PRESS RELEASE
The Armenian Prelacy
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 689-7810
Fax: (212) 689-7168
E-mail: email@armenianprelacy.org
Web:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – December 30, 2004
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN ISSUES APPEAL
FOR VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate, today issued an appeal to the
Faithful of the Eastern Prelacy for immediate aid for the victims of
the violent earthquake and tidal waves. Calling it a natural disaster
of great magnitude, His Eminence issued the following statement:
We are witnessing what is being described as one of the worst natural
disasters in recent history. As we write this message, the official
death toll has already passed 100,000, and is expected to go even
higher.
The survivors of the massive underwater earthquake that brought on the
violent Tsunamis (tidal waves) need the help of every country and every
person. The areas affected include Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand,
India, the Maldives and as far away as Somalia in Africa. It is
critical that help reach these areas as soon as possible, otherwise the
death toll through disease and malnutrition can easily double.
What is needed most urgently is money so that relief agencies can
purchase the necessary staples in areas closer to the disaster areas
and make it available quickly to the suffering population.
We are asking all of our parishes to offer prayers for the dead and
the survivors on Sunday, January 2, asking the Faithful to make special
donations for relief aid to the affected areas. We suggest that the
sermon of the day include a message about the disaster. Whatever money
is collected should be immediately sent to the Prelacy office. We, in
turn, will transfer the total amount to AmeriCares. We have chosen
AmeriCares because this organization quickly came to the aid of the
victims of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia and to this day AmeriCares is
very instrumental in securing medical supplies, medicines, as well as
other items, which we send to Armenia on a regular basis.
Armenians, unfortunately, are all too familiar with great tragedies.
We have been the benefactors of the altruism of others. Let us open our
hearts and our pockets to help humanitarian assistance reach those
caught up in this tragic scenario. We ask you to make every effort to
generously participate in this endeavor so that we can make a
respectful and substantial donation on behalf of the Armenian Church.
As we prepare to celebrate the New Year and the birth of our Lord and
Savior let us bring to life His teachings by helping our fellow human
beings.
Donations can be made through your local parishes or by sending your
check directly to the Prelacy. Checks should be payable to the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America and mailed to 138 E. 39th Street, New York,
NY 10016.
GOOD WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR
Historically, the New Year (Amanor or Gaghand in Armenian), has been a
time of happiness and celebration. In fact, for Armenians it is at the
New Year that gifts are exchanged, and children anticipate the arrival
of Gaghand Baba.
All of us here at Crossroads wish all of you, our valued readers, a
happy and healthy New Year.
CHRISTMAS EDITION OF CROSSROADS NEXT WEEK
Next week we will have a special Christmas edition of Crossroads,
which you will receive on Wednesday instead of Thursday.
RING OUT, WILD BELLS
Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Happy New Year!
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