By Florence Avakian
Sunday, February 9 was a day of remembrance and celebration, as the life and legacy of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, of blessed memory, the late Jerusalem Patriarch and Diocesan Primate, was honored through a special requiem service at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, and at a luncheon in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.
PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: chrisz@armeniandiocese.org
Website: www.armenianchurch-ed.net
February 19, 2014
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Diocese Honors Legacy of “Patriarch, Primate, and Poet”—Archbishop Torkom Manoogian
By Florence Avakian
Sunday, February 9 was a day of remembrance and celebration, as the life and legacy of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, of blessed memory, the late Jerusalem Patriarch and Diocesan Primate, was honored through a special requiem service at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, and at a luncheon in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.
“Today is a day to reflect on a single man’s life, spent in humble, devoted service to our church and our people; to Armenia, America, and Jerusalem; and to our risen Lord,” said Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, in his homily during a splendid and uplifting Divine Liturgy celebration.
He recalled that Archbishop Torkom was born in the deserts of Baghdad with the name of Avedis, and was bestowed with the priestly name Torkom in honor of his dear teacher and mentor, Patriarch Torkom Koushagian.
Archbishop Barsamian remembered Archbishop Manoogian as “part of a remarkable generation of church leaders” that included patriarchs Tiran Nersoyan, Karekin Khatchadourian, Shnork Kalustian, Yeghishe Derderian, and Catholicos Vasken I—”leading spiritual leaders of the 20th century. As survivors of the Genocide, they had suffered like the rest of our people; but a greater power inspired them to lead.”
Archbishop Torkom was “not only a talented priest, energetic Primate, or distinguished Patriarch,” continued Archbishop Barsamian, “but also one of the very few churchmen of his generation to carry the weight of our church on his shoulders. During his ministry, he often was the solitary voice of our community to the outside world. He always considered Jerusalem his home and finally returned as the 96th Armenian Patriarch.”
The Primate added that they were privileged to have Archbishop Torkom’s successor as patriarch, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, present at the service, “bringing the spirit of Jerusalem to us. We will best honor Archbishop Torkom’s life by continuing his mission ourselves today,” he noted.
The church service was attended by several high-ranking members of the clergy, including Diocesan Ecumenical Director Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, Primate of the United Kingdom Bishop Vahan Hovanessian, parish priests, and seminarians from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. The Divine Liturgy was sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, accompanied by organist Florence Avakian, under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian.
Renaissance Man
At the tribute luncheon held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, Master of Ceremonies Dr. Tavit Najarian, who chaired the tribute organizing committee, warmly welcomed the more than 250 guests. An invocation by Archbishop Vicken Aykazian began the gathering.
“We are here to celebrate the legacy of Archbishop Torkom, one of the most dedicated princes of our church, and a true Renaissance Man of our time,” said Dr. Najarian. “His presence commanded respect, and was noted in both the Armenian and American communities. Archbishop Torkom was dedicated to his vocation, and inspired a whole generation of clergy who now lead our community.”
Among those priests present at the luncheon were the Reverend Fathers Mardiros Chevian, Karekin Kasparian, Untzag Nalbandian, and Aved Terzian. Fathers Tateos Abdalian, Yerpem Kelegian, and Garabed Kochakian had written messages printed in the program booklet.
Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amb. Garen Nazarian, was among the other distinguished guests present, many of whom had known and worked with Patriarch Torkom.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, one of many priests deeply inspired by Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, recalled his fatherly guidance and influence. “He was our confidant and guide, the figure of authority who shaped us, gave us discipline and encouragement—not only for the priests he ordained, but also for those who came from overseas, like myself and Archbishop Nourhan. To be asked by Torkom Srpazan to come to this Diocese was one of the highest honors for a young priest. It was a sign that he recognized the talent and potential in you, and made you to work harder and aspire higher to justify his good opinion of you.”
The Primate related that he learned from Torkom Srpazan about being a priest, primate, and public figure. “Part of his genius was to recognize the best that the East and West had to offer and to embrace them. Most of all, he loved being part of the ancient Armenian Church heritage, and felt the church was the stage on which a human being could live a full life.”
He concluded: “It was towards a greater sense of hope that Torkom Srpazan always drew our attention as a community. And it is that same hope that we will always remember today and in the future.”
To the delight of the audience, a musical interlude was presented by soprano Solange Merdinian, accompanied by pianist Sofya Melikyan, offering soulful renderings of Hovin Yerk by Berberian, and Shogher Jan, Oror, Chinar Es and Hoy Nazan by Gomidas Vartabed—the musician whom Archbishop Torkom admired so deeply.
Writing under the pen name “Shen Mah,” Archbishop Torkom was noted for his poetry and translations of various anthologies, including the sonnets of Shakespeare. Well-known actress Nora Armani recited one of Shen Mah’s powerful translations of St. Francis of Assisi, and the poem “How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, the 97th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, who a few days earlier had received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from General Theological Seminary in New York, related how the late Patriarch Torkom “rose from the simplest of beginnings to the fulfillment of a great destiny in 1990.” He possessed a “sense of discipline, and exceptional ability. But first and foremost, and what gave him the most joy, was being a simple priest.”
“He never expected more of others than he demanded of himself,” noted Patriarch Nourhan, adding that Torkom Srpazan had possessed “that artistic soul of a musician and a poet.”
A Strong Voice
When he was the Primate, the Eastern Diocese “flourished under his guidance,” continued Archbishop Nourhan. “He always was a strong voice for Genocide recognition, and placed great value on education. A faithful friend, he was a father to the young, and a compassionate son of the old. After 24 years as Primate, he became at age 71, the 96th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, nurturing a whole generation of priests in the Patriarchal Seminary.”
He ended by lamenting that “We have lost an exemplary clergyman, poet, musician and friend.”
The formal program concluded with an inspiring video presentation of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian’s legacy, titled, “Patriarch, Primate, Poet,” produced by Artur Petrosyan, Karine Abalyan, and Christopher Zakian of the Diocesan Communications department.
To close the memorable event, Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian delivered a benediction and led the crowd in the singing of Gomidas Vartabed’s setting of “Hayr Mer”—as the late Archbishop Torkom Manoogian always did during his ministry.
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian flanked by clergy and altar servers during the requiem service.
Photo 2: Archbishop Nourhan Manougian (fourth from left), Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, in prayer with other clergy and seminarians.
Photo 3: Master of Ceremonies Dr. Tavit Najarian, who chaired the tribute organizing committee, opens the afternoon’s program.
Photo 4: A musical interlude by soprano Solange Merdinian and pianist Sofya Melikyan.
Photo 5: Actress Nora Armani recites poetry at the luncheon.
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