On the 20th Anniversary of our
St. Stepanos Armenian
Church
This year, as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of St. Stepanos
Armenian Church in Elberon, it is incumbent upon us to pay tribute
to the Most Honorable Mr. & Mrs. Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian. Mr.
Hovnanian conceived and supervised his commendable outstanding vision
of erecting this magnificent edifice in memory of Kevork’s beloved
mother Yester Hovnanian, and his fellow parishioners. It was a true
labor of love
The construction of St. Stepanos Armenian Church with
its elegant Armenian architectural style constitutes a milestone in
the history of our parish and invokes great administration and pride
in all Armenians. It demonstrates in a tangible manner our community’s
unwavering faith in God and the spirit of true patriotism.
Tribute
is also due to all the officers and active members who have helped
to strengthen the inner structure of our parish with persevering devotion
and tremendous sacrifice. For twenty years, St. Stepanos Armenian
Church has provided not only spiritual nourishment and cultural activities
but also has become a loving link for fellow Armenians.
The St. Stepanos
Armenian Church has a twenty-year history of remarkable success, an
unblemished record of religious, educational and national service
with absolute integrity. We are not a large parish but we are a great
one. Its not numbers that have made us great – it is our people.
Our
parishioners have built an outstanding parish by their presence and
participation, by their time and talent, by their substance and sacrifice.
The untiring efforts on the part of the Church-officiated organizations
consisting of the Sunday School, Armenian School, Women’s Guild, Choir,
Youth Group (ACYOA), Stewardship Committee, St. Stepanos Armenian
Church Endowment Fund, Jack Tarzian, Jr. Scholarship Fund, Friends
of St. Stepanos, Men’s Club and Parish Council continue to be aimed
at promoting moral and spiritual growth among their Armenian compatriots.
Undoubtedly, new times offer us new challenges and new opportunities.
We hope that as we embrace our future, our youth will not waver from
the traditions and cultural heritage of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, Pastor
