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
September 18, 2008
MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL MEETING THIS SATURDAY IN PHILLY
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Mid-Atlantic regional meeting
of pastors, boards of trustees, and delegates to the National Representative
Assembly with the Prelate and Executive Council members this Saturday. The
all-day meeting is being hosted by St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in
Philadelphia. The regional meeting will include topics related to Christian
education, guidelines for the clergy, panel discussions, as well as
presentations by attending parishes about their local programs. Video
messages from His Holiness Aram I about Christian education and the 50th
anniversary of the Prelacy’s affiliation with the Holy See of Cilicia will
be presented.
LINKED IN: A WEEKEND WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS & PROFESSIONALS
Linked In weekend is almost here and registrations have been received
from all over the country. 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 students and professionals (ages 18
to 35) will take place September 26 to 28, at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox
Retreat Center in Charlton, Massachusetts.
Linked In is being planned under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop
Oshagan and His Grace Bishop Anoushavan. "The agenda has a hint of past,
present, and future, in honor of the Prelacy’s 50th anniversary," said
Linked In committee co-chair Nayiri Baljian Bell. The agenda will include a
retrospective look at the work of the Prelacy over the past fifty years, a
talk on Christianity in the 21st Century, and another on modern missions in
the Armenian Church. The agenda also includes both a lecture and a workshop
on the Divine Liturgy. "Liturgy is one of the main ways that we are linked
in to our church and through that to both Christ and one another," said Ms.
Baljian Bell.
Along with lectures and workshops, Linked In will feature small group
discussions, Bible study, and an intimate Sunday-morning Divine Liturgy
celebrated by the Prelacy’s newest clergyman, Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian.
For more details click
Direct your questions via email to linkedin@armenianprelacy.org
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO WORCESTER ON SUNDAY
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Worcester, Massachusetts, on Sunday,
September 21, where he will preside over the Divine Liturgy and elevate
Shaheen Adelinia to the rank of sub-deacon. He will preside over the church’s
74th anniversary banquet and the 50th anniversary celebration of the Prelacy’s
affiliation with the Holy See of Cilicia following the church services.
VICAR WILL PRESIDE OVER ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN SPRINGFIELD
Bishop Anoushavan will preside over the Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, of Springfield-Indian
Orchard, Massachusetts, this Sunday, September 21. A dinner and program in
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy will follow the
service. Bishop Anoushavan will be the guest speaker at the dinner.
PRELATE ATTENDS NAGORNO KARABAKH CELEBRATION IN WASHINGTON
Yesterday, September 17, Archbishop Oshagan attended a congressional
celebration of "20 years of freedom, democracy, and progress." The event was
organized by the co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
Frank Pallone, Jr., and Joe Knollenberg.
In his remarks to the gathering, the Prelate said that the people of
Karabakh have preserved their rich Armenian heritage against all odds. They
have excelled in many areas, including business, arts and sciences. He noted
that the basis of human rights is the belief in the inherent dignity of a
human being as a creature of God. That the American Founding Fathers
believed that rights were God-given, as stated in America’s Declaration of
Independence.
PRELATE WILL ATTEND UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AND DINNER FOR PRESIDENT OF ARMENIA
On Thursday, September 25, Archbishop Oshagan will attend the United
Nations General Assembly to hear the scheduled remarks of President Serzh
Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia. At noon he will attend a
luncheon in the President’s honor hosted by Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), at the
diocesan headquarters in New York City.
On the evening of Wednesday, September 24, the Prelate will attend a
reception and dinner in honor of the Armenian President at Cipriani in New
York, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia and the Permanent
Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations and leading
Armenian American organizations.
PRELATE WILL LEAVE FOR ARMENIA ON SEPTEMBER 25
Culminating a very active schedule of events, Archbishop Oshagan will
depart for Armenia on the evening of September 25. His Eminence will
represent the Holy See of Cilicia at the Blessing of Muron in Holy
Etchmiadzin, along with Archbishop Gorun Babian, Catholicosal Vicar of
Kuwait and the Arab Gulf countries.
PRELATE WILL ATTEND RECEPTION FOR PRESIDENT OF LEBANON
On Wednesday, September 24, Archbishop Oshagan will attend a reception
in honor of the President of the Republic of Lebanon, General and Mrs.
Michel Sleiman, at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The reception is
hosted by the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations, and
Mrs. Nawaf Salam and the Ambassador of Lebanon to the United States and Mrs.
Antoine Chedid.
ECUMENICAL SERVICE FOR UN OPENING
On Monday evening, September 15, the Prelate and Vicar attended an
ecumenical prayer service for the opening of the 63rd General Assembly of
the United Nations.
SUNDAY IS ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
This Sunday, September 21, is the 17th anniversary of the independence
of Armenia, following the break up of the Soviet Union. God bless the
Republic of Armenia.
A special independence day celebration will take place in New Jersey
with guest speaker, Ara Papian, Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to
Canada (2001-2006), who will speak on "The Legal Basis for the Armenian
Claims." A cultural program will feature the Hamazkayin Arev Armenian Folk
Ensemble and the Yeraz Dance Ensemble of St. Sarkis Church. The event will
take place on Sunday, September 21, 3 pm at Dwight-Englewood School
Auditorium, 315 E. Palisade Ave., Englewood, New Jersey. Admission is free.
VICAR WILL LECTURE TOMORROW
Bishop Anoushavan will offer a presentation of the Blessing of Muron
(Holy Oil), tomorrow evening, at The Armenian Society, 39-03 Little Neck
Parkway, Little Neck, New York. The presentation will include a showing of
the blessing of the Muron that took place in Antelias, Lebanon in July.
ANNIVERSARY BANQUET SET FOR OCTOBER 25
The dual anniversaries of the 110th anniversary of the establishment of
the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the 50th
anniversary of the Prelacy’s affiliation with the Great House of Cilicia
will be marked with a gala banquet on Saturday, October 25, at the Marriott
at Glenpointe in Teaneck New Jersey. An exhibit about the history of the
Prelacy and a DVD film, "A Journey of Faith" will be on display during the
cocktail hour.
HOLY CROSS PARISH CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
OF PRELACY AND FOUNDING OF PARISH
More than 125 parishioners and friends of Holy Cross Church in Troy, New
York, gathered last Sunday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy,
the 50th anniversary of their parish, and the Feast of the Exaltation of the
Holy Cross in the presence of the Prelate Archbishop Oshagan and Jack
Mardoian, chairman of the Prelacy’s Executive Council. During the Liturgy,
the Prelate presented Der Bedros with a Pectoral Cross in appreciation of
his service.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the community gathered at Franklin Terrace
where master of ceremonies Mathew Garabedian welcomed everyone. Board of
Trustees chairman Greg Karian spoke about the founders of Holy Cross parish
in 1958, including the struggles of the parish to rebuild after two fires
destroyed the church during the 1970s, and the recent efforts of the parish
priest, Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian to start a community orchestra in Troy.
Armen Garo, an actor and native of Troy, gave a reading from William Saroyan
which spoke to the spirit and tenacity of the Armenian people. Keynote
speaker, Dr. Herand Markarian, spoke of the Holy Cross parish in context
with the role of the Armenian Church as our spiritual and national home.
The Mayor of Troy, The Hon. Harry Tutunjian, offered his greetings to
all and expressed the pride he has as an Armenian to have the Holy Cross
Church and the recently created community orchestra in the Troy community.
Warm greetings were also extended by Der Bedros, as pastor, Jack Mardoian,
on behalf of the Executive Council, and by Archbishop Oshagan, who placed
the anniversary in the context of our mission as a church and national home.
BENEFIT CONCERT FOR SURP PRGICH HOSPITAL
Pianist Sahan Arzruni and friends will present "Ins and Outs: Armenian
Composers of Asia Minor," on Sunday, September 28, 3 pm, at Merkin Hall, 129
E. 67th Street, New York City. The event celebrates the 175th anniversary of
the founding of Surp Prgich Armenian National Hospital in Istanbul. Tickets
are available through the Prelacy, 212-689-7810.
MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City is
continuing. Archbishop Oshagan is a frequent on-site visitor to monitor the
progress. The Prelate reports that right now there is dust everywhere, but
he can already see that when it is completed it is going to be beautiful!
Until the interior renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy is being
offered every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Street, Woodside, New York.
ST. GEORGE THE COMMANDER
This Saturday, September 20, the Armenian Church remembers St. George
the Commander. Although we do not have much 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 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 known to us here at the Eastern Prelacy is Sourp
Kevork of Moughni, the monastery in Armenia that the late Archbishop and
Prelate Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian adopted 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 service and patronage
of Archbishop Mesrob.
CENTENNIAL OF BIRTH OF VAZKEN I
This Saturday, September 20, is the 100th anniversary of the birth of
His Holiness Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians from 1955 to 1994. As the
130th occupant of the throne of St. Gregory the Illuminator in the Holy See
of Etchmiadzin, His Holiness led the church with dignity for nearly forty
years. Blessed be his memory.
90th ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF ARARA
Tomorrow, September 19, is the 90th anniversary of the victorious Battle
of Arara in Palestine which was fought between the Ottoman Empire and the
French Armenian Legion. The Armenians distinguished themselves during the
battle, and their bravery was recognized by the Supreme Commander of the
French army. The Legion was composed of remarkable individuals of diverse
military and social rank from throughout the Diaspora, who volunteered in
order to serve their people and nation, at great personal sacrifice. Most
joined in response to the unbearable aftermath of the Armenian Genocide.
Let us pause this weekend to remember these heroes.
AUTUMN ARRIVES THIS WEEKEND
Autumn officially arrives this weekend with the fall equinox, when day
and night are approximately the same length. Henceforth our daylight hours
will diminish until the winter solstice in December.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 19-Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild, Providence, Rhode Island,
present "Remembering the Good Old Days. 8 pm, Aramian Auditorium. For
tickets and information 401-434-4467.
September 20-Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference with Executive Council,
Pastors, Boards of Trustees and Delegates to the National Representative
Assembly, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Hosted by St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia,
Pa.
September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet.
September 21-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, a wonderful,
old-fashioned picnic on the church grounds. Good food, music and supervised
activities for children.
September 22-13th annual St. Stephen’s School/ACEC Golf Tournament,
Framingham Country Club, Framingham, MA. For information, Astor Guzelian,
781-326-5764.
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 5-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Requiem Service for
benefactor Mrs. Suzanne Hagopian.
October 5-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. Lecture by His Grace
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
October 12-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Lecture by Rev. Fr.
Nareg Terterian.
October 12-St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, New York, Annual
Book Fair, dedicated to the Holy Translators in celebrating of the Cultural
Month. Immediately after the Badarak at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Avenue, Woodside, New York. For information, 212-689-5880.
October 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.
October 19-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Lecture by Dn. Shant
Kazanjian.
October 19-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, first Connecticut
performance of "Hello Ellis Island," at Silas Deane Middle School, 551 Silas
Deane Highway, Wethersfield, Connecticut. Program starts at 3 pm; reception
follows. Advance reservation desired. Adults $25; Students $10; Children
under 12 $5. Tickets at door $30. For information: 860-229-8322.
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.
October 31, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 1-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Harvest Dinner Dance.
For information: 718-352-3848.
November 2-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, Connecticut, 83rd
anniversary banquet at Indian Hill Country Club, 111 Golf Street, Newington,
Connecticut. Reception 1 pm, dinner at 2 pm. For information: 860-229-8322.
November 7 & 8-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen’s Armenian Church, 10 am to 9 pm,
at the ACED, 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown, Massachusetts. Dinners and gourmet
delicacies, arts and crafts, games and activities for children. For
information, 617-924-7562.
November 8-Mid-West Regional Conference with Executive Council, Pastors,
Boards of Trustees, and Delegates to the National Representative Assembly,
9:30 to 4:30 pm, hosted by All Saints Armenian Church, Glenview, Illinois.
November 8 & 9-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, largest
Armenian Fest in New England. Saturday 12 noon to 10 pm; Sunday 12 noon to 8
pm. Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston, Rhode Island. Kebobs and
kufta dinners. Live Armenian music. For information: 401-434-4467.
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.
November 15-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Annual Bazaar and Food
Festival by Ladies Guild.
November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.
November 23-William Saroyan Centennial Celebration, co-sponsored by the
Anthropology/Armenian Museum at Queens College and the AGBU, 3 pm at Lefrak
Concert Hall, Queens College, Flushing, New York. Archbishop Oshagan will
participate. The program includes readings and a play by Saroyan. Also
special performance by the Aaron Copeland School of Music students of the
music of composer Arno Babadjanian. For information: 718-428-5650.
February 7-50th anniversary celebration of Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Dinner Dance at Rockleigh Country Club.
March 8-Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City,
sponsored by Prelacy and Prelacy Ladies Guild.
March 28-ARS Centennial Gala Banquet, Yale Club, New York City.
May 3-50th anniversary celebration of consecration of Sts. Vartanantz
Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
MAY 7-9-National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy, hosted by All
Saints Armenian Apostolic Church, Glenview, Illinois. Clergy Conference
begins May 6.
JUNE 29 – JULY 5-St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute, St. Mary of
Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania.
JULY 18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Ladies’ Guild/ARS
Ani Chapter present A Hye Summer Night 4 Dance at The Annunciation Greek
Church, Cranston, Rhode Island. For information, 401-434-4467.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress