PRESS OFFICE
Department of Communications
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Media Relations Specialist
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 160; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
April 10, 2007
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EASTER CROWD FILLS CATHEDRAL WITH JOYFUL CELEBRATION
By Jake Goshert
One by one, Bella Tashchian lifted her daughters up to take communion.
First was 4-year-old Anahid, followed by Zaruhi, age 3.
"It’s so natural for us to be in church, especially on Easter," said their
father, Hratch Tashchian. "They’re too young to really understand the
mystery of what’s going on – but it is important for us to be here. They’ll
learn as they grow."
The Tashchian family was one of the hundreds that filled New York City’s St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral during the culmination of Holy Week – the Easter
celebrations on Sunday, April 8, 2007.
FOCUS ON FAMILY
In his message to the approximately 1,300 faithful that crowded the
Cathedral and plaza, the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian
spoke of the importance of serving as role models for the next generation.
"I want each one of you to focus on the importance of the family," the
Primate said. "Teach your children to pray. But in order for them to
learn, you their parents have to pray. Teach them to love. But in order
form them to love, you their parents have to demonstrate love."
He urged every family to schedule a Home Blessing service. During this
ancient traditional service, Armenian clergy visit the homes of faithful
where they bless bread, water and salt — three fundamental elements that
are essential life-giving gifts for human existence. The service,
traditionally undertaken at Christmas and Eastertide, also includes prayer
involving the family.
"Let your children see the priests singing hymns in your Armenian home and
let the children experience God’s presence in their home," the Primate said.
"Make your home a Christ-centered home. Ensure there is prayer and that
traditions are kept, but more importantly, live your own lives in a
Christ-centered way. Inspire your children to be good Armenian Christians
and serve as role models."
POWER OF FAITH
Also during his remarks to the gathered faithful, the Primate spoke about
the power of faith by highlighting the story of one survivor of the 1990s
Rwandan genocide. He spoke of reading "Left to Tell," the autobiographical
story of Immaculée Ilibagiza and how she survived the bloody Rwandan
genocide in 1994 which claimed the lives of nearly one million ethnic
minorities.
A devout Catholic, she survived along with seven other women by quietly
hiding in a small bathroom, no longer than 3 feet long and 4 feet high.
During her torturous ordeal, she came to forgive those hunting her fellow
Tutsi countrymen, noting that if she truly loved God, she would love her
neighbors as herself, even if they were responsible for the murder of her
own family.
"Hers is an incredible story. You see she knows who Christ is because she’s
able to experience Christ’s presence in her life," the Primate said. "You
can see she even knows how to forgive the people who killed her parents and
brothers. There is God’s creative power in her. There is a power in each
of us as children of God. Our responsibility is to teach our children and
recognize how important home and family are.
"Indeed Immaculée received her foundation at home, in her Christian home.
She was able to endure and survive and continue her life with the foundation
she received at home," the Primate concluded.
CELEBRATION OF RENEWAL
Following the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral, Archbishop Barsamian led a
processional out to the Cathedral plaza. As the crowd of faithful
surrounded him, he conducted a Home Blessing service.
That was followed by the traditional Release of Doves ceremony, which has
long been a fixture of the Cathedral’s Easter celebrations. During the
ceremony, 12 white doves are released symbolizing Christ’s sending of his 12
Apostles to nations around the globe — including Armenia — to preach the
Gospel. Armenia, under King Tiradates the Great, was the first nation to
adopt Christianity as the official state religion – more than a decade
before Emperor Constantine did so with the Roman Empire.
Serving as this year’s godmother of the ceremony was Bobbye Acopian. Mrs.
Acopian, the wife of the late inventor and philanthropist Sarkis Acopian,
gathered with children and grandchildren to release the doves in memory of
her husband, a life-long friend and benefactor of the Armenian Church and
American charities.
"We are pleased Mrs. Bobbye Acopian and her family joined us today for this
joyous celebration," the Primate said. "For it is Easter, indeed, which
reminds us of God’s promise of eternal life in His Heavenly Kingdom. And
through His love we will be reunited with our loved ones once again. This
is this rejuvenating spirit that fills us during Easter."
— 4/10/07
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News and
Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): Bella Tashchian lifts her daughter Anahid up to receive
communion during Easter Sunday services in New York City’s St. Vartan
Cathedral on April 8, 2007.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), addresses hundreds of faithful and
families who filled St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City for badarak on
Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): Children peak around the corner in New York City’s St.
Vartan Cathedral to watch the celebration of the Divine Liturgy during a
packed service on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007. (photo by Tony Savino)
PHOTO CAPTION (4): The faithful kiss the Archbishop Barsamian’s hand cross
as he leads a procession through St. Vartan Cathedral during Easter Sunday,
April 8, 2007. (photo by Tony Savino)
PHOTO CAPTION (5): Flanked by Bobbye Acopian and her children and
grandchildren, Archbishop Barsamian performs a Home Blessing service on the
St. Vartan Cathedral plaza following Easter Sunday services on April 8,
2007. (photo by Tony Savino)
PHOTO CAPTION (6): On Easter, the Primate releases one of 12 doves as part
of the traditional ceremony representing Christ sending his 12 Apostles out
into the world. (photo by Tony Savino)
PHOTO CAPTION (7): After a brief flight, one of the 12 doves released
following Easter services at St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City, perches
on the shoulder of Archbishop Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese.
(photo by Tony Savino)