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
August 2, 2007
PRELATE AND VICAR VISIT LEBANESE CONSUL GENERAL
Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate, and Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar, paid a
courtesy visit to the Consul General of Lebanon, His Excellency Antoine
Azzam, today, Thursday, August 2. Mr. Azzam recently returned to New York to
his post as Consul General. The Prelate and Vicar expressed their
appreciation of the cordial and friendly relationship the Prelacy shares
with the Lebanese Consul. They exchanged views on a number of topics,
including the current political situation in Lebanon, and the Armenian
community in Lebanon.
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO FRANKLIN FOR BLESSING OF GRAPES
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Camp Haiastan in Franklin,
Massachusetts this Sunday, August 5, where he will preside over the Blessing
of the Grapes and Madagh by St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown.
CHAIRMAN OF ARMENIA FUND OF SWITZERLAND
VISITS THE PRELACY
On Monday, July 30, Mr. and Mrs. Avedis Kizirian visited the Prelacy
where they were welcomed by the Prelate. Mr. Kizirian is the chairman of
Switzerland’s Armenia Fund.
GENOCIDE DOCUMENTARY WILL BE SHOWN
ON PBS IN WASHINGTON THIS SUNDAY
The documentary, "The Armenian Genocide," which received international
critical acclaim when it was first aired nationally on PBS last year will be
shown again on WETA in Washington, DC, this Sunday, August 5 at 8 pm. For
more information go to
A NEW BOOK BY CATHOLICOS ARAM I
A new book by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, was recently issued by the Catholicosate. Entitled, For a Church
Beyond Its Walls, the 342 page book is receiving glowing reviews from many
religious leaders and theologians around the world. The book is a discussion
of issues related to the church’s mission, identity, inter-faith dialogue,
and difficulties facing contemporary societies. The Foreword to the volume
is written by Dr. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of
Churches, who in describing the great contributions the Catholicos has made
to ecumenism writes: "As an Orthodox theologian, you have contributed to a
better understanding of the ecclesiological challenges. As a scholar, you
have made a profound intellectual contribution to ecumenical discourse on
contemporary issues through your writings and in seminars and conferences.
As a prelate and head of church, with an acute sense of pastoral
responsibility, you have opened new avenues for inter-religious relations
and dialogue. But we are all deeply aware that you are not simply an
Orthodox primate. You are an ‘Armenian’ Orthodox primate. This is what you
have never forgotten, and you have not allowed any of us to forget."
A prolific and profound writer, this new book is His Holiness’s 12th
book in English. His writings in the Armenian language number several dozen.
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:
"The nation needed to deepen its Christian faith by absorbing it into
the fabric of national life. And it could do this only if it had direct
access to the source of the Christian faith-the Holy Scripture. A Church
without the Bible in the hands of her faithful could not stand very long nor
remain very firm in the midst of a pagan world. The Armenian Church Fathers
were deeply conscious of the urgent need for an Armenian translation of the
Bible. But at this time no written Armenian language existed, and therefore
there was no Armenian alphabet. Finally, at the beginning of the fifth
century, a Church divine, Saint Mesrop Mashtots, succeeded in devising an
alphabet adequate to all the subtleties of Armenian pronunciation. The great
work of translation followed, under the wise guidance of Saint Sahak and
Saint Mesrop. The translation was first made from a Syriac version of the
Bible. Later, between 430 and 440, it was thoroughly revised on the basis of
a text of the Greek Septuagint which was brought from Constantinople by
Armenian students. The Greek text was considered more accurate and
trustworthy than the Syriac version, and the revision was such a radical one
that the result was almost a new translation."
The Bible in the Armenian Christian Tradition
by V. Rev. Fr. Karekin Sarkissian (1962)
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, August 2, are: Proverbs 11:30-12:4; Hosea
12:6-9; 2 Corinthians 4:6-14; Luke 12:2-10.
But as for you, return to your God, hold fast to love and justice; and
wait continually for your God. A trader, in whose hands are false balances,
he loves to oppress. Ephraim has said, "Ah, I am rich, I have gained wealth
for myself; in all of my gain no offense has been found in me that would be
sin." I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; I will make you live in
tents again, as in the days of the appointed festival. (Hosea 12:6-9)
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.
PILGRIMAGE TO MONASTERY OF ST. TADEH
The Monastery of St. Tadeh (Thaddeus) has played a unique role
throughout history in the Christianization of the Armenian nation. The feast
of the apostle Thaddeus and St. Santoukhd, which this year was on July 21,
brings spiritual renewal each year for thousands of pilgrims who go to the
Monastery. The Primates of the three dioceses in Iran, Archbishop Sebouh
(Tehran), Bishop Papken (Isfahan), and Bishop Neshan (Tabriz), led the
pilgrimage.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, sent
pontifical blessings in a written message to the pilgrims gathered in the
Monastery. "Your pilgrimage to Saint Tadeh should become an occasion for
spiritual renewal. Let us not forget that through Christianity the lives of
Armenians thrived with spiritual values, and Christian values became
intertwined with Armenian traditions in our lives. Therefore, we expect that
this pilgrimage will also be an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen your
national belonging," said His Holiness.
For the duration of this festival thousands of pilgrims live in tents
pitched on the monastery grounds. They attend services and other events in
remembrance of St. Thaddeus, one of two apostles who brought Christianity to
Armenia.
TWO HUNDRED HOLY FATHERS OF THE
ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF EPHESUS
This Saturday, August 4, the Armenian Church remembers the 200 Holy
Fathers of the Council of Ephesus (431 AD). Ephesus, the third general
council, was convened upon the order of Emperor Theodosius II to settle the
Nestorian heresy. A large number of high-ranking church leaders attended,
headed by Patriarch Cyril of Alexandria. The principle decision of the
Council was the condemnation of Nestorius. The Council excommunicated
Nestorius and condemned his heresy, affirmed the Nicene Creed, approved the
title of Theotokos (God-bearer) for the Virgin Mary. The Armenian Church
accepted the canons and decisions of the Council and designated a day in the
church calendar on the Saturday of the Paregentan of the Assumption. The
Armenian Church recognizes the first three councils: Nicaea (325);
Constantinople (381); and Ephesus (431), with special days in the liturgical
calendar for all three.
Ephesus was the chief city of the Roman province of Asia at the
crossroads of the coastal route between Smyrna and Cyzicus. The Temple of
Artemis in the city was one of the great wonders of the ancient world. St.
Paul took Christianity to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19). He stayed there for two
years during his third missionary journey.
THIS WEEK AT THE BOOKSTORE. . .NOT JUST BOOKS!
We would like to remind you that besides books and gifts there are some
collectibles available at the Prelacy Bookstore. For instance, a book of
stamps from Nagorno-Karabakh, each stamp depicting a different scene from
the beautiful countryside, the architecture, or the churches and
monasteries. Also available is a set of six postcards with commemorative
stamps dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of Christian Armenia.
There are also some older stamps from Armenia: "Armenia in World War
II," issued on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the war,
and stamps issued on the occasion of the 32nd chess Olympiad in Yerevan
(1996).
For information about these items 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
A MINI SERMON
In the Book of Deuteronomy it is written, "Love the Lord your God with
all of your heart and with all of your soul, and with all your might. Keep
these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to
your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are
away, when you lie down and when you rise." (Deuteronomy 6:5-7)
These words were written over 2,000 years ago and yet they resonate very
loudly and clearly in our own times. The attempt to remove God from our
daily lives continues, not only in our schools, colleges, and institutions,
but also in the electronic and print media.
The reality of our nation is that we pride ourselves on the separation
of church and state. It was never intended that the people should be
separated from God, yet at every turn we are inundated with the attempts of
the secularists to eradicate the very name of God from our everyday lives.
Each day our children are bombarded with the trash that permeates the
airwaves of television and the internet. St. Paul reminds us that each one
of us is an Evangelist and as Christians we have an obligation to speak out.
If we really want to do something about making the world we live in a better
place, then as followers of Jesus Christ we have to make our voices heard.
We cannot claim Christianity and sit idly by and perhaps commit the greatest
of all sins which is indifference and apathy. Remember that the only person
who can bring about change is you. As always the choice is yours to make.
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian
Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Church, North Andover, Massachusetts
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 5-Holy Cross Armenian Church, Troy, New York, Blessing of the Grapes
and annual picnic, noon to 4 pm. For information: 518-274-1477.
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 12-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Feast of the Holy Mother of God, Blessing of Grapes and annual picnic. For
information: 508-852-2414.
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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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
