On Sunday, May 15th, on the last day of the Armenian School and Sunday School for the school year 2021-2022, St. Stepanos in Elberon, NJ had its Sunday School Graduation.
This year was special since the prior 2 years we were not able to have graduation due to the pandemic. Therefore we had for the first time a ninth-grade class graduating with this years eighth grade. There were nine graduates, 3 from the 9th grade and 6 from the 8th grade. Seven of the graduates were present in a ceremony at the end of the Holy Badarak presided by Der Hayr Daniel. Der Hayr asked Deacon Bullock to address the graduates since he too will be graduating from St. Nerses Seminary. Der Hayr gave an inspiring talk to the graduates as well as all of the students from the Sunday School. With the assistance of John Haytaian, the Armenian/ Sunday School Superintendent, the graduates were presented with their Certificates, an Armenian Cross, and the Holy Bible. Five of the students then spoke thanking their parents and the teachers of the Sunday School. The entire congregation then went to the Fellowship hosted by the parents of the Armenian School and Sunday School and organized by Mrs. Ashkhen Tadevosyan, the principal of the Armenian School. Ashkhen then hosted a talent show she organized with the assistance of the Armenian School parents. Not only are these children good students, they are also quite talented. Congratulations to our graduates and may God be with them forever. Yes, it was a special day at St. Stepanos Armenian Church.