By Florence Avakian
NEW YORK — It was altogether appropriate that, a few days after Thanksgiving, New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral should ring with “spiritual gratitude” for the monumental “Armenia!” exhibit at the world famous Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The special “Evening Hour” (or Vespers) service on Tuesday, November 27, was a collaboration between the Met and the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, and attracted museum members, locals from the cathedral’s Midtown neighborhood, as well as faithful from the Armenian community.
The service was conceived as a glimpse into the religious environment that gave rise to the artworks on display at the Met exhibit.
It began with a majestic procession of more than a dozen priests and deacons, led by Diocesan Primate the Very Rev. Daniel Findikyan, to the joyous chant Oorakh Ler (“Rejoice, O holy church”) sung by the Cathedral Choir led by Khoren Mekanejian.
Among the guests attending were Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian and Dr. Helen Evans, who brought her students from Columbia University.