PRESS RELEASE
PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212)-686-0710
Fax: (212)-689-1934
December 17, 2008
ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL TO TAKE PLACE ON
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2009
The Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ will be observed at New York’s St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Monday and Tuesday, January 5 and 6, 2009. A
special liturgical schedule will be in effect for these "Armenian Christmas"
services; please make a note of the times.
On ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS EVE — Monday, January 5 — there will be an Evening
Service with Scripture Readings (by students from the Diocese’s Khrimian
Lyceum) at 6:30 p.m. The Divine Liturgy will immediately follow, beginning
at 7:30 p.m., celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian.
The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir — with the participation of students from
the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum, and from area Diocesan Armenian Saturday
schools — will sing the Divine Liturgy, under the direction of the Maestro
Khoren Mekanejian. A reception will take place following the services.
On ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS MORNING — Tuesday, January 6 — His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The Morning
Service begins at 9:30 a.m., and the Divine Liturgy follows at 10:30 a.m.
The sacred music will be sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the
direction of Maestro Mekanejian.
According to Armenian tradition, this feast day commemorates not only the
birth of Christ, but also His baptism by John the Baptist. The latter is
remembered through the "BLESSING OF WATER" ceremony, which will follow the
Divine Liturgy. Mr. Levon Temiz will serve as "godfather" of the Blessing
of Water service.
After the cathedral’s January 6 church services, a HOME BLESSING SERVICE AND
CHRISTMAS RECEPTION will take place in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.
The reception is open to all; admission is free.
Armenian Christmas will also be observed at local parishes across the
Eastern Diocese. Please contact your local parish to ascertain the date and
time of its celebration.
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is located at 630 Second Avenue (corner of
34th Street and Second Avenue), in New York City. Armenian Christmas Eve
services begin at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 5. The Armenian Christmas
Morning Service on Tuesday, January 6 will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the
celebration of the Divine Liturgy beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by the
traditional Blessing of Water ceremony.
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