Orlando Community Celebrates Consecration of New Church

The consecration of Orlando’s new Soorp Haroutiun Armenian Church this month closed one chapter in a community’s longstanding building project—an initiative launched in central Florida by a small but determined mission parish two-and-a-half decades ago—and opened a new chapter involving the development of a rich, full-fledged parish life.

The consecration weekend began on Sat., June 5 with the traditional Turenpatzek (or door-opening) service. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), assisted by four clergy—the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of New York’s St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral and coordinator of the consecration services; the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, pastor of St. Hagop Church of St. Petersburg, Fla.; the Rev. Fr. Vartan Joulfayan, pastor of St. Mary Church of Hollywood, Fla.; and the Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin, pastor of St. Mary Church of Livingston, N.J.—kneeled before the church doors and knocked on the portal three times in a symbolic gesture asking the Lord to “open to us this door of thy mercy.”

Archbishop Barsamian then led a procession into the church, where some 250 people gathered to witness the historic moment. “What a glorious day this is, a day of joy and pride for the city of Orlando, for the people of this parish and its leaders, for your generous benefactors, for myself and for our entire Diocese,” Barsamian said.

“It’s a miracle that in nine months this church was built on land where there was nothing,” he added, congratulating parish leaders, benefactors Hratch and Suzanne Toufayan and their family, and all community members who helped realize the dream of erecting an Armenian church in the area. A reception followed in the church hall.

On Sun., June 6, Barsamian officially consecrated the new house of worship, anointing with holy muron (oil) the altar, baptismal font, and pillars of the sanctuary. The church was named Soorp Haroutiun Armenian Church: “Holy Resurrection.” “Haroutiun” was also the name of Hratch Toufayan’s late father.

The consecration fell on the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin, a day commemorating St. Gregory the Illuminator’s vision of Christ striking the ground with a golden hammer and instructing Gregory to erect a church on the site. St. Gregory proclaimed to the Armenian people, “Come, let us build the holy altar of light, for in it light shines on us in the land of Armenia.”

In his sermon, Barsamian reminded the faithful that 1,700 years ago the people of Armenia responded to St. Gregory’s call by erecting the Mother Cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin. That initial step launched what would become a rich tradition of building churches throughout Armenia, and later, in the diaspora, he said.

Barsamian stressed that it is the spirit of the Armenian people—their unfailing commitment to their Christian faith—that has illuminated these places of worship and continues to do so to this day.

“The altar of light is not just a structure of stone and marble, but it is something bigger,” he said. “It is the light in each of us, brought together in imitation of Christ. Ultimately, we are the light of the world.”

He went on to speak about ways the Armenian Christian faith empowered Armenians in the face of persecution and oppression. From the 5th-century Battle of Avarayr to the 20th-century marches through the desert of Der Zor and the irreligiousness characterizing the Communist era, the Armenian faith has remained firm in the hearts of its people, he said.

“The survivors of these dark episodes in our history always continued to build new churches,” Barsamian said. “And today, the Armenian community in Orlando is likewise responding to St. Gregory’s call: ‘Come, let us build the holy altar of light.’”

1 Comment

  1. 30-03-2012.
    SÃO PAULO-BRAZIL
    I HAVE ARMENIAN ORIGIN, BORN IN BRAZIL;AS FAR AS I KNOW , MISTER
    ARMEN AROYAN IS TRYING TO STUDY “DADIAN FAMLIY IN TURKEY” AS THEY WERE KNOWN AS “BARUTCHUBACHI” (POWDER AND GUN PRODUCTORS) DURING 200 YEARS AT THE TURKISH X OTOMAN EMPIRE.
    IF YOU THAT IS READING THIS MESSAGE, HAVE CONTACT WITH MISTER ARMEN AROYAN, WOULD YOU PLEASE GIVE HIM MY E-MAIL ADRESS
    BECAUSE I HAVE A PLENTY OF INFORMATION ABOUT “DADIAN FAMILY”.
    “YES HAY IEM”
    JOÃO DADIAN = HOVANNES DADIAN

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