The Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ will be observed at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Sunday and Monday, January 5 and 6, 2025.
Armenian Christmas Eve (Jan. 5)
On Sunday, January 5, there will be an Evening Service at 5:30 p.m. The Divine Liturgy will immediately follow, beginning at 6 p.m., celebrated by the Rev. Fr. Davit Karamyan, Vicar of St. Vartan Cathedral.
(Please note that this will be the only Divine Liturgy on Sunday, January 5; there will be no service on the morning of that day at the cathedral.)
Armenian Christmas (Jan. 6)
On Monday, January 6, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, who will also deliver the homily.
The Morning Service begins at 9 a.m., and the Divine Liturgy follows at 10 a.m.
The sacred music will be sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian.
In Armenian tradition, this feast day commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also his baptism by John the Baptist. The latter is remembered through the “Blessing of Water” ceremony, which will follow the Divine Liturgy. This year, the Godfather of the Cross will be Dr. Tavit O. Najarian.
A Christmas reception will take place following services, in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium of the cathedral complex.
Local Celebrations
Armenian Christmas will also be observed at local parishes across the Eastern Diocese. Many parishes will celebrate on Saturday, January 6. However, Diocesan parishes have also been permitted to celebrate the Jrakalouyts (Christmas Eve) service on Saturday, January 4, and the Christmas service and Water Blessing on Sunday, January 5, if local circumstances so demand. Please contact your local parish to ascertain the time of its Armenian Christmas celebration.
The cathedral’s Armenian Christmas Divine Liturgy will be broadcast live over the cathedral’s Facebook page and the Eastern Diocese’s YouTube platform. Many local parishes will also broadcast their services.
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is located at 630 Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street and Second Avenue), in New York City. Armenian Christmas Eve services begin at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 5. The Armenian Christmas Service on Monday, January 6 will begin at 9 a.m., with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy beginning at 10 a.m., followed by the traditional Blessing of Water ceremony.
For information, call the cathedral at (212) 686-0710. Click the link to view a flyer.
