At St. Vartan Cathedral, a Day of Youthful Energy, Outreach, and Kindness

Vorskanian Yeghisabet

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: www.armenianchurch.us

 

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ATTENTION EDITOR: Four photos attached, with captions below. Download additional photos here (credit Diran Jebejian, Jebejian Images):

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/Youth/Childrens-Day-at-St-Vartan-Cathedral-Feb-3-2024

 

 

HEADLINE:

At St. Vartan Cathedral, a Day of Youthful Energy, Outreach, and Kindness

 

New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral rang with the excited voices of children, and was filled with their youthful spirit of compassion, during a special event on Saturday, February 3.

 

“Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral” was conceived as a way to bring young Armenian faithful together in a meaningful cause, to honor the 125th Anniversary of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America.

 

The heartwarming result saw 115 children from throughout the New York Metro region—ranging from the 3rd to 8th grades—converge on the Diocesan cathedral to pray alongside their Bishop, make new friendships, and lend their eager hands to a special community service project.

 

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan presided over the occasion, and expressed his delight in seeing the cathedral sanctuary filled with young faces. Addressing them during the opening prayer service, he praised the children for their outreach to others in the community, and urged them to stay close to the church, and embrace their Armenian Christian identity.

 

“The sight of our cathedral, the very heart of our Diocese, pulsating with the energy, laughter, and joy of so many young attendees, is nothing short of inspirational,” said Bishop Mesrop. “Your enthusiastic dedication to serving others is a living testament to the teachings of Christ on love and service.”

 

 

* Outreach Packed with Kindness

 

After the service, the children went to the Diocesan Center’s Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium, where they had lunch and undertook their charitable service project.

 

Working in association with the Sant’Egidio charitable community—which runs a weekly soup kitchen out of the St. Vartan Cathedral Complex—the children joined together to fill 200 bags with meals for the poor and houseless in the area. Each bag contained a ham and cheese sandwich, mustard packet, water bottle, banana, apple sauce, Purell handwipes, bag of cookies, hot beverage cup with a lid and the elements to make tea, a Nestle’s Crunch bar, and a toothbrush with toothpaste.

 

To cap off their effort, the children put a sticker on each bag that read: “Made and Packed with Kindness.” Using markers, they decorated the bags with their personal messages of support and hope. For their efforts, each child was awarded a community service certificate.

 

The Sant’Egidio Community—which reaches out to around 150 needy individuals in the area of Manhattan surrounding the cathedral—was overjoyed with the result, expressing in a thank-you message how touched and impressed they were by the care that the children had put into the assembly of every bag. They thanked the Diocese for its trusted partnership over the years, and noted how important it is to teach young souls to value volunteerism, outreach to the local community, and Christian service.

 

 

* The Importance of Giving Back

 

While they were enjoying lunch and working on the project, the children listened to a motivational talk by Chris Sarafian, the chief operating officer of New Jersey’s Hovnanian School. He engaged the children in a friendly, informal style, encouraging their spirit of charity and compassion.

 

“I was extremely impressed with the students' enthusiasm and empathy toward helping feed the less fortunate,” Mr. Sarafian explained. “In my talk, I moved among the tables reading the students’ inspirational notes, often quoting the messages they had written on the meal bags. The words were motivating and inspired hope for the recipients.”

 

“In talking with the children, I touched on the importance of volunteering, and displaying acts of kindness toward others—not only people we know, but those we don’t know, as well,” he added. “I also tried to instill the importance of giving back to the church by serving on the altar or in the choir. I truly believe that Bishop Mesrop’s sermon energized and inspired the children to become enthusiastic about giving back and engaging in acts of kindness.”

 

The Children’s Day organizing committee included Yn. Hasmik Ajamian, Maral Beylerian, Talia Jebejian Bouldoukian, Melanie Bourghol, Souzi Kasaryan, Nazig Kirokian, Noushig Ohanian, Lori Saganda, and Yn. Alla Terzyan.

 

Maria and Bryan Stepanian, the enthusiastic and creative chairs of the Diocese’s 125th Anniversary Committee, took a special active interest in the Children’s Day committee—an event that played a key role in their conception of the year-long celebration and its connection to the year’s “125 Acts of Kindness” initiative. As a result, plans are underway to make Children’s Day an ongoing annual event at St. Vartan Cathedral.

 

“The enthusiasm on February 3 from both parents and children was palpable,” said Children’s Day committee leader Talia Jebejian Bouldoukian. “That was a testament to our organizing committee—which was cohesive, dedicated and hard-working. From our very first meeting, everyone was excited about the Children’s Day idea, and especially about the meal bags project. And they kept that enthusiasm going all the way until we were cleaning up in the kitchen and talking about doing this again next year.”

 

She went on: “We had representation on the committee from the Hovnanian School, Kirikian Saturday School, Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School, and St. Leon Sunday School: a wonderful show of unity among our community.”

 

The event was also generously supported by the local community, including monetary contributions and donations of food and supplies by Toufayan Bakeries; Dr. Natalie Capan and Dr. Nayat Hacikian; ShopRite (Fair Lawn), Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods (Edgewater) markets; and several anonymous donors.

 

Afterwards, Bishop Mesrop summed up the hopeful spirit of the occasion with these words: “This extraordinary day stands out as a beacon of hope and goodness, reminding us all of the incredible things that can be achieved when we unite in faith and love. It was a true embodiment of the spirit we aspire to cultivate within our Diocesan community, especially as we commemorate the 125th Anniversary of our Diocese.”

 

Click here to view photos of Children’s Day by Diran Jebejian (Jebejian Images).

 

—2/12/24

 

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PHOTO CAPTION (1):

During the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral,” 115 children from throughout the New York Metro region converged on the Diocesan cathedral to pray alongside Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, make new friendships, and lend their hands to a special community service project. The gathering was part of the 125th Anniversary celebration of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

 

PHOTO CAPTION (2):

Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan was delighted to engage with young faithful during the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral.” (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

 

PHOTO CAPTION (3):

While working on a community service project, the young participants in the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral” heard a motivational talk by Chris Sarafian, the chief operating officer of New Jersey’s Hovnanian School. He engaged the children in a friendly, informal style, encouraging their spirit of charity and compassion. (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

 

PHOTO CAPTION (4):

In a community service project at the Feb. 3 “Children’s Day at St. Vartan Cathedral,” children joined together to fill 200 bags with meals for the poor and houseless in the area. To cap off their effort, the children put a sticker on each bag that read: “Made and Packed with Kindness.” (Photo: Diran Jebejian)

 

***

 

LINKS:

 

Photo Gallery (credit Diran Jebejian, Jebejian Images):

https://easterndiocese.smugmug.com/Youth/Childrens-Day-at-St-Vartan-Cathedral-Feb-3-2024

 

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US highly values Armenia’s commitment to a dignified and stable peace – Blinken

Khondkarian Raffi

 13:05,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS.  The United States of America highly values Armenia's commitment to a dignified and sustainable peace.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this during the meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
"Armenia is a highly valued partner in the United States and we appreciate its commitment to achieving  a dignified and lasting peace," said Blinken.
Bliken stated that in addition to discussing and working towards it, they are also  working on strengthening relations between the two countries across various fields.
U.S. Secretary of State  expressed his intention to discuss those matters with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Fwd: Waters Edge Wineries Introduces Armenian Wines To Urban Drinkers

Jirair Kafian
Forbes
Feb 15 2024

Waters Edge Wineries Introduces Armenian Wines To Urban Drinkers

Hudson Lindenberger

The next time you go out to eat at a nice restaurant, ask your server if they offer any Armenian wines. The odds are high that they won't even know what an Armenian wine is and even higher that it won't be on their wine list. Yet, it's just that mysteriousness that motivated one expanding winery concept to put a selection of Armenian wines at the forefront of a new initiative designed to drive sales and land new customers.

When Ken and Angela Lineberger, the founders of Waters Edge Wineries, rolled out their concept of an urban micro-winery franchise in 2004, they knew they were introducing the public to a different idea. By transplanting a winemaking facility into the heart of urban neighborhoods, they could make wine accessible, much like craft beer had done decades earlier with their brewpubs. Drinkers could meet with local winemakers on site and dive into different styles of wine.

These days, there are fifteen Waters Edge Wineries spread across the U.S. in locations as diverse as Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to Findlay, Ohio. Combining elements of a traditional winery experience with a popular wine bar bistro concept, they offer wines made on-site. Blended with juice sourced from well-known wine regions in the United States and internationally, consumers can imbibe popular wine styles on-site and purchase bottles for home.

Recognizing that consumer buying preferences had shifted coming out of the pandemic towards premium brands with authentic stories, Waters Edge decided in 2023 to lean into a new offering. They would bring in collections of wines from small family-owned producers across the globe that highlight both well-known regions and ones off the beaten path. While its debut was from an area wine lovers know well, Tuscany, Italy, its next offering of a selection of Armenian wines brings one of the world's oldest and least-known grape varieties to the heart of America.

"Part of what we offer our consumers is the story behind the wine; they get an up-close education of what it takes to make a great wine in our urban wineries. That's part of what makes us so different; we transport people to wine country," says Mark Mitzenmacher, director of operations for Waters Edge Wineries. "So, when we were introduced to the story of Armenian wines, we knew that it was something we wanted to promote to our consumers."

A mountainous country wedged between Turkey, Georgia, Iran, and Azerbaijan, Armenia has a long history with wine. Its first grapes are said to have been planted by Noah after his ark came to rest there, and the world's oldest wine-producing facility from 4000 BC is in the country. For most of its history, winemaking flourished in its rich volcanic soils. That vibrant wine culture waned during the Soviet era when the country was incorporated into the USSR, and production pivoted to Brandy.00:

GM's Hands-Free Super Cruise Expands To750K Miles

Following its independence in 1991, Armenian winemaking slowly regained its footing. In the last decade, it has just started to gain attention from the international wine community. Much like countries like South Africa, Argentina, and New Zealand, areas that were only somewhat recently "discovered" by drinkers, Armenian wine can surprise with each sip.

Waters Edge Wineries rolled out four Armenian wines across its locations: Areni/Sireni blend, Areni Reserve, and Voskehat. Areni, an ancient grape variety more than 6,000 years old with vines over 120 years old, is Armenia’s signature grape. A light to medium-bodied red wine reminiscent of Pinot Noir, it presents flavors of cherry, currants, black pepper, and cranberry. Sireni wines are deeply colored, full-bodied, and rich in flavors. Voskehat, known as 'golden berry,' is an indigenous variety akin to Chardonnay with vines that have endured for over 250 years.

For the first round of Armenian wines, the company brought in 16,000 bottles through a partnership with Storica Wines, a distributor dedicated to introducing them to the U.S. market. Priced between $40-60 per bottle, the wines allow Waters Edge to offer its customers a chance to try something exotic and different with a rich story behind it. It is a point of differentiation that the company hopes will help it drive traffic by bringing new consumers to its micro-wineries. Plans are to continue offering wines from the country for the next several years.

"Just being able to be part of introducing these wines to the United States is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It's rare to find wines of this quality that are relatively unknown," says Mitzenmacher. “By introducing people to Armenian wines and their culture, we hope to help resurrect a region rich in winemaking history that deserves its place back on the world stage. So far, our customers love them and love hearing the story behind them."

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New South Wales Parliament Adopts Motion Calling For Armenian Genocide Education and Museum

Emil Lazarian
Feb 15 2024
SYDNEY: The New South Wales Legislative Council has debated and unanimously passed a motion calling on Australia's largest state's government to expand Holocaust education to include the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek Genocides and establish a Museum to create further awareness, reported the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).

The motion, presented to the Legislative Council in the last sitting week of 2023 by the Hon. Chris Rath MLC, was debated on Wednesday 7th February 2024.

Members from across the political aisle spoke on the historic motion, including Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC (ALP), Dr. Amanda Cohn MLC (GRNS), Hon Susan Carter MLC  (LIB), Hon Mark Buttigieg MLC (ALP), Hon. Jacqui Munro MLC (LIB), Hon. Anthony D’Adam MLC (ALP), and Hon. Stephen Lawrence MLC (ALP).

In particular, powerful statements were made in support of expanding genocide education to incorporate the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocide in the curriculum and establish a museum to create awareness about the genocide, by Rath, Munro, Cater and Buttigieg.

Rath, the youngest ever member of the NSW Legislative Council – appointed in March 2022 – said, “All of us as Australians—students and children—know a lot about the Holocaust, and rightly so. Many, many years later I learnt about the Armenian, Assyrian and Greek genocides. They are still not well known and not well taught, which is a very sad thing and exactly what the motion is about.”

ANC-AU Executive Director, Michael Kolokossian welcomed the historic undertaking by the NSW Upper House.

"The Armenian-Australian community thanks Mr. Rath and his colleagues in the Legislative Council for ensuring New South Wales continues to lead the way after being the first state legislature to recognise the Armenian Genocide and the Republic of Artsakh," Kolokossian said. "The teaching of the darkest chapter of Armenian history is the next step to ensuring we have a more vocal citizenry when future attempts to exterminate our race – as we witnessed with the recent ethnic cleansing of Artsakh – are attempted by criminal autocratic regimes."

President Radev: Bulgaria, Armenia Have Potential to Significantly Build on Bilateral Economic, Investment Cooperation

Emil Karabekian
BULGARIAN NEWS AGENCY

Feb 15 2024
YOANA VODENICHAROVA
SOFIA,  
15.02.2024 20:48
 (BTA)

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Armenian National Assembly President Alen Simonyan Thursday agreed that Bulgaria and Armenia have an excellent partnership, an active and constructive dialogue, and the potential to significantly build on bilateral economic and investment cooperation. The two held a meeting at the President's Office during  Simonyan's official visit to Bulgaria, the head of State's press service said.

During their talks, Radev highlighted Bulgaria's interest in further boosting trade and investment in Armenia and the importance of expanding transport, energy, and digital connectivity in the region. He stressed the importance of the Armenian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Economy, which provides additional tools for cooperation between the businesses of the two countries.

The sides also highlighted the centuries-old historical and cultural ties between Bulgarians and Armenians, which are a solid foundation for deepening cooperation in education through an increased exchange of students and researchers.

Radev pointed to the outstanding contribution of the large Armenian community in Bulgaria to the development of bilateral ties and its active participation in the social, economic, and cultural life in Bulgaria.

"Bulgaria will also continue to work to strengthen the European Union's partnership with Armenia," the President further noted. The sides also discussed topical issues related to the ways sought to achieve sustainable peace, security, and stability in the South Caucasus region.

/RY/

Armenpress: Armenian gymnasts Artur Avetisyan, Vahagn Davtyan enter World Cup finals

Badalian Vardan

 09:45,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Two Armenian gymnasts have so far made it to the World Cup finals in Cairo, Egypt.

Artur Avetisyan entered the finals with 15,533 points in the Rings exercise. Vahagn Davtyan made it to the finals with an equal amount of points.

Gagik Khachikyan and Harutyun Merdinyan did not qualify for the finals in the Pommel Horse.

Artur Davtyan’s qualifying performance in the Vault is scheduled for February 16.

Bulgaria to work to strengthen EU’s partnership with Armenia – President Radev tells Speaker Simonyan

Hovik Karapetian

 10:24,

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 16, ARMENPRESS. Speaker of Parliament of Armenia Alen Simonyan on February 15 in Sofia met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev.

During their meeting Speaker Simonyan and President Radev agreed that Armenia and Bulgaria have an excellent partnership, an active and constructive dialogue, and the potential to significantly build on bilateral economic and investment cooperation, BTA news agency reported citing President Radev’s office.

During their talks, Radev highlighted Bulgaria's interest in further boosting trade and investment in Armenia and the importance of expanding transport, energy, and digital connectivity in the region. He stressed the importance of the Armenian-Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Economy, which provides additional tools for cooperation between the businesses of the two countries.

The sides also highlighted the centuries-old historical and cultural ties between Bulgarians and Armenians, which are a solid foundation for deepening cooperation in education through an increased exchange of students and researchers.

Radev pointed to the outstanding contribution of the large Armenian community in Bulgaria to the development of bilateral ties and its active participation in the social, economic, and cultural life in Bulgaria.

"Bulgaria will also continue to work to strengthen the European Union's partnership with Armenia," the Bulgarian President further noted. The sides also discussed topical issues related to the ways sought to achieve sustainable peace, security, and stability in the South Caucasus region.