Category: News

On Wednesday, August 15, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, together with some parishioners visited the Armenian Home for the Aged in Flushing, New York. Der Mesrob conducted the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony for the residents and staff of the Home.

Der Hayr explained the significance of the centuries-old tradition of the grape blessing before the ceremony. Afterward he greeted and blessed each of the residents individually and presented each a bag of the blessed grapes.

Der Mesrob visits the Home weekly, usually on Wednesdays, and he often makes special visits to visit those who are ill at the Home or in the hospital. His weekly visits have become welcome and anticipated events for the residents.

Before departing Der Mesrob presented a gift of five hundred dollars to the Home on behalf of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral.

Last Sunday, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York, along with family, friends, and parishioners gathered at the Bucharest Restaurant in Sunnyside to celebrate the 100th birthday of Mr. Dickran Tavitian, a parishioner at the Cathedral. The Centennal party was organized by Mr. Tavitian’s children.

Born on July 31, 1912, in Bazarchiki, Bulgaria, Mr. Tavitian’s family moved to Romania. In 1938 he married Hripsime Vanlian. They were blessed with three children, Stepan, Arsineh, and Azniv, five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

“Mr. Tavitian and his family have been one of the most dedicated members of the Cathedral and the Armenian community since they came to the United States from Romania many decades ago,” said Rev. Fr. Lakissian. Der Hayr warmly congratulated Mr. Tavitian on his milestone birthday, expressed thanks for his dedication and support of the Mother Church, and wished him continued good health.

Last Sunday Armenian tourists from various countries attended the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York, on the occasion of the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy, presided over the Liturgy which was celebrated by the Cathedral’s priest Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian. The tourists were from Italy, France, Lebanon and Canada. Following the Divine Liturgy they joined the fellowship hour where they had the opportunity to meet many of the parishioners.

Kindergarten graduation and year-end hantes of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School, Woodside, New York, took place Friday, June 15. Students performed with plays, recitations, and songs. Speakers on the occasion were Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, and Aram Hekinian, representing the Parent Teacher Organization. Graduates were Lusine Shahverdyan and Massis Yonan.

The Senior Citizens Group of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, enjoyed their 8th annual indoor picnic, under the auspices of Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor. About fifty seniors and guests gathered at the Cathedral’s John Pashalian Hall and enjoyed fellowship, delicious homemade food, and good Armenian music.

Last Sunday, June 10, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar, presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York. Following the Liturgy and the 40th day requiem service for Aris Sevag, the Vicar celebrated the Blessing of Water ceremony using the relic of St. John the Baptist, whose feast day in the Armenian liturgical calendar was last Thursday.

On Sunday, June 3, students and teachers of St. Illuminator’s Sunday school gathered in the church hall and presented their donation to the Prelacy of funds they raised for the Nor Giligia project. Nor Giligia is a village in Artsakh whose renovation is being sponsored by the Holy See of Cilicia. The Eastern Prelacy has agreed to sponsor the cost of building four new homes. As parents and parishioners looked on, the students gave Deacon Shant Kazanjian, the director of the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council, an envelope containing $500 that they had collected through various means for this cause. The money will be presented to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, during his pontifical visit to the Eastern Prelacy in October.

Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian at the opening session of the 36th annual assembly of the Hamazkayin Cultural Association that took place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, May 18.

The Pastor and the Delegates of St. Illuminatos’ Cathedral attended this past weekend the 2012 National Representative Assembly of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church of Providence, Rhode Island.

The 43rd annual student competition of the Armenian Saturday and Day schools, organized by the literary committee of Hamazkayin in New York, took place on Saturday, May 5th at St. Illuminator’s school.

The participating schools were Holy Martyrs Day and Saturday schools, St. Illuminator’s Day school , St Sarkis Saturday school and Nareg Saturday school.

A total of 45 students participated.

The competition includes for , Saturday schools grades 1-4, the meaning of the Armenian words for their English equivalents and for grades 1-4, Day schools, spelling of Armenian words . Two separate lists of general questions about knowledge of various Armenian topics such as history, geography, poetry, name and location of monuments, famous Armenians.. etc. is provided to Saturday and Day schools, grades 4-5. Power point presentation accompanies the questions whenever appropriate.

Certificates and gifts were given to all participants and additional gifts to those who answered all questions accurately.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, efficiently conducted the competition with a touch of humor, pleasing and educating every one.