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 27, 2007
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF WHITINSVILLE CHURCH
This weekend the parish of Saint Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville,
Massachusetts will celebrate the church’s 50th anniversary. His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan will attend the 50th anniversary banquet on Saturday
evening and on Sunday he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and offer the
sermon.
MID ATLANTIC CLERGY MEETING
The clergy serving the Mid Atlantic area will meet this Monday, October
1, at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The
meeting will be presided by the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, with the
participation of the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan. Last Monday a similar meeting
took place for the New England area clergy.
VICAR WILL VISIT HOLY CROSS CHURCH
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy, will preside
over the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church in Troy, New
York, this Sunday, September 30. His Grace will deliver the sermon.
BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN WILL TRAVEL TO VENEZUELA
Bishop Anoushavan will travel to Venezuela next Thursday, October 4, for
the 40th Anniversary of the Armenian Church in Caracas, Iglesia Apostolica
Armenia. His Grace, who is Vicar of the Prelacy and the Ecumenical Officer
in the United States for the Catholicosate of Cilicia, will celebrate the
Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon on Sunday, October 7.
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. For detailed information click
Archbishop Oshagan has advised all parishes to make every effort to
maximize participation in this important conference. Noting that the
registration fee has been kept at a nominal minimum, the Prelate urged the
pastors and boards of trustees to encourage their Sunday school teachers to
attend. Underlining the importance of such conferences, he suggests that if
a large number of their teachers plan to attend, the parish should close its
Sunday School on October 28.
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.
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY WILL VISIT ANTELIAS
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, the leader of the
Anglican Church, will visit the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias,
Lebanon, tomorrow, Friday, September 28. The Archbishop will first hold a
private meeting with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. They will later be
joined by representatives of the Holy See of Cilicia and the Anglican
Church. The Archbishop’s visit to Lebanon is one of several official visits
to a number of countries including the United States, Israel, Palestine,
Armenia, and Syria.
CATHOLICOSATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES
IN WCC INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MEETING
The World Council of Churches’ (WCC) Commission of the Churches on
International Affairs convened in Geneva from September 11-13. Vana
Kitsinian, Esq., represented the Catholicosate at the meeting. The
participants discussed various religious, social and political issues
affecting churches and the world in general and outlined the positions of
the WCC on these issues and the Council’s future steps.
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:
It is believed that the oldest example of Armenian writing in existence is
in the Holy Land-a 6th century Musrara Mosaic which is in the chapel of St.
Polyeuktos in Jerusalem near the Damascus Gate. The inscription above the
mosaic is: "For the memorial and salvation of all the Armenians, whose names
the Lord know."
Not very familiar with the saint this chapel is dedicated, we googled
"St. Polyeuktos," and this is what came up: "St. Polyeuktos lived during the
reign of Emperors Decius and Vallerian in 255. He knew well the art of
warfare and used to live in the Armenian city of Melitine [modern Malatya].
He was the first to suffer martyrdom in this city. An impious law was
pronounced that ordered Christians to deny Christ. Whoever was not convinced
ought to be punished with death. Without losing his nerve at all, Polyeuktos
preached Christ openly and with his great courage and valour he smashed the
idols which the Greeks respected. Although his father-in-law advised him to
deny Christ and his wife was crying and lamenting for him, he persevered and
neither was he convinced by his father-in-law’s advice nor did he sympathize
with his wife’s wailing. Instead, he kept his promises and what he had
agreed with his friend Nearkhos, who was afraid and suspected that he would
deny the faith of Christ. So, he stayed firm and would not be moved from the
confession faith. Because of this he died by the sword and rose to heavens."
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, September 27, are: Wisdom 10:9-12; Malachi
2:5-7; 1 Peter 5:1-7; John 10:11-16.
My covenant with him was a covenant of life and well-being, which I gave
him; this called for reverence, and he revered me and stood in awe of my
name. True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips.
He walked with me in integrity and uprightness, and he turned many from
iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should
seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of
hosts. (Malachi 2:5-7)
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.
ST. GEORGE THE COMMANDER
This weekend the Armenian Church commemorates St. George (Kevork) and
celebrates the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak.
This Saturday, September 29, the church remembers St. George the
Commander. Although we do not have extant information about him, St. George
remains a popular hero among all Christians. He is considered to be the
patron saint of soldiers and boy scouts. As in so many other instances, the
Armenians have given St. George an Armenian national character. The name
George (Kevork) became popular beginning in the 5th century. There are many
large churches named in his honor. Perhaps the one best know to us here at
the Eastern Prelacy is Sourp Kevork of Moughni, the monastery in Armenia
that the late Archbishop and Prelate Mesrob Ashjian adoped and restored with
the help of his generous friends in the United States and Canada. The
monastery was founded in the 13th century by the brotherhood of
Hovhannavank, bringing with them the relics of St. George, a third century
Roman general who defied the policy of persecuting Christians and urged
others to follow his example. It was at this monastery that Simeon the Elder
produced a beautifully decorated Gospel in 1280 that is known as the Moughni
Gospel. Each year on this holiday the Gospel is brought from the Matenadaran
(Manuscript Museum) in Yerevan to Moughni for a special service. The entire
Moughni complex stands today in tribute to our ancestors and testimony to
the dedication and patronage of Archbishop Mesrob.
HOLY CROSS OF VARAK
This Sunday, September 30, we observe the Holy Cross of Varak, a feast
unique to the Armenian Church. The Hripsimiantz Virgins, after coming to
Armenia, lived near Mount Varak. Hripsime always carried a small wooden
cross believed to have been made from a piece of the true cross. One day, in
order to escape persecution, she found refuge on the mountain where she hid
the cross among the rocks before fleeing to Vagharshapat. According to
tradition, in the year 653, a hermit named Todik found Hripsime’s hidden
cross. He followed a brilliant light that illuminated the mountain that
guided him inside the church to the altar where he found a fragment of the
cross. The light shone for twelve days. In memory of this event, Catholicos
Nerses established the Feast of the Cross of Varak. He also wrote the
beautiful hymn, "By the Sign of Your All Powerful Holy Cross," (Nshanav
Amenahaght Khatchit).
Mount Varak is located in the southeastern region of Van in historic
Armenia. There, in honor of the Cross, the monastery of Saint Nishan was
built on the site where Hripsime hid her cross. This monastery was a very
popular site for pilgrims. In recent years some travelers have been able to
make the pilgrimage to Varakavank. The once thriving Monastery is in ruins.
CHOOKASIAN ARMENIAN ENSEMBLE ON EAST COAST
The acclaimed Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble is making several
appearances on the East Coast late September and October. This award winning
group is composed of talented conservatory musicians from Armenia and the
United States.
For dates and venues go to or contact John
Chookasian, 559-213-1909.
THE WAR
On this weekend when our liturgical calendar remembers St. George, the
patron saint of soldiers, you might want to watch the excellent mini-series
on public television entitled The War, by the award-winning producer of
documentaries, Ken Burns. It is the story of the U.S. (through the eyes of
four towns) during World War II, and is very much the story of the soldiers.
The first four episodes aired this week on separate nights. Most PBS
stations are planning to repeat the first four episodes this Saturday. The
final three episodes will be shown next week beginning Sunday. If you did
not see these programs we recommend that you watch the repeats on Saturday.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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.
September 27 to November 29-Christian Education classes at Sourp Khatch
Church in Bethesda, Maryland, 8 pm in the church sanctuary. Topic: The
Badarak. Classes held second and fourth Thursdays of each month, except
Thanksgiving week when classes will take place Friday. Armenian and English.
Prior attendance is not a requisite. For information: 301-229-8742.
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. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, Celebration of the
Year of the Armenian Language. Cultural program and Book Fair following the
Divine Liturgy. For information 212-689-5880.
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-Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Annual Food
Festival and Bazaar.
October 19 & 20-Annual fall fair/bazaar, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack
Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, in newly renovated Jaffarian Hall.
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. For more information
click
No vember 2-3-Golden Jubilee Annual Bazaar, St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts.
November 7-Soorp Khatch (Bethesda, Maryland) Senior Citizens second reunion
and Thanksgiving luncheon.
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 11-Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale and Armenian Children’s
Chorus, 7th annual gala concert and dinner, Armenian Church of Our Saviour
Cultural Center. Advance tickets only. Barbara Baljian, 508-799-6972.
November 17-Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 43rd Anniversary
Banquet.
November 18-Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Divine Liturgy
celebrated by the Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan.
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. For
more information click
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