News and Notes

St. Vartan Cathedral Community Leader Finds Home in Sanctuary

If you’ve ever been to a service St. Vartan Cathedral, you’ve seen Araxie Cherishian. Her smiling face and warm inviting spirit fill the sanctuary, where she has served as senior usher for more than two decades. “She embraces all who come through the doors of this Cathedral, offering a kind word, a listening ear, or a word of encouragement to all those who need it,” said Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral.

The Council of Churches of the City of New York recognized Araxie during a banquet held at St. Vartan Cathedral October 21 with the 2004 Recognition Award by the organization’s president, Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts III, pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. She was one of four New York City lay leaders honored by the ecumenical group during its 10th annual awards presentation. Araxie was recognized for her “pious, loving soul” that has given strength and inspiration to the Armenian community.

“Araxie’s spirit is the spirit of the Armenian people,” said Archbishop Khajag Barsamian. “She is a tireless servant of God, answering His call to stewardship in a humble and loving way. She truly is an embodiment of Christian giving.”

Armenian Christmas Sparks Tsunami Relief Efforts

As 600 people filled St. Vartan Cathedral on January 6, it was like any other Armenian Christmas. But this year’s celebrations were tinged with sorrow and reflection following the Tsunami disaster in South Asia.

Remembering that the world came to the aid of Armenia following the 1988 earthquake which devastated much of the country, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian urged all Armenians to step forward and help the tsunami survivors. A special collection was taken up at the cathedral during Armenian Christmas services, and the Primate has asked all parishes in the Eastern Diocese to take similar special collections during services throughout January to support relief efforts. Along with these collections, the Primate asked parishes and communities throughout the Diocese to find other ways to raise funds and offer prayers to the tsunami victims.

Armenia’s Academy of Sciences Recognizes Archbishop Barsamian with Highest Honor

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian was honored by the Armenian National Academy of Sciences (NAS) during a reception on November 8. The Primate was presented with the Academy’s highest award, the Gold Medal by the president of the NAS, Fadey Sargsyan. “I thank the Academy for this honor, but truly it belongs to the members of the Diocesan Council of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, the members of the Board of Directors of the Fund for Armenian Relief, and the faithful members of the Eastern Diocese,” the Primate said in remarks during the ceremony.

Sargsyan reflected on the enormous support Archbishop Barsamian has provided Armenian academics and researchers. The Primate was one of the earliest supporters of science and academics in Armenia as the nation became independent, he said. He thanked the Primate and the Eastern Diocese for its work, especially the Armenian National Science and Education Fund (ANSEF). ANSEF, spearheaded by FAR, provides grants for research projects.

Armenian Faithful Urge Protection of Innocents

On December 14, Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate, presented $10,000 to Dr. Bob Edgar, the general secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC). The money, raised through a special offering in local parishes and by donations made through the Diocesan website – www.armenianchurch.org – was applied by the NCC to provide relief supplies to the thousands of Sudanese refugees.

Three North American Dioceses send Representatives to Discuss Youth Connection at Meeting Organized by ACYOA

From October 1 to 3, four delegates from each of the three North American dioceses of the Armenian Church – the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), the Western Diocese, and the Canadian Diocese – met at the Eastern Diocese’s Ararat Center to discuss common concerns and challenges related to youth involvement in the church. They explored the possibility of a joint event that would assemble the young people from the three dioceses. They also investigated the feasibility of sponsoring a joint pilgrimage to Armenia and drafted a document to present to the respective primates and diocesan councils on ways to involve youth in the life of the church. The weekend was organized by the Central Council of the Armenian Church Youth Organization of America (ACYOA) of the Eastern Diocese.

Feast of the Holy Translators, Traditional Opening Day of Diocesan Armenian Schools

More than 300 people gathered on the plaza of St. Vartan Cathedral on October 9 to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Translators, the traditional opening day of Diocesan Armenian Schools. Students from the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut Khrimian Lyceum – the Diocese’s secondary school level Armenian cultural education program – sang, read Scripture, and served as ushers during the day. Other students led a parade of the Armenian alphabet through the cathedral. Still others recited poems and readings. A young representative from each school attending the ceremonies also came forward with parents and parish leaders to light their school’s Mesrob Mashdots lantern, representing the eternal light of knowledge. Also active in the celebration were Armenian School teachers and superintendents led by the day’s mistress of ceremonies, Shaken Kadehjian, superintendent of St. Vartan Cathedral’s Armenian School.

Honored during the day’s celebrations was Gregory Manuelian, an exemplary steward who served as the grand marshal of the day to mark 2003, Diocesan Year of Stewardship.

Armenia’s Schoolchildren to Benefit from More School Supplies from WGCC School Bags Project

The School Bag Project of the Diocese Women’s Guild Central Council was launched thirteen years ago following the earthquake in Armenia to meet the needs of the many school children who did not have basic materials to do their school work.

The WGCC is looking for donations with which they purchase and supply a canvas bag for students filled with: notebook, lined paper, pencils, pens, eraser, pencil sharpener, composition book, ruler, scissors, construction paper, chalkboard, chalk, colored pencils and a colorfully illustrated book of Bible stories. To date, 7,680 bags have been distributed to students in Yerevan, Gyumri, Stepanavan, Karabagh and small villages. A donation of $20.00 provides for one filled bag. All checks may be made payable to WGCC and sent to Yn. Violet Kasparian, chairperson, at 263 Ridge Street, New Milford, N.J. 07646.