Armenian leader to bless site

Diana Balazs
The Arizona Republic
Jun. 13, 2005 12:00 AM

[...]
His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, will visit the Armenian Apostolic Church of Arizona, 8849 E. Cholla St. Ceremonies begin at 4 p.m. His visit is part of a U.S. tour this month.

The Scottsdale church is the only one in Arizona and serves the entire state. Arizona has about 2,200 families of Armenian descent with more than half living in the Valley.

The Scottsdale church has a multipurpose cultural center where both religious services and non-religious activities are held. The plan is to build a 6,000-square-foot sanctuary to be used only for Divine Liturgy, its worship service, said Scottsdale resident Jerry Avakian, chairman of the parish council.[...]
[...]
Church members are continuing with fund-raising efforts, said Donna Sirounian, fund-raising chairwoman. The project is expected to cost $1.5 million with about two-thirds of the money raised.

The Arizona Armenian community is a close-knit one with many traveling far to attend the Scottsdale church.

[...] a Web site directory at www.azarmenians.com that links Armenians statewide.
[...]

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