Overflow Crowd Celebrates Christmas at Annual ARS Gathering

Montgomery Country Congressman Chris VanHollen Represented at Holiday Luncheon

BETHESDA, Md.—On Jan. 6, over 200 Armenian Americans from throughout the Greater Washington, D.C. area celebrated Christmas and welcomed the New Year at the annual Armenian Relief Society (ARS) “Satenig” Chapter luncheon held at the Soorp Khatch Armenian Church, “Arabian” Hall.

The festivities took place following the morning Christmas Mass and Blessing of the Holy Water, performed by Soorp Khatch pastor Rev. Father Sarkis Aktavoukian. Parishioners were welcomed to the luncheon by “Satenig” Chapter chairwoman Jemma Simonian, who offered a special thanks to the community organizations and supporters who have made this celebration a success for over 15 years. Students of the Hamasdegh Armenian School then delighted attendees with a Christmas pageant presentation, offering Armenian readings heralding the birth of Christ.

“It’s an honor and a pleasure for the ARS to bring together Armenian families and friends from throughout the D.C. area each year to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year,” said Simonian. “We look forward to build on this spirit of giving as we continue our programs locally and in the homeland.”

Joining the community at the luncheon was Lindsay Camacho, who offered special Christmas greetings and remarks on behalf of Montgomery County Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). Camacho cited Rep. Van Hollen’s decades of outreach and cooperation with the Maryland Armenian American community, including his leadership in the 2002 adoption of a resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide in the Maryland State Senate, and his co-sponsorship of similar measures in the U.S. House. Camacho concluded her remarks with the traditional Christmas greeting, “Christos dznav yev haydnetzav” (Christ was Born and Revealed).

“It was a pleasure to have Ms. Camacho join us for our community Christmas celebration,” said Dr. Dikran Kazandjian, chair of the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Greater Washington, D.C. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with Rep. Van Hollen and the entire Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. Congressional delegation as we expand our efforts in support of Armenia, Karabagh, and justice for the Armenian Genocide in 2012.”