NEW YORK — St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will observe Holy Week, April 13 through 20, with a series of special services culminating in the Easter Sunday celebration on April 21.
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.
This year marks the first time the new Diocesan Primate, the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, will celebrate the Easter badarak at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral. What follows is the schedule of Holy Week events at the cathedral.
PALM SUNDAY — the commemoration of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem — falls on April 14. Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan (Vicar 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 Turen-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.
Please note that this year, the cathedral is placing new emphasis on the services immediately before and after Palm Sunday: the Remembrance of the Raising of Lazarus on Saturday, April 13 (Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Vazken Karayan at 10:30 a.m.); a short Christian Meditation service on Holy Monday, April 15 (beginning at 6:30 p.m., guided by Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan); and a Vespers service in remembrance of the Ten Virgins on Holy Tuesday, April 16 (beginning at 6:30 p.m.).
