September 3, 2009
PASSING OF ARCHPRIEST FR. TORKOM HAGOPIAN
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and the Religious and
Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy announce with sorrow the
passing of
Archpriest Fr. Torkom Hagopian, Pastor-Emeritus of St. Stephens Church
in Watertown, Massachusetts. He was 86 years
old.
Visiting hours will take place from 1 to 7 pm on Tuesday, September 8,
at St. Stephens Church, 38
Elton Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts. Services will take place from
7 to 8 pm.
Extreme Unction and the
Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, September 9, at
St. Stephens Church at 10 a.m., under the presidency of the Prelate,
His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, and with the participation of His
Eminence Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada, and the clergy
of the Eastern
Prelacy. Burial will take place at Mt. Albans Cemetery, Cambridge,
Massachusetts. A Memorial Luncheon will
follow.
Der Torkom began his service to St. Stephens Church in August
1962. Prior to this appointment
he served the four communities in upstate New York: St. John the
Baptist of Syracuse; Holy Cross of Troy; St. Hagop of Niagara Falls
and the community
in Binghamton. Archpriest Torkom served the Boston community for 33
years until 1995 when he retired, remaining an active member of St.
Stephens church and community. During his tenure the Armenian Cultural
and Educational Center was built which he wholeheartedly supported and
for which he worked tirelessly helping to raise the necessary
funds. His greatest dream was to have an Armenian day school, which
materialized in
1984, with the establishment of the St. Stephens Armenian Elementary
School. The School today is a thriving center of education that
consistently receives accolades and high marks from the state of
Massachusetts.
We express our heartfelt
condolences to Yeretsgin Zevart and their daughters, Dzovig, Noushig
and Sonig.
May he rest in eternal bliss.
VICAR WILL BE IN PROVIDENCE LABOR DAY
WEEKEND
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General of the Prelacy, will travel to
Providence, Rhode Island,
this weekend where on Sunday he will preside over the Divine Liturgy
and deliver the Sermon at Sts. Vartanantz Church. Immediately
afterward he will
represent the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, and deliver the invocation
at the 76th annual Armenian Youth Federation Olympic games, hosted by
the
Providence chapter of the AYF.
RE-OPENING OF ST. ILLUMINATORS
CATHEDRAL
St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City, which
has been under
renovation for more than a year, will have its opening on the weekend
of September 19 and 20.
On Saturday,
September 19, at 7 pm, Archbishop Oshagan will officiate over the
re-consecration of the altar. The next day, Sunday, September 20, His
Eminence will
celebrate the Divine Liturgy beginning at 10:30 am, and deliver the
Sermon. Madagh will be offered following the Liturgy. The Cathedrals
pastor, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian will assist His Eminence on this
joyful occasion.
A special issue of
Crossroads will be sent next week with greater details about the
weekend events and the renovation.
REGIONAL CONFERENCES SCHEDULED IN SEPTEMBER AND
OCTOBER
Two regional conferences for pastors, boards of trustees, and NRA
delegates have been
scheduled this fall by the Prelate and the Executive Council.
The Mid-West regional conference will be hosted
by St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, on Saturday, September 26.
The Mid-Atlantic regional conference will
be hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, on
Saturday, October 10.
The conferences that
took place last year proved to be helpful and the Executive Council is
looking forward to building on the work accomplished last year with
the
participation of all of the parishes.
LINKED IN WEEKEND
The 2009 Prelacy LINKED
IN weekend for young adults will take place September 25-27, at the
Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts, as part
of the
ongoing Year of the Youth activities.
Under the general theme of Know Your Church,
presentations will be made by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Archpriest
Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Professor Michael Papazian, and Yeretzgin
Margaret
Stepanian. The weekend gathering will also feature prayer services,
meditations, bible studies, and panel
discussions.
For more information and registration form click here (
4882/goto: 9.htm
).
75th ANNIVERSARY OF ST. GREGORY CHURCH (SPRINGFIELD/INDIAN ORCHARD)
WILL
TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER 27
St. Gregory Church of Springfield/Indian Orchard,
Massachusetts, will celebrate its 75th anniversary on Sunday,
September 27, under the auspices of the Prelate, His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan who
will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon. The parishs
pastor, Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian will assist at the
altar.
Immediately after the Liturgy a luncheon will take place at the
Country Club of Wilbraham
(Massachusetts), at which time the parish will honor the churchs
founders. Special performances will be offered by humorist Dottie
Bengoian,
and the students of the St. Gregory Sunday school.
NALG AND NORTH ANDOVER PARISH HOST SEMINAR
The National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) and St.
Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts
hosted a regional seminar in August. The seminar was dedicated to the
memory of the
late Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian.
After the opening prayer and words of welcome, Rt. Rev. Archimandrite
Leonard
Faris, Pastor of St. George Antiochian Church of Lowell,
Massachusetts, spoke on the Dormition of the Holy Mother of
God.
After the lunch break the participants toured the Sanctuary, the newly
renovated kitchen and the new
patio area. During the afternoon session the participating Guilds
presented their reports, sharing their accomplishments, concerns and
future plans.
About fifty members attended from the following parishes: Holy Trinity
(Worcester); Sts. Vartanantz (Ridgefield); St. Gregory
(Springfield/Indian
Orchard); Sts. Vartanantz (Providence); Soorp Asdvadzadzin
(Whitinsville); and the executive members of the
NALG.
During the question and answer period, Mary Derderian, chairlady of
the NALG, shared her thoughts and
ideas, especially about the purpose and mission of the Ladies Guilds.
The NALGs 2009 annual conference
is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 17, at the Prelacy
offices in New York City.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for
today, Thursday, September 3, are: Proverbs 20:6-22; Job 42:12-16;
Lamentations 3:22-56; Acts 13:25-33; James 5:7-11; Matthew
14:1-12.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to
an end; they are
new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion,
says my soul, therefore I will hope in
him.
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks
him.
It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the
Lord. It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, to sit alone in
silence
when the Lord has imposed it, to put ones mouth to the dust (there may
yet be hope), to give ones cheek to the smiter, and be filled
with insults. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion
according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not
willingly afflict or
grieve anyone.
When all the prisoners of the land are crushed under foot, when human
rights are perverted in the presence of the Most High, when ones case
is subverteddoes the Lord not see
it?
Who can command and have it done, if the Lord has not ordained it? Is
it not
from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? Why should any
who draw breath complain about the punishment of their
sins?
Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord. Let us lift
up our
hearts as well as our hands to God in heaven. We have transgressed and
rebelled, and you have not forgiven. You have wrapped yourself with
anger and
pursued us, killing without pity; you have wrapped yourself with a
cloud so that no prayer can pass through. You have made us filth and
rubbish among
the peoples.
All our enemies have opened their mouths against us; panic and pitfall
have come upon us, devastation and destruction. My eyes flow with
rivers of tears because of the destruction of my
people.
My eyes will flow without ceasing, without respite, until the Lord
from
heaven looks down and sees. My eyes cause me grief at the fate of all
the young women in my
city.
Those who were my enemies without cause have hunted me like a bird;
they flung
me alive into a pit and hurled stones on me; water closed over my
head; I said, I am
lost.
I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard
my plea, Do not close your ear to my cry for help, but give me relief!
(Lamentations 3:22-56)
For listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click
here (
4882/goto: .pdf
).
ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER AND JOB THE
RIGHTEOUS
Today, Thursday, September 3, the Armenian Church commemorates two
saintsJohn the
Forerunner and Job the Righteous.
St. John the Forerunner, also known as John the Baptist, (Hovhaness
Mkrtich), is an important figure in the four New Testament Gospels. He
is understood to be the forerunner (Karapet) to
the Messiah. He lived as a hermit in the desert of Judea. At the age
of 30 he began to preach against the evils of the times and called for
penance
and baptism, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. In his
ministry he preached about one greater than himself who will
come to baptize not with water but with the Spirit, (Matthew, Chapter
3; Mark, Chapter 1; Luke, Chapter 3; John, Chapter
1).
The Book of Job is one of the five books, along with Psalms, Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon,
classified as the poetical books of the Bible. Many theologians
consider the Book of Job to be one of the most remarkable books in the
Bible. The central theme of the Book of Job is the mystery of
suffering. Job is a good and righteous person who experiences and
endures catastrophe
after catastrophe. The phrase the patience of Job has entered the
English lexicon as a popular clich. Biblical scholars agree
that rather than patience a more accurate translation would be
persistence or endurance. Ultimately,
Job is rewarded because the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more
than his beginnings, and After this Job lived one hundred
and forty years and saw his children, and his childrens children, four
generations. And Job died, old and full of days. (Job, Chapter
42).
THE 318 FATHERS OF THE HOLY COUNCIL OF
NICAEA
This Saturday, September 5, the Armenian Church commemorates the First
Ecumenical Council held
in Nicaea in Asia Minor in the year 325, and the 318 Church Fathers
who attended. The Council was called by Emperor Constantine. The
Armenian Church
participated in this Council and contributed toward the victory of
Orthodoxy. Aristakes, son of Gregory the Illuminator, represented the
Armenian
Church. The Council is mentioned in the writings of Moses of Khoren
and Agathangelos. In later centuries and in all their doctrinal
writings, the
Fathers of the Armenian Church referred to the Council of Nicaea with
veneration and the Nicene Creed (Havatamk) was incorporated into the
Armenian Liturgy. The Council condemned Arianism (which denied the
full divinity of Christ) and proclaimed that the orthodox position is
the belief in
one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of God the Father,
Only-Begotten, of the substance of the Father. God from God, Light
from
light, true God, begotten and not made. (from the Nicene Creed recited
during the Armenian Divine Liturgy).
BAREKENDAN OF THE FAST OF EXALTATION
This
Sunday, September 6, is the Barekendan of the Fast (Bahk) leading to
the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
(Khachveratz), which is the following Sunday, September 13. Because
this is a Tabernacle Feast, it is preceded by a week (Monday to
Friday)
of fasting, and a memorial day the day after (Monday).
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE HOLY MOTHER
This Tuesday, September 8, is the Feast of the Nativity of the Holy
Mother of God. The birth of Mary is not recorded in the Bible. The
account of this
event is from other writings which are not part of the New Testament.
According to tradition, Joachim and Anna
were faithful and pious, waiting for the promised Messiah. They were
elderly and childless. They prayed to God for a child and were blessed
with a
daughter, who they named Mary and who would become the Mother of the
Messiah.
The Armenian liturgical calendar
sets aside seven days devoted to the Holy Mother: These are:
Annunciation; Birth; Presentation to the Temple; Conception;
Assumption; Discovery of her
sash; and Discovery of her reliquary.
MONDAY IS LABOR DAY
This Monday, September
7, is Labor Day, celebrated in the United States and Canada. It is
always the first Monday of September. Labor Day was created by the
labor movement
more than a century ago. It is dedicated to the social and economic
achievements of workers. Through the years it has become the marker
for the
unofficial end of summer.
70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE START OF WORLD WAR II
AND GOD BLESS
AMERICA
This week marked the 70th anniversary of the beginning of what came to
be known as
World War II. It began on September 1, 1939, with the German invasion
of Poland and the declarations of war that followed by the British
Empire and
France. Subsequently other countries joined the war as a result of
events such as the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the German
invasion of the
Soviet Union.
It was during the Second World War that Irving Berlins song, God Bless
America, became a sensation. Although he wrote it in 1917 supposedly
for a patriotic musical, it was never used. It remained unknown until
21
years later when in 1938, the popular singer Kate Smith asked Berlin
for a patriotic song for a national radio broadcast. He offered her
his
God Bless America. The rest, as they say, is history. It became an
overnight sensation. There were petitions to make it the U.S.
National Anthem, especially since the Star- Spangled Banner was
considered to be difficult to sing and its lyrics less than memorable.
Of course, this did not happen, but God Bless America remains today as
one of the better known songs, and is considered to be the
unofficial anthem. Since the attacks of September 11, Kate Smiths
booming version is heard during the 7th inning
stretch at every game played at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Incidentally, Irving Berlin assigned the
royalties to God Bless America to the God Bless America Fund, which
supports the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. And it is still making
lots of money! The main words are known by all, but few are familiar
with the songs beginning lyrics:
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land thats
free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
God bless America
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her,
Thru the night with a light
from above.
>From the mountains to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam,
God bless America
My home sweet home.
God bless
America
My home sweet home.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 12St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia; opening
of Haigazian Armenian School.
September 13St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley,
North Andover, Massachusetts, annual picnic on newly renovated church
grounds, 158 Main St., North Andover. Enjoy food,
music. Fellowship. For details
go to churchs web site ( (
4882/goto:
)) or call 978-685-5038.
September 13St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia; opening
of Sunday School.
September 13Annual picnic of St. Stephens
Armenian Church of New Britain and Hartford at the Quartette Club, 225
Wooster Street, New Britain, Connecticut, beginning at noon, rain or
shine.
Live music. Armenian food. Free admission.
September 19-20Re-consecration of the altar and the
newly renovated St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City on
Saturday. Episcopal Divine Liturgy and Madagh on Sunday.
September 20St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Lobster
Fest. For information: 215-482-9200.
September 20Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey, Sunday school opening and registration. The Sunday school will
host a fellowship for the entire parish following the Holy Badarak.
September 20St. Sarkis Church (Douglaston, New York),
annual picnic on the church grounds, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston,
beginning at 1 pm immediately following church services and the
blessing of the
basil. Delicious Armenian kebabs, sweets, etc., along with games,
music, dancing, tavloo, basketball, volleyball, vendors and returning
by popular
demandKid-Z-One, with a host of activities for children. For
information 718-224-2275.
September 21St. Stephens (Watertown, MA)
Armenian School/ACEC 14th annual Golf Outing at Framingham Country
Club. $170 includes golf, lunch, dinner, and contests. For information
contact
Astor at 781-326-5764.
September 26Mid-West Regional Conference for Pastors,
Boards of Trustees, and NRA delegates at St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn,
Michigan.
September 25-26-27Prelacy Linked In, gathering of the
youth. For details click
here (
4882/goto: 9.htm
).
September 2775th anniversary of St. Gregory Church,
Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, under auspices of Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan. Country Club of Wilbraham, 859 Stony Hill Road, Wilbraham,
Massachusetts. Special performances by Dottie Bengoian and the
St. Gregory Sunday School children. For information: 413-596-9242.
September 28St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Golf
Outing at Talamore Country Club, Ambler, Pennsylvania. For
information: 215-482-9200.
September 28Holy Trinity Church (Worcester,
Massachusetts), 6th annual Golf Outing, Sterling National Country
Club, Sterling, MA. Golf, breakfast, dinner, and prizes, $130 per
person. For
information send email to [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]), or telephone 508-872-9629.
October 1Sts. Vartanantz Church (New Jersey), presents
7th annual Golf Outing at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New
Jersey. $175 includes lunch, dinner, golf and contests. Come out and
enjoy a great
day and support the church. For information contact Mark,
201-483-3200.
October 10Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Pastors,
Boards of Trustees, and NRA delegates at Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey.
October 15-18Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland,
Food Festival and Bazaar.
October 17National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG)
annual conference at the Prelacy offices in New York City. Details
will follow.
October 18St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia,
Intercommunal Cultural Celebration at Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham,
PA.
November 1St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Sunday
School Halloween Party.
November 6-7St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Food
Festival.
November 7 & 8Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island, largest Armenian Fest in New England. Saturday from 12 noon to
10 pm. Sunday 12 noon to 8 pm. Rhodes-on-the-Pawtucket, 60 Rhodes
Place (off
Broad Street), Cranston, Rhode Island. Kebobs and kufta dinners,
pastry, raffles and more. Performance by the Armenian school dance
group. Live
Armenian music * dancing. For information, 401-831-6399.
November 14Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland,
45th anniversary celebration.
November 20, 21, 22Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield,
New Jersey) Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. Saturday night dancing
with Onnik Dinkjian; Sunday traditional kavourma dinner.
December 20St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Sunday
School Christmas Pageant.
December 31St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Seroonian
Community Center New Years Eve celebration.
December 31Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield, New
Jersey), New Years Eve Dinner-Dance. Details to follow.
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 protected] (mailto:[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]
(mailto:info@armenianprel acy.org)