Western Prelate Archbishop Torkom Donoyan presided over the inaugural fundraising gala for the Crescenta Valley’s Holy Archangels Church on April 7 at the Palladio Banquet Hall.
More than 400 community members attend the gala, which was generously sponsored by the church benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Varant and Hoori Melkonian. The event was dedicated to the construction of the Holy Archangels Church in the Crescenta Valley. In attendance were members of the Executive Council, local parish Board of Trustees, ARF Central Committee, and representatives from various local and sister organizations in the Crescenta Valley region, as well as benefactors, friends, and guests.
The gala Mistress of Ceremonies Preni Alavertian welcomed the guests and introduced Berj Kirazian, who performed the American and Armenian national anthems, accompanied on the piano by Hripsime Rshdouni.
Prelate Archbishop Donoyam led the invocation and blessing of the tables and later delivered his spiritual message emphasizing the importance of constructing churches in fostering national identity while imparting the wish of “Blessed is the church builder” to the attendees.
In his message, Archbishop Donoyan also explained that the dome of the Armenian Church symbolizes vitality, achievement, success, and love.
He went on to provide a succinct account of the revival of Holy Archangels Armenian Church of Crescenta Valley, sharing that with the blessing of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and the wishes of generous benefactors, Mr. And Mrs. Varant and Hoori Melkonian, the church was renamed Holy Archangels Armenian Church, in memory of their father and in honor of their mother, Angel Melkonian.
The Prelate detailed the genesis of the Holy Archangels Armenian Church, a dream which materialized in recent months, through the collaborative efforts of the Western Prelacy and a vast army of generous benefactors, spearheaded by the significant contribution made by Mr. and Mrs. Varant and Hoori Melkonian.
Archbishop Donoyan expressed profound gratitude for the Melkonian family’s national, church development, patriotic, and humanitarian contributions to the community, recognizing the couple as “brave benefactors of [the] Western United States” and presenting them with a special memento as a token of appreciation.
The evening program featured a wide array of performances and presentations. During dinner, the guests enjoyed a musical performance by Hripsime Rshtouni (piano), Ashod Toumanian (violin) and Armenag Grigoryan (percussion instruments), followed by a video presentation chronicling the stories and history of the Armenian Church in Crescenta Valley, evoking nostalgic memories for the guests.
On behalf of the Melkonian family, Arous Melkonian, Angel Melkonian’s daughter-in-law and the chairperson of the ARS Central Executive, delivered her heartfelt message.
The cultural program continued with well-known singers Armine Vartanian, Natalie Buickians, Haykuhi Babakhanyan, and Berj Kirazian gracing the stage with their renditions of Armenian folk ballad and opera solos and duets.
During the evening, Dikran DerSarkissian, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Holy Archangels Armenian Church, also delivered his remaks.
He briefly shared the unique activities and programs of the Crescenta Valley Armenian church of the Western Prelacy, including the religious, educational, and cultural initiatives organized by the Educational Committee.
Der Sarkissian then highlighted the efforts of the Auxiliary Committee, which collaborates with dedicated members to support and serve the needs of children with autism. He also highlighted the various gatherings and meetings held to enhance community engagement. DerSarkissian concluded his message by thanking Prelate Archbishop Torkom Donoyan, as well as benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Varant and Hoori Melkonian.
During the evening, Rev. Fr. Ghevont Kirazian, pastor of Holy Archangels Armenian Church of Crescenta Valley, and DerSarkissian, recognized the gracious hospitality of the proprietors of the Palladio Banquet Hall, and hosts of the evening, Mr. and Mrs. Avo and Hasmik Keshishyan, by presenting them with a special memento as a token of their appreciation.
