MAYOR BLOOMBERG ATTENDS ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL DOORS DEDICATION
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June 3, 2009
Speaking at the consecration of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral’s new
bronze entry doors last Sunday, May 31, 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. "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 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,"
Bloomberg said.
Remarking that the cathedral was built by survivors of the Armenian
Genocide, 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 Bloomberg led a procession
to the cathedral plaza where the new doors were unveiled by the mayor
and Primate.
The consecration ceremony began after Bloomberg’s departure,
culminating in Archbishop 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 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 May 31, 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, the Diocese recognized three surviving St. Vartan
Guild members, Bertha Khavlijian Moriarty, Araxe Cherishian, and
Yn. Mariam Ashjian, as well as 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
Khavlijian 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."
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 "40 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 included
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.