HAVERHILL — Spices, dough and sizzling kebobs were pumped out of the kitchen as the faithful and the famished poured through the church doors.
Before Sunday’s service, Armenian families grabbed a set of silverware and dug in on Saturday.
From noon to dusk, Holy Archangels Armenian Church transformed into a cafeteria for the congregation at its annual Armenian Spring Food Festival – a flavorful celebration that brought community interaction between every bite.
Hundreds of visitors from across the Merrimack Valley gathered between the blue walls of Ermonian Hall to share the sights, sounds and savory treats of Armenian tradition. The parking lot was packed and inside the atmosphere was as warm as the dishes being served.
Upon entry, guests ordered from a variety of their culture’s cuisine: chicken and losh kebobs; spinach and cheese boureg – a flaky pastry with greens mixed in; choreg – sweet, egg-laden bread similar to brioche; eetch – a vegetarian side dish with bulgur wheat, tomato, and herbs; and vospov kheyma – a lentil patty.
Each meal was handmade by a crew of hardworking cooks in the kitchen beside the hall. The church’s Women’s Guild were stationed at the fryers, ensuring no belly was left empty that afternoon.
Parish Council member Daniel Shadbegina said that a team of about 10 women did all the cooking and had done a week’s worth of prepping ahead of the event.
Plates were piled high and sent to the hands of the visitors, who sat shoulder-to-shoulder with friends and family, eating, laughing, and reconnecting. Conversations spilled over the sounds of Armenian music bouncing off the hall’s white ceiling.
On a partly cloudy day, moments of golden sunlight beamed through a round window above, casting a glow on the congregation.
Moseying from table to table was the Rev. Vart Gyozalyan, the host of this reunion, who found a seat wherever he could, offering warm greetings and conversation to each family.
The lunch tables overflowed with entrees, appetizers, and chomping churchgoers. Dozens of gift baskets were displayed through the heart of the room, giving guests a chance to win everything from barbecue sets, to children’s toys, to fine Armenian wines in the church’s raffle.
Raffle organizers said that as of about 2:30 p.m., they had already almost sold out of tickets.
As the event reached its midpoint, folks continued to wander in and the food fest had already racked up more than 500 meals served.