GLENDLAE–Festive opening ceremonies for the 27th annual Homenetmen Navasartian Games will take place Sunday–May 5 at the Glendale Ararat chapter’s newly-constructed center–reported the Homenetmen Western Regional Executive.
The Navasartian torch will be brought in from Glendale’s St. Mary’s Church–where athletes will gather to run the torch to the Ararat center for the lighting of the official torch housed at the center. The Navasartian torch will be blessed during a special ceremony at St. Mary’s prior to its trek to the opening ceremonies.
The 27th Navasartian Games will officially be kicked off at 5 p.m. under the auspices of Western Prelate Bishop Moushegh Mardirossian and with the attendance of veteran Homenetmen members and official guests.
Homenetmen’s marching band will lead the procession of flag bearing scouts and the parade of athletes to the Ararat center–after which the blessed torch will be used to light the permanent Navasartian torch. The solemn athletic oath ceremony will follow–after which the Homenetmen Ararat martial arts team will exhibit a show of martial arts moves. A three-point shooting competition will conclude the opening ceremonies.
That weekend will be a busy one for the Homenetmen. On Saturday–the organization will kick off its Scouting athletic competition at the Mesrobian School in Pico Rivera On Sunday–the Homenetmen Regional Athletic Council will kick off its Armenian Youth Soccer Academy–under the direction of noted soccer player Harout Karapetian.
Also on Sunday–the Homenetmen will premier its weekly television show–which will be broadcast every Sunday at 1 and 4 p.m. on Armenian Cable Television–Channel 55.