Oakland, California
Ascension Historical Society

Founders Day

The Ascension Historical Society (AHS) organized the first Founders Day commemoration in 1994, followed by a second in 1995, and a third in 1996.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy in the cathedral in Oakland, once each year, we held a mnymosynon (memorial service) for the departed founders of our community, as well as an artoclasion (breaking of blessed bread) for our Ascension Historical Society.

Members of the Oakland Altar Boys Association (senior citizens who served as altar boys in their youth) are robed and serve again during the Divine Liturgy.

A luncheon was open to all. There, we had the opportunity to listen to invited keynote speakers who addressed issues about our history and its preservation. We also took the opportunity to display photographs from our archives.

Nonogenarians Tribute

Furthermore for the third Founders Day Commemoration, in 1996, we honored the nonogenarians in our community, those in their ninetieth decade of age.

Those of them who attended were ushered to seats that were reserved especially for them in the cathedral for the Divine Liturgy, mymosynon, and artoclasion. At the luncheon which followed in the community center, each honoree was introduced and presented with a commemorative program. This particular event highlighted the dedication and sacrifices made by their generation in establishing our community.