Untitled DocumentPress 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
Email: email@armenianprelacy.org
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian

MAY 15, 2008

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES
The Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly (NRA) convened
last week at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown,
Massachusetts. The clergy conference began on Wednesday, May 7, and the full
Assembly started their proceedings on Thursday, May 8 and continued to
Saturday, May 10.
Concurrent with the NRA, the National Association of Ladies Guilds
(NALG) met and celebrated that organization’s 25th anniversary. A successful
conference of Yeretzgeens-the second such conference-was also a part of the
four-day gathering
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan presented the keynote address on Thursday.
The Prelate’s address focused primarily on the history of the Armenian
Church, with special references to the 110th anniversary of the
establishment of the Prelacy in America and the 50th anniversary of the
Prelacy under the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
Speaking about the early immigrants to America, His Eminence said:
"We must go back to those days, to experience the sorrowful existence
of our brothers and sister. They lived a life of an exile, in a foreign
country, with a foreign language and habits.. The workplace or the streets
were not genuine to their soul.. They waited anxiously for news from the
Yergir.. Their only support was their community life; their only comfort
would come on Sunday when they prayed in church..
The Prelate told the delegates, "A great responsibility and duty has
been put on our shoulders, not only to bring to fruition our every day work,
but especially our future plans. We must examine the past and present and
then plan for the future.. All of us, fortified with our faith, church,
history and existence must devote ourselves totally to the preservation of
our spiritual and intellectual values, to the strength of the Armenian
family toward the holy Armenian and Christian family education. Girded by
our imperishable cultural treasures and undefeated armor of our faith, let
us dedicate ourselves to our homeland and our church, to our culture and
sacred traditions, so that we can build a brighter future, and stand as a
barrier against time and all kinds of negative and destructive powers, so
that by standing firm and showing spiritual bravery, we secure victories."
To read the Prelate’s entire message in Armenian click here.
To read the Prelate’s entire message in English click here.
We are currently putting detailed information about the National
Representative Assembly on the Prelacy’s web site ().
Please check the site for further information about the various panels,
meetings, photographs, etc.

PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON HONORS
MRS. MARY MARDOIAN AND MRS. HASMIG HOVNANIAN
The Prelacy Ladies Guild’s (PLG) Mothers Day Luncheon was a resounding
success. The event took place Monday, May 5, at The St. Regis, in New York
City. Archbishop Oshagan honored Mrs. Mary Mardoian as the 2008 Mother of
the Year, and presented the Prelacy’s Queen Zabel award to Mrs. Hasmig
Hovnanian, the "founding mother" of the PLG.
Photos: Mrs. Mardoian honored as Mother of the Year. Mrs. Hasmig Hovnanian
receives Queen Zabel award.

BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN’S BOOK PRESENTED BY PROFESSOR PETER COWE
Archbishop Oshagan hosted a book presentation and celebration of the
recently published book, "Archbishop Nerses Lambronaci: Commentary on the
Wisdom of Solomon," by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, on Friday, May 2, at St.
Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York. Dr. Hratch Zadoian was the evening’s
MC and Professor Peter Cowe, from UCLA, spoke about the newly published
book, which is based on Anoushavan Srpazan’s doctoral dissertation. Bishop
Anoushavan received his PhD from Columbia University in 2003 after
successfully defending his doctoral dissertation and was awarded the degree
with distinction at the unanimous recommendation of the examining committee.
The book is available at the Prelacy Bookstore. See below for details.

PRELATE ATTENDS DINNER RECEPTION FOR SAMANTHA POWER
Archbishop Oshagan attended a dinner-reception for the author and
scholar on foreign policy, Samantha Power, which took place Tuesday, May 13,
at the United Nations. The event, sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation was
hosted by Vartan Gregorian, in honor of Dr. Power’s latest book, Chasing the
Flame: Sergio Vieira de Mello and the Fight to Save the World, a biography
of the United Nations’ negotiator who was tragically killed while in Iraq.
Power’s earlier book, A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide,
won the Pulitzer Prize for general non-fiction in 2003. The first few
chapters of that book deals with the Armenian genocide, the efforts by Henry
Morgenthau to persuade the American government to take steps to stop the
genocide, and then relates the story of Raphael Lemkin who waged a
courageous battle to make genocide (a word Lemkin coined) an international
concern. She then describes the genocides that followed the Armenian
genocide.

PRELATE AND VICAR ATTEND LUNCHEON AND LITURGY IN HONOR OF PATRIARCH OF THE
MARONITE CHURCH
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan are attending a Divine Liturgy
and reception today in honor of Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, Patriarch
of Antioch and the Whole Levant. The luncheon reception was hosted by the
Consul General of Lebanon in New York; the service will take place tonight
in the Maronite Church located in Brooklyn. The Maronite Church, which has a
large presence in Lebanon, is an Eastern Catholic Church in communion with
the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.

ARCHBISHOP MOUSHEGH MARDIROSSIAN ELECTED
TO FOURTH TERM IN WESTERN PRELACY
Last week the Western Prelacy also convened their National
Representative Assembly at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale. Archbishop
Moushegh Mardirossian was re-elected for a fourth term as Prelate of the
Western Prelacy. We offer our words of congratulations to Moushegh Srpazan
and the faithful of the Western Prelacy.

PRELATE AND VICAR AT ST. SARKIS CHURCH THIS SUNDAY
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan will preside over the Divine
Liturgy this Sunday at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York. V.
Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, who serves the Western Prelacy, will celebrate
the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon.

PHOTOS OF VICAR IN ARMENIA
Last month, as we reported, Bishop Anoushavan went to Armenia where he
participated in the Committee for Canonizing the Armenian Saints, as a
representative of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The meetings took place in
Holy Etchmiadzin. Here are some photographs including a visit to the
genocide memorial.

MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City has
begun. Until the renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy will be offered
every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Street,
Woodside, New York.

YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated the year 2008 as the "Year of Christian Education."
To read His Holiness’ message in
Armenian click here.
To read His Holiness’ message in
English click here.

2008 DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
"There’s still room at the inn," says Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of
the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), about the 22nd annual St.
Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for youth ages 13-18. So, if you
have not yet registered for this popular program, do it right now. Sponsored
by AREC, the program will take place at St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, June 29 to July 6, 2008. By popular demand, this
year the Institute will extend the Summer Program by a weekend retreat
(optional) June 27-29. For details click here.

BLESSING OF MURON
The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia announced that His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I will consecrate the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) on June 7, 2008.
The Holy Muron, symbol of the grace of the Holy Spirit, is traditionally
blessed every seven years. Only the Catholicos can consecrate the oil which
is then distributed to the various dioceses for distribution to the
parishes. The oil consists of 48 different herbs, flowers, and oils which
are combined in a special vessel and mixed with some of the old Muron, thus
creating an unbroken chain with the past. The preparation of the Holy Muron
is a long process and each stage is accompanied with special prayers. Prior
to its blessing, the Muron remains for forty days on the altar of the
Cathedral. The Muron Blessing is expected to attract a large number of
pilgrims from various parts of the world.
During this same period the World General Assembly of the Catholicosate
of the Great House of Cilicia will convene in Antelias beginning on June 3
through to June 5.
The Prelacy is organizing a pilgrimage to Antelias for the Muron
blessing. For details click here.

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING
An international gathering of youth is being organized by the Holy See
of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I is inviting the youth, 18 years and older,
to attend this gathering from August 13 to 20, 2008, coinciding with the
annual pilgrimage during the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of
God.
Plans are underway for the Catholicosate, the Prelacy, and our Parishes
to facilitate the travel of the young adults to the gathering by assisting
with a portion of the travel expenses. For information contact your local
parish.

PROPHET ELIJAH
This Sunday, May 18, the Armenian Church commemorates Elijah-the prophet
of the Old Testament who is recorded in I and II Kings. Elijah was one of
the greatest prophets of the Old Testament and is therefore commemorated on
a Sunday. He appeared at the Transfiguration as the prophet of life and the
new covenant. Perhaps most important is that Elijah did not experience
death, but was taken to heaven, like the Holy Mother of God. He is mentioned
in the Armenian hymn, Ee Verhin.

SAINTS HRIPSIMEH AND COMPANIONS
SAINTS GAYANEH AND COMPANIONS
This Monday and Tuesday, May 19 and 20, the Armenian Church commemorates
the virgin saints Hripsimeh and Gayaneh and their companions. Thirty-three
nuns, led by Gayaneh, left Rome and sought refuge in Armenia hoping to
escape the Roman Emperor who desired one of the nuns, beautiful Hripsimeh.
In Armenia, King Tiridat was equally captivated by Hripsimeh’s beauty, and
sought to wed her. She refused. Enraged, the king had Hripsimeh (and the
others) tortured to death.
St. Gregory had chapels built over the relics of the nuns, and later
Catholicos Sahag Barthev rebuilt the chapels. During the 7th century
Catholicos Gomidas had two beautiful cathedrals built. The Cathedral of St.
Hripsimeh is considered to by a masterpiece of architecture. Catholicos
Gomidas also wrote a sharagan (hymn) in the memory-the famous "Antsink
Nviryalk."

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, May 15, are: Romans 2:12-24; Matthew
8:28-34.
All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the
law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it
is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the
doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles, who do not possess
the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having
the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is
written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness,
and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them on the day
when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the
secret thoughts of all. But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law
and boast of your relation to God and know his will and determine what is
best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are
a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of
the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of
knowledge and truth, you, then, that teach others, will you not teach
yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid
adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples?
You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as
it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of
you." Romans 2:12-24
For listing of the week’s Bible readings click here.

>From THE BOOKSTORE THIS WEEK..

ARCHBISHOP NERSES LAMBRONACI’S COMMENTARY ON THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON:
INTRODUCTION, TRANSLATION AND DIPLOMATIC EDITION OF THE ARMENIAN TEXT
By Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian
This book-mentioned earlier in this issue of Crossroads-grew from Bishop
Anoushavan’s doctoral dissertation. Besides being an excellent source of
knowledge about Lambronaci’s commentary on the Wisdom of Solomon, this book
provides valuable insight about the saint’s life and that period of time in
Cilician Armenia. 633 pages, hardbound, $50.00, plus shipping and handling.

THE COMPLETE ARMENIAN COOKBOOK by Alize Bezjian
The sub-title of this book is very appropriately, "Including favorite
international recipes," because this oversize hardcover beautifully
photographed cookbook includes not only Armenian recipes, but recipes of
French, Japanese, Chinese and Indian origin. It’s a great resource. 280
pages, $35.00, plus shipping and handling.

For shipping and handling charges contact the Prelacy bookstore
212-689-7810.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER ITEMS AT THE BOOKSTORE VISIT THE
PRELACY’S WEB SITE () OR CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY
EMAIL (BOOKS@ARMENIANPRELACY.ORG) OR BY TELEPHONE (212-689-7810).

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 3-5-World General Assembly of the Catholicosate of the Great House of
Cilicia will convene in Antelias, Lebanon.

June 7-Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon. Click here for details.

June 24-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, 5th annual Golf Outing,
Juniper Hill Golf Course, Northboro, Massachusetts. For information
508-852-2414.

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 here.

July 19-"A Hye Summer Night 3," dance hosted by Ladies’ Guild of Sts.
Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island. For details
401-434-4467.

August 3-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the
Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or
shine.

August 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. Annual
picnic on church grounds. Free admission; free parking.

August 15-17-International Gathering of Youth and Pilgrimage to Der Zor,
organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Details will follow.

September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet. Details to follow.

September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.

September 26-28-National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

September 29-30-Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.
Details to follow.

November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s 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