PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:
January 21, 2010
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO LEBANON
FOR THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Lebanon this weekend where next week
he will participate in the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue
between the Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox Churches. They will
be discussing theological and Christological issues raised in the
Ecumenical Councils. This seventh plenary meeting of the Commission
will take place at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in
Antelias. The Oriental Orthodox Churches include the Armenian Church,
Coptic Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Church, and Eritrean
Church.
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Nareg Alemezian are representing
the Armenian Church (Cilician Catholicosate).
CATHOLICOS ARAM VISITS GREECE
His Holiness Aram I visited Athens, Greece, at the invitation of Greek
Orthodox Church. Last Saturday His Holiness visited His Beatitude
Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, at his
residence. His Beatitude praised the will of the Armenian people which
enabled them to rise again after the Genocide. He also expressed his
appreciation of the contribution of the Greek Armenian community and
praised His Holinesss contribution to the ecumenical movement.
During his visit to Athens His Holiness met with the Armenian
community at St. Hagop Church where he was welcomed and introduced by
Bishop Khoren Doghramadjian, the Prelate of Greece.
PRESIDENT OF PONTIFICAL MISSION VISITS CATHOLICOS
His Excellency Bishop Robert Stern, the President of the Pontifical
Mission in the United States, visited His Holiness Aram I on January
12. His Grace Bishop Nareg, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate,
was also in attendance.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I DECLARES 2010
YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN WOMAN
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
declared 2010 as the Year of the Armenian Woman. At the beginning of
each year His Holiness issues an encyclical designating a specific
topic for the year with the expectation that the topic will be
explored throughout the year.
In his encyclical, His Holiness refers to biblical, historical
and contemporary reflections that make it imperative to reassess the
role of women and men in society. According to the Bible, he writes,
God created men and women in His image, (Genesis 1:26); therefore, he
explains, women and men are equal in the eyes of God, and partners in
caring for the created world. His Holiness further notes that in the
New Testament, the New Eve,Mary the Mother of Godplays an important
role in the history of salvation.
Delving into Armenian history, His Holiness writes about many
women who contributed to the survival of the nation and to its
spiritual and cultural renaissance by assuming political
responsibilities through martyrdom and sainthood, as writers,
educators, social workers, and mothers.
In the encyclical His Holiness reflects on important events
and documents of the United Nations and the Ecumenical Movement. He
cites the achievements of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
the UN Decade for Women, and international conferences since 1976 and
the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979. Speaking of the
Ecumenical Movement he mentions the Ecumenical Decade of the Churches
in Solidarity with Women 1988-1998, which deplored violence against
women at home and in society, and the Decade to Overcome Violence.
The Catholicos calls upon all Armenians to reconsider the
nature of the partnership of women and men in the Armenian community,
its organizations and the family, in view of the moral values taught
by the Church and internationally endorsed documents.
To read the encyclical in Armenian click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010pontificalmessagearm.pdf
).
To read the encyclical in English click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010pontificalmessageeng.pdf
).
LENTEN LECTURES WILL BEGIN FEBRUARY 17
The Prelacys Lenten lectures series will focus on the Year of the
Armenian Woman theme. The first lecture will take place on Wednesday,
February 17 and will continue for the next five Wednesdays of Great
Lent. The lectures, under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan, will
take place at St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York
City.
The evening schedule will be as follows: Lenten service at
7:30 pm; lecture and discussion at 8 pm, followed by fellowship at
8:45 pm. The Lenten program is sponsored by the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild, and the St.
Illuminators Cathedral Ladies Guild.
For information about the topics and presenters click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010lentenprogram.pdf
).
ZULAL WILL PERFORM AT NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
In conjunction with a new exhibit, Traveling the Silk Road: Ancient
Pathway to the Modern World, at the American Museum of Natural History
in New York, Zulal, the popular a cappella trio, will perform on
Sunday January 31 and Sunday February 14. Half-hour performances will
be offered at 1: 30, 2:30 and 3:30 pm on each of the days. For more
information: (
4882/goto:
).
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, January 21 are: Proverbs 14:1-6;
Zechariah 8:4-5; Isaiah 60:8-9; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 9:44-48.
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself
likewise shared the same things, s9o that through death he might
destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and
free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of
death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the
descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers
and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and
faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of
atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by
what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being
tested. (Hebrews 2:14-18)
For listing of this weeks Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010dbr-1.pdf
).
PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF THE CATECHUMENS
This Sunday, January 24, is the Paregentan of the Fast of the
Catechumens. It occurs three weeks before Poun Paregentan (eve of
Great Lent) and 10 weeks before Easter, ushering in five days of
strict fast (dzom). According to tradition, the Catechumens were
instructed for several hours daily and required to stand through every
church service, separate from the baptized congregation. This
continued until Easter when they were baptized, anointed and received
their first Communion.
ANNUAL GHEVONTIANTZ CLERGY GATHERING
The annual clergy gathering on the occasion of the Feast of
St. Ghevont and Priests, will take place at St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, February 8-11. The
Feast of Ghevontiantz is celebrated each year preceding the Vartanantz
Feast.
For the agenda of the clergy conference (in Armenian) click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010ghevontyantzprogram.pdf
).
GORKY WORK TO BE FEATURED ON U.S. STAMP
Armenian American artist Arshile Gorkys 1944 painting The Liver in a
Cocks Comb, will be part of a series of stamps being unveiled on March
11 by the United States Postal Service (USPS) honoring abstract
expressionists.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
THE LIFE AND ART OF SUMBAT
This new and beautiful book features the work of the noted
watercolorist Sumbat Der Kiureghian, known simply as Sumbat. The text
is by the artists son, Armen Der Kiureghian, and there is a Foreword
by Levon Abrahamian. The reproductions of the artists works are
presented in eight sections, namely: New Julfa, Iranian Scenes,
Armenian Village Life, Sumbatism, Drawings, Still Life, Armenia, and
American Scenes. His work is beautiful. His composition and colors
are pleasant and serene.
Hardcover, 172 pages, 9-1/2 x 12-1/2
$70.00, plus shipping and handling.
TO ORDER THIS BOOK OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY
EMAIL AT [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
OR BY TELEPHONE 212-689-7810.
PLEASE DONT FORGET HAITI
Last Sunday all of our parishes had special plate collections for
earthquake relief for the Republic of Haiti. With the news of the
extreme suffering taking place there, we must not be indifferent, and
we should continue to keep the Haitians in our thoughts and
prayers. Donations will be needed for a long time. Please send your
check payable to the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, to the
Prelacy at 138 E. 39th Street, New York, New York 10016.
You may also make your donation by credit card through our
secure web page. Go to (
4882/goto: /departments/donate-now
) and click on Donate Now. Fill out the form and select Haiti Relief
in the designation menu.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 31Saint Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of
St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th St., Douglaston, New York, and special
requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian. Luncheon
and special cultural program following church services. Special guest:
His Excellency Garen Nazarian, representative of the Republic of
Armenia to the United Nations. Donation $40. For reservations:
718-224-2275.
February 6St. Stephens (Watertown, Massachusetts) Ladies Guild, Mardi
Gras celebration, 7 pm at church hallo. Costumes optional; masks a
must. For information: Mary Derderian, [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) or 781-762-4253.
February 8-10Annual Ghevontiantz Clergy Gathering, hosted by
St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts.
February 11Presentation of Kir Gyanki, by Rev. Fr. Khoren Habeshian,
organized by St. Illuminators Armenian Apostolic Cathedral and
Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of New York,
under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Oshagan, at the Armenian Center
in Woodside, New York, 8:05 pm. Vartan Matiosian will present the
recently published book.
February 11Vartanantz Day Divine Liturgy and celebration at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield, New
Jersey. Celebrant, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Luncheon (adults $20;
children $10) and special cultural program following church services.
February 17First Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at
St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York, 7:30 pm. General introduction by
Archbishop Oshagan. Women Witnesses of Christ in the Armenian Church,
presented by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor of St. Illuminators
Cathedral.
February 24Second Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at
St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York, 7:30 pm. Women as Guardians of
Armenian Family Values, presented by Mrs. Iris Papazian.
February 28 and March 7General Membership meetings of Soorp
Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
March 3Third Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at St. Illuminators
Cathedral, New York City, 7:30 pm. Women as Mothers and Wives,
presented by Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz
Church (NJ).
March 7Annual Membership Meeting, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen
Blvd., Ridgefield, New Jersey.
March 10Fourth Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at St. Illuminators
Cathedral, New York, 7:30 pm. St. Mary, Paradigm of Discipleship and
Holiness, presented by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis
Church (NY).
March 17Fifth Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at St. Illuminators
Church, New York, 7:30 pm. Women as Charity Workers, presented by
Mrs. Valentine Berberian.
March 21Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York
City. Featured artists: Tanya Gabrielian, pianist; Natalie Aroyan,
soprano.
March 24Sixth and final Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at
St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York City, 7:30 pm. Women as Christian
Educators Today, by Yeretzgin Joanna Baghsarian.
April 11ARS Mayr Chapter presents ZULAL, a cappela trio, at the
Armenian Society, 39-03 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck, NY, 3
pm. Donation: $50, $30; $15 for children under 12. Contact Sonia,
917-679-6992; Hasmik, 516-330-5290.
April 18ARS Mayr and Erebouni Chapters sponsor Walk-Armenia to benefit
Camp Haiastan. Registration at St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street,
Douglaston, New York, starts at 12 noon, $25 fee. Walk begins 1
pm. For information 516-330-5290 (Hasmik); 516-739-0805 (Nayda).
May 13 to 16National Representative Assembly hosted by
St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York City, and St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.
July 17A Hye Summer Night V, dance hosted by Ladies Guild of
Sts. Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode
Island. Watch for details.
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:[email protected])