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: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
October 4, 2005
___________________
ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL HOSTS CELEBRATION OF ALPHABET
By Florence Avakian
Saint Sahag and Saint Mesrob would have been proud to know that 1,600
years after their invention of the Armenian alphabet, hundreds of young
Armenians in the New York City metropolitan area gathered at St. Vartan
Cathedral to pay tribute to their genius and their lasting contribution
to Armenian culture.
The celebration of the Feast of the Holy Translators (Tarkmanchats),
presided over by the Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), took place in New York
City’s St. Vartan Cathedral on Saturday, October 8, 2005. More than 600
youngsters, teachers, and parents from parishes in New York, New Jersey,
and Connecticut attended the service and luncheon.
Saturday’s celebration is the kickoff for a year-long celebration of the
1,600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet. The
Diocese is planning many activities and designing a variety of programs
to help families and local communities perpetuate our Armenian language
and culture.
The celebration of this milestone anniversary began with the Holy
Badarak celebrated by Fr. Mesrop Aramian, a priest of the Arstakh
diocese in Armenia who is editor-in-chief of the Gandzasar Theological
Center and founder and chairman of Armenia’s VEM broadcasting network,
which produces radio and television programs on religious and spiritual
matters.
A choir made up of youngsters from the New York City area joyfully sang
the soulful chants of the Yegmalian Badarak under the direction of St.
Vartan Cathedral choirmaster Khoren Mekanejian, with organ accompaniment
by Florence Avakian.
In his homily, the Primate emphasized that the true spirit of
Tarkmanchats is “our language, church, culture, nation. This is what
unites us. God gave us our alphabet so that our Holy Fathers could
translate the Bible into Armenian, and implement his word in our daily
lives. You must protect these gifts and multiply them.”
YOUNG ARMENIAN TALENT
Following the church service was a special reception held in the
Kavookjian Auditorium, which was decorated for the occasion with red,
orange, and blue balloons inscribed with the letters of the Armenian
alphabet. Welcoming remarks were made by Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian who
with Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, director of the Diocesan Department of Youth
and Education, formulated the program.
Students from various Armenian day schools, Saturday Schools, and Sunday
Schools offered performances in song, dance, and recitation to the
enchanted crowd. Khrimian Lyceum student Talar Aydin skillfully
introduced the participants of the program in Armenian and English.
Students from New Jersey’s Hovnanian School started the program by
singing “Pari Louso Asdghn Yerevats” from Hayrig Mouradian’s songbook.
The beloved song “Ov Medzaskantch” was sung by New York Khrimian Lyceum
students Talar Aydin, Markrid Krikorian, and Christine Shalian.
Michelle Vartanian recited “Hayeren Khose” by Jacques Hagopian.
The Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School in Bayside, NY, was represented by
pupils Aline Voskeritchian and Diana Tashjian reciting Moushegh
Ishkhan’s “Hye Lezoon Dounne e Hayoun,” with a chorus singing “Srpotz
Tarkmanchatz” and “Mayreni Lezoo.” Adriana Demirdjian presented
Zahrad’s “Mesrobapooyr,” and Nicholas Chalikian recited “Im Hayotz
Lezoo.” Yeghishe Charents’ beloved and well-known poem, “I Love the
Sun-Baked Taste of Armenian Words,” was read by Heather Skolnick.
The program continued with Armen Torossian, a student in the St. Vartan
Armenian School in New York, reciting Hamo Sahian’s “Mer Lezoon,” and
recitation and singing by Armen Kasbarian, Vartan Torossian, and
Nicholas Arakelian.
>From the Sunday School of the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, Taylor
Candan recited “Ode to Mesrob” by Jacques Hagopian; and Jennifer
Oscherician narrated Vahan Tekeyan’s “The Armenian Language.” Students
from the Kirikian Armenian School in Tenafly, NJ, sang songs and recited
“Zarmanali Hye.” Aren Dabaghian from the St. Thomas Church Sunday
School in Tenafly, NJ, read “Our Alphabet” by Kevork Emin. Vahag
Kechian from the Armenian School at the St. Gregory the Enlightener
Church of White Plains, NY, recited “Mayrenee Lezoo.”
Several students from the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian School in
Brooklyn, NY, participated in the program, including Serge Hagopian
reciting Nayiri Zarian’s “Hayotz Lezoon,” Arsen Danielian delivering “Im
Hayrenik,” Jacklin Yakshibikov resenting Hovhanees Shiraz’ “Kamin oo
Manushage”
A dramatic presentation, “A Word from Mesrob Mashdotz,” was recreated by
Varoujan Frounjian as he portrayed the legendary figure and implored the
audience to speak Armenian and read the Bible.
As teacher Lucia Gazal from the Holy Martyrs School pointed out, the
event’s whole emphasis was “about language. Our children will now be
inspired.”
DYNAMIC DANCERS
Just as the young students of the Armenian schools brought the words and
music of the Armenian masters to life, the youngsters of two dance
groups showed their talents with dynamism and artistry. The Akhtamar
Dance group took to the stage garbed in glittering silver costumes. At
the conclusion of their second number, the dancers unfurled a large
Armenian flag which encircled the group. The audience greeted this
dramatic action with thunderous applause.
A delightful surprise was the performance of the young dancers from the
Nork Children’s Center in Armenia. Showing professionalism and great
presence, this disciplined group of 52 youngsters, ranging in age from
10 to 19, brought the house down with their singing, dancing, and
drumming. On Sunday, they performed in a sold-out performance in New
York’s famed Town Hall, the first stop in a nationwide tour of the
United States.
Araxie Shamamian, a teacher in the St. Vartan Armenian School loved the
whole program and was especially moved by the Nork Children’s group. “I
was born in Armenia, and came here 28 years ago. Their singing made me
feel that I was back there again. They put the Armenian spirit and
unity in us,” she said.
Talin Manoukian, a teacher and parent from the Khrimian Lyceum, had
praise for all who participated, especially the group from Armenia.
“They brought something special,” she said.
Giving the memorable event’s closing prayer, Archbishop Barsamian
expressed gratitude to all the students, teachers, and parents, and to
the young performers from Armenia. “We were able to relive those
wonderful historic days,” he stated.
— 10/11/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
All photos by Berch Manukian
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), blesses some of the
hundreds of young people who gathered in New York City’s St. Vartan
Cathedral to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Translators on Saturday,
October 8, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Fr. Mesrop Aramian, a priest of the Arstakh diocese
in Armenia, who celebrated the Divine Liturgy during Tarkmanchats,
delivers communion to one of the hundreds of young faithful who attended
services at the St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City on Saturday,
October 8, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): A choir made up of youngsters from the New York City
area sing the music of the Badarak under the direction of St. Vartan
Cathedral choirmaster Khoren Mekanejian, with organ accompaniment by
Florence Avakian, during the Feast of the Holy Translators.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Almost 600 young people, teachers, and parents
attended the luncheon celebrating the invention of the Armenian alphabet
at the Eastern Diocesan Center in New York City on Saturday, October 8,
2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (5): From the head table, Khrimian Lyceum student Talar
Aydin introduces performers during the luncheon marking the Feast of the
Holy Translators at the Diocesan Center in New York City. She was just
one of a number of area Armenian School, Sunday School, and day school
students to participate in the program.
PHOTO CAPTION (6): The Akhtamar Dance group takes the stage during the
Feast of the Holy Translators luncheon celebration at the Eastern
Diocesan Center on Saturday, October 8, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (7): Young dancers from the Nork Children’s Center in
Armenia celebrate the creation of the Armenian alphabet during the Feast
of the Holy Translators celebration at the St. Vartan Cathedral complex
in New York City on Saturday, October 8, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (8): Almost 600 young students, teachers, and parents
attended a special luncheon at the Eastern Diocesan Center in New York
City to mark the Feast of the Holy Translators on Saturday, October 8,
2005.