PHILADELPHIA WELCOMES VERY REV. FR. BOGHOS TINKJIAN, ITS NEW PASTOR

St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of Philadelphia held a welcome reception for its new Pastor, Very Reverend Father Boghos Tinkjian, on Sunday, April 28. The day began with Fr. Boghos celebrating the Divine Liturgy with the participation of His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate.

This was followed by a reception in Founders Hall in honor of Fr. Boghos. Trustee Lydia Arakelian served as MC. After an opening prayer by Fr. Boghos, trustee Lydia Arakelian, who served as MC, welcomed the new Pastor to St. Gregory Church and to the Philadelphia Armenian community. Michael Injaian, chair of the Board of Trustees, delivered a speech saluting Fr. Boghos on behalf of his new parish.

Fr. Boghos expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and spoke of his desire to be on a sweet journey, as together with the faithful they sailed toward a perfect port. In turn, Archbishop Anoushavan acknowledged the hospitality of St. Gregory’s community in a speech inviting everybody to look forward. “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift,” he said, citing the well-known quote.

The reception closed with an impassioned rendition of Giligia, followed by the April 24 Genocide Walkathon.