St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 40°44′42″N 73°58′31″W / 40.745131°N 73.975252°W / 40.745131; -73.975252
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{{Short description|Cathedral in Manhattan, New York}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{coord|40.745131|-73.975252|type:landmark|display=title}}
{{coord|40.745131|-73.975252|type:landmark|display=title}}
[[File:St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.jpg|thumb|300px|St. Vartan Cathedral]]
[[File:St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.jpg|thumb|250px|St. Vartan Cathedral]]
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'''St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral''' ({{lang-hy|Սուրբ Վարդան Մայր Տաճար}}) in [[New York City]] is the first [[cathedral]] of the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] to be constructed in [[North America]].<ref>{{cite web| title =St. Vartan Cathedral--Building a dream| work =History of St. Vartan Cathedral| publisher =The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)| url =http://www.armenianchurch.net/diocese/cathedral/building.html| access-date =2008-01-06| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20071028003724/http://www.armenianchurch.net/diocese/cathedral/building.html| archive-date =2007-10-28}}</ref> It is located in [[New York City]] on the corner of [[Second Avenue (Manhattan)|Second Avenue]] and [[34th Street (Manhattan)|34th Street]] and was built to resemble the [[Saint Hripsime Church]] in [[Vagharshapat|Etchmiadzin (Vagharshapat)]].<ref name="art">{{cite web| title =The Artistry of St. Vartan Cathedral| work =History of St. Vartan Cathedral | publisher =The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)| url =http://www.armenianchurch.net/diocese/cathedral/art.html| access-date =2008-01-06}}</ref> St. Vartan's was consecrated on April 28, 1968, by [[Vazgen I]], [[Catholicos of Armenia and of All Armenians]].<ref>{{cite web| title =1960s| work =History of St. Vartan Cathedral | publisher =The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)| url =http://www.armenianchurch.net/diocese/cathedral/1960.html| access-date =2008-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Dugan |first=George |date=April 29, 1968 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1968/04/29/archives/armenian-patriarch-consecrates-cathedral-here.html |title=Armenian Patriarch Consecrates Cathedral Here |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=2022-11-12}}</ref>

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'''St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral''' ({{lang-hy|Սուրբ Վարդան Մայր Տաճար}}) in [[New York City]] is the first [[cathedral]] of the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] to be constructed in [[North America]].<ref>{{cite web| title =St. Vartan Cathedral--Building a dream | work =History of St. Vartan Cathedral | publisher =The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)| url =http://www.armenianchurch.net/diocese/cathedral/building.html| accessdate =2008-01-06}}</ref> It is located in [[New York City]] on the corner of [[Second Avenue (Manhattan)|Second Avenue]] and [[34th Street (Manhattan)|Thirty-fourth street]] and was built to resemble the [[Saint Hripsime Church]] in [[Vagharshapat|Etchmiadzin (Vagharshapat)]].<ref name="art">{{cite web| title =The Artistry of St. Vartan Cathedral| work =History of St. Vartan Cathedral | publisher =The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)| url =http://www.armenianchurch.net/diocese/cathedral/art.html| accessdate =2008-01-06}}</ref> St. Vartan's was consecrated on April 28, 1968 by [[Vazgen I]], [[Catholicos of Armenia and of All Armenians]].<ref>{{cite web| title =1960s| work =History of St. Vartan Cathedral | publisher =The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)| url =http://www.armenianchurch.net/diocese/cathedral/1960.html| accessdate =2008-01-06}}</ref>


==Architecture==
==Architecture==
[[File:Stvartannyc-ryangomez crop.jpg|thumb|left|187px|From above]]
[[File:Stvartannyc-ryangomez crop.jpg|thumb|left|187px|From above]]
[[File:StVartan dome.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Interior of the dome]]
[[File:StVartan dome.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Interior of the dome]]
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[[Walker O. Cain]],<ref>{{cite news|title=23-Karat Gold Leaf; Dome of Armenian Cathedral Is Regilded|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/05/realestate/postings-23-karat-gold-leaf-dome-of-armenian-cathedral-is-regilded.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 5, 1993}}</ref> of the firm Steinman, Cain & White &ndash; successor firm to [[McKim, Mead and White]] &ndash; with [[Édouard Utudjian]] of Paris as a consultant, designed the cathedral. The building includes two unique features distinct to [[Armenian architecture]]: the use of double-intersecting arches and a pyramidal dome soaring {{convert|120|ft|m|}} above street level.<ref name="art"/>


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Around the dome there are various symbols, including the figure of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]]; the [[Holy Spirit]] represented by a dove; the [[Greek alphabet|Greek letters]] [[alpha and omega]] superimposed on the scriptures; wheat and grapes representing the [[Eucharist]]; and the [[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix]] symbolizing resurrection etc.<ref name="art"/> A series of high, narrow, stained-glass windows are set into the main walls of the cathedral below the dome depicting scenes in the life of Christ and early Christianity in Armenia. The [[patron saint]] of the cathedral, [[St. Vartan]], is depicted fighting the [[Sassanid Persia]]ns who threatened the Armenian Church during the fifth century. Ecumenism is symbolized in the portrait of [[Saint Narses|St. Nerses]] and the crosses of [[Christendom]].<ref name="art"/>
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[[Walker O. Cain]],<ref>{{cite news|title=23-Karat Gold Leaf; Dome of Armenian Cathedral Is Regilded|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/05/realestate/postings-23-karat-gold-leaf-dome-of-armenian-cathedral-is-regilded.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 5, 1993}}</ref> of the firm Steinman, Cain & White &ndash; successor firm to [[McKim, Mead and White]] &ndash; with Edward Utudjian of Paris as a consultant, designed the Cathedral. The building includes two unique features distinct to [[Armenian architecture]]: the use of double-intersecting arches and a pyramidal dome soaring 120 feet above street level.<ref name="art"/>


A raised plaza is located on the south side of the cathedral, which contains a {{convert|10|ft|m|adj=on}} high [[Reuben Nakian]] bronze sculpture, "Descent from the Cross" that was dedicated in 1977 and inspired by the painting ''[[The Elevation of the Cross|The Raising of the Cross]]''<ref>{{cite news |date=November 18, 1977 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/11/18/archives/article-4-no-title.html |title=Armenian Church Receives Sculpture |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Pommer |first1=Alfred |last2=Pommer |first2=Joyce |year=2013 |title=Exploring Manhattan's Murray Hill |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vNR2CQAAQBAJ&pg=PT23 |location=Charleston, SC |publisher=The History Press |isbn=9781625845153 |access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref> as well as a stainless steel and bronze sculpture, "Migrations" by Michael Aram that was added in 2015 to commemorate the centennial of the [[Armenian genocide]].<ref>{{cite news |date=October 22, 2015 |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2015/10/22/a-new-sculpture/ |title=A New Sculpture at St. Vartan Cathedral |work=[[Armenian Weekly]] |access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=153749 |title=Migrations (Armenian Genocide Memorial) |website=[[Historical Marker Database]] |access-date=February 24, 2023}}</ref>{{clear left}}
⚫
Around the dome there are various symbols, including the figure of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]]; the [[Holy Spirit]] represented by a dove; the [[Greek alphabet|Greek letters]] [[alpha and omega]] superimposed on the scriptures; wheat and grapes representing the [[Eucharist]]; and the [[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix]] symbolizing resurrection etc.<ref name="art"/> A series of high, narrow, stained-glass windows are set into the main walls of the cathedral below the dome depicting scenes in the life of Christ and early Christianity in Armenia. The [[patron saint]] of the cathedral, [[St. Vartan]], is depicted fighting the [[Sassanid Persia]]ns who threatened the Armenian Church during the fifth century. Ecumenicism is symbolized in the portrait of [[Saint Narses|St. Nerses]] and the crosses of [[Christendom]].<ref name="art"/>{{clear left}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{commonscat-inline|St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral}}
{{Commons category|St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral}}
*[http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/eastern-diocese/st-vartan-cathedral/overview/ St. Vartan Cathedral page] at Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America website
* [http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/eastern-diocese/st-vartan-cathedral/overview/ St. Vartan Cathedral page] at Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America website


{{Midtown East, Manhattan}}
{{Contemporary Armenian Churches}}
{{Contemporary Armenian Churches}}
{{Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church}}
{{Dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Vartan Cathedral}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saint Vartan Cathedral}}
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[[Category:20th-century Oriental Orthodox church buildings]]
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[[Category:34th Street (Manhattan)]]
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[[Category:Armenian Apostolic cathedrals in the United States]]
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[[Category:Armenian Apostolic cathedrals]]
[[Category:Armenian-American culture in New York City]]
[[Category:Armenian-American culture in New York City]]
[[Category:Architecture in New York City]]
[[Category:Cathedrals in New York City]]
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[[Category:Armenian Apostolic cathedrals in the United States]]
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[[Category:Armenian culture]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1963]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Cathedral architecture]]
[[Category:Christianity in New York City]]
[[Category:Churches completed in 1963]]
[[Category:Churches completed in 1963]]
[[Category:Churches in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Churches in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Cathedrals in the United States]]
[[Category:Landmarks in Manhattan]]
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[[Category:Manhattan]]
[[Category:Places of worship in New York City]]
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[[Category:Visitor attractions in Manhattan]]
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[[Category:20th-century Armenian Church church buildings]]
[[Category:Kips Bay, Manhattan]]
[[Category:Kips Bay, Manhattan]]
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[[Category:Second Avenue (Manhattan)]]

Latest revision as of 14:17, 4 March 2024

40°44′42″N 73°58′31″W / 40.745131°N 73.975252°W / 40.745131; -73.975252

St. Vartan Cathedral

St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral (Armenian: Սուրբ Վարդան Մայր Տաճար) in New York City is the first cathedral of the Armenian Apostolic Church to be constructed in North America.[1] It is located in New York City on the corner of Second Avenue and 34th Street and was built to resemble the Saint Hripsime Church in Etchmiadzin (Vagharshapat).[2] St. Vartan's was consecrated on April 28, 1968, by Vazgen I, Catholicos of Armenia and of All Armenians.[3][4]

Architecture[edit]

From above
Interior of the dome

Walker O. Cain,[5] of the firm Steinman, Cain & White – successor firm to McKim, Mead and White – with Édouard Utudjian of Paris as a consultant, designed the cathedral. The building includes two unique features distinct to Armenian architecture: the use of double-intersecting arches and a pyramidal dome soaring 120 feet (37 m) above street level.[2]

Around the dome there are various symbols, including the figure of Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit represented by a dove; the Greek letters alpha and omega superimposed on the scriptures; wheat and grapes representing the Eucharist; and the Phoenix symbolizing resurrection etc.[2] A series of high, narrow, stained-glass windows are set into the main walls of the cathedral below the dome depicting scenes in the life of Christ and early Christianity in Armenia. The patron saint of the cathedral, St. Vartan, is depicted fighting the Sassanid Persians who threatened the Armenian Church during the fifth century. Ecumenism is symbolized in the portrait of St. Nerses and the crosses of Christendom.[2]

A raised plaza is located on the south side of the cathedral, which contains a 10-foot (3.0 m) high Reuben Nakian bronze sculpture, "Descent from the Cross" that was dedicated in 1977 and inspired by the painting The Raising of the Cross[6][7] as well as a stainless steel and bronze sculpture, "Migrations" by Michael Aram that was added in 2015 to commemorate the centennial of the Armenian genocide.[8][9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "St. Vartan Cathedral--Building a dream". History of St. Vartan Cathedral. The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Archived from the original on October 28, 2007. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Artistry of St. Vartan Cathedral". History of St. Vartan Cathedral. The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  3. ^ "1960s". History of St. Vartan Cathedral. The Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern). Retrieved January 6, 2008.
  4. ^ Dugan, George (April 29, 1968). "Armenian Patriarch Consecrates Cathedral Here". The New York Times. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "23-Karat Gold Leaf; Dome of Armenian Cathedral Is Regilded". The New York Times. December 5, 1993.
  6. ^ "Armenian Church Receives Sculpture". The New York Times. November 18, 1977. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  7. ^ Pommer, Alfred; Pommer, Joyce (2013). Exploring Manhattan's Murray Hill. Charleston, SC: The History Press. ISBN 9781625845153. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  8. ^ "A New Sculpture at St. Vartan Cathedral". Armenian Weekly. October 22, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  9. ^ "Migrations (Armenian Genocide Memorial)". Historical Marker Database. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral.
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