More than 15 years in the making, the new St. Sarkis Armenian Church was consecrated on January 29, 2022 in San Diego at 13925 El Camino Real, near Del Mar.

The jubilant weekend of ceremonies from January 28-30, 2022 was presided by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, and Parish Priest Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian.

St. Sarkis Armenian Church of San Diego

Clergy presiding over the Consecration

More than 350 attendees per day occupied the new sanctuary for Friday's Opening of the Door Ceremony, Saturday's Consecration, and Sunday's first regular Divine Liturgy service ("Badarak") in the new church. The clergy, public officials, parishioners, friends, and other special guests, celebrated with remarks, presentations and sacred music -- and were masked according to State COVID Protocol. Newly-commissioned stained glass windows, paintings, mosaics, crosses and icons adorned the sanctuary as the church was formally consecrated. An overflow tent outside with live a video and audio feed accommodated additional parishioners, and receptions followed every service.

A Consecration Banquet and Recognition Ceremony was also held at the San Diego Marriott Del Mar on Saturday evening, January 29, after the consecration ceremony, with more than 320 in attendance, also observing COVID mask protocols. The Spyurk String Quartet from Los Angeles performed Armenian and classical selections. The banquet was emceed by Fox5 News Correspondent Jacqueline Sarkissian and featured special remarks, awards, performances and videos of the church's building over the last three years.

Grand Benefactors David and Lois (Israelian) Butterfield as the church is consecrated and named

Grand Benefactors David and Lois (Israelian) Butterfield

An Armenian Luncheon and Cultural performance served as the weekend's finale after the first regular church service was held on Sunday, January 30. Featuring the talented youth and heritage instructors of the church, the performance featured Armenian vocalists, dancers and recitations. It was emceed by Reporter Claudette Stefanian of Fox40 Sacramento, formerly of NBC7 San Diego.

Pontifical Encyclical (Gontag) Recipients

Godparents of the Altar Mark and Marina Minasian

The Consecration Weekend was co-chaired by Nora Balikian and Lisa Kradjian, along with their tireless committee. The consecration's Cultural Committee, chaired by Vahe Manoushakian and Sona Baghdasaryan, oversaw all the weekend's performances. The Building Committee, chaired by Garo Hachigian and previously Jim Sahagian, and the Design Committee and Trust Fund Committee, both chaired by Harry Krikorian, worked diligently for many years to make the new church a reality. More than 30 youth and young professional volunteers, coordinated by Thalia Hagopian, helped the weekend flow smoothly.

The Parish Council of St. Sarkis, who worked with dedication to oversee the Consecration, was Deacon Yerevan Ohannessian, Chairman; Berj Arakelian, Vice Chairman; Carol Artinian, Secretary; Armen Derderian, Treasurer, and advisors Hunan Arshakian, Artur Nersisyan, Deacon Levon Parsegov, Hakob Sargsyan, and Dr. George Zakaroff. The church's Ladies Society, co-chaired by Sonia Serpekian and Carol Artinian, assisted with the receptions and luncheon.

The Congregation

The Youth Volunteers and Performers of St. Sarkis

The Hon. Todd Gloria, Mayor of San Diego, awarding Proclamation to Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian and Parish Council Chairman Yerevan Ohannessian

City and County Public Officials with His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian and Clergy

Homenetmen Sevan Chapter Scouts after Flag Presentation

Through the weekend, many people were honored for their dedicated efforts to the church: on Friday, the original church leaders and godparents; on Saturday, the new godparents and the Consecration, Building, Trust Fund and Design Committees who brought the church and celebration weekend to life; and on Sunday, the youth volunteers and performers who represent the future of the church and community. Hundreds of donors and sponsors were also acknowledged for their contributions over the last 14 years in the commemorative booklet distributed at the banquet.

Design Committee

Consecration Committee

Building Committee

Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian, Parish Priest

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese

Pontifical Encyclicals (Gontags) were bestowed by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians and presented by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian to Dave & Loie (Israelian) Butterfield, Khoren & Kathy Kassardjian, Harry Krikorian, Dr. Berge & Terry Minasian, and Alan & Mireille Yaghdjian.

The Grand Benefactors of St. Sarkis are David and Lois (Israelian) Butterfield. Godparents of the Altar are Mark and Marina Minasian. The Founding Pillars of the church are Khoren and Kathy Kassardjan, Alan and Mireille Yaghdjian, Carol Vassiliadis and Ilse and Gary Takessian.

The Godparents of St. Sarkis are Khoren & Kathy Kassardjian (St. Matthew), Paul & Rosemarie Kalemkiarian (St. John), Alan & Mireille Yaghdjian (St. Luke), Carol Vassiliadis (St. Mark), Gary & Ilse Takessian (St. Peter), David & Annie Malcolm (St. Andrew), Armen & Sevan Derderian (St. Philip), John & Cynthia Andonian (St. Gregory the Enlightener), James & Jane Sahagian (St. Bartholomew), Paul & Andrea Essajian (St. Simon the Canaanite), Dr. Jack, Garo & Nina Hachigian (St. Matthias), Dr. Berge & Terry Minasian (St. Thaddeus), Harry Krikorian & George Krikorian (St. James of Alphael), Noubar & Maida Markarian (St. Thomas), Steven & Lisa Kradjian (St. James of Zebedee), and Jim & Beth Broussalian (St. Paul).

Public officials present at the Consecration Weekend included: His Excellency Ambassador Dr. Armen Baibourtian, Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles; Her Excellency Ambassador Nina Hachigian, Department of Defense Policy Board and Deputy Mayor of International Affairs, City of Los Angeles; the Honorable

Congressman Scott Peters, 52^nd District of California; the Honorable Todd Gloria,

Mayor, City of San Diego; the Honorable Summer Stephan, San Diego County

District Attorney; the Honorable Judge Dana Sabraw, Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Southern District of California; the Honorable Judge Sharon Kalemkiarian, Judge for the Superior Court of San Diego; the Honorable Ernest Dronenburg, Jr., San Diego County Assessor/City Clerk; the Honorable Dan McAllister, San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector; the Honorable Joe Kellejian, Former Mayor of Solana Beach; the Honorable Greg Cox, Former Chairman, of San Diego County of Supervisors, Former Mayor, of Chula Vista and Former Member, California Coastal Commission; the Honorable Cheryl Cox – Former Mayor of Chula Vista.

Church Entrance with some of the many volunteers

Armenian clergy in attendance through the weekend included His Eminence, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, Western Diocese of Armenian Church; His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, Former Primate of the Western Diocese His Eminence Bishop Bagrat Galastanyan, Primate of the Diocese of Tavush, Armenia; His Eminence Archbishop Barkev Martirosyan, Former Primate of Artsakh, Armenia; Very Rev. Father Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian, Parish Priest, St. Sarkis Armenian Church; Very Rev. Father Datev A.K. Tatoulian, Former Parish Priest of St. John Garabed Church; Father Moushegh A. K. Tashjian; Father Vazken Movsesian; Father Manoug A.K. Markarian; and Father Rupen Zakaryan.   Ecumenical Religious Leaders in attendance in the weekend included: Rev. Father Michael Sitaras, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, which housed the Armenian church services while the new facility was being built; and Father Toufic Nasr, St. Ephrem Maronite Catholic Church.

Regular services began Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 10:00am-12pm, and will be followed by a coffee hour. Registration for Armenian Sunday School (language and faith heritage instruction) begins in late February. Youth fellowship and adult bible study classes and activities, festivals and more, are forthcoming.

The church is part of the ongoing Heritage Pointe Del Mar campus site, which will also include a banquet hall, classrooms and offices, a heritage park, gymnasium and eventual senior residential facility.

For more information, call 619-284-7179, email stsarkissandiego@gmail.com

or visit https://www.stjohngarabed.com/