March 26, 2009

NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL CONFERENCE THIS SATURDAY
The Prelate,
Archbishop Oshagan will attend the New England Regional Conference for
members of the Boards of Trustees and National Representative Assembly
delegates, which will take place this Saturday, March 28, at Holy
Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts.
Panel discussions will focus on the following topics: Spiritual
awakening; administrative duties; Sunday School; Armenian School; and
the role of the Prelacy.

PRELATE WILL ATTEND ARS CENTENNIAL GALA
This Saturday evening, March 28,
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Centennial Gala Banquet
presented by the Armenian Relief Society (Eastern USA), which will
take place at the Yale Club in New York City. Dr. Herand Markarian
will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. The Keynote speaker is
Representative Anna G. Eshoo, of California.

PRELATE WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY ON SUNDAY
This Sunday, March 29, Archbishop
Oshagan will attend and preside over the Divine Liturgy at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN IN NEW JERSEY AND PHILADELPHIA
Tomorrow evening, Friday, March 27, following Lenten Vespers Service,
Bishop Anoushavan will introduce a new book, Zadig (Easter) by Rudig
Haroyan, at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. The event
is sponsored by the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society of New Jersey. Mr. Haroyan, a native of Armenia, was a special
teacher for several years at the Hovnanian School in New Milford, New
Jersey, where he taught the students authentic Armenian folk songs and
dance. on Sunday, March 29, Bishop Anoushavan will celebrate the
Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in
Philadelphia. Following the service, he will make a presentation of
the recently published book by the parishs priest, Archpriest Fr.
Nerses Manoogian, called From the Pastors Desk: Pastoral Talks to His
Flock.

ST. SARKIS MORTGAGE BURNING IS FESTIVE EVENT
Parishioners and friends gathered to joyously burn the mortgage of
St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York, on Sunday, March
15. Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Divine Liturgy. During the
service His Eminence presented a pectoral cross to Rev. Fr. Nareg
Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis. In his sermon the Prelate used
biblical references to show that it is easy to start and finish a
project when you have the money, but it doesnt have the same meaning
as when a goal is accomplished through the dedication of the people,
their faith and their perseverance. This, he said, is how you, the
parishioners of St. Sarkis, arrived at this point where today you are
burning your mortgage.
A luncheon, presided by the
Prelate, followed the Liturgy. Attending were Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy and formerly the pastor of St. Sarkis Church;
Armenias Ambassador to the United Nations, H. E. Armen Martirosian; New York State Senator, Frank Padavan, and members of the Executive
Council, including Karen Jehanian, Noubar Megerian, and Bedros Givelekian. During the luncheon program, Dr. Aram Cazazian, chairman of the Board of
Trustees, was presented with the Eagle of the Prelacy award by Archbishop Oshagan in appreciation of his exceptional leadership.

LENTEN PROGRAM CONTINUES
The fifth in a series of six weekly Prelacy Lenten programs took place
last night, at the Armenian Center in Woodside, New York. Following
the Husgoom Service, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis
Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, spoke on the Beatitude: Blessed
are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be
filled (Matthew 5:4). Of different uses of the word righteousness in
the Bible, Der Nareg briefly highlighted four, namely, righteousness
as Gods mighty saving deeds; righteousness meaning justice for us and
for others; righteousness in the sense of being declared righteous by
God; and righteousness as right-living before God and before
others. He focused on the notion of virtuous conduct before God and
men, giving examples from different interpersonal relationships in
society today. Der Hayr said, Before we do anything, we should ask: is
it righteous for me to do this? By reflecting g on the Beatitudes, he
said, we should all examine our lifestyle and aim to live righteously
before the eyes of God. The next and final Lenten lecture will be on
Wednesday, April 1, 2009, and will be presented by His Grace Bishop
Anoushavan, Vicar General, who will reflect on the Beatitude Blessed
are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God (Matthew
5:9). The Lenten program is sponsored by the Prelacys Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG),
and the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminators Cathedral. For information
about forthcoming lectures click here
( 90/goto: er.pdf).

CLERGY VISIT SENIORS
Bishop Anoushavan and the clergy of the metropolitan New York area
visited the residents of the New York Armenian Home in Flushing, New
York, and the seniors of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York
yesterday, March 25. Bishop Anoushavan was accompanied by
Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York, and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminators
Cathedral, New York City.

CLERGY WILL VISIT HOVNANIAN SCHOOL AND HOME FOR AGED IN NEW JERSEY
Next Wednesday, April 1, Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, and
the Prelacy clergy of the Metropolitan New York area will visit the
Hovnanian School in New Milford, New Jersey and the Home for the Aged
in Emerson, New Jersey.

MEETING OF CAMECT NEXT TUESDAY
CAMECT (Christian Arab and Middle Eastern Churches Together) will meet
next Tuesday, March 31, at the Prelacys offices in
Manhattan. Archbishop Oshagan currently serves as President of the
organization. CAMECTs goals are to raise awareness of the continuity
and contribution of the presence of Middle Eastern Christian since
Pentecost in the region where Christ was born. CAMECT believes that
working together with other churches and institutions, it is possible
to go forward toward righteousness and peace in the world at large,
and especially in the Middle East.

NEXT FORUM SCHEDULED APRIL 16
The next Forum for young professionals will take place on Thursday,
April 16. The special presentation is entitled, Remembering the
Forgotten: The Untold Story of Clergymen Lost to the
Genocide. Yeretzgeen Joanna Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Church in
Providence, will tell the story of how a group of her students took a
proactive role in remembering these forgotten martyrs, reminding us
that not even genocide could destroy our Armenian faith and
spirit. Between 1915 and 1938, the Armenian Church lost 5,000
clergymen to the Ottoman Empires genocide and to Joseph Stalins
purges. Admission is free, but RSVP is required. The presentation
will begin exactly at 7:15 pm and will take place at the Prelacys
Vahakn and Hasmig Hovnanian Hall. RSVP to events@armenianprelacy.org
(mailto:events@armenian prelacy.org) or 212-689-7810.

GENOCIDE ART EXHIBIT AT QUEENS COLLEGE
The Queens College Benjamin Rosenthal Library and The
Anthropology/Armenian Museum will host Armenian artist Lucy Janjigians
paintings of The Uprooted: Genocides, in the Carole and Norman Barham
Rotunda, from April 9 through May 5. The library is open from 9 am to
10 pm Monday through Thursday; 9 am to 5 pm Friday, and 11 am to 5 pm,
Saturday and Sunday. A Power Point talk will take place on Wednesday,
April 22 at 2 pm in the Presidents Conference Room. Call 718-428-5650
for reservations to the Power Point Talk and parking passes.
YEAR OF THE YOUTH
His Holiness Aram
I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has designated the year
2009 as the Year of The Youth. To read His Holiness message in
Armenian click here
( 89/goto: doc/Pontifical%20Messages/messages68.htm).
To read His Holiness message in English click here
( 88/goto: cal.pdf).

BIBLE STUDY PROGRAM CONTINUES
A six-part program on Great Prayers of the Bible which began last week
will continue every other Thursday, from 7:15 to 8:45 pm (March 19,
April 2, 16, 30 and May 14), at the Prelacy. The program will include
a number of biblical prayers that have been incorporated into the
liturgical prayers and services of the Armenian Church. Dn. Shant
Kazanjian, director of the Prelacys Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC), will conduct the Bible studies. The program is open to
all and is free of charge. To register, please send an email to
arec@armenianprelacy.org (mailto:arec@armenianprelacy.org) or call
212-689-7810.

EXTENDED BOOKSTORE HOURS
On Bible Study evenings, the Prelacy Bookstore will remain open until
7 pm. The dates of the upcoming Bible Study series are: March 5, 19,
April 2, 16, 30, and May 14.

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The 23rd annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for
youth ages 13-18, is scheduled to take place at the St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 28 to July 5,
2009, preceded by a weekend retreat (optional) from June 26-28,
2009. The Program is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC). For more information click here
( 87/goto:).

PILGRIMAGE TO DEIR ZOR
As part of the year-long celebration of the Year of the Youth, the
dioceses of Aleppo and Lebanon are organizing a pilgrimage to Deir Zor
for the youth on May 2. His Holiness Catholicos Aram I will join the
youth in this pilgrimage. Details will follow.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible reading for today, Thursday, March 26, are:: Isaiah 53:1-54:5; 1
Corinthians 15:1-28 Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of
the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in
which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you
hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to youunless you have
come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance
what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in
accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he
was r raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to
more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time most of whom
are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James,
then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he
appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be
called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the
grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward m e has not been in
vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of themthough it was
not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or
they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe. Now if Christ is
proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is
no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead,
then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised,
then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in
vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we
testified of God that he raised Christwhom he did not raise if the
dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised, your faith is
futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died
in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in
Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has
been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have
died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of
the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam,
so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ
the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then
comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after
he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and power. For he
must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last
enemy to be destroyed is death. For God has put all things in
subjection under his feet. But when it says, All things are put in
subjection, it is plain that this does not include the one who put all
things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him,
then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all
things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. (1
Corinthians 15:1-28)

For listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here
( 86/goto: df).

ST. GREGORYS COMMITMENT TO PIT
This Saturday, March 28, the Armenian Church commemorates one of three
days in the Armenian liturgical calendar in honor of St. Gregory the
Illuminator, the founder of the Armenian Church. The three days of
remembrances are: Entrance into the Pit; Emergence from the Pit; and
Discovery of his remains. This Saturday we commemorate his commitment
to the deep pit (Khor Virab).
Gregory stood fast to his faith and refused to renounce Christ. He
endured many tortures and his final punishment was banishment into a
deep pit where he remained for a period of thirteen or more
years. Miraculously he survived the ordeal, thanks to his faith and a
woman (identity unknown) who secretly lowered food and water into the
pit.
The Monastery of Khor Virab is a major destination for tourists and
pilgrims who visit Armenia. The monastery complex was built on the
exact location where St. Gregory was imprisoned. The pit is intact and
it is possible for visitors to climb down the ladder (we counted 27
steep steps) into the pit. The church, named Sourp Asdvatsatzin dates
to the 17th century. The area is one of the most beautiful in Armenia
and provides a view of Ararat that is breathtaking. There is no better
view of Ararat, even in Turkey.
We remind our readers that during Great Lent, commemoration of saints
takes place only on Saturdays. During the remainder of the year,
saints are honored on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, or
Saturdays. Never on Wednesdays and Fridays, these being fasting days.
Lord Gregory, you are the delightful new paradise planted in the land
of Armenia, which cost sweat and many toils.
Watered by the streams of the word of truth, you gave from yourself
wondrously beautiful offshoots, covered with a multitude of
flowers. You were on earth a heavenly light which received its
brightness from the sun of life, you dispelled thick darkness from the
Armenian people and it saw the light of the Holy Spirits grace.
(From the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)

PILGRIMAGE DAY IN ANTELIAS
As noted above, this Saturday is one of
the three dates in the Armenian Liturgical Calendar honoring St. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of Armenia. It is a day of pilgrimage at
the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon. Thousands of pilgrims come to the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator for the service and
procession of the relics of St. Gregory housed in a golden arm. Consecrated relics of St. Gregory are preserved in Holy Etchmiadzin in Armenia and the
Holy See of Cilicia. The relics are displayed each year on this occasion. It is also part of the ceremony of the consecration of the Holy Chrism
(Muron) every seven years.

SUNDAY OF ADVENT
We are rapidly approaching Holy Week. This Sunday, March 29, is the
sixth and final Sunday of Great Lent, called Sunday of Advent
(Galstyan Kiraki). On Advent Sunday we are asked to ponder on the
mystery of the first coming of Christ and especially His second
coming, which is mentioned in the prayers read this Sunday. Christ
came to the world for the salvation of humankind. He will come again
for the judgment of sinners, and when the righteous will become worthy
of entering the Kingdom of God.
Advent Sunday has its own special hymn, which proclaims that the
apostles knew the mystery of the advent of Christ. The story of the
expulsion from paradise is repeated and an appeal is made to Christ to
ask the Heavenly Father to establish peace on earth.
Sunday of Advent is in preparation of next Sunday, Palm Sunday, which
is the celebration of the glorious entry of our Lord into Jerusalem
and the beginning of Holy Week.
Of old you announced beforehand the mystery of your coming through the
prophets of Israel chosen by you after Moses who spoke by the Holy
Spirit in many and various ways, grant us, O Savior, mercy and
remission of sins. With the approach of the last days the seers
announced your coming. O our Savior, at the end of time you appeared
among men adorned in the image of a servant, grant us, O Savior, mercy
and remission of sins.
(From hymn sung on Sunday of Advent according to the Liturgical Canons
of the Armenian Church)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 27Armenian Spiritual Literature, presented by Rev. Fr. Mesrob
Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminators Cathedral and with the
participation of youth, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue,
Woodside, New York. Organized by Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and
Cultural Society of New York. For information hamazkayinny@yahoo.com
(mailto:hamazkayinny@yahoo. com).

March 28ARS Eastern USA Centennial Gala Banquet, Yale Club, New York
City. Dr. Herand Markarian, MC; keynote speaker Representative Anna
G. Eshoo. Cocktails 7 pm, dinner 8:30 pm. For information:
mabprof45@aol.com (mailto:mabprof45@aol.com) or 201-934-8930.

April 2New six-part Bible Studies program at the Prelacy continues on
the following Thursdays: April 2, 16, 30, May 14, from 7:15 to 8:45
pm. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council will lead the sessions. Open to all and free of charge. For
registration and information contact arec@armenianprelacy.org
(mailto:arec@armenianprel acy.org) or 212-689-7810. The Prelacy
bookstore will remain open from 5 to 7 pm on each of these evenings.

April 3Harry Koundakjian: 55 Years as an International
Photojournalist, a Jubilee celebration, sponsored by Hamazkayin of New
York, under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, 8:30 pm,
Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, New York.

April 16Quarterly Forum Series for young professionals. Yn. Joanna
Baghsarian of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, will speak about the
untold story of the Armenian clergymen lost to the Genocide and the
Stalin purges, at the Prelacys Hovnanian Hall. Program will begin
promptly at 7:15 pm. Reception will follow. Admission is free but RSVP
is required. Contact events@armenianprelacy.org
(mailto:events@armenian prelacy.org) or 212-689-7810.

April 17Armenian Genocide Commemoration, sponsored by the New York
City Council, City Hall, corner of Chambers Street &
Broadway. Featured panel on Armenian-Turkish Relations: Taner Akcam,
Harut Sassounian, Bilgin Ayata, Aram Hamparian, Khatchig
Mouradian. For information info@ancny.org (mailto:info@ancny.org) or
646-288-6979.

APRIL 19On the Road (Jampoun Vrah) by Levon Shant (U.S. Premiere),
directed by Dr. Herand Markarian, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Avenue, Woodside, New York, at 8:05 pm. Sponsored by the Hamazkayin
Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of New York.

APRIL 25Cultural Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, 7 pm, at the
Armenian Center, Woodside, New York. Participation from the New York
community including: New York City Dignitaries, Cultural and Arts
Organizations, Armenian Churches, Armenian Schools, Youth
Organizations, Community Organizers. For information: info@ancny.org
(mailto:info@ancny.org) or 646-288-6979.

April 2694th anniversary commemoration of the Armenian Genocide,
sponsored by the Knights of Vartan and participating organizations, at
Times Square (NYC), 2 pm. For information

(http: //e2ma.net/go/1847703509/1691137/62992985/goto:htt p://).

April 22 & April 29Introduction to the Divine Liturgy, St. Gregory
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. (Please
note: originally scheduled for January; dates have been changed.)

May 3Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, will present the
musical Hello Ellis Island, by Hourig Papazian Sahagian, performed by
the musical ensemble The Way We Were, Sunday, May 3, 2 pm at
Quinsigamond Community Colleges Hebert Auditorium, 670 West Boylston
Street, Worcester. For information: 508-852-2414.

May 350th anniversary celebration of consecration of
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

May 3Senior Hye Prom, sponsored by St.
Stephen Church Sunday School, Watertown, Massachusetts. Senior members of the community are invited to attend the Prom following
Badarak for lunch and a musical program featuring golden oldies. For reservations and information contact the church office at 617-731-6051, or by
email to Audrey Guzelian at Audrey.vartkes@verizon.net.

May 7-9National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy, hosted by
All Saints Armenian Apostolic Church, Glenview, Illinois. Clergy
Conference begins May 6.

May 7-8National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) annual
conference. For information 781-762-4253.

June 28Annual Madagh Picnic, St. Hagop Church (Racine), at Johnson
Park Picnic Grounds, 6200 Northwestern Ave., Racine, Wisconsin, 10:30
to 7 pm.

June 29 July 5St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute, St. Mary of
Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania.

July 18Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Ladies
Guild/ARS Chapter present a Hye Summer Night 4 Dance at The
Annunciation Greek Church, Cranston, Rhode Island. For information,
401-434-4467.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add email@armenianprelacy.org (mailto:email@armenianprelacy.org) to
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Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please
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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 (mailto:info@armenianprelacy.org)