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: [email protected]
Website: <;
December 9, 2009
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ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL TO TAKE PLACE ON
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2010
The Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ will be observed at New York’s St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 5 and 6, 2010. A
special liturgical schedule will be in effect for these "Armenian Christmas"
services; please make a note of the times.
On ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS EVE – Tuesday, 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 7:00 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 – Wednesday, 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.
In 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. Randy Sapah-Gulian, who chairs the board of directors of the
Fund for Armenian Relief, will serve as "godfather" of the Blessing of Water
service.
After the cathedral’s January 6 church services, a home blessing service and
Christmas luncheon will take place in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.
In a departure from the recent past, a full Armenian Christmas luncheon will
be held this year. The Antranig Dance Ensemble, which is observing its 40th
anniversary, will perform. Admission to the tribute luncheon will be $30 per
person, $15 for children and students. Luncheon tickets can be purchased at
the door, but reservations are strongly encouraged, and can be made by
calling the Diocesan Center at (212) 686-0710.
Armenian Christmas will also be observed at local parishes across the
Eastern Diocese. While many parishes celebrate the feast on the January 6
date, others will observe it on the following Sunday: January 10. 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 Tuesday, January 5. The Armenian Christmas
Morning Service on Wednesday, 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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