NEW YORK — St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will observe Holy Week, March 25 through 31, with a series of special services, culminating in the Easter Sunday celebration on April 1.
Holy Week is the sacred commemoration of the dramatic events leading to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, His victory over death and the redemption of humanity and the fallen world. The Armenian Church re-enacts these episodes in the days leading up to Easter.
Palm Sunday, the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, falls on March 25. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian (dean of St. Vartan Cathedral) will be the celebrant for the services, which will begin with a Morning Service at 9:30 a.m., and will continue with the Divine Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. The Turun-patzek or “Door-Opening” Service will be held after the Divine Liturgy.
The St. Vartan Cathedral Council will host a special “Children’s Day” program on Palm Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Children ages 5 and older are invited to take part in the Palm Sunday procession, and create arts and crafts.
March 29 is Great and Holy Thursday and the day’s services memorialize the Last Supper, Jesus’ vigil in the Garden of Gethsemane, his arrest and trial. Two separate services will be celebrated on this day. In the morning, the Divine Liturgy will begin at 11 a.m. This will be followed by a luncheon.
In the evening, the “Washing of the Feet” ceremony will start at 7 p.m., with the Khavaroom or Vigil Service following at 8:30 p.m. During the Washing of Feet ceremony, twelve individuals will serve as surrogates for the apostles.