VARTAVAR PICNIC

The celebration of the feast of Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ is always with a big meaning in Armenia. After all, who wouldn’t want after celebrating the Divine Liturgy to go out and to splash or drench each other with cool water on a hot summer day washing away the human weaknesses and mistakes through the holy vision of God’s power that can transfigure every soul?

On July 11, it was the case for the families of St. Stepanos Armenian Church to hold a Summer picnic. The picnic spared no efforts in creating an unforgettable experience and a warm time of companionship. God in his grace smiled at our event with beautiful weather and with small heavenly clouds to be seen for a short time.

Representatives of St. Stepanos Parish Council and Women’s Guild were busy preparing a delicious feast for the Vartavar picnic on Sunday afternoon, they were all united in their hearts with the mystery of Holy Communion and the Badarak, served in the sanctuary by our beloved pastor, Father Daniel Karadjian.

After Badarak, more than 100 people and our guests from St. Leon church’s ACYOA Seniors who came and attend Badarak flocked towards the pavilion where the gazebos were set and the traditional Armenian BBQ kebab was hot off the grill. The ladies of St. Stepanos Woman’s Guild run a special stand to sell Armenian traditional homemade pastries.

Our Pastor and the Parish Council want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped to make St. Stepanos Annual Summer Picnic a success this year. We thank you for your love to God, to our church, for your time and efforts, for your creativeness, for your ideas and suggestions, for your willingness to help, for being organized to work together as a team, for your donations, and for everything else you did for our community.