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:

August 24, 2009
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SPECIAL ACTIVITIES BRING ASSUMPTION DAY TO LIFE FOR CHILDREN AT ST. VARTAN
CATHEDRAL

A special "Children’s Day" was held at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral on the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God, Sunday,
August 16.

More than 40 young participants, ages 5 to 12, gathered to learn about St.
Mary, the mother of Jesus; the Feast of the Assumption; and the tradition of
grape blessing through a range of activities. Children also attended the
Divine Liturgy.

Later, on the cathedral plaza, they took part in the traditional "Blessing
of Grapes" ceremony, which is observed in conjunction with the Feast of the
Assumption.

"As the pastor of the New York City community, it was a joy for me to spend
time with the children of this city," said St. Vartan Cathedral dean, the
Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who led the cathedral committee that organized
the day’s program. "The day was filled with learning – spiritual, cultural,
liturgical – and the children were really receptive."

Introducing the Children’s Day, Fr. Chevian led a prayer and read the gospel
story of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary. Fr. Chevian emphasized Mary’s
courage in accepting God’s call to bear His son.

"This is a story of a young lady who said yes to God," Fr. Chevian said.

Zarmi Megherian went on to describe Mary’s life, and how after her death she
was taken up into Heaven – "assumed," in the language of theology, by Jesus.

Children learned the Armenian words "Asdvadzamayr-Asdvadzadzin" –
"Mother-of-God" and "Bearer-of-God" – and had a chance to practice
pronouncing and writing these terms with Sivart Arakelian.

During a lively Arts and Crafts session – led by Araks Yeramyan Andrew,
Shirley Chein, Regina Dionisio, and Tamara Grigoryan – children learned
about Armenian illuminations and drew grapes, the Armenian cross, and other
elements of Armenian iconography.

Later, they entered St. Vartan Cathedral, kneeling before the altar to
prepare for Holy Communion. On the cathedral plaza, the children gathered as
Fr. Chevian and the day’s celebrant, the Rev. Fr. Gomidas Zohrabian of
Hartford’s St. George Armenian Church, performed the "Blessing of Grapes"
ceremony.

Children enjoyed a pizza lunch on the plaza, picnicking under tents on a
sunny Manhattan afternoon. At the conclusion of the program, they were
invited to learn Armenian dancing with sub-deacon Armen Bandikian.

"It’s very significant to have an Armenian church in such a diverse city,"
said Ara Boghosian, who was visiting the cathedral from Washington, D.C.,
with his three children. "It’s important for our children to recognize the
cathedral."

Sunday’s program was the first of what will be a periodic Children’s Days at
St. Vartan Cathedral. The next one is scheduled for spring 2010. For
information, contact the Eastern Diocese at (212) 686-0710.

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Photos attached.

Photo 1: St. Vartan Cathedral dean, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, looks on
as children take part in an Arts and Crafts session during "Children’s Day"
at the cathedral on August 16.

Photo 2: Children gather for Holy Communion at St. Vartan Cathedral during
the "Children’s Day" program on August 16.

Photo 3: Children learn Armenian words during the "Children’s Day" program
at St. Vartan Cathedral on August 16.

Photo 4: Children receive Holy Communion at St. Vartan Cathedral during the
"Children’s Day" program on August 16. The day’s celebrant was the Rev. Fr.
Gomidas Zohrabian of Hartford’s St. George Armenian Church

Photo 5: Children gather to witness the "Blessing of Grapes" ceremony on the
plaza of St. Vartan Cathedral.

Photo 6: A girl draws as part of the Arts and Crafts session during
"Children’s Day" at St. Vartan Cathedral on August 16.

Photo 7: Children take part in an Arts and Crafts session during "Children’s
Day" at St. Vartan Cathedral on August 16.

Photo 8: St. Vartan Cathedral dean, the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, speaks
with children taking part in "Children’s Day" at the cathedral on August 16.