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 – April 21, 2005
SUNDAY IS APRIL 24TH-MARTYRS’ DAY;
JOINT UNITED COMMEMORATION IN NEW YORK
Thousands of Armenian Americans will join forces in New York City on
Sunday, April 24, to attend the various commemorative events on the occasion
of the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. More than 45 buses
are expected from outlying areas, joining many coming from the metro area
through their own mode of transportation.
The day will begin at 9 am with Divine Liturgies celebrated at St.
Vartan and St. Illuminator’s Cathedrals in New York City. Mass will also
take place at St. Ann’s Armenian Catholic Church in Brooklyn, and services
will take place at the Armenian Evangelical Church in New York City, and the
Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus, New Jersey.
The Memorial Gathering at Times Square will begin at 12 noon and
continue until 1:30 pm. The day will conclude with a solemn ecumenical
requiem service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Avenue at 50th Street,
beginning at 2:30 pm and concluding at 4:30 pm.
Detailed information is available at
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TOMORROW EVENING
AT BEAST ON THE MOON PERFORMANCE
The Joint Committee of the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and
the producers of the internationally acclaimed Beast on the Moon will join
together to hold a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the victims and
survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The vigil will begin tomorrow
evening, Friday, April 22, at 9:30 pm outside the Century Center for the
Performing Arts, 111 E. 15th Street), where the Beast on the Moon is
currently being performed.
The vigil is a prelude to the 90th anniversary memorial observance on
April 24 as described above.
Some of us here at Crossroads went last weekend to see Beast on the
Moon, and found it to be a poignant and riveting production. The critically
acclaimed play by Richard Kalinoski, is an immigrant love story whose two
central characters are survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Although this is
the New York premiere, the play has been performed in 17 countries and has
received 40 awards including “best play” in Paris and Buenos Aires. The
acting in this New York production is superb and should not be missed. For
information go to:
We have just heard from a friend of Crossroads that about 10 tickets are
still available for Saturday matinee performance, April 23, through St. Leon
Church (NJ). Contact Ara Araz, 917-837-1297. Especially good for
out-of-towners who will be in New York for the commemorative events and
would like to see the performance.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN ATTENDS CAPITOL HILL
COMMEMORATION FOR APRIL 24
Archbishop Oshagan attended the Capitol Hill remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide yesterday, sponsored by the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues, Congressmen Joe Knollenberg and Frank Pallone.
More than 200 members of Congress have signed the letters asking
President Bush to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide in his statement of
remembrance.
His Eminence delivered the opening prayer in which he said, in part:
Nine decades ago the Armenian people went through the cruel valley of
death. No people can remain the same after it has endured the terror and
suffering of genocide. The recollections rekindle memories and open the
incurable wound in the soul of the Armenian nation. We humbly acknowledge
Your power and goodness and look to You to heal our wounds.
ARAM I WILL COMMEMORATE MARTYRS DAY IN DEIR ZOR
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will
commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide in Deir Zor, the
very site where thousands and thousands of Armenians perished during the
forced deportation and death march.
On Saturday, April 23, His Holiness will lead the Hsgoum Service and
candlelighting ceremony. On Sunday, April 24, the Catholicos will officiate
over the Divine Liturgy and Solemn Requiem Service. The services will take
place in the chapel and martyrs monument built in Deir Zor during the
pontificate of His Holiness Karekin II of Cilicia, and which has now become
a sacred pilgrimage site.
CATHOLICOS ARAM CONGRATULATES NEW POPE
On the occasion of the election of His Holiness Benedict XVI as Pope of
the Roman Catholic Church, His Holiness Aram I offered congratulations with
the following message:
Your Holiness: It is with profound spiritual joy that I greet your
election as Bishop of Rome and the Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Long
standing ecumenical collaboration exists between the Armenian Catholicosate
of Cilicia and the Catholic Church. In the last few decades collaboration
was further deepened through mutual visits and theological dialogue. I am
sure that during your pontificate a new impetus will be given to our
ecumenical collaboration.
As Moderator of the Central and Executive committees of the World
Council of Churches, I also warmly congratulate you. It is my firm
expectation that the ecumenical collaboration between the Vatican and the
World Council of Churches through the Joint Group and in different ways will
acquire a renewed importance in the context of our common engagement for the
visible unity of the church.
I look forward to closer collaboration with Your Holiness and with the
Catholic Church. May our common Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you spiritually
and physically as you assume this heavy responsibility at a crucial time in
the modern history of humanity.
MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT VISITS PRELACY
Vartan Ayvazian, Armenia’s Minister of Environment and Natural
Resources, visited Archbishop Oshagan at the Prelacy today. The Minister was
accompanied by Ambassador Armen Martirossian, Permanent Representative of
the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations. Minister Ayvazian is here to
attend an international conference on environmental issues at the United
Nations. The Minister and Ambassador shared information with Archbishop
Oshagan pertaining to environmental issues in Armenia.
PRELATE AND VICAR ATTEND OPENING OF EXHIBIT
Archbishop Oshagan and V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan attended the opening of a
new exhibit, “The Human Face of Anthropology” and “Armenia: Memories from my
Home,” by the Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and The Armenian
Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery, on Saturday, April 16.
CATHOLICATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN
SPECIAL COMMISSION
The Special Commission on Orthodox participation in the World Council of
Churches took place in Etchmiadzin, Armenia, April 12 to 18.
His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, hosted the meeting
and met with the participants and conveyed warm greetings and wishes for
success.
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, a member of the steering committee of the
commission and ecumenical officer of the Catholicate of Cilicia,
participated on behalf of the Cilician See.
WNYW-TV FOCUS ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
This Saturday, April 23, WNYW-TV (channel 5) will air “Street Talk” a
community affairs show focusing on the Armenian Genocide. Metro New York
area residents will be able to see the show at 6 am. The tentative line up
of guests includes: Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Frank Pallone, Prof.
Peter Balakian, and Dr. Anie Kalayjian.
CBS WILL BROADCAST INTERVIEWS
The news director of WCBS News Radio (880 AM) has informed us that
tomorrow, Friday, April 22 and Sunday, April 24, they will broadcast
interviews they have done relative to the Armenian Genocide. The interviews
will be broadcast at various times between 5 a.m. and 12 noon.
Interviewees include Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Mrs. Rahan Kachian (a
survivor of the Genocide), and Professor Dennis Papazian.
ARTICLES IN NEWSPAPERS, ETC.
During the past week there have been a number of articles relative to
the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. No doubt, during the coming
week there will be more. Next week we will give you a summary report and try
to put as many as possible on the joint commemorative committee’s web site:
WIFE OF GENERAL DRO DIES IN BOSTON
Crossroads has just been informed of the passing of Mrs. Gayane Kanayan,
the widow of the famed General Dro. Mrs. Kanayan died in Boston where she
lived. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.
BBC NEWS FEATURES ANJAR, LEBANON
Today’s edition of BBC News has a story about Anjar, Lebanon, entitled
“Change Comes to Syria’s Lebanon ‘Home.'”
Anjar is a town in Lebanon bordering on Syria in the Bekaa Valley
inhabited by Armenians. The original Armenian settlers in Anjar were the
remnants of Musa Dagh, where Armenians made a heroic last stand against the
Turkish onslaught.
The story is about the Syria withdrawal from the area, which had become
one of Syria’s main military bases in the area.
To read the entire story go to:
SHAKESPEARE’S BIRTHDAY
This Saturday, April 23, is the 441st birthday of William Shakespeare,
the most influential writer in the history of English literature.
The most famous quotes in the English language are either from
Shakespeare or the King James version of the Bible.
FINALLY..
A reminder to take part in April 24th commemorations this weekend. If
you are residents on the east coast, especially between Boston and
Washington, plan to be in New York City for the massive joint and united
commemoration.
Let us pay our respects to our ancestors while directing all of our
efforts to our future.
Visit our website at