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
March 8, 2007
PRELACY LENTEN MEDITATIONS CONTINUE
The third of the six Prelacy Lenten Meditations took place yesterday
evening, Wednesday, March 7. The 2007 Prelacy Lenten program focuses on the
seven vices and seven virtues. Last evening, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, spoke about "Anger
and Patience." Der Mesrob led the participants through a scriptural
reflection on various aspects of anger and patience. Der Hayr highlighted
the difference between righteous anger and sinful anger, giving examples
from the Bible and from our daily life. "Be angry but do not sin" (Eph.
4:26).
Next Wednesday, Dr. Michael Papazian, professor of Philosophy and chair
of the Religion and Philosophy Department at Berry College, Rome, Georgia,
will continue the series on the seven vices and virtues by offering his
meditation on "Sloth and Diligence."
The annual Lenten series is sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, the
St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild, and the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). All of the programs take place at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, with the following general
schedule: Lenten Service at 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary; Lecture at 8 pm in
Pashalian Hall, followed by a light Lenten meal and fellowship. For a
complete schedule of lectures click
PRELA TE IN NEW JERSEY
This Sunday, March 11, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, will preside over
the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey.
VICAR IN WORCESTER
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, will visit the parish of
Holy Trinity Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, this weekend.
CATHOLICOS ARAM EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF DIALOGUE
BETWEEN ORIENTAL ORTHODOX AND EASTERN ORTHODOX
His Eminence Metropolitan Emmanuel, representing the Ecumenical
Patriarch Bartholomew, met with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia,
and the Catholicosate’s ecumenical officer, Bishop Nareg Alemezian, in
Antelias, Lebanon. Metropolitan Emmanuel was delegated by His Holiness
Bartholomew, to explore with the Catholicos the possibilities of resuming
the theological dialogue between the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox
family of churches that started in 1985 and last met in 1993. The Catholicos
emphasized the unique importance of this dialogue. "The solid foundation of
common basis was already laid down in this theological dialogue. Basic
Christological issues have been discussed, but there is still a long way to
go. We need more discussion in respect to a number of matters pertaining to
our theology, liturgy, canons and traditions. I understand that in both
families there are a few churches that have still some reservations
concerning this theological rapprochement between our two families. We must
take their approaches and concerns seriously and proceed carefully,"
Catholicos Aram said.
MUSICAL ARMENIA
The 2007 Musical Armenia concert will take place Sunday, March 25, 2 pm,
at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City. Tickets are $25.
Featured artists are bass Serge Barseghyan (accompanied by Evan Solomon)
and the Ararat Trio, comprised of Patil Harboyan, piano; Van Armenian,
violin; and Hrant Parsamian, cello.
Serge Barseghyan has appeared as a soloist in the United States and
Europe, including New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Barcelona, and Valencia.
Patil Harboyan was awarded first prize at the Margo Babikian Piano
Competition in Lebanon and the Armenian Allied Arts Association Competition
in Los Angeles. Van Armenian has served as concertmaster of the Pacific
Music Festival Orchestra in Japan and of the Colorado-based National
Repertory Orchestra. Hrant Parsamian was awarded highest prizes at the
Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition and the Olga Koussevitzky
Competition.
The Musical Armenia concerts have been presented since 1982. Its goal is
to showcase the talents of young Armenian artists. If you would like to
purchase tickets and/or become a sponsor of this year’s Musical Armenia
concert please contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or by e-mail to
sophie@armenianprelacy.org.
2007 DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
The 21st annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Christian summer studies
program will take place July 1 to 8 in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For details
click
40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINATION OF
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN
The 40th anniversary of the ordination of our Prelate, Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, will take place in three different regions as follows:
On Saturday, May 5, the first of the three celebrations will take place
at The Marriott in Providence, Rhode Island, with the participation of all
of the parishes in New England, Connecticut, and Troy, New York.
On Saturday, May 12, the second celebration will take place at the The
Marriott at Glenpointe, in Teaneck, New Jersey, with the participation of
all of the parishes in the Mid Atlantic, which includes New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.
The final celebration will take place during the National Representative
Assembly (NRA) which is being hosted by St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn,
Michigan. This will take place on Friday, May 18, at Double Tree Hotel in
Dearborn, with the participation of the parishes in the Mid-West, as well as
the NRA delegates and guests.
SUNDAY OF THE STEWARD
Our journey through Great Lent continues. This Sunday, March 11, is the
Sunday of the Steward (Tntesi Kiraki). The reading on this day is from the
Gospel of Luke (chapter 16, verses 1 to 8) which relates 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 tool. 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 understand. Others
were more complex and challenging.
SAINTS REMEMBERED THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, March 10, the Armenian Church remembers Hovhan Odznetsi,
Hovhan Vorodnetsi, and Krikor Datevatsi.
Hovhan Odznetsi (St. John of Otsoon) 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 received the title of philosopher and was educated
in the Hellenic school of thought.
Hovhan Vorotnetsi (St. John of Vorotan) 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 (St. Gregory of Datev), born in 1346 in the province of
Vayotz Tzor, is the best known of the three. He was a student of John of
Vorotan and a great defender of the character of the Armenian Church. 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 high standard for preaching. He is often referred to as "the
second Gregory the Illuminator."
NEXT WEDNEDAY IS MEDIAN DAY OF LENT
Next Wednesday, March 14, 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 occasion. It often
features gatherings of fellowship and friendship and the sharing of a Lenten
meal.
AREC DIRECTOR WILL LECTURE AT ST. SARKIS
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC) will lecture at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, on
Sunday, March 18, following the Mid-Lent traditional luncheon prepared and
served by the Ladies Guild. Dn. Shant’s topic is, "Great Lent: A Biblical
Map for our Journey of Faith." For information contact the church office,
718-224-2275.
ARMENIAN CHURCHES SPORTS ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS
Championship games of the Armenian Churches Sports Association (ACSA)
will take place this Sunday, March 11, at Hackensack Middle School,
Hackensack, New Jersey, with the following schedule: 1 pm, Men, Saints
Vartanantz vs. St. Sarkis; 2:30 pm Juniors, St. Leon vs. Sts. Vartanantz;
4:00 pm, Girls, St. Leon vs. Armenian Protestant Church; 5:30 pm, Seniors,
St. Leon vs. St. Sarkis.
In addition to the above teams, the league includes teams from the
parishes of St. Mary, St. Thomas, and Holy Martyrs.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
"St. Mesrob did not fall victim to collective excitement; neither did he
try to be satisfied with his laurels. After the translation of the Bible,
that apostolic saint which had propelled him to inventing the Armenian
alphabet this time led him to the lands of the Georgians and the [Caucasian]
Albanians and subsequently to the most distant corners of Armenia, always
zealously preaching the gospel and spreading the word of God to the
multitudes. With the same attentiveness, in turn, he would visit the Greek
part of Armenia and create among the different masses of politically divided
Armenians that unbreakable chain, which was the Armenian culture and by
which our people knew how to live and survive, maintaining its spiritual
independence through fire and sword which, alas, would constantly be at
risk, constantly reach the edge of the abyss, only to always emerge
triumphant."
(Excerpt from a Sermon delivered by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian on the Feast
of the Translators in the church of Oshagan, Armenia, on October 12, 1979).
The Pontifical Message issued by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia, proclaiming 2007 as the Year of the Armenian
Language is on the Prelacy’s web page. To read the message in Armenian click
To read the message in English click
DAIL Y BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, March 8, are Isaiah 45:17-25; Ephesians 3:14-4:13.
But Israel is saved by the Lord with everlasting salvation; you shall not be
put to shame or confounded to all eternity. For thus says the Lord, who
created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he
established it; he did not create it a chaos, he formed it to be inhabited!)
"I am the Lord, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land
of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in chaos.’ I
the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right. Assemble yourselves and
come, draw near together, you survivors of the nations! They have no
knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god
that cannot save. Declare and present your case; let them take counsel
together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the
Lord? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the
earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, from my
mouth has gone forth in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me
every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.’ Only in the Lord, it shall
be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be
ashamed, all who were incensed against him. In the Lord all the offspring of
Israel shall triumph and glory. Isaiah 45:17-25
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.
AND.DON’T FORGET.DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
This Sunday, March 11, we switch to Daylight Saving Time (three weeks
earlier than normal). Don’t forget to advance your clocks ahead by one hour
(spring forward; fall back). Congress made this decision as a supposed
energy-saving move.
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 hymn sung on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Steward)
Calendar of Events
February 21 to March 28-2007 Prelacy Lenten Program, to be held at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, Wednesday evenings during Great
Lent. Lenten service at 7:30 pm; Lecture and Q/A at 8 pm; Lenten meal and
fellowship at 8:45 pm. Theme: Seven Vices and Seven Virtues. For further
information click
March 18-Membership meeting, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
March 18-"Great Lent: A Biblical Map for our Journey of Faith," by Deacon
Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC, at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York, following Mid-Lent traditional luncheon. For information 718-224-2275.
March 25-Musical Armenia 2007, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 2 pm.
Sponsored by Prelacy Ladies Guild. Featured performers are: vocalist Serge
Barseghyan (bass); and Ararat Trio (Van Armenian, violin; Paul Harboyan,
piano; Hrant Parsamian, cello).
April 1-Ladies Guild Annual Palm Sunday Bake Sale, St. Stephen’s Church,
Watertown, Massachusetts.
April 14-Ladies Guild Comedy Night featuring Mel Gibson, Meze and dessert
will be served, St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. For
information, 617-924-7562.
May 5-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in the
New England area will take place in Providence, Rhode Island.
May 6-30th anniversary of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School, Terrace on
the Park, Corona, New York, at 5 pm.
May 7-Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers’ Day Luncheon, St. Regis Hotel, New York
City.
May 12-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in Mid
Atlantic area will take place at the Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New
Jersey.
May 12-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, 50th anniversary concert
featuring Onnik Dinkjian and John Berberian.
May 12-Armenian Dance party, St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard,
Massachusetts.
May 18-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in
Midwest will take place at the National Representative Assembly.
May 20-"Hello Ellis Island" and Reception, St. Stephen’s Church Hall,
Watertown, Massachusetts. $20 per person. Information, 617-924-7562.
July 1-8-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, 21st annual summer Christian
studies program for junior and senior high school students, at St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For information click
August 7-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf
tournament at Blackstone Country Club.
August 19-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic.
September 29-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley.
December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar.
December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.
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