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
May 17, 2007
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
CONVENES IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN
The National Representative Assembly (NRA) convened today, May 17, at
St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn, Michigan. The NRA is the highest legislative
body of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, and
is charged with the task of supervising the ecclesiastical and
administrative bodies of the Eastern Prelacy. The Assembly is composed of
one-seventh clergy and six-sevenths lay delegates. The clergy delegates are
elected by the Clergy Conference, and the lay delegates by their respective
parishes. The clergy began their conference earlier, on Tuesday afternoon.
The NRA began today and will conclude on Saturday, May 19.
Today’s sessions included the delivery of two major addresses by the
Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, and Jack Mardoian, Esq.,
chairman of the Executive Council.
In his address to the Assembly the Prelate focused his attention to the
true mission of the Church. He spoke about the "sacred duty" of the church
"to administer spiritual and national sustenance to the children of our
nation, to turn our community life meaningful, purposeful for our church and
nation and our motherland. In this way we give our children a sense of
belonging, a firm identity and consciousness, because without these the
flame that Haig, our nation’s patriarch, rooted, that emanated from the
Illuminator, and intensified by Sahag-Mesrob will be extinguished." His
Eminence described the mission of the church as a "continuous stream, to
preach the Gospel, to illuminate the souls of our children, to educate their
minds, and to kindle in them the flame of our spiritual, national and
cultural values, so that they recognize our sacred forefathers and strive to
emulate them."
In his keynote address Jack Mardoian, elaborated on a number of themes
including the upcoming dual anniversaries in 2008 (110th anniversary of the
founding of the Armenian Church in America and 50th anniversary of the
Prelacy’s affiliation with the Great House of Cilicia), the changing needs
of our community including the educational curriculum for our clergy, the
need for updated and appropriate educational texts, the change in
demographics, parish-prelacy relations, and the imperative for better
communications. He challenged the delegates to consider these serious issues
with the goal of finding solutions. "You have been called here as the
delegates, clergy, and board members from your respective parishes, to
review the programs and mission of our Prelacy. It is your work, as the
supreme legislative body of our Prelacy, to advise the Executive Council on
the progress of its ongoing work and to propose programs which will enhance
our ability to serve effectively and to realize our mission as a church."
ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING CELEBRATES THE SECOND OF THREE ANNIVERSARY GALAS FOR
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN
The second of the three regional celebrations marking the 40th
anniversary of Archbishop Oshagan’s ordination to the priesthood, took place
last Saturday, May 12, at the Marriott at Glenpointe in Teaneck, New Jersey.
The first event took place May 5 in Providence, Rhode Island, for the New
England area parishes.The faithful of the Mid-Atlantic area joined His
Eminence’s family (see photo) and friends from various parts of the world,
in celebrating the Prelate’s milestone anniversary. Ambassador Armen
Martirossian, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the
United Nations, attended and offered his warm congratulations recalling that
Oshagan Srpazan was the first person to officially welcome him when he first
arrived in New York.
The keynote address, delivered by Judge Sarkis Teshoian, provided a
vivid appreciation of the forty years of dedicated and creative service
Archbishop Oshagan has given to the Church in various capacities.
The third celebration will take place tomorrow evening, Friday, May 18,
in Dearborn, Michigan, for the parishes in the Mid-West and the delegates
attending the National Representative Assembly. As he did in Providence and
New Jersey, Judge Teshoian will deliver the keynote address.
VOLUMES 6, 7 AND 8 OF ANCIENT ARMENIAN
LITERATURE SERIES IS PUBLISHED IN ANTELIAS
The sixth, seventh, and eighth volumes of the 13-volume series on
ancient Armenian literature have been published thanks to the joint efforts
of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Armenian Affairs Department of the
Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. This massive undertaking is the first
comprehensive study of Armenian literature covering the period from the
fifth century to the eighteenth century.
The three most recent volumes were published with the blessings of His
Holiness Aram I under the supervision of Dr. Zaven Yegavian, director of the
Armenian Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. The sixth and
seventh volumes cover Armenian literature of the eighth century. The eighth
volume includes all of the hymns of the Armenian Church.
CHILDREN’S BIBLE IN MODERN ARMENIAN PUBLISHED
A "Children’s Bible" has been published through the joint efforts of the
Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the Bible
Society of Lebanon. His Holiness Aram I praised the work which is in modern
Armenian and includes colorful illustrations.
The Executive Director of the Bible Society of Lebanon, Michael Bassous,
recently visited His Holiness, at which time they discussed a number of
future joint projects by the Bible Society and the Catholicosate’s Christian
Education Department.
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
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.
Heed then this advice, my little son,
That comes from your mother’s heart,
This day I place in your trust,
The Armenian language,
A treasure from which you must never part.
Hold it always close like a lover
For power to you it will impart.
Like the sacred snows of Mount Ararat,
Or your ancestors’ ashes,
Keep it always near your heart.
The third and ninth stanzas of
Message to My Child by Silva Kaputikian
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click
.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click
TODA Y IS FEAST OF THE ASCENSION
Today, May 17, is the Feast of the Ascension (Hambardzoom) of our Lord
Jesus Christ, which comes forty days after the Resurrection. According to
Biblical scripture the Ascension took place at the village of Bethany, on
the Mount of Olives, in the presence of our Lord’s disciples. After giving
them commandments and blessings, the Lord was "received up into heaven and
sat on the right hand of God," (Mark 16:19), and "a cloud received him out
of their sight," (Acts 1:9). In the early centuries of Christianity
Hambardzoom was one of the most popular feast days for the faithful and was
celebrated with merriment and festivities. There are many traditions
associated with this dominical feast. Perhaps the best known in current
times is fortune-telling (vijakakhakh), as popularly related in the opera
Anoush.
SUNDAY IS SECOND PALM SUNDAY
This Sunday, May 20, is Second Palm Sunday (Yerkrort Tzaghkazard). The
seventh Sunday of Easter is called Second Palm Sunday, based on the readings
for that day. Beginning with New Sunday, the Armenian Church reads from the
four Gospels every day in their proper order, and in that order the sections
relating to Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, as described in the four Gospels,
coincides with the seventh Sunday of Easter, hence the designation "second
Palm Sunday."
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, May 17, are: Luke 18:1-14; Acts 1:1-14;
Matthew 28:16-20; Matthew 19:1-15; Mark 10:13-27.
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus
had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I
am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20.
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.
MOTHER’S DAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR’S CATHEDRAL
A luncheon and program dedicated to Mother’s Day will take place
following the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, May 20, 2007, at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. Honored as the Mothers of the
Year will be Yn. Vartouhi Der Kaloustian, Mrs. Azadouhi Vartanian, and Mrs.
Lusig Khatchadour. For information contact the church, 212-689-5880.
80th ANNIVERSARY OF LINDBERGH FLIGHT
Monday, May 21, is the 80th anniversary of the historic nonstop solo
transatlantic flight made by the 25-year-old Charles A. Lindbergh. His
3,610-mile trip from New York, aboard the single engine monoplane, Spirit of
St. Louis, took 33 hours and 32 minutes, much of it through sleet. He landed
at Le Bourget Airfield near Paris on May 21, 1927. Lindbergh and his plane
came back to New York by ship.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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.
May 20-Divine Liturgy, Luncheon and Program dedicated to Mother’s Day, St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, Sunday, May 20. Honored mothers: Yn.
Vartouhi Der Kaloustian, Mrs. Azadouhi Vartanian, and Mrs. Lusig
Khatchadour. For information, 212-689-5880.
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
July 7-St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, gathering at the
home of the parish priest, Rev. Father Bedros Shetilian.
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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