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:
February 12, 2010
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NEW YORK COMMUNITY MARKS VARTANANTZ DAY AT DIOCESAN CENTER
With more than a foot of snow on the cathedral plaza after what was the
heaviest snowstorm to hit New York City this winter, members of the New York
metro Armenian community gathered at St. Vartan Cathedral to commemorate the
cathedral’s patron saint on Thursday, February 11.
The evening began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by the Very
Rev. Fr. Davit Karamyan (who is visiting the Eastern Diocese from the Mother
See of Holy Etchmiadzin). Assisting Fr. Karamyan were St. Nersess
seminarians.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), presided over the service. Encouraging young people to
carry forth St. Vartan’s legacy, Archbishop Barsamian called on them to
"serve their people, nation, and God."
The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir sang, under the direction of Maestro Khoren
Mekanejian, with Florence Avakian accompanying on the organ.
A program and dinner in the Diocese’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian auditorium
followed services. Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian led the opening prayer, and
Edward Boladian, who served as the master of ceremonies, gave opening
remarks, welcoming guests to the annual commemoration.
A presentation followed by students of the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Armenian School of Brooklyn, N.Y., who sang songs, recited poems, and
performed traditional Armenian dances. Donning colorful sequined costumes
with silver and gold embroidery, the students exuded grace and elegance.
The Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, who has been closely involved with the
Brooklyn mission parish, thanked school principal Marina Bagdasarova and
parish council chair Dr. Svetlana Amerkhanian for their dedication to
sharing the Christian heritage with a new generation of Armenians.
Fr. Chevian noted that most parishioners from the St. Gregory the
Illuminator mission parish are relative newcomers to the U.S., having moved
here from Armenia and other former Soviet republics. He said he was proud of
the achievements of the Armenian school students there, and for their
commitment to embracing and preserving Armenian culture.
Diocesan Vicar the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian spoke about the history
of the Battle of Avarayr, calling it "the battle that gives Armenians hope."
He stressed that even though Armenians lost the battle in A.D. 451, it was a
moral victory that ultimately ensured the survival of Christianity in
Armenia.
"Whenever Armenians find themselves struggling, they draw inspiration from
the events that transpired nearly 1,600 years ago," he said, "and they make
the impossible possible."
In his closing remarks, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the importance of
safeguarding St. Vartan’s legacy in the 21st century. In the context of this
year’s Diocesan theme of "Vocations: The Call to Serve," the Primate spoke
about the importance of encouraging young men to pursue the priesthood in
the Armenian Church.
He reflected on his own personal journey to the priesthood and stressed the
need to "pass on the Armenian identity to future generations." Archbishop
Barsamian also spoke about ways women serve the Church, and emphasized that
the community’s full commitment is needed for the continued development of
the Armenian Church in America.
The scheduled keynote speaker, Mr. Garen Nazarian, Armenia’s Ambassador to
the United Nations, was unable to take part in the evening.
The commemoration was organized under the auspices of the Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern), with the participation of the
Mid-Atlantic Region of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan.
Thursday’s event organizers include: Leo Manuelian, Tanya Bukucuyan, Samuel
Azadian, Mihran Akyemenician, Antranik Platyan, Ohannes Tercan, Arman
Merinian, Arman Izmirliyan, Ruben Dagliyan, Dr. Jacques Gulekjian, Ani
Minnetyan, Seta Izmirliyan, and Rose Torigian. Haig Deranian is the grand
commander and Melene Ouzounian is the grand matron of the Knights and
Daughters of Vartan.
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: The Very Rev. Fr. Davit Karamyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy at
St. Vartan Cathedral on Thursday, February 11, as the community gathered to
mark Vartanantz Day.
Photo 2: Students of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian School of
Brooklyn, N.Y., performed Armenian dances at the commemoration of Vartanantz
Day.
Photo 3: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America (Eastern), spoke about the importance of safeguarding St.
Vartan’s legacy in the 21st century.
Photo 4: Diocesan Vicar the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian described the
Battle of Avarayr as "the battle that gives Armenians hope."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress