Eastern Prelacy celebrates 110th anniversary

Marks 50 years in Cilician See

by Florence Avakian

Published: Tuesday December 09, 2008

Archbishop Oshagan enters Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, where the Divine Liturgy took place with the participation of the guest Prelates and other clergy.

Teaneck, N.J. - "Today we celebrate the new breath of life and service of the three Prelacies in North America - on the east and west coasts of the United States, and in Canada," stated Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Eastern Prelacy, in a message to the 50th anniversary banquet hosted by the Prelacy on Saturday evening, October 25, at the Marriott at Glenpointe, N.J.

The historic event was a celebration of the 110th anniversary of the official establishment of the Armenian Prelacy in America by Catholicos of All Armenians Khrimian Hairig, and the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy's affiliation with the Great House of Cilicia.

Close to 300 people rose to their feet as the Prelates and representatives of the Eastern, Western, and Canadian Prelacies accompanied by more than two dozen priests entered the elegant ballroom to sustained applause.

Following the invocation by Archbishop Oshagan, the emcee, Jack Mardoian, chairperson of the Eastern Prelacy's Executive Council, welcomed the guests, and stressed the importance of the milestones that were being celebrated. In 1958 the Prelacy's jurisdiction was all of North America. The Western Prelacy was established in 1972 and the Canadian Prelacy in 2002.

Archbishop Souren Kataroyan, representing Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Canadian Prelacy, noted that since 1958 when the Prelacy was accepted under the jurisdiction of the Cilician Catholicate, people found "a new breath, a new enthusiasm, and intensive interest in the Armenian Church, language, and culture. The Great House of Cilicia enriched the Prelacy with those who came, served, and departed. And with the same enthusiasm, their service and work continues here and in Armenia."

Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, pointed out that the 35th anniversary of the Western Prelacy is soon approaching. "On this historic occasion, we live the legacy of 50 years of service, collectively marking this anniversary, and charting the course for future accomplishments. Milestones, such as this, are more than celebrations. It's an opportunity to renew our allegiance to Cilicia. In this country, with our heritage every day being undermined by outside forces, we have an obligation to preserve our holy church and faith."

Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations, Ambassador Armen Martirosian, reiterated the many accomplishments of the Armenian Prelacy created 110 years ago. "And in 1958, in addition to the parishes which were created, so many affiliated organizations were formed," he said. "I congratulate you on this anniversary, and extend my wishes for a bright future."

This anniversary is a challenge

In a video message, Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, stated, "through committed service, a spiritual journey of faith became the driving force of the Prelacy. This anniversary must become a challenge, an invitation to engage in the process of critical assessment by identifying the successes and failures. It is also a challenge of reorganizing the Christian witness in a new world context with a forward-looking vision."

The Church "is not a frozen organization. It is not a static institution. It is a home of religion, faith, culture, and language which must be preserved for all future generations," the Catholicos declared, and paid tribute to "all those clergy and laity, old and young, men and women who brought their active participation to the Prelacy in the last 50 years."

The vicar general of the Eastern Prelacy, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, read an encyclical from Aram I on this historic occasion, as the guests rose to their feet.

The keynote address was delivered by Iris Papazian, director of communications and publications of the Eastern Prelacy. Expanding on one of the themes of the anniversary, "A Journey of Faith," Ms. Papazian titled her address "My Journey of Faith." She vividly described her own devotion to the Armenian Church and then focused on the four Prelates who served the Prelacy: Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian, Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Having worked with the four Prelates, she was able to provide insights about the service of each.

The first third-generation priest to serve within the Prelacy, Rev. Fr. Stepan Baljian, pastor of St. Gregory Church in Granite City, Illinois, reminisced on the powerful impact that the church had on him during his childhood. "I thank God that I was not lost," he told the audience. The son of Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian, Father Stepan is one of several young clergy members currently serving the Prelacy.  

Closing remarks by Archbishop Oshagan

Before offering the benediction, Archbishop Oshagan stated, "The Armenian Church is one. We are not celebrating the division, but the service to the people. Our primary purpose, like Khrimian Hairig, is the same, now as before, and the same in the future. It accentuates our loyalty to the Church, to language, to culture, to the sacredness of the family, and to our homeland."

Expressing his deep appreciation to the three previous prelates of the Prelacy, Archbishop Oshagan noted that the Prelacy "is not a building in New York City only. It is representative of the parishes, and the people's strength. We have built churches, schools, and cultural institutions. In 50 years, today's youth will stand here, and say the same thing." Thanking all assembled for their support, he expressed his wish for the Armenian Church to continue its rich legacy of service to our people."