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
September 13, 2007
NORTH AMERICAN PRELATES MEET IN CALIFORNIA
Archbishop Oshagan returned to New York today from Los Angeles, California,
where he attended a meeting of the three prelates in North America, along
with representatives from the Central Executive (Catholicosate of Cilicia),
and from the Executive Councils of the Eastern, Western, and Canadian
Prelacies.
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO RHODE ISLAND
This Sunday, September 16, Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Providence,
Rhode Island, where he will preside over the Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon on the occasion of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross at St.
Vartanantz Church. His Eminence will also consecrate a new painting
depicting Christ in prayer.
PRAYERS FOR THE UNITED NATIONS
On Monday, Archbishop Oshagan, will join other religious leaders in offering
prayers on the occasion of the opening of the 62nd General Assembly of the
United Nations.
VICAR ATTENDS VARIOUS INTERFAITH EVENTS
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy, and the Ecumenical
Officer of the Armenian Church in the United States (Catholicosate of
Cilicia), attended the United Nations’ Prayer Initiative Conference
organized by the International Prayer Council, September 9 to 11.
Representatives from 50 countries were in attendance, including Armenia,
represented by Ms. Karine Hartunyan. Also attending were UN Ambassadors
including Armen Martirosyan, from the Republic of Armenia. The focus of the
conference was on various issues of health, education, and poverty. Bishop
Anoushavan commended the organizers for their efforts, while bringing to
their attention that the key to success for all missionary work is
cooperation with local churches, who for centuries have witnessed the
Christian faith in their respective countries.
On Tuesday evening, September 11, Bishop Anoushavan attended a Memorial
Service for the victims of 9/11, organized by the Interfaith Center, which
took place on Pier 40 on the Hudson River in New York. As part of the
interfaith program, Bishop Anoushavan chanted the Armenian hymn, Der
Voghormya (Lord have mercy), a powerful and healing prayer. The program
concluded with the launching of lighted lanterns which floated in the Hudson
River, as a symbol of respect for those who died.
PRELATE AT OPENING OF OLYMPICS
Archbishop Oshagan delivered the opening prayer at the Track and Field Games
of the 74th annual Olympics of the Armenian Youth Federation, on Sunday,
September 3, at Overpeck County Park in New Jersey.
Early that morning the Prelate presided over the Divine Liturgy at the
Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel, the Olympics headquarters. The Liturgy was
celebrated by the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan. Requiem service was offered for
deceased members of the AYF.
SIAMANTO ACADEMY BEGINS NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
Siamanto Academy begins the 2007-2008 academic year this Saturday, September
15. Classes take place at the Armenian Center in Woodside, New York.
The Siamanto Academy, sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC), was established for high school students who are graduates
of Armenian schools. The Academy offers college-level courses in Armenian
studies and history, as well as Christian studies. With an accomplished
faculty of Christian educators, professors, historians and guest speakers,
the Academy is a gateway to higher cultural awareness, preparing students
for effective leadership in our communities. For information about the
Academy email anec@armenianprelacy.org or telephone the Prelacy at
212-689-7810.
CHILDREN’S BIBLE PUBLISHED
The Christian Education Department of the Catholicosate of Cilicia and the
Holy Bible Society of Lebanon have jointly published a new children’s Bible.
The project was initiated by His Holiness Aram I. The Bible summarizes the
Old and New Testaments in 256 pages for children and teens. The
publication-colorful and pictorial-is the Armenian version of the English
volume published earlier by the Bible Society.
Mr. Michael Bassous, general manager of the Holy Bible Society, presented
His Holiness with the first copy of the publication on September 6. They
discussed future projects, including the publication of new children’s books
The Catholicosate’s Christian Education Department has published many
children’s books and more are planned. Making the Holy Bible understandable
to various age groups is an important priority, said the Catholicos.
VICAR ORDAINS ALTAR SERVERS IN NEW JERSEY
Bishop Anoushavan ordained five altar servers at Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, last Sunday, September 9. Receiving the order of
acolyte were James Haddad, Raffi Charkhutian, Raffi Borekjian, Mesrob
Borekjian, and Haroutyoun Kaprielian. James Haddad and Raffi Charkhutian
were also granted the right to wear the stole (ourar).
After the Liturgy and ordination, the parish’s recently renovated kitchen
was blessed by the Vicar, and a luncheon in honor of the newly ordained
altar servers followed.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS
A conference for Sunday school teachers will take place October 26-28 at the
Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard, a Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center in
Charlton, Massachusetts. The theme of the conference is "Prayer-Personal and
Communal," and will feature presentations by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian,
Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Ph.D., Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and Dr. Mary Olson. A
modest fee of $60 covers all expenses including lodging for two nights, five
meals and refreshments.
NEW SERIES OF BIBLE STUDY AT THE PRELACY
A new five-part series of Bible studies ("from Jesus’ meals with sinners to
the Lord’s Supper") will take place at the Prelacy beginning on October 16
and continue on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 7:15 to 8:45
pm. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC) will conduct the Bible studies. For information and
registration, send email to arec@armenianprelacy.org or telephone
212-689-7810.
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 and literature:
"Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare [1856-1924] was best known to the world of
letters as a master of the ancient Armenian language and literature. In the
field of Armenian studies he easily occupies the foremost place past and
present. He is unique among non-Armenian Armenologists in that he attracted
the attention of contemporary Armenian scholars-N. Akinian, N. Marra, F.
Macler, Barsegh Sargisian, F. Murad, Galust Ter-Mkrttchian, Karapet
Ter-Mkrttchian, Garegin Hovsepeants, Hakob Manandian and Y. T’ashian-who
found his research refreshing and inspiring, so much so that some of his
reviews and articles appeared simultaneously in Armenian translation in the
major journals Bazmavep (Venice), Handes Amsoreay (Vienna) and Ararat
(Ejmiadsin). In the introduction to his Aristotle’s Categories he testifies
that it was Professor D. S. Margoliouth who ‘first incited me to learn
Armenian and pointed out to me some of the work which an Armenian student
may help to accomplish,’ Being possessed of private means Conybeare resigned
his college appointments in 1887 and devoted himself to research. He
traveled to Madras, Ejmiadsin, Jerusalem, Paris and Venice to look at the
rare manuscripts. He had mastered the Armenian language enough ‘to sustain a
very simple conversation in their own language’ with the Armenian scholars
in these great centres of Armenian studies."
The Armenian Church: Heritage and Identity by Frederick Cornwallis Conybeare
>From the introduction by The Rev. Nerses Vrej Nersessian
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, September 13, are: 2 Corinthians 9:10-10:6; Mark
9:13-36.
When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and
they ran forward to greet him. He asked them, "What are you arguing about
with them?" Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought you my
son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak; and whenever it seizes
him, it dashes him down; and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes
rigid; and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so."
He answered them, "You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among
you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me." And they
brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed
the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he
said, "From childhood. It has often cast him into the fire and into the
water, to destroy him, "If you are able!-All things can be done for the one
who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out, "I believe;
help my unbelief!" When Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he
rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You spirit that keeps this boy
from speaking and hearing, I command you, come out of him, and never enter
him again!" After crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and
the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead." But
Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he was able to stand. When
he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we
not cast it out?" He said to them, "This kind can come out only through
prayer."
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone
to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of
Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three
days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand
what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum;
and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on
the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one
another who was the greater. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to
them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."
Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his
arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes
me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." Mark
9:13-37
EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, September 16, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachverats), which is one of the five
Tabernacle (Daghavar) Feasts commemorated by the Armenian Church. This
holiday is a general celebration of the Cross and is commemorated by all of
Christendom. Most churches celebrate it on September 14; the Armenian Church
celebrates it on the Sunday closest to the 14th. The Cross, once a means of
death for criminals, gradually became the dominant symbol of the Christian
world and an object of reverence and worship. There are four feasts of the
Holy Cross in the Armenian liturgical calendar with the Exaltation being the
most important. [The other three are Apparation of the Cross, Holy Cross of
Varak, and Discovery of the Cross]. (The ceremony begins with the decoration
of the Cross with sweet basil (rahan), symbolizing the "living cross." After
Bible readings, the officiating priest lifts the Cross and makes the sign of
the cross with it, and blesses the four corners of the world (Andastan) and
asks the Almighty to grant peace and prosperity to the people of the world.
The Khachverats ceremony was first prepared by Catholicos Sahag Dzoraporetsi
(677-703). He is also the composer of the hymn sung on this occasion. As
with other Tabnernacle Feasts, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is preceded
by a period of Fasting (Monday to Friday), and followed by a Memorial Day
(Monday).
There are many Armenian Churches named Holy Cross (Sourp Khatch). Perhaps
the most famous is the Church of the Holy Cross on the Island of Akhtamar on
Lake Van, built in the tenth century. We visited this church in 1998. Even
in its centuries of neglect it was an inspiring and beautiful place. The
impromptu service conducted by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory,
with the beautiful singing of Armenian hymns by our entourage, prompted many
visitors to the island (the island is a major tourist attraction) to gather
around us and inquire about the service, the music and language. Last year
the Turkish government "renovated" the church and transformed it into a
"museum." We prefer to remember it in its neglected condition, waiting for
her true posterity.
A MEDITATION ON THE CROSS
We all have our Cross to bear in this life and although it seems that in
many instances we may feel that we get more than our share, perhaps it is
about time we thought about what Christ endured for us because of our sins.
Perhaps it is time to search the depths of our souls to find the answer to
the problems of this life which seem to plague us on a fairly constant
basis.
One of the realities that we have to face in life, whether we choose to or
not, is that many of our crosses are of our own creation. You do not have to
look very far to see this reality. Look at the world around you and the
answer is quite clear. The calamity taking place in the world is caused by
humanity itself. Nothing evil comes from God, only goodness.
St. Paul in his letter to the Romans wrote: "There is no one who is
righteous, no one who is wise or who worships God. All have turned away from
God, they have all done wrong, no one does what is right, not even one."
Yes, these words were written some 2000 years ago to the Church of Rome. Not
much has changed, and it seems that humanity and especially western society
has become even more secular and worldly. Look at Christ on the Cross and
pause for a moment and ask yourself, Am I worth dying for?
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian, pastor
St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley (Massachusetts)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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 22-23-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, Choir
Reunion. Rehearsal and dinner for all St. Stephen’s choir members past and
present.
September 23-50th Anniversary commemoration of St. Stephen’s Church,
Watertown, Massachusetts. Archbishop Oshagan will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy and ordain acolytes. Commemorative program and reception will follow
at the A.C.E.C.
September 23-"Change Your Thoughts; Change Your Life!" presented by the
Education Committee of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, at 1:15 p.m.
following church services. Participating: Carlo Bayrakdarian, M.D.,
"Management of Sleep Disorders"; Edmond Gergerian, M.D., "Anxiety Disorders
Management by Emotional Freedom Techniques"; Samvel Jershmaridian, Ph.D.,
"Psychology for Better Living"; Elize Kiregian, M.A., "Skills in Critical
Thinking." For information: 718-224-2275.
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.
September 30-Sunday School Reunion. St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts. Current and former teachers and students are invited to
attend this reunion following the Divine Liturgy. Light lunch served.
Reservations required. 617-924-7562.
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 14-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
commemorative lecture, 3 p.m. Guest lecturer Dr. Abraham Terian, Professor
of Armenian Patristics at St. Nersess Seminary, New York.
October 16 to December 18-"From Jesus’ meals with sinners to the Lord’s
Supper," a five part Bible study at the Armenian Prelacy will begin on
October 16 and continue on the first and third Tuesday of the month, from
7:15 to 8:45 pm. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, please
send e-mail to arec@armenianprelacy.org or call 212-689-4481.
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.
October 26-28-National Conference for Christian Educators, a conference for
Sunday School teachers at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard, a Coptic
Orthodox Retreat Center, in Charlton, Massachusetts. Theme: "Prayer-Personal
and Communal." Presentations by Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and Dr. Mary Olson.
November 2-3-Golden Jubilee Annual Bazaar, St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts.
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 11-St. Stephen Church, Watertown, Massachussetts, 50th anniversary
commemorative concert, 4 pm., church hall.
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
dinner dance, Marriott Hotel, Burlington. For information, (617) 924-7562.
December 23-St. Stephen’s Day Celebration, Watertown, Massachusetts. The
Golden Jubilee celebration will come to a close with a commemoration of the
church’s patron saint, the first deacon and martyr, St. Stephen.
June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council.
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