Over the past weekend, on Friday, September 20, 2024, and Saturday, September 21, 2024, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the United States, fulfilled his promise made during his inaugural visit to the Armenian community in San Francisco by attending the Annual Armenian Food Festival and Bazaar. The festival bazaar was organized with the joint and collaborative efforts of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church Board of Trustees and the Ladies Guild. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian commended the festival’s pan-Armenian nature, which has been successfully organized for 67 years, and highlighted the role of the festival in raising awareness about the Armenian-American community both to Armenians and non-Armenians in the area.
At the church entrance, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian was welcomed by Very Rev. Fr. Smpad Saboundjian and Rev. Fr. Artsakh Badoyan, Pastors of St. Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church, and Mr. Rostom Aintablian, delegate and member of the Central Executive of the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia. After a warm welcome, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian was accompanied to the church hall and perimeter, which had been transformed into a festive bazaar by the hardworking volunteers of the community. The bazaar featured games, items for sale, food, and sweets prepared by Armenian housewives. It also showcased a variety of spiritual, national, and cultural artworks, decorations, and photos prepared by local organizations and associations.
Over the course of two days, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian engaged with various segments of San Francisco’s Armenian community including children, the elderly, businessmen, students, parents, and non-Armenian attendees at the bazaar. The visitors attending the bazaar joyfully experienced Armenian cuisine and enthusiastically learned about the different facets of the Armenian culture and community.
During one of his addresses, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian highlighted the importance of a community preserving its national identity by upholding spiritual, national, and cultural traditions passed down by previous generations, while also embracing and incorporating new and innovative ideas from younger generations. H.E. Archbishop Khacherian commended Mr. Rostom Aintablian, one of the prominent leaders in the San Francisco Armenian community, the Board of Trustees led by chairman Mr. Matt Senekeremian, the Ladies Auxiliary led by Ms. Anahid Chakalian, as well as the teachers, staff, parents, students, and volunteers of Krouzian Zekarian Vasbouragan Armenian School headed by Principal Mrs. Grace Andonian.
This year’s weekend-long festival bazaar, organized by St. Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Church, drew more than seven thousand visitors. Among the visitors was Mr. Rob Bonta, Attorney General of California, who in appreciation for the well-organized festival bazaar presented a special declaration certificate to the pastor of St. Gregory The Illuminator Armenian Church.
H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian returned to Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon.
