Overflow crowd celebrates Christmas at annual ARS gathering

Published: Thursday January 19, 2012

Children at DC area Armenian Christmas celebration.

Bethesda, Md. - Over 200 Armenian Americans from throughout the Greater Washington, DC area celebrated Christmas and welcomed the New Year at the annual Armenian Relief Society (ARS) Satenig Chapter luncheon held at the Soorp Khatch Armenian Church "Arabian" Hall on January 6.

The festivities took place following the morning Christmas mass and blessing of the Holy Water, performed by Soorp Khatch Armenian church pastor, Rev. Father Sarkis Aktavoukian. Parishioners were welcomed to the luncheon by ARS Satenig Chapter chairwoman Jemma Simonian, who offered special thanks to all the community organizations and supporters who have made this celebration a success for over 15 years. Students of the Hamasdegh Armenian School then delighted attendees with a Christmas pageant presentation, offering Armenian readings heralding the birth of Christ.

"It's an honor and a pleasure for the ARS to bring together Armenian families and friends from throughout the DC area each year to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year," said explained Ms. Simonian. "We look forward to build on this spirit of giving as we continue our programs locally and in the Homeland."

Joining the community members at the luncheon was Ms. Lindsay Camacho, who offered special Christmas greetings and remarks on behalf of Montgomery County Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Ms. Camacho cited Rep. Van Hollen's decades of outreach and cooperation with the Maryland Armenian American community, including his leadership in the 2002 adoption of a resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide in the Maryland State Senate, and his co-sponsorship of similar measures in the U.S. House. Ms. Camacho concluded her remarks with the traditional Christmas greeting, "Christos dznav yev haytnetzav" (Christ was Born and Revealed).

"It was a pleasure to have Ms. Camacho join us for our community Christmas celebration," Armenian National Committee Greater Washington DC Chairman, Dr. Dikran Kazandjian. "We look forward to continuing to work closely with Rep. Van Hollen the entire Maryland, Virginia, and DC Congressional delegation as expand our efforts in support of Armenia, Karabakh and justice for the Armenian Genocide in 2012."