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 17, 2006
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FEAST OF HOLY TRANSLATORS MARKED AT ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL

By Florence Avakian

Armenia’s great poetess Silva Gaboudigian, in a deeply profound poem to her
son, "Khosk Im Vortun" ends her missal with the words, "Wherever you are in
this world, my son, even if you forget your own mother, never forget your
mother tongue."

As Nayad Manukian, a student in the Eastern Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum,
recited this moving passage, the audience hushed and several people began to
wipe away their tears. The reading was part of the program marking the
Feast of the Holy Translators on Saturday, October 14, 2006, in the Haik and
Alice Kavookjian Auditorium in New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral complex.

In keeping with Gaboudigian’s poetic commandment, the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern) held its special annual service and
program to assure the next generation remains committed to learn the
Armenian language.

THE NEXT GENERATION

Hundreds of Armenian School students, teachers, parents, and parish faithful
attended the festivities dedicated to the lives and accomplishments of the
saints who founded the Armenian alphabet, translated the Bible into
Armenian, and started a movement of writing and translating important works
into Armenian.

Presided over by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern
Diocese, the day began with a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Archbishop
Yeghise Gizirian. The music was sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir
joined by the Khrimian Lyceum Junior Choir, under the direction of Khoren
Mekanejian and accompanied by organist Florence Avakian.

The service included pledges, which were read by the Armenian School
principals and the congregation. St. Vartan Cathedral Armenian School
student Krikor Torosian and St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, Sunday School
student Hagop Hamparian read the scriptures.

In his inspiring sermon, the Primate expressed his happiness at seeing the
young students in attendance "to honor the important people in our history.
This is one of the most important days in our church", he stated. "Because
of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob, and their students, our church and people have
achieved great significance in Armenia. Their generation put the foundation
in our people. Because of them, we faced and conquered our difficulties.
And in this country we continue their legacy. Their spirit will stay with
us forever."

Joining the Primate, Archbishop Gizirian, and Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of
the cathedral, were participating clergy, including Bishop Sion Adamian of
the Armavir Diocese in Armenia; Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of the St.
Nersess Armenian Seminary; Fr. Sooren Chinchinian, cathedral priest at St.
Vartan Cathedral; Fr. Karekin Kasparian, pastor of the St. Gregory the
Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY; and seminarians studying at St.
Nersess.

SING, SPEAK AND PRAY IN ARMENIAN

"St. Sahag wanted the Armenian people to become Christ’s students for
centuries," the Primate remarked in his address to the students and
teachers. "Let us follow his message and remain true Armenians, not only
singing, and speaking Armenian, but also praying in Armenian. I pray that
you can mature with the spirit of the Translators."

Following the church service, a cultural program took place in Haik and
Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, organized and directed by Gilda
Buchakjian-Kupelian, coordinator of Armenian studies for the Diocese. The
program opened with the singing of the beloved "Vork Zartaretsin" hymn by
Maro Partamian, accompanied on the piano by Khoren Mekanejian.

Khrimian Lyceum students Nayad Manoukian and Talin Vakillian skillfully
performed the duties of mistresses of ceremonies. Poems were recited by
Nayad Manoukian, Alex Calikyan, Adriana Demirjian, Anna Acopian,Alan
Dokmecioglu, Letisia Yandimoglu, Christine Shalian, Haig Agdere, Sareen
Jebejian, Shogher Talar Keshkinyan, Nicole Saglamer, and Lori Sanag. The
Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum is a six-year program of cultural, historic, arts,
and language classes for graduates of local parish Armenian School programs.
It is offered in both Boston and New York City.

Dressed in colorful ethnic Armenian costumes several students — Christina
Ani Haroutunian, Ani Esenyan, Melissa Gazal, Melissa Nazar, and Talin
Vakillian — delighted the audience with the dance "Boujour em" and the well
known Tamzara. Deanna Gulmezian played a spirited rendition of
"Vagharshabadi Bar" on the piano, which was followed by exuberant line
dancing by the various Armenian school students to the music of Berch
Manukian.

In his closing message, the Primate proclaimed the entire month of October
"Armenian Cultural Month." The festivities concluded with the closing
prayer offered by Archbishop Gizirian.

The participating schools were the Khrimian Lyceum in New York City; the St.
Vartan Cathedral Armenian School of New York City; the Holy Martyrs Day and
Saturday School of Bayside, NY; the St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian
School of White Plains, NY; the Kirikian Armenian School from the St. Thomas
Church of Tenafly, NJ; and the St. Illuminator’s Armenian School of
Woodside, NY.

— 10/18/06

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

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Young students from the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum join
the St. Vartan Cathedral choir during the celebration of the Feast of the
Holy Translators on October 14, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Armenian School students line up to receive communion in
New York City’s St. Vartan Cathedral during the Feast of the Holy
Translators celebration on October 14, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Nayad Manukian, a student in the Diocese’s Khrimian
Lyceum, recites the powerful poetry of Silva Gaboudigian during the program
in the Diocese’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium marking the Feast of
the Holy Translators.

PHOTO CAPTION (4): Students from the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum perform
during the program celebrating the Armenian alphabet and language on October
14, 2006.

PHOTO CAPTION (5): The two mistresses of ceremonies, Nayad Manoukian and
Talin Vakillian, at the head table with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate, Archbishop Gizirian, Bishop Adamian, and Gilda Buchakjian-Kupelian.

Photos by Berch Manukian

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress