Posts Tagged ‘church’

St. John’s Anniversary: Remembering the Past, Preparing for the Future

Posted in News, tagged , , , , on November 10, 2025|

By David Luhrssen

On Sunday, November 9, 2025, Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, visited Milwaukee to celebrate the 83rd anniversary of St. John the Baptist Armenian Orthodox Church. During the Divine Liturgy (Badarak), Bishop Mesrop—assisted by Rev. Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan, pastor; Fr. Nareg, former pastor; and Deacon Sarkis Ginosyan, a seminarian from St. Nersess Seminary—ordained Arek Kashian, Michael Kashian, and David Luhrssen to the diaconate, and conferred the rank of t’bir (Acolyte) upon Eric Kashian—a milestone in the parish’s ongoing efforts to prepare and strengthen its future leaders.

In his sermon, Bishop Mesrop reflected on the vital importance of community, contrasting the biblical model of shared faith and the common good with the self-focused, often unfulfilling “spirituality” of contemporary society. He drew an analogy to the redwood trees of California, noting that these towering giants have endured for centuries not because they stand alone, but because their roots are deeply intertwined, supporting and sustaining one another. Similarly, he emphasized, the Church thrives when its members are united in faith, love, and service.

The celebration continued in the church’s Cultural Hall, beautifully redesigned for the occasion by Sandy and Jim Densmore. The program began with the singing of “Mer Hairenik,” the Armenian national anthem, and “God Bless America,” followed by the Primate’s invocation. Parish Council Chairman Lyle Dadian emceed a program featuring a rich array of presentations and performances. Highlights included a slide show (featuring photos by Don Rask) capturing memorable moments from the parish’s past five years, a video presentation of St. John and Milwaukee that premiered at the 2025 Diocesan Assembly, and a spirited performance by the Hamazkayin Sardarabad Dance Ensemble of Chicago.

The newly ordained deacon David Luhrssen offered a heartfelt toast during the anniversary luncheon, wishing the St. John community continued success for many years to come. When asked what first brought him to the parish and what inspired him to remain active—serving at the altar, on the parish council, as a parish delegate, and in many other leadership roles—he shared his story with the nearly 150 guests attending the program.

He recalled that it was after the 1988 earthquake in Armenia that he first attended a service at St. John—just two years after the consecration of the new sanctuary in 1986. Having never been to an Armenian church before, he was deeply moved by the service led by Father Tateos Abdalian, with Father Nareg (then a deacon) and the late Deacon Samuel Avakian serving at the altar, accompanied by a full and beautiful choir and an accomplished organist, Jan Avakian Kopatich. Most importantly, he emphasized that it was the genuine warmth, welcome, and friendship of the St. John community that inspired him to return, get involved, and ultimately become an integral part of the parish family.

This year’s Diane Blinka Service Award for devoted service to the St. John community was presented to Gail Gabrelian and Deann Kokott. The late Diane Blinka exemplified true selflessness, devotion, commitment, and many years of dedicated service to the parish. The day’s most joyful surprise came with the reading of an encyclical from His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, awarding the St. Nersess the Graceful Medal to Nancy and Dr. Gary Seabrook in recognition of their outstanding devotion and faithful service to the Church.

St. John’s parish priest, Rev. Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan, likened the parish to the “good heart” of Milwaukee’s Armenian community—kept beating and strong through the dedication and contributions of all its members. Bishop Mesrop also shared reflections from his childhood in Soviet Armenia, recalling his first encounter with the Badarak at the historic Khor Virap Monastery at age 13. “The beauty caught my spirit,” he said. “Understanding the theology came later. The beauty is what stayed with me.” He honored the parish’s founders—survivors of the Armenian Genocide—who established St. John as a new home for their legacy in the New World. Looking ahead, Bishop Mesrop expressed his anticipation of returning when the parish hosts the Diocesan Assembly in May 2026.

Many honored guests attended the anniversary, including Oscar Tatosian, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the former pastor and other Armenian clergmen. The program concluded with the audience joining in the singing of the “Der Getso,” led by Fr. Nareg and accompanied on the piano throughout the Liturgy and program by Jan, followed by the Primate’s benediction.

The 83rd anniversary of St. John the Baptist Armenian Orthodox Church was not only a celebration of its rich history and enduring faith, but also a testament to the vibrant, close-knit community that has sustained it through generations. With a renewed commitment to service, fellowship, and Armenian heritage, the parish looks forward to many more years of spiritual growth, shared joy, and continued contributions to the life of Milwaukee’s Armenian community.

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ST. JOHN CELEBRATES 82 YEARS OF SERVING FAITH AND HERITAGE

Posted in News, tagged , , , , , , , on November 12, 2024|

By David Luhrssen

“It’s good to be back home,” said Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the celebrant and guest speaker for the 82nd anniversary celebration at St. John the Baptist Armenian Church, Greenfield. The November 10 event was a special occasion for Der Tateos and Milwaukee’s Armenian community. St. John was his first parish, the beginning of four decades of service in the Eastern Diocese. His years in Milwaukee were also a turning point for St. John, with Der Tateos taking the lead role in building the sanctuary that continues to be central to Armenian spiritual life in Milwaukee.

Der Tateos’ sermon was a reminder to parishioners who knew him in the ‘80s of his penetrating intelligence grounded in faith. He spoke of the power of silence, referencing the Book of Ecclesiastes 3:7, as a way to hear the voice of God in a world of noise and distraction. It’s a voice, he said, that we can hear “only if we learn to be quiet.” He encouraged the congregation to “Arrive early, before Liturgy, or stay afterward, sit quietly in the sanctuary, away from all noises and distractions, and hear God’s voice speak to you”.

After Badarak, a requiem service was conducted for all of St. John’s deceased priests, the godfathers of the parish and everyone instrumental in building the sanctuary in the ‘80s.

Parish Council Chairman Lyle Dadian was master of ceremonies in the program that followed. Among the highlights was a slide show assembled by Don and Donny Rask from photo albums that provided a visual tour of St. John’s 82 years. The presentation began with black and white photos from St. John’s original home in West Allis and moved swiftly to Greenfield in 1970. Photos from the ‘70s and ‘80s were a reminder that the Badarak was celebrated in those years on the stage of the Culture Hall. There was no church building until the ‘80s when Der Tateos pushed for its construction.

The slide show included many pictures of breaking ground, construction and the consecration by Archbishop Torkom Manoogian in 1986. Photos from the decades since display the continued activity in the church and the hall, including weddings, the annual Armenian Fest and the 2021 ordination of St. John’s current parish priest, Rev. Fr. Guregh Hambardzumyan.

Representing women of the community, Ramelann Kalagian presented Diane Blinka Award to Mary Rask and Dr. Sue Oneson for their many years of devoted service. Both women served in Sunday School as teachers, volunteers at Milwaukee Armenian Fest, choir members and as Parish Council members.

In his inspiring remarks, referring to the church, Fr. Guregh pointed out “Though this structure may appear to be a collection of bricks and stone, within its walls we encounter the living God, who nourishes us with His grace and invites us into deeper communion with Him.” And addressing Fr. Tateos, he said, “Der Hayr, it is through your steadfast leadership, and unwavering commitment of our beloved community that this Church has come to life—a place where we are continually drawn closer to the Source of all Good Things—our Creator and Sustainer.”

Also included in the program a rousing toast by Russell Kashian and a moving performance of Der Getso by Rev. Fr. Nareg Keutelian, St. John’s previous priest, accompanied on the piano by Jan Avakian Kopatich.

The weekend festivities concluded with assurances by Fr. Tateos returning to Milwaukee for the 2026 Diocesan Assembly (April 30- May 2, 2026) and celebrating the 40th anniversary of the construction and consecration of St. John’s current sanctuary on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

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