Holy Martyrs' 60th anniversary celebrations began with a successful opening year luncheon on Sunday, January 28. Bruce Ashbahian and Dr. Lynn Cetin, 60th Anniversary C0-Chairs, welcomed the over 160 guests and presented a program full of nostalgia. HMADS students began the program with recitations followed by a viewing of a video of the building of the church from the ground up. Yn. Yefkin Megherian, Holy Martyrs' first yeretzgin and Yn. Karine Malkhasyan, Holy Martyrs' current yeretzgin were named honorary chairs of the 60th anniversary year. Yn. Yefkin gave a special message to the attendees that afternoon and Yn. Karine entertained all with her beautiful voice. We were honored to have Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, with us on this special occasion. During Fr. Abraham's closing remarks, he stated that this event was entirely "home grown." All the luncheon foods were generously donated and cooked by committee members, the food was served by parishioners and the program was planned and executed by committee members. Many thanks to Bercuhi Yagliyan for donating most of the luncheon foods and to Siran Kilicyan (and her small crew of men and women) for cooking all of the food. It was a great day to kick-off a year of celebratory events!
