Tenor Kevork Hadjian Performs at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral

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.

PRELACY LENTEN PROGRAM CONCLUDES

Archbishop Oshagan with the Lenten Lecture participants most of whom faithfully attended all six lectures.
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian presented the sixth and final Lenten lecture last night.

Yesterday evening, March 28, the six-part Prelacy Lenten program concluded, presided by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan. The lecturer was Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, his topic: “’The Book’ and books.”

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).

PRELACY LENTEN LECTURES CONTINUE

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.”

ST. ILLUMINATOR’S DAY SCHOOL CELEBRATES VARTANANTZ

Students at St. Illuminator Day School present a remembrance of Vartanantz.
Students, faculty, and guests at St. Illuminator’s Day School.

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.

PRELACY LENTEN LECTURES CONTINUE

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.”

PRELACY LENTEN LECTURES CONTINUE

Father Tarazi giving a lecture about the meaning of Asdvadzashoonch.
The third of the six-part Prelacy Lenten program took place last night, March 7, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General. The lecturer was Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Professor of biblical studies at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (Crestwood, New York).

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.”

St. Illuminator’s Cathedral Hosts Children’s Book Reading

Talene Dadian White and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian with the children.
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian engaging with the children present for the book reading.

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.

CHILD PROTECTION (CP) SYSTEM AND PROBLEMS IN ARMENIA

Dr. Arthur Martirosyan hosts lecture at the Cathedral.

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.

PRELACY LENTEN LECTURES CONTINUE

Bishop Anoushavan speaks about the central role of the Bible in the Armenian Church.

The second of the six-part Prelacy Lenten program took place last night, February 29, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, presided by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan. The speaker was His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, who spoke on “The Bible in our Worship Services.”

Bishop Anoushavan prefaced his presentation by underscoring the fact that the Armenian Church, in all aspects of her life, is biblical through and through. He then went on to demonstrate that fact in one area of the life of the Church—in the worship services of the Armenian Church, focusing on the hymns (sharagan). Srpazan Hayr first spoke about the structure of the Armenian Church hymns in the cycle of the daily services, based on the eight-mode system, with introductory verses taken from the Psalms and canticles from the Bible. He then showed the participants how our hymns either quote directly from the Bible, or allude to an image or echo an event from the Bible, using three different types of hymns—a penitential hymn attributed to St. Mesrop Mashdotz (Hayr pazoommoghorm, “O greatly merciful Father…”), a hymn from the Husgoom service (i ken haytsemk, “We entreat you…”), and a pre-communion hymn from Soorp Badarak (Orhnyal e Asdvadz, “Blessed is God…”). A lively discussion ensued after the informative presentation.
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, the speaker will be Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Professor of Biblical Studies at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminar (Crestwood, NY), and he will reflect on “All Scripture is inspired by God…” (2 Timothy 3:16).

REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR ARS MEMBERS

Archbishop Oshagan and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian with members of the New York Mayr Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society.

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.