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
August 10, 2006
LEBANON IN CRISIS
The situation in Lebanon is deteriorating rather than improving. Last
week Archbishop Oshagan issued an appeal to the Armenian American community.
His Eminence said:
"As you well know, for the past three weeks, the people in Lebanon are
living under the direst circumstances due to the attack of the Israel Armed
Forces. As a result, over 500 people have died and 1,800 have been wounded,
mostly innocent children and the elderly. Nearly one million people have
been displaced.
"Although the Armenian community is not under direct attack,
nevertheless, the community is suffering tremendously. Thousands of refugees
have found shelter in various Armenian schools and center. We appeal to all
Armenians to reach out and help the needy in Lebanon by making a generous
donation to the Armenian Prelacy, which, in turn, will be distributed
through the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
"Thank you and God bless you."
Donations can be sent to the Prelacy at 138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY
10016. Checks should be payable to "Armenian Prelacy." Please indicate
"Lebanon Aid Fund" in the memo area.
CATHOLICOS ARAM I CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CEASE-FIRE
Last week His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
issued a statement calling for an immediate cease-fire. His Holiness
condemned Israel’s military assault into Lebanon and stated: "This war must
stop. It must stop immediately and without any condition. Innocent people
are being killed, families are being destroyed; Lebanon is on the brink of
collapse and people are still dealing with diplomacy. One cannot remain
indifferent before human slaughter. Life is sacred. It is a gift of God. We
must protect human life by all means. The UN and the powers of this world
must act on this firm basis. This is the realistic way of dealing
responsibly with this complex and critical situation. First, protection of
life and, only then, creation of proper conditions for diplomacy and for the
settlement of the conflict. Therefore, I join my voice to that of the
spiritual leaders, both Moslem and Christian, of Lebanon, to appeal to the
international community for an immediate cease-fire."
In an interview this week His Holiness criticized any short-sighted
policy towards the Middle East and reiterated his belief that religion could
and should help establish a permanent and comprehensive peace in the region.
He said: "If we read the signs of the time, we see that the conflicts in the
different parts of the Middle East are deeply rooted in religious, ethnic
and ideological perceptions and convictions. Religions must speak out
together and act firmly. The three monotheistic religions, namely Judaism,
Christianity and Islam, can and should play a major role by stopping
violence in all its forms and expressions, promoting mutual understanding
and mutual trust among peoples and communities, working for peace with
justice for all, and challenging and leading communities and peoples of the
region toward reconciliation, through mutual forgiveness and acceptance."
PRELATE AND VICAR VISIT LEBANESE MISSION IN NEW YORK
This morning, Thursday, August 10, Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate, and
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, joined by representatives of the ARF and
ARS, paid a visit to the Lebanese Mission in New York City, where they met
with H. E. Tariq Mitri and H.E. N. Mahmoud, Lebanon’s ambassador to Mexico,
and expressed their support and solidarity with Lebanon in calling for an
immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of occupying forces. They also discussed
ways and means of transporting humanitarian aid, including medical supplies,
to Lebanon immediately.
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO FRANKLIN, MASSACHUSETTS
This weekend Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Camp Haiastan in
Franklin, Massachusetts, where he will join parishioners of Sts. Vartanantz
Church (Providence) and preside over the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony.
ARAM I RECEIVES ST. JOHN UNIVERSITY’S PAX CHRISTI AWARD
St. John’s University of Minnesota is awarding the 2006 Pax Christi
Award to His Holiness, Aram I. The announcement was made recently by the
president of the University, Dr. Dietrich Reinhart. The award-the highest
award conferred by the University-will be presented on December 6 at a
special event honoring His Holiness at St. John’s University.
In his letter, President Reinhart praised the ministry of the Catholicos
and stated: "Particularly notable is your support for Ecumenical and
inter-religious relations, dialogue and cooperation. Through your prolific
writings, public lectures and interventions, and your leadership in the
World Council of Churches, you have played a significant role in promoting
common values, mutual understanding, and peaceful co-existence among people
of faith throughout the world."
St. John’s is the site of the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, which
is undertaking the digitization of manuscripts, books, and art throughout
the world. It is the home of the world’s largest collection of manuscript
images and of The Saint John’s Bible, a handwritten, illuminated Bible in
modern English. The manuscript collection of the Cilician Catholicate was
recently digitized and preserved. The Library currently houses the largest
collection of Eastern Christian manuscripts in the world, more than the
British Museum and the Vatican Library combined.
VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO ARMENIA ON SUNDAY
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar, will travel to Armenia this Sunday evening,
August 13, where he will direct the summer program of religious studies for
the children sponsored through the Prelacy’s Orphans Program, at the summer
camp in Vanadzor in northern Armenia. Bishop Anoushavan will return to New
York on August 31.
Prior to his departure, the Vicar will officiate at the Divine Liturgy
this Sunday, August 13, at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, NY.
YANNI IN CONCERT
George Maksian, who keeps us informed of all things Armenian in the
entertainment world, recommends everyone to watch the Yanni Concert
currently being shown on various PBS stations. In New York the program will
be shown on Channel 21 (the Long Island PBS station) tonight at 9:30 pm.
George informs us that the entire show is great and the last half features
an Armenian violinist.
George has also been raving profusely about the young Armenian
violinist, Sergey Khachatryan, who made his New York debut at Avery Fisher
Hall in the Mostly Mozart Festival last weekend. The glowing review in the
usually reserved New York Times described the 21-year old "tousle-haired
newcomer" as being "dazzling" and "bewitching." According to the Times, "The
audience responded with a tumultuous ovation."
WHEN BAD THINGS AREN’T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN
Another one of our faithful readers, Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian, called
our attention to an article in a recent issue of Orthodoxy Today, entitled
"When Bad Things Aren’t Supposed to Happen," by John Kapsalis. If you would
like to read the article click here
FEAST OF ASSUMPTION AND BLESSING OF GRAPES
This Sunday, August 13, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of
the Assumption (Verapokhoomn) of the Holy Mother of God and the Blessing of
the Grapes.
According to tradition, Mary, mother of Christ, died and was buried by
the apostles. The apostle Bartholomew, who was not present at her funeral,
wished to visit the grave, but when the gravestone was lifted they were
surprised to find that the body had disappeared. It was believed that Christ
had come and taken His mother to the Heavenly Kingdom. Based on this event,
the Church Fathers established the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, which is one of the five tabernacle feast days in the Armenian
Church. It is celebrated on the Sunday closest to August 15. Traditionally
it includes a week of fasting prior to the date and a memorial day the
following day (Monday).
Because Bartholomew was very fond of the Holy Mother, the Apostle John
gave him an image of her (which she had given to John). Bartholomew took
this image with him to Armenia to Darbnats Kar in the province of Antsevatsi
(Western Armenia) where a convent for nuns, Hagyatz Vank (Monastery for the
Spirits) was built and where the icon was kept. Most images of Bartholomew
show him holding this icon.
The concept of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption is an ancient one as seen in
sacred prose and poetry dedicated to the Holy Mother. However, it did not
become a basic doctrine of the church until the ninth century and it was in
the twelfth century that the feast was called "The Assumption."
After the Divine Liturgy, the Blessing of Grapes takes place. There is
no relationship between the Feast of the Virgin Mary and the Blessing of
Grapes. Similar to other feast days, it coincides with a pagan era
festivity, which the Church Fathers incorporated into the church calendar.
The hymn Park Sourp Khatcheet is sung, Biblical passages are recited,
followed by a prayer composed by Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali specifically
for this occasion. After the prayer, the grapes are blessed three times with
Orhnestsee Bahbanestsee and then the blessed grapes are distributed to the
Faithful. Many devout people refrain from eating grapes until this blessing
takes place.
Certainly the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony is a celebration of the
fruitfulness of the earth. Grapes are one of the oldest cultivated plants in
the world, and according to biblical history, Noah planted a vineyard
immediately after disembarking from the Ark. (Geneses, Chapter 9). And, of
course, the wine of the Divine Liturgy comes from grapes.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO HELP LEBANON
Talking about the Blessing of the Grapes brings back memories of our
visit to Lebanon many years ago during this season where in the Chapel
(dedicated to Mary) in Bikfaya, Lebanon, site of the summer residence of the
Catholicos, and also now the site of the Seminary, we witnessed the weekend
festivities associated with this feast. The memory of the beautiful services
in the mountain hills, the celestial hymns echoing in the surrounding
vineyards and orchards, and witnessing the hundreds, if not thousands, of
pilgrims attending is upper most in our mind at this time when Lebanon is
once again embroiled in area disputes that are not specifically Lebanese but
are manifested in Lebanon, most probably because of the freedom accorded
there. Please remember to make your donation to help the people of Lebanon.
You may send your donation to the Prelacy, as mentioned in the first item in
this week’s Crossroads. Other churches and organizations are collecting as
well. Our message to you is to give to the church or organization of your
choosing. The important thing is to give, and to give generously.
"Bless, O Lord, the grape plants and vineyards from which these grapes are
taken and presented to the holy church, and make them bountiful and
fruitful; let them be like good and fertile land, protect the vineyards from
all kinds of misfortunes and destruction which come from above because of
our sins, from hail, from cold, from hot winds, and from destructive
insects, so that we may enjoy that which You have created in this world for
our enjoyment and for Your glory, and grant that we may be worthy to eat and
drink with You from the bounty of Your most fruitful vine at the table of
Your Father’s Kingdom, according to the just promise which You made, to the
honor and glory of Your coexisting Trinity, the Father, the Son and the most
Holy Spirit to whom is due glory, power and honor, now and forever. Amen."
>From prayer for the Blessing of the Grapes, written by Catholicos Nerses
Shnorhali
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 13-Annual Blessing of the Grapes picnic, sponsored by Sts. Vartanantz
Church at Dunkerhook Park (Pavilion D), Paramus, New Jersey, 1 to 5 pm. For
information, 201-943-2950.
August 13-Annual picnic, Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York.
August 13-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual picnic at Camp
Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts.
August 13-Annual picnic of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts, on the church grounds.
August 20-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Annual Church Picnic, 12 noon on the church grounds. For
details: 508-234-3677.
September 10-Annual picnic of St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
September 10-Annual picnic of St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack
Valley, at the American Legion grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
September 15-Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack
Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, 6 pm at Jaffarian Hall.
September 18-11th Annual ACEC/School golf outing at Stow Acres Country Club,
Stow, Massachusetts. For information, 781-326-5764.
September 24-36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.
September 25-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 3rd Annual Golf Outing and Award Dinner at Raceway Golf
Course, Thompson, Connecticut. Registration 7:30 a.m. For information
508-872-9629 or church office 508-852-2414.
September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.
October 1-Banquet honoring Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian on the occasion of
his recent elevation, at Terrace in the Park, Flushing, New York, 3 pm.
Details will follow.
October 8-81st anniversary celebration of St. Stephen Church, New Britain,
Connecticut.
October 22-Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.
November 5-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual "Armenian Fest" at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.
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