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
___________________

ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL CELEBRATES HOLY WEEK WITH SEVERAL SPECIAL
SERVICES

By Jake Goshert

New York City’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral observed Holy Week, April 1
through 8, with a series of special services, culminating in the Easter
Sunday Diving Liturgy.

One of the key components of Holy Week was the "Washing of the Feet"
ceremony on Holy Thursday, April 6, 2007. During this ancient service, His
Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), took part in the ancient tradition of the
bishop washing the feet of twelve individuals, repeating the Gospel story of
Christ doing the same for his Apostles as a demonstration of servant
leadership.

This year, the 12 whose feet were washed by the Archbishop were comprised of
pairs of fathers and sons, and grandfathers and grandsons.

"For our faith, traditions and culture to continue, we need to propel them
through to the next generation," the Primate said. "We need to live the
lives of role models for our children. And that is why it is wonderful to
see these fathers and grandfathers not just taking part in this symbolic
ceremony, but taking part in it with their sons and grandsons."

Those who took part in the service were Ara Nishan Araz and his son Ara Berj
Araz, Edward Chapian and his grandson Edward Demaria, David Kasparian and
his son Ara Kasparian, Gregory Manuelian and his son Gregory Manuelian,
Garegin Manukyan and his son Robert Manukyan, and Eddik Martirosyan and his
grandson Nicholas Arakelian.

"As a father and son, it was very important that we take part," Gregory
Manuelian said of taking part in the service with his son. "It was very
important for me that I share this with my son, so he could see what it was
about."

For 6-year-old Gregory Manuelian, taking part in the service with his father
is definitely something he will remember.

"I had a lot of fun. I really liked getting my feet washed, even though it
was kind of cold," he said.

For another of the young participants, Ed Demaria, the service was also very
exciting. And the best part was who he got to be with.

"I’ve done it before at Holy Martyrs in Bayside, but it was great to be up
there with my grandfather," said Demaria, a boy scout who has his St.
Gregory Medal and is working toward the Ararat Medal. "He’s my namesake and
it was great to share this with my grandfather."

WEEK OF CELEBRATION

Holy Week at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral began on Palm Sunday, April 1,
2007, with a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of the
Cathedral, followed by a Turun-Patzek or "Door-Opening" Service

Holy Thursday included a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Sahag Kaishian.
The morning service was a commemoration of the Last Supper. Thursday evening
included a vigil service marking Christ’s betrayal.

On Holy Friday, April 6, at noon was the Order of the Crucifixion of Christ.
The Order of the Entombment of the Lord, or Taghoom Service, was conducted
later that evening.

Students took center stage on Holy Saturday, April 7, when the Divine
Liturgy was sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Youth Choir, under the
direction of Maro Partamian. The St. Choir is made up of students from the
Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum, and Diocesan Armenian Schools from the New York
and New Jersey area. Students of the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum also provided
the Scripture readings.

Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy before a crowd of around
1,300 faithful on Easter Sunday. The St. Vartan Cathedral Choirs sang the
Divine Liturgy that day, under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian,
with organist Florence Avakian.

— 4/9/07

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

PHOTO CAPTION (1): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, washes the feet of
Ara Berj Araz as his father, Ara Nishan Araz, looks on, during the Holy
Thursday celebrations at St. Vartan Cathedral on Thursday, April 5, 2007.
(photo by Tony Savino)

PHOTO CAPTION (2): Edward Demaria kisses the hand of Archbishop Barsamian
during the "Washing of the Feet" ceremony on Thursday, April 5, 2007, as his
grandfather, Edward Chapian, looks on. (photo by Tony Savino)

PHOTO CAPTION (3): Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), is joined by six pairs of
grandfathers and grandsons and fathers and sons who took part in the Holy
Thursday "Washing of the Feet" ceremony in New York City’s St. Vartan
Cathedral on April 5, 2007.