On Sunday, Nov. 13, St. John the Baptist Armenian Church of Milwaukee observed its 80th anniversary with Bishop Vahan Hovhannesian, former primate of the Armenian Church Diocese of France, celebrating the Divine Liturgy. ..
According to the tradition Dionysius of Areopagus (Areopagite) is the disciple of the Apostle Peter. He is the first Bishop of the newly founded Church of Athens. He has converted to Christianity after listening to the sermon of the Apostle Peter He has witnessed the Assumption of St. Mary, the Holy Mother of God. He has preached the Word of God in Rome, Germany, Spain, Galia (France). He is considered to be the author of many theological works.
Week after week, I have the privilege of visiting our parishes, celebrating Badarak with our beloved communities. After Badarak, we gather together for fellowship where we share a meal. When the dishes from the main course are being cleared away, someone will inevitably lean over and say, “Srpazan, keep your fork.”
Now, whenever I hear those words, I know something good is coming. That means the best part of the meal isn’t over. That means dessert is on its way—maybe a rich, velvety chocolate cake, or a warm kadaif or kunefeh, fresh out of the oven. Keep your fork is a sign that something even sweeter is ahead!
Alexander Mantashiants was a prominent oil magnate of Baku who was also well known for his philanthropy.
Born in Tiflis on March 3, 1842, Mantashiants spent most of his childhood in Tabriz (northern Iran), where his father was involved in the cotton and textile trade. From early on, he joined his father in business. In 1869, he moved to Manchester, a major textile center, from where he helped ship goods to his father in Tabriz. His sojourn helped him learn the secrets and crafts of the textile industry, as well as the intricacies of European business and English culture, while he learned English, French, and German.
In 1872, Mantashiants returned to Tiflis with his father, where they became fully engaged in …
Copyright by Vartan A. Hampikian, New York.
