Our Parish

The Armenian Church of the Holy Translators is a Christ-centered community where faith, family, and fellowship meet.

The Future of Our Parish

As our Founding Pastor Emeritus, Reverend Father Krikor Sabounjian, retired in January 2026, the parish is in search of our next priest. The appointed search committee is in regular communication with diocesan leadership and actively exploring candidates. The committee is utilizing the following process.

Founding Pastor Emeritus

We thank the Reverend Father Krikor Sabounjian for his 29 years of service as a devoted spiritual leader of the Holy Translators community. He helped guide the parish from its beginnings as a mission to the vibrant community it is today. As a founding pastor, he helped bring together the first members and shape the vision for a church dedicated to the Holy Translators. Through his faith, wisdom, and example, he has touched the lives of generations of parishioners and encouraged them to take an active role in the life of the church. Alongside Yeretzgin LuAnn, he has been a source of faith, guidance, and inspiration to our entire parish family. We are deeply grateful for his years of service and the lasting foundation he has helped build for generations to come.

Mission Statement

The Armenian Church of the Holy Translators is a parish of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America that exists to provide a spiritually enriching and nourishing worship experience that is Christ-centered. The Armenian Church of the Holy Translators seeks to foster active family participation, encourage community fellowship, exemplify a welcoming example of Christian faith in action and actively demonstrate social outreach within the community.

History of Our Parish

1997

Worship began in parishoners' homes

Our MetroWest community began gathering for worship and fellowship in parishioners’ homes in July 1997. As numbers grew, we celebrated our worship services in the chapel at the Sisters of St. Joseph at Bethany Hill, in Framingham, MA, until November 2001, when the Park St. Baptist Church was purchased to house our new parish.

1998

The Armenian Church of the Holy Translators began as an official mission parish of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America

The Armenian Church of the Holy Translators began as an official mission parish of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America in April 1998. In the decades preceding, the demographics of Armenians had changed dramatically in the Greater Boston and Worcester areas, with many Armenians moving to the MetroWest region. As a result, there was a need to develop a spiritual center for those relocated families.

2001

ACHT sanctuary established in downtown Framingham

The building was formerly a Baptist church. Many ACHT parishioners worked together to clean, renovate, paint, and landscape the property to ultimately transform it into the beautiful sanctuary we have today.

2003

The parish was consecrated as the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators

The parish was consecrated as the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators in October 2003. The name gives glory to the group of priests – led by St. Sahag and St. Mesrob – who worked for many years translating the Bible and other essential religious writings into the Armenian language, thereby making the teachings of our Lord available to the Armenian people. The Holy Translators completed the translation of the Bible in 425 A.D. The first words written in the Armenian language were from the Book of Proverbs: “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding” (Proverbs 1:2)

2023

20th anniversary of the consecretion of the Armenian Church of the Holy Translators

We celebrated 20 years of consecration and 25 years of Father Krikor A. Sabounjian’s ordination on November 18 at the DoubleTree in Westboro, MA.

Present

Today, our church continues to be a spiritual home of wisdom, instruction, and understanding to parishioners from the Greater MetroWest area, including the towns of Holliston, Hopkinton, Milford, Dedham, Dover, Natick, Newton, Wayland, Wellesley, and many other surrounding areas.

Parish Ministries

The Armenian Church of the Holy Translators supports many ministries. Parishioners are encouraged to participate to help strengthen our parish and faith. If you are interested in service on any of the following ministries, please contact us at office@holytranslators.org.

Worship

Altar Servers – Young men aged 13 and up receive training to participate in a variety of church services. (Coordinator: Dn. Arthur Sabounjian)

Candleholders – Boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 12 are welcome to be candleholders during Badarak. (Coordinator: Dn. Arthur Sabounjian)

Choir – Parishioners interested in singing with our choir are invited to join them in the front two pews during Sunday Badarak. (Choir Director: Elise Durgarian)

Religious and Cultural Education

Bible Study – Themed programs are offered seasonally.

Sunday School – Our mission is to help our children create a living relationship with Christ through faith, Bible study, prayer, and the traditions of the Armenian Church. Our program offers both classroom and service components for children and teens between the ages of 3 and 18. (Coordinator: Julie Everleigh and Lauren Gawrych

Service

Auditing Committee – Reviews the church’s financial records before our annual Parish Assembly. (Chairperson: Andrew Everleigh)

Community Outreach – This ministry team provides cheer and support to parishioners. We also partner with the Department of Children and Families and the Salvation Army to aid our local community. (Coordinator: Elizabeth Boyajian)

Fellowship – Volunteers are needed to host coffee fellowship after church.

Maintenance Committee – Responsible for maintaining all physical aspects of the sanctuary, fellowship hall, and church property. (Coordinators: Karen Durgarian and Robin Palombo)

Nominating Committee – An elected group of parishioners responsible for organizing the slate of candidates before our annual Parish Assembly. (Chairperson: Margo Voskanian-Scopetski)

Parish Council – Our parish’s governing body consists of the priest, nine elected parishioners, and two elected Diocesan delegates. (Chairperson: Elise Durgarian)

Fellowship

ACYOA Juniors – This youth group is open to teens between the ages of 13 and 18. (Advisor: Paul Boyajian)

ACYOA Seniors – A fellowship and service group for young adults ages 19 and up.

Cultural Committee – This group creates educational programing that explores our Armenian history and traditions. (Coordinators: Anthony Barsamian and Stepan Piligian)

Social Ministry – This team is charged with furthering Christian fellowship through social and recreational activities, including our annual golf tournament, fall picnic, and men’s and women’s fellowship gatherings.

Parish Council

Chairperson

Elise Durgarian

Vice Chairperson

Anthony Mello

Recording Secretary

Kevin Scopetski

Corresponding Secretary

Jennifer Cote

Treasurer

Karyn Bilezerian

Assistant Treasurer

Andrew Piligian

Member

Christine Hagopian

Member

Lauren Gawrych

Member

Laurie Bejoian

Diocesean Delegates

Karnig Durgarian & Ron Khachadoorian

The Armenian Church

The Armenian Church of the Holy Translators is part of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church, which has a rich Christian history dating to the time of Christ and the apostles. Through apostolic succession, the Armenian Church directly traces her existence back to two of the original apostles, Thaddeus and Bartholomew, who brought the Gospel of Christ to Armenia.

Armenia accepted Christianity as the official state religion in 301 A.D. through the conversion of King Drtad by St. Gregory the Enlightener, making it the first Christian nation.