Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan will preside over the Feast of Sts. Vartanantz at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
The Feast of Sts. Vartanantz will go forward on Thursday, February 8, beginning with the Divine Liturgy at 5 p.m., celebrated by Fr. Armash Bagdasarian, pastor of St. Sahag and St. Mesrop Church (Wynnewood, PA). This service will be broadcast live over the St. Vartan Cathedral Facebook page.
A dinner and program will following in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium. The featured speaker will be Dr. Ani Shahinyan (assistant professor of Armenian Christian Art and Theology at St. Nersess Seminary). Students of Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School will also perform.
A special tribute will honor Dr. Vartan Abdo, founder and longtime host of the Armenian Radio Hour of New York/New Jersey, for his contributions to the community.
The cathedral’s Vartanantz observance is being organized with the participation of the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan. St. Vartan Cathedral is located at 630 Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street), in New York City. Click here to view a flyer with details.
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 6
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 will hold special gatherings at St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ, and the Armenian Church of Our Saviour in Worcester, MA.
Above: Artwork by Vardan Gasparyan.