Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic Church

This community is by far the most welcoming and dynamic Armenian Church in Southern California. (A lot has changed apparently since 2010). The Priest is quite young and strives to create an environment where everyone is welcome. The trustees are always at the door on Sunday to greet you and to be sure you have access to candles and bulletins. There is a community dinner every Friday and Bible Study is conduced regularly.

When I moved to Orange County I began attending this church. I didn’t know anyone either but I had a different experience than reviewer Steve X.
This is an Armenian Church, but in a very ethnically diverse community. I’ve seen African-​Americans, whites and Mexicans attend with their bibles in hand. My guess is they may enjoy the hymns, the fact that they can come to pray in peace or the fact that the sermon is performed in both Armenian and English.
Upon entering church you may buy candles to light inside & grab the day’s handout to find out what the sermon will be about or if any significant holidays are being celebrated that day. I always softly say good morning to the usher or smile & they will nod back in acknowledgement.
What I like about this church is that after the sermon, the priest announces upcoming events in the community weekend bus trips organized by the ladies auxiliary or fundraisers for the scouts or youth groups. He also reminds people about bible study classes & opportunities to get involved with the choir or Sunday school. After church there is tea/​coffee and cookies in the hall next door & occasionally there are short guest lecturers on various topics. This also provides a means to mingle and get to know other parishioners.
What I also like about this church is that there is an Armenian elementary school next to it and a community center next door. There’s bingo in the hall next to the church on Friday nights and Friday night family dinner at the community center too. If you’re looking for a true sense of community this is it!
At any church your experience is what you make it and you get what you put in. After seeing me around a few times & noticing that I was always by myself I was approached by the Priest. After injecting myself into this church & community I started getting to know more & more people. Eventually the priest asked me if I would like to help out with the annual festival and his wife asked me if I would like to volunteer one Sunday per term to help out with the Sunday school.
To reviewer Steve X no one said hello to me my first few visits either, I didn’t find that a reason to call anyone obnoxious because I was there for myself and unlike you I didn’t judge people based on their looks or appearance or look down upon them because I don’t think I’m better than others. Based on your attitude I don’t feel you’re in any position to be deeming which church succeeds and fails at Christ’s gospel. Try being more accepting of others and coming back for yourself and I’m sure your experience will be different.

Typical Southern California Armenian church… epic failure at Christs Gospel and obnoxious people. I can’t even get a ‘parev’ from these people… tried a few Sunday mornings. Really? Really now… a guy wearing a nice suit that fits can’t get a «hello» or «good morning» returned from unshaven sloppy bums that look like they should be selling cars in Tijuana?

My favorite church.