2 months ago
8
YETTEM, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) — Easter celebrations happened each implicit the Central Valley, including a tiny Tulare County municipality that hangs onto its Armenian heritage.
The historical municipality of Yettem mightiness not beryllium arsenic ample arsenic it erstwhile was, but much than 100 years of traditions continue.
"Many of the radical present came from the aforesaid colony successful occidental Armenia,” said St. Mary Armenian Church Organist and Choir Director Mari Louise Menendian.
“We person our top attendance connected Easter Sunday,” said Annie Davidian, Vice Chairperson of the Parish Council.
Families are spending Easter astatine St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church. After the service, an Easter ovum hunt was followed by an Easter lunch. More than 80 radical celebrated Easter unneurotic successful a municipality wherever precise fewer radical inactive live.
"How galore are we now? Let maine think. Maybe less than 100," Menendian said.
A 40-minute thrust from Fresno, you'll find Yettem. Back successful 1901, 3 Armenians from Fresno stumbled upon a onshore truthful majestic, they named it "Eden" successful Armenian.
"There's conscionable thing astir Yettem that feels similar home," Sunday schoolhouse teacher and Fresno State pupil Anahid Valencia said.
That's wherefore today, folks thrust to Yettem from Visalia, Fresno, and beyond to support contented alive.
"I americium astir apt the youngest idiosyncratic who regularly comes to church," Valencia said. "I thatch Sunday schoolhouse conscionable similar my ma did, my grandma did, and my great-grandmother did. I started helping retired erstwhile I was 16."
From the schoolroom to the clergy, everyone is chipping in.
"We each retrieve erstwhile we had to enactment other chairs present successful the aisle," Menedian said.
Mary Louise is the organist and choir manager astatine St. Mary. She began playing beauteous euphony erstwhile she was 11 years old.
"It fills maine with joyousness and my choir. You know, we're a fewer voices, but they marque a truly bully dependable and they've learned due to the fact that my parent taught them," Menedian said.
A shrinking assemblage is maintained by its transportation to its Armenian practice and God.
"The fewer of america present who person known the past of the religion find it precise almighty that we are inactive here. The religion is alive," Menedian said.
On this Easter, determination is anticipation that Yettem volition unrecorded on.
"We privation to spot radical embracing our heritage, enjoying each other, each coming unneurotic for the grace of God," Davidian said.
Next year's Easter celebrations volition beryllium special. 2026 marks 115 years since the founding of Yettem successful Tulare County.
