PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
June 24, 2005
___________________
DETROIT-AREA COMMUNITY WELCOMES VEHAPAR
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, arrived in Detroit, MI, to a joyous welcome on Tuesday, June
21, 2005. Though not his first visit to the area, it was his first as
Catholicos.
He flew in on Tuesday, June 21, following a month-long pontifical visit
to the Western Diocese, on a plane provided by Richard Manoogian’s Masco
Corporation. The Catholicos was joined in the trip by Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese.
They were greeted at the Detroit airport by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern);
Armenia’s ambassador to the United States, Tatoul Markarian; Richard
Manoogian; Bishop Vicken Aykazian, diocesan legate; Fr. Garabed
Kochakian, pastor of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI; members of
the parish council at the St. John Church; and students from the
Manoogian school.
WELCOME TO DETROIT
The delegation attended a welcoming brunch, hosted by the Masco
Corporation, which was also attended by Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan,
Primate of Canada; a representative of Michigan’s governor, leaders from
Habitat for Humanity, and Diocesan Council members.
In remarks to the group, Ambassador Markarian spoke about the importance
of the Armenian Church in the past and how it continues to play a
leading role in the life of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenians
around the globe.
In his remarks, the Catholicos thanked his host, Richard Manoogian, and
spoke about the international reputation of his parents, Alex and Marie,
who were known as great benefactors of the Armenian community. He
marveled that Richard and his sister Louise have continued in their
parents’ tradition of supporting Armenian causes.
In recognition of his continued service to the Armenian people, the
Catholicos presented Mr. Manoogian with a gold and silver cross from the
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
HRASHAPAR SERVICE
The following day, Tuesday, June 22, after working on a home with
Habitat for Humanity, the Catholicos celebrated a hrashapar service at
the St. John Church of Southfield, MI.
The large church was packed with parishioners. Speaking to them, the
Catholicos expressed great joy at seeing so many faithful attend the
special service. He told the crowd that their sisters and brothers in
the Republic of Armenia sent their blessings to the community in
Detroit.
He encouraged the group to be faithful of the traditions of the Armenian
Church. This year holds two anniversaries for the Armenian people, he
said: the 1600th anniversary of the creation of the Armenian alphabet
and the 90th anniversary of the Genocide. While one event is joyful,
the Catholicos said, the other reminds us all of the sorrowful history
of the Armenian people.
During the service the Catholicos presented Archbishop Barsamian with a
silver vessel filled with holy muron in an expression of appreciation.
MEETING THE PARISHIONERS
The Catholicos then met with the parishioners of the St. John Church in
a public reception. Each parishioner had a chance to step forward and
receive a pontifical blessing from the Catholicos.
Following the reception, the Catholicos attended a luncheon with parish
leaders. It was an opportunity for dialogue between the local leaders
and the Catholicos. They discussed a wide range of issues in an open
and frank manner.
“We are all grateful that the Catholicos was able to visit Detroit, one
of our great local communities,” Archbishop Barsamian said. “I was
heartened to see so many people coming out to welcome him and to attend
the badarak.”
BUILDING UPON A FOUNDAITON OF FAITH
The pontifical visit to the Detroit Armenian community was a chance for
the Catholicos to encourage a rejuvenation of the Armenian faith.
“All of us are being called to build upon the foundation we have
inherited, and to do more: to beautify that inheritance, and strengthen
it, for the sake of the future,” Archbishop Barsamian said during the
stop at the St. John Church. “Certainly, that is the task that Vehapar
has taken on in Armenia, where he has worked to revitalize the spiritual
life of our countrymen. And as faithful Armenians of the diaspora, it
should be our duty — your privilege really — to offer our best
efforts, our strongest support, and our deepest prayers of hope, for the
success of this re-birth of faith in our homeland, and among all the
Armenian communities of the world.”
Fr. Kochakian said that more than 1,000 people attended the service at
the church, with families brining all their young children. Many people
who had not been involved in the parish’s life before signed up to serve
as ushers or be members of the Women’s Guild.
“The Vehapar’s presence effectuated a lot of ministry to the parish and
gave it an injection of spirit,” Fr. Kochakian said. “It was an
excitement this parish hasn’t seen in years. He expressed verbally how
moved he was that everyone knew how to greet him. It gave him the
message that everyone was ready to serve with him for the good of the
church. He said he left with a great sense of spiritual satisfaction.”
— 6/24/05
E-mail photos available on request. Photos also viewable in the News
and Events section of the Eastern Diocese’s website,
PHOTO CAPTION (1): His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians, and Richard Manoogian in front of a photo
of Mr. Manoogian’s father Alex.
PHOTO CAPTION (2): The Catholicos presents a cross to Richard Manoogian
during a reception welcoming the Catholicos to Detroit, MI, on June 21,
2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (3): The Catholicos speaks to the standing-room-only
crowd at the St. John Church of Southfield, MI, on June 22, 2005.
PHOTO CAPTION (4): Fr. Garabed Kochakian, pastor of the St. John Church
of Southfield, MI, along with parish council chair Edward Korkoian and
Dn. Richard Norsigian, present the Catholicos with miniature
reproductions of the church’s beautiful new tile mosaics.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress