Holy Trinity Armenian Church celebrated Palm Sunday and ACYOA Day this past Sunday, March 24. The morning began with the Opening of Doors/Trnpatzek Service and a processional led by the children of our Church Schools, carrying palms reminiscent of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. The altar servers donned their new beautiful Shabigs that were purchased to be worn on major feast days.
Following the celebration of Palm Sunday Liturgy, nearly 250 guests gathered in the Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall for the annual ACYOA Day Palm Sunday Banquet. It was uplifting to see the ACYOA of Holy Trinity running the day’s program on National ACYOA Day. More than 60 ACYOA Seniors, Juniors, and their parents came together to create a meaningful and memorable celebration for all in attendance, from the leadership at the podium to the more than 30 members who so graciously served the guests, it was heartwarming to see the Church’s younger generations actively engaged in this vital ministry of the church.
We are especially grateful to the Banquet’s guest speaker, Sarah Stites, who inspired us all by sharing her journey from Washington to Gyumri and highlighting the work she oversees as Program Director of Ayo!, a crowdfunding organization dedicated to helping the people of Armenia. Sarah’s story about “Saying Ayo! To Armenia” touched the hearts of all those gathered, both moving the audience and filling our hearts with great hope and excitement for the future of Armenia. For more information on the amazing work being done by Ayo!, please visit: https://www.weareayo.org/. If you wish to donate to Ayo! and enjoy friendly competition in the name of a good cause, please use this link https://secure.qgiv.com/event/ayoisyou/donate/ and select Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Greater Boston under “credit my parish” to help us climb the leaderboard!!
We thank veteran chef David Dorian for preparing the delicious meal with the help of many volunteers, from Friday evening set up and food prep through the last chair being stacked after the Banquet. Thank you to our Parish Council liaison and ACYOA parent Bill Melkonian and Youth Advisor Cathy Minassian for their endless support to the ACYOA at this Banquet and throughout the year! Many thanks to Lori Dorian for coordinating the ACYOA volunteers during the Banquet, and to our Director of Youth Ministries, Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, for her leadership, guidance, and dedication to the youth and young adults of our parish.