St. Vartan Cathedral marks the Eve of the Feast of Christ’s Presentation to the Temple.
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To passersby on New York City’s Second Avenue, the sights and sounds they observed outside St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on the evening of Sunday, February 13, must have emanated a mysterious yet captivating aura.
Diocesan clergy, shrouded in ornate vestments of lavender, gold, and black, and carrying radiant crosses, chanted sharagans in an ancient language as they exited the bronze doors and descended the steps to the plaza. Joined by deacons and altar servers carrying processional banners, the group then formed two parallel rows facing one another, with a firepit containing split pieces of firewood in between them.
Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan then moved forward to ignite the flame, symbolic of the light of Jesus Christ illuminating the darkness of the world. In a matter of seconds, the fire grew and its light immediately bathed the entire plaza. The faces of surrounding worshipers, who had braved the frigid night air to attend the service, all bore witness to its warm, orange glow. As embers swirled about and were gently lifted to the heavens in a glow against the dark night’s sky, the recitation of prayers seemed to fan the flames and spread the light to all corners of the plaza.
As is the tradition each year on this date, the two-part, pre-festal service of prayer and light, celebrating the eve of the Feast of the Lord’s Presentation to the Temple (Dyarnuntarach), began with a brief “anticipatory prayer service” within the cathedral sanctuary. Bishop Daniel, joined by members of the clergy, participated in the recitation of prayers, while a small group of masked, socially-distanced lay people observed from the pews.
Among the clergy present were the Vicar of St. Vartan Cathedral Fr. Davit Karamyan, Diocesan Vicar Fr. Simeon Odabashian, St. Nersess Seminary Dean Fr. Mardiros Chevian, and Diocesan Sacred Music Instructor Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian.
Roots in Scripture
This prelude to the badarak the following morning, on Presentation Day itself, connects Armenia’s deeply-rooted traditions with its steadfast Christian faith today. It symbolizes the presentation of the 40-day-old Christ child to the Temple in Jerusalem, where in accordance with the Law of Moses, the infant Christ was brought to the Temple by Mary and Joseph and presented to God. A man named Simeon was there, to whom it had been revealed that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord. Simeon held the infant in his arms, blessed God, and said, “Lord, let your servant now depart in peace, for my eyes have seen your Salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people. A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the Glory of Your people, Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).
At one point in the service, Bishop Daniel connected the ancient story of Simeon to modern times, illustrating its timeless relevance in our lives. “Like Simeon, we too look for the meaning of life during challenging times,” he said to onlookers. “Seeing Jesus with our own eyes and accepting Him in our hearts lifts us.”
Standing before the firelight on the plaza, the Primate spoke about the inner and outer darkness plaguing so many people in the present day, and the Light of Christ that provides peace and hope for the troubled heart.
He concluded the service with a blessing to all, and the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. Yet, even despite the ending of the service, the bonfire continued to burn, ensuring that the Light of Christ would always illuminate the darkness and endure through the very end of time.
The events were broadcast over the Facebook pages of St. Vartan Cathedral and Vemkar, providing the faithful with the opportunity to view this meaningful and inspiring service from their homes.
Click the following links to view photos of the Presentation Eve service and to watch recordings of the service within the sanctuary and the bonfire ceremony on the plaza.
By Stephan S. Nigohosian