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:

February 18, 2010
REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR ARS ON FEBRUARY 28
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan announced that Sunday, February 28,
all Prelacy churches will observe Remembrance Day for the Armenian
Relief Society. A requiem service will be offered following the Divine
Liturgy for all deceased members and benefactors of the ARS, which
this year is marking its Centennial anniversary.
VICAR VISITS PROVIDENCE AND BOSTON
Bishop Anoushavan was in Providence and Boston last weekend. He
celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence
on Sunday and presided over the banquet that followed. During the
Liturgy His Grace ordained Garo Tashjian an acolyte of the Church.
On Saturday morning he visited with students of
Sts. Vartanantz Church community. On Saturday evening Bishop
Anoushavan attended the Tyarnuntarach celebration at St. Stephens
Church and the traditional bonfire.
With the choir of Sts. Vartanantz Church.
With HMEM scouts in Providence.
With students at Sts. Vartanantz Church.
The traditional bonfire at St. Stephens Church, Watertown.
PRELACY LENTEN LECTURE SERIES BEGINS
Last night, the Prelacy started a six-part Lenten program at
St. Illuminators Armenian Cathedral, under the auspices of His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the Prelate. Scheduled for Wednesdays of
Great Lent, the program included a 30-minute Lenten service (Husgoom),
an educational component, followed by a meal fellowship (from
7:30-9:30pm). Also present were His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar
General, and Rev. Father Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminators
Cathedral (New York City).
Since His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, proclaimed 2010 as the Year of the Armenian Woman, it seemed
exceedingly appropriate to spotlight and celebrate during our Lenten
lecture series the vital role and mission of the Armenian women in the
life of our Church, nation and people, both in the past and in the
present, said His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, during his introductory
remarks prior to the first lecture in the series. His Eminence
encouraged the participants to read the encyclical of His Holiness
issued on this occasion (in Armenian and English).
The first lecture focused on Women Witnesses of Christ in the
Armenian Church and was delivered by Rev. Father Mesrob Lakissian. Der
Hayr highlighted particularly St. Santookht (1st century) and
Hripsimeh, Kayaneh and their companions (3rd century).
St. Santookht, the daughter of King Sanadroog, is usually
linked with Thaddeus the Apostle, who proclaimed the Gospel of Christ
in Armenian, and they are commemorated together in the Armenian
Church, said Der Hayr. Santookht was one of the first Armenian
converts to Christianity through the preaching of the apostle
Thaddeus, and later she died for the cause of the Gospel. She is
remembered as the first saint of the Armenian Church.
Der Mesrob then recounted the story of Sts. Hrispsimiank
martyrs and how the seeds of the Gospel of Christ grew in the land of
Armenia through their martyrdom. Der Hayr spoke about the beautiful
churches built in Armenia upon the relics of these saints. And
finally, he alluded to the sharagan (chant), Antsink nviryalk (Devoted
Persons), written by Gomidas Cathoghigos (7th century), an
alphabetical acrostic sharagan.
This year, being the year of the Armenian woman, special
intercessions to Asdvadzadzin (Mary, Mother-of-God) are made during
the Husgoom service and each week the participants learn a different
sharagan dedicated to Asdvadzadzin under the directorship of
Dn. Sarkis Apelian, the choir master of St. Illuminators Armenian
Cathedral.
After the lecture, the participants enjoyed a nice table
fellowship.
Next Wednesday, February 24, Mrs. Iris Papazian, the Prelacys
Director of Communications and Publications, will speak on Women as
Guardians of Armenian Family Values.
The Lenten Program is sponsored by the Prelacys Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG),
and St. Illuminators Cathedral Ladies Guild. For more information
please contact the Prelacy office at 212-689-7810 or
arec@armenianprelacy.org (mailto:arec@armenianprelacy.org) or the
church at 212-689-5880.
MUSICAL ARMENIA
The 26th Musical Armenia concert will take place on Sunday, March 21,
at 2 pm at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, 57th Street and
Seventh Avenue, New York City, featuring Tanya Gabrielian, piano; and
Natalie Aroyan, soprano.
Natalie Aroyan, soprano, participated in the 2009 American
Institute of Musical Studies vocal program in Graz, Austria. Her
achievements at Graz included winning First Place and the Audience
Vote at the prestigious Meistersinger Vocal Competition, in which she
performed under the direction of Edoardo Muller. In 2008 at the Sydney
Conservatorium of Music, she performed the role of Rosalinde in
Matthew Barclays production of Strauss Die Fledermaus, conducted by
Imre Pallo. She is currently a professional studies student at Mannes
College The New School for Music.
Tanya Gabrielian, was described as a pianist of powerful
physical and imaginative muscle, by The Times of London. She was
awarded first prize at the 2004 Scottish International Piano
Competition and the 2003 Aram Khachaturian International Piano
Competition. Ms. Gabrielian has performed with several major
orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New London
Sinfonia, and the Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra. She toured Scotland
with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. She is currently an
artists diploma student at The Juilliard School.
For tickets ($30) contact the Carnegie box office at
212-247-7800 or the Prelacy at 212-689-7810.

BOOK PRESENTATION AT ST. ILLUMINATORS
Nearly 100 people gathered last Sunday at St. Illuminators Cathedral
to hear a presentation of a new book by Archpriest Fr. Khoren
Habeshian. Der Hayrs book, Kir Gyanki (Epistle of Life) was received
enthusiastically. The presentation, hosted by St. Illuminators
Cathedral and Hamazkayin of New York, took place following the Divine
Liturgy.
UAF SHIPPED $33 MILLION AID IN 2009
The United Armenian Fund contributed to Armenia $33 million of
humanitarian assistance during the fiscal year 2009, consisting
primarily of medicines and medical supplies. According to the audit of
its financial statement, the UAF devoted less than 1% of its total
reven7ues to administrative expenses, allocating the remaining 99% to
assisting the people of Armenia and Artsakh.
During its 20 years of operations, the UAF delivered to
Armenia a grand total of $572 million worth of relief supplies on
board 153 airlifts and 1,726 sea containers.
The UAF is the collective effort of the Armenian General
Benevolent Union, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian
Relief Society, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, and The Lincy Foundation.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, February 18, are: Romans 6:3-14).
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ
Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with
him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the
dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of
life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we
will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know
that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might
be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever
has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we
believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being
raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has
dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all;
but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider
yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal
bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your
members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to
God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present
your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have
no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under
grace. (Romans 6:3-14)
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010dbr-2.pdf
).
ST. THEODORE, THE WARRIOR
This Saturday, February 20, the Armenian Church commemorates
St. Theodore the Warrior. Theodore was a soldier in the Roman army
during the reign of Emperor Lucinius and was noted for his exceptional
bravery. His parents were devout Christians and he was educated in the
Christian faith. The traditional story relates how Theodore, armed
with a sword and a prayer to the Lord, killed a serpent that was
terrorizing everyone. In appreciation of his bravery he was elevated
to the rank of Captain. The Roman emperor began a campaign against the
Christians with the intention of eradicating the new faith. When it
became known that Theodore was a Christian, the military tribunal,
taking into consideration his brave service, found him to be a good
soldier who made a mistake and was given the opportunity to renounce
his Christian faith. He refused and was martyred in 319 A.D. in
Heraclea, Thrace.
SUNDAY OF THE EXPULSION
As of Monday we entered the period of Great Lent (Medz Bahk) and the
Church has taken on a somber, mournful and penitential
manifestation. The altar is closed with a black curtain, symbolic of
the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Holy Communion
is not offered during the liturgical service. It is a period of
reflection in our spiritual journey toward Easter.
Each of the Sundays during Lent has a theme. This Sunday,
February 21, is the Sunday of the Expulsion (Artaksman Kiraki). The
message is a continuation of last Sundays Paregentan theme, namely,
Adam and Eves fall and banishment from Paradise because of their
disobedience. Of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil
you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die,
(Genesis 2:17). With their expulsion from Paradise, humankind was thus
condemned to experience death, pain, and sorrow. The hymns sung on
the first two Sundays of Lent remind us of the expulsion, and give
sinners the good tidings that they may render themselves worthy
through repentance.
O Lord, you first gave the holy observance of the law in
paradise. But the first creatures disobeyed you by eating the
forbidden fruit and thus tasted the bitterness of sin and
death. Therefore, enable us to taste the sweetness of your
commandments.
(From the hymn sung on the Sunday of the Expulsion)
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
This week we offer the latest in the great UCLA series, Historic
Armenian Cities and Provinces:
Armenian Pontus: The Trebizond Black Sea Communities
Edited by Richard G. Hovannisian
Armenian Pontus is the eighth of the UCLA conference proceedings to be
published. Scholars from various disciplines offer the story of the
Armenian communities in the Pontus-Black Sea region across the
centuries until their violent elimination in the first decades of the
20th century.
454 pages, soft cover, $35.00 plus shipping and handling.
Note: The other titles in this series are also available. Contact the
Bookstore for information.
TO ORDER THIS BOOK OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY
EMAIL AT BOOKS@ARMENIANPRELACY.ORG (mailto:BOOKS@ARMENIANPRELACY.ORG)
OR BY TELEPHONE 212-689-7810.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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 26We are not ErmeniThe Hamshen Armenians: A general overview
of this hidden Armenian group. Lecturer, Avedis Hadjian. Organized by
New York Hamazkayin Literary Committee, 8:05 pm at The Armenian
Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, New York. Admission: $5.00.
February 28Lecture on The ChurchDenominations and Sects, presented by
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, hosted by the New Jersey chapter of
Hamazkayin, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield,
New Jersey, at 2 pm.
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 7Annual Membership Meeting, St. Paul Church, 645 S. Lewis Ave.,
Waukegan, Illinois.
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 13International Food Festival and Auction hosted by the Armenian
Relief Society at Hovnanian School, New Milford, New Jersey, at 5
pm. Food booths of various nations. Silent auction and Tricky
Tray. For information Lucy Keomurjian, 201-567-3318 or
lucine.keomurjian@walterkar1.com
(mailto:lucine .keomurjian@walterkar1.com).
March 14Ladies Guild annual Lenten Luncheon following church services,
St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
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. Tickets $30. Carnegie box office 212-247-7800 or Prelacy
office 212-689-7810.
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 Church of the Holy Martyrs, 209-15 Horace Harding Expressway,
Bayside, New York, 4 pm. Donation: $50, $30; $15 for children under
12. Contact Sonia, 917-679-6992; Hasmik, 516-330-5290.
April 17St. Stephen s Ladies Guild, Watertown, Massachusetts, presents
jazzy evening featuring Sandi Bedrosian jazz ensemble, 6 pm, church
hall. $35 per person. Contact hyejazzeve@gmail.com
(mailto:hyejazzeve@gmail.com) or Yeretzgin Baljian,
781-209-1915. Reservations only.
April 17Ladies Guild New England Regional Seminar hosted
Sts. Vartanantz Church (Providence) Ladies Guild and the National
Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG), 9 am. Guest speaker: Shakay
Kzirian. Topic: Survival (A Womans Story). For information: Joyce
Bagdasarian, 401-434-4467 or sweetano6@aol.com.
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).
April 18Health Expo 2010, To Your Health, St. Sarkis Church, 38-65
234th St., Douglaston, New York. Free tests, counseling, information
on medical conditions, mini-lectures on current health issues. For
information: Dr. Arthur Kubikian 718-786-3842.
May 10Mothers Day luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild.
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.
August 22Annual picnic of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.

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