St. Illuminator’s Cathedral ReopensAfter Undergoing Year-Long Renovation
By IRIS PAPAZIAN
Photos by Bedros Yessaian
NEW YORK, NY—It was a glorious weekend for the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America as St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City reopened with impressive services on September 19 and 20.
Founded in 1915, St. Illuminator’s, the first Armenian Cathedral in the United States, has a rich history of service to the Armenian community in the aftermath of the genocide, the Great Depression, and two World Wars.
The Cathedral has been undergoing extensive renovations for more than one year. The sanctuary is complete except for some finishing artistic touches. Work on the renovated hall and offices is continuing and a completely re-designed exterior and interior front entrance will be completed during the coming months.
Re-Consecration of Altar
Saturday evening, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, re-consecrated the Cathedral’s altar, as well as two new candle altars and two icons donated by Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Carmen Gulbenkian. Also consecrated were the five new crystal chandeliers and various liturgical items such as crosses, altar covers, censor, pitcher, a set of complete vestments for the celebrant, and a handmade silver and gold chalice with cover, a gift from the Prelacy.
The familiar and beloved altar painting of the Mother of God with the infant Jesus, by Arshag Fetvadjian, continues to grace the altar.
Clergy attending and participating in the Saturday services included: His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy; Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Der Kalousdian, Pastor Emeritus of the Cathedral; Archpriest Arshag Daghlian from North Andover, Massachusetts, who is retired but continues to serve as an outreach priest; Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral; Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York; and Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
In his message on Saturday, His Eminence praised the Cathedral’s faithful parishioners for their dedication through the years. He expressed thanks to the donors who made the renovation possible and the members of the building committee, headed by Setrak Agonian, who facilitated and guided the renovation, encountering many unexpected “surprises” along the way which added to the time and expense of the renovation. The Prelate noted how it was the Cathedral community that helped the survivors after 1915 as they arrived year after year in a new land with no possessions or resources except the will to start over again. Many of the survivors relocated in the vicinity of the Cathedral and that area became known as “Little Armenia.”
During the Second World War, the Cathedral saw many of her sons and daughters leave to fight foreign tyranny and when the war ended the Cathedral once again opened her arms to welcome refugees from communist countries who were living in camps and were saved by the American National Committee for Homeless Armenians (ANCHA). In a partnership between ANCHA and the Armenian Relief Society (ARS), the Cathedral became their stepping stone to the new world. Mr. Agonian, who as a young boy was rescued by ANCHA, and is now a successful businessman, a leader in the International Olympics committee, and chairman of the Cathedral’s Building Committee, recalled those days. “I was 16 years old, and my mother and I arrived with almost no possessions. This Church welcomed us, fed us, and helped us get settled in a new life. Of course I am going to help now; this Cathedral is our Ellis Island,” he said. Many others in attendance who were aided by ANCHA echoed the same sentiments.
Divine Liturgy on Sunday
On Sunday, Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon to an overflow crowd of parishioners and friends. His Eminence spoke about the significance of the Mayr Yegheghetzi (Mother Church). “The Cathedral,” he said, “has been a faithful and doting mother to us. She has nurtured our wounds at the time of distress and has shared our happiness in our moments of joy.” He recalled how the Mayr Yegheghetzi kept the Christian faith vibrant in the lives of her children, and the national dream alive, including the symbols of statehood like the tri-colored flag. “This Church and our Prelacy kept our dream alive and never wavered,” His Eminence said.
The Prelate warmly welcomed the newly appointed ambassador of Armenia to the United Nations, His Excellency Garen Nazarian, and wished him success in his important assignment.
Cathedral’s Priest is Honored
The Prelate read an encyclical from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, granting Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, the Cathedral’s pastor, the honor of wearing the Pectoral Cross on special occasions. The Prelate presented a beautiful cross to the grateful Der Hayr.
Requiem Service for Clergy
Requiem Services were held for His Holiness Karekin I, on the tenth anniversary of his passing, and for the past prelates and the priests who served the Cathedral, including, Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, V. Rev. Fr. Boghos Kaftanian, Rev. Fr. Matteos Mannigian, Rev. Fr. Azaria Boyajian, Rev. Fr. Serovpe Nershabou, Rev. Fr. Bedros Hagopian, Rev. Fr. Rupen Kapikian, Rev. Fr. Untzag Kazanjian, Rev. Fr. Matteos Hekimian, Rev. Fr. Nishan Papazian, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Der Hovannessian, Rev. Fr. Stepanos Garabedian, Rev. Fr. Arsen Simioniantz, Rev. Fr. Khachadour Giragosian, Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Baboorian, Rev. Mampre Biberian, Rev. Fr. Ashot Kodjian.
Madagh Offered;
Eagle of Prelacy Awarded
After the conclusion of the Requiem Service, Madagh was blessed and offered to the congregation gathered in the newly renovated hall. Attending were many of the children of the survivor generation that had embraced the Cathedral and kept her enriched with love and devotion. Many of those first-generation children of the survivors were baptized in the Cathedral, many were married there as well. They have since relocated to other areas especially in New Jersey and Long Island, but their attachment to the Cathedral remains fervent.
Archbishop Oshagan presented the highest Prelacy award, “The Eagle of the Prelacy,” to Mr. Agonian, chairman of the building committee, for his extraordinary service to the Cathedral and community. With concise and moving words Mr. Agonian accepted the award and expressed his love for the Armenian Church and St. Illuminator’s Cathedral. He called upon all to rally around the Cathedral to keep her vibrant and strong. “Let us complete this renovation so in five years we can celebrate the Cathedral’s Centennial anniversary proudly and with the secure knowledge that the Cathedral, renewed in spirit and structure, will continue her service for another hundred years.”
Mrs. Lalique Vartanian, chair of the Cathedral’s Board of Trustees, expressed her heartfelt thanks to the many people who made this day possible and she asked for the continued support and encouragement of parishioners and friends.
Ambassador Garen Nazarian expressed congratulations to Archbishop Oshagan and to Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian. He noted that this is a special time in Armenia. “Tomorrow is the 18th anniversary of the independence of Armenia and today all of the churches in Armenia are offering special prayers for the Republic.”
Rev. Fr. Mesrob expressed heartfelt thanks to His Holiness Aram I, and to the Prelate Archbishop Oshagan, for the honor bestowed upon him. He thanked the donors to the building fund and noted that 90% of the work is complete and the remaining 10% will be completed within the next few months.
For all those who are eternally linked to the Mayr Yegeghetzi through personal memories both joyful and sad, this weekend was a crowing moment in the long and rich history of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit. To view more photos from the consecration and first Divine Liturgy please visit the following links. Consecration: http://bedros.smugmug.com/Events/St-Illuminator-Otzum/9801824_2cCLt#665410502_Js5fJ Divine Liturgy: http://bedros.smugmug.com/Events/St-Illuminator-First-Badarak/9802968_zp78v#665503081_3fUFX |
 Two new candle altars and icons were consecrated Saturday evening.
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