Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel will preside over the Feast of Sts. Vartanantz at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral on Thursday, February 24, 2022.
The cathedral will be open to worshippers, with services going forward in compliance with local regulations regarding public gatherings. Services will also be broadcast live over the St. Vartan Cathedral and Vemkar Facebook pages.
On Thursday, February 24, the Divine Liturgy will begin at 5:30 p.m., celebrated by Fr. Nigoghos Aznavourian, pastor of St. Mark Church (Springfield, MA).
A dinner and program will follow at 7 p.m. in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, featuring guest speaker Jesse S. Arlen, Ph.D., Director of Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, speaking on “The Warrior Saint Within: A Symbolic Interpretation of Vartanantz.” Violinist Diana Vasilyan, and members of the Astghikner Vocal Ensemble will also perform.
The honored guest for the occasion will be professional boxer from Armenia, and former world champion in two weight classes, Vakhtang “Vic” Darchinyan.
The observance is being organized with the participation of the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan. Click here to view a flyer. (Please note that proof of vaccination will be required to attend the dinner portion of the evening, per city regulations.)
The cathedral is located at 630 Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street), New York City. For information, call the Diocesan Center at (212) 686-0710.
Outnumbered, Defeated—But Not Forgotten
Every year on the Thursday preceding Great Lent, Armenians throughout the world commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Avarayr (A.D. 451). The armed forces of Armenia confronted the Persian Empire, which aimed to convert the world’s first Christian nation to Zoroastrianism. Armenia’s soldiers fighting under the leadership of St. Vartan Mamigonian are known as the Vartanank, and their day of remembrance is Vartanantz.
On the field of Avarayr, outnumbered Armenian fighters faced a mighty Persian army. St. Vartan and his companions saw a military defeat; but their unyielding commitment to defend their faith ultimately thwarted the Persians, and ensured that Christianity would endure in Armenia.
Click here to read more about the Battle of Avarayr on this website, or download the Diocese’s iBook for an interactive introduction to St. Vartan’s historic campaign.
Ghevontiantz Day on February 22
Two days prior to the Feast of Sts. Vartanantz, the Armenian Church remembers the sacrifice of St. Leontius (Ghevont) the priest and his companions. St. Ghevont is one of the great exemplars of the Armenian priesthood, remembered for his rare courage and resolution at the Battle of Avarayr.
On the eve of battle, Ghevont celebrated the Divine Liturgy, conferred the sacrament of Holy Communion on the soldiers, and baptized those who had not yet been received into the church. His stirring sermon assured the soldiers that their mystical union with Christ would survive even physical violence and death.
Click here to learn more about St. Ghevont and his companions.
In observance of Ghevontiantz Day, the clergy of the Eastern Diocese hold regional gatherings. This year, these will go forward at St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ; Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church in Providence, RI; and St. Mesrob Church in Racine, WI. The service at St. Leon Church will be broadcast on the parish’s YouTube page, on Tuesday, February 22, at 11 a.m. EST. Also look for a Ghevontiantz Day broadcast on the YouTube channel of St. Mesrob Church (February 22 at 11 a.m. CST).
Above: Artwork by Vardan Gasparyan.