eNewsletter of the Eastern Diocese

Easter at St. Vartan Cathedral. As many as 2,000 people participated in Easter services at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York on Sunday, March 27. Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the Easter homily.

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. Renowned Armenian-American artist Michael Aram and church benefactor Sandra Shahinian Leitner were the godparents of this year's doves ceremony. Mr. Aram's sculpture "Migrations" provided a majestic backdrop to the ceremony. The monument, honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, was installed on the cathedral plaza last fall as part of the Armenian Genocide centennial. The Shushi Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral, in traditional Armenian costumes, performed dances on the plaza following the "Release of Doves" ceremony.

A reception and program followed in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, where Archbishop Barsamian officiated over a home-blessing service.

Click on the following links to read more about Easter

http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/news-and-media/news/eastern-celebrated-at-st-vartan-cathedral/

and Holy Week at the cathedral, and to view photos from Easter Sunday https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/St-Vartan-Armenian-Cathedral/Easter-2016-at-St-Vartan/

 and Holy Thursday

 https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/St-Vartan-Armenian-Cathedral/2016-Washing-of-the-Feet/

. For the first time this year, St. Vartan Cathedral’s Easter Sunday Divine Liturgy and “Release of Doves” ceremony was broadcast live over the Internet. Click here to view a recording of the full broadcast. http://livestream.com/ArmenianChurchEasternDiocese/events/5048861

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