Christmas Worship Services

Parishes across the Eastern Diocese are celebrating a number of special services this Christmas season. Check below for services in your area or consult our Parish Directory to find detailed contact information or additional churches not listed here.

New York City | Illinois | Massachussets | Michigan | New Jersey | New York | Ohio | Pennsylvania | Texas

St. Vartan Cathedral

630 Second Ave. in New York City

• Evening Service with Scripture Readings by students from the Diocese's Khrimian Lyceum at 6:30 p.m.
• The Divine Liturgy will immediately follow, beginning at 7:30 p.m., celebrated by Fr. Mardiros Chevian, the cathedral dean. Music will be provided by the St. Vartan Cathedral Youth Choir.
• A reception will take place following the services.

• His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy.
• The Morning Service begins at 9:30 a.m.
• The Divine Liturgy follows at 10:30 a.m. The sacred music will be sung by both the Gomidas Choir and the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir.
• The Blessing of Water ceremony will follow the Divine Liturgy, with Mark Gabrellian serving as "godfather".
• After the services, a Home Blessing Service and Christmas reception will take place in the Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, featuring a dance presentation by the Akhtamar Dance Ensemble. The reception is open to all; admission is free.

• The Primate's Christmas Party will be held at 11 a.m. at the St. Vartan Cathedral's Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium and is open to the public.

The St. James Church of Evanston, IL

816 Clark St. in Evanston, IL

• Divine Liturgy and children’s sermon at 10:30 a.m. with Fr. Sahak Kaishian
• That afternoon, the Sunday School will go Christmas caroling, call Gary Rejebian at (847) 864-9572 to arrange a visit.

• Feast of St Stephen the Deacon and Protomartyr at 10:30am with the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Vahram Hazarian and homilist Fr. Mardiros Chevian.
• A coffee hour will follow the services.

• Morning Services at 10:30 a.m. with the parish deacons.
• A coffee hour will follow.

• Readings at 6:30 p.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 7 p.m. with Fr. Vahram Hazarian
• A coffee hour will follow the services

• Morning service at 10 a.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. celebrated by Fr Haik Donikian
• A coffee hour will follow

• Morning Service at 9:30 a.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. celebrated by Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian
• Blessing of Waters ceremony at 12:15 p.m.
• A Sunday School program and parish dinner will following services

MASSACHUSSETS

Holy Trinity Church of Greater Boston

145 Brattle St. in Cambridge, MA

• Evening service at 7 p.m.
• Christmas Eve Divine Liturgy at 7:30 p.m.

• Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

• Sunday School and Armenian School Christmas communion and breakfast at 10:20 a.m.

• Morning Service at 9 a.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.
• Blessing of Water ceremony at 11:45 a.m.
• An Armenian School Hantes will be held following church services.

The Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA

180 Old Westford Rd. in Chelmsford, MA

• Celebration of the Feast of St. Stephen and singing of Christmas carols at 6 p.m.

• New Year's Eve Dance and Breakfast starting at 8 p.m., sponsored jointly by Sts. Vartanantz Church and the Armenian Church at Hye Pointe

• Celebration of the Eve of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ at 6:30 p.m.

• Divine Liturgy and Blessing of Waters ceremony at 10 a.m.
• Annual Christmas dinner and pageant at noon

The Armenian Church of the Holy Translators, Framingham, MA

38 Franklin St. in Framingham, MA

• Armenian Candlelight Christmas: A Celebration of Light and Life, presented by the parish's Sunday School immediately following the Divine Liturgy.
• A Christmas luncheon and Children's party hosted by the Sunday School and Armenian School staff in the fellowship hall after the program.

The St. Mark Church of Springfield, MA

2427 Wilbraham Rd. in Springfield, MA

• Sunday School Communion breakfast at 11 a.m.

• Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. celebrated by Fr. Arsen Barsamian.
• At the conclusion of the service will be the Sunday School Christmas Pageant.
• The Parish Council will host a Christmas reception in the church hall following services.

St. James Church of Watertown, MA

465 Mt. Auburn St. in Watertown, MA

• Christmas Eve Services begin with a musical prelude at 6:30 p.m.
• Candlelight Service in English at 7 p.m., followed by a reception
• Midnight Service in English at 12 a.m.

• Evening Service and Reading of Scriptures at 6 p.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 7 p.m., followed by a fellowship hour

• Morning Service at 8 a.m.
• Divine Liturgy and the Blessing of Water ceremony at 10 a.m.

• Children's Communion Service at 9 a.m.
• Children's Communion Breakfast at 9:45 a.m.

• Annual Sunday School Armenian Christmas Pageant following Divine Liturgy

The Armenian Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, MA

87 Salisbury St. in Worcester, MA

• Christmas Eve service in English at 6 p.m. followed by a fellowship hour

• Vespers Service at 5:30 p.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 6 p.m.
• Holy Communion at 7:15 p.m.

• Morning Service at 10:30 a.m.
• The Sanctuary will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for private prayer

MICHIGAN

The St. John Church of Greater Detroit

22001 Northwestern Highway in Southfield, MI

• The Sunday School presents "The Spirit of Christmas" after the Divine Liturgy

• Western Christmas Eve Worship, " A Christmas Story", at 10:30 p.m., with guest organist Tony O'Brien, a studentof the late Berj Zamkochian

• Celebration of the Feast of St. Steven The Protodeacon, honoring the deacons of the parish
• Divine Liturgy at 11 a.m.

• Divine Liturgy, with guest celebrant Fr. Diran Papzian, and Reading of Scriptures by students of the Alex and Marie Manoogian School at 6 p.m.

• Divine Liturgy and Blessing of Water ceremony at 9:45 a.m.

• The parish ACYOA and Women's Guild will join the parish priest, Fr. Garabed Kochakian, in a visit to the Manoogian Manor for Blessing of Water and administration of Holy Communion to the residents at 11 a.m.

• A Children's Liturgy, with the Blessing of Water ceremony followed by a parish community dinner

NEW JERSEY

St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ

200 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave. in Livingston, NJ

• Wednesday, January 5, 2005
• Readings and Evening Prayer at 7 pm.
• Divine Liturgy at 7:30 pm.

• Divine Liturgy at 3 p.m.
• The Blessing of Water ceremony at 4 p.m.

• A bus will leave from St. Mary Church to take children to the Archbishop's Christmas Party at St. Vartan Cathedral. See the parish Sunday School for information and reservations.

• Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.
• Annual Children's Christmas Pageant and Luncheon in the parish's Toufayan Hall following the badarak. Everyone is welcome. Admission is $15 for adults, $7 for children under 12 without reservations.

The St. Peter Church, Watervliet, NY

100 Troy Schenectady Road, Watervliet, NY

• Reading of Scriptures at 5:30 p.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 6 p.m.

• Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

• Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.
• Blessing of Water ceremony at noon with an Armenian Christmas luncheon following services. Cost is $12 for meal. Reservations are necessary for the luncheon and can be made by contacting Fay Talarico at (518) 869-8336.

St. Vartan Cathedral

630 Second Ave. in New York City

See specifics of services at the top of the page.

The St. Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH

678 Richmond Rd. in Richmond Heights, OH

• Sunday School Christmas pageant and fellowship hour will follow church services.

• Theophany Eve Service at 6:30 p.m. celebrated by Fr. Krikor Maksoudian

• Christmas Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Krikor Maksoudian
• Morning Service at 9:30 a.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 10:15 a.m.
• Blessing of Water ceremony at noon
• A fellowship hour, hosted by the Cleveland AGBU Chapter, will follow church services.

The Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA

101 Ashmead Rd. in Cheltenham, PA

• A traditional Christmas Eve family worship service at 7 p.m.

• Evening Worship and Reading of Sacred Scriptures at 7 p.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 7:30 p.m.

• Morning Worship at 9 a.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.
• Blessing of Water ceremony at 11:30 a.m.
• Luncheon served by the Women's Guild at noon

Sunday, January 9, 2005

• Morning Worship at 9:45 a.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m.
• Requiem Services at 12:15 p.m.

St. Kevork Church of Houston, TX

3211 Synott Rd. in Houston, TX

• Evening service at 6 p.m.
• Scripture Reading at 6:30 p.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 7 p.m.

• Morning service at 9:30 a.m.
• Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m.
• Blessing of Water ceremony at noon

Armenian Church of San Antonio, TX

Saturday, January 8, 2005

• Divine Liturgy at 2 p.m. with celebrant Fr. Mesrob Benlian, the mission parish's visiting pastor. Service will be held at St. George Maronite Catholic Church, 6070 Babcock Rd. in San Antonio