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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
June 2, 2009
___________________
New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral Celebrates THE Consecration of New Bronze
Entry Doors
Speaking at the consecration of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral’s new bronze
entry doors last Sunday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg described the
grand portal as "a remarkable piece of work" that reflects the "passion and
craftsmanship" of the Armenian-American community.
"Today is the beginning of yet another wonderful chapter in St. Vartan’s
history," the mayor said, addressing the more than 800 people gathered in
the sanctuary on May 31.
"This is a religious site of great importance to you and to Armenians across
the entire country – a magnificent house of prayer that New York is proud to
be home to."
The day marked the first time the mayor had visited the cathedral during his
two terms in office.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday and
consecrated the new doors on the cathedral plaza.
He welcomed Mayor Bloomberg "as a good friend and as a member of our
family."
The Primate said that the cathedral had a long history of hosting city
leaders, from Mayor John Lindsay, who visited the cathedral after its
consecration in 1968, to Mayors Edward Koch and David Dinkins, and more
recently, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
"The doors have been years in the making and you can sense the passion and
the craftsmanship that went into them as soon as you see them," Mayor
Bloomberg said.
Remarking that the cathedral was built by survivors of the Armenian
Genocide, Mayor Bloomberg added that "it serves as a powerful reminder to
all peoples of the ability to create and beautify from the ashes of grief."
* Many Stories in One Image
Following services, Archbishop Barsamian and Mayor Bloomberg led a
procession to the cathedral plaza where the new doors were unveiled by the
mayor and Primate.
The consecration ceremony began after Mayor Bloomberg’s departure,
culminating in Archbishop Khajag Barsamian tracing crosses on the doors in
holy chrism.
The afternoon was a time to celebrate the beauty of St. Vartan Cathedral and
the preservation of the ancient Armenian spirit in the United States.
Gathering under a nearly cloudless sky, visitors watched as the Shushi
Armenian Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral, donning traditional
Armenian costumes, moved across the cathedral plaza, hands and feet weaving
the story of a nation’s journey. The ensemble is directed by Seta
Paskalian-Kantardjian.
The day continued with a multimedia photo exhibition in Guild Hall, which
chronicled the fabrication of the cathedral doors.
More than 30 years in the planning, the doors were first conceived by
members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Guild who dreamed of erecting a grand
entranceway to what was at the time a still-new "mother cathedral."
Led by guild chair Mrs. Alice Kavookjian, the group set about raising money
for the project, organizing dinners, bake sales, and other activities. A
sizeable amount was collected in those years, but work on the project was
put on hold as the Diocese turned its attention to other matters.
Some seven years ago, under the leadership of the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian,
dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, a committee was formed to resume the doors
undertaking. The Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, Yn. Yefkin Megherian, and
Michael Haratunian served on the committee, helping design the doors and
oversee their production.
This year, the Dadourian family gave a sizeable contribution that allowed
the project to go forward.
The doors were fabricated by Setrak Agonian and a team of sculptors and
artists at International Creative Medal Inc.
The doors depict in three-dimensional sculpted relief the conversion of
Armenia to Christianity. The two panels focus on the baptism of King Drtad
by St. Gregory the Illuminator in A.D. 301. The sculpted artwork also shows
Queen Ashkhen, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and Mount Ararat.
The transom above the portal bears the image of Christ with an inscription
that honors the date of the cathedral’s consecration – April 28, 1968 – by
His Holiness Vasken I.
Fr. Kochakian said the work represented "a collection of many stories into
one image."
"It brings together and synthesizes the conversion of a nation and the
witness of our people, over 1,700 years of remaining faithful to the call of
Christ and pledging ourselves to do so in the future," he said.
In his sermon on Sunday, Archbishop Barsamian said that the doors speak to
the ancient Armenian Christian tradition and to the way in which the
Armenian people embraced Christ’s message.
"Let these new doors, and the image upon them, always remind us of this
truth: That whenever we approach the great doorways – the great turning
points – of our lives, we do so armed only with our faith," the Primate
said.
* "Each Generation Has Something to Contribute"
During the program on Sunday, the Diocese recognized three surviving St.
Vartan Guild members – Bertha Khavlijian Moriarty, Araxe Cherishian, and Yn.
Mariam Ashjian – and Linda Kirishjian, who attended the event on behalf of
her late mother, Araksi Kirishjian.
"Alice Kavookjian’s dream was to have the great portals," said Mrs.
Moriarty, recalling how guild members, including her mother, fundraised
through the years. She said they would have been proud with the finished
project.
"The great portals proclaim our Christianity and our history in such a
magnificent way," she added.
The Diocese also expressed its appreciation to the Dadourian family.
Alex Dadourian spoke about his father, Dadour Dadourian, one of the original
visionaries who conceived St. Vartan Cathedral. Alex Dadourian recalled that
his father "had two loves in his life: his family and his church."
Having come to the U.S. as an orphan at a young age, Dadour Dadourian never
forgot his Armenian roots. He worked tirelessly to raise money for the
cathedral and was happy to see his sons, Alex and the late Haig Dadourian,
carrying on his legacy.
Also recognized were the Gulbenkian and Diarbekirian families and the
Knights and Daughters of Vartan for their contributions to the establishment
of the Diocesan Center.
Ed Gulbenkian said he was inspired and encouraged by an older generation of
men who had been dedicated servants of the Armenian Church.
He added, "I challenge all of you to become leaders in the Armenian Church."
Archbishop Barsamian closed the day by recalling that "forty years ago
Catholicos Vasken consecrated this cathedral. But that was not the end of
its story-only the beginning. Today reminds us that each generation has
something to contribute to our cathedral. Indeed, the work our Lord calls
us to do is never-ending."
A commemoration committee co-chaired by Melanie Dadourian and Greg Dadourian
organized Sunday’s program. Other committee members include Karen
Kouzoujian, Alice Demirjian, Astrid Dadourian, Haig Ariyan, and Dn. Sebuh
Oscherichian.
Haig Ariyan also served as the master of ceremonies. A piano performance was
given by Ari Nareg Terjanian.
The photo exhibition in Guild Hall was designed by Alice Demirjian, with
assistance from Melissa Dadourian and Heather Dadourian.
–6/1/09
* * *
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
NOTE TO EDITOR: Each photo caption corresponds to a photo file name; the
seven most important photos have been listed first (out of numerical order).
Photo6.jpg
Abp. Barsamian traces holy oil in the sign of a cross on St. Vartan
Cathedral’s monumental bronze doors, during the service of consecration on
Sun., May 31.
Photo16.jpg
Diocesan Primate Abp. Khajag Barsamian welcomes New York Mayor Michael
Bloomberg to St. Vartan Cathedral.
Photo2.jpg
Mayor Bloomberg addresses the Armenian community at St. Vartan Cathedral.
Photo9.jpg
The sculpted bronze doors provided a dramatic backdrop for the graceful
Shushi dancers.
Photo13.jpg
Bertha Khavlijian Moriarty, representing the St. Vartan Cathedral Guild,
recalls the events of 30 years earlier, when the doors project was
conceived.
Photo14.jpg
Alex Dadourian, representing the Dadourian family, recalls the vision of his
father, the late Dadour Dadourian.
Photo11.jpg
Fr. Garabed Kochakian describes the story depicted on the bronze doors.
* * *
Photo1.jpg
In New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral, Abp. Barsamian thanks Mayor Bloomberg
for joining in the unveiling ceremony.
Photo3.jpg
Before the newly unveiled entry portal, Mayor Bloomberg shakes hands with
visiting vicar of Javakh, Fr. Papken Saleyian, in the company of (l-r) Abp.
Barsamian, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, and Abp. Yeghishe Gizirian.
Photo4.jpg
Through a dense crowd on the cathedral plaza, the procession approaches the
new entry doors for the consecration ritual.
Photo5.jpg
Abp. Barsamian consecrates St. Vartan Cathedral’s new entry portal.
Photo7.jpg
Children help Abp. Barsamian open the doors for the first time after their
consecration.
Photo8.jpg
Following the consecration ceremony, the elegant dancers of the Shushi Dance
Ensemble performed on the cathedral plaza.
Photo10.jpg
Haig Ariyan served as Master of Ceremonies during a reception following the
consecration.
Photo12.jpg
Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, introduces the honored
guests of the day.
Photo15.jpg
Abp. Barsamian thanks the benefactors and attendees.
Photo17.jpg
Abp. Barsamian celebrates the Divine Liturgy prior to the consecration
ceremony on Sun., May 31.
# # #
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress