Author: Emil Lazarian

PRESS OFFICE 

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) 

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016 

Contact: Chris Zakian 

Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558 

E-mail: [email protected] 

Website: www.armenianchurch.us 

November 2, 2023

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ATTENTION EDITOR: Four photos attached, with captions below. Download additional photos at the link (credit Harout Barsoumian):

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/St-Vartan-Armenian-Cathedral/Bishop-Mesrops-Return-Badarak-Oct-14-2023/

HEADLINE:

By Stephan S. Nigohosian

A most blessed and joyous homecoming took place on Saturday, October 14, when newly-ordained Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan returned to New York City’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral to celebrate his first episcopal Divine Liturgy as bishop of the Eastern Diocese.

The Primate, who had been consecrated as a bishop at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin a week earlier by His Holiness Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, presided over the special badarak before a large gathering of clergy and lay people from near and far.

In a time of heartrending events and hardship thrust upon Armenians around the world, embodied in the tragedies in Artsakh and Armenia, Bishop Mesrop’s message of unwavering faith and optimism for the future of the Armenian Church and its faithful instilled feelings of hope and perseverance in all who heard his message.

As the heavenly strains of Khorhoort Khoreen (O Mystery Deep) began the service, Bishop Mesrop, accompanied by a procession of clergy and altar servers, entered the sanctuary and bestowed his blessings among the faithful. A gold processional cross, followed by colorful processional banners featuring images of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, were held by the procession of clergy as they made their way through the cathedral. As they reached the altar, angelic strains of the choir reached a crescendo, further adding to the sacred atmosphere of the event about to unfold. 

* Blessings on the Faithful

From the altar, with arms outstretched, Bishop Mesrop faced the congregation and chanted the centuries-old Armenian prayers. Multiple cameras placed throughout the sanctuary provided those participating in the service at home with immersive views, including an intimate, front-facing view of Bishop Mesrop praying on the holy altar. Among the clergy and altar servers assisting him throughout the liturgy were Cathedral Vicar Fr. Davit Karamyan, and Diocesan pastors Fr. Armash Bagdasarian (Wynnewood, PA), Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan (Cheltenham, PA), Fr. Martiros Hakobyan (Houston, TX), and Fr. Avedis Kalaydjian (Racine, WI), along with a retinue of deacons from the cathedral and outlying parishes, as well as St. Nersess seminarians and other altar servers.

Members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, who play such an essential role in aural aspect of the Divine Liturgy every Sunday, were conducted by Maestro Khoren Mekanejian. On this occasion, the ensemble was further complemented by choristers from local parishes around the country, as well as by organist Deacon Ari Terjanian from St. Gregory of Narek Church in Cleveland, OH.

Among the dignitaries seated in the chancel at the foot of the altar, and in the front of the congregation, were Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, as well as representatives of various sister churches and the diplomatic corps, clergy from throughout the Eastern Diocese, leaders of Armenian organizations, and members of the Diocesan Council.

* A Homily from the Heart

Following the blessing and distribution of the Holy Eucharist, Bishop Mesrop delivered a heartfelt and uplifting homily. “Today, I am overcome with a spirit of thanks to the Lord, who took my life in His hands, shaped my soul, inspired my heart, rescued me from the shadow of death and guided me step by step to this ministry in His service,” he said.

Bishop Mesrop continued by acknowledging the pivotal role his family, friends and colleagues have collectively played in nourishing his spiritual development throughout his life’s journey. “Thank you to my clergy brothers and all our faithful who placed their trust in me, honored me, stood by me in my time of injury and triumph, and shared your strength and love with me,” he said.

He expressed special gratitude to Catholicos Karekin II, who the Primate said has encouraged and guided him throughout his ministry. And he thanked Berge Setrakian, the distinguished longtime president of AGBU, who stood as Bishop Mesrop’s godfather during his ordination.

Bishop Mesrop then directed attention to the tragic situation that befell our beloved homeland of Artsakh, likening his role to that of a father entrusted with consoling his family experiencing unfathomable loss. “While suffering can sow the seeds of bitterness and resentment, that is not how a Christian should respond to it,” he explained. “God understands our pain and suffering, for He experienced it Himself through the sacrifice of His Son. We must trust that God is always with us, right beside us,” he said, adding, “God will see His justice done.”

Bishop Mesrop then looked toward the future and the challenging work ahead, imploring the faithful to assist our brethren fleeing Artsakh and to work together to strengthen our Diocese. Securing a bright future for the Armenian Church will enable future generations to know our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The Primate then delineated his vision of three tasks, or “gifts,” that would be his focus for our Diocese: Evangelization (being a witness to the truth of the Holy Gospel); Spirituality (translating the invisible inner reality of the Spirit into the visible); and Love (our relationship with one another and the Heavenly Father). “When I stepped up to the altar today, I was overwhelmed by the feeling of love,” he revealed. “I will rely on your prayers, my beautiful and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ.”

The viewing audience for Bishop Mesrop’s special Divine Liturgy included thousands of people from across the Diocese and around the world, sharing in the service as it was broadcast over the Internet. The small, dedicated production team included Yervant Keshishian, who directed the program, Artur Petrosyan on the mobile floor camera, and narrator Christopher Zakian. 

Following the splendid badarak, worshippers adjourned to a bounteous reception in the Diocesan Center’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, lovingly sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Berge and Vera Setrakian. The occasion was a welcome opportunity for the large crowd of faithful to congratulate their new bishop, receive his blessing, and wish him well in his leadership of the Eastern Diocese.

Click the following links to:

VIEW an extensive photo gallery by photographer Harout Barsoumian.

WATCH a recording of Bishop Mesrop’s homecoming badarak.

–10/20/23

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PHOTO CAPTION 1:

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan was welcomed back to the U.S. after his episcopal consecration in Armenia, in a splendid liturgy at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. (Photo by Harout Barsoumian.)

PHOTO CAPTION 2:

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan holds the episcopal staff as he delivers a sermon during the liturgy on Oct. 14, 2023. (Photo by Harout Barsoumian.)

PHOTO CAPTION 3:

Berge Setrakian (at left), longtime president of AGBU, was Bishop Mesrop’s godfather during his ordination, and spoke during the reception honoring the Primate’s return to the U.S. Pictured at right Diocesan Legate Archbishop Vicken Aykazian. (Photo by Harout Barsoumian.)

PHOTO CAPTION 3:

A view from the altar of St. Vartan Cathedral, from Bishop Mesrop’s return badarak. (A screenshot from the Internet broadcast.)

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LINKS:

Photo Gallery:

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/St-Vartan-Armenian-Cathedral/Bishop-Mesrops-Return-Badarak-Oct-14-2023/

Video Recording:

https://www.youtube.com/live/iiShXopspos?si=wkexlcPXouMqe9eO

# # #

Laura Agajanian Grimes’ great-grandparents came to America to escape the Armenian genocide in the early 1900s. Catherine James’ great grandfather nearly froze to death after Ottoman Empire soldiers buried him in snow during one of their massacres against Armenians.

Those two East Texas women still pass down the stories of what their Armenian ancestors endured. And more than 100 years after the last Armenian genocide ended, they say they’ve watched another one unfold: the months-long blockade and subsequent military invasion of Artsakh, also called Nagorno-Karabakh, a small region within the borders of Azerbaijan.

The tiny swath of land historically was part of Armenia, and more than 100,000 native Armenians have called it home for centuries. But in September, most of them hurriedly fled their ancestral homes following an Azerbaijani military offensive that led to the dissolution of independent government there.

Agajanian Grimes, who lives in Mineola, and James, who lives in Tyler, are half a world away. But both say they’re pained by what’s happening in the region.

“To intentionally starve people by cutting off their means of getting food and water and needed supplies, children getting starved to death — it’s inhumane,” James said. “I would liken it to another genocide.”

The September military offensive in the Artsakh region, better known by its Azerbaijani name of Nagorno-Karabakh, was the latest chapter in a book-long history of conflict with religious ties.

Armenia once was among the largest empires in the world, but through centuries of war, it’s been reduced to a state 1/23rd the size of Texas. In 301 A.D., it became the first nation in the world to adopt Christianity as its official religion. Its neighbor, Azerbaijan, is predominantly Muslim.

Beginning in the 1300s, the Turkish Muslim-run Ottoman Empire was among the powers that sought to destroy Armenia. The Ottoman Empire was responsible for the Armenian genocide, carrying out several massacres and starvation campaigns between the late 1800s and early 1920s, according to the Armenian National Institute. Up to 1.5 million Armenians died.

The Soviet Union ruled the region following the Ottoman Empire’s fall, but conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has flared up several times since the Soviet Union collapsed. Much of it has been centered around control of Artsakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh, which both Armenians and Azerbaijanis claim as their own.

Armenians typically call the region Artsakh, while Azerbaijanis typically call the region Nagorno-Karabakh.

“Armenians now like to call it Artsakh,” Agajanian James said. “Armenians are the indigenous people there. They have been living there since the B.C. era, before Azerbaijan was even a country.”

Artsakh was somewhat independent of Azerbaijan for years. However, Azerbaijan imposed “ethno-religious discrimination, economic mistreatment and intentional demographic abuse, in an attempt to eliminate its Armenian Christian majority and replace it with Azerbaijani Muslim settlers,” according to the office of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.

“The people there also declared their own independence, similar to the United States,” Agajanian Grimes said. “But unlike the United States, they didn’t have the power, strength or an ally to help them maintain that independence.”

The latest conflict began in late 2022, when Azerbaijani forces blockaded Artsakh, cutting off food, electricity, water and other supplies.

“They were slowly sucking the life out of people in that region,” Agajanian Grimes said. “They wouldn’t let people come in or go out. The people there were slowly starving to death. Women were having miscarriages because they were severely malnourished. People were standing in line for hours for bread. A couple people did starve to death. It was just a catastrophe.”

Then came this September’s military offensive. Armenians fled Artsakh and rushed to Armenia proper, which now is overwhelmed with refugees, according to reporting from NPR and other news outlets.

While Azerbaijan didn’t force Armenians living in Artsakh to flee, “the general understanding is, if you stay, you’re probably not going to make it,” Agajanian Grimes said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Friday urged arch-foes Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume internationally mediated peace talks, weeks after Baku recaptured Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenian separatists.

The Caucasus neighbours have been locked in a decades-long conflict for control of Azerbaijan's Armenian-populated region, which Baku reclaimed in a lightning offensive in September.

Canada's ministry of foreign affairs is closely following the events in Nagorno-Karabakh, and is concerned about the dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation as a result of last year's events. Andrew Turner, the first resident ambassador of Canada to Armenia, said this in his opening remarks at the discussion on border security between Armenia and Azerbaijan at the foreign affairs and international development committee of the Canadian House of Commons.

Canada has joined the Armenian government's call for help. Canada has announced a total of $3.9 million in humanitarian aid to support refugees from Nagorno-Karabakh through humanitarian organizations, Turner said.

Canada has consistently called for non-use of force, and has called on all parties to participate in negotiations to reach a comprehensive peace agreement. Canada supports the principles of non-use of force, the territorial integrity of both countries, and the right to self-determination. The peace agreement must now also guarantee the displaced population's right to return to Nagorno-Karabakh and respect for their property and rights, the ambassador added.

MP Stephane Bergeron asked Turner a question about the possibility of imposing sanctions on Azerbaijan, to which the ambassador quoted Canadian FM Melanie Joly's words that the matter of sanctions is on the table.

If necessary, they will be imposed, but we avoid it and try to solve the problem diplomatically. Furthermore, we are making preparations for Canada to become the first non-EU country to participate in a monitoring mission to see what is happening at the border. We are also working with our allies to convey our message clearly to Baku, that territorial integrity must be respected, Turner added.

Responding to the ambassador, Bergeron noted that Canada imposed sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, and in 2021, Azerbaijan invaded and occupied a part of the sovereign territory of Armenia.

Since the conflict has been going on for more than 30 years, there is no clear information about the borders of the two countries, so we expect that such issues will be resolved through a peace agreement, including the preservation of homes and cultural treasures. Canada supports these efforts, Ambassador Turner responded.

MP Heather McPherson asked the ambassador in which case the sanctions will be considered more seriously.

According to the ambassador, negotiations on sanctions with the allies are already underway, but as long as the Armenian government has the impression that the peace process can be moved forward, Canada would not want to take any steps to hinder those efforts.

MP Sameer Zuberi asked the ambassador whether Armenia petitioned with a request to impose sanctions against Azerbaijan.

No, responded Turner, and noted that there is a dispute within Armenia at the moment regarding the application of sanctions. There have been calls for support and concrete action, but there is a clear understanding that the main focus must be on achieving an agreed peace agreement, he noted.

The ambassador added that no country has yet followed the path of sanctions, but France announced the provision of military aid to Armenia, as a result of which Azerbaijan refused to participate in international meetings that could contribute to the peace process.

Of course, we don't know if those meetings would be useful or not, but this step gave Azerbaijan a reason not to participate. Thus, such steps, including the threat of sanctions, can be a reason for some parties not to participate in peace talks concluded the first resident ambassador of Canada to Armenia.