citizens Group, 70 members; Two Youth Coordinators http://www.armenianchurch.net/diocese/clergy/info.php?clergyid=26

Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian Armenian Church of Our Saviour

87 Salisbury St. Worcester, MA 01609

Telephone: (508) 756-2931 Fax: (508) 752-1239 E-mail: der.aved@verizon.net http://www.acoos.org/

was built in 1890 and consecrated on January 18, 1891 as "Soorp Purgich" (Holy Saviour).

Our current sanctuary was consecrated in 1952.

"Khatchkar"

While the concept of the khatchkar emerged in the 4-7th centuries, they begin to dominate the landscape with this renaissance period. A khatchkar (khatch - cross, kar - stone) is a monument, a mark of memory, a stele, a physical witness to faith - carved with intricately laced patterns most often centered on the cross. They can be found throughout Armenia in the tens upon tens of thousands, in a variety of sizes, usually as stand-alone pieces, but also carved into hillside or mountain stone. Scholars have marveled at the artistic expression, the craft, and significance in the culture and spirituality of Armenians that khatchkars have been placed. Such enthusiastic expression in stone has been paralleled to religious icons. Unlike symbols or signs that often simply inform on a subject, the iconic sign is in close relationship to the object symbolized pointing beyond the object to the divine. Some scholars suggest that the Armenian khatchkar is a true icon of the cross. In their visual representation, khatchkars do not merely demonstrate an artistic style or craft, nor do they symbolize something that no longer exists. Rather, they are witnesses to a presence. For the faithful, the khatchkar is the icon of salvation, which it proclaims in simple and immediate terms in the hardness of stone, in the transcendence of the carving itself, and in the unending faith and celebration of the resurrection of Christ.Armenian Church of Our Saviour 87 Salisbury Street Worcester MA 01609 United States Tel: (508) 756-2931 Fax: (508) 752-1239