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:

April 18, 2006
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ARMENIAN FAITHFUL FILL CATHEDRAL TO CELEBRATE CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
By Jake Goshert

Some came with sleeping babies in their arms. Others had toddlers
walking alongside. There were families with three generations
attending. All ages of Armenians came Sunday, April 16, 2006, to the
Easter Divine Liturgy at New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral.

About 1,500 people filled the cathedral, spilling out onto the
sunlit plaza. Among the worshipers were several dignitaries, such
as Ambassador Armen Martirossyan, Armenia’s ambassador to the United
Nations, and his young family.

“There was a tangible sense of spirit and celebration that filled
the entire cathedral,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), who
celebrated the badarak Easter Sunday. “And there were families and
people from all generations. There were seniors and young parents,
teenagers and newborns. Both the current community leaders and the
future were there to celebrate the victory of Christ’s resurrection.”

The Easter Sunday Divine Liturgy was sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral
Choirs, under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian with Florence
Avakian accompanying on the organ.

DAY OF CELEBRATION

Following the badarak and the administering of Holy Communion,
the Primate joined the faithful on the plaza for the traditional
“Antasdan” ceremony, or “Blessing of the Fields,” followed by the
release of doves.

The release of 12 doves each Easter represents Jesus sending his 12
disciples to spread the gospel to the world. Joining the Primate in
this ceremony was Diocesan Council Chairman Haig Dadourian, who served
as “godfather.” He was joined by his wife, Astrid, their children and
grandchildren, each helping launch a white dove into the air above
the mass of joyous faithful.

“Not only was Haig Dadourian eager to join this important celebration,
but he wanted the next generation of his family to share in the
experience,” the Primate said. “A true steward of the church, he
is actively working to instill a sense of faith in his children and
grandchildren.”

Following the ceremony on the plaza, 260 Armenians gathered in
the Diocesan Center’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium for
a traditional Armenian lamb dinner, organized by Gregory and Ani
Manuelian, and featuring a performance by the Yeraz dance group
directed by Karnik Nercessian.

WEEK OF CELEBRATION

The Easter services were the capstone of a week-long commemoration
of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. The events and services were
organized by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral.

Easter Eve, Saturday, April 15, 2006, featured a Divine Liturgy
celebrated by Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, which was preceded by a
Scripture-reading ceremony.

The Divine Liturgy was sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Youth Choir,
made up of students from the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum, and Diocesan
Armenian Saturday schools of New York and New Jersey and under the
direction of Maro Partamian. Students of the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum
also provided the Scripture readings.

EASTER CONTINUES

April 16 did not mark the end of Easter celebrations for all Armenians.
Because they use the Julian calendar, the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem will celebrate Easter on April 23, 2006.

On Monday, April 17, 2006, a group of 35 people from the Diocese
headed to the Holy Land on a special pilgrimage. They will be in the
Holy Land until April 25.

This is the first of two trips to the region being organized by
the Diocese this year. The Diocese will take another group on an
educational pilgrimage to the Holy Land this August.

“In the Holy Land you see first-hand the sites mentioned in the
Bible’s accounts of Holy Week. And seeing these places enlivens the
hearts of Christians,” the Primate said. “We must also remember that
the spirit of Easter, the hope and renewal it promises, can be found
in the hearts of all believers throughout the year.”

— 4/18/06

E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in
the News and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, delivers his Easter homily to a filled St. Vartan Cathedral
in New York City on Sunday, April 16, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): The Primate administers communion to a young
Armenian on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): A young child looks at the doves before they are
set loose during the releasing of the doves ceremony on the plaza of
New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral following the Easter badarak on
Sunday, April 16, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Astrid and Haig Dadourian, who served as “godfather”
of the releasing of doves ceremony, kiss the hand-cross of Archbishop
Barsamian prior to the ceremony.

PHOTO CAPTION (5): Dancers from the Yeraz Dance Group perform during
the traditional Armenian lamb lunch at the St. Vartan Cathedral in
New York City following Easter Sunday services. (Photo courtesy of
Jennifer Morris.)

PHOTO CAPTION (6): Armen Akopian, a student from the Diocese’s
Khrimian Lyceum, reads from the Scriptures during the Easter Eve
service on April 15, 2006, in the St. Vartan Cathedral.(Photo courtesy
of Jennifer Morris.)

PHOTO CAPTION (7): Two of the 12 doves released following the Easter
Sunday badarak perch in a corner of the St. Vartan Cathedral in New
York City.

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress