The editorial committee asked everyone who reads the “Torchbearer” to share their views and opinions about the Armenian Church. Here is a sample of some of those thoughts by our Sunday School students.

Preschool; Age 4

The children in preschool collectively answered the question. Leyton Atikian, Jacob Sigal, Christian Kanasty, Charlie Frassetto, and Hudson Frassetto:

“I think, love.
Friends and family.
Fun.
Shepherd and sheep.

In preschool a game we play is Shepherd and Sheep. They are the sheep, and I (Sara Andonian, teacher) am the shepherd. They get lost, I find them. I believe they understand that God is the true shepherd – or at least I hope they do! We are still working on that!”

Kindergarten

Madeline Mardigian, age 5

“Church means everything. Like family and friends.”

Hendrix Seranian, age 6

“I like doing the prayers and there is good food.”

Anya Bell, age 5 ½

“The Armenian Church means love.”

1st Grade:

Alexander Kanasty, age 7

“What it means to me is that I’m with every person in my family even if they’re dead.”

Isabella Yessian, age 6

“Being closer to God and Jesus.”

2nd Grade:

Ruby Gale; age 7

“It’s important because we get to learn about Jesus, go to church and be with our friends. We also get to learn about being Armenian.”

Sona Bell, age 8

“The Armenian Church means that everyone has a safe place to go and that no one is alone.”

Sosi Callan, age 8

“It means Sunday School and Jesus and listening to Mommy sing in the choir.”

3rd Grade

Garo Asadoorian, age 9

“Being part of a Holy Family.”

Noah Matoian, age 9

“The Armenian Church is part of my heart.”

5th Grade

Lorin Dakessian, age 10

“The Armenian Church means that I get closer to my religion. It’s a way to sing church songs that have been a part of our history. I also like many of our traditions. One tradition I like is lighting a candle and saying a prayer when I go into church.”

Felix Yessian- 11 years old

“The Armenian Church means loving is always the answer.”

Christian Yessian

“The Armenian Church is important to me because it helps me build a stronger faith and connection with God through the religious and spiritual teachings. I get a stronger connection and fellowship to the church through Sunday school with cousins, friends, and classmates. I have learned a great deal about Armenian culture and religion through Sunday school lessons as well.”

Lucia Rose Kazarian- 10 years old

“The Armenian Church means love, and feeling Jesus makes me feel safe and proud to be Armenian.”

Annabelle Apoian – 10 years old

“The Armenian Church makes me feel like I am in God’s presence, which makes me happy to be there. I get to see my Armenian friends and teachers. I feel like I have a special bond with them like the special bond I have with God.”

Christopher and Vanessa Artinian – 11-year-old twins

“For us, the Armenian Church is the only link we have to our heritage and the great Armenian history. The Armenian Church is the place where we feel that we are back in Armenia.”

9th Grade

Gia Andonyan; Age 14

“To me, the Armenian Church is a place to be able to talk about and share my culture with people who are like me. It also serves as a place for me to share my faith with others. It is like a community to me.”

10th Grade

Leah Baharozian

“The armenian church means family and a sense of unity for me.”

12th Grade Senior Class

Allison Amboian

“The Armenian Church means to me a sense of extended family and community with a second home that I can always return to throughout life.”

Katherine Amboian

“To me the Armenian Church is the backbone of the Armenian people our heritage. Without the church we would not be as strong as a community as we are today.”

Isabelle Akarakcian, 17

“What the Armenian Church means to me is having a second home. It makes me feel special and unique because we are a small community.”

View Printable Version (PDF)