Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Armenian Church of Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — More than 400 people participated in the Groundbreaking ceremony of the church building of the Armenian Church. The vision of hard working Armenian-American community of Las Vegas was realized on November 1st 2014 with the groundbreaking ceremony for a new church in the heart of the community.

At 12:30p.m., Godfathers, donors, and faithful gathered at the Pre-School building, which also serves as the temporary sanctuary of the church, and were led in a procession to the site where the future church building would be built. With the participation of Archpriest Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian, Archpriest Fr. Nareg Matarian, and Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrapetyan, the Primate anointed the cross-stones and the foreheads of the Godfathers of the Armenian Church of Las Vegas. Archbishop Derderian congratulated the Godfathers on their God-pleasing endeavor as “church-builders.”

In his address to the faithful community, the Primate said “Beloved faithful in Christ, this historic day marks a new milestone in the life of the Armenian Church of Las Vegas. You have embarked on a God-pleasing journey. You are the living testament of the resurrected Armenian nation. Your commitment to the preservation of our ancestral Christian Faith, our rich heritage and culture is the realization of the dream of our martyred ancestors. I pray that you continue to uphold our sacred traditions and become exemplary citizens of this blessed land of the United States of America.”

Renowned attorney Mark Geragos, who is also the Grand Benefactor of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Las Vegas, concluded the ceremonial rite with the breaking of the ground.

Diocesan Council Chairman Mr. Antranik Zorayan, Diocese’s Executive Director Harout Markarian, the Rev. Fr. Avedis Torosian, the Rev. Fr. Arsen Kassabian, the Rev. Samuel Agulian, the Rev. Kurt A. Sortland, Pastor of The Lakes Lutheran Church, Father and Son Jerry and Danny Tarkanian participated in the historic event.

The twelve Godfathers (“Pillars – Apostles”) are George Gregory Meguerian, Vahag Stepanyan, Rouben Grigoryan, Vigen Kirakosyan, Edmond Patvakanyan, Levon Akhsharumov, Stepan Gevorgryants, Mesrop Khachikyan, Shavarsh Papazian, Haik Atamian, Gagik Sekoyan and Joseph Djavairian.

The four Godfathers (“Pillars – Evangelists”) are Rouzanna Grigorian, Hovsep Shadarevian, Kevin Setanyan and Mihran Furnchyan.

In the artistic portion of the program, students of the Armenian Dance School of Las Vegas (instructor Las Vegas Isabella Martirosyan) delighted the crowd with exceptional performances of traditional Armenian dances. Saturday School students recited poems by famous Armenian poets. Renowned violinist Samvel Yervinyan displayed a masterful performance of the string instrument.

The event was covered by Las Vegas Channel 13 and was shown on local television at 8:30 p.m. on the same night.