PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 2, 2004
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ARCHBISHOP GREETS GRADUATES OF HUDSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), delivered the invocation during Hudson
County Community College’s graduation services on Wednesday, May
26, 2004.
The Primate spoke to more than 2,500 graduates, family, and guests
at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ.
“Lord, let the pride in accomplishment our graduates feel today live
on through their lives, as a beacon of inspiration,” the Primate
said in his invocation. “Let the lessons they have learned in the
course of their schooling propel them to greater achievements in the
outside world.”
The Primate shared the stage with other speakers, including New Jersey
Governor James McGreevey and film-maker Spike Lee.
In his remarks, the Primate asked for the Lord to guide the graduates
to lives filled with mercy, justice, and human dignity. He also called
on God to watch over them.
“We are aware that this is a solemn time for all of us, as citizens
of the United States of America,” the Primate said. “The burdens of
our time fall most heavily on the generation represented by the young
men and women gathered here. They have been called to play a critical
role in the years to come.
“Bless them, Lord; inspire them with your compassion; and grant them
the spiritual strength to meet the challenges of their generation.
Above all, grant them the wisdom and resolution to act according
to the highest ideals of our country, and for the sake of civilized
people everywhere.”
— 6/2/04
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable on the
Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, delivers the invocation during the graduation ceremony at
Hudson County Community College in Newark, NJ.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Barsamian speaks with Norair Kharpertian,
who along with his fellow professor Siroun Meguerditchian, were
instrumental in arranging for the Primate to deliver the invocation
at Hudson County Community College on Wednesday, May 26, 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Barsamian with the board of trustees of
the Hudson County Community College, before the commencement services
at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ, on Wednesday,
May 26, 2004.
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