Category: News & Events

On Thursday, January 24, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian accompanied by Dr. Arthur Martirosyan paid a visit to the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations, and met with Permanent Representative, H. E. Mr. Garen Nazarian.

The all new academic program for the Saturday school of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York, began last Saturday to a rousing welcome by students and parents. The school, which meets every Saturday from 9:45 am to 1 pm, will continue through May 18. Classes are held at the Armenian Center in Woodside, New York.

Armenian music, laughter, and balloons filled the halls and classrooms of the school as the organizing committee registered students and showed them the renovated classrooms. Parents and children filled the school’s main hall, to hear Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral and acting principal of the school, offer an opening prayer and words of welcome.

Following a reception for students and parents, the children were introduced to the teachers and then participated in special opening day activities that had been planned by the organizing committee.

The classrooms and hallways of the school were refurbished and the committee’s goal is to provide the students with a safe and happy place to learn and grow with their Armenian friends. Part of the opening day activities included the students leaving their handprints on the wall near the entrance. The children were given a choice of paint color in which they dipped their hands and with great joy left their imprint on the wall.

Students enjoyed first day activities in their classrooms and then the older students invited the younger students to watch their presentation of a short skit in Armenian about a little turtle that helps his friends when they need help.
Der Mesrob expressed thanks to the organizing committee and the parents for an inspiring opening day and the beginning of a successful academic year.

Registration is still open. Forms can be obtained at satarmenianschool@gmail.com or at www.stilluminators.org. Copies are also available at the Cathedral office.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian and Deacon Shant Kazanjian visited the residents of the New York Armenian Home, in Flushing, New York on January 10. After a beautiful Armenian Christmas service, Der Hayr and Dn. Shant sang some songs for the residents. Der Hayr presented each of the residents with beautiful scarves from Armenia. The residents were very glad to be remembered and gratefully accepted the gifts.

Two thousand dollars was raised by five Armenian youth organizations during their 8th annual Thanksgiving party for the Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief. A check was presented to Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and a member of the Prelacy’s Religious Council, who accepted the check and expressed gratitude on behalf of Archbishop Oshagan.

The five organizations are: AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York; Armenian Network, Greater New York Region; New York Armenian Students Association; AYF-YOARF New Jersey Arsen Chapter; and AYF-YOARF, New York Hyortik Chapter.

The consecration of the new painting and new front doors for the St. Illuminator’s Cathedral by Archbishop Oshagan took place on Sunday, January 6, following Christmas services.

The impressive new doors were sponsored by Mr. Ardashes Bedrosian. The Cathedral has undergone a major renovation and transformation during the past few years. The new doors and the new painting are the most recent projects to be completed.

H. E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate, celebrated the Christmas Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon, followed by Blessing of the Water ceremony. The Godfather of the Cross was Mr. Ardashes Bedrosian.

The Prelate’s annual Christmas reception took place on the evening of January 6 filling the Prelacy’s Vahakn and Hasmig Hovnanian reception hall with many well-wishers who were greeted by the Prelate Archbishop Oshagan and the Vicar Bishop Anoushavan.

The traditional Home Blessing was offered by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, with the participation of area clergy including Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian, pastor emeritus of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, and Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

The Armenian tradition of Home Blessing is considered essential during the Christmas and Easter Holy days. During this ceremony, the priest blesses bread, water, and salt, all considered to be essential to life. It is customary to burn incense, echoing the words of the psalmist, “Let my prayer be counted as incense before you.” (Psalm 41)

“O Christ our God, guardian and hope of all your faithful, protect and keep in peace your people under the protection of your holy and venerable cross; and especially this family, their home, the bread, the salt, and the water. Save them O Lord from visible and invisible enemies and make them worthy to glorify you with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always, forever and ever. Amen.
(Benediction from the Blessing of Homes service)

On Sunday, December 23, all volunteers of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral were invited to gather at the John Pashalian Hall for Appreciation Luncheon. Rev. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor and Mr. Shant Chalian, Chairman of the Board of Trustees expressed their gratitude for the great service performed by volunteers.

On Sunday, December 23, 2012 St. Illuminator’s Cathedral celebrated the feast of St. Stephen, the first deacon and proto-martyr, the deacons wore liturgical crowns in honor of this special day.