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
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Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – April 28, 2005
APRIL 24 COMMEMORATIONS IN NEW YORK CITY
ATTRACT THOUSANDS OF ARMENIAN AMERICANS
The Joint Commemorative events which took place in New York City on
Sunday, April 24, brought out thousands of Armenian Americans for day-long
events which began at 9 am with Divine Liturgies celebrated at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral and St. Vartan Cathedral, followed by the blessing
and distribution of the Madagh (Memorial meal). Services also took place at
St. Ann Armenian Catholic Church in Brooklyn, the Armenian Evangelical
Church in Manhattan, and the Armenian Presbyterian Church in Paramus, New
Jersey.
An estimated 8,000 people came to Times Square for a memorial gathering
and rally. Speakers included religious leaders and national leaders, as well
as appropriate dance interpretation by Antranig and Aghtamar dance groups,
and musical trio of duduk melodies. More than 50 buses came from outlying
areas, and a group of young people from Detroit made the long trip to be
part of the day’s events. Perhaps what was most significant was the
participation and attendance of a large number of young people at all of the
events.
The day concluded with an impressive and truly stirring ecumenical and
requiem service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, with standing room only in the
rear of the large, majestic Cathedral, and an estimated 1,000 people
outside.
Description of the events, an extensive photo gallery, and a round-up of
press coverage will be posted on the joint committee’s web site,
early next week.
Congratulations to the Joint Committee, under the auspices of Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, and the co-chairs, Ken
Sarajian and Roy Stepanian, for an exceptional effort.
The Joint Committee is composed of the following organizations: 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 Catholicos in the
U.S.; Armenian General Benevolent Union; Armenian Missionary Association of
America; Armenian National Committee of America; Armenian Relief Society of
the Eastern U.S.; Armenian Revolutionary Federation; Armenian Social
Democratic Hunchakian Party; Knights and Daughters of Vartan.
In addition the following organizations provided assistance: AGBU Young
Professionals of Greater New York; Armenian Network of America; Armenian
Students Association; Armenian Youth Federation of America; Homenetmen.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN SAYS REMEMBERING IS NOT ENOUGH
IN THE FACE OF GENOCIDE
In a speech delivered in Times Square, Archbishop Oshagan emphasized
that remembering is not enough, that remembrance must be accompanied with
action. He especially called attention to the fate of the people of Darfur
who are currently facing a genocidal situation. His Eminence said in part:
“Ninety years. Nine decades. Some may ask, Why is it necessary to
remember after 90 years? It is necessary because a crime against humanity
cannot and must not ever be forgotten. To forget such an atrocious act would
be another crime, just as to deny the truth of the event is also a crime-a
further crime against the victims and a crime against their children,
grandchildren, and unborn descendants.
“But, as we have sadly witnessed, remembering is not enough. It is not
enough for us to remember that today genocidal acts are taking place in
Darfur, where villages that once had more than 50,000 inhabitants have been
reduced to less than 500. Remembrance is not enough. Action must accompany
remembrance, and it is our sacred duty to convey this message to our
government. We are a great nation not because we have a powerful army, not
because we have immense resources, but because our foundation is strong-a
foundation based on truth and justice.
“The threat of genocide, rather than diminishing in the 20th and 21st
centuries, seems to have retained its potential and its power. But genocide
must finally be stopped. The world must act in concert to prevent forever
genocidal acts. We here today resolve that the future will overcome the
past.”
To read the entire speech go to:
CATHOLICOS ARAM I, IN DEIR ZOR, CALLS FOR JUSTICE
Addressing thousands of Armenians from all parts of the world gathered
in the desert of Deir Zor, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, called for justice for the Armenian nation. His Holiness
began his remarks by first remembering the memory of the one and one half
million martyrs.
“It is a plain fact,” His Holiness said, “that the Armenian Genocide,
the first genocide of the 20th century, was carefully planned and
systematically executed by Ottoman Turkey. The relics that are displayed in
the church and in the chapel, as well as hundreds of thousands of relics
that were found in the sands of this desert are eloquent and tangible
evidence of the massacres committed in this very place by the Ottoman army
under the pretext of deportation.”
Leading thousands of pilgrims, His Holiness prayed for the Armenian
martyrs on the sands of Deir Zor, which in his words, are “imbued with the
blood and faith of the Armenian Martyrs.”
The chapel and monument in Deir Zor was constructed in 1991 through the
efforts of the Cilician Catholicate and the Diocese of Aleppo, at the site
of the mass graves of the Armenian victims.
In a symbolic gesture, His Holiness baptized two children in the
Euphrates River, and performed a water blessing ceremony. “In 1915 this
river, where thousands of children perished, became a symbol of the death of
the Armenian people. Today it symbolizes the renaissance of the Armenian
people,” the Catholicos said.
WCC CHURCHES COMMEMORATE THE GENOCIDE
Member churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) commemorated
Sunday, April 24, as a day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.
“I am personally in communion with you in prayers and in solidarity with
the cause of your people,” said the WCC general secretary, Rev. Dr. Samuel
Kobia, in a letter addressed to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians.
PRESIDENT BUSH AGAIN FAILS TO
RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Ignoring calls from a record 210 U.S. legislators, President Bush
failed, once again, to honor his pledge to properly characterize the
Armenian Genocide as a “genocide” in his annual April 24th remarks.
In a statement issued on April 24th, the President again used evasive
and euphemistic terminology to obscure the reality of Turkey’s genocide
against the Armenian people between 1915-1923. In retreating from his
promise, the President ignored the counsel of the 178 representatives and 32
senators who had written letters urging him to properly characterize the
Armenian Genocide.
>From update by Armenian National Committee of America
PRELATE OFFICIATES AT FUNERAL SERVICES
FOR GAYANE KANAYAN, WIDOW OF GENERAL DRO
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan officiated over the funeral services
yesterday for Gayane Kanayan, widow of the famed General Dro. She was 104
years old and lived in the Boston area. The funeral took place at St.
Stephen Armenian Church in Watertown, Massachusetts. Clergymen of the New
England area parishes attended the service.
In his eulogy, Archbishop Oshagan offered the family the condolences of
His Holiness Aram I and the Catholicate of the Great House of Cilicia, as
well as condolences on behalf of the Eastern Prelacy. His Eminence said,
“Another chapter in Armenian history has come to an end. She represented the
survivors of the Genocide and the heroic struggles of our people. I express
heartfelt condolences to her son, daughter, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren and to the Armenian Relief Society, an organization she
strongly supported throughout her life.”
BEAST ON THE MOON OFFICIAL OPENING LAST NIGHT
Archbishop Oshagan attended the official opening of The Beast on the
Moon last night in a special performance for the press and sponsors. A
reception followed the performance. The play has been in previews since
April 12. For information go to
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL BE IN PHILLY ON SUNDAY
The ordination of altar servers will take place Sunday, May 1, at St.
Gregory Church, Philadelphia, during the Divine Liturgy. Archbishop Oshagan
will preside. His Eminence will also bless the veils of the women in the
choir. A banquet in honor of the newly ordained altar servers will take
place immediately after the services. For information contact the church
office, 215-482-9200.
PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON MONDAY
A reminder that the Prelacy Ladies Guild’s annual Mothers Day Luncheon
and Fashion Show is this Monday, May 2, at the St. Regis, 55th Street at
Fifth Avenue. Neimann Marcus of Paramus, New Jersey will present their
“Spring 2005 Collection.”
The main attraction of the day will be the announcement of the “Mother
of the Year.” The reception begins at 11:30, followed by luncheon at 12:30.
For information about the luncheon contact the Prelacy office, 212-689-7810.
PRELATE WILL VISIT HOVNANIAN SCHOOL
Monday morning, May 2, Archbishop Oshagan will visit the Hovnanian
Armenian School in New Milford, New Jersey. He will be accompanied by V.
Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy; V. Rev. Fr. Shahe
Panossian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey; and
Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, assistant pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston,
New York.
ARCHBISHOP SEBOUH WILL BE GUEST OF PRELACY NEXT WEEK
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Iran, will be a guest of the
Prelacy next week. Archbishop Sebouh is currently at Catholic University in
Washington, DC, where he is part of a nine-member delegation from the
Cultural Center and Islamic Relations Center of Iran.
On Sunday, May 8, he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
NEXT THURSDAY IS FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Next Thursday, forty days after the Resurrection, the Armenian Church
marks the Feast commemorating the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ
(Hambardzoom). This feast is one of the most joyous celebrated by the
Armenian Church. It is the final dominical event in the life of Jesus as
described in the Gospel. Mark and Luke end their writings with the
Ascension. His final instruction to His 11 disciples was to remain loyal and
He advised the disciples not to begin their teaching until the Descent of
the Holy Spirit (Pentecost) at which time they would be given new power and
ability.
Various festivities, especially for young women, are associated with
this feast. Perhaps the one best known is fortune-telling (vijakahanoutiun),
which is beautifully portrayed in the opera Anoush.
TOMORROW IS ARBOR DAY
Tomorrow, the last Friday in April, is designated as Arbor Day. The
first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872, in Nebraska. The day was the
brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton, a journalist and politician.
Throughout his life he worked to improve agricultural techniques in the
United States, especially during his tenure as Secretary of Agriculture
during the administration of President Grover Cleveland. His idea was to set
aside a special day dedicated to tree planting. The idea spread to other
states and today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states, although the date
may vary on a state level because of local climate. In 1970, President
Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day.
It is a good time to plant a tree on your property, or in your
neighborhood, or even someplace far away. The Armenia Tree Project has just
embarked on a new campaign, “Trees of Hope” for Armenia. For information go
to
TREES
In honor of Arbor Day we end with “Trees,” the best-known poem by Joyce
Kilmer (1886-1918). Kilmer was a poet, journalist, and critic who died while
serving in World War I at the second Battle of the Marne. He was born in New
Brunswick, New Jersey, and educated at Rutgers and Columbia universities.
“Trees” was originally published in Poetry magazine in 1913, and quickly
became one of America’s most-beloved poems.
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me.
But only God can make a tree.
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