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 – February 24, 2005
JOINT COMMEMORATION OF 90th ANNIVERSARY OF GENOCIDE
WILL TAKE PLACE IN NEW YORK ON APRIL 24
A joint commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
of 1915 will take place in New York City on Sunday, April 24. Armenian
Americans from the eastern United States will gather at Times Square
beginning at noon for a program, followed by Ecumenical and Requiem Services
at St. Patrick Cathedral beginning at 2 pm. Details will follow.
The Joint Commemorative Committee is composed of: Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern); Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America; Armenian Assembly of America; Armenian
Democratic Liberal Party; Apostolic Exarchate for Armenian Catholics in the
U.S.; Armenian General Benevolent Union; Armenian Missionary Association of
America; Armenian National Committee of America; Armenian Relief Society;
Armenian Revolutionary Federation; Armenian Social Democratic Hunchakian
Party; Knights and Daughters of Vartan.
PRELATE IN LEBANON AND ARMENIA
Archbishop Oshagan departed this week for Lebanon and Armenia. In
Lebanon the Prelate will confer with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia. From Lebanon the Prelate will go to Armenia where he
will represent the Catholicate of Cilicia in dialogues between the Holy Sees
of Cilicia and Etchmiadzin.
SEMINAR FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS
IN NEW ENGLAND AREA
A seminar for Sunday School teachers in the New England region will take
place Saturday, April 9, at St. Stephen Church in Watertown, Massachusetts.
The seminar is sponsored by St. Stephen Church and the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). The seminar will be led by Deacon Shant Kazanjian,
Director of AREC. The main topic is The Bible and the Sacraments of
Christian Initiation: Baptism, Chrismation and Eucharist.
For registration and/or information contact the church office,
617-924-7562 or the AREC office, 212-689-7810.
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES CALLS FOR
RECOGNITION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
The World Council of Churches (WCC) called for the recognition of the
Armenian Church, during the meeting of the Central Committee of the WCC,
which took place in Geneva February 15 to 23. The statement says in part:
Sunday, April 24, 2005 will be the 90 years commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide, the tragic massacre of one-and-a-half million Armenians
in Turkey and the deportation of another million from their homeland. The
World Council of Churches has on different occasions addressed the need for
public recognition of the Armenian Genocide and the necessity of Turkey to
deal with this dark part of its history. The importance of evaluating its
history has recently also been addressed by the Conference of European
Churches relating to Turkey’s relation to the European Union.
From the Christian perspective, the path towards justice and
reconciliation requires the recognition of the crimes committed as a sine
qua non condition for the healing of memories and the possibility of
forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean forgetting but to look back with the
intention to restore justice, respect for Human Rights and relationships
between perpetrators and victims.
The Public Committee recommended that the General Secretary and staff
propose to all member churches to make Sunday, April 24, a day of memorial
of the Armenian Genocide and to consider further appropriate events related
to the commemoration.
One hundred sixty-four voting members participated in the meeting of the
Central Committee together with more than 100 advisors, consultants and
representatives from the Vatican and international organizations. His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has served as the
Moderator of the Central Committee since 1991.
In his closing remarks Aram I expressed his deep appreciation to the
members of the Central Committee for their active and responsible
participation in the reflection and action of the Central Committee in the
past eight years. He said: The sea in which the ecumenical boat is sailing
is more stormy today than ever before. Being ecumenical means having the
courage of faith and the vision to move together towards the ecumenical
goals which bind us together as one fellowship.
LENTEN PROGRAM CONTINUES
Yesterday the third in a series of Prelacy Lenten Bible studies
continued in the exploration of the Passion Narratives, conducted by Deacon
Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council. Last
night the lecture/discussion focused on the trial and betrayal, as told in
Matthew 27, verses 1 through 44.
Next Wednesday, March 2, the lesson will center on the Crucifixion.
The lectures take place at St. Illuminator Cathedral, 221 E. 27th
Street, New York City, with a Lenten Service at 7:30 and Bible study at 8
p.m., followed by a Lenten meal and fellowship. The Lenten program is
jointly sponsored by AREC and the Prelacy Ladies Guild. All are welcome. For
information contact the AREC office, 212-689-7810.
BEAST ON THE MOON IS COMING TO OFF-BROADWAY
Beast on the Moon, a play by Richard Kalinoski, is preparing to open at
the Century Center for the Performing Arts on East 15th Street in New York
City. Previews begin April 12, and opening night is April 27.
The play tells the story of the Armenian Genocide through the eyes of
two survivors who are trying to make a new life in the United States. David
Grillo, the producer of this production, describes it as a universal tale of
love as a healing tool in the aftermath of loss.
Beast on the Moon has been telling the story of the Armenian Genocide
for the past 12 years. The play has been performed in 17 countries,
translated into 12 languages and has received accolades and more than 40
awards.
This New York premiere is expected to attract a wide audience. It has
already received a great deal of press coverage in trade magazines and
newspapers and most recently in the New York Times.
Watch future issues of Crossroads for ticket information.
SUBMISSIONS BY ARTISTS SOUGHT FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE SHOW
Gallery Z of Providence, Rhode Island, has informed us that it is
looking for submissions for an exhibition honoring the 90th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide. Work should be a reflection or expression of the
Armenian Genocide, with a focus on themes such as rebirth, regeneration,
transformation, rekindling of the spirit, and reclamation of identity.
All mediums are accepted. Deadline is March 5. There is a modest
submission fee. For information contact Maryellen at [email protected].
DER NAREG ARRIVES IN NEW YORK
Rev. Fr. Nareg and Yeretzgeen Ani Terterian arrived in New York recently
where they will establish their home. Der Nareg was ordained in Antelias,
Lebanon, in October. For the next six month he will serve as assistant to V.
Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
Subsequently he will assume the pastorship of St. Sarkis.
Prior to his ordination, Deacon Serop Terterian served at the Prelacy
office from January 2002 to January 2004. During that time he furthered his
studies at the General Theological Seminary.
SAINTS REMEMBERED THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, February 26, the Armenian Church commemorates the memory
of Hovhan Odznetsi, Hovhan Vorodnetsi, and Krikor Datevatsi.
Hovhan Odznetsi (St. John of Otzoon), was catholicos between 717 and 728
which was a period when Armenia was under Arab rule. He defended Armenians
from forced conversion and was successful in securing the right of worship
for Armenian Christians. He was also successful in receiving tax-exempt
status for the church. He was highly admired and respected by the people.
Hovhan Vorodnetsi (St. John of Orotni) was born in 1315. Following his
ordination he served at the monasteries of Kailitzor and Datev. He dedicated
most of his efforts toward the preservation of the orthodox faith, and
against the attempt to merge the Armenian Church with the Latin Church. He
wrote commentaries on the Gospel of John and the epistles of St. Paul.
Krikor Datevatsi, perhaps the best known of the three, was a student of
John of Orotni, and a great defender of the character of the Armenian
Church. He was born in 1346. He was a brilliant scholar; he knew Latin
fluently and had studied the Greek philosophers extensively. He is regarded
to be the greatest teacher of the Armenian Church. His most famous work is
the Book of Questions (Kirk Hartsmants), which examines questions of faith.
He is also credited with setting a new standard for preaching.
SUNDAY OF THE STEWARD
This Sunday, February 27, the fourth Sunday of Lent, is Sunday of the
Steward (Tntesi Kiraki). The reading on this day is from the Gospel of St.
Luke, chapter 16, verses 1 to 8, which relate the parable of The Unrighteous
Steward. This parable is about a rich man and his steward. The steward was
one who looked out for his own personal benefit and through his cunning
arrangements made deals with those who were in debt to his master. Jesus
used this parable not to condone the behavior of the steward but rather as
an illustration of qualities that have a necessary place in the life of true
disciples. Since we are stewards of this world, we are accountable to our
Lord for the talents we have and the things that have been entrusted to our
care.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus used parables as a teaching method. His
parables were common stories, usually short and always interesting.
Generally, the stories were used to convey important moral and ethical
messages. Some of the parables were simple and easy to comprehend. Others
were complex and more challenging.
NEXT WEDNESDAY IS MEDIAN DAY OF LENT
Next Wednesday, March 2, is the median day of Lent (Meechink). It is the
24th day of Lent and it occurs on the Wednesday of the fourth week. Although
it does not have any specific religious significance, this mid-point day has
been traditionally marked as a special day, an occasion for celebration. It
is generally marked with conviviality and fellowship while sharing a table
filled with Lenten foods.
O Lord, You who have created the heavenly world of angels and established
the princes of the fiery spirits as stewards there; we bless Your
inconceivable powers. You who have created in a lordly manner the second
world and placed the first man as a steward in the Garden of Eden; You who
have built Your Church highest of all in mystery and have ordained in it the
preacher of the word of truth as steward.
(from sharagan sung on the Fourth Sunday of Lent)
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