Western U.S. edition - Armenian Reporter

The Armenian Reporter | October 17, 2009 19CommunityThe Cathedral was filled both Saturday and Sunday.Archbishop Oshagan blesses the congregation during theLiturgy. Photos: Bedros Yessaian.Two new candle altars and icons were consecrated Saturdayevening.A general view of the congregation on Saturday during the re-consecration of thealtar and the consecration of new liturgical items.St. Illuminator’s Cathedral reopens after year-long renovationby Iris PapazianNEW YORK – It was a gloriousweekend for the Eastern Prelacyof the Armenian Apostolic Churchof America as St. Illuminator’s Cathedralin New York City reopenedwith impressive services on September19 and 20.Founded in 1915, St. Illuminator’s,the first Armenian Cathedralin the United States, has a rich historyof service to the Armeniancommunity in the aftermath ofthe genocide, the Great Depression,and two World Wars.The Cathedral has been undergoingextensive renovations for morethan one year. The sanctuary iscomplete except for some finishingartistic touches. Work on the renovatedhall and offices is continuingand a completely re-designed exteriorand interior front entrance willbe completed during the comingmonths.Reconsecration of thealtarSaturday evening Archbishop OshaganCholoyan, the Prelate of theEastern Prelacy, reconsecrated theCathedral’s altar, as well as two newcandle altars and two icons donatedby Mr. and Mrs. Edward andCarmen Gulbenkian. Also consecratedwere the five new crystalchandeliers and various liturgicalitems such as crosses, altar covers,censor, pitcher, a set of completevestments for the celebrant, and ahandmade silver and gold chalicewith cover, a gift from the Prelacy.The familiar and beloved altarpainting of the Mother of God withthe infant Jesus, by Arshag Fetvadjian,continues to grace the altar.Clergy attending and participatingin the Saturday servicesincluded: Bishop AnoushavanTanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy;Archpriest Fr. Moushegh DerKalousdian, Pastor Emeritus ofthe Cathedral; Archpriest ArshagDaghlian from North Andover,Mass., who is retired but continuesto serve as an outreach priest; Rev.Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor ofthe Cathedral; Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian,pastor of St. Sarkis Church,Douglaston, N.Y.; and Rev. Fr. HovnanBozoian, pastor of Sts. VartanantzChurch, Ridgefield, N.J.In his message on Saturday, thePrelate praised the Cathedral’sfaithful parishioners for their dedicationthrough the years. He expressedthanks to the donors whomade the renovation possible andthe members of the building committee,headed by Setrak Agonian,who facilitated and guidedthe renovation, encounteringmany unexpected “surprises” alongthe way which added to the timeand expense of the renovation. ThePrelate noted how it was the Cathedralcommunity that helped thesurvivors after 1915 as they arrivedyear after year in a new land withno possessions or resources exceptthe will to start over again. Many ofthe survivors relocated in the vicinityof the Cathedral and that areabecame known as “Little Armenia.”During the Second World War,the Cathedral saw many of her sonsand daughters leave to fight foreigntyranny and when the war endedthe Cathedral once again openedher arms to welcome refugees fromcommunist countries who were livingin camps and were saved by theAmerican National Committee forHomeless Armenians (ancha). Ina partnership between ancha andthe Armenian Relief Society (ars),the Cathedral became their steppingstone to the new world. Mr.Agonian, who as a young boy wasrescued by ancha, and is now asuccessful businessman, a leaderin the International Olympics committee,and chairman of the Cathedral’sBuilding Committee, recalledthose days. “I was 16 years old, andmy mother and I arrived with almostno possessions. This Churchwelcomed us, fed us, and helped usget settled in a new life. Of courseI am going to help now; this Cathedralis our Ellis Island,” he said.Many others in attendance whowere aided by ancha echoed thesame sentiments.Divine Liturgy onSundayOn Sunday, Archbishop Oshagancelebrated the Divine Liturgy anddelivered the sermon to an overflowcrowd of parishioners and friends.The archbishop spoke about thesignificance of the Mayr Yegheghetzi(Mother Church). “The Cathedral,”he said, “has been a faithfuland doting mother to us. She hasnurtured our wounds at the timeof distress and has shared our happinessin our moments of joy.” Herecalled how the Mayr Yegheghetzikept the Christian faith vibrant inthe lives of her children, and thenational dream alive, including thesymbols of statehood like the tricoloredflag. “This Church and ourPrelacy kept our dream alive andnever wavered,” His Eminence said.The Prelate warmly welcomedthe newly appointed ambassadorof Armenia to the United Nations,Garen Nazarian, and wished himsuccess in his important assignment.Cathedral’s priest ishonoredThe Prelate read an encyclical fromAram I, Catholicos of the GreatHouse of Cilicia, granting Rev. Fr.Mesrob Lakissian, the Cathedral’spastor, the honor of wearing thePectoral Cross on special occasions.The Prelate presented a beautifulcross to the grateful Der Hayr.Requiem service forclergyRequiem Services were held forKarekin I, on the tenth anniversaryof his passing, and for the past prelatesand the priests who served theCathedral, including, ArchbishopHrant Khatchadourian, ArchbishopMesrob Ashjian, V. Rev. Fr. BoghosKaftanian, Rev. Fr. Matteos Mannigian,Rev. Fr. Azaria Boyajian, Rev.Fr. Serovpe Nershabou, Rev. Fr.Bedros Hagopian, Rev. Fr. RupenKapikian, Rev. Fr. Untzag Kazanjian,Rev. Fr. Matteos Hekimian, Rev.Fr. Nishan Papazian, Rev. Fr. MesrobDer Hovannessian, Rev. Fr. StepanosGarabedian, Rev. Fr. ArsenSimioniantz, Rev. Fr. KhachadourGiragosian, Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian,Rev. Fr. Nerses Baboorian, Rev.Mampre Biberian, Rev. Fr. AshotKodjian.Madagh offered; Eagleof Prelacy awardedAfter the conclusion of theRequiem Service, Madagh wasblessed and offered to the congregationgathered in the newly renovatedhall. Attending were manyof the children of the survivorgeneration that had embraced theCathedral and kept her enrichedwith love and devotion. Many ofthose first-generation childrenof the survivors were baptized inthe Cathedral, many were marriedthere as well. They have since relocatedto other areas especially inNew Jersey and Long Island, buttheir attachment to the Cathedralremains fervent.Archbishop Oshagan presentedthe highest Prelacy award, “TheEagle of the Prelacy,” to Mr. Agonian,chairman of the buildingcommittee, for his extraordinaryservice to the Cathedral and community.With concise and movingwords Mr. Agonian acceptedthe award and expressed his lovefor the Armenian Church and St.Illuminator’s Cathedral. He calledupon all to rally around the Cathedralto keep her vibrant and strong.“Let us complete this renovation soin five years we can celebrate theCathedral’s Centennial anniversaryproudly and with the secure knowledgethat the Cathedral, renewedin spirit and structure, will continueher service for another hundredyears.”Mrs. Lalique Vartanian,chair of the Cathedral’s Board ofTrustees, expressed her heartfeltthanks to the many people whomade this day possible and sheSetrak Agonian,chairperson ofthe buildingcommittee, whowas awardedthe Eagle of thePrelacy award,speaks aboutthe Cathedral’stransformation.asked for the continued supportand encouragement of parishionersand friends.Ambassador Garen Nazarian expressedcongratulations to ArchbishopOshagan and to Rev. Fr.Mesrob Lakissian. He noted thatthis is a special time in Armenia.“Tomorrow is the 18th anniversaryof the independence of Armeniaand today all of the churches in Armeniaare offering special prayersfor the Republic.”Rev. Fr. Mesrob expressed heartfeltthanks to Aram I, and to ArchbishopOshagan, for the honor bestowedupon him. He thanked thedonors to the building fund andnoted that 90 percent of the workis complete and the remaining 10percent will be completed withinthe next few months.For all those who are eternallylinked to the Mayr Yegeghetzithrough personal memories bothjoyful and sad, this weekend wasa crowing moment in the long andrich history of St. Illuminator’s Cathedralstrengthened by the graceof the Holy Spirit.