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Soorp
Khatch (Holy Cross) Church in
Bethesda
,
Maryland
is
one of two Armenian Apostolic churches in
Washington
,
D.C.
area.
It is the outgrowth of many years of cohesive struggle
and resolute desire of the Armenians settled in this area to
worship freely and continue the cultural traditions of a people
who endured massacres and the first Genocide of the 20th century
perpetrated against them by the Turks.
A
great number of Armenians who fled or escaped the massacres of
1890’s and 1909, came to these shores in search of a haven
where they could enjoy a peaceful existence free of periodic
persecutions and extermination.
They were followed by survivors of 1915 Genocide.
They settled in
New
England
,
Metropolitan
New York
,
Detroit
,
and
California
.
By
late 1920’s to early 1930’s a small number of Armenian
immigrant families and individuals joined those who lead settled
in the nation’s capital in earlier years, when the first
Armenian Ambassador, Dr. Garo Pasdermadjian
had established the diplomatic mission of the first free and
independent Republic of Armenia.
During
and after World War II a greater influx of Armenians some of
whom were born in the U.S. moved to Washington D.C.
The enlarged community was in need of a church, a
community center or at least a meeting place in order to manage
its collective affairs and uphold its religious and social
traditions. Various
groups and organizations of the community held their meetings
and gatherings in rented spaces while church services were held
in local Episcopal churches.
As
early as in 1931, the small Armenian Community of Greater
Washington
had
elected a Board of Trustees.
Its members were Hovhannes Karibian,
Vahram Kavaldjian
and Hagop Tossounian.
Nazaret Caroglanian
and Moushegh Dellalian
joined it later.
As
the community grew larger, a new Board of Trustees was elected
in 1942. Its members
were Nishan shamigian,
Mihran Seferian,
Markos Davitian, Nazaret
Caroglanian, and Garabet
Papazian.
In
1947 a “Buying and Building Committee” was elected.
Its task was to see that the community became the owner
of a church building. The
committee members were Khachig Haroutunian,
Mark Keshishian, Arshavir
Shavarshouni, Vartanoush
Karibian, and Vartkes
Garabedian.
During these years and up until 1959 a number of visiting
priests were invited periodically to perform religious services.
They were Father Movses Mannigian,
Father Stepan Karapetian,
and Father Yeghisheh Mekhitarian.
In
1956, Bishop Khoren Paroyan
(Later Catholicos of the Great See
of
Cilicia
) visited
America
as
the Legate of the newly elected head of the Church, His Holiness
Zareh I; he traveled to many cities
in
USA
to
meet with Armenian Communities.
While visiting
Washington
,
D.C.
he
suggested that the community’s first need was to have a
permanently assigned pastor who could manage its religious and
community affairs properly.
Thus,
in August 1959 Father Dikran Khoyan
was assigned to
Washington
as
the Pastor of the community.
He served until October 10, 1962.
During this time, the Ladies’ Guild was organized to
assist the Board of Trustees.
On October 1962, Father Sempad
Der-Mekhjian became the second
priest to serve the community as its permanent Pastor.
On
June
22, 1963
,
a membership meeting was held under the chairmanship of the
Prelate Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian.
At this meeting decision was made to buy the present
church at
4906 Flint Drive
,
Bethesda
,
Maryland
20816
.
On
October
10, 1964
,
the church was consecrated by Prelate Archbishop Hrant
Khatchatourian.
Mr. Khachig Haroutunian
was the Godfather, and the church was
thus given the name of “Soorp Khatch”, meaning Holy Cross.
The church building and adjoining land came about by the
untiring efforts of Mr. George Kazigian.
Major renovations of the church and its
alter were undertaken by Mr. Garabed
Devletian.
The members of Board of Trustees were Michael Najarian,
Edward Kocharian, Oscar Caroglanian,
Garabed Devletian,
Onnig Marashian,
Peter Vartanian, and James Keshishian.
However, the church structure was small and had no
meeting rooms, no classrooms, and no hall that could satisfy the
needs of the community.
January
1964 membership meeting elected a committee to build a hall and
classrooms adjacent to the church.
Committee members spearheaded by Milton Gelenian
were Barkev Kibarian,
Vartkes Allahaydoyan,
Edward Kocharian, Jirayr
Haroutunian, Chris Dedeyan,
and Arshavir Shavarshouni.
It was through the dedication and perseverance of this committee
and the help of a generous donation of Hagop
Arabian as well as funds donated by community members that the
present day structure next to the church was built.
It was dedicated in December 1967.
Thus, the community had its own church, its own community
center, classrooms, and a large hall for gatherings.
In
November 1966, Father Keghart Baboghlian
was assigned by the Prelacy Council of
New
York
to
become the third Pastor of
Soorp
Khatch
Church
.
He served the community until October 1969, and was
followed by Father Sahag Vertanessian.
In January 1985, Father Khoren
Habeshian became the fifth and the
current Pastor of
Soorp
Khatch
Church
.
Together
the priests, the National Delegates, the members of the Boards
of Trustees, members of different organizations and bodies, and
many respectable individuals did their parts for the good and
benefit of
Soorp
Khatch
Church
and
community. They
served their church and community with special devotion and
dedication. The
memories of their sacrifices will always be remembered.
The
Chairmen of the Board of Trustees through the years have been as
follows: Haig
Balian (1957), Aram
Panossian (1958), Armen
Loosararian (1959, 1960), George Kazigian
(1961, 1962, 1963), Michael Najarian (1964), James Keshishian
(1965), Oscar Caroglanian (1966), Levon
Palian (1967), Harry Atanosian
(1968), Milton Gelenian (1969),
George Kachigian (1970), Edward Domabalagian
(1971), Oscar Caroglanian (1972), Sarkis
Boyadjian (1973), Jack Paul (1974),
George Krikorian (1975, 1976), Malkon
Baboyian (1977, 1978), Sahag
Dardarian (1979, 1980), Edward Dombalagian
(1981), Ara Papazian
(1982), Malkon Baboyain
(1983, 1984), Setrak Srabian
(1985), Ara Sahagian
(1986, 1987), Robert Roomian (1988),
Paul Jamushian (1989), Guiragos
Poochikian (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993),
John Jerikian (1994), Shahen
Tahmassian (1995), Dertad
Manguikian (1996, 1997), Robert Roomian
(1998), Hovsep Avakian
(1999), and Guiragos Poochikian
(2000, 2001).
The
National Delegates have been:
Nishan Shamigian,
Garabed Papazian,
Khachig Haroutunian,
Arshavir Shavarshouni,
Aram Panossian,
Krikor Kazigian,
Oscar Caroglanian, Jirair
Haratunian, Harry Sachaklian,
Levon Palian,
Harry Atanossian, Milton Gelenian,
George Krikorian, Onnik
Petrossian, Ara
Papazian, Gourgen
Assaturian, Edward Dombalagian,
John Jerikian, Sebouh
Asatoorian, Ara
Melkonian, and
Guiragos Poochikian.
The
following have served on the altar as Deacons:
Garabed Devletian,
Jirair Dickranian,
Karnig Dinkjian,
George Zabounian,
Ardavast
Dabbaghian
,
Aram
Balekjian,
Vrej Beshirian,
Onnig Moutafian,
Haroutioun Doukmajian,
and Richard Doyan.
The
Armenian Community of
Soorp
Khatch
Church
of
Greater
Washington
has
become a flourishing entity.
The number of its parishioners has multiplied greatly.
With its
Hamasdegh
Armenian
School
and
various organizations-religious, educational, cultural, civic,
and athletic-
Soorp
Khatch
Church
parish
has become a lively and viable community.
There are more than 700 families who are involved in
different aspects of the church life.
The Board of Trustees, as the elected governing body,
maintains the Church and Community Center and lends its support
to all organizations.
Board
of Trustees
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