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An anniversary: Archbishop to make dedication

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  • An anniversary: Archbishop to make dedication

    An anniversary: Archbishop to make dedication
    By Cathy Flynn / News Staff Writer

    Dailynews.com
    Sunday, October 3, 2004

    FRAMINGHAM -- When the town of Framingham built a park near the
    Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, the church came through with
    a nice gesture: extending the path that cut through the new park.

    "We wanted to ensure that the area stayed welcoming and nice,"
    said Dora Garabedian, a founding member of the church, which today
    draws almost 200 members from around MetroWest and the Milford area.

    When Armenian Church Archbishop Khajag Barsamian visits the
    church today to dedicate its new stained glass windows, it will be an
    occasion to celebrate the paths that the church has forged between its
    members, their heritage, the community and the world.

    "Our motto is 'where faith, family and fellowship meet,'"
    explained Father Krikor Sabounjian, pastor of the church, located at
    38 Franklin St. in downtown Framingham. "We have a philosophy of
    inclusion...of making people feel welcome."

    Many of the church's 160 members are couples in mixed marriages
    including non-Armenians, and children are always an important part of
    Sunday services, Sabounjian said.

    The new windows, donated by Tom and Dora Garabedian of Hopkinton,
    show historic symbols of the Armenian Church. Designed by Worcester
    artist Arthur Arakelian and built by Ken Paulson of Paulson Stained
    Glass Window in Upton, they depict grapes and pomegranates, wheat
    sheaves, the Armenian cross, andthe colors of the Armenian flag. The
    angels hold a lyre and a harp to signify the church's love of music.

    "We wanted to make it a warm and welcoming symbol," said
    Garabedian, adding that the windows harmonize with the building's more
    modern architecture and the Byzantine touches added by the church.

    The windows are the latest of many milestones celebrated by the
    church in its 7-year history. The first was its birth around a kitchen
    table in Hopkinton, where four Armenian couples, including the
    Garabedians, decided to establish an Armenian Church in MetroWest.

    "Our church has some wonderful roots in Worcester, Watertownand
    Boston," said Garabedian. "But MetroWest has many young families, and
    it was tough for us to drive 40 minutes to a church for a three-hour
    service."

    Through the Armenian Church of America, the new church was
    established as a "mission parish," a term for fledgling churches
    without a permanent structure and priest. Sabounjian was its deacon.

    From its original 25 members, the church quickly rose to 40
    members and continued to grow. While the first worship services were
    celebrated in members' homes, the Sisters of St. Joseph later donated
    their facilities onBethany Hill in Framingham for worship and Sunday
    School. The church found its present location -- once the home to
    Brazilian and Baptist churches -- in 2001.

    Both Sabounjian and Garabedian said that Armenians have always
    had strong faith, which in turn leads to a strong connection with
    their own heritage.

    "Whenever you have a commonality of ethic background and
    religious purpose, it keeps the community strong," said Garabedian.

    About 45 church members made a pilgrimage to Armenia last summer,
    visiting ancient monasteries, a monument to the one million Armenian
    victims of the Ottoman genocide in the early 20th century, and the
    capital city of Yerevan.

    "We have a strong tie to Armenia, and our pilgrimage emphasized
    that," said Sabounjian. "It was the first time that many of our
    members had been there. The biggest tie to Armenia is through the
    church ... it maintains both the religion and the culture."

    The church is also making its mark in other parts of the
    world. Through the Merguerian family of Ashland, church members whose
    son John spent a year in Iraq, the church sent care packages to
    soldiers there.

    Members also volunteer at the nearby Salvation Army soup kitchen.
    Through the state Department of Social Services, the church also
    donates turkeys, Christmas gifts and Easter baskets to local families
    in need. Its youth group participates in the annual Walk for Hunger
    sponsored by Project Bread.

    Today's service, which starts at 9:30 a.m., will be followedby a
    coffee hour.


    ( Cathy Flynn can be reached at 508-435-8593 or at [email protected]. )

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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