YEAR END 2020 E-NEWSLETTER

PASTOR'S YEAR END MESSAGE

Dear Faithful of Saint Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of Las Vegas,

The Apostolic Mission of the Armenian Church is to provide comfort. As we read in the words of Saint Paul, we believe in the Father of mercies and the God of comfort. We further believe that God gives to us the comfort which we need so that, in turn, we may be able to reach out and to comfort those who are in further need. This is the Great Work of Faith of the Armenian Church, and over the past year, our parish has been called to find the ways and the means to both comfort and to be comforted in the midst of domestic and worldwide suffering and tribulation.
The events in Beirut and in Artsakh have once again galvanized the majestic spirit of care and concern as the Las Vegas Armenian community has responded immediately to send aid and assistance to survivors of the atrocities and families of the fallen. Our parishioners continue to extend extreme charity to comfort thousands of people, and at the same time, are sustaining the hope and the resilience of the Armenian nation.
In the midst of all of the turmoil and tribulation, quietly but resolutely, the Armenian Church has maintained Her Mission of providing comfort to our people. The greatest miracle in life is Prayer, and over the past year, our parish has been a prayerful parish. People have joined every morning and every evening as we raise up our prayers to Almighty God, thanking Him for our blessings, asking Him for guidance, imploring Him to comfort all in need, and confirming that God is Light and Life in all things and for all people.
As Christmas quickly approaches, I would like to kindly remind our parishioners to make their heartfelt donations of "YUGHAKIN" (Traditional offering to keep the church lantern lit).
Kindly make your generous donations by check payable to "St. Garabed Church" and mail it to:

St. Garabed Church
2054 East Desert Inn Road
Las Vegas, NV 89169

Or, through PayPal by going to our Website at http://www.stgarabedlv.org/ and click in DONATE NOW or click on the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=rTIsET6IroIBTVBfghEszADZ9QAIc2oPA9_LuVilrjJqIcmtk7qJt4c1A6YCP5EQ8f5RRsNZef-2YcXI

We look forward to hearing from you with suggestions as we proceed with caution through the uncharted, post-Covid and post-invasion circumstances affecting our community. As we find new and better ways to strengthen ourselves, we may better strengthen our parish and our community to remain steadfast in prayer and to reach out to comfort those in need.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A BRIEF ANNUAL REPORT

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the Newly Built Playground

Ordination of Acolytes & Bestowing a Stole Bearer

From left to right: Mr. Raffi Roubanian, Mr. Vahan Zartarian, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, Archbpriest Fr. Vahan Gosdanian, Mr. Hagop Havanjian

On Saturday, December 14, of last year, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, conducted the blessing & inauguration of the newly built playground of A.R.S. "Shoushi" Chapter Verjine Koujakian Saturday School, which is dedicated by the Yemenidjian and Koujakian families, in memory of their parents, Abraham and Verjine Koujakian. The following day, in observance of the Feast of St. James of Nisibis (Sourp Hagop), H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy, delivered sermon, and ordained acolytes and bestowed stole-bearer at St. Garabed Church. His Eminence elevated two servants of the parish to the rank of acolytes, Mr. Vahan Zartarian and Mr. Hagop Havanjian. Raffi Roubanian was also bestowed the privilege of bearing a stole. At the end, the Prelate congratulated all three, urging them to continue their service with renewed faith and sense of responsibility. Cross Godfather of Jesus' Baptism

Cross Godfather of Jesus' Baptism Service, Gor Grigoryan

On January 4, 2020, Jrakaloots of Armenian Christmas Eve. Service was celebrated with Scripture Reading by Homenetmen "Artsakh" Chapter scouts, followed by Divine Liturgy by visiting clergy, Archpriest Fr. Mesrob Golestanian from Isfahan, Iran.
On Sunday, January 5, 2020, St. Garabed Church celebrated the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ. Blessing of Water ceremony took place symbolizing the baptism of Jesus Christ. Godfather of the Cross was, Gor Grigoryan.

Sponsors Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Louis Balabanian (second & third from left) stirring the Harissa

Homenemten "Artsakh" Chapter Scouts at the Harissa Festival

Armenian Dance Academy of Las Vegas with Artistic Director, Mrs. Gohar Yeghiayan

The weekend, of January, 25 & 26, 2020, we held our second annual Name Day celebration and Harissa Festival. The festivities began on Saturday with the preparation of Harissa and dinner and continued on Sunday with Episcopal Divine Liturgy, and Blessing of Madagh/Harissa conducted by H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate. This year, the event sponsors, Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Louise Balabanian and Homenetmen "Artsakh" Chapter scouts were the first ones to stir the Harissa. Also in attendance, were Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Ambassador Armen Baibourtian, Honorary Consul of Armenia in Las Vegas, Mr. Adroushan Armenian. Following dinner, guests enjoyed Armenian National Dances by the Armenian Dance Academy of Las Vegas, choreographed by Mrs. Gohar Yeghiayan.

Blessing of Madagh/Harissa

On Sunday January, 26, 2020, H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, celebrated Divine Liturgy and delivered sermon at St. Garabed Church. At the conclusion of the service, blessing of madagh/Harissa took place in the church courtyard.

April 24: Visiting the Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument at Sunset Park

On Friday, April 24, 2020, some of St. Garabed Church Delegates, Board of Trustees, and Ladies Auxiliary, along with A.R.F. "Ishkhan" Gomideh, A.R.S. "Shoushi" Chapter and Homenetmen "Artsakh" Chapter board members visited the Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument at Sunset Park in the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Archpriest Fr. Vahan Gosdanian attending the first A.R.S. Scholarship Award Ceremony

On Monday, August 24, 2020, St. Garabed Church Pastor, Archpriest Fr. Vahan Gosdanian attended the very first A.R.S. "Shoushi" Chapter Abraham & Verjine Koujakian Scholarship award ceremony that took place at St. Garabed Church. Fr. Gosdanian commended the A.R.S. Shoushi A.V. Koujakian Scholarship committee for all their diligent work in helping the Armenian youth achieve their desired education. He also wished all the students continued success in their academic endeavors.

From left to right: Mr. Garo Bayramian, Mrs. Arpi Hicks, H.G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, Honorary Consul Mr. Adroushan Andy Armenian

On Friday, October 16, 2020, St. Garabed church had the honor of sponsoring the 48th National Representatives Assembly of the Western Prelacy that took place at "Avedissian" hall in Encino, California. Chairlady, Mrs. Arpi Hicks, Vice-Chairman, Mr. Garo Bayramian as well as the Delegates, Mr. Adroushan Armenian and Mrs. Arda Yemenidjian attended the meeting. We would like to once again congratulate H. G. Bishop Torkom Donoyan, on his election as the new Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. We pray and wish that God will guide and bless him in his duties as our Prelate.

At the Clark County Government Building

On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, the Las Vegas Armenian-American community representatives gathered at the Clark County Government Building where the Board of Commission adopted a Proclamation recognizing the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabagh/Artsakh. Ambassador Armen Baibourtian, Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles, Mr. Robert Avetisyan, the Permanent Representative of Artsakh in Washington DC, Mr. Adroushan Armenian, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia in Las Vegas, Mrs. Lenna Hovanessian Esq., co-chair of ANCA Nevada, along with representatives of Las Vegas Armenian Church and organizations were present for the presentation of the Proclamation of the Recognition of Artsakh.

Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

Thanksgiving Prayer for the Republic and Blessing of the Armenian Flag

This year, St. Garabed Church was still able to commemorate several Armenian traditional feasts, albeit under Covid-19 rules & regulations. We began with Palm Sunday & Easter Sunday services by going LIVESTREAM in our StGarabed Facebook Page. By June, we opened our doors and started conducting Sunday Services with limited seating capacity. In August, we were fortunate enough to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God (Sourp Assdvadzadzin) and the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Sourp Khatch) and Independence Day of Armenia, in September.

Mrs. Lila Darakjian and Mrs. Araxi Demirjian during "Dish to Go" fundraising event

Towards the end of summer, Ladies Auxiliary along with the assistance from members of the Board of Trustees started preparing Armenian "Dish To Go" meals. Additionally, on Sunday, November 1, 2020, Ladies Auxiliary hosted Brunch at the Armenian Cultural Center "Koujakian" hall, and all proceeds went to Armenia Fund in support of Artsakh. We would like to thank all those who volunteered in making these delicious meals and to all those who made their food purchases.

St. Garabed Church Board of Trustees along with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate

St. Garabed Church Ladies Auxiliary along with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate

St. Garabed Church Choir along with H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate

Upcoming New year & Christmas Service Schedules