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: info@armenianprelacy.org
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER August 19, 2004
PARTICIPANTS PRAISE PAN-DIASPORA
CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION
The international conference on education, organized by the Catholicosate of
Cilicia, received praise from the participants. The conference took place in
Bikfaya, Lebanon, August 5 to 7.
All of the participants considered the conference to be a good opportunity
to look at the question of education in a broader perspective and an
important forum for sharing experiences. Many hoped that there would be a
continuous process and urged the Catholicosate to take a leading role in
reorganizing education in the Diaspora.
His Holiness Aram I reaffirmed his conviction that Armenian Christian
education must acquire a priority place and be a major focus on the agenda
of the Church, particularly in the Diaspora. The Catholicos considered the
conference to be a significant and concrete step forward in terms of
developing a pan-Armenian policy on education. Such a policy, His Holiness
said, must first critically review the present educational methodologies,
strategies and programs; second, it must take into consideration the impact
of globalization and the actual realities and emerging concerns related to
specific environments; and third, it must aim to make education more
relevant and credible. The globalized world, His Holiness concluded,
constantly and seriously challenges us to take seriously our educational
norms and values by remaining faithful to the Gospel message.
ST. SARKIS PARISHIONERS BEGIN VISIT TO ARMENIA AND ARTSAKH
A large group of parishioners and friends of St. Sarkis Church (Douglaston,
NY), under the leadership of their pastor, V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian,
are now in Armenia through August 30. The group is planning extensive tours
in Armenia as well as a trip to Artstakh.
A unique event is planned for this Saturday in Yerevan. Many of the
individuals on the tour are sponsors of children through the Prelacy Orphan
Sponsorship program. Father Anoushavan has planned a reunion of sorts with
the children and their sponsors at a special dinner party in Yerevan.
Approximately 45 children are expected to attend the gathering. What a great
idea!
ST. GREGORY IN PHILADELPHIA INCLUDES THE YOUNG
IN BLESSING OF GRAPES CELEBRATION
St. Gregory Church in Philadelphia always makes an extra effort to involve
young people in the life of the church. Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian has
initiated many wonderful and meaningful ways of bringing youthful
participation to the church services. In one such event, now a tradition in
Philadelphia, on Assumption Day, young girls in the parish are recruited to
take part in the Blessing of Grapes. After the blessing ceremony, the girls,
dressed in traditional Armenian costumes, are given baskets of the blessed
grapes to distribute to the parishioners. This year the distributors of the
grapes were: Ankine Sarkessian, Aleen Streeter, Hripsime Sarkessian, Noune
Sarkessian, Tzoline Karakelian and Lousig Khararjian.
AREC WILL ORGANIZE SEMINARS FOR PARISHES
The Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) is prepared to organize
local and regional seminars for our parishes. Deacon Shant Kazanjian,
Executive Director of AREC, has many good suggestions. Deacon Shant is very
knowledgeable and a talented speaker. For detailed information click
SIAMANTO ACADEMY GRADUATION
The Siamanto Academy, under the jurisdiction of the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC), is preparing for its 2004-2005 school year. For
a photo and story about the 2004 graduation click
ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ERITREA
INVITES CATHOLICOS ARAM I
The newly appointed Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Eritrea has invited
His Holiness Aram I to pay an official visit to Eritrea. The head of the
sister-church of Eritrea that recently joined the family of Eastern
Churches, praised the inter-church activities of His Holiness. He expressed
his gratitude for the work accomplished by His Holiness in bringing the
Orthodox Church of Eritrea into the World Council of Churches.
ST. ILLUMINATOR SCHOOL REGISTRATION
The St. Illuminator Armenian School in Woodside, NY, will begin its 28th
year on Wednesday, September 8. Registration is now taking place for new
students for grades Nursery through 6th grade. The school provides quality
education in all English elementary school requirements as well as in the
Armenian language, history and culture. For information contact the school
at 718-478-4073.
MEMORIAL DAY
In the Armenian Church the day after a major feast is Memorial Day.
Traditionally on Memorial Day, after the celebration of the Divine Liturgy,
the faithful went to the cemetery to honor and remember their loved ones.
Priests blessed the graves with chants and incense. Relatives and friends
lit candles symbolizing that the memory of their loved ones remains bright.
The five major feasts in the Armenian Church, also called Tabernacle Feasts,
are: Theophany, Easter, Transfiguration, Assumption, and Exaltation of the
Cross.
This past Monday, August 16, the day after Assumption was a Memorial Day.
REMEMBERING STS. JOACHIM AND ANNA
This coming Tuesday, August 24, the Armenian Church commemorates Sts.
Joachim and Anna, the parents of Mary, the Mother of God.
Joachim and Anna were childless into advanced age. In response to their
supplications they were blessed with the birth of a daughter they named
Mary, their only child. The birth of Mary is celebrated in the Armenian
Church on September 8.
THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN
The colder-than-usual and wetter-than-usual August weather here on the east
coast has slowed down the production of beautiful, delicious, red,
ripe-on-the vine tomatoes. We have an abundance of green tomatoes, but hope
is eternal.
On the other hand, the herb garden and flowers are doing quite nicely. All
of this reminded us that many plants and flowers have religious
significance. Monasteries cultivated gardens and plants for their aromatic,
aesthetic and medicinal qualities.
Daffodils are also called Lent Lilies signifying the approaching of Spring,
Easter and the Resurrection.
Lilies of the Valley are also known as Mary’s Tears or Our Lady’s Tears
because of the shape of the pearly tear-shaped white flowers. And of course
one of the best known verses in the Gospel of Matthew is: Consider the
lilies of the field; how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and
yet I say unto you, that even Solomon is all his glory was not arrayed like
one of these. (Matthew 6:28).
The name of the prevalent Marigold comes from Mary’s Gold. The yellow
flowers symbolize the golden rays of Christianity.
And of course the most coveted of all flowers, the Rose, the symbol of
chasteness and fertility, is dedicated to Mary. Think of the beautiful rose
windows of great cathedrals.
Herbs are also prominent in the Bible. Frankincense and Myrrh are an
important part of the Christmas Story. Many spices prominent in Armenian
cuisine are mentioned in the Bible including Coriander, Mint, Cumin, Anise,
Dill and more.
There is not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known…
(from an English hymn)
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