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 protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – July 10, 2008
LINKED IN: A WEEKEND WORKSHOP FOR YOUNG ADULTS
Are you looking for a way to connect with friends and with your church?
Would you like to learn more about your Armenian spiritual heritage?
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, a workshop for young adults, 18 to 35, will take
place September 26 to 28, at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center in
Charlton, Massachusetts. Young adults, ages 18 to 35, are invited to
participate in this enlightening weekend.
Direct your questions via email to [email protected]
VICAR AT ARS CONVENTION
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, is in Chelmsford, Massachusetts
where he will offer the opening prayer and deliver a message at the annual
convention of the Armenian Relief Society.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO MEET THIS WEEKEND
The Religious and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy will convene its
monthly meeting this weekend, Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12, at the
Prelacy offices in New York City.
NEW PEW BOOK IS HERE
The new Divine Liturgy Pew Book has been printed. Various Prelacy staff
members, headed by Archbishop Oshagan, have been working on this project for
more than a year. This guide is designed to enable the faithful to follow
the Divine Liturgy with ease and comprehension. Each two-page spread is in
four columns, the first column being the liturgy as sung in Classical
Armenian (Krapar), the second column is in Western Armenian translation, the
third is in transliteration, and the fourth is in English translation.
The new Pew Book was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Haig Didizian in memory of
their father Hagop Didizian.
CATHOLICOS ARAM I SENDS MESSAGE TO PILGRIMS
GATHERED AT ST. TATEH MONASTERY
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, sent a letter
of blessing to the pilgrims gathered in Saint Tateh Monastery in the diocese
of Azerbaijan, Iran, on the occasion of the Feast of Saint Tateos and Saint
Santoukhd. The annual pilgraimage on July 5 was the 54th pilgrimage in this
well known sanctuary in Iran where thousands of faithful from the various
cities of Iran and the world gathered.
In his message, His Holiness, said: "It gives us great pleasure to see the
strong bond that ties our people and specially the Armenians of Iran to
Saint Tateh. Next year, we will mark the 55th anniversary of the annual
pilgrimage to this centuries-old Monastery. We expect the number of pilgrims
to grow with time. It is our wish for Saint Tateh to persist in our nation’s
life as a source for the renewal of faith and the eternal survival of our
spiritual and national values."
THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN ORIENTAL ORTHODOX AND CATHOLIC CHURCHES
The sub-committee preparing the report of the theological dialogue between
the Catholic and the Oriental Orthodox Churches met on June 24-26 in Rome.
Four Oriental Orthodox and four Catholic theologians participated. The
Armenian Church was represented by Archbishop Yeznig Bedrosian, Ecumenical
Officer, Catholicosate of All Armenians, Etchmiadzin, and Bishop Nareg
Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer, Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias. The draft
of the report will be presented to the committee during the 2009 meeting.
ARMENIAN MONASTERIES IN IRAN ADDED TO UNESCO’S WORLD HERITAGE LIST
The Armenian Monastic Ensembles in Iran were added to UNESCO’s World
Heritage List last week during the annual meeting of the World Heritage
Committee which took place in Quebec City.
The complex consists of three monastic ensembles of the Armenian Christian
faith: St. Thaddeus and St. Stepanos and the Chapel of Dzordzor. In making
the announcement the World Heritage Committee noted: "These edifices, the
oldest of which, St. Thaddeus, dates back to the 7th century, are examples
of outstanding universal value of the Armenian architectural and decorative
traditions.
They bear testimony to very important interchanges with the other regional
cultures, in particular the Byzantine, Orthodox and Persian. Situated on the
southeastern fringe of the main zone of the Armenian cultural space, the
monasteries constituted a major center for the dissemination of that culture
into Azerbaijan and Persia. They are the last regional remains of this
culture that are still in a satisfactory state of integrity and
authenticity. Furthermore, as places of pilgrimage, the monastic ensembles
are living witnesses of Armenian religious traditions through the
centuries."
Four sites in Armenia were added to the list in previous years, including:
Monasteries of Haghpat and Sanahin; Cathedral and Churches of Etchmiadzin;
Archaeological Site of Zvartnots; Monastery of Geghart and the Upper Azat
Valley.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation
of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of
outstanding value to humanity.
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."
PAN-DIASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE
A pan-Diaspora youth conference will take place in Antelias, Lebanon, on
August 14-16. Under the theme, "The Armenian youth face the challenges of
the 21st century," the conference will feature lectures, and round table and
group discussions. More than 100 youth from the various dioceses within the
Catholicosate of Cilicia will participate. Travel subsidies are available.
For information contact your local parish or the Prelacy office,
212-689-7810.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, July 10, are: Genesis 4:1-50:26
(selections); Numbers 20:23-30; Deuteronomy 34:5-12; Joshua 24:29-33; 1
Samuel 15:34-16:13; Hebrews 11: 1-31; Luke 20:34-40.
Then Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, at the
Lord’s command. He was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite
Bethpeor, but no one knows his burial place to this day. Moses was one
hundred twenty years old when he died; his sight was unimpaired and his
vigor had not abated. The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab
thirty days; then the period of mourning for Moses was ended.
Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid
his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had
commanded Moses.
Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord
knew face to face. He was unequaled for all the signs and wonders that the
Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his
servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the
terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all
Israel. Deuteronomy 34:5-12
SONS AND GRANDSONS OF ST. GREGORY
This Saturday, July 12, the Armenian Church remembers the sons and grandsons
of St. Gregory the Illuminator: Sts. Aristakes, Vrtanes, Housik, Grigoris,
and Daniel (who was not related, but was a distinguished student of St.
Gregory). All of them continued the work of St. Gregory, preaching the word
of Christ to pagans, at great personal peril.
St. Gregory had two sons, Aristakes and Vrtanes. Aristakes, the younger son,
succeeded Gregory as Catholicos and was martyred around 333 A.D. Aristakes
represented the Armenian Church at the first ecumenical council of Nicaea in
325. It was at this council that the Nicene Creed, recited to this day
during the Divine Liturgy, was written and adopted. Vrtanes-at this time
over 70 years old-was called upon to become catholicos and served for eight
years until his death. Vrtanes had two sons, Grigoris and Housig. Grigoris
preached in the northern provinces of Armenia (present day Georgia) where he
was martyred. Housig, although not a clergyman, was called upon to assume
the catholicosal throne. He was martyred in 347. Daniel, who as noted above
was not related by blood to Gregory, is included with the sons and
grandsons. He was chosen to succeed Housig as catholicos, but never actually
served as he too was martyred one year later in 348.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE.
Tigranes II and Rome, by H. Manandyan. An annotated translation and
introduction by George A. Bournoutian. Softcover, 202 pages, $35.00, plus
shipping and handling.
In his introduction the translator of this volume notes, "Tigranes II, known
in Armenian historiography as Tigranes the Great, is the sole Armenian
monarch who not only succeeded in unifying all the lands inhabited by the
Armenians, but extended Armenian rule into Syria and northwestern Iran. In
the first century B.C. he created an Armenian empire which lasted for some
two decades, taking the title of ‘King of kings,’ which until then was only
held by the kings of Parthia."
With this volume Professor Bournoutian has added another important
contribution to the Armenian Studies Series that makes Armenian historical
and literary texts available in English translation.
Jalaleddin by Raffi, translated by Donald Abcarian, 58 pages, $10.00 plus
shipping & handling.
That old adage, "The pen is mightier than the sword," was never better
demonstrated than the writings of Raffi (Hagob Melik-Hagobian). His writings
galvanized a whole generation of Armenians, and continued to inspire
subsequent generations, towards freedom and self-defense. Thankfully, in
recent years we have been blessed to have a number of good English
translations of his epic works. This little historical novel is the story of
Sheikh Jalalledin’s invasion of Turkish Armenia with its intent and
ramifications.
Daredevils of Sasun, Poetics of an Epic, by Azat Yeghiazaryan, translated by
S. Peter Cowe.
254 pages, $25.00 plus shipping & handling.
The Armenian epic Daredevils of Sasun has been passed down from generation
to generation orally. The epic tells the story of the life, loves, and
heroic struggles of four generations of the House of Sasun. Professor Azat
Yeghiasaryan’s work, expertly translated by Professor Peter Cowe, provides
great insight on this epic.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES
This year we are marking the dual anniversaries of the 110th anniversary of
the establishment of the Armenian Prelacy of America by Catholicos Mgrditch
(Khrimian Hairig), and the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy
See of Cilicia. We continue to seek any type of memorabilia and photographs.
Please contact us by email at [email protected] or by telephone
212-689-7810, Extension 23. We thank many of you who have already responded.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July 7 to July 18-Summer Camp at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New
York. For children age 5 to 12. 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday, lunch and
snack included. Minimum donation is $150. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. &
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. For information contact the church
office, 718-224-2275.
July 14 to August 1-St. Illuminator’s Day School Summer Program, July 14
through August 1, for children ages 3 to 10, Monday through Friday, 9 am to
2 pm. Armenian language, history, Bible readings, arts and crafts, sports
and much more. For information and registration contact the school office
718-478-4073 or the Cathedral office 212-689-5880.
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-Holy Cross Armenian Church, 50th Anniversary Blessing of the Grapes
picnic, noon to 4 pm, on the church grounds, 101 Spring Ave., Troy, NY.
Blessing of the grapes at 3 pm officiated by Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian. Eat
in or takeout; raffle. For information 518-274-1477.
August 5-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 9th annual
golf outing at Blackstone National Golf Club, Summon, Massachusetts.
Information: 508-234-3261.
August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, picnic and
blessing of the grapes, officiated by Archbishop Oshagan and New England
area clergy. On church grounds, beginning at 12 noon. For information:
508-234-3677 or
August 17-St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, Feast of the Assumption of the Holy
Mother of God and Blessing of the Grapes, and picnic, at the Armenian
Center, Woodside, NY. For information 212-689-5880.
September 7-Annual picnic Festival of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, at American Legion Grounds, Haverhill, Massachusetts,
beginning at 12 noon.
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 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual church
picnic and blessing of the grapes at Dunkerhook Park, Pavilion D, Paramus,
NJ. For information 201-943-2950.
September 14-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Celebration of
the Holy Cross and Madagh. For information 201-943-2950.
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 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.
October 21, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 9-38th anniversary of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy See of
Cilicia, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan at Jaffarian Hall
following Divine Liturgy.
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 protected] 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:
[email protected]