Residents of Lernanist village in Armenia’s Kotayk Province gathered last fall for the consecration of a newly renovated 19th-century church. The renovation was made possible by two deacons serving in the Boston area who carried out the project in memory of their late father Krikor Hachikian.
Dn. Varoujan Hachikian and his brother Dn. Zakar Hachikian—both of whom serve at Sts. Vartanants Church of Chelmsford, MA, and Hye Pointe Church of Haverhill, MA—first decided to take up the task of renovating Sourp Asdvadzadzin Church a few years ago, at the request of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
On October 27, 2012, Bishop Arakel Karamian, Primate of the Diocese of Kotayk, consecrated the house of worship. Dn. Zakar Hachikian and his wife Gayane traveled to Lernanist village to take part in the service. Hundreds of local residents, government officials, and other dignitaries attended the service and the banquet that followed. A traditional blessing of madagh was also held, and some of the residents and guests were baptized.
