Following the excitement surrounding the election of the previous director, V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, as the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and a reduced schedule during the summer months, the Zohrab Information Center is pleased to announce the Fall 2018 presentation schedule under the direction of its new Director, Dr. Christopher Sheklian.

This Fall, there are two exciting events in the lives of Armenians in America and in New York, and the Zohrab Information Center is thrilled to build programming around them.

The St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, consecrated on April 28, 1968, is celebrating its 50th anniversary (you can read about the history of the cathedral here). An entire series of lectures and presentations has been built around this landmark celebration. These talks will often take place in the cathedral building itself, addressing topics such as the art and architecture of the building, the Armenian service for the consecration of a church, and medieval Armenian commentaries on churches. We invite you to join us as we learn more about this beautiful church building in the heart of Manhattan and about the connection between the physical and spiritual in the Armenian Church.

Opening on September 21, 2018 (the anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Armenia), the Metropolitan Museum of Art presents Armenia!, a major exhibition of Armenian art and artifacts. Curated by Dr. Helen Evans (you can watch an interview with Dr. Evans about the exhibit here), it will feature some 140 Armenian works of art from around the globe—among them an item from the Zohrab Center’s own collection: an edition of the oldest printed Armenian bible. During the Fall, the Zohrab Information Center will present lectures by scholars who have contributed to the exhibition catalogue.

In addition to these two series of presentations, keep your eyes out for Book Events, readings groups, and more organized this Autumn by the Zohrab Information Center. Below is the current Fall Presentation Schedule (subject to change):

My Story: Hagop Vartanian (1873-1950)                                                                September 28, 2018 (Friday)                                                                                    Join us for this book talk, the published diary of Hagop Vartanian, which offers a unique perspective on the Armenian Genocide. Mr. Vartanian was already in America during the Genocide, and his diary provides details about his earlier migration and the anguish he felt as the horrors of Genocide touched his family even as he was thousands of miles away. Presented in conjunction with a pilgrimage to the St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral by parishioners from the St. James Armenian Church in Evanston, descendants of Mr. Vartanian will be present to introduce the book and the remarkable story of the diary. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan will read excerpts.

Holy Building, Holy Place: The Breath of Faith and Worship in St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral                                                                                                     Fr. Garabed Kochakian                                                                                                  October 11, 2018 (Thursday)                                                                                    The inaugural presentation in our St. Vartan Cathedral series, this presentation by Fr. Garabed Kochakian, pastor emeritus of St. John Armenian Church in Southfield, MI and expert in Armenian spiritual art will provide an overview of the church art and architecture of the Armenian Church, with an emphasis on the beautiful carved doors of the cathedral.

The Glorious House: Armenian Church Architecture and the Rite of Foundation   Dr. Christina Maranci                                                                                                     November 2, 2018 (Friday) 5:30 PM *NOTE EARLY TIME                                           As part of our St. Vartan Cathedral series, Dr. Christian Maranci, the Arthur H. Dadian and Ara Oztemel Professor of Armenian Art and Architecture at Tufts University, will present new work on the service of the dedication of an Armenian church.

“Made by These Unworthy Hands”: The Armenian Silversmiths of Kayseri           Dr. Sylvie Merian                                                                                                    November 13, 2018 (Tuesday)     NEW DATE!!                                                             In conjunction with the Armenia! exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Dr. Sylvie Merian of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City will present on one of the topics in the catalogue of the Armenia! exhibit to which she contributed, the beautiful silver artifacts made by Armenians from the city of Kayseri (Caesarea).

Armenian Commentaries on the Church Building (Tentative Title)                       Dr. Roberta Ervine                                                                                                          December 6, 2018 (Thursday) (Subject to Change)                                                     In the final presentation of our St. Vartan Cathedral series, Dr. Roberta Ervine, Professor of Armenian Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, will discuss previously untranslated medieval Armenian commentaries on the physical church structure.