Christmas Celebrated at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral

After a cold spell in New York, a sunny, warm day met worshippers on Sunday, January 6, as they gathered in the city's St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral for the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

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PRESS OFFICE

Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)

630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016

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

E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org

Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net

January 8, 2013

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CHRISTMAS CELEBRATED AT NEW YORK’S ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL

After a cold spell in New York, a sunny, warm day met worshippers on Sunday, January 6, as they gathered in the city's St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral for the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), celebrated the Divine Liturgy, before a large crowd of more than 1,000 people. Many leaned forward during the procession, led by Archbishop Barsamian, to receive the Primate's blessing and to capture snapshots on handheld cameras and cell phones. In the narthex, people lit candles and exchanged the Christmas greeting—Krisdos dzunav yev haydnetzav!

In his homily, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the need to make faith a center of daily life. Speaking of the turmoil in the Middle East and last month's shooting in Newtown, Conn., he said, "The presence of evil in our lives results from the absence of Christ in our homes. It is by following in Christ's footsteps that we can begin to bring peace and reconciliation."

The Primate also spoke about last fall's Diocesan pilgrimage to historic Armenia, noting the importance of reasserting the Christian Armenian identity in places like Holy Cross Church on Aghtamar island, St. Giragos Church in Dikranagert, and the magnificent cathedral in Ani.

"Sanctuaries that have long been silent again rang with the sounds of Armenian worship," he said. "Indeed, this was a life-changing journey, and a sign that nothing is impossible with God."

As celebrant during the January 6 liturgy, the Primate was surrounded on the altar by a number of clergymen, deacons, and seminarians. The Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, the newly-appointed dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, and cathedral priest the Very Rev. Fr. Sooren Chinchinian participated in the service.

Sarkis Jebejian served as godfather for the churorhnek, or Blessing of Water Ceremony, which commemorates the baptism of Jesus by the hand of John the Baptist. "Sarkis is a wonderful example to the young generation of Armenian-Americans," Archbishop Barsamian said. "He embodies the Armenian values of faith, family, and service through his activities on behalf of the Armenian Church and the AGBU."

The sacred music of the Divine Liturgy was rendered beautifully throughout the service by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian. Accompanying on the organ was Florence Avakian.

Public participation was also robust at the Armenian Christmas Eve service on the evening of January 5. The celebrant was Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian. The Christmas Eve service featured scripture readings by students from the Diocese's Khrimian Lyceum, who also added their voices to the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir's singing of the Divine Liturgy.

After the service on January 6, a reception convened in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, where a traditional home-blessing ceremony was led by Archbishop Barsamian. The faithful then stepped forward to receive blessed nushkhars. A colorful dance performance was offered by the Shushi Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral, under the direction of choreographer Seta Kantardjian.

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All photos by Michael Ovanes.

Photo 2: Sarkis Jebejian with family after the Blessing of Water service on January 6.

Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy on January 6.

Photos 3 and 4: The Blessing of Water service followed Badarak on January 6.

Photo 5: The Shushi Armenian Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral performed after Christmas services.

Photo 6: The Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Christmas Eve, January 5.

PublicRelations [publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org]