St. Sarkis Church of Dearborn (Michigan) marked Thanksgiving Day on Sunday, Nov. 27, enjoying it with its many blessings, including the 60th anniversary of its construction and the renovation of its parish hall.
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and ordained Subdeacon Serge Garabedian to the diaconate. The Prelate had words of praise for Deacon Serge, remembering his active participation in the parish life of Sts. Vartanantz Church, NJ, as a child and teenager, as well as the St. Gregory of Datev Institute, which he continued at St. Sarkis.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the faithful welcomed the newly consecrated Holy Muron with rejoice and the Blessing of Water. The requiem service was followed by a reception at the fully renovated Lilian Arakelian parish hall, where the traditional blessing ceremony took place.
Acting as MC, Movses Shrikian, Esq., chairperson of the Board of Trustees, spoke about the hall renovation, presenting the different stages of the work. George Arakelian, a veteran of the generation that built St. Sarkis Church in 1962, addressed the public, evoking the spirit of sacrifice upon which the community was founded.
The attendees also enjoyed a video presentation about the church prepared by Nareg, the 9-year-old son of Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, Pastor. Fr. Hrant thanked the parishioners for their support to the community and church initiatives. Mrs. Karen Yakmalian highlighted the tireless work of Der Hayr and Yeretsgeen Tamar for the renewal of church life.
In closing remarks, His Eminence expressed his satisfaction over the progress observed in the community thanks to the close cooperation with the Pastor and the strong leadership of the Board of Trustees, with backing from sister organizations.