PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
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Contact: Iris Papazian
Crossroads E-Newsletter August 5, 2004
CATHOLICOS ARAM I ISSUES STATEMENT
ON BOMBING OF CHRISTIAN SITES IN IRAQ
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, issued a
statement on the bombing of churches in Iraq on August 1. One of the
churches that was hit was the Armenian Catholic Church in Baghdad. The
Christian population in Iraq is estimated to be about 800,000 of which
approximately 20,000 are Armenians.
His Holiness said:
For centuries Christians and Muslims have lived together in the Middle
East. Centuries of coexistence, interaction and dialogue of life have
created close affinities in different spheres of society life as well as
common values and traditions. Therefore, the Christian-Moslem coexistence is
neither a conceptual notion nor an imposed reality, it is an integral and
inseparable part of the societies in the Middle East. Violence in all its
forms and expressions is against human and religious values and principles.
We have repeatedly stressed the need for dialogue, solidarity, mutual
tolerance, respect and understanding. Neither Islam nor Christianity will
accept violence as a way to solve problems. Bombing of Christian churches in
Iraq is a deep harm against the Christian-Moslem existence. Both Christians
and Moslems with their equal obligations and rights are co-citizens of the
Arab countries. It is my firm expectation that the government of Iraq will
take the necessary measures to protect the rights and the well being of all
citizens. It is also my expectations that Christians and Muslims in Iraq and
in different parts of the Middle East will continue their dialogue and
collaboration based on shared values and aspirations, and strengthen their
commitment to peace and justice.
We pray for peace and understanding in the entire region.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL
TO HOLY SEE OF CILICIA, ANTELIAS, LEBANON
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan will leave for Lebanon on
Wednesday, August 11, where he will meet with the Catholicos, His Holiness
Aram I. The church leaders will discuss various projects for next year
including programs related to the 75th anniversary of the Theological
Seminary of the See of Cilicia.
Archbishop Oshagan will also examine the papers of the late Archbishop
Zareh Aznavourian related to the church and especially the Bible translation
project he and the late Archbishop were collaborating on since the early
1980s. Archbishop Oshagan will also discuss with the Catholicos the ways and
means to continue the translation project. One of the final thoughts
expressed by Zareh Srpazan was his regret that the translation project was
unfinished.
PAN-ARMENIAN CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION IS UNDERWAY IN LEBANON
Initiated by His Holiness Aram I and organized by the Catholicate of
Cilicia, the Diaspora conference on Armenian education began today, August
5, in the main hall of the Theological Seminary in Bikfaya, Lebanon. The
theme of the conference is Armenian education in the Diaspora. Approximately
100 specialists and intellectuals from all communities of the Diaspora are
in attendance and will address this timely issue with their different
perspectives and contexts.
The conference began with a critical and analytical evaluation of the
present state of Armenian education in the Diaspora and will identify
emerging concerns and will endeavor to redefine Armenian education within
the context of new challenges and realities. The conference will continue
through Saturday, August 7.
The Minister of Education, the president of the Cultural and Educational
Commission of the Parliament and the president of the Armenian writers in
Armenia are expected to attend.
His Holiness addressed the opening session of the conference today and
will participate throughout the proceedings.
Ms Gilda Kupelian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC), Ms Nayiri Balanian, chair of ANEC, and Ms Houry Boyamian,
Principal of St. Stephen Elementary School in Watertown, Massachusetts, are
attending the conference.
75th ANNIVERSARY OF CILICIAN SEMINARY
TO BE COMMEMORATED NEXT YEAR
The year 2005 marks the 75th anniversary of the Theological Seminary of
the Holy See of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I is expected to issue an
encyclical in January in honor of this occasion asking all dioceses within
the See of Cilicia to mark this occasion with appropriate commemorations.
Also celebrated next year is the 10th anniversary of the election and
consecration of His Holiness Aram I.
The Seminary’s anniversary will be marked at different times during the
entire year beginning in January through to December in all of the dioceses
within the jurisdiction of the Cilician See. His Holiness is expected to
attend the various commemorative events around the world, including the
Eastern Prelacy from October 21 to November 8.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL PRESIDE
OVER ANDASTAN SERVICE IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, accompanied by V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan
Tanielian, Vicar General, and Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director
of the Armenian Religious Education Council, will travel upstate New York to
the village of Mountaindale in the Catskill Mountains, where they will spend
the day with a large group of Armenian American vacationers this Saturday,
August 7. Archbishop Oshagan together with Hayr Anoushavan and Deacon Shant
will perform the Andastan service (Blessing of the Four Corners) and the
Blessing of Grapes ceremony.
COUNCIL OF EPHESUS REMEMBERED
This Saturday, August 7, the Armenian Church commemorates the Council of
Ephesus (431). The third general council was summoned by Emperor Theodosius
II in 431 to settle the Nestorian heresy. Nestorius was dethroned and exiled
to Egypt. The council affirmed the Nicene Creed and approved Theotokos
(Godbearer) as a title for the Virgin Mary.
Ephesus was the main city of the Roman province of Asia, at the
crossroads of the coastal route between Smyrna and Cyzicus. The temple of
Artemis in the city was one of the great wonders of the ancient world. Paul
took Christianity to Ephesus and stayed there for two years on his third
missionary journey (Acts, chapters 18 and 19).
Ephesus did not satisfy everyone and this led to a lasting schism in the
Church. Theologians attempted to formulate a compromise and met at
Chalcedon, on the eastern shore of the Bosporus across from Constantinople.
The Armenian Church did not attend and refused to accept the decisions of
the Council of Chalcedon on the nature of Christ and continued to abide by
the resolutions of the Council of Ephesus. The Armenian Church accepts the
legitimacy of three Ecumenical Councils: Nicaea (325), Constantinople (381),
and Ephesus (431).
In recent years there has been promising dialogue between the
Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian churches. In a joint statement issued on
December 13, 1996, Pope John Paul II and Catholicos Karekin I (of blessed
memory) welcomed the great advance that their churches have registered in
their common search for unity in Christ.
FAST OF ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
The Armenian Church celebrates eight feasts of the Holy Mother of God.
This Sunday, August 8, begins the Fast leading to the Feast of the
Assumption of the Holy Mother of God (Asdvadzadzin), which is next Sunday,
August 15.
The Armenian words Dzom and Pahk (fast and abstinence) are used
interchangeably, but actually Dzom means a total fast and Pahk means to
abstain from certain foods. (In Krapar the word Pahk applies for both). In
the Armenian Church Pahk means abstaining from all foods originating from
animals, including dairy products and eggs. There are about 160 days of
abstinence (Pahk) lasting one day, one week, and forty days. The week
before Asdvadzadzin is a week of abstinence. Fasting is always combined with
simple living and spiritual renewal through prayer.
When you fast, do not put on a sad face as the hypocrites do. They neglect
their appearance so that everyone will see that they are fasting. I assure
you, they have already been paid in full. When you go without food, wash
your face and comb your hair, so that others cannot know that you are
fasting. Only your Father, who is unseen, will know. And your Father, who
sees what you do in private, will reward you.
Matthew 6:16-18
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