News

To welcome the New Year in traditional Armenian fashion, New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral will hold a special “Blessing of Pomegranates” service on Sunday, December 31, 2023. The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10 a.m., with the blessing service following at 12 noon. Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan will preside, with Fr. Davit Karamyan celebrating. All are welcome to attend the services and the festive fellowship hour afterwards in Guild Hall of the Diocesan Center. The cathedral is located at 630 Second Ave. (at 34th St.), in New York City. Click here to view a flyer.

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will honor the 40th anniversary of the composition of the Khorenian Badarak and its authorization by His Holiness Vasken I, the late Catholicos of All Armenians, in a concert titled “Hymns of the Heart,” on Friday, Mar. 15, at 7 p.m., in the Cathedral sanctuary (630 Second Ave., corner of 34th St., New York City). The program features a grand guest choir and renowned vocal and instrumental soloists performing works by Maestro Khoren Mekanejian, including excerpts from his exquisite setting of the Armenian Divine Liturgy. For performance and ticket details, click the link to view a flyer. Click the following link to purchase tickets online.

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will host a Children’s Day on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, starting at 11 a.m. Inviting all Armenian youth Grades 3 to 8 for a day of activities, worship, and a community service project. Admission is free, but RSVP is required: contact allaterzyan@gmail.com. Part of the Diocese’s 125th Anniversary celebration; learn more at armenianchurch.us/125. St. Vartan Cathedral is located at 630 Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street), New York City. Click the link to view a flyer.

St. James Church of Watertown, MA, will mark its Name Day and 92nd anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 17, following badarak, at the church (465 Mt. Auburn St., Watertown). Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan will celebrate an Episcopal Divine Liturgy beginning at 10 a.m., and preside over the subsequent banquet, where Dn. Apkar Potookian will be honored for his many years of service. Advance reservations required (by Monday, Dec. 11); click on the links for information and to purchase tickets.

St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA, will hold its annual Christmas Festival on Friday and Saturday evenings, December 1 and 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the church facility (630 Clothier Rd., Wynnewood). Traditional Armenian food, silent auction, raffle baskets, attic treasures table, activities for the children, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause on Saturday night. Contact the church at (610) 642-4212 for information, or click the link to view a flyer.