Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 686-0710
CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF CATHOLICOS OF ALL
ARMENIANS HIS HOLINESS VASKEN I
Last Sunday, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos
of All Armenians, presided during a special Divine Liturgy at Holy
Etchmiadzin on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of
His Holiness Vasken I, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, of blessed memory. Following the Liturgy, a Repose of Souls
service was offered in front of the tomb of His Holiness Vasken I in
the courtyard of the Mother See.
His Holiness Vasken I was born in Romania on September 20, 1908. He
was elected to the Catholicosate in 1955, a position he held for
nearly 40 years. In 1968, His Holiness traveled to New York to
consecrate St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. He became the first Armenian
Catholicos to visit the United States. To read more, visit
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PRESIDENT OF ARMENIAN VISITS ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL
Serzh Sargsyan, the President of the Republic of Armenia, visited
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral earlier today during his first official
trip to the United States. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), welcomed the
President and his delegation to the Cathedral where the president met
with Diocesan clergy and members of the Armenian community. Students
from both the Hovnanian School of New Jersey and the Holy Martyrs
Armenian Day School of New York greeted the President at the
Cathedral.
Later in the afternoon, a luncheon was held in honor of the President
at the Diocese, during which Archbishop Barsamian presented the
President with a crystal St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral plaque.
Earlier this morning, the President addressed the United Nations
General Assembly. Look for photos and video of the presidential visit
online at
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PRIMA TE, DIOCESAN COUNCIL DEPART FOR ARMENIA
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), members of the Diocesan Council, and
members of the Fund for Armenian Relief Board of Directors will depart
for Armenia this week to participate in the Blessing of the Holy Muron
at Holy Etchmiadzin on Sunday, September 28. Archbishop Barsamian also
will take part in the meeting of the Synod of Bishops and the Supreme
Spiritual Council at Holy Etchmiadzin.
Members of the Diocesan Council and the Fund for Armenian Relief Board
of Directors will participate in a ceremony at the FAR Homeless
Children’s Center to honor Mr. and Mrs. Ed and Janet Mardigian in
recognition of their generous gift to expand FAR’s child protection
services for the most underprivileged children of Armenia. In
addition, Diocesan Council and FAR Board members will visit the FAR
Gyumri IT Center, Gyumri Senior Center and the Oktet Music School.
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PRIMATE ATTENDS APPEAL OF CONSCIENCE AWARDS DINNER
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern); Archbishop Norvan Zakarian, Primate of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of France; and Very Rev. Fr. Vahan
Hovanessian, pastor of the Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs in
Bayside, N.Y., attended the Appeal of Conscience Foundation 2008
Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, September 23. The Appeal of
Conscience Foundation is a coalition of business, religious and
foreign policy representatives who work together to promote religious
freedom and human rights worldwide. Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the
French Republic; Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City; and
Jeffrey Immelt, chairman and CEO of GE, were honored at Tuesday’s
dinner.
Archbishop Norvan Zakarian is currently visiting the Eastern
Diocese. Look for an indepth interview with the Archbishop in the fall
issue of Armenian Church Magazine.
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DR. NUBAR BERBERIAN RECEIVES ST. NERSESS SHNORHALI MEDAL
On Friday, September 19, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presented the
St. Nersess Shnorhali Medal and Pontifical Encyclical to Dr. Nubar
Berberian on behalf of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians. The award was presented during a banquet
in celebration of the 65th anniversary of Dr. Berberian’s career in
journalism. An accomplished writer and editor, Dr. Berberian served as
editor-in-chief of the Baikar newspaper in the Boston area.
The event was organized by the Tekeyan Cultural Association. In
addition to the Primate, speakers included Dr. Haroutiun Arzoumanian,
chairman of the Cultural Association’s Central Board, and Hagop
Vartivarian, chairman of the organization’s New York chapter.
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DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND FOR ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS
Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem.
From January 13 to 22, 2009, the Eastern Diocese will lead a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land to celebrate Armenian Christmas according
to the Old Calendar (January 18-19). Pilgrims will visit some of the
holiest sites of our faith in Jerusalem and also travel to Jericho,
the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, Tiberias and
Qumran. Participants will tour the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem and
the Patriarchate Complex, where they will be received by the
Patriarch. On January 18, pilgrims will travel to Bethlehem to
celebrate the birth of Christ with a Christmas procession and a
midnight Divine Liturgy. To learn more, click here. To download the
registration form, visit
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CHURC H & HOME MATERIALS AVAILABLE ONLINE
A wealth of new Church & Home materials are now available on our Web
site, Click on the `Church & Home’ button on
the homepage and you will be directed to a listing of a variety of
online tutorials and programs designed to offer `Back to the Basics’
educational tools that can be used from the comfort of your
home. Learn about Armenian Church feasts, the calendar, Modern and
Classical Armenian and much more!
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HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II TO PRESIDE OVER 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
OF THE CONSECRATION OF ST. VARTAN ARMENIAN CATHEDRAL
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, will preside over the 40th anniversary celebration of the
consecration of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York City, and
bestow his blessings and good wishes upon the Armenian community of
America on Sunday, October 12. His Holiness Karekin II will deliver
his message of blessing to the faithful participating in the Divine
Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral, celebrated by Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America(Eastern).
During services on October 12, vessels containing newly-blessed Holy
Chrism, known as Holy Muron in Armenian, will be distributed to youth
representatives of every parish in the Eastern Diocese. The recipients
will deliver the Muron to their home parishes where it will be used
for consecrations, baptisms and ordinations. A celebratory luncheon
will follow services, during which all individuals who participated in
the establishment of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will be honored.
For more information about these events, please call the Diocese at
212-686-0710 or click here to send an email. To make reservations for
the luncheon, please send a $40 check, payable to Diocese of the
Armenian Church, to Lorraine Marootian, 774 Butternut Dr., Franklin
Lakes, NJ 07417.
ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL ON THE AIR
Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, pastor of St. Mesrob Armenian Church in
Racine, Wis., and Diocesan Council Chairman Oscar Tatosian discussed
the Armenian Church and the upcoming celebration of the 40th
anniversary of St. Vartan Cathedral on Light of the East Radio on
Sunday, September 21. The radio program is hosted by Rev. Fr. Thomas
Loya, pastor of the Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine
Catholic Parish in Homer Glen, Ill.
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ST. PAUL ARMENIAN CHURCH MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
On Sunday, September 21, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), celebrated the
Divine Liturgy at St. Paul Armenian Church of Syracuse, NY. A banquet
marking the 50th anniversary of the consecration of St. Paul Church
followed services. Parish Council Chairman Richard Roomian was honored
with the St. Vartan award for his many years of service, and a number
of other parishioners were presented with a certificate of
appreciation by the Primate.
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COLLEGE MINISTRY ON THE ROAD
On Wednesday, September 17, College Ministry was invited by Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute to lead a discussion following a viewing of the
Armenian Genocide documentary `Screamers.’ Julie Hoplamazian, College
Ministry facilitator, challenged the attendees to think about both the
Armenian and the Christian responsibility toward Genocide awareness
and eradication. Participants discussed various ways they have been
`screamers’ in their own lives, the reasons behind such actions and
the larger issue of Armenian identity in the Diaspora.
On Saturday, September 27, Julie will present a discussion at the 4th
Annual Pan-North American Retreat in Techny, Ill., entitled `Christian
Service as a Means of Prayer.’ Attendees at this conference hail from
over 10 universities across the Diocese. On Sunday, October 5, Julie
will visit the University of Pennsylvania.
To learn more about the College Ministry program or request a campus
visit in your area, contact College Ministry Facilitator Julie
Hoplamazian at julieh@armeniandiocese.org or 212.686.0710, x165.