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CUPERTINO'S ST. ANDREW ARMENIAN CHURCH ADDS GRAND DOORS
San Jose Mercury, CA
Dec 5 2013
By Matt Wilson
St. Andrew Armenian Church has a striking new way of saying "welcome."
The Cupertino parish unveiled ornate church doors on Nov. 24, after 25
years of welcoming church members with a very basic entrance. The new
doors are covered in meaningful iconography and are a stark contrast
to the former church doors, which were described as "off the shelf."
"They were very commercial. They just bought and used whatever,"
said the Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian, who has been leading the church
since February 2000.
The new mahogany doors depict classic Armenian religious symbols and
were designed by Los Angeles-based artist Vladimir Atanian.
The doors are surrounded by interlocking knots of various shapes
symbolizing men, women and children.
"They are all linked together as a symbol of family and the Christian
community," Harutyunian said.
Two birds of paradise are also featured, as well as an Armenian
cross, which is most noted for its floral and blooming appearance
than other more common Christian crosses. The crosses are usually
found on high crosses known as khachkars, one of which sits near the
front of the church.
Stylized depictions of the Armenian symbols of eternity also adorn
the doors. The eternity sign symbolizes the concept of everlasting
and celestial life.
Most striking is the doors' replication of bursting sunlight extending
from the base of the doors to the top.
"When you go into a church, you are receiving light--light that
comes from God," Harutyunian said. "When someone opens these doors,
they will be illuminated with God's knowledge and spirit."
Atop the church doors, it states in Armenian, "Open to me the gates
of righteousness."
The church door makeover has been a long time coming. The church's
construction at 11370 S. Stelling Road coincided with a major 1988
earthquake in Armenia, and church funds were diverted to relief
efforts at the time. This prevented extra money from being used for
aesthetics such as the doors.
The update will help set the tone for church activities when visitors
step into the building.
"Doors are the face of the church and symbolize the holiness and
reverence they feel when they enter," says Harutyunian. "We are humans,
after all, and the first thing we notice are first impressions."
In 2014 the church will celebrate the parish's 50th anniversary. More
work is planned for the back of the doors, including adding the words,
"I will enter and give thanks to the Lord."
Fundraising will be done to complete the effort.
"With God's will, it will be next year," Harutyunian said.
For more information about St. Andrew Armenian Church and to see
photographs of the door unveiling, visit standrewarmchurch.org.
http://www.mercurynews.com/my-town/ci_24657098/cupertinos-st-andrew-armenian-church-adds-grand-doors
San Jose Mercury, CA
Dec 5 2013
By Matt Wilson
St. Andrew Armenian Church has a striking new way of saying "welcome."
The Cupertino parish unveiled ornate church doors on Nov. 24, after 25
years of welcoming church members with a very basic entrance. The new
doors are covered in meaningful iconography and are a stark contrast
to the former church doors, which were described as "off the shelf."
"They were very commercial. They just bought and used whatever,"
said the Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian, who has been leading the church
since February 2000.
The new mahogany doors depict classic Armenian religious symbols and
were designed by Los Angeles-based artist Vladimir Atanian.
The doors are surrounded by interlocking knots of various shapes
symbolizing men, women and children.
"They are all linked together as a symbol of family and the Christian
community," Harutyunian said.
Two birds of paradise are also featured, as well as an Armenian
cross, which is most noted for its floral and blooming appearance
than other more common Christian crosses. The crosses are usually
found on high crosses known as khachkars, one of which sits near the
front of the church.
Stylized depictions of the Armenian symbols of eternity also adorn
the doors. The eternity sign symbolizes the concept of everlasting
and celestial life.
Most striking is the doors' replication of bursting sunlight extending
from the base of the doors to the top.
"When you go into a church, you are receiving light--light that
comes from God," Harutyunian said. "When someone opens these doors,
they will be illuminated with God's knowledge and spirit."
Atop the church doors, it states in Armenian, "Open to me the gates
of righteousness."
The church door makeover has been a long time coming. The church's
construction at 11370 S. Stelling Road coincided with a major 1988
earthquake in Armenia, and church funds were diverted to relief
efforts at the time. This prevented extra money from being used for
aesthetics such as the doors.
The update will help set the tone for church activities when visitors
step into the building.
"Doors are the face of the church and symbolize the holiness and
reverence they feel when they enter," says Harutyunian. "We are humans,
after all, and the first thing we notice are first impressions."
In 2014 the church will celebrate the parish's 50th anniversary. More
work is planned for the back of the doors, including adding the words,
"I will enter and give thanks to the Lord."
Fundraising will be done to complete the effort.
"With God's will, it will be next year," Harutyunian said.
For more information about St. Andrew Armenian Church and to see
photographs of the door unveiling, visit standrewarmchurch.org.
http://www.mercurynews.com/my-town/ci_24657098/cupertinos-st-andrew-armenian-church-adds-grand-doors