[Dallas, Texas] On the second weekend of October, the parishioners of St. Sarkis Armenian Church of Dallas-Fort Worth organize an annual cultural and food festival in Carrollton and put together a program of folk dances and songs, children’s craft stations and games, special exhibits, church tours, delicious offerings of food, and other activities to celebrate our heritage and provide an environment for a great family outing.
The Armenians are an ancient people who lived on an ancient land and called Armenia “Hayastan,” and themselves “Hai.” Through oral History, Armenian people can trace their lineage as the direct descendants of Noah’s son Japheth.
The Armenian Nation entered the arena of history some 600 years B.C. Present day research has established that they are descendants of the Urartians, and were occupying the plain of Ararat since at least the second millennium.
Armenians hold the distinction of being the first nation to declare Christianity as its state religion in 301 A.D., when King Trdat III and St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first bishop of Armenia converted the Armenians to Christianity. Prior to this event, the Apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew had reached Armenia during the middle of the first century and preached Christianity secretly.
The first Cathedral in Etchmiadzin, near Yerevan, is the head of the Armenian Church, which was erected by Trdat and Gregory in the year 303 A.D.
The Armenian language is an independent branch of the Indo-European family. It was invented by the scribe Mesrob Mashdots in 404 A.D., to facilitate the creation of Christian literature, primarily to translate the Bible into Armenian. It contains 36 letters.
While the Armenians withstood invasions and domination, its population continued to grow in the highlands of Asia Minor centering around Mount Ararat. This came to an abrupt halt with the first genocide of the twentieth century in 1915. As a result, the majority of the remaining Armenian people took refuge in neighboring countries.
Despite the fact that dispersion and globalization have drawn Armenians to the four corners of the world, the Armenians strive to hold on to their cultural traditions and religious, and historical customs. St. Sarkis Armenian Church and its parish is an example of such an active Armenian community.
In the late 70s and early 80s, of the last century, a wave of immigrant families had begun settling in the Dallas area. They wanted a place to gather, socialize, worship and were looking for their roots. Having raised enough funds, and with the encouragement of already established families, the community purchased an abandoned home and with a bit of imagination and lots of creative hard work, it was turned into a sanctuary. As the community gathered to watch the Primate preside over the consecration of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church in 1991, on that day Dr. Sarkis Kechejian was honored to be the God father of our Church, we knew we now had a home. An energized community planned their future to create a place for their children to learn their heritage and practice the Armenian Christian faith.
St. Sarkis is now the gathering center for Armenian families of North Texas and parts of Oklahoma. A newly ordained young priest and his family, an active Youth Group, an energetic Women’s Guild, an Armenian language Saturday School, a Sunday School, a Church Choir, a Seniors Group, and a successful annual ArmeniaFest complete the picture of a vibrant community.
2011 was a milestone year for us. The generous donation of a 4.5 acre land by the Akilians has renewed our enthusiasm to build an Armenian church with a community center as a sustainable model for our next generation.
The community of St. Sarkis Armenian Church hopes to see you at the 18th annual ArmeniaFest to savor their food and partake in their rich culture and heritage.
Schedule of Events ArmeniaFest 2013
Friday, October 11 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. Opening Ceremony and Prayer
5:05 p.m. Café open – Outdoor (continuous)
Gift Shop and Silent Auction – Inside the Hall
Children’s Activities – Indoor and Outdoor
History and Art Exhibits – Inside the Hall
7:00 p.m. Armenian Song and Dance – Outdoor Stage
7:30 p.m. Folk Dance Performance – Outdoor Stage
9:00 p.m. Dance to Music – Outdoor Stage
Saturday, October 12 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
10:00 p.m. Café open – Outdoor (continuous)
Gift Shop and Silent Auction – Inside the Hall
Children’s Activities – Indoor and Outdoor
History and Art Exhibits – Inside the Hall
12:00 p.m. Church Tour
1:00 p.m. Armenian Song and Dance – Outdoor Stage
2:00 p.m. Baking Demonstration – Inside the Hall
3:00 p.m. Folk Dance Performance – Outdoor Stage
4:00 p.m. Church Tour and Sanctuary
5:00 p.m. Armenian Song and Dance – Outdoor Stage
7:30 p.m. Folk Dance Performance – Outdoor Stage
9:00 p.m. Dance to Music – Outdoor Stage
Sunday, October 13 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m. Church Service – Sanctuary
12:00 p.m. Café open – Outdoor (continuous)
Gift Shop and Silent Auction – Inside the Hall
Children’s Activities – Indoor and Outdoor
History and Art Exhibits – Inside the Hall
12:00 p.m. Church Tour
1:00 p.m. Armenian Song and Dance – Outdoor Stage
2:00 p.m. Baking Demonstration – Inside the Hall
3:00 p.m. Folk Dance Performance – Outdoor Stage
4:00 p.m. Silent Auction Closes – Inside the hall
5:00 p.m. Raffle Drawing – Inside the Hall
The City of Carrollton Fire and Police Departments will make a guest appearance on Saturday between 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
In case of rainy weather, folk dances and singing will be performed in the Hall.