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PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
March 13, 2007
STS. VARTANANTZ REMEMBERED IN MUSIC AND POETRY
On Sunday, February 18, 2007 His Eminence Archbishop Osahgan Choloyan
celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence, Rhode
Island. During the service, he ordained Sarkis Menissian as acolyte and
Robert Nazarian as sub-deacon. In his sermon Srpazan Hayr spoke of light
and darkness and how Christ brought light into our lives. He asked that we
keep His light shining in our lives just as St. Vartan and his brave
soldiers did in 451 A.D.
After church, the congregation gathered in Aramian Auditorium to
celebrate Sts. Vartanantz Day officiated by Archbishop Choloyan. Following
dinner prepared and served by the Ladies' Guild, Joyce Bagdasarian,
chairlady, opened the program by introducing Peter "Doc" Bedrosian, who
spoke briefly about the significance of the day. Anahid Kibarian,
co-director of the Mourad Armenian School, welcomed the audience and
introduced Mrs. Aida Kalikian, music director, and a group of students
representing the school. The program commenced with the singing of
Norahrash, a sharagan (psalm) dedicated to St. Vartan and his followers by
the students accompanied by Mrs. Kalikian on piano, teacher's aide Nora
Palandjian, and students Nareh Mkrtschjan and Alysha Phillips on violin.
First and second graders Armen Eghian, Ani Armenakyan, Taleen Donoyan and
Anahid Donoyan recited Seerelee Koch Vartan (Dear Brave Vartan) by Nairi
Balanian. This was followed by Maestro Roupen Gregorian's arrangement of
Oror (Lullaby) performed by the aforementioned violinists. Next, Eem
Hayenyatz Hoki Vartan," a national song, was sung by the chorus accompanied
by Artur Hagopian on drum. Arpi Kalikian's recitation of a medley of poems
about Vartan Mamigonian was well received by the audience. The march
Shavarshanah was performed by the chorus accompanied by Shant Eghian on
trombone and Artur Hagopian on drum. An excellent rendition of Gomidas'
Dzeeranee Dzaruh (The Apricot Tree) was performed on piano by Ari Dikran
Nalbandian, teacher's aide. The final selection was the singing and
reciting of Hye Achker (Armenian Eyes) with soloists Anoush Calikyan and
Taleen Donoyan and recitation by Arpi Kalikian accompanied by the violin
trio.
Mrs. Kibarian thanked the audience for encouraging the students' efforts
by their presence. She commended Mrs. Kalikian for the love and patience she
displayed as she taught the singers and directed the musicians.
In his remarks, Der Gomidas Baghsarian, pastor, expressed his
appreciation for the excellent work the teachers of the Armenian school are
doing. He praised the student performers and music director, Mrs. Kalikian.
He introduced Archbishop Choloyan who began his remarks by enumerating some
of the things money can buy as well as some things no amount of money can
purchase. He cited experiencing the program honoring Sts. Vartanantz as a
priceless gift to the audience. He lauded Mrs. Kalikian and all the effort
that was expended to create such a program. Srpazan Hayr mentioned that
during his stay in California the previous week, the students there sang the
same songs and that these songs would be sung in every country where there
are Armenian students. He spoke of the power of St. Vartan and the martyrs
who gave their lives for their faith. How strong their beliefs were that
even after more than 1500 years they are remembered for defending the faith
and nation.
Srpazan Hayr stated that as he looks out at the audience he recalls the
Armenian Eyes mentioned in the song. In those Armenian Eyes we see our
future, our victory, our strength, our church and faith. Noting that
Catholicos Aram I has proclaimed the year 2007 as the year of the Armenian
Language, he praised the parents who bring their children to Armenian School
to learn the language. Srpazan Hayr directed many of his remarks to the
students who remained on stage so that they could end the program singing
Giligia with him.
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
March 13, 2007
STS. VARTANANTZ REMEMBERED IN MUSIC AND POETRY
On Sunday, February 18, 2007 His Eminence Archbishop Osahgan Choloyan
celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence, Rhode
Island. During the service, he ordained Sarkis Menissian as acolyte and
Robert Nazarian as sub-deacon. In his sermon Srpazan Hayr spoke of light
and darkness and how Christ brought light into our lives. He asked that we
keep His light shining in our lives just as St. Vartan and his brave
soldiers did in 451 A.D.
After church, the congregation gathered in Aramian Auditorium to
celebrate Sts. Vartanantz Day officiated by Archbishop Choloyan. Following
dinner prepared and served by the Ladies' Guild, Joyce Bagdasarian,
chairlady, opened the program by introducing Peter "Doc" Bedrosian, who
spoke briefly about the significance of the day. Anahid Kibarian,
co-director of the Mourad Armenian School, welcomed the audience and
introduced Mrs. Aida Kalikian, music director, and a group of students
representing the school. The program commenced with the singing of
Norahrash, a sharagan (psalm) dedicated to St. Vartan and his followers by
the students accompanied by Mrs. Kalikian on piano, teacher's aide Nora
Palandjian, and students Nareh Mkrtschjan and Alysha Phillips on violin.
First and second graders Armen Eghian, Ani Armenakyan, Taleen Donoyan and
Anahid Donoyan recited Seerelee Koch Vartan (Dear Brave Vartan) by Nairi
Balanian. This was followed by Maestro Roupen Gregorian's arrangement of
Oror (Lullaby) performed by the aforementioned violinists. Next, Eem
Hayenyatz Hoki Vartan," a national song, was sung by the chorus accompanied
by Artur Hagopian on drum. Arpi Kalikian's recitation of a medley of poems
about Vartan Mamigonian was well received by the audience. The march
Shavarshanah was performed by the chorus accompanied by Shant Eghian on
trombone and Artur Hagopian on drum. An excellent rendition of Gomidas'
Dzeeranee Dzaruh (The Apricot Tree) was performed on piano by Ari Dikran
Nalbandian, teacher's aide. The final selection was the singing and
reciting of Hye Achker (Armenian Eyes) with soloists Anoush Calikyan and
Taleen Donoyan and recitation by Arpi Kalikian accompanied by the violin
trio.
Mrs. Kibarian thanked the audience for encouraging the students' efforts
by their presence. She commended Mrs. Kalikian for the love and patience she
displayed as she taught the singers and directed the musicians.
In his remarks, Der Gomidas Baghsarian, pastor, expressed his
appreciation for the excellent work the teachers of the Armenian school are
doing. He praised the student performers and music director, Mrs. Kalikian.
He introduced Archbishop Choloyan who began his remarks by enumerating some
of the things money can buy as well as some things no amount of money can
purchase. He cited experiencing the program honoring Sts. Vartanantz as a
priceless gift to the audience. He lauded Mrs. Kalikian and all the effort
that was expended to create such a program. Srpazan Hayr mentioned that
during his stay in California the previous week, the students there sang the
same songs and that these songs would be sung in every country where there
are Armenian students. He spoke of the power of St. Vartan and the martyrs
who gave their lives for their faith. How strong their beliefs were that
even after more than 1500 years they are remembered for defending the faith
and nation.
Srpazan Hayr stated that as he looks out at the audience he recalls the
Armenian Eyes mentioned in the song. In those Armenian Eyes we see our
future, our victory, our strength, our church and faith. Noting that
Catholicos Aram I has proclaimed the year 2007 as the year of the Armenian
Language, he praised the parents who bring their children to Armenian School
to learn the language. Srpazan Hayr directed many of his remarks to the
students who remained on stage so that they could end the program singing
Giligia with him.