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]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – January 5, 2005
SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EDITION
PRELACY PARISHES RESPOND TO
APPEAL BY PRELATE FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF
Prelacy parishes responded to the appeal made last week by His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and began collecting funds for the victims of
the earthquake in the Indian Ocean which resulted in the tsunamis that
devastated parts of Southeast Asia and Africa.
Last Sunday, January 2, parishes asked their Faithful for donations
during a special plate collection specifically for this purpose. Many
parishes have indicated that they will continue to seek donations.
In his appeal, His Eminence said: It is critical that help reach these
areas as soon as possible, otherwise the death toll through disease and
malnutrition can easily double.. 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.
You can read the complete message on the Prelacy web page:
There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than to offer a helping
hand to fellow human beings who are in great need. Your donations can be
made through your local parish or to the Prelacy. Checks should be payable
to the Armenian Apostolic Church of America (indicate for Asian Relief), and
mailed to 138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.
CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA AND WCC GENERAL SECRETARY
RELEASE JOINT MESSAGE TO TSUNAMI AREA CHURCHES
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and
Moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia,
General Secretary of the WCC sent the following joint message on December
31, 2004, to WCC member churches in the affected areas:
On behalf of the entire fellowship of the World Council of Churches we
send you sincere condolences and express our sorrow at the loss of more than
125,000 lives in one of the deadliest natural catastrophes that has faced
the people of Southeast Asia and regions surrounding the Indian Ocean. We
are also aware that the devastating earthquake followed by the tsunami has
left more than five million people homeless who are in dire need of
immediate humanitarian aid as well as psychological and spiritual
accompaniment.
With our deepest sympathy we pray and think of those who have lost their
loved ones. We are greatly encouraged by the exemplary efforts of our member
churches in responding even with meager resources to bandage the wounded and
bond with the sorrowful. In prayer, we yearn to God that we may all overcome
this cosmic anguish together with all peoples of faith in the region. The
WCC together with our partners in ecumenical disaster and emergency
management will continue to reach out with the resources available at our
disposal to prevent more human suffering and bring about relief to those in
this great affliction. Please let us know in what ways you would wish the
global ecumenical community to be in solidarity with you as you try to come
to terms with this unprecedented catastrophe.
During this holy season we have witnessed through liturgy and the sacred
narratives of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ that even the face of so
many contradictions in life God is still part of our broken world. The
miracle of the incarnation reminds us in the most profound way of the
dwelling presence of God that transforms even probabilities of annihilation
into new possibilities of life in history. And now we must reach out to one
another, and not only weep with those in anguish but also make a new place
for those seeking shelter as we struggle to find lasting solutions to future
tragedies in this world. One lesson to learn from this tsunami tragedy is
the need for the international community and the religious communities to
unite in one spirit and reinvent the capacity for preparedness to face such
tragedies together. It is also a moment to be reawakened to our God given
responsibility to care not only for one another but for the health of the
creation as well.
On the eve of the New Year may God’s grace be with you, comfort you, and
give you peace in 2005 and beyond.
2005 BIBLE READINGS ON THE WEB
We remind you that the Bible readings for 2005 are posted on the Prelacy web
page. To reach the Bible readings go to:
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I BEGINS
DIALOGUE WITH THE YOUTH
Catholicos Aram I issued the first of a series of message directed at
the youth. The first communication is titled, For a Life-Centered
Spirituality: A Dialogue with the Youth.
In his opening statement His Holiness said: We lived the last days of
2004 confronting an unprecedented disaster caused by nature. This tragedy
comes to add to the burden human beings and particularly youth are facing as
a result of man-made tragedies, like war, violence, poverty, unemployment,
and a sense of meaninglessness and uncertainty. These are times when people
question, pray and yearn for spirituality.
His Holiness then goes on to describe the features of a life-centered
spirituality and ends with this:
On the eve of the New Year and Christmas, I wanted to share these few
reflections with our youth. This is not a formal message but the beginning
of a frank dialogue with our youth. I consider dialoging with the youth of
crucial importance for the future of our church and nation. Therefore, I
would like to continue this dialogue with our youth by addressing, from time
to time, issues, challenges and concerns pertaining to the present day
societies in general, and the Armenian Church and community, in particular.
The full message is on the Prelacy web page:
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS
Today, January 5, is Christmas Eve day, and tomorrow is Christmas when
Armenians celebrate the birth and baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. Most
Prelacy parishes will have services this evening and tomorrow. Please check
with your local parish for the exact schedule.
This morning, His Eminence visited the Armenian Old Age Home in Emerson,
New Jersey, where he officiated at services and had the opportunity to visit
with the residents.
Tonight, Christmas Eve, Archbishop Oshagan, will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy at St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City.
Tomorrow, Christmas Day, he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and
deliver the Sermon at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Tomorrow evening he will host his annual Christmas reception at the
Prelacy at which time the traditional Home Blessing will take place.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN VISITS ST. SARKIS PARISH
Last Sunday, January 2, Archbishop Oshagan was with the St. Sarkis
parish, Douglaston, New York. His Eminence presided over the Divine Liturgy
and had opportunity to visit with the parishioners on the occasion of the
New Year. On this occasion the parishioners generously donated for relief
aid for the tsunami victims.
To view a photo of this visit go to:
CHRISTMAS MASS FROM ANTELIAS TO BE TELEVISED
The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) will
broadcast via satellite the Christmas Mass presided over by His Holiness
Aram I, from St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, Lebanon.
Those with satellite service will be able to view the Mass tomorrow
evening, January 6, beginning between 6 and 7 pm.
CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY
In the December 23 issue of Crossroads we explained how the Armenian
Church has remained faithful to the original tradition of celebrating the
birth and baptism of Christ on January 6.
Following the Christmas Divine Liturgy, a special ceremony of the
Blessing of the Water (Choororhnek) takes place. The cross is immersed in
water, which has been blessed with Holy Oil (Muron), symbolizing the baptism
of our Lord. During the early centuries the celebration of the baptism was
marked with great splendor usually on the shores of a river.
In modern times, especially here in the United States, the Blessing of
the Water service takes place in the church following the Divine Liturgy.
Prayers are said, passages from the Gospel are read, and the dove-shaped
vessel containing Holy Oil is ceremoniously brought forward and the
officiating priest drops the Muron into a large basin containing water. The
priest dips the cross into the blessed water while reciting special prayers.
A member of the congregation usually acts as the Godfather.
There are some interesting commentaries about the Armenian Blessing of
Water ceremonies in history. For example, there is a description written by
a foreign churchman, Canonicus Willebrandt, about the ceremony that took
place on January 6, in the year 1211. He was on the way to a pilgrimage to
Jerusalem and remained in Cilicia for several months. He wrote:
We arrived at Sis on the day of Theophany on the invitation of King
Levon, who was to show us their ceremony. Sis is one of their important
cities. It has countless people of wealth. This is how they celebrated the
Feast of the Revelation. First, they did penance for twelve days and
observed abstinence, shunning even fish, wine, and oils. On the day
preceding they fasted. In the evening they celebrated the Divine Liturgy and
worshipped piously the whole night through. In the morning they went to the
river bank near the city. King Levon was astride a tall and stately horse..
Then came the Greek patriarch with his retinue, and then the Armenian clergy
with their Catholicos in a glorious procession. They began to bless the
waters of the river. The Gospel was read in both Greek and Armenian. The
Cross was immersed into the water, and a dove was released. Someone went
into the river and when he was in the center he cried out in a powerful
voice, Long Live our King. Then he cried out again, May Christianity rise
and grow strong throughout the world..
JANUARY 7 IS REMEMBRANCE DAY (MERELOTS)
In the Armenian Church, the day following the five major feasts
(Nativity, Easter, Transfiguration, Assumption, Holy Cross) is a remembrance
day devoted to the dead. This is another tradition that we, unfortunately,
have lost in the United States. In some countries, especially in the Middle
East, it is still observed. On this day the Faithful go to the cemetery to
have the graves of their loved ones blessed, and requiem service for the
repose of the departed souls.
Great, civilized nations show great respect for the dead. In fact,
Catholicos Zareh I, of blessed memory, used to often repeat the words of a
famous historian who upon analyzing the reasons for the fall of Rome said,
Rome fell because Romans lost respect for their dead.
May the memory of the righteous be ever blessed.
REMEMBERING..
Our late father was totally devoted to the Armenian Church throughout
his life. A survivor of the Genocide, he remembered the Yergir very vividly
and shared his recollections about holiday celebrations.
He told us that gifts for the poor were often left at door of needy
families on New Year’s Eve anonymously. The benefactors were never know.
And, of course, the exchange of gifts was not associated with Christmas at
all, but rather the New Year. The only gifts he remembered were dried fruits
and nuts, received with great joy. No matter how much dried fruit and nuts
he ate, none had the taste of his youth. He recalled the sweet sound of the
church bells at Midnight on Christmas Eve announcing the birth of our Lord
and summoning the Faithful to Church.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the
inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were
sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
The Gospel According to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 7 to 11
On the occasion of the New York and the Holy Nativity, let us feel Gods
descent in our hearts and recognize it as a gift distributed to us. Let us
act such that our work and life will be a Christian gift first to God and
then to each other, turning our New Year to thanksgiving.
Archbishop Oshagan, Christmas Message
To read the entire message go to:
AND FINALLY.
A perfect ending to this Christmas edition of Crossroads is to send
special birthday greetings to 105-year-old Yeghsapet Giragosian. She is a
member of the St. Gregory parish of North Andover, Massachusetts. She
celebrated her 105th birthday on January 3.
You can send your birthday wishes to her:
Mrs. Yeghsapet Giragosian
154 High St.
North Andover, MA 01845
A Blessed Christmas to all.
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