Primate, Bishop Daniel Findikyan

Armenian Christmas Service at St. Vartan Cathedral on Jan. 6

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NEW YORK — The Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ will be observed at New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral on Sunday and Monday, January 5 and 6, 2020. A special liturgical schedule will be in effect for these “Armenian Christmas” services; please make a note of the times.

This year Diocesan Primate Bishop Daniel Findikyan will celebrate the January 6 Christmas badarak in the cathedral, for the first time since his elevation to the episcopal rank last spring

On Armenian Christmas Eve — Sunday, January 5  — there will be an Evening Service at 5 p.m. The Divine Liturgy will immediately follow, beginning at 6:30 p.m., celebrated by the Reverend Fr. Davit Karamyan, Vicar of St. Vartan Cathedral.

A reception will take place following the services in Guild Hall of the Diocesan Center.

(Because of the 5 p.m. badarak on January 5, there will be no Sunday morning badarak at the cathedral on that day.  Only the Morning Service will take place, beginning at 10 a.m.)

On Armenian Christmas  Findikyan, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. The Morning Service begins at 9:30 a.m., and the Divine Liturgy follows at 10:30 a.m.

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The sacred music will be sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Khoren Mekanejian.

In Armenian tradition, this feast day commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also his baptism by John the Baptist. The latter is remembered through the “Blessing of Water” ceremony, which will follow the Divine Liturgy.

After the cathedral’s January 6 church services, a Home Blessing Service and Christmas Reception will take place in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium (suggested donation of $10 at the door).

Armenian Christmas will also be observed at local parishes across the Eastern Diocese.  Many parishes will celebrate on the day itself — Monday, January 6.  However, Diocesan parishes have also been authorized to celebrate on Sunday, January 12, if local circumstances so demand.

The cathedral’s Armenian Christmas Divine Liturgy will be broadcast live over the Eastern Diocese’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is located at 630 Second Avenue (corner of 34th Street and Second Avenue), in New York City. Armenian Christmas Eve services begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 5. The Armenian Christmas Service on Monday, January 6 will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by the traditional Blessing of Water ceremony.

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