Milwaukee, WI — On Sunday, January 11, 2015, the faithful of St. John the Baptist Armenian Church gathered to celebrate Armenian Christmas with His Eminence Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.
His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy, followed by the traditional Blessing of the Water service, commemorating the Baptism of Christ. During the liturgy, the Primate also presented an Encyclical from His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, recognizing two of St. John’s most devoted members, John and Lynn Kaishian, for more than 50 years of faithful service to the Church and the Midwest Armenian community.
The Encyclical, read by Rev. Fr. Nareg Keutelian, conferred upon the Kaishians the Order of St. Nerses Shnorhali, one of the Armenian Church’s highest honors. The couple’s lifelong commitment includes helping construct St. John’s Cultural Hall in the 1970s, serving as godfathers of the church during the consecration of the sanctuary in 1986, making their property available as the home of the beloved Midwest Hye Camp for three decades.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the celebration continued in the Cultural Hall with a festive Christmas luncheon attended by more than 100 parishioners and guests. The gathering reflected the joy of the season and the spirit of gratitude for the Kaishians’ enduring contributions to the life and legacy of the Armenian Church in the Midwest.
St. John the Baptist Armenian Church extended its heartfelt appreciation to His Eminence Khajag Barsamian for leading this year’s Armenian Christmas celebration and to John and Lynn Kaishian for their exemplary devotion, generosity, and faith.
