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
November 16, 2006
ARMENIAN CHURCH 2006:
YOUTH GATHERING WITH CATHOLICOS ARAM I
Make your reservations and travel arrangements now as Armenian Church
2006: Your Church. Your Future. Engage, approaches. This event promises to
be an unprecedented assembly of young adults ages 18 to 35 with His Holiness
Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. The two-day gathering is
scheduled to take place Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3, in
Dearborn, Michigan.
The Program Committee has supplemented the schedule with exciting events
that will add energy and power to the weekend. A pre-gathering discussion
regarding the Armenian Church today will prelude the program on Saturday.
This forum will give the attendees a chance to grapple with issues of
concern related to the church. Hayr Meghrig Parikian of Toronto, Canada,
will lead a contemplative choir performance allowing the participants to
enjoy the talents of Armenian singers and the beauty of traditional Armenian
hymns. Other portions of the schedule will include live speakers, film,
music, and liturgy and will all be focused toward answering the questions:
Where have we come from? Where are we going? How far can we go?
Armenian Church 2006 will unofficially begin with a Hrashapar Service on
Friday, December 1, 7 pm at St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn, Michigan. The
main program will begin on Saturday, December 2, at 2 pm and conclude on
Sunday, December 3 at 2 pm. The two-day gathering will also feature a
concert by renowned Christian vocalist Salpi Keleshian. Armenian Church 2006
will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. A special hotel rate of
$99 per night has been negotiated. A $40 registration fee will include
dinner on Saturday evening as well as breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Details
about the program as well as a registration form are available at
REQUIEM SERVICE FOR ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
Requiem services in memory of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, former prelate
of the Eastern Prelacy, will take place on Sunday, December 3, at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. Rev. Fr.
Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral, will preside. Archbishop Ashjian
died three years ago on December 2, 2003.
CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
A reminder that the children’s concert featuring the popular children’s
entertainer, TALINE from California, is this Saturday, November 18 at
Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City. For information call
the Prelacy office 212-689-7810 or click
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ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL ATTEND
50th ANNIVERSARY OF REV. FR. GORUN SHRIKIAN
The 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Gorun Shrikian will be
commemorated this Sunday, November 19, at St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn,
Michigan. The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will preside over the Divine
Liturgy and the luncheon that will follow in honor of Der Gorun. The
celebration is being sponsored by St. Sarkis Church and the Armenian
Community Center.
Der Gorun has served the Eastern Prelacy beginning in 1959 until his
retirement in 1997. During his ministry he served two parishes: St. Gregory
Church in Granite City, Illinois, from 1959 to 1964, and St. Sarkis Church
in Dearborn, Michigan from 1964 until his retirement in 1997.
Der Gorun received his PhD from Concordia Seminary in 1977, after
presenting and successfully defending his dissertation, "Armenians under the
Ottoman Empire and American Missions’ Influence in their Intellectual and
Social Renaissance."
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF REV. FR. MOUSHEGH DER KALOUSTIAN
TO BE CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 17
On Sunday, December 17, the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev.
Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian will be commemorated at Terrace on the Park. Der
Moushegh will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in
New York, where he served as the priest for many years, prior to the
luncheon commemoration.
During this year, two other priests marked their 50th anniversary: Rev.
Fr. Torkom Hagopian, whose golden anniversary was celebrated by St. Stephen
Church in Watertown, Massachusetts in June and as mentioned above Rev. Fr.
Gorun Shrikian’s anniversary which will be celebrated this Sunday.
For reservations and/or information about the December 17th celebration
of Der Moushegh’s 50th anniversary, contact the Prelacy, 212-689-7810.
THE SPEAR OF CHRIST WILL BE FEATURED
ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL
"The Spear of Christ," a one-hour documentary will be shown on the
History Channel’s "Decoding the Past" series on Thursday, December 21, at 9
pm. (Please check your local listings). Filmed in four countries (including
Armenia), the program follows the legend of one of histories most powerful
relics on its 200-year journey. The spear that pierced the side of Christ
while he was on the cross is believed to hold miraculous powers. Four
artifacts exist which claim to be this holy spear: one in Vienna, one in
Poland, one in the Vatican, and one in Armenia. The program examines each in
an effort to determine which, if any, is the authentic Spear. The producer
of the show, Ken Winikur, said his trip to Armenia was central to the
success of the documentary. "Armenia is a beautiful country with a rich
history. The story of its Holy Lance is virtually unknown to an American
audience and we are excited to feature it in our program," he said.
ASIA-MIDDLE EAST INTERFAITH DIALOGUE
TAKES PLACE IN ANTELIAS
Religious leaders from Asia and the Middle East came together in
Antelias, Lebanon, on November 12 to 14, at the invitation of His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I. His Holiness provided the vision and guidance for this
meeting, which was convened so that religious leaders from these two regions
could get to know each other and begin to develop greater understanding of
each other’s religious traditions.
In a joint message the leaders said: "Bridges of faith can provide hope
and healing to wounded nations and pain-filled people, of which there are
too many in our world today. During the dialogue, we heard serious concerns
from both Asia and the Middle East regarding the world situation. We heard
of the need to recommit ourselves to the spiritual core of our religious
traditions so that people and societies may translate into daily life the
spiritual and moral values cherished by our traditions. We also heard of the
need for religion to provide us with the strength, vision and understanding
for reconciliation among individuals and communities based on truth and
justice. We heard of the need for an engaged spirituality, where the deeper
meaning of our traditions, moral teachings and values can be experienced.
And we heard of the need to foster a deep respect for the differences that
give us our distinctive identities, while recognizing the universal values
that bring us together as a human community."
THANKSGIVING DAY TELETHON
We remind our readers to watch and participate in the annual Thanksgiving
Day telethon which will benefit Armenia Fund USA’s great work in Armenia.
For complete schedule go to
PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF ADVENT
This Sunday, November 19, is the Paregentan of the Fast of Advent.
Counting backwards from January 6th, the beginning of Advent falls on
November 18th or the closest Sunday. Advent is a period of anticipation and
contrition in preparation for the great and joyous Feast of the Theophany
(Nativity and Baptism of Our Lord).
PRESENTATION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Tuesday, November 21, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the
Presentation of the Holy Mother of God (Asdvadzadzin). According to
tradition, Anna, who was childless for years, prayed in earnest that God
grant her a child and promised she would dedicate the child to the holy
Temple. God granted her a girl, who she named Mary, and faithful to her
word, she presented her daughter to the Temple at the age of three. This is
the event celebrated on November 21. Mary remained in the house of God for
twelve years, until she was 15 years old, when she returned to her parents.
She was in her teens when the Archangel Gabriel, sent by God, told her that
she was blessed amongst women and would become the mother of the Son of God.
The Armenian Church celebrates eight feasts of the Holy Mother of God:
Her Nativity; Her Presentation to the Temple; The Annunciation; The
Conception of Mary; The Purification; The Assumption; The Discovery of her
Belt; The Discovery of the Box.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November 17 & 18-Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts.
November 17-St. Gregory Church. North Andover, Massachusetts, Monthly
Family Night and Thanksgiving Dinner, 6 pm.
November 18-Children’s Concert, "FALL COLORS", sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring
TALINE AND FRIENDS.
November 18-"Christian Spirituality and the Armenian Apostolic Church," a
lecture by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, at St. Sarkis Armenian Church,
Douglaston, New York.
November 19-Thanksgiving luncheon by Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, New York City, following the Divine Liturgy, under the auspices
of Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor. For information: 212-689-5880.
December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 2-3-Gathering of the Youth with Catholicos Aram I, Hyatt Regency,
Dearborn, Michigan. For details click here.
December 3-Requiem service in memory of His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob
Ashjian on the third anniversary of his passing, St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian will
preside.
December 10-52nd anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church,
Granite City, Illinois.
December 10-General Membership meeting and elections of auditing and
nominating committees, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.
December 10-Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, Troy, New York, Archbishop
Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy.
December 13-Thanksgiving Luncheon with the local NYPD and Fire Fighters, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York.
December 16-"A Celebration of Service" in honor of past chairmen and board
of trustees members. Under auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, St.
Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. For information and
reservations 718-224-2275.
December 16-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Men’s Club and
Ladies’ Guild Christmas Party and Dinner Dance, 7 pm, $40 per person.
Reservations a must. For information: 201-943-4056 (Kiledjian); 201-461-4283
(Mirakian).
December 17-50th anniversary celebration of the ordination of Archpriest Fr.
Moushegh Der Kaloustian, sponsored by the Prelacy Religious Council, at
Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York. Der Moushegh will celebrate
the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (221 E. 27th Street, New
York City) on Sunday morning.
December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 31-New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey and ARF Dro Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton, New Jersey. Featuring
Arthur Apkarian and Armenia Band. For full information contact the church
office 201-943-2950.
December 31-New Year’s Eve Party, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston,
New York.
January 6-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
first Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
January 6-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Christmas party and
special program for Saturday and Sunday school students.
January 28-Annual Membership Meeting, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda,
Maryland, at 1 pm.
February 4-St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the church
and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.
February 11-General Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.
February 17-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, Annual
Membership Meeting.
February 18-Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night,
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
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