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Easter and Holy Week Schedule at St. Vartan Cathedral

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  • Easter and Holy Week Schedule at St. Vartan Cathedral

    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.net

    March 15, 2010
    ___________________

    HOLY WEEK AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL WILL BE OBSERVED MARCH 28 THROUGH
    APRIL 4, EASTER SUNDAY

    St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will observe Holy Week, March 28 through
    April 4, with a series of special services, culminating in the Easter
    Sunday celebration on April 4, 2010.

    Holy Week is the sacred commemoration of the dramatic events leading
    to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, His victory over death and the
    redemption of humanity and the fallen world. The Armenian Church
    re-enacts these episodes in the days leading up to Easter. What
    follows is a brief schedule of Holy Week events:

    PALM SUNDAY--the commemoration of Jesus' triumphal entry into
    Jerusalem--falls on March 28. Fr. Mardiros Chevian (dean of
    St. Vartan Cathedral) will be the celebrant for the services, which
    will begin with a Morning Service at 9:30 a.m., and will continue with
    the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. The Turun-patzek or `Door-Opening'
    Service will be held after the Divine
    Liturgy.

    The cathedral is also holding a special Children's Day on Palm Sunday,
    which begins at 10:00 a.m. in Guild Hall of the Diocesan Center.
    Children will learn about Armenian faith and culture, do seasonal
    crafts, and participate in the badarak. The Children's Day will end
    with lunch for the participants. (To register for the Palm Sunday
    Children's Day at St. Vartan Cathedral, call (212) 686-0710,
    ext. 141.)

    April 1 is GREAT AND HOLY THURSDAY, and the day's services
    memori-alize the Last Supper, Jesus' vigil in the Garden of
    Gethsemane, His arrest and trial. Two separate services will be
    celebrated on this day. In the morning, the Divine Liturgy, beginning
    at 11:00 a.m. This will be followed by a luncheon.

    In the evening, the `Washing of the Feet' ceremony will start at 7:00
    p.m., with the Khavaroom or Vigil Service following at 8:30 p.m.
    Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese, will officiate.
    During the Washing of Feet ceremony, twelve individuals will serve as
    surrogates for the apostles. This year, in recognition of the
    Diocese's `Year of Vocations, the twelve will be selected from the
    ordained clergy, including priests and deacons.

    The crucifixion and death of Christ will be observed on April 2--GREAT
    AND HOLY FRIDAY--and again two services will occur. The Order of the
    Cruci-fixion of Christ will begin at 12:00 noon. This will be a short
    service enabling working people in Manhattan to attend, and it will be
    followed by a luncheon in the Diocesan Complex's Yerevan Room.

    That same evening, at 7:30 p.m., the Order of the Entombment of the
    Lord, or Taghoom Service, will take place.

    On GREAT AND HOLY SATURDAY, April 3, the Divine Liturgy will be
    preceded by a scripture-reading ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Easter Eve
    Liturgy will begin at 7:00 p.m., celebrated by Archbishop Yeghishe
    Gizirian. The St. Vartan Cathedral Adult and Youth Choir, under the
    direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, will sing the liturgy. (The
    St. Vartan Cathedral Youth Choir is made up of students from the
    Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum, and Diocesan Armenian Saturday schools of
    New York and New Jersey.) Students of the Diocesan Khrimian Lyceum
    will also provide the Scripture readings. A reception will follow the
    services.

    The drama of Holy Week will culminate on EASTER SUNDAY, April 4.
    Easter is the central holy day of the Christian calendar, and
    commemorates the discovery of Christ's empty tomb and the news of His
    glorious Resur-rection. Matins will begin at 9:30 a.m. The Divine
    Liturgy will begin at 10:30 a.m. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
    of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, will celebrate the
    liturgy and deliver the homily. The St. Vartan Cathedral Choirs will
    sing the Divine Liturgy under the direction of Maestro Khoren
    Mekanejian. Florence Avakian will accompany on the organ.

    Immediately following the service, the traditional Antasdan ceremony,
    or `Blessing of the Fields,' will be conducted on the cathedral plaza.
    This will be followed by the release of doves ceremony on the
    cathedral plaza, where Mr. Hratch Toufayan, of New Jersey, will serve
    as `godfather.'

    Please note that an Easter reception and program will follow the
    services, in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium. The reception will
    include a home-blessing service, and the recognition of the various
    names associated with the holiday. The reception is free and open to
    the public.

    For information on these observances, call the Diocese of the Armenian
    Church at (212) 686-0710. St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is located at
    630 Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street) in New York City.

    --3/8/10
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