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
June 14, 2007
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO INDIAN ORCHARD
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Indian Orchard, Massachusetts this
Sunday, June 17, where he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church.
VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO CONNECTICUT SUNDAY;
PRESIDE OVER SIAMANTO GRADUATION ON SATURDAY
Bishop Anoushavan will visit the St. Stephen parish of New Britain,
Connecticut, where he will deliver the sermon this Sunday, June 17.
On Saturday, Bishop Anoushavan will preside over the graduation ceremony
of the Siamanto Academy at the Armenian Center in Woodside, New York, at 11
a.m.
2007 DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
We are rapidly approaching the dates for the 21st annual St. Gregory of
Datev Institute Christian summer studies program, which will take place July
1 to 8 in Elverson, Pennsylvania. Sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian
Religious Education Council, the St. Gregory of Datev Institute is under the
directorship of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General. The program
offers an intensive seven-day religious educational program for youth ages
13 and older. The units of study include: Introduction to the Old and New
Testaments, Armenian Church History and Theology, Divine Liturgy and the
other Sacraments, Services and Hymns, Saints and Feasts, Contemporary
Ethical issues, Armenian history and language. For details click
SEMINA R ON BOOK OF REVELATIONS DURING DATEV
A three-hour seminar on the Orthodox understanding of the Book of
Revelations will be presented by Father Paul Tarazi, Professor of Old
Testament at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, on Saturday, July
7, during the Datev program at St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson,
Pennsylvania. Father Tarazi is a member of the faculty of the Datev
Institute. This seminar is open to all and is sponsored by the Prelacy’s
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and the Christian Education
Committee of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia.
Father Tarazi, a specialist in Scriptural studies in Old and New
Testament and Biblical Hebrew, is noted for his dynamic speaking style and
his ability to hold an audience’s interest while explaining complex issues.
He has written several commentaries on the Bible including one on the Book
of Revelations.
Registration is required. Fees are nominal. For details click
PREL ATE WILL ORDAIN ACOLYTES AT
ST. ILLUMINATOR’S CATHEDRAL ON JUNE 24
Archbishop Oshagan will ordain four acolytes on Sunday, June 24, at St.
Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. The acolytes to be ordained are
Zohrab (Mardo) Piranian, Mgo Piranian, Garen Vartanian, and Aram Hovsepian.
On the same day the Cathedral Ladies Guild is hosting a luncheon and
program dedicated to Father’s Day. The event, which is under the auspices of
Archbishop Oshagan, will honor Dr. Roubik Melik Vartanian, Hagop Kazanjian,
Stepan Bakalian, and Henry Gabrielian as Fathers of the Year.
ANONYMOUS DONOR GIVES TO
NATIONAL SANITORIUM OF AZOUNIEH
The communications office of the Catholicosate of Cilicia announced an
anonymous donation of $180,000 to the Azounieh Sanitorium in Lebanon. In
addition to caring for Armenians in need of medical care, the Sanatorium
also serves the local Lebanese people.
THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE
The sub-committee responsible for editing the report on the theological
dialogue between the Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches met on
May 28-30 in Rome. Four Oriental Orthodox and four Catholic theologians
participated. Archbishop Mesrob Krikorian, Catholicosate of All Armenians,
Etchmiadzin, Armenia, and Bishop Nareg Alemezian, Catholicosate of the Great
House of Cilicia, Antelias, Lebanon, participated on behalf of the Armenian
Church.
A NEW PLAY ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Shotgun Productions and Resistance Theatre is presenting a staged
reading of a new play about the Armenian Genocide, "Red Dog Howls," by
Alexander Dinelaris. The reading will take place Monday, June 25, at 7 pm at
New World Stages (Stage 2), 340 W. 50th Street (between 8th and 9th
Avenues), New York City. Admission is free, but seating is limited. For
reservations and information, 718-291-1086.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click
.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click
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 and literature:
George Gordon Byron, 6th Baron Byron (1788-1824) was a British poet and
a leading figure in Romanticism. In 1815 Byron visited the Mekhitarist Order
at Saint Lazarus Island in Venice where he studied Armenian with Fr. H.
Avgerian and attended seminars about the Armenian language and history. He
wrote "English Grammar and the Armenians" in 1817, and "Armenian Grammar and
the English" in 1819, and he helped in the compilation of an
"English-Armenian dictionary" in 1821. His two main translations are the
"Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians," several chapters of Khorenatsi’s
"Armenian History" and sections of Lambronatsi’s "Orations." He discovered
discrepancies in the Armenian vs. the English version of the Bible and
translated some passages that were either missing or deficient in the
English version. He was totally captivated and fascinated with Armenian
history; some even credit him with the birth of Armenology and its
propagation.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, June 14, are: Proverbs 6:1-5; Isaiah 33:5-8;
Romans 8:18-27; Luke 21:12-19.
The Lord is exalted, he dwells on high; he filled Zion with justice and
righteousness; he will be the stability of your times, abundance of
salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure.
Listen! The valiant cry in the streets; the envoys of peace weep bitterly.
The highways are deserted, travelers have quit the road. The treaty is
broken, its oaths are despised, its obligation is disregarded. (Isaiah
33:5-8).
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.
REMEMBERING ST. NERSES THE GREAT
This Saturday, June 16, is the Feast day for St. Nerses the Great, who
is remembered for his many benevolent accomplishments. Perhaps one of his
greatest was the Council of Ashdishad (364 AD) where canons were drawn up
concerning the sanctity of family life, improvement of social conditions,
establishment of institutions such as hospitals and inns for pilgrims, and
the establishment of monasteries and convents.
St. Nerses truly fulfilled the words of our Lord as written in the
Gospel of Matthew: "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you
gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was
naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in
prison and you visited me."
It is no wonder that the Eastern Prelacy named its charitable agency in
Armenia, "St. Nerses the Great Charitable Organization," in honor of the
saint whose deeds to improve the condition of the common people earned him
the description "Great" by a grateful nation.
CONSTANTINE AND HIS MOTHER HELENA
Next Tuesday, June 19, the Armenian Church remembers Constantine the
Great and his mother, Helena. Constantine was the first Christian emperor of
Rome. In 330 he founded Constantinople as a second Rome and considered
himself to be a servant of God. He was buried amid the apostles in the
basilica he founded in their honor in Constantinople. St. Helena followed
her son, becoming a Christian and devoting her life to charity. She built
many churches and monasteries and is believed to have been instrumental in
the recovery of the true cross.
TODAY IS FLAG DAY
Today, June 14, is Flag Day, marking the 230th anniversary of the
official adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the national flag. The flag,
as we know it today, has a blue field of 50 white stars representing the 50
states, and thirteen red and white stripes representing the original
thirteen colonies. The last state to be admitted was Hawaii on July 4, 1960.
The George Washington Bridge on the New Jersey tower flies the largest
free-flowing flag in the U.S. on national holidays (weather permitting).
Today, driving into New York on the upper level, it was a beautiful sight to
behold as the enormous stars and stripes gracefully flowed in the gentle
breeze.
SUNDAY IS FATHERS’ DAY
This Sunday, June 17, is Fathers’ Day. The United States is one of the
few countries in the world that has an official "fathers’ day." The first
Fathers’ Day was observed on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Washington. States
began lobbying Congress to declare an official annual Fathers’ Day.
President Woodrow Wilson approved the idea in 1916 as did President Calvin
Coolidge who in 1924 suggested that it be a national event. It did not
become an official holiday until 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson signed a
proclamation declaring the third Sunday of June as Fathers’ Day.
DEAD SEA SCROLLS FOUND 60 YEARS AGO
The first of the Dead Sea Scrolls was found sixty years ago. The scrolls
belonging to the Jewish sect of Essenes, were preserved in the caves of
Qumran and other sites. The scrolls provide insight on Jewish ascetic life
and early Christianity. The first discovery was made by Bedouin sheep
herders in 1947 and others were found in later years up to 1960 at seven
different sites along the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. The May/June
issue of Biblical Archaeology Review is running a series of articles where
scholars describe the significance of the discovery and how working on the
scrolls changed their lives.
All of which reminds us of a story we recently heard: A Canadian scholar
was traveling to the United States to give a lecture on the scrolls. A
customs official asked him the purpose of the visit. When he mentioned the
Dead Sea Scrolls, the official asked, "Oh, what kind of band is that?"
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 24-Ordination of acolytes by Archbishop Oshagan at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. Celebrant and sponsoring
priest, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian. Father’s Day luncheon hosted by Ladies
Guild immediately following the Divine Liturgy and Ordinations. For
information: 212-689-5880.
June 24-Town Hall informational meeting for members, St. Gregory Church of
Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, to discuss the proposed
details of approved church stewardship program.
June 24-Annual Madagh of St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin. Live Armenian
music, food, raffle, and children’s activities. 10 a.m. to Dusk. For
information 262-632-2033.
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 9 to July 20-St. Sarkis Church Summer Camp, Douglaston, New York, for
ages 5 to 12. Prayers and hymns, Armenian classes, introduction to the
bible, arts and crafts, sports, and much more. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to
3:00 pm. Lunch and snack will be served. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. and
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. Enrollment limited to 30 students.
Registration deadline June 5. Minimum donation $75. For information,
718-224-2275.
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. For information
or 508-234-3677.
August 19-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic. For information or 508-234-3677.
September 9-Annual picnic of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley at
American Legion Grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
September 25-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 4th annual golf outing at Juniper Hill Golf Course,
Northboro, Massachusetts. Registration at 8 am. Tee off at 9 am. $125
includes golf cart, dinner and prizes. For information 508-852-2414.
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. For information
or 508-234-3677.
October 21-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, celebrating the
20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, under the
auspices of the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan. For information
or 215-482-9200.
November 4-37th anniversary of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley and
ordination of Nishan Dagley to the office of acolyte and stole bearer.
Presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the
Prelacy.
December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar. For information or 508-234-3677.
December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.
Visit our website at
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
