St. Vartan Cathedral Resounds With Good News of the Resurrection

"Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. Christ is risen from the dead!"Verses of this ancient hymn filled the sanctuary of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Easter Sunday, as people streamed inside to celebrate the Glorious Resurrection of the Lord. As many as 2,000 people participated in services on March 31. They paused to light candles and greet one another with the joyous words, "Krisdos haryav ee merelotz! Orhnyal eh harootiunun Krisdosee!"

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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

April 5, 2013

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"Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. Christ is risen from the dead!"

Verses of this ancient hymn filled the sanctuary of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Easter Sunday, as people streamed inside to celebrate the Glorious Resurrection of the Lord.

As many as 2,000 people participated in services on March 31. They paused to light candles and greet one another with the joyous words, "Krisdos haryav ee merelotz! Orhnyal eh harootiunun Krisdosee!"

The Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presided and delivered the Easter homily. Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the  holy qualities Christ exemplified—including outreach, sacrifice, forgiveness, compassion, and love—and encouraged the faithful to live by this example.

"Our own homeland of Armenia was transformed by this living message. Our ancestors built the church as the vessel which would carry the living message of Christ down to our own day," Archbishop Barsamian said.

"When you depart from the cathedral today, I ask you to carry the life of Christ with you—back to your homes, your churches, your families. Through the way you live, let those around you see Christ's message brought to life."

Release of doves

After the Divine Liturgy, the Primate led a procession to the cathedral plaza, where 12 doves were released, symbolizing the dispatching of the 12 apostles.

Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian, the former U.S. Ambassador to Syria and Israel, was the godfather of the "Release of Doves" ceremony.

The service "brought back many memories because I was born in New York City, and my family came to St. Vartan Cathedral," Ambassador Djerejian said. "I'm a very strong believer, as an Armenian-American, in the role of the Armenian Church in the lives of the Armenian people and nation."

A reception followed in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, where Archbishop Barsamian officiated over a home-blessing service. The faithful received nshkhars to take home.

Concurrent with the Easter observances, a special art exhibit was on display in the cathedral complex on March 30 and 31. Curators Dr. Svetlana Amirkhanian and Angela Kazarian of the St. Gregory the Illuminator mission parish of Brooklyn, N.Y., assembled works by Armenian artists.

The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir sang the Divine Liturgy on Easter Sunday under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian. Florence Avakian accompanied on the organ.

Holy Week services

Easter was preceded by Holy Week, which commemorates the dramatic events leading to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

At St. Vartan Cathedral on Palm Sunday, March 24, Fr. Kiledjian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and conducted the Turun-Patzek or "Door Opening" Service. At the conclusion of services, the faithful walked from the cathedral plaza to the western entrance of the building, carrying palms in commemoration of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

On March 28, Great and Holy Thursday, Fr. Kiledjian celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the morning. In the evening, Archbishop Barsamian officiated at the "Washing of the Feet" ceremony, which commemorates Christ washing the feet of the 12 apostles after the Last Supper. The "Washing of the Feet" ceremony was followed by a Khavaroom or Vigil Service.

The Order of the Crucifixion of Christ and the Order of the Entombment of the Lord (or Taghoom Service) were commemorated with services on Great and Holy Friday, March 29.

On Easter Eve, Saturday, March 30, Fr. Kiledjian celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Students from the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum read scriptures and sang in the choir.

Similar celebrations were underway at parishes across the Diocese during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday.

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Photos attached..

Photo 1: Archbishop Barsamian and Ambassador Djerejian prepare to release doves on the cathedral plaza. (photo by Michael Ovanes)

Photo 2: Archbishop Barsamian and Ambassador Djerejian release doves on the cathedral plaza.

Photo 3: Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian and altar servers stand in prayer during the Divine Liturgy. (photo by Michael Ovanes)

Photo 4: Archbishop Barsamian officiates at the Washing of the Feet ceremony on Holy Thursday.

Photo 5: Dn. Vahagn Azizyan distributes blessed butter on Holy Thursday.

PublicRelations [publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org]