Category: News

Requiem Services for Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian on the 9th anniversary of his passing took place last Sunday at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral. Archbishop Oshagan presided over the Liturgy and Requiem, and Bishop Anoushavan delivered the Sermon.

Bishop Anoushavan and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, visited the residents of the Armenian Home in Flushing, New York, last Sunday, November 25, on the occasion of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Members of the St. Illuminator’s “Huyser” Ensemble entertained the residents, staff and guests with Armenian songs.

St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City has been collecting food and clothing for New York City residents affected by Hurricane Sandy. Last Wednesday, on the eve of Thanksgiving, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral, and members of his family joined volunteers from the American Red Cross to deliver and distribute food to needy families.

The first of a four-part program on the Eucharist (Soorp Badarak) took place last night at St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in New York City, under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor, cosponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and the Cathedral. The speaker of the series is Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of AREC. The evening began with a meal fellowship (from 6:30-7:30 pm) followed by the lecture (7:30-8:45 pm). The next session will take place on Wednesday, December 5, 2012.

For information and registration, please visit www.armenianprelacy.org or call (212) 689-7810 (Prelacy) or (212) 689-5880 (Cathedral).

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, and members of the Huyser ensemble visited the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (ANRC) in Emerson, New Jersey, on October 14. Members of the ensemble performed Armenian songs for the residents. Der Hayr concluded the program with the Lord’s Prayer together with the residents.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, represented Archbishop Oshagan at the 4th Annual Armenian Youth Talent concert at Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, organized by “Direct Help for Armenian People.” The event was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the membership of the Republic of Armenia in the United Nations.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, presents a check for $7,600 to Archbishop Oshagan for the Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief. The monies were raised by the Cathedral parish through fundraising events and the special plate offerings contributed during the month of September.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the parishioners and friends of the St. Illuminator’s Cathedral for their generous donations.

A Fundraising Breakfast took place last Saturday at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. The Breakfast began with Der Voghormya (Lord Have Mercy), and a prayer offered by the Cathedral’s pastor, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian that said in part, “Lord, bring peace and stability to our world and especially to Syria, and restore justice among your creatures, true justice that comes only from You. By the mystery of Your All-Powerful and miraculous Holy Cross, transform the world’s pain and devastation into new life and hope.”

Der Hayr spoke about the significance and importance of the Syrian Armenian community and asked everyone to contribute to the humanitarian relief efforts.

Seven-year-old Taleen Lakissian, daughter of Der Mesrob and Yn. Ojen, set a good example by donating her filled “piggy bank,” to the relief fund. About $5,000 was raised during the breakfast.

Several hundred Armenian Americans from all walks of community life gathered at the Hungarian Consulate in Manhattan on Monday evening to protest Hungary’s extradition and Azerbaijan’s subsequent pardon of murder Ramil Safarov, who brutally murdered Lieutenant G. Margarian in Hungary and was serving a life sentence in Hungary. He was recently extradited to Azerbaijan where he was promptly pardoned and welcomed as a hero.

The protest was at the Consulate of Hungary in Manhattan, on Monday, September 10. Similar protests and candlelight vigils took place around the world calling for justice.

Manhattan is recognized as the crossroads of the world. St. Illuminator’s Cathedral—the first Armenian Cathedral in the United States—continues to be the crossroads for Armenian tourists. The Cathedral has become a popular stop for tourists from all over the world. Just during the past several weeks the Cathedral welcomed visitors from Venezuela, France, Italy, Lebanon, Canada, and Argentina, as well as those from other parts of the United States.

Last Sunday the Cathedral family happily welcomed newlyweds Mr. and Mrs. Hrair and Silva Kazanjian from Australia, who were honeymooning in New York.