St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church
2215 East Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
Tel: 626-449-1523
Email: [email protected]
Web:
Contact: Dn. Mihran Toumajan
September 2, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Consecration Weekend at St. Gregory the Illuminator
Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena
PASADENA, CA – The weekend of September 8-9, 2007 will
be a memorable one for parishioners of St. Gregory the
Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of Pasadena,
California. After nearly a decade of planning,
fund-raising and construction, the long-awaited Order
of the Blessing and Consecration of the newly-built
St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church will take
place in a traditionally festive and joyous manner.
The consecration will be presided by His Eminence Abp.
Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of
the Armenian Church of North America. The Primate will
be assisted by the Pastor of St. Gregory Armenian
Church, Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, and a phalanx
of clergymen arriving in Pasadena for this auspicious
occasion from throughout the State of California, and
even from as far as the Holy City of Jerusalem.
On Saturday evening, September 8, the day before the
consecration known as Navagadik, the faithful will be
able to witness the "Opening of the Doors" (Trnpatsek)
ceremony at 6:00 pm, immediately followed by the
blessing of an exquisite cross stone (khatchkar) in
the plaza of the new church, in commemoration of the
1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. The
khatchkar blessing will be followed by a
ribbon-cutting ceremony of the newly-constructed
Garabed & Azadouhie Yegavian Cultural Center. Saturday
evening’s festivities will culminate in an outdoor
celebration featuring a traditional harissa dinner, as
well as live entertainment provided by the acclaimed
Winds of Passion folk music ensemble, and the renowned
Zvartnots Dance Group. Admission is free, and the
public is cordially invited to attend.
On Sunday morning, September 9, the actual day of the
consecration, morning service will begin at 9:00 am,
followed by a solemn Divine Liturgy at 10:00 am. The
Order of the Blessing and Consecration of the new St.
Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church will
commence at 12:00 Noon. The consecration will be
immediately followed by a banquet adjacent to the new
church in Agajanian Hall. Public officials and clergy
from a number of churches in the greater Los Angeles
area are expected to attend.
For media inquiries or to obtain a press pass, please
contact the church office at 626-449-1523 by Friday,
September 7, 2007.