PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: jakeg@armeniandiocese.org
Website:
August 12, 2004
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Week of August 6 to August 12, 2004
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SUNDAY IS THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION

This Sunday (8/15) is one of the five tabernacle feast days of the Armenian
Church: the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God. The story
of the Assumption, preserved in extra-Scriptural tradition, tells how St.
Mary was taken up in body and soul into heaven, after having completed her
life on earth. This was a special courtesy performed by Christ many years
after His Ascension, out of love for the mother who bore and raised Him.

For more on St. Mary, resources to help teach your children about this
feast, and a description of the “Blessing of the Grapes” tradition that
accompanies the feast day, click to our website:

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/11/04)
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PRIMATE HEADS TO BELLEVILLE THIS WEEKEND

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), will be in Belleville, IL, at the Holy Virgin Mary
and Shoghagat Church. He will celebrate the Divine Liturgy (starting at
10:00 a.m.) and ordain Mark Marifian as a tbir on Sunday (8/15) before
taking part in the “Blessing of the Grapes” service. The church is located
at 400 Huntwood Rd., in Belleville, IL.

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/11/04)
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EUROPE REFUSES TO LABEL SUDAN MASSACRES AS “GENOCIDE”

On Monday (8/9), the European Union said the mass murders, rape, and
burning of villages in the Darfur region of the Sudan should not be
classified as “genocide”. Critics say the finding underlines Europe’s
reluctance to intervene in the ongoing violence. European officials did
acknowledge that there is “”widespread, silent and slow killing and village
burning of a fairly large scale.” However, no nation is yet willing to
send troops to stop the violence and if it were deemed a genocide, United
Nations rules would require them to act to end the slaughter.

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously voted to
designate as “genocide” the violence in Sudan which has lead to the deaths
of 30,000 people and the displacement of one million.

The Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America has been working with
ecumenical groups in urging American political and media leaders to
strongly affirm that the campaign of mass killing is indeed a
genocide. The Primate will issue a parish directive to that effect in the
coming week.

To read about the Eastern Diocese’s effort to bring light to the Darfur
genocide, go to our website:
;selmonth=8&selyear04

(Source: The Guardian, 8/10/04)
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HOLY ETCHMIADZIN OPENS NEWLY RENOVATED SEMINARY

Last Thursday (8/5), the newly renovated Gevorkian Theological Seminary of
the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin was re-opened during a ceremony presided
over by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians. Present for the opening ceremonies were hundreds of clergy and
faithful, including Kevork and Sirvart Hovnanian, who sponsored the
year-long construction and renovation work on the historic building. (Mr.
Hovnanian is chairman of the Fund for Armenian Relief and the Armenian
Church Endowment Fund.)

Speaking at the opening celebration was Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Eastern Diocese, who told of the unique role the Gevorkian
Seminary plays in the preparation of young clergymen, noting that it has an
irreplaceable duty in guaranteeing the future of the Armenian Church.
Currently, more than 300 seminarians study at the school, which was founded
in 1874 by Catholicos of All Armenians Gevork IV.

(Source: Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, 8/7/04)
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LEARN ARMENIAN

Preserve your heritage — and have a lot of fun — this fall by taking an
Armenian language course. Classes aren’t just for kids; many parishes have
adult classes at nights or on the weekends. And classes are for everyone:
beginners who can’t say “parev” or more skilled speakers who want to learn
to read. Check with your local parish today to see if it offers Armenian
classes. For a list of parishes, click to our website:

If you’re in the New York City metro area, the Diocese is offering 15 weeks
of classes on Wednesday nights starting September 22. For more information
click here:

TEACH ARMENIAN

If you speak Armenian, volunteer in your parish to be a teacher. Or, if
your parish doesn’t have an Armenian language class, start one! You can
pass on your love for your culture and make new friends. Call your parish
pastor or chairman today to volunteer your time and skills. You don’t have
to be an expert to be a teacher, just be energetic about sharing your love
of Armenian.

To volunteer, call your parish or contact Sylva der Stepanian, coordinator
of Armenina studies at the Diocese, by e-mailing
<mailto:sylvad@armeniandiocese.org>sylvad@armeniandiocese.org.

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/9/04)
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SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS HEADED TO DIOCESE

Starting Sunday (8/15), a dozen Sunday School teachers from throughout the
Diocese will be in New York City for the Mardigian Institute, a special
one-week session focusing on educational plans and resources. The
participants in the free program will learn from experts during workshops
at the Diocesan Center and spend time studying at St. Nersess Armenian
Seminary. For more on the program, click to our website:

(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 8/11/04)
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