PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
July 6, 2007
___________________
MIDWEST COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO MOURN LOSS OF ARTIST
Kira Simonian, a 32-year-old in Minneapolis, was found dead in her apartment
last week, on Thursday, June 28, 2007. Police believe the young woman was
murdered, though no arrests have been made.
The daughter of Ferryl and Raffe Simonian, parishioners of the St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church of Chicago, Illinois, her husband, Matthew Gretz, was
in New York City at the time on business.
The family is devastated by the loss, said Fr. Aren Jebejian, pastor of the
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, especially given that she was a young,
talented artist with an eclectic, free style. She was a graduate student at
the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Fr. Jebejian conducted the funeral service in Chicago on Friday, July 6,
2007.
"This girl met Satan face to face," he said. "None of us were supposed to
be here, in church on this Friday morning. We were supposed to be going
about our daily business, but because of Satan we were forced to be here.
But we can overcome evil and Satan through love, the love that Christ taught
us."
He noted that Kira Simonian and her husband moved to Minnesota about a year
ago for his work and that the St. Sahag Church in St. Paul has been actively
offering support and prayers.
As an artist, Kira Simonian's work has been featured in six shows in
Minneapolis and nine shows in Chicago.
The Diocese asks all faithful to offer their prayers for the repose of the
soul of Kira Simonian; and for prayers of comfort for her grieving family.
-- 7/6/07
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
July 6, 2007
___________________
MIDWEST COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER TO MOURN LOSS OF ARTIST
Kira Simonian, a 32-year-old in Minneapolis, was found dead in her apartment
last week, on Thursday, June 28, 2007. Police believe the young woman was
murdered, though no arrests have been made.
The daughter of Ferryl and Raffe Simonian, parishioners of the St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church of Chicago, Illinois, her husband, Matthew Gretz, was
in New York City at the time on business.
The family is devastated by the loss, said Fr. Aren Jebejian, pastor of the
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, especially given that she was a young,
talented artist with an eclectic, free style. She was a graduate student at
the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Fr. Jebejian conducted the funeral service in Chicago on Friday, July 6,
2007.
"This girl met Satan face to face," he said. "None of us were supposed to
be here, in church on this Friday morning. We were supposed to be going
about our daily business, but because of Satan we were forced to be here.
But we can overcome evil and Satan through love, the love that Christ taught
us."
He noted that Kira Simonian and her husband moved to Minnesota about a year
ago for his work and that the St. Sahag Church in St. Paul has been actively
offering support and prayers.
As an artist, Kira Simonian's work has been featured in six shows in
Minneapolis and nine shows in Chicago.
The Diocese asks all faithful to offer their prayers for the repose of the
soul of Kira Simonian; and for prayers of comfort for her grieving family.
-- 7/6/07
