At New York’s Sts. Vartanantz Day observance, young people read excerpts from St. Vartan’s stirring speech to his soldiers, recited poetry, and reflected on the legacy of the 5th-century Treaty of Navarsag, which allowed the Armenians to freely practice their Christian faith in the Persian Empire. The commemoration at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Thursday evening, February 16, went forward under the auspices of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), with the participation of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan.
PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
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E-mail: publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org
Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net
February 17, 2012
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STS. VARTANANTZ DAY CELEBRATED IN NEW YORK
At New York’s Sts. Vartanantz Day observance, young people read excerpts from St. Vartan’s stirring speech to his soldiers, recited poetry, and reflected on the legacy of the 5th-century Treaty of Navarsag, which allowed the Armenians to freely practice their Christian faith in the Persian Empire.
The commemoration at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Thursday evening, February 16, went forward under the auspices of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), with the participation of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan.
The evening began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, with Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presiding.
Celebrating the badarak was the Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazarian, who is serving as an intern priest at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, N.Y. The St. Vartan Cathedral Choir sang under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, with accompaniment by cathedral organist Florence Avakian.
A program and dinner in the Diocesan Center’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium followed services.
Three students of the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum—Chris Artun, Varujan Belekdanian, and Tamar Tokman—made a presentation about the Battle of Avarayr. In both Armenian and English, they read excerpts from the speech St. Vartan delivered on the eve of battle and recited Vahan Tekeyan’s poem “The Mystery of Vartanank” (Khorhoort Vartanank).
The students then spoke about the Treaty of Navarsag—signed in A.D. 484 by the Armenians and the Persians—and compared the document to the 13th-century Magna Carta—one of the foundations for constitutional governance in the Western world. They pointed out that 700 years before Magna Carta was issued, Armenians had found a way to ensure liberties against their Persian rulers.
Grand Commander of the Knights of Vartan Dr. Dennis Papazian struck a complementary chord in his remarks, reminding the crowd that “We are required by God to remember our deliverance, how God saved us from being assimilated by the Zoroastrian Persians and losing our identity as Christian Armenians.”
The Shnorhali Choir of Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, N.Y. offered a fine performance of vocal selections, under the leadership of its director Armine Vardanyan.
Remarks were also made by Ruben Daglyan, chair of the Mid-Atlantic Lodge. Edward Barsamian served as the master of ceremonies.
Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian offered the evening’s invocation. Archbishop Barsamian closed the program with his message and benediction.
The evening’s dinner was prepared and sponsored by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan, Mid-Atlantic Lodges and Otyags.
Parishes throughout the Eastern Diocese also observed the distinctly Armenian feast day.
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: The Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazarian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral (photo by Berch Manukian).
Photo 2: The Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazarian celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral (photo by Levon Altian).
Photo 3: Khrimian Lyceum students made a presentation about the Battle of Avarayr (photo by Berch Manukian).
Photo 4: The Shnorhali Choir of Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, N.Y. performed (photo by Berch Manukian).
PublicRelations [publicrelations@armeniandiocese.org]
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