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PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM ENTHRONED AT ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/06/12/patriarch-of-jerusalem-enthroned-at-sts-james-cathedral/
11:57 12.06.2013
The courtyard of St. James Armenian Cathedral echoed with the sound
of knocks as a deacon struck a narrow wooden plank at the right of
the cathedral's entryway. This is the traditional call to service
at the Armenian cathedral of Jerusalem, where pilgrims, clergy, and
guests gathered on Tuesday, June 4, for the enthronement of the 97th
Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America reports.
A line of clergy and altar servers walked in a procession from
the Patriarchate Center to the cathedral, where Archbishop Nourhan
Manougian was formally installed as the successor to the throne of St.
James, the first bishop of Jerusalem.
Kneeling at the altar, Archbishop Manougian recited an oath, pledging
his faithfulness to the Lord and commitment to safeguarding the
Armenian presence in the Holy Land.
In an ancient ceremony, seven archbishops-including Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, and Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian, the Diocese's Ecumenical Director-placed their right hands
on Archbishop Manougian, bestowing him with the authority to lead
the Armenian see of Jerusalem.
Archbishop Sevan Gharibian presented Archbishop Manougian with a
pastoral staff of office.
"Today, as I take up the pastoral staff of the Armenian Patriarchate-as
I take my first, humble step into a legacy that spans the centuries-I
am moved by the conviction that the greatest achievement of my own
people is not the dead kingdoms we once held, but the vital ideas
that sustained our spirit," Archbishop Manougian said.
He went on to speak of the importance of establishing harmony and
friendship among the many peoples who call Jerusalem home. "The
Jerusalem of our dreams stands in some tension with the Jerusalem that
is," he said, adding that God "invites us to open our hearts to Him,
and to each other, so that we may reason together, alongside our
heavenly Father."
Letters from His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, were read by representatives of the two
spiritual leaders. In his message, His Holiness Karekin II renewed
the commitment of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to support the
efforts of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Archbishop Aram Ateshian,
the Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople,
presented Archbishop Manougian with a chalice.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Archbishop Manougian assumed
the throne of St. James, as members of the Brotherhood of St. James
approached to receive his blessing. The throne of St. James, which
dates to the 17th century, is carved from precious wood and inlaid
with mother of pearl. It stands at the original grave of St. James,
the first bishop of Jerusalem and the brother of Jesus, which has
since been moved under the main altar of the cathedral. The throne
is used only once a year, on the Feast of St. James.
Archbishop Manougian succeeds the late Archbishop Torkom Manoogian,
who passed away in October 2012. He was elected as the 97th Armenian
Patriarch of Jerusalem on January 24, during the 22nd session of the
general assembly of the St. James monastic brotherhood.
Other representatives of the Eastern Diocese who attended Tuesday's
ceremony include the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess
Armenian Seminary, and participants in the Young Adult Pilgrimage to
the Holy Land.
http://www.armradio.am/en/2013/06/12/patriarch-of-jerusalem-enthroned-at-sts-james-cathedral/
11:57 12.06.2013
The courtyard of St. James Armenian Cathedral echoed with the sound
of knocks as a deacon struck a narrow wooden plank at the right of
the cathedral's entryway. This is the traditional call to service
at the Armenian cathedral of Jerusalem, where pilgrims, clergy, and
guests gathered on Tuesday, June 4, for the enthronement of the 97th
Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian
Church of America reports.
A line of clergy and altar servers walked in a procession from
the Patriarchate Center to the cathedral, where Archbishop Nourhan
Manougian was formally installed as the successor to the throne of St.
James, the first bishop of Jerusalem.
Kneeling at the altar, Archbishop Manougian recited an oath, pledging
his faithfulness to the Lord and commitment to safeguarding the
Armenian presence in the Holy Land.
In an ancient ceremony, seven archbishops-including Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, and Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian, the Diocese's Ecumenical Director-placed their right hands
on Archbishop Manougian, bestowing him with the authority to lead
the Armenian see of Jerusalem.
Archbishop Sevan Gharibian presented Archbishop Manougian with a
pastoral staff of office.
"Today, as I take up the pastoral staff of the Armenian Patriarchate-as
I take my first, humble step into a legacy that spans the centuries-I
am moved by the conviction that the greatest achievement of my own
people is not the dead kingdoms we once held, but the vital ideas
that sustained our spirit," Archbishop Manougian said.
He went on to speak of the importance of establishing harmony and
friendship among the many peoples who call Jerusalem home. "The
Jerusalem of our dreams stands in some tension with the Jerusalem that
is," he said, adding that God "invites us to open our hearts to Him,
and to each other, so that we may reason together, alongside our
heavenly Father."
Letters from His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, were read by representatives of the two
spiritual leaders. In his message, His Holiness Karekin II renewed
the commitment of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to support the
efforts of the Jerusalem Patriarchate. Archbishop Aram Ateshian,
the Patriarchal Vicar of the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople,
presented Archbishop Manougian with a chalice.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Archbishop Manougian assumed
the throne of St. James, as members of the Brotherhood of St. James
approached to receive his blessing. The throne of St. James, which
dates to the 17th century, is carved from precious wood and inlaid
with mother of pearl. It stands at the original grave of St. James,
the first bishop of Jerusalem and the brother of Jesus, which has
since been moved under the main altar of the cathedral. The throne
is used only once a year, on the Feast of St. James.
Archbishop Manougian succeeds the late Archbishop Torkom Manoogian,
who passed away in October 2012. He was elected as the 97th Armenian
Patriarch of Jerusalem on January 24, during the 22nd session of the
general assembly of the St. James monastic brotherhood.
Other representatives of the Eastern Diocese who attended Tuesday's
ceremony include the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Nersess
Armenian Seminary, and participants in the Young Adult Pilgrimage to
the Holy Land.