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
July 26, 2007
DID YOU MISS US LAST WEEK?
Last week’s Crossroads (Thursday, July 19) was scratched due to the
underground steam pipe explosion near Grand Central Terminal that occurred
about 6 pm on Wednesday, July 18. The Prelacy office is located just a
block or two from the area and we were in the so-called "frozen zone" unable
to enter the area Thursday morning.
The explosion came on a day that had been filled with violent
thunderstorms and heavy rain, so the initial sounds were attributed to
another thunderstorm in the area. But, it soon became apparent that this was
something else-and of course everyone’s thoughts went to the worst scenario
with visions of 9/11. The burst of what we now know was steam seemed to
reach as high as the skyscrapers nearby, including the beautiful and
majestic Chrysler Building, which many people initially thought was the
target of an attack. At that point it was difficult to distinguish steam
from smoke and in what is one of the busiest areas of New York people took
to the streets, running uptown or downtown, or towards the rivers east and
west, as fast as possible.
Tragically one woman died of cardiac arrest and two people, in a tow
truck that was passing by, are in critical condition with serious burns.
Many people-perhaps up to fifty-were less seriously injured.
Manhattan is an exciting place, and I guess most of us would not want it
to be otherwise. But sometimes "boring" sounds like a welcome interlude.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN AT CATHEDRAL THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, July 29, the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will preside over
the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City.
BISHOP NAREG VISITS PRELACY
Bishop Nareg Alemezian, the ecumenical officer of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia, was in the New York area this week and visited the Prelacy offices
on Monday, July 23. Bishop Nareg and Bishop Anoushavan attended a gathering
of Church World Service at the Interfaith Center in Manhattan, where Bishop
Nareg was invited to address the group. Later that same day, Bishops Nareg
and Anoushavan, joined with Archbishop Oshagan, in a visit to the New York
headquarters of the international organization Religions for Peace, of which
Catholicos Aram I is an honorary president.
VICAR ATTENDS DEDICATION AT CAMP HAIASTAN
Last weekend the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, attended the blessing and
dedication of the new "Hye Hope Pavilion" at Camp Haiastan in Franklin,
Massachusetts, dedicated to the memory of Linda Bahtiarian Demarest. The new
pavilion will serve as the cornerstone structure at the entrance of the
lower camp, providing a sheltered location for camper activities as well as
outdoor dining and social events. It will also serve as a place for parents
and visitors to gather on arrival, departure and visiting days. Linda
Bahtiarian Demarest died last August at age 39 after a valiant five-year
battle against breast cancer. She had designated a portion of her estate
toward the construction of the pavilion, and her family has joined the camp
in actively raising additional funds to cover the cost of construction. If
you would like additional information about the camp, this project, or would
like to donate go to
2007 DATEV ON THE WEB
A description of the 2007 St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute and many
photographs are on the Prelacy web page. Click
AUTH OR MARGARET AJEMIAN AHNERT
VISITS PRELACY TODAY
Margaret Ajemian Ahnert, the author of the recently published and highly
acclaimed The Knock at the Door: A Journey Through the Darkness of the
Armenian Genocide, visited the Prelacy offices today where she met with the
Prelate and the Vicar.
Reviewers have described The Knock on the Door as a "powerful book" that
"tells an important historical tale in a very interesting way." The book
relates the story of the author’s mother, Ester, a survivor of the Armenian
Genocide.
Publishers Weekly, the book industry’s most important publication, in
reviewing the book noted, "While Ahnert’s oral history doesn’t offer a
rigorous historical account or analysis of the systematic slaughter, but
rather supplements works like Peter Balakian’s The Burning Tigris and Taner
Akcam’s A Shameful Act, its force lies in the interplay between the
narratives of mother and daughter. Together, their stories realize in
intimate but accessible terms the vagaries of historical memory and Ester’s
determination to tell the truth despite the understandable urge among some
victims to forget in the face of an official policy of denial from Turkey
that continues today."
U.S. AMBASSADOR VISITS CATHOLICOS ARAM I
Jeffrey Feltman, the Ambassador of the United States to Lebanon, visited
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, in Bikfaya,
Lebanon, last week. They met for more than one hour discussing recent
political developments and the attempts to stabilize the country. The
Catholicos welcomed the efforts of the Ambassador and expressed his views
about bringing Lebanon out of its current stalemate.
REPRESENTATIVES OF CHRISTIAN SPIRITUAL
LEADERS MEET IN ANTELIAS
The representatives of Christian spiritual leaders in Lebanon convened
in Antelias on July 18. Participants included: Bishops Roland Abou Jaoude,
Boulos Matar and Yousef Beshara from the Maronite Church; Bishop Elias Acude
from the Greek Orthodox Church; Primate Bishop Kegham Khatcherian on behalf
of His Holiness Aram I; Bishops Salim Ghazel and Elias Rahal from the Greek
Catholic Church; Bishop Michel Kassardji from the Chalcedonic Church; Bishop
George Saliba from the Syrian Orthodox Church; and Dr. George Mrad from the
Evangelical Church. Absent from the meeting was the representative of the
Armenian Catholic Church, Bishop Hovhannes Teyrouz.
The meeting was a preparatory meeting for the upcoming summit of
Patriarchs in November. The summit will be dedicated to discussing the
presence of Christianity in Lebanon with all its aspects.
DIRECTOR AND SPONSOR OF "SCREAMERS"
VISIT HIS HOLINESS
His Holiness Aram I received the director of the documentary
"Screamers," Carla Garabedian and the sponsor of the movie, Raffi
Manougian. Attending were members of the Cilician Brotherhood and
representatives of the Committee of Defense of the Armenian Cause. They
discussed the need to make information on the Armenian Genocide accessible
to the public on an international level. His Holiness praised director Carla
Garabedian for successfully contributing to this objective through the
medium of motion pictures.
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:
"As pointed out by Antoine Meillet, the noted French Armenologist, the
alphabet created by Mesrop, with its thirty-six characters (two more were
added in the eleventh-twelfth centuries) was so well suited to the sounds of
the Armenian language that it has served its purpose for more than fifteen
hundred years without requiring any major change, in spite of the dialectal
diversification that has occurred over this long period of time. Even though
the alphabet was conceived in a Syriac-dominated milieu, Western influence
was obvious. The most important characteristics of the alphabet can be
summarized as follows: each letter represents only one phoneme and each
phoneme is designated by only one letter, with the exception of the sound
[u], which is represented by a combination of two letters; each vowel is
written individually; the language is written from left to right, in
contrast to all Semitic languages; and there are no diacritical marks. It is
a comparative latecomer among the alphabets of the ancient world, which
perhaps accounts for its higher degree of phonetic precision."
The Heritage of Armenian Literature, Volume I
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, July 26, are: Genesis 4:1-50; Numbers
20:23-30; Deuteronomy 34:5-12; Joshua 24:29-33; 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13;
Hebrews 11:1-31; Luke 20:34-40.
Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at
the Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite
Bethpeor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one
hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his
vigor had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab
thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended. Joshua son of
Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on
him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses.
Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord
knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the
Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his
servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the
terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all
Israel. (Deuteronomy 34:5-12)
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.
NEW AT THE BOOKSTORE
An Armenian alphabet book, Ayppenaran, is available at the Prelacy
bookstore. Printed in Yerevan, in Western Armenian orthography, it is a
wonderful first book for children. It is an oversize, colorful book with
nice illustrations. It comes with a poster suitable for mounting. Price is
$20.
For information about this book and others contact the bookstore, by
email at [email protected] or by phone at 212-689-7810. For other
books and gifts available at the Prelacy Bookstore click
SO NS AND GRANDSONS OF ST. GREGORY
REMEMBERED THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, July 28, the Armenian Church remembers the sons and
grandsons of St. Gregory the Illuminator: Sts. Aristakes, Vrtanes, Housik,
Grigoris, and Daniel (who was not related, but was a distinguished student
of St. Gregory). All of them continued the work of St. Gregory, preaching
the word of Christ to pagans, at great peril.
St. Gregory had two sons: Aristakes and Vrtanes. Aristakes succeeded
Gregory as Catholicos and was martyred around 333 A.D. Aristakes represented
the Armenian Church at the first ecumenical council of Nicaea in 325. It was
at this council that the Nicene Creed, recited to this day during the Divine
Liturgy, was written and adopted. Vertanes-at this time over 70 years
old-was called upon to become catholicos and served for eight years until
his death. Vrtanes had two sons, Grigoris and Housig. Grigoris preached in
the northern provinces of Armenia (now Georgia) where he was martyred.
Housig, although not a clergyman, was called upon to assume the catholicosal
throne. He was martyred in 347. Daniel, who as noted above was not related
to Gregory, is included with the sons and grandsons. He was chosen to
succeed Housig as catholicos, but never actually served as he too was
martyred one year later in 348.
FILM FESTIVAL TO HONOR ROUBEN MAMOULIAN
Rouben Mamoulian (1897-1987) was one of the most acclaimed directors of
Hollywood and Broadway. A long overdue tribute is scheduled in September
with a 12-day film festival at the Film Forum in New York. More than 17 of
his films will be screened (at least three showings of each) together with a
documentary entitled "Rouben Mamoulian: The Golden Age of Broadway and
Hollywood." He is remembered as one of the cinema’s "greatest innovators."
Leonard Maltin describes Mamoulian’s Love me Tonight, as "one of the best
musicals ever made."
The dates of the film festival are September 7 to 18. We will give you
more details as the date approaches.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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 12-Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, Divine Liturgy
and Blessing of the Grapes St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City.
Luncheon, organized and prepared by the Cathedral’s Ladies Guild, will
follow the services. For information 212-689-5880.
August 12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual church
picnic at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. For information
401-831-6399.
August 12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Annual church
picnic and Blessing of the Grapes at Dunkerhook Park, Pavilion D, Paramus,
New Jersey. For information 201-943-2950.
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 9-St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, annual picnic at
Quartette Club grounds, New Britain.
September 15-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, "The Moon*The
Stars*and All that Jazz." An evening of music and mezze under the stars,
presented by the Ladies Guild. For information 845-735-8713 or 201-445-6867.
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 7-St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, 82nd Anniversary
banquet, Marriott Hotel, Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
October 7-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, "Hello Ellis
Island," the latest production of The Way We Were Troupe, hosted by the
Ladies Guild, 1 pm. Lunch served. For information 201-943-2950.
October 18, 19, 20, 21-Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Annual Food
Festival and Bazaar.
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 11-37th 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.
November 10-11-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual
"Armenian Fest," at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island. For
information 401-831-6399.
November 17-Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 43rd Anniversary
Banquet.
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.
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