PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
February 19, 2014
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Diocese Honors Legacy of “Patriarch, Primate, and Poet”-Archbishop Torkom
Manoogian
By Florence Avakian
Sunday, February 9 was a day of remembrance and celebration, as the life and
legacy of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, of blessed memory, the
late Jerusalem Patriarch and Diocesan Primate, was honored through a special
requiem service at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, and at a luncheon in Haik
and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.
“Today is a day to reflect on a single man’s life, spent in humble, devoted
service to our church and our people; to Armenia, America, and Jerusalem;
and to our risen Lord,” said Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
in his homily during a splendid and uplifting Divine Liturgy celebration.
He recalled that Archbishop Torkom was born in the deserts of Baghdad with
the name of Avedis, and was bestowed with the priestly name Torkom in honor
of his dear teacher and mentor, Patriarch Torkom Koushagian.
Archbishop Barsamian remembered Archbishop Manoogian as “part of a
remarkable generation of church leaders” that included patriarchs Tiran
Nersoyan, Karekin Khatchadourian, Shnork Kalustian, Yeghishe Derderian, and
Catholicos Vasken I-“leading spiritual leaders of the 20th century. As
survivors of the Genocide, they had suffered like the rest of our people;
but a greater power inspired them to lead.”
Archbishop Torkom was “not only a talented priest, energetic Primate, or
distinguished Patriarch,” continued Archbishop Barsamian, “but also one of
the very few churchmen of his generation to carry the weight of our church
on his shoulders. During his ministry, he often was the solitary voice of
our community to the outside world. He always considered Jerusalem his home
and finally returned as the 96th Armenian Patriarch.”
The Primate added that they were privileged to have Archbishop Torkom’s
successor as patriarch, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, present at the
service, “bringing the spirit of Jerusalem to us. We will best honor
Archbishop Torkom’s life by continuing his mission ourselves today,” he
noted.
The church service was attended by several high-ranking members of the
clergy, including Diocesan Ecumenical Director Archbishop Vicken Aykazian,
Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian, Primate of the United Kingdom Bishop Vahan
Hovanessian, parish priests, and seminarians from St. Nersess Armenian
Seminary. The Divine Liturgy was sung by the St. Vartan Cathedral Choir,
accompanied by organist Florence Avakian, under the direction of Maestro
Khoren Mekanejian.
Renaissance Man
At the tribute luncheon held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, Master
of Ceremonies Dr. Tavit Najarian, who chaired the tribute organizing
committee, warmly welcomed the more than 250 guests. An invocation by
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian began the gathering.
“We are here to celebrate the legacy of Archbishop Torkom, one of the most
dedicated princes of our church, and a true Renaissance Man of our time,”
said Dr. Najarian. “His presence commanded respect, and was noted in both
the Armenian and American communities. Archbishop Torkom was dedicated to
his vocation, and inspired a whole generation of clergy who now lead our
community.”
Among those priests present at the luncheon were the Reverend Fathers
Mardiros Chevian, Karekin Kasparian, Untzag Nalbandian, and Aved Terzian.
Fathers Tateos Abdalian, Yerpem Kelegian, and Garabed Kochakian had written
messages printed in the program booklet.
Armenia’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Amb. Garen Nazarian, was among
the other distinguished guests present, many of whom had known and worked
with Patriarch Torkom.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, one of many priests deeply inspired by
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, recalled his fatherly guidance and influence.
“He was our confidant and guide, the figure of authority who shaped us, gave
us discipline and encouragement-not only for the priests he ordained, but
also for those who came from overseas, like myself and Archbishop Nourhan.
To be asked by Torkom Srpazan to come to this Diocese was one of the highest
honors for a young priest. It was a sign that he recognized the talent and
potential in you, and made you to work harder and aspire higher to justify
his good opinion of you.”
The Primate related that he learned from Torkom Srpazan about being a
priest, primate, and public figure. “Part of his genius was to recognize the
best that the East and West had to offer and to embrace them. Most of all,
he loved being part of the ancient Armenian Church heritage, and felt the
church was the stage on which a human being could live a full life.”
He concluded: “It was towards a greater sense of hope that Torkom Srpazan
always drew our attention as a community. And it is that same hope that we
will always remember today and in the future.”
To the delight of the audience, a musical interlude was presented by soprano
Solange Merdinian, accompanied by pianist Sofya Melikyan, offering soulful
renderings of Hovin Yerk by Berberian, and Shogher Jan, Oror, Chinar Es and
Hoy Nazan by Gomidas Vartabed-the musician whom Archbishop Torkom admired so
deeply.
Writing under the pen name “Shen Mah,” Archbishop Torkom was noted for his
poetry and translations of various anthologies, including the sonnets of
Shakespeare. Well-known actress Nora Armani recited one of Shen Mah’s
powerful translations of St. Francis of Assisi, and the poem “How Do I Love
Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, the 97th Armenian Patriarch of
Jerusalem, who a few days earlier had received an Honorary Doctor of
Divinity degree from General Theological Seminary in New York, related how
the late Patriarch Torkom “rose from the simplest of beginnings to the
fulfillment of a great destiny in 1990.” He possessed a “sense of
discipline, and exceptional ability. But first and foremost, and what gave
him the most joy, was being a simple priest.”
“He never expected more of others than he demanded of himself,” noted
Patriarch Nourhan, adding that Torkom Srpazan had possessed “that artistic
soul of a musician and a poet.”
A Strong Voice
When he was the Primate, the Eastern Diocese “flourished under his
guidance,” continued Archbishop Nourhan. “He always was a strong voice for
Genocide recognition, and placed great value on education. A faithful
friend, he was a father to the young, and a compassionate son of the old.
After 24 years as Primate, he became at age 71, the 96th Armenian Patriarch
of Jerusalem, nurturing a whole generation of priests in the Patriarchal
Seminary.”
He ended by lamenting that “We have lost an exemplary clergyman, poet,
musician and friend.”
The formal program concluded with an inspiring video presentation of
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian’s legacy, titled, “Patriarch, Primate, Poet,”
produced by Artur Petrosyan, Karine Abalyan, and Christopher Zakian of the
Diocesan Communications department.
To close the memorable event, Archbishop Yeghishe Gizirian delivered a
benediction and led the crowd in the singing of Gomidas Vartabed’s setting
of “Hayr Mer”-as the late Archbishop Torkom Manoogian always did during his
ministry.
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Photos attached.
Photo 1: Archbishop Khajag Barsamian flanked by clergy and altar servers
during the requiem service.
Photo 2: Archbishop Nourhan Manougian (fourth from left), Armenian Patriarch
of Jerusalem, in prayer with other clergy and seminarians.
Photo 3: Master of Ceremonies Dr. Tavit Najarian, who chaired the tribute
organizing committee, opens the afternoon’s program.
Photo 4: A musical interlude by soprano Solange Merdinian and pianist Sofya
Melikyan.
Photo 5: Actress Nora Armani recites poetry at the luncheon.