Category: News & Events

NEW YORK—On Wednesday, April 11, tenor Kevork Hadjian performed a repertoire of Armenian songs featuring works by Gomidas.

The event was sponsored St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral under the Auspices of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate.

Hadjian, who was accompanied by pianist Raisa Kagramanova, inspired the large crowd in attendance with his passionate singing and impressive talent. All were invited to attend a reception in the church hall following the event.

Fr. Mesrob first spoke about the 500th anniversary of the Armenian printing press (“books”), highlighting its history, its key players, its significance for strengthening the identity and the cultural values of the Armenian people, and its contribution to the mission of the Church. He then spoke about “The Book,” the “Bible,” the most important publication. A lively discussion ensued after Der Mesrob’s informative lecture.

The program began with the Lenten Service (Husgoom) from 7:30-8:00pm, followed by the lecture and Q/A (8:00-8:45pm), and concluded with table fellowship. The Lenten program is sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, and the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC).

On Wednesday, March 21, the fifth of the six-part Prelacy Lenten program took place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, and the speaker was Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church (Douglaston, NY), who spoke on “Morality in the New Testament.”

Fr. Nareg first defined morality or ethics as what is right and what is wrong, or what is sinful and what is virtuous. After pointing out the basic elements of Christian morality, namely, the Bible, philosophy, science, and human experience, Der Hayr briefly discussed the different approaches to Christian ethics today. He then elaborated on the point that morality in the New Testament is essentially following Christ through His teachings, His Word, demonstrating through three passages from the Gospels (Matthew 5-7, Luke 10 and John 13).

The program began with the Lenten Service (Husgoom) from 7:30-8:00pm, followed by the lecture and Q/A (8:00-8:45pm), and concluded with table fellowship.

Next Wednesday, March 28, the final session will be presented by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, his theme: “’The Book’ and books.”

The students at St. Illuminator Armenian Day School in Woodside, New York, presented a program in honor of Sts. Vartanantz Day, last Friday. The presentation included recitations, songs, and dance that were prepared by faculty members, Mrs. Zemroukhd Markarian, Miss Shushan Savzyan, and Mrs. Gayane Cabrielyan. A short film about Vartanantz written and produced by Aram Hekinian, was shown.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, Mr. Mardo Anastasian, School Board Chairmen, board members, parents and friends attended. The PTO hosted a reception following the presentations.

The fourth of the six-part Prelacy Lenten program took place last night, March 14, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), spoke on “Bible Readings in the Armenian Church during Great Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide.”

Dn. Shant briefly discussed the origin and the practice of reading Scriptures during church services, and then focused on the central role the Bible has in the Armenian Church, as clearly evidenced in the copious readings in the Armenian Church lectionary (Jashots Keerk, the book that contains the prescribed readings from the Bible for each day), particularly during Great Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide. (To see the daily Bible readings in the Armenian Apostolic Church, please visit www.armenianprelacy.org).

The program began with the Lenten Service (Husgoom) from 7:30-8:00pm, followed by the lecture and Q/A (8:00-8:45pm), and concluded with table fellowship.

Next Wednesday, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church (NY), will speak on “Morality in the New Testament.”

Father Tarazi, a prominent biblical scholar who has authored more than fifteen books and prepared Orthodox Audio Bible Commentary on the entire Bible (over 175 hours of recording), masterfully expounded the meaning of 2 Timothy 3:16: “All scripture is inspired by God…” The phrase “inspired by God” in classical Armenian is Asdvadzashoonch (from theopneustos in Greek), one of the words Armenians use for the Bible. After a very engaging and dynamic presentation, a lively discussion ensued.

The program began with the Lenten Service (Husgoom) from 7:30-8:00pm, followed by the lecture and Q/A (8:00-8:45pm), and concluded with table fellowship. Next Wednesday, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, AREC Director, will speak on “Bible Readings in the Armenian Church during Great Lent, Holy Week and Eastertide.”

On Sunday, March 4, St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral hosted a book reading by children’s book author Talene Dadian White. Surrounded by a group of about 30 children of various ages, Dadian White explained her connection with St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and her passion for writing. She told them how her parents and grandparents grew up going to the Cathedral and she was so happy to again be under its roof.

For the reading, Dadian White chose a book from her five-book series titled “Armenian-ized Classic Fairy Tale.” The books are written in English with some Armenian words. The children enjoyed Dadian White read from the story called The Gurabia Man that comes from the classic story The Gingerbread Man. Dadian White often stopped to ask children what the Armenian words meant and was met with wildly waving hands excited to respond.

A portion of all sales were donated to the Cathedral’s Armenian and Sunday Schools.

To order Talene Dadian White books please visit the Armenian Prelacy Book Store at Books@armenianprelacy.org or call 212-689-7810.

On Sunday, February 26, 2012, the St. Illuminator’s Cathedral hosted a lecture by Dr. Arthur Martirosyan, child protection expert and CPN representative from the Republic of Armenia. Dr. Martirosyan’s presentation, titled “Child Protection (CP) System and Problems in Armenia,” offered a comprehensive overview of child protection protocols in Armenia, as well as problems currently plaguing the system. The audience participated in a live online broadcast discussion with representatives of several non-profit organizations engaged in child protective services in Armenia. Topics included the condition of orphans and children living in poverty, and the extensive work that lies ahead as these and other organizations work together to better the lives of Armenia’s children.

Last Sunday all Prelacy parishes held a Requiem Service for deceased members of the Armenian Relief Society. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan presided over the Liturgy and the Requiem Service at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. During the fellowship hour that followed the services, Archbishop Oshagan praised the ARS’s service and dedication to the Armenian community.