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 25, 2010
REMEMBRANCE DAY FOR ARS ON SUNDAY
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan announced that this 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 WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY
Bishop Anoushavan will preside over the Divine Liturgy this Sunday,
February 28, at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Following the services, His Grace will present a lecture on
the Similarities and Differences of the Armenian, Orthodox and
Catholic Churches.
PRELACY LENTEN LECTURE SERIES CONTINUES
The second of the six-part Lenten program at St. Illuminators Armenian
Cathedral, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, took
place yesterday evening. The program included a 30-minute Lenten
service (Husgoom), an educational component, followed by a meal
fellowship (from 7:30-9:30pm).
The second lecture focused on Women as Guardians of Armenian
Family Values, presented by Mrs. Iris Papazian, the Prelacys Director
of Communications and Publications. Mrs. Papazian first defined what
family values mean today and then choose to focus on the
generation of survivors from the Genocide showing how they were able
to continue the legacy of Armenian family values even though they
themselves were deprived of a childhood, a family, parents, and
education. Utilizing examples from her own family she showed how
these women became the keepers of our traditions, our faith and
church, our oral history, and our ethical and moral compass. An
interesting Q and A followed the presentation with comments and
questions about the difficulty of maintaining family values today in
our global and techno-laden society.
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 delicious meal
of Lenten favorites and fellowship.
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
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) 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.
BIBLE READING
Bible readings for today, Thursday, February 25, is 1 Samuel
3:21-4:18; Proverbs 3:11-4:14; Jeremiah 2:31-3:16.
The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed
himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. And the word of
Samuel came to all Israel.
In those days the Philistines mustered for war against Israel,
and Israel went out to battle against them; they encamped at Ebenezer,
and the Philistines encamped at Apbek. The Philistines drew up in line
against Israel, and when the battle was joined, Israel was defeated by
the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of
battle. When the troops came to the camp, the elders of Israel said,
Why has the Lord put us to rout today before the Philistines? Let us
bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, so that he
may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies, So the
people sent to Shiloh, and brought from there the ark of the covenant
of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. The two sons
of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant
of God.
When the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp,
all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. When the
Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, What does this
great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean? When they learned that
the ark of the Lord had come to the camp, the Philistines were afraid;
for they said, Gods have come into the camp. They also said, Woe to
us! For nothing like this has happened before. Woe to us! Who can
deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who
struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. Take
courage, and be men, O Philistines, in order not to become slaves to
the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.
So the Philistines fought; Israel was defeated, and they fled,
everyone to his home. There was a very great slaughter, for there fell
of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. The ark of God was captured;
and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line, and came to Shiloh
the same day, with his clothes torn and with earth upon his head. When
he arrived, Eli was sitting upon his seat by the road watching, for
his heart trembled for the ark of God. When the man came into the
city and told the news, all the city cried out. When Eli heard the
sound of the outcry, he said, What is this uproar? Then the man came
quickly and told Eli. Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes
were set, so that he could not see. The man said to Eli, I have just
come from the battle; I fled from the battle today. He said, How did
it go, my son? The messenger replied, Israel has fled before the
Philistines, and there has also been a great slaughter among the
troops; your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark
of God has been captured. When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell
over backward from his seat by the side of the gate; and his neck was
broken and he !
died, for he was an old man, and heavy. He had judged Israel forty
years. (1 Samuel 3-21-4:18)
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010dbr-2.pdf
).
ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM
This Saturday, February 27, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Cyril
(315-386) of Jerusalem, a doctor of the church. St. Cyril had a
pleasant and conciliatory disposition, but unfortunately he lived at a
time when bishops were embroiled in bitter controversies and were
quick to condemn any attempts at compromises, labeling such attempts
as treason. Sixteen years of his thirty-five years as a bishop were
spent in exile. When a famine hit Jerusalem, he sold some of the
possessions of the church to raise money for the poor people who were
starving. He was condemned for selling church property and was
banished. His best-known work that has survived, The Catechetical
Lectures is believed to be one of the earliest systematic accounts of
Christian theology. The lectures consist of an introductory lecture,
followed by eighteen lectures on the Christian faith that were used
during Lent for those preparing to be baptized on Easter, and five
lectures on the sacra!
ments to be used after Easter. The lectures have been translated into
many languages, including English and Armenian, and are noted for
their presentation of the Christian faith in a positive light and
maintaining a balance between correct belief and holy action.
SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON
Our journey through Great Lent continues. This Sunday, February 28, is
the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. The parable of the Prodigal Son is
intended to show Gods fatherly love and eagerness to forgive those who
repent. The well-known story describes an errant son whose absence
causes pain to his father. When the son returns, the father welcomes
him with open arms and jubilation, to the distress of an older son who
had remained faithful. But the father says, It is fitting to make
merry and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive again; he
was lost, and is found. You can read the entire parable of the
Prodigal Son in the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 15, verses 11 to
32.
Light from light, generation and dawn, you came to seek out the
wondering sheep of our nature which you carried together with the
cross on your shoulder; purify us also from our sins.
Holiest of the holy, purifier of those who exist, you swept
your house, purified the world from sins and having found your image
in it you renewed it, renew us also from our ancient sins.
With the prodigal son we cry out to you, tender-hearted Father,
we have sinned against heaven and before you, the purifier from sins;
come out with love to meet us, embrace us with a kiss and purify us
from our sins.
Holy Mother of God, fountain of life which flowed from the
heavenly Eden, which watered the thirsting earth with the Spirits
wisdom, pray that we may be given a fountain of tears for the
cleansing of our sins.
(From the Canon for the Third Sunday of Great Lent, Sunday of the
Prodigal Son)
CORRECTION
In last weeks Crossroads in the item about Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Providence, Rhode Island, it should have read that Garo Tashjian was
ordained a sub-deacon (Ourarageer) of the Church by His Grace Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 28 Lecture on The Similarities and Differences of the
Armenian, Orthodox and Catholic Churches, 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 7 General Membership meetings of Soorp
Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
March 3 Third 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 7 Annual Membership Meeting, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen
Blvd., Ridgefield, New Jersey.
March 7 Annual Membership Meeting, St. Paul Church, 645 S. Lewis Ave.,
Waukegan, Illinois.
March 10 Fourth 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 13 International 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
[email protected]
(mailto:lucine [email protected]).
March 14 Ladies Guild annual Lenten Luncheon following church
services, St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
March 17 Fifth Prelacy Lenten Service and Lecture at St. Illuminators
Church, New York, 7:30 pm. Women as Charity Workers, presented by
Mrs. Valentine Berberian.
March 21 Musical 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 24 Sixth 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 11 ARS 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 17 St. Stephen s Ladies Guild, Watertown, Massachusetts,
presents jazzy evening featuring Sandi Bedrosian jazz ensemble, 6 pm,
church hall. $35 per person. Contact [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) or Yeretzgin Baljian,
781-209-1915. Reservations only.
April 17 Ladies 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
Kizirian. Topic: Survival (A Womans Story). For information: Joyce
Bagdasarian, 401-434-4467 or [email protected].
April 18 ARS 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 18 Health 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 10 Mothers Day luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild.
May 13 to 16 National Representative Assembly hosted by St.
Illuminators Cathedral, New York City, and St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.
May 13-14 NALG Annual Conference in conjunction with the NRA, Crowne
Plaza, LaGuardia Airport Hotel. For information Mary Derderian,
781-762-4253, [email protected].
July 17 A Hye Summer Night V, dance hosted by Ladies Guild of
Sts. Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode
Island. Watch for details.
August 22 Annual picnic of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.
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])