A Brief History of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral
St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral: A Brief History
Translated from the Armenian by Dr. Ara Caprielian †
[This article and the original Armenian from which it was translated was first published in the commemorative book for the 75th Anniversary of Mayr Yegeghetsi and later republished in edited form in the commemorative book for 100th Anniversary. It is reprinted here in loving memory of Dr. Ara Caprielian.]
The late author Aram Haigaz had once written an article entitled, “Twenty-Seven,” and in his witty style he described his impressions of the St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral while adding the following observations:
In truth, during the past 100 years, the “27th Street Church” has been the palpitating heart of the Armenian community of America as the mother church of this Diocese.
Everything began with the refugees who flocked to these shores from different corners of the world, but especially from Turkey, during the 19th century. Some came to work and prosper; many came with the hope of living a free and peaceful life. But they all shared a single purpose—to return to their fatherland after having some financial success. The Hamidian massacres toward the end of the 19th century, followed by the Genocide at the beginning of the 20th century, resulted in large numbers of Armenians settling here and in different American cities.
Mayr Yegeghetsi, circa 1940s.
For the Armenian refugees, living under economically modest conditions, having their own church and community life became an important necessity; non-Armenian churches could not satisfy their spiritual and national needs.
The first Armenian Church in America, named Our Saviour (Holy Saviour, Soorp Pergich) was built in Worcester, Massachusetts and consecrated on January 18, 1891. The first clergyman was Very Rev. Fr. Hovsep Sarajian who came to America in August 1889 and celebrated his first Mass at the New York City’s famous Grace Church. On that day, Krikor Parseghian’s three daughters, Elsie, Mary and Florence, were baptized.
“Come Let Us Build the
Sanctuary of the Light”
— From the Hymn
of the Feast of Holy
Etchmiadzin
Rev. Fr. Khatchadour Giragosian and Rev. Fr. Arsen Simoniantz with Archbishop Khoren Paroian, later Catholicos Koren I, on the original Altar, as designed and executed by Arshag Fetfajian.
For a long while the Armenians of New York City did not have their own church. They held religious services in various churches most of which were located in the neighborhood of the current church, although services were held as far away as 110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. For quite some time, the Episcopal Church at 134 East 27th Street was used, but the Armenian community began having problems when they owed the church $400.00. Despite these difficulties, efforts were made to organize a choir, a Ladies’ Guild and an Armenian school. On January 19, 1913, the school had 60 pupils.
The Pastor informed the Board that a Methodist Church at 221 East 27th Street, including its furniture, could be purchased for $50,000.00 which was $15,000.00 less than what it had been offered by another party, but the owners were willing to sell it for the lesser amount because it would be used as a church by the Armenians.
Between 1912–13, the Board of Trustees began publishing a church newsletter entitled “Nvirag.” In 1942 Rev. Fr. Stepanos Garabedian began publishing a newsletter called “Mayr Yegeghetsi”, which continues to be published today as a weekly e-newsletter.
Purchasing Our Own Church
During the ensuing months, the Prelate, Very Rev. Arsen Vehouni, and two committees made attempts to find facilities where they could immediately hold services and a church which they could purchase. Minutes of the membership meeting attest to the fact that there was a serious concern that unless the community had its own church in a short while, the children of the Armenian Apostolic Church in America would become assimilated. On October 27, 1914, Rev. Fr. Matteos Manigian and the Board of Trustees donated $500.00 as seed money for the purchase of a church.
The artist, painter, and designer Arshag Fetfajian, who designed and built the Holy Altar of Mayr Yegeghetsi and painted the icon of the Madonna and Child that adorns her, in 1920.
Fetfajian’s original Altar and chancel wall, seen here at a wedding in 1957.
The Pastor informed the Board that a Methodist Church at 221 East 27th Street, including its furniture, could be purchased for $50,000.00 which was $15,000.00 less than what it had been offered by another party, but the owners were willing to sell it for the lesser amount because it would be used as a church by the Armenians.
A decision was made to purchase the church by putting down $300.00 with an option to buy, with the condition that $16,500.00 would be paid on the day of the closing and the remaining amount would be paid within 3 years at 5% interest.
World War I caused a postponement of the purchase. The dream of buying a church finally became a reality on October 11, 1920. According to the agreement, $5,000.00 was to be paid on the day a contract was signed; $5,000.00 was to be paid by November 1, 1920. From the remaining $7,000.00, $30,000.00 as the first mortgage was to be paid in five years and the rest by 1950. The following notice appeared in a local newspaper announcing the sale of the church:
Conveys Church Realty
“The Crawford M.E. Church of New York has conveyed to St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Church in New York City the church property, 52 x 98.9 at 221-223 East Twenty Seventh Street, known as the Rose Hill M.E. Church and the adjoining six-story flat, on plot 42 x 98.9 at 217 – 219.”
The new church had to be consecrated but prior to that event certain physical changes had to be made within the church in order to satisfy Armenian religious requirements. Eventually, the altar was constructed to resemble the one in the church at Bardizag. The first Mass was celebrated by Very. Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Tourian, who later became Patriarch of Jerusalem. Unfortunately, on November 29, 1921, a fire destroyed the altar and parts of the church. Whereupon the task of building the altar and painting the Madonna and Child was entrusted to the noted artist, Arshag Fetfajian, who received $1,750.00 for constructing the altar and $1,000.00 for the painting. Finally, the historic consecration took place on April 17, 1921.
Meanwhile, the Diocesan headquarters had been transferred from Worcester, Massachusetts to St. Illuminator’s in New York City, which henceforth served as a Cathedral for the entire Diocese until the sad events of 1933.
H. H. Vasken I together with H. H. Karekin II in procession as they approach Mayr Yeghetsti on the occasion of their historic, joint pontifical visit, February, 11, 1989.
H. H. Vasken I presenting the silver Dove of Peace from Holy Etchmiadzin to H. E. Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian as a gift to St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, February 11, 1989. As he did so Vazken said: “The first feeling that I am experiencing at this moment is that I feel at home here, just as Karekin Vehapar felt at home in Etchmiadzin. . . . Beloved Archbishop Mesrob, my words are about you as well, for you are also beloved. On this occasion, I wish to present your Church with this Silver Dove from Holy Etchmiadzin so that you will always remember.” The Dove still serves as Mayr Yegeghetsi’s Muron vessel and is found on the Baptismal Altar.
The Cathedral became a witness to and the center of significant events in the life of the Armenian-American community. Both religious and lay leaders visited the church and addressed the people including Archbishop Khoren Muradbekian, the martyred Catholicos of Holy Etchmiadzin. A fundraising campaign on behalf of the army of the independent Republic of Armenia was organized at the church. General Antranig, Gen. Bagratouni and others were received there. Funeral services for notable national and religious figures such as Vahan Cardashian, Zadig Matigian, Hagop Kashmanian, General Sebouh, Aram Haigaz, Very Rev. Ghevont Martougesian, Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, Minas Minasian, Edward Sahagian, Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian were held at the church.
On September 2, 1933, the National Representative Assembly (NRA) was held at the hall of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral. When disagreements arose among the delegates, a minority among them left the legitimate, duly constituted assembly and convened its own gathering at the Hotel Martinique in Manhattan. Holy Etchmiadzin, for politically obvious reasons, defended and gave official recognition to the minority while unjustly waging a campaign against those faithful sons of the Armenian church who continued to serve their church and nation with undying loyalty.
H. H. Karekin I waves to the faithful during his pontifical visit to Mayr Yegeghetsi as Catholicos of All Armenians, January 13, 1996.
Until 1943 a thousand dollars was paid annually to retire the church mortgage. Rev. Fr. Stepanos Garabedian and the Board of Trustees con vened a meeting to free the church from their financial burden. A committee consisting of the following individuals was given the task of paying off the mortgage: Mr. G. J. Haig, chairman; Mr. Smpad Vartabedian, vice chairman; Mr. Souren Papazian, secretary; Mr. Dikran Bedrosian, treasurer; Mr. Khachig Kantarian, accountant; Mr. Aram Proodian, Mr. Paul Vosgian, Mr. Souren Mozian, Mr. Vahan Basmajian, advisors.
Many outstanding members of the community played an active role in assisting the above committee to achieve its goal. Those individuals include: Hagop Baruirian, Aram Bardez, Esq., Dr. Sarkis Apkarian, Khosrov Babaian, Armen Kasarjian, Dr. Dikran Zakarian, Dr. M. Kara, Mrs. Elizabeth Chakmakjian, Bagrat Bejhian, Dr. V. Boghosian, Vahan Bourgouchian, Vartan Garabedian, Mgrdich Tufenkjian, Yeghia Kimatian, Setrag Avdoian, Dr. Armen Alikhanian, Dr. Aghajanian, Kegham Keghag, Hagop Kashmanian, Mgrdich Shirvanian, Mrs. Makrouhi (Sebouh) Nersesian, Edward Sahagian and Vartkes Kachouni.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Karekin Hovsepiantz, Nuncio of the Catholicos of All Armenians, came to the U.S. as the elected Primate of the Diocese recognized by Holy Etchmiadzin and served until he became elected Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. Both he and his successor Primate, Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan, made serious efforts to unify the two dioceses but met serious obstacles each time.
Having exhausted all means for a reconciliation and unity, and being confronted with a hopeless situation, the NRA, convening at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral on September 23, 1957, voted to appeal to H. H. Zareh I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and asked that he extend the jurisdiction of the Catholicosate over this diocese.
On October 12, 1957, through a special Encyclical, H. H. Catholicos Zareh I extended the jurisdiction of the Holy See over the diocese and sent Archbishop Khoren Paronyan, Prelate of Lebanon, to the U.S. as his Nuncio.
Within a short time, this community exhibited a fantastically vibrant spirit which resulted in a reorganized diocese with new churches, schools, auxiliary organizations working feverishly to meet the growing needs of this dynamic community. The Prelate of this reorganized diocese was Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian.
“What days and
celebrations of glory and
grief haven’t the walls
of this simple church
seen . . . In a word its
experiences have been
the same as those of its
people.”
— Aram Haigaz
H. H. Aram I in Pashalian Hall during his first pontifical visit to Mayr Yegeghetsi, October 1997, with Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian and H. H. Aram’s Kavazanagir (staff bearer), then-Very Rev. Fr. now Archbishop Khoren Doghramajian.
It must be recalled that following World War II, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral became the center which received thousands of former displaced persons who came to the U.S. from Germany and Eastern Europe through the efforts of ANCHA (American National Committee for Homeless Armenians). Waves of Armenians from Romania and Bulgaria followed. Their first stop was St. Illuminator’s Cathedral where, through the assistance of the ARS, they had their first meal.
In 1973, Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian became the next Prelate. The Cathedral and Prelacy were endowed with a religious leader of international stature and great vision. New programs were initiated, many international religious leaders visited the Cathedral and Prelacy.
After Archbishop Karekin was elected Catholicos-Coadjutor of the Great House of Cilicia in 1977, Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, a scholar and a former Prelate of Isphahan, was elected Prelate of the diocese. Under his most inspiring and dedicated leadership, the Prelacy and Cathedral have expanded their scope of services in the field of religious education, cultural and national programs.
H. H. Aram I celebrates the 850th anniversary of St. Nerses Shnorhali at an Ecumenical Service at Mayr Yegeghetsi, November 18, 2023.
Mayr Yegeghetsi today.
A notable addition to the Cathedral was a beautiful baptismal font donated by Mrs. Isabella Avedisian and Mrs. Martha Kimmel. The Prelate consecrated the font on Christmas, January 6, 1990.
Through the untiring efforts of the Board of Trustees and a special committee, the six-story apartment building adjacent to the church which the latter had lost during the Depression, was purchased. This building earns an annual income for the church.
Without a doubt, the most significant event of the last several years in the Cathedral was the visit of His Holiness Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians, from Holy Etchmiadzin accompanied by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia on February 11, 1989. On that auspicious and historic day, Vasken Catholicos presented His Eminence Archbishop Ashjian with a silver dove of peace.
This brief history of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, which in no way is complete, would not do justice to a century of dedication to God and Nation without recognizing the dedication and self-sacrificing work of the clergymen who have served the church. Their names are listed elsewhere in this booklet and include the present Pastor, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, whose term of service began on March 1, 2006.
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral is comprised of a one hundred year history of impressive achievements. It is still vibrant and forever ready to serve the people who have nurtured it over the years inspiring them with faith toward God and love toward one another with a vision for a brighter future for the Armenian people.
* * *
Rev. Fr. Azaria Boyajian (1916-1918) and family.
