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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: [email protected]
Webs: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
November 8, 2013
___________________
Eastern Diocese Welcomes Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem
By Florence Avakian
"If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem..." is the biblical phrase signifying the
emotional and spiritual power of the sacred site that is home to three of
the world's major religions. And for Armenians who have played a pivotal
role in Jerusalem since the 7th century, the impact of this statement is
immeasurable.
On Sunday, November 3, the Armenian community of greater New York had the
opportunity to learn more about the centuries-long Armenian presence in
Jerusalem, when His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, the Armenian
Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Eastern Diocese.
Patriarch Manougian presided over the Divine Liturgy at New York's St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral, which was celebrated by the Very Rev. Fr. Norayr
Kazazyan, principal of the Sts. Tarkmanchatz School at the Armenian
Patriarchate. Also taking part in the service were Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern); Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian; the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon
Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar; the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of St.
Vartan Cathedral; the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, director of the
Diocese's Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center; other area clergy and
St. Nersess Seminary students.
The Patriarch delivered a sermon on the temptations Christians face in
today's secular culture. "As Christ resisted the temptations of injustice
and evil, we also have to follow His example," he said. "Those who only seek
material pursuits do not find God's mercy."
Also during the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Manougian led a special prayer
service for His Holiness Karekin II on the occasion of the 14th anniversary
of his consecration and enthronement as the 132nd Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians.
In the afternoon, community leader Hrant Gulian welcomed guests to a
celebratory luncheon at the Diocesan Center. Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian
opened the program with a prayer. Vartan Abdo, director of the Armenian
Radio Hour of NJ, served as the master of ceremonies.
Abdo, who was born in Palestine, pointed out that the Patriarchate gave a
home to the survivors of the Armenian Genocide where they received
"spiritual, physical, and mental nourishment." He went on to say that "our
hope today is with the youth," and spoke about the Diocese's recent
pilgrimages to the Holy Land for young adults across the parishes. A video
of one such youth pilgrimage to Jerusalem was shown. Three young
pilgrims-Sarine Atamian, Olivia Derderian, and Eric Silk-described the many
sites they had visited in the Holy Land and the powerful emotions they had
experienced there.
Ambassador Garen Nazarian, Armenia's Permanent Representative to the United
Nations, emphasized the special meaning that the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem has for Armenia. "It served as a haven for the Armenian refugees
after the Genocide, and despite the turmoil that continues in the Middle
East, it is necessary to visit this holiest of shrines," he said. He also
spoke about the importance of protecting the Armenian sites in the Holy
Land, and added that Armenia supports the mission of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
In the spirit of the day, a group of musical religious selections were sung
by Dns. Vahe Bagdasarian and Narek Garabedian, and St. Vartan Choir soloists
Hasmik Meikhanedjian, Narine Ojakhyan, and Anahid Zakaryan. Khoren
Mekanejian, the Diocese's coordinator of Music Ministry, accompanied on the
piano.
Archbishop Barsamian noted that with the election of the 97th Armenian
Patriarch of Jerusalem last January "a new chapter began in the Jerusalem
Patriarchate, which will direct the journey of our church and nation."
"It is crucial that we maintain our ancient and holy places in Armenia and
the Holy Land," he said. "The tie must be preserved between Armenia,
Jerusalem, and the diaspora."
Patriarch Manougian began his address by paying tribute to those who built
New York's St. Vartan Cathedral. "This kind of unwavering commitment is
needed in Jerusalem," he said, and went on to discuss challenges facing the
Armenians in Jerusalem, including the need of clergy and financial
assistance.
"We are asking people of all professions to come and help us with their
knowledge, experience, and financial support," he said. "The Patriarchate is
a treasure of the Armenian Church, and it is our duty to protect and
preserve it."
Hrashapar in Boston
On Friday, November 3, close to 300 people gathered at St. James Church in
Watertown, Mass., to welcome Patriarch Manougian to Boston.
The evening began with a hrashapar service of welcome in the church
sanctuary, followed by a reception in the church hall. Archbishop Barsamian,
as well as New England area clergy and deacons, took part in the service.
Representatives from the Massachusetts Council of Churches were also
present, including Executive Director Rev. Laura Everett.
Berj Chekijian served as master of ceremonies. Mr. Chekijian once had
Patriarch Manougian and Archbishop Barsamian as students at the Armenian
Seminary in Jerusalem.
Aaron Derderian, a member of the St. James ACYOA, and Danielle Malconian, a
member of the ACYOA of Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge Mass., offered
reflections on the 2013 Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A video
highlighting the pilgrimage program was also shown. Ms. Malconian presented
a check to the Patriarch in the amount of $500, which was fundraised by the
Holy Trinity ACYOA Seniors.
Patriarch Manougian expressed his gratitude to the Boston community for
their warm welcome. He spoke about Jerusalem's historic role in the Armenian
Church, and the need for ongoing support of the Patriarchate's ministries.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Clergy in prayer during the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral
in New York.
Photo 2: Patriarch Manougian leads a special prayer service for His Holiness
Karekin II.
Photo 3: Patriarch Manougian speaks at the Diocesan Center about the
importance of preserving Armenian Jerusalem.
Photo 4: New England area clergy and altar servers with Patriarch Manougian
and Archbishop Barsamian.
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: [email protected]
Webs: http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net
November 8, 2013
___________________
Eastern Diocese Welcomes Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem
By Florence Avakian
"If I Forget Thee, Jerusalem..." is the biblical phrase signifying the
emotional and spiritual power of the sacred site that is home to three of
the world's major religions. And for Armenians who have played a pivotal
role in Jerusalem since the 7th century, the impact of this statement is
immeasurable.
On Sunday, November 3, the Armenian community of greater New York had the
opportunity to learn more about the centuries-long Armenian presence in
Jerusalem, when His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, the Armenian
Patriarch of Jerusalem, visited the Eastern Diocese.
Patriarch Manougian presided over the Divine Liturgy at New York's St.
Vartan Armenian Cathedral, which was celebrated by the Very Rev. Fr. Norayr
Kazazyan, principal of the Sts. Tarkmanchatz School at the Armenian
Patriarchate. Also taking part in the service were Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern); Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian; the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon
Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar; the Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian, dean of St.
Vartan Cathedral; the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, director of the
Diocese's Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center; other area clergy and
St. Nersess Seminary students.
The Patriarch delivered a sermon on the temptations Christians face in
today's secular culture. "As Christ resisted the temptations of injustice
and evil, we also have to follow His example," he said. "Those who only seek
material pursuits do not find God's mercy."
Also during the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Manougian led a special prayer
service for His Holiness Karekin II on the occasion of the 14th anniversary
of his consecration and enthronement as the 132nd Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians.
In the afternoon, community leader Hrant Gulian welcomed guests to a
celebratory luncheon at the Diocesan Center. Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian
opened the program with a prayer. Vartan Abdo, director of the Armenian
Radio Hour of NJ, served as the master of ceremonies.
Abdo, who was born in Palestine, pointed out that the Patriarchate gave a
home to the survivors of the Armenian Genocide where they received
"spiritual, physical, and mental nourishment." He went on to say that "our
hope today is with the youth," and spoke about the Diocese's recent
pilgrimages to the Holy Land for young adults across the parishes. A video
of one such youth pilgrimage to Jerusalem was shown. Three young
pilgrims-Sarine Atamian, Olivia Derderian, and Eric Silk-described the many
sites they had visited in the Holy Land and the powerful emotions they had
experienced there.
Ambassador Garen Nazarian, Armenia's Permanent Representative to the United
Nations, emphasized the special meaning that the Armenian Patriarchate of
Jerusalem has for Armenia. "It served as a haven for the Armenian refugees
after the Genocide, and despite the turmoil that continues in the Middle
East, it is necessary to visit this holiest of shrines," he said. He also
spoke about the importance of protecting the Armenian sites in the Holy
Land, and added that Armenia supports the mission of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
In the spirit of the day, a group of musical religious selections were sung
by Dns. Vahe Bagdasarian and Narek Garabedian, and St. Vartan Choir soloists
Hasmik Meikhanedjian, Narine Ojakhyan, and Anahid Zakaryan. Khoren
Mekanejian, the Diocese's coordinator of Music Ministry, accompanied on the
piano.
Archbishop Barsamian noted that with the election of the 97th Armenian
Patriarch of Jerusalem last January "a new chapter began in the Jerusalem
Patriarchate, which will direct the journey of our church and nation."
"It is crucial that we maintain our ancient and holy places in Armenia and
the Holy Land," he said. "The tie must be preserved between Armenia,
Jerusalem, and the diaspora."
Patriarch Manougian began his address by paying tribute to those who built
New York's St. Vartan Cathedral. "This kind of unwavering commitment is
needed in Jerusalem," he said, and went on to discuss challenges facing the
Armenians in Jerusalem, including the need of clergy and financial
assistance.
"We are asking people of all professions to come and help us with their
knowledge, experience, and financial support," he said. "The Patriarchate is
a treasure of the Armenian Church, and it is our duty to protect and
preserve it."
Hrashapar in Boston
On Friday, November 3, close to 300 people gathered at St. James Church in
Watertown, Mass., to welcome Patriarch Manougian to Boston.
The evening began with a hrashapar service of welcome in the church
sanctuary, followed by a reception in the church hall. Archbishop Barsamian,
as well as New England area clergy and deacons, took part in the service.
Representatives from the Massachusetts Council of Churches were also
present, including Executive Director Rev. Laura Everett.
Berj Chekijian served as master of ceremonies. Mr. Chekijian once had
Patriarch Manougian and Archbishop Barsamian as students at the Armenian
Seminary in Jerusalem.
Aaron Derderian, a member of the St. James ACYOA, and Danielle Malconian, a
member of the ACYOA of Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge Mass., offered
reflections on the 2013 Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. A video
highlighting the pilgrimage program was also shown. Ms. Malconian presented
a check to the Patriarch in the amount of $500, which was fundraised by the
Holy Trinity ACYOA Seniors.
Patriarch Manougian expressed his gratitude to the Boston community for
their warm welcome. He spoke about Jerusalem's historic role in the Armenian
Church, and the need for ongoing support of the Patriarchate's ministries.
###
Photos attached.
Photo 1: Clergy in prayer during the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral
in New York.
Photo 2: Patriarch Manougian leads a special prayer service for His Holiness
Karekin II.
Photo 3: Patriarch Manougian speaks at the Diocesan Center about the
importance of preserving Armenian Jerusalem.
Photo 4: New England area clergy and altar servers with Patriarch Manougian
and Archbishop Barsamian.