Western Diocese

Upon the invitation of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, the Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Daniel Findikyan gave an informative and inspiring lecture entitled "Gomidas Vartabed, Armenian Sacred Music and Implications for our Planet."

 Rev. Findikyan is the Archbishop Tiran Nersoyan Assistant Professor of Liturgy at the St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and Visiting Professor, Pontifical Oriental Institute, Rome, Italy. His professional affiliations include Editorial Board, St. Nersess Theological Review; Association Internationales des Etudes Armeniennes; North American Academy of Liturgy; Orthodox Theological Society in America; Liturgical Commission of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (New York).

 The lecture which took place at the University's Hancock Hall on November 9, is part of a series of lectures organized by the USC Institute of Armenian Studies to showcase some of best and brightest in academia. In his opening remarks that day, Dr. R. Hrair Dekmejian, Director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies, referred to Fr. Daniel as "a brilliant scholar, musician and distinguished Dean of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary." He emphasized the important contributions of this scholar to the study Armenian sacred music in particular and the growth of the Armenian Church in general. This particular lecture coincided with the 140^th anniversary of the birth of Gomidas Vartabed.

 Attendees of the lecture were treated to reflections on Gomidas' work, thoughts about Gomidas' passion for Armenian spirituality and even some personal reflections material from Rev. Findikyan's personal past. Rev. Findikyan's grandfather knew the revered Gomidas and conducted the Gomidas choir in Istanbul.

 In the afternoon, Rev. Findikyan was interviewed for the weekly podcast, "The Next Step with Fr. Vazken." In his reflections, he spoke about the strength of the Armenian Church faith, within the broader world community. The interview will be aired on November 12, at www.ePostle.net - Apostolic evangelism for an electronic world.

 In the evening, a reception was held for Fr. Findikyan at the Armenian Church Youth Ministries' Center in Glendale. The parish, which has an extensive outreach program during the Advent season, was honored to have such a distinguished guest in its midst. The St. Peter Maidens hosted a dinner for the guest as Fr. Vazken Movsesian, parish priest, outlined the many programs that operate under the parish's unique "In His Shoes" banner. The programs will be kicked-off during the Advent season. A detailed listing is available at www.InHisShoes.org.

The evening came to end with candid thoughts and comments by Fr. Daniel Findikyan about the St. Nersess Seminary, the importance of clergy education in the United States and a very deep and spiritual message of hope. The Rev. Fr. Dr. Zaven Arzoumanian, who was in attendance offered the closing remarks, but not before the attendees were treated to the singing of Armenian spiritual hymns by Fr. Findikyan and Dr. Deacon R. Hrair Dekmejian, choir leader of the parish, and also Fr. Findikyan's first Armenian Church mentor and teacher.