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History |
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From Destruction to Resurrection As 95 fire fighters, 15 engines and 4 ladder companies battled the fire for almost 2 hours, scores of parishioners, who rushed to the scene in a heavy downpour, watched helplessly the destruction of their spiritual home. Several attempts were made by brave young people to save as many objects as possible from the burning Church. Miraculously pulled from the fire and untouched by the flames was a painting of Jesus Christ.
Watching their place of worship engulfed in flames was particularly hard on this close knit family of parishioners, since they had contributed time, money and hard work for a complete renovation of the building. Many of them were crying openly.
On Sunday, May 26 1985, the first Sunday following the first, the St. Sarkis parish gathered in the parking lot in front of the charred church. Portable chairs and a makeshift altar containing the painting and a few artifacts salvaged from the fire, were all that remained of the once prosperous St. Sarkis community. Spirits were low, hearts were heavy, eyes were wet, but seeds of hope were visible. Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian came to comfort and encourage the community. His sermon carried messages of hope explaining that the tragedy of this event held the key to the future, that the fire which consumed the church was meant to make it s purer vessel of the Lord, that our inner fire should never be extinguished so that we may continue our mission in life. He spoke of the future, of how St. Sarkis church will be reborn, bigger and better. An emotional Archpriest Asoghig Kelejian recalled how he had nurtured and cared for the church as if it was his own child. Once again, on June 2, 1985, services were held in the open air, but by this time, the decision to rebuild was already made.
Like a sleeping giant, the consciousness of the St. Sarkis church awakened in the aftermath of the fire. The blaze burnt the physical body but at the same time it ignited the spark of renewal in the hearts of the people. this flame of life came alive with thought and purpose and was the driving force behind the rebuilding of the physical and spiritual church. The fire had unexpected results; instead of becoming discouraged, the St. Sarkis Parish feverishly began the road to recovery and healing. the spirit of giving and brotherly love awakened in this process, unleashing a deep sense of cooperation, support from sister churches, friends and strangers alike. Thus, the fire revealed the magnificent core of the human spirit. Sister churches offered their sanctuaries to be used by the displaced St. Sarkis Parish. All Saints Episcopal Church, Rev. Alan J. Edmiston, Rector, came forth immediately and opened its doors to the Armenian Church to hold services. This offer was gratefully accepted and for the next five years, St. Sarkis Church held services at 214-33 40th Avenue. Bayside, New York, with the church offices located at the same address. Holy Martyrs Armenian Church, Rev. Michael Buttero, Pastor, with the consent of Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, also offered the facilities of his Church to St. Sarkis during the time the church was looking for a new home. The following five years proved to be difficult ones. Appeals for financial help went out and were generously answered by the Armenian and non- Armenian alike. Tough decisions had to be made, problems were sometimes unsurmountable, critical financial worries and setbacks with permits and construction had to be overcome. these were times of unconditional support, personal and financial sacrifices, with one singular purpose: To complete the rebuilding of the Church.
The enormous task of rebuilding the new church was twofold. First, the parish needed spiritual nurturing and guidance. the flock was dispersed, and had to be kept together to survive until the new church was built. Second, it required the strong leadership of the Board of Trustees in its quest to build a new edifice. Without a House of Worship of their own, Rev. Kelejian made enormous efforts to keep the parish together. Services were held after the host church finished its own which meant starting at noon. At times only a handful of parishioners attended mass, some of the Church activities were held at the all Saint Community Hal, others in restaurants. the St. Sarkis congregation survived these difficult times through Rev. Asoghig Kelejian' s tireless efforts to guide and inspire the parishioners.
On May 30th, 1986, the Board of Trustees, after a lengthy search, located and acquired an acceptable lot in nearby prestigious Douglaston. Several committees were organized to oversee the building of the new church. A small group of key community leaders including Jack Chadrjian, Esq., chairman of the Fundraising Committee; Michael Haratunian, chairman of the Building Committee; Hovnan Givelekian, architect; Diran Donikian, construction manager; Bedros Givelekian, chairman of the Board of Trustees and Frank Kabarajian devoted their time, energy and resources to the completion of this project. Inspired by the vision of a future church, they made all sacrifices necessary to complete this project.
Ground Breaking Ceremonies A Beginning of a New Commitment to God
Despite the drizzling rain and inclement wet weather. the St. Sarkis Community gathered on October 26th, 1986, to witness the solemn Ground Breaking Ceremony which signaled the beginning of the construction of the new Church. Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, prelate, presided over the ceremony. The ceremony included the blessing of the four corners of the property. Then, the sixteen (16) pillars of the new Church were blessed with the Godfathers standing at their posts. The (16) stones and the Vemkar, an 8" x 8" piece of marble altar stone, all hand engraved with Gregorian Crosses, were washed with wine and water and blessed by His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian to become part of the actual Church building. The Vemkar was placed at the site of the future altar upon a mound of soil mixed with soil from Holy Etchmiadzin. A few years later, in 1989, the three bronze crosses of the domes, skillfully crafted by Setrak Agopian, were washed and cleansed with wine and water and blessed with Holy Muron by His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian before being placed on the domes of the Church. Following the ceremony , a Banquet, with over 350 people attending, took place at Douglaston Manor with Jack Chadrjian Esq. acting as Master of Ceremonies. In his message to the guests, His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian recalled that fateful night of May 21, 1985. He said: "The lightning that destroyed the old Church, perhaps tested our determination and dedication of our Church. But on the day of the tragedy, when I saw all those young men and women who had rushed to the burning Church, eager to make any sacrifice to salvage anything that could be saved from the blaze , I realized then, that the parish will rally and replace what was lost." His Eminence also stated that the building of a new church is neither a goal nor an end. " It is a beginning for a new commitment to God, and the most beautiful Church is the Church that is full with worshippers."
Fundraising Efforts: The newly formed Fundraising Committee headed by Jack Chadrjian together with Bedros Givelekian and others began a long term sequence of fund raising events to provide the extensive capital necessary for the construction of the Church. Outside organizations, sister Churches, Spirited individuals and Parish members made generous donations as follows:
The Building of Church Construction was started the second week of June 1988, after finally obtaining all necessary permits and approvals from city, state and federal agencies to build a true Armenian Church. In the First Phase, bulldozers began to clear the land and to pour the concrete for the foundation of the church. Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian was present for this auspicious occasion. After the completion of the First Phase, the steel work began in May 1989. By August 1989, the framing of the Church was complete and the brick work already begun. The Church looked like a steel giant with three domes towering over the construction. The interior design and selections progressed with altar design, pews, carpeting and lighting selections being finalized. At the time of Consecration, in 1990, the interior of St. Sarkis Church was not quite compete, leaving walls and beams exposed.
Activities of St. Sarkis Church Between 1985 - 1990 The St. Sarkis Festival was organized once more in 1985, at the location of the old Church. St. Sarkis Name Day was celebrated every year at All Saints Episcopal Church Hall and at Villa Bianca in 1990. St. Sarkis 25th Anniversary was held in May 1987 at Janelle's Restaurant with Isabel and Albert Derian as Chairmen. Picnics at Plattsdeutch Park continued through 1992. St. Sarkis Language School resumed classes with Mrs. Sirpuhi Mark as Principal, at All Saints Episcopal Church until 1991. In early 1989, Very. Rev. Anoushavan Tanielian was appointed by His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian as Preacher and Guest Celebrant at St. Sarkis Church.
Consecration of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia On May 20, 1990, five years after the old Church was destroyed, the congregation watched the consecration of the new St. Sarkis Church. This was truly a day to rejoice and give thanks, a day when St. Sarkis Church was officially reborn, a day that will be part of our lives forever. Officiating during the consecration ceremonies was His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, assisted by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, Prelate of the Eastern Armenian Apostolic Church of America; Bishop Yeprem Tabakian, representing the Western Prelacy; with Very. Rev. Vahan Berberian, Very. Rev. Anoushavan Tanielian, Very. Rev. Muron Aznigian serving at the altar. Also present were the Pastors of St. Sarkis Church, Rev. Asoghig Kelejian, Sts. Illuminators Cathedral, Rev. Moushegh Der Kaloustian. His Holiness was accompanied from Lebanon by staff bearer, Very. Rev. Papken Charrian.
Turenpatzek Ceremony The two-day ceremony began Saturday evening May 19, with the "Turenpatzek Ceremony, the Opening of the Gates." The clergy followed by the faithful assembled in front of the closed door reciting prayers and singing hymns beseeching the Lord. "Open to me the gates of righteousness; that I may enter through them and give thanks unto the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; and the righteous enter through it. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit" Immediately before the Turenpatzek ceremony, the 250lb bronze cross was blessed by His Holiness and elevated by crane to the main tower where it was secured in place. The emotional ceremony was witnessed by a large group of parishioners and friends as well as many of the neighbors of the Church. With the conclusion of the Saturday evening services, the congregants proceeded to the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church in Bayside, which during the past five years had played a distinctive role in aiding St. Sarkis Church meet the needs if its parishioners. Greeted by the pastor, Rev. Krikor Hairabedian and member of the Board, Vehapar and entourage were escorted into the Church for a short service. A reception followed at Holy Martyrs Church Hall.
Consecration After days of rain, the many prayers were heard and on Sunday May 20th, the sun shone brightly. The Church was not yet completely finished, yet it took on a different look as the consecration ceremony began. The colorful procession entered the church beginning the impressive ceremony of the day. First the altar was consecrated and decorated. Then, the four corners and the stations of the Church, named after the saints of the Church, were consecrated. The Godfather of the Church, Jack Chadrjian Esq., and the sixteen individuals serving as godfathers of the stations representing the Saints of the Church, and they took their respective positions. With the singing of Lousavorya Yerusaghem, the consecration of the Church was complete and the celebration of the first Divine Liturgy took place with His Holiness as celebrant and preacher.
Sermon In his sermon, the Catholicos voiced his joy of being a part of the consecration of the new St. Sarkis Church and gave thanks to the parishioners for keeping the faith and erecting a new and more beautiful Church for the glory of God. Referring to the unfinished state of the Church, the Catholicos joyfully confessed that "either I came too soon or you moved too slow. But, regardless, the Church has taken on life, it is alive, and what is unfinished will be finished, I am sure, before the end of the summer." His Holiness spoke about the growing need for spiritual guidance throughout the world. The Catholicos emphasized that the grandeur of a church is not the important consideration. He recalled his visit to Armenia after the earthquake when he visited a devastated village and saw a hastily Constructed building. His Holiness recalled: "There, in that desolate area, was this one building a Church that the people had constructed before any thing else. It is the faith of the people that is important, for God is everywhere."
Banquet The inspiring consecration ceremony was followed by a banquet co-chaired by Isabel and Albert Derian, which took place at the Garden City Hotel, in Garden City. Mr. Michael Haratunian, chairman of the building committee, and Master of Ceremonies, introduced Bedros Givelekian, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, who welcomed the guests and spoke of the financial need of the church. He offered profound thanks to the many individuals who worked tirelessly for this project, to the two Churches in Bayside, Holy Martyrs Armenian Church and all Saints Episcopal Church for the deep compassion, true Christian love and charity they showed in permitting St. Sarkis parishioners the use of their churches for the past five years. Mr. Jack Chadrjian Esq., chairman of the Fundraising Committee spoke about the fundraising efforts, emphasizing that " The job is not over, our efforts must continue because there is a shortage of funds. But with your help and God's guidance I know that St. Sarkis will live on forever." Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian recalled that fateful night on may 21st,1985 when he rushed to the site and standing in the rain along with other parishioners sadly watched the inferno. But, he said. "it seemed that the fire gave strength and I knew then an even greater structure would be erected and I want to thank His Holiness for being with us today sharing this great joy."
Awards His Eminence noted the sixteen Godfathers, and presented them with a special medallion in remembrance of this day.
1. Michael Haratunian 9. Hagop Voskerijian 2. John Alexanian 10. Frank Kabarajian 3. Leon Karibian 11. Haroutiun Zilelian 4. Albert Derian 12. Dr. Bagdig Baghdassarian 5. Bedros Givelekian 13. Arto Galstian 6. Bob Galstian 14. Haig Baklajian 7. Dr. Arthur Kubikian 15. Berdj Andonian 8. Varujan Kalustian 16. Karnig Bedrossian
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Copyright © 2005 St SARKIS ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH, NY All rights reserved |
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