Feb 14, 2013
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian was in California for the annual clergy gathering and conference on the occasion of the Feast of St. Ghevont and the Priests that began Monday, January 28 and concluded on Wednesday, January 30.
This year the three North American Prelacies joined to commemorate this holiday, hosted by the Western Prelacy. The conference took place at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church in San Francisco, under the presidency of the three prelates, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian (Western), Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan (Eastern), and Archbishop Khajag Hagopian (Canadian). Elected to serve as the executives of the conference were V. Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and V. Rev. Fr. Meghrig Parikian, co-chairmen; and Archpriest Fr. Viken Vasilian and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, secretaries.
Clergy visited Krouzian-Zakarian-Vasbouragan Armenian School where the students presented Vartanantz program. They also visited the Cross on the Mount Davidson. The Cross has been purchased by the council of Armenian American organizations of Northern California and the bronze plaque has been installed at the base memorializing the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Conference concluded by the Divine Liturgy.
The clergy during the Ghevontiantz conference
Divine Liturgy at the St. Gregory Armenian Church
ANNUAL GHEVONTIANTZ CLERGY GATHERING
Feb 4, 2013
On Sunday, January 27, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., at the Pashalian Hall of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral the New York chapter of Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society organized the screening of the documentary film “Enemy of the People: Armenians Look Back at the Stalin Terror” directed and produced by Zareh Tjeknavorian.
Dr. Ara Caprielian, chairman of Hamazkayin of New York, began the program with his welcoming remarks, during which he expressed his gratitude to Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian for making the Pashalian Hall available gratis for such cultural events. Then, he introduced Zareh Tjeknavorian to the audience. Tjeknavorian was born in Fargo, ND, but grew up in a cosmopolitan international environment due to his father, composer and conductor Loris Tjeknavorian’s tours in various countries. Zareh lived in San Francisco, Iran, London, Germany, Paris, New York City, and Armenia. He graduated from Tisch School of the Arts, New York University in 1992, with a bachelor’s degree in film and television production.
“Enemy of the People,” narrated by Eric Bogosian, is Tjeknavorian’s most widely-known documentary film, which depicts Stalinist oppression in Armenia. In fact, National Geographic Magazine recommended it as one of three must-see films about Armenia, along with “The Color of Pomegranates” by Sergei Parajanov and “Ararat” by Atom Egoyan.
At the conclusion of the program, Dr. Ara Caprielian invited Fr. Mesrob Lakissian to the podium to make the closing remarks. Fr. Mesrob expressed his pleasure at seeing such a poignant film, congratulated Zareh Tjeknavorian on his accomplishment, and presented him with a beautifully crafted miniature replica of the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Monument erected in Antelias. He also praised Dr. Caprielian and the rest of the Hamazkayin board members for organizing this significant function. And, in response to Dr. Caprielian’s expression of gratitude for making the Pashalian Hall available gratis for such events, Fr. Mesrob said, *“We renovated the Pashalian Hall for that very same purpose. Anytime you organize a cultural event, the hall is yours. This is also your cultural
home.”
Rev. Mesrob Lakissian presented Zareh Tjeknavorian with a miniature replica of the Armenian Genocide Monument erected in Antelias
Der Mesrob and Zareh Tjeknavorian with members of Hamazkayin
Jan 31, 2013
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.
H. E. Mr. Garen Nazarian and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian
Jan 24, 2013
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.
Jan 24, 2013
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.
Jan 24, 2013
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.
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian accepts a check of $2,000 from Raffi Hovsepian of the New York Armenian Students Association, for Syrian Armenian relief. The money was raised at a Thanksgiving party of five youth organizations in the NY metro area.
