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: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
April 19, 2007
SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR VICTIMS OF VIRGINIA TECH TRAGEDY
THIS SUNDAY IN PRELACY CHURCHES
Archbishop Oshagan has instructed all parishes within the Eastern
Prelacy to offer special prayers for the victims of the tragic rampage that
took place on the campus of Virginia Tech this week. The Prelate expressed
sadness that such events could happen within the setting of a place of
higher learning cutting short the lives of so many gifted young people, as
well as several of their professors. "Let us pray for the families of the
victims and ask the Almighty to comfort them."
LITURGY AND REQUIEM SERVICE FOR THE MARTYRS OF APRIL
The Divine Liturgy and a solemn requiem service will be conducted on the
evening of April 24, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New
York City, in memory of the million and a half Armenians who perished during
the Genocide of 1915.
Under the auspices of the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, the
liturgy will be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the
Cathedral, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Vicar General, Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, will deliver the sermon. A special memorial program dedicated to
the memory of Hrant Dink will follow the liturgy and requiem service, both
of which will be conducted at the Cathedral’s Martyrs’ Altar.
VICAR ATTENDS WCC MEETINGS
Bishop Anoushavan participated in the semi-annual Board of Directors’
meeting of the U.S. Conference of the World Council of Churches in New York
City on Monday and Tuesday, April 16 and 17. His Grace, who is the Vicar
General of the Eastern Prelacy, is also the ecumenical officer in the United
States on behalf of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
PRELATE AND VICAR WILL ATTEND GENOCIDE COMMEMORATIONS
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan will represent the Eastern
Prelacy at genocide commemorations in New York and Washington, D.C.
Tomorrow evening, Friday, April 20, Bishop Anoushavan will attend the
commemoration at City Hall in New York City, organized by the Armenian
National Committee of New York. (See next item for more details about the
event).
On Sunday, April 22, Archbishop Oshagan will deliver the invocation at
the gathering at Times Square organized by the Knights and Daughters of
Vartan. (See next item for more details about this event).
On Tuesday, April 24, Archbishop Oshagan, will attend the genocide
commemoration on capitol hill in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the
bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. His Eminence will
deliver the invocation.
GENOCIDE COMMEMORATIONS
The Armenian National Committee of New York is hosting its annual City
Hall Armenian Genocide Commemoration on Friday, April 20th. It will take
place at the Surrogate’s Courthouse, north of City Hall, in Manhattan, at
6:30 pm. It is open to the public. Buses will depart from: The Armenian
Center in Woodside at 5:30 pm; St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, at 5:00 pm;
Holy Martyrs Church, Bayside, at 5:00 pm, Baruir’s Grocery, Sunnyside, at
5:30 pm; and from Brooklyn, at the corner of Coney Island and Brighton Beach
Ave., at 5:00 pm. For information: 718-651-1530.
The annual commemoration in Times Square will take place Sunday, April
22, beginning at 2 pm, at Times Square, 43rd Street and Broadway, New York
City. The event is sponsored by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan and
co-sponsored by the AGBU, Armenian Assembly, ArmenPac, and the ANCA.
Participants include the Diocese of the Armenian Church, the Prelacy of the
Armenian Church, the AMAA, the Armenian Presbyterian Church, the Armenian
Evangelical Church, and the Armenian Catholic Eparchy of the United States
and Canada. Bus transportation is being provided from all Armenian churches
in New York and New Jersey as well as from the Armenian Center in Woodside,
New York, Baruir’s Grocery, Sunnyside, New York, and the Hovnanian School,
New Milford, New Jersey.
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON
Archbishop Oshagan will be in Washington, D.C., tomorrow where in the
evening Dr. and Mrs. Dertad Manguikian are hosting a reception and dinner in
honor of the Prelate’s 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
A large number of friends are expected to attend this special event. Three
separate public celebrations will take place in May in various parts of the
eastern United States. See below for details.
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.
For more information on all three events click
.html.
PRELATE WILL ATTEND DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL THIS SUNDAY
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral this Sunday, April 22. Immediately after the service
the Prelate will go to Times Square for the April 24th commemoration.
VICAR WILL WELCOME BAPTIST CONVENTION
Bishop Anoushavan will welcome the delegates to the National Baptist
Convention USA, on April 21, upon their arrival to New York on their journey
to Geneva, The Vatican, and Africa.
REPRESENTATIVE OF ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
VISITS HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
Bishop Anthony Boll, representing the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan
Williams, visited His Holiness Aram I in Antelias on April 12. He was
accompanied by Rev. Nabil Shehadi, Archbishop of Canterbury’s representative
to the Oriental Orthodox Churches. The aim of the visit was to consult with
His Holiness concerning a visit by the leader of the Anglican Church to the
Middle East. Also participating in the meeting was Bishop Nareg Alemezian,
the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
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
2007 NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY IN DEARBORN
The 2007 National Representative Assembly (NRA) will be hosted by St.
Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan. For details click
PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON MAY 7
The popular Mothers Day luncheon presented by the Prelacy Ladies Guild
will take place on Monday, May 7, at the St. Regis in New York City.
This year’s Mother of the Year is Mrs. Lalig Bayrakdarian, mother of six
children, including the famed Metropolitan Opera star, Isabel Bayrakdarian.
A special presentation of "Musical Sounds of Armenia" will be provided
by a quartet made up of graduates and current students of Juilliard and solo
dance presentation accompanied by kanon and piano. For more information
click
" ;INDYKIDS" FEATURES ARMENIAN HISTORY, CULTURE AND
GENOCIDE AWARENESS IN MAY/JUNE ISSUE
IndyKids, a bimonthly student newspaper and teaching tool, has produced
an eight page edition which spotlights Armenian history, culture, and
genocide awareness. IndyKids, for readers ages 9 to 12, is distributed to
schools, libraries, bookstores, and individuals in New York and elsewhere.
The May/June issue introduces readers to the Armenians, with news sections
that include: a "fast facts" section about Armenia; a profile of an Armenian
American child; an article about Turkish denial of the Armenian Genocide; an
item about Hrant Dink, a book review, and an Armenian recipe. Teacher/editor
Amanda Vender and journalist Lucine Kasbarian conceptualized the Armenian
themes in this issue. The May/June issue is downloadable at
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated 2007 as the Year of the Armenian Language. In celebration of this
year-long tribute, each week we will offer an interesting tidbit about the
Armenian language.
Armenian corresponds with other Indo-European languages in its
structure, but it shares distinctive sounds and features of its grammar with
neighboring languages of the Caucasus region. Grammatically, early forms of
Armenian had much in common with classical Greek and Latin, but the modern
language, like modern Greek, has undergone many transformations.
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click
.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click
DAIL Y BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, April 19, are: Luke 5:17-26; Acts 8:14-25;
James 5:12-20; John 1:43-51; Matthew 6:1-21; Mark 2:1-12.
On one of those days, as he was teaching, there were Pharisees and
teachers of the law sitting by, who had come from every village of Galilee
and Judea and from Jerusalem; and the power of the Lord was with him to
heal. And behold, men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and
they sought to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; but finding no way to
bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him
down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. And when he
saw their faith he said, "Your sins are forgiven you." And the scribes and
the Pharisees began to question, saying, "Who is this that speaks
blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" When Jesus perceived their
questionings, he answered them, "Why do you question in your hearts? Which
is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive
sins"-he said to the man who was paralyzed-"I say to you, rise, take up your
bed and go home." And immediately he rose before them, and took up that on
which he lay, and went home, glorifying God. And amazement seized them all,
and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen
strange things today." Luke 5:17-26.
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.
SUNDAY OF THE WORLD CHURCH (GREEN SUNDAY)
This Sunday, April 22, is the third Sunday of Easter, known as Green
Sunday (Ganach Giragee) and Sunday of the World Church (Ashkharhamadoor).
The name "Green Sunday" most probably comes from an ancient folk holiday in
celebration of spring. Our forefathers, seeing mother earth bloom after long
winter months, glorified the Creator with an act of thanksgiving, and
celebrated by bedecking the Church and themselves with greenery. Green is
the color of life, freshness and promise. After a barren winter we are
filled with hope, life and love. It is also known as World Church Sunday in
the sense of the church belonging to the whole world beginning with Christ
and the Apostles who met regularly to pray and partake of the Holy Sacrament
of Communion. Perhaps it is an appropriate time for us to remember our
obligations to be good stewards of the earth and the gifts that have been
given to us by God.
APRIL IS THE CRUELEST MONTH
Tuesday is April 24-the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Let
us pause to pay our respects to the one and one half million who perished,
and pay tribute to the survivors who created new life under the harshest
conditions.
April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots and spring rain.
(from The Waste Land: "The Burial of the Dead" by T. S. Eliot)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 20-City Hall Genocide Commemoration, hosted by the Armenian National
Committee of New York, at Surrogate’s Courthouse, north of City Hall in
Manhattan. The program will begin at 6:30. Open to the public.
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, 11:30 a.m., St. Regis
Hotel, Two East 55th Street (at Fifth Avenue), New York City. Special
entertainment, "Musical Sounds of Armenia."
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 here.
July 21-Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild, Providence, Rhode Island, and
ARS Ani Chapter present "A Hye Summer Night 2." For information
401-286-8107.
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 27-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 5th Annual Golf
Outing at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. Registration
begins at 11 a.m. and tee time at 1 p.m. For information, 201-943-2950.
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.
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