A story of success, within half a century!
Under the auspices of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, His Eminence, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian presiding, with the blessing of Der Zacharia Saribekyan, priest of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Arizona, the Parish Council along with its sub-organizations have celebrated the 50th anniversary of the formation of the AZ Armenian community on Sunday, January 27, 2008 with a luncheon, following Divine Liturgy.
A brief history of this wonderful community-
In 1957, a group of Arizona Armenians held their first official gathering, which marked the beginning of the Armenian community. Even though there has been articles in local newspapers stating that Armenians did live in the Valley of the Sun, in the late 1800’s.
In the first half of the 20th century, the Armenian community was flourishing. Some of the first families that settled here were the Mehagians, Chakmakians, Injasoulians, Morrison, Hosepians, Shirinians and more…
The first clergy who visited this community was His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem who celebrated the first Holy Mass at the Hosepian’s residence in 1963. During the Divine Liturgy, a symbolic fundraising occurred where their pocket change was collected as seeds for future endeavors.
On October 16 of 1963, the State of Arizona acknowledges the existence of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Arizona.
Few years later, upon the visit of Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, the Hosepian family was in search of a land to build the Armenian Church. After many location considerations, they came across a vacant property on Cholla St, in Scottsdale. And while they were contemplating the possibility of the sight, an eagle flew over the land where they were standing and Archbishop Hovsepian sighed and stated that “this vacant lot will be where we will build the first Armenian Church in Arizona”. The Hosepian family graciously donated the blessed lot to their Armenian community.
In the following years, the Parish Council with its sub-organizations diligently planned and worked until in 1992, the Armenian Church Cultural Center was built that houses the Melikian Hall. Alongside the hall, the Alex and Marie Manoogian classrooms were established and later on, the Nikit and Eleanora Ordjanian library was completed.
With the help of many benefactors, the Armenian Community of Arizona was able to have its own home where its heritage and culture is celebrated through Church services as well as cultural events.
The community has one more dream to achieve! That dream of building the first Armenian Church in Arizona. We pray that, with the leadership of our Primate, Archbishop Derderian, and the generosity of our community members, we will be able to erect the sanctuary, built on the rock of faith.
We acknowledge and thank all our benefactors as well as our community volunteers for their continued support and hard work to enable us to move forward, continuously strong and determined.
This community is looking forward of the third Pontifical visit of the Catholicos of all Armenians, his Holiness, Karekin II, to consecrate the first AZ Armenian Church in this great land of freedom and brotherhood, to be built with the generosity of its community.
Written by Parish Priest, Father Zacharia Saribekyan
