The Eastern Diocese’s parish in Cambridge, MA, welcomed leaders of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), as the country’s oldest ecumenical organization marked its 75th anniversary.
Representatives from the NCC’s 37 member churches were gathered in Boston from October 13 through 16, for its annual “Christian Unity Gathering” centered on the theme Christ is Risen: A Transforming Witness from Generation to Generation. The NCC held its sessions and worship services in various Boston-area houses of worship–among them Cambridge’s Holy Trinity Armenian Church.
The special session at Holy Trinity Church took place on the final day of the conference, and paid tribute to the parish’s 100th anniversary, as well as to the multi-generational aspect of faith and worship characteristic of the Armenian Church throughout its history.
Earlier events in the NCC conference included a 75th anniversary dinner at the Boston Newton Marriott Hotel; a visit to the city’s Museum of African American History; a vespers service hosted by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese; and the installation of a new NCC governing board chair in the person of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, and a longtime friend and supporter of the Armenian Church.
Also prominently featured during the sessions was Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director, and a former President of the NCC, who shared his experiences in that role during a panel discussion, and received a special honor during the NCC’s annual awards presentation.
Growing Closer to Each Other
Upon arrival at the Cambridge parish, guests were warmly welcomed by pastor Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, enjoyed a fellowship hour before being invited into the sanctuary for an interactive Armenian Church Morning Service, enhanced by the voices of Yeghishe Manucharyan and Victoria Avetisyan.
In remarks, Fr. Kouzouian conveyed greetings from Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, and offered insights into Holy Trinity Church’s history. “It was rewarding to share our story after celebrating our 100th anniversary,” said Fr. Vasken, “and equally beautiful to witness leaders of many Christian traditions come together in worship, to grow closer to each and to our Lord.”
The program continued in the parish’s Charles and Nevart Talanian Cultural Hall with an intergenerational panel. Yn. Arpi Kouzouian moderated the discussion, setting the stage in her opening remarks. “For centuries the Armenian Church has witnessed and shared her faith from generation to generation,” she said. “This passing of faith is ingrained into our souls – and is integral to our existence. We have heard a great deal this week about the importance of storytelling: about how each of our stories can be viewed as tiles, and when these individual tiles come together, they create a beautiful mosaic. Today, we invite you to sit back and hear our story.”
Guests witnessed an inspiring video presentation featuring testimonials of multigenerational Holy Trinity parishioners, interviews with two enduring families of faith, and a message from Fr. Vasken. Following the video, an intergenerational panel featuring seven Holy Trinity parishioners, the youngest being 10 years of age, shared their motivations for staying connected to the Armenian Church.
It was a fitting conclusion to a week of fellowship, ecumenical dialogue, thought-provoking conversation, uplifting worship and public witness.
Representing the Armenian Church in America throughout the gathering were NCC Governing Board members Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Yn. Arpi Kouzouian. Additional attendees included Holy Trinity Church pastor Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, St. Stephen’s Church pastor Fr. Hrant Tahanian, and St. Nersess seminarian Dn. Arin Parsanian.
Above: Holy Trinity’s panelists at the “Christian Unity Gathering” of the National Council of Churches: Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, Eve Edwards, Aline Mikaelian, Alina Kouzouian, Lori Dorian, Stephen Hollisian, Armina Manoukian, and Gregory Kolligian.