[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28605]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. STEPANOS ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC 
                          CHURCH, ELBERON, NJ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 29, 2007

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 20th 
anniversary of St. Stepanos Armenian Apostolic Church. St. Stepanos is 
across the street from my home in Elberon, New Jersey. It is a daily 
reminder to me of Armenian heritage and culture.
  St. Stepanos is also named in honor of the patriarch of the Hovnanian 
family, who has contributed so much to my district and the goal of 
affordable housing across the Nation, The Hovnanian family is the main 
benefactor of the church and many of its activities.
  St. Stepanos Church was consecrated in 1987. It sits on the site of 
St. Mary's Armenian Church, which served as the religious and cultural 
center for the Armenian community of the Jersey Shore for much of the 
20th Century.
  St. Stepanos is one of the most beautiful examples of Armenian 
architecture in the United States. One can easily feel that you are in 
Armenia by standing in front of it, or inside the sanctuary. On the 
10th anniversary of its consecration, the church added an Armenian 
khachkars, a traditional ancient art form in which a cross is 
intricately carved out of stone, to further enhance its architectural 
splendor.
  The Armenian School is an integral part of the St. Stepanos 
community, focusing on the study of Armenian language and culture, with 
participants ranging from age 4 to adult. Sunday school promotes St. 
Stepanos emphasis on religion within the Armenian community in Central 
New Jersey.
  The Women's Guild organizes fundraisers, dinners, and cultural 
activities. It has become increasingly important in promoting a sense 
of community at St. Stepanos. The church's youth organization also 
hosts fundraisers and trips for the younger Armenian population at St. 
Stepanos. The activities hosted by the church in addition to its 
commitment to religion and culture only serve as further proof of the 
active role that St. Stepanos Armenian Apostolic Church has taken in 
the community throughout the years.
  Madam Speaker, we are honored in New Jersey on the 20th anniversary 
of St. Stepanos to receive Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All 
Armenians, his Holiness Karekin II, from St. Etchmiadzin, Armenia. St. 
Stepanos has received many Armenian prelates over the years including 
the Patriarch of Jerusalem on its 10th anniversary, but this is the 
first time the head of the Armenian Church has visited.
  I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating the 
20th anniversary of St. Stepanos Church for its contributions to the 
Armenian-American residents of Central New Jersey, as well the larger 
Armenian-American community in the United States.

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