PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Prelacy
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 689-7810
Email: email@armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papzian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER
August 9, 2007
PRELATE AND VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO NEW ENGLAND
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan will travel this Sunday to
preside and participate at the Blessing of the Grapes of Sts. Vartanantz
Church, Providence, which will take place at Camp Haiastan in Franklin,
Massachusetts.
BIBLE TRANSLATION CONTINUES
From New England the Prelate and Vicar will travel to Montreal, Canada,
where they will join Bishop Khajag Hagopian for a one-week working session
on their Bible translation project.
ROUBIG MELIK-VARTANIAN
We note with sorrow the passing of Dr. Roubig Melik-Vartanian, a pillar
of the Prelacy, who has served as a delegate to the World Assembly, delegate
to the National Representative Assembly, and chairman of the Board of
Trustees of St. Illuminator¹s Cathedral in New York.
Archbishop Oshagan presided over the funeral and burial services on
Monday, August 6, at St. Illuminator¹s Cathedral. He was assisted by the
Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the
Cathedral, Rev. Archpriest Moushegh Der Kaloustian, Pastor Emeritus of the
Cathedral, and Deacon Shant Kazanjian. Interment was at Cedar Grove Cemetery
in Flushing, New York.
We express condolences to his widow, Mrs. Gemma Vartanian, and their
children.
EVENT SPOTLIGHTS ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
A special event dedicated to the environment, its abuse, pollution and
the need to protect it was held at the Theological Seminary in Bikfaya,
Lebanon, on August 2. Dr. Berdj Hadjian, a senior official in the Lebanese
Ministry of Environment was invited to attend. His Holiness Catholicos Aram
I highlighted the environmental issues that are causing widespread concern
in the world. He approached the issue of preserving the universe¹s natural
wealth from a theological perspective. He considered that a careful
treatment of the world that has been entrusted to human care is important as
a symbol of loyalty to God. Two documentary videos were shown about the
global efforts to protect the environment and climate and the environmental
damage Lebanon has suffered.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE=8A
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click
l.pdf
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 ARMENIAN LANGUAGE
By Vahan Tekeyan
The Armenian language is an orchard where I walk
under green trees growing in the shadow of the past.
The words are clustered fruit I pick one by one.
My Armenian language is a garden I love, that grows
beside a ruined palace; heavy boughs
alive with the flow of sap and sun.
I walk the shade of fruit trees and admire
their arching branches, their wide roots
amazed how they weathered the storms
that felled the vast countryside.
I hold rounded words, fruits both tart
and sweet with juices uncounted suns made ripe;
words that anoint the lips, bless the palate
and give comfort to the heart.
Translated by Diana Der Hovanessian and Marzbed Margossian
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, August 9, are: 1 Corinthians 15:34-49; Mark
3:20-30.
=8Aand the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat.
When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were
saying, ³He has gone out of his mind.² And the scribes who came down from
Jerusalem said, ³He has Beelzebub, and by the ruler of the demons he casts
out demons.² And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ³How
can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that
kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house
will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is
divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a
strong man¹s house and plunder his property without first tying up the
strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered. ³Truly I tell you,
people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter;
but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness,
but is guilty of an eternal sin²=8Bfor they had said, ³He has an unclean
spirit.² Mark 3:20-30
For listing of the entire week¹s Bible readings click
80907
FEAST OF ASSUMPTION AND BLESSING OF GRAPES
This Sunday, August 12, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of
the Assumption (Verapokhoum) of the Holy Mother of God and the Blessing of
the Grapes. Although in modern Armenian Verapokhoum means ³change again,² in
classical Armenian it means ³transport up.²
According to tradition, Mary, mother of Christ, died and was buried by
the apostles. The apostle Bartholomew, who was not present at her funeral,
wished to visit her grave, but when the gravestone was lifted they were
surprised to find that the body had disappeared. It was believed that Christ
had come and taken His mother to the Heavenly Kingdom. Based on this event,
the Church Fathers established the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, which is one of the five tabernacle feast days in the Armenian
Church¹s liturgical calendar. It is celebrated on the Sunday closest to
August 15. Traditionally it includes a week of fasting prior to the date and
a memorial day (remembrance of the dead) the following day.
Because Bartholomew was very fond of the Holy Mother, the Apostle John
gave him an image of her (which she had given to John). Bartholomew took
this image with him to Armenia to Darbnots Kar in the province of Antsev,
Vaspourakan (Western Armenia) where a convent for nuns, Hagyatz Vank
(Monastery for the Spirits) was built and where the icon was kept. Most
images of Bartholomew show him holding this icon.
The concept of the Virgin Mary¹s Assumption is an old one as seen in
sacred prose and poetry dedicated to the Holy Mother. However, it did not
become a basic doctrine of the church until the ninth century and it was in
the twelfth century that the feast was called ³The Assumption.²
After the Divine Liturgy, the Blessing of Grapes takes place. There is
no relationship between the Feast of the Virgin Mary and the Blessing of
Grapes. Similar to other feast days, it coincides with a pagan era festival,
which the Church Fathers incorporated into the church calendar.
The hymn Park Sourp Khatcheet (Glory to Your Sacred Cross) is sung;
Biblical passages are recited, followed by a prayer composed by Catholicos
Nerses Shnorhali specifically for this occasion. After the prayer, the
grapes are blessed three times with Orhnestsee Bahbanestsee and then the
blessed grapes are distributed to the Faithful, many of whom refrain from
eating grapes until this blessing takes place.
Certainly we can say that the Blessing of the Grapes commemoration is a
celebration of the fruitfulness of the earth. Grapes are one of the oldest
cultivated plants in the world, and according to biblical history, Noah
planted a vineyard immediately after disembarking from the Ark (Genesis,
chapter 9) in Nakhichevan. And, of course, the wine of the Divine Liturgy
comes from grapes.
³Bless, O Lord, the grape plants and vineyards from which these grapes are
taken and presented to the holy church, and make them bountiful and
fruitful; let them be like good and fertile land, protect the vineyards from
all kinds of misfortunes and destruction which come from above because of
our sins, from hail, from cold, from hot winds, and from destructive
insects, so that we may enjoy that which You have created in this world for
our enjoyment and for Your glory, and grant that we may be worthy to eat and
drink with You from the bounty of Your most fruitful vine at the table of
Your Father¹s Kingdom, according to the just promise which You made, to the
honor and glory of Your coexisting Trinity, the Father, the Son and the most
Holy Spirit to whom is due glory, power and honor, now and forever. Amen.²
Prayer written by Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali for the Blessing of the
Grapes.
SERVICE TELEVISED FROM LEBANON
A very inspiring Feast of the Assumption service takes place each year
at the St. Asdvadzadzin Monastery in Bikfaya, Lebanon. Situated in the
mountains of Lebanon, amidst fruit orchards and vineyards, the Monastery
becomes a place of pilgrimage for the Faithful on this weekend.
The services are being televised on Saturday, August 11, 12 noon
(eastern daylight saving time) through NOURSAT. For information about
reception contact the Dish Network at 1-800-984-3388. Information is also
available at the following link:
l
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 12=8BFeast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, Divine Liturgy
and Blessing of the Grapes St. Illuminator¹s Cathedral, New York City.
Luncheon, organized and prepared by the Cathedral¹s Ladies Guild, will
follow the services. For information 212-689-5880.
August 12=8BSts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual church
picnic at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. For information
401-831-6399.
August 12=8BSts. 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=8BHoly 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 12=8BSt. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin. Feast of the Assumption of
the Holy Mother of God, Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the Grapes. Picnic
will follow church services.
August 19=8BSoorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic. For information
< anchurchofwhit.org/> or 508-234-3677.
September 9=8BAnnual picnic of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley at
American Legion Grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
September 9=8BSt. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, annual picnic at
Quartette Club grounds, New Britain.
September 9=8BSt. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York.
Annual picnic on the church grounds following church services. For
information 718-224-2275.
September 15=8BSts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, ³The Moon*The
Stars*and All that Jazz.² 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=8BHoly 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=8BSts. 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=8BSoorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley. For information
<; or
508-234-3677.
October 7=8BSt. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, 82nd Anniversary
banquet, Marriott Hotel, Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
October 7=8BSts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, ³Hello Ellis
Island,² 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=8BSoorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Annual Food
Festival and Bazaar.
October 21=8BSt. 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=8B37th 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=8BSts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual
³Armenian Fest,² at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island. For
information 401-831-6399.
November 17=8BSoorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 43rd Anniversary
Banquet.
December 1=8BSoorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar. For information
< anchurchofwhit.org/> or 508-234-3677.
December 9=8BSt. Stephen¹s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy¹s web site.
To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add
email@armenianprelacy.org to your address book.
Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit
Crossroads as the source.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
info@armenianprelacy.org
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress