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:
March 25, 2010
REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN WORCESTER
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the New England Regional
Conference for pastors, boards of trustees, and delegates this
Saturday, March 27. The all-day conference is being hosted by Holy
Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts.
RECEPTION FOR PILLARS
Archbishop Oshagan will welcome current and new Pillars of the Prelacy
from the New England area at a reception on Saturday evening, March
27. The reception is being hosted by Archpriest Fr. Aram and Yeretzgin
Margaret Stepanian at their home.
PRELATES HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Archbishop Oshagans Holy Week schedule is as follows:
On Palm Sunday, March 28, His Eminence will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy and the Opening of the Doors (Drnbatsek) at St. Stephens
Church in Watertown, Massachusetts.
On Holy Thursday, April 1, His Eminence will perform the Washing of
the Feet ceremony and preside over the Vigil service (Khavaroom) at
St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York City.
On Holy Friday, April 2, His Eminence will celebrate the Order of the
Crucifixion at 12 noon, at St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York City.
On Holy Saturday, April 3, His Eminence will celebrate Easter Eve
services and Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York.
On Easter, Sunday, April 4, His Eminence will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy and deliver the Sermon at St. Illuminators Cathedral, New
York City.
VICARS HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
Bishop Anoushavans Holy Week schedule is as follows:
On Palm Sunday, March 28, His Grace will celebrate the Divine Liturgy
at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
On Holy Thursday, April 1, His Grace will attend the Washing of the
Feet and Vigil services at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey.
On Holy Friday, April 2, His Grace will attend the Order of
Crucifixion at St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York City. In the
evening he will attend the Order of Burial at St. Stephens Church, New
Britain, Connecticut.
On Holy Saturday, April 3, His Grace will attend the Easter Eve
services and Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York.
On Easter, April 4, His Grace will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
PRELATE AND VICAR WILL VISIT HOVNANIAN SCHOOL
AND NEW JERSEY HOME FOR AGED
On Wednesday, March 31, Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan,
together with the clergy from the New York-New Jersey area, will visit
the Hovnanian School in New Milford, New Jersey, and the Armenian Home
for the Aged in Emerson, New Jersey.
LENTEN LECTURE SERIES CONCLUDES
The sixth and final weekly Lenten program took place last night at
St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City, a program that included a
Husgoom service, an educational component, and a meal fellowship (from
7:30-9:30pm), presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the
Prelate.
Women as Christian Educators Today was the topic of the
lecture, presented by Yeretsgin Joanna Baghsarian. Women, as mothers
and grandmothers, have a great role an important vocation, in the
Christian character development of their children and grandchildren,
said Yeretsgin Joanna. Skillfully weaving scriptures with stories,
some personal, Yeretsgin inspired and empowered the audience to be
more attentive to the Christian formation of their children. As a
Christian mother-educator, how would I want to be remembered she
asked. Will I be remembered as a mother who gave her children love, a
warm, stable home and things that only money can buy? Or will I be
remembered as an agent of God a mother committed to forming Christian
character in her children, introducing them to their Savior and
teaching them the ways and the wisdom of God?
At the conclusion, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the
Prelate, reflected briefly on the six-week Lenten journey that the
community had taken. He first expressed gratitude to God for the gift
and the grace of bringing the community together in prayer and worship
before Him. He thanked the speakers for their presentations, lectures
that provided a deeper understanding of the role and mission of the
Armenian women in the life of our Church and nation. He blessed the
participants wishing them a blessed holy week commemorations and a
joyous celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of AREC, who each week
introduced the speakers and guided the Q sessions, expressed thanks to
all of the lecturers, the Prelacy Ladies Guild, the Ladies Guild of
the Cathedral, and Dn. Sarkis Apelian who each week taught sharagans
dedicated to Asdvadzadzin.
The Lenten Program is sponsored by the Prelacys Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG),
and St. Illuminators Cathedral Ladies Guild.
DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The 24th 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 25-July 4,
2010. The program is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC). For more information click here (
4882/goto: /departments/arec/datev-institute
).
PILGRIMAGE TO LEBANON AND SYRIA
On the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the
Eastern Prelacys St. Gregory of Datev Institute is organizing a
pilgrimage to Syria and Lebanon, from August 2 to August 16. For more
information click here (
4882/goto: /component/content/article/95-pilgrimage
).
95th ANNIVERSARY OF THE GENOCIDE
Commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
organized by the
Eastern Prelacy with the participation of community organizations
will take place on Saturday,
April 24, 7 pm, at St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street,
New York City. Keynote speaker Professor Peter Balakian. Check here
for details next week.
BIBLE READING
Bible readings for today, Thursday, March 25, are Ezekiel 37:1-14; 1
Timothy 3:14-16.
The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the
spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was
full of bones. He led me all around them; there were very many lying
in the valley, and they were very dry. He said to me, Mortal, can
these bones live? I answered, O Lord God, you know. Then he said to
me, Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the
word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause
breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and
will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put
breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the
Lord.
So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied,
suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together,
bone to its bone. I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh
had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath
in them. Then he said to me, Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal,
and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four
winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. I
prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they
lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude.
Then he said to me, Mortal, these bones are the whole house of
Israel. They say, Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are
cut off completely. Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says
the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from
your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of
Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your
graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. I will put my
spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your
own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will
act, says the Lord. (Ezekiel 37:1-14).
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010dbr-3.pdf
).
REMEMBRANCE OF THE RAISING OF LAZARUS
This Saturday, March 27, the Armenian Church commemorates the raising
of Lazarus as told in the Gospel of John, Chapter 11.
Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha were good friends of
Jesus. Their home in Bethany (near Jerusalem) was Jesus home whenever
he was in Jerusalem. Lazaruss sudden death threw his sisters into deep
mourning. Jesus also wept for his friend. Johns gospel account
emphasizes the fact that Lazaruas was indeed dead by pointing out that
his body was in the tomb. Jesus raising of Lazarus convinced many
people of his unique powers, and according to John, the authorities
took steps to try to silence him.
Lazarus personifies the whole of humankind and Bethany
represents the whole world. Lazarus Saturday is the real beginning of
the Cross. Its major themes are the forthcoming victory of Christ over
death, the supreme sacrifice of love, and the Resurrection as the
ultimate triumph of love.
A hymn traditionally sung on Saturday evening (eve of Palm
Sunday) says: With the raising of Lazarus by which the dead were given
hope, the descendents of Adam were also raised. Thus, as the Lenten
period comes to an end, we are greeted by the hope of Christs promise
of the resurrection of humankind.
PALM SUNDAY AND HOLY WEEK
We are now entering the most solemn period of ChristendomHoly
Weekleading us to Christianitys most sacred and joyous periodEaster
and the celebration of the Resurrection. Karekin Vehapar, of blessed
memory, used to describe Easter as the crowning feast of all the
feasts of the Christian Church. It is the ARARAT of our ecclesiastical
and religious life.
The week before Easter marks a series of events in the life
of Jesus that were ordained or prophesied. These events include the
resurrection of Lazarus (as described above) and the triumphal entry
of Jesus into Jerusalem, which we commemorate on Palm Sunday
(Tzaghkazard). Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, as described
centuries before by the prophet Zechariah, (chapter 9, verses 9-16). A
large enthusiastic crowd greeted him with olive and palm branches, and
with the words, Hosanna! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the
Lord, (John 12:13).
On Palm Sunday the altar curtain, which was closed at the
beginning of Lent, is opened. The palms are blessed and distributed to
the faithful. The traditional procession of children, dressed in their
finest clothes and carrying decorated candles, is an important sight
as the long procession of happy children parade around the church. On
the evening of Palm Sunday the faithful gather at the door of the
church for the Opening of the Doors ceremony (Drnbatsek), symbolizing
the opening of the gates to the Kingdom of God. The priest kneels
before the doors and says, Open to us Lord, the door of mercy. In most
communities in the Diaspora, especially here in the United States,
this service takes place immediately after the Divine Liturgy on Palm
Sunday, rather than in the evening vespers service.
Each day of Holy Week (Avak Shabat) is a holy day. Monday
commemorates the barren fig tree (Matthew 21:18-20). Tuesday
commemorates the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:13). Wednesday commemorates
the Anointment and Betrayal of Christ. Thursday is Maundy Thursday,
which originates from the command of Christ that his disciples love
one another (John 13:34). In the evening the Washing of the Feet
ceremony (Votunlva) takes place in remembrance of the events of the
Last Supper. In the evening the betrayal and torment of Christ,
Tenebrae (Khavaroum), is commemorated. Twelve small candles and one
large candle are placed before the closed altar. Seven chapters are
read from the Gospel, describing Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane,
the betrayal by Judas, and denial by Peter, interspersed with the
readings and hymns composed by Nerses Shnhorhali are sung. After each
reading a candle from each side is extinguished in the darkened
sanctuary.
Holy Friday (Avak Shabat) commemorates the death and burial
of Jesus and is the most solemn and sacred day in the Christian
calendar. In the Armenian Church tradition, during evening Vespers a
tomb is prepared and decorated with flowers and candles. The faithful
bring flowers and decorate the tomb throughout the service.
THE INSPIRING MUSIC OF HOLY WEEK
The Armenian Churchs hymns for Holy Week, from Christs triumphant
entry into Jerusalem to his passion and crucifixion, to his burial and
resurrection, comprise some of the most beautiful and inspiring music
ever created.
Palm Sunday is the first outburst of joy after the somber
Lenten period, and the hymn Rejoice, O Holy Church (Ourakh Ler)
expresses the joy of Palm Sunday. Rejoice, O Holy Church, at the
advent of the Holy Only-begotten, rejoice and delight with all the
saints. Blessed are you. You who came, King of the universe.
During the Opening of the Doors ceremony (Drnbatsek), the
beautiful hymn, Open to us, Lord (Pats Mez Der) is sung at the door of
the church or in front of the closed altar. We beseech you, O Lord,
open for us, open for us, Lord, the gate of your mercy, we beseech you
imploringly, O Lord.
During the vigil on Maundy Thursday some of the most
melodious and memorable hymns are sung including: My Heart Trembles
(Sird Im Sasani); Seized by the Love of Money (Ardsatsiroutyampun
Molyal), and the heartbreaking Where Are You, O Mother (Oor Es Mayr
Im). Where are you, most sweet mother? I fervently seek your motherly
love. My eyes are filled with bitter tears; I have no one to wipe them
away. Where are you, my mother?
THE FEAST OF ST. GREGORY IN ANTELIAS
Last weekend, the feast day for St. Gregory the Illuminator, the
patron saint of the Armenian Church, was a time of pilgrimage to
Antelias. The relics of the right hand of the saint which is preserved
in a hand-shaped reliquary, is displayed. The altar curtain, which is
closed during the 40 days of Lent, is opened for this two-day feast.
On Sunday the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace
Bishop Shahe Panossian. As the church bells chimed, His Holiness Aram
I, the bishops, and the priests entered the Cathedral. In his sermon
Bishop Shahe spoke about the life of Saint Gregory and the way in
which his legacy continues to revitalize the church and the faith of
its believers.
NEW BOOK BY CATHOLICOS ARAM ISSUED
A new book, in Armenian, by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia was recently issued with the sponsorship of the
Gulbenkian Foundation. Entitled Giving Meaning to Life through Values,
the 492 page book reflects the pastoral concerns of a church
leader. His Holiness invites the reader to reflect upon moral and
ethical values and provides a message for a meaningful life and a
challenge for transformation.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE.
IN KEEPING WITH THE UPCOMING HOLY WEEK AND EASTER HOLIDAYS THE
BOOKSTORE CALLS YOUR ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING CDs. ALL ARE PART OF
THE MUSICAL HERITAGE SERIES PRODUCED BY THE CATHOLICOSATE OF THE GREAT
HOUSE OF CILICIA IN ANTELIAS, LEBANON. ALL WERE RECORDED IN THE
CATHEDRAL OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR. THESE CDs ARE VALUABLE
TEACHING TOOLS.
Hymns of the Holy Resurrection
Performed by members of the Brotherhood of the Holy See of
Cilicia. Also includes a DVD as an additional educational tool.
$15.00, plus shipping and handling
Hymns of the Armenian Orthodox Church
A collection of hymns performed by Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian.
$12.00, plus shipping and handling
Hymns of Great Lent Sundays (a four-disc set)
The distinct hymns for the six Sundays of Lent performed by members of
the Brotherhood of the Holy See of Cilicia.
$20.00, plus shipping and handling
TO ORDER THESE BOOKS OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY
EMAIL AT [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
OR BY TELEPHONE AT 212-689-7810.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 26 New York Hamazkayin Literary Committee presents, We are not
Ermeni: The Hamshen Armenians, lecturer Avedis Hadjian, 8:05 pm at the
Armenian Center, Woodside, New York.
March 27 New England Regional Conference for pastors, boards of
trustees, and delegates, hosted by Holy Trinity Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 10 am to 4 pm.
March 29 Karine Poghosyan, pianist, will perform works by Mozart,
Chopin, Liszt, Komitas and Ginastera at the Bechstein Piano Centre,
207 W. 58th Street, New York, 7 pm. Admission $15; $7 for seniors and
students. Reception following performance.
April 3 Easter Eve Salmon Dinner at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York. Immediately following Easter eve services. Donation: $25. For
reservations or information: 718-224-2275.
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, 1 pm to 6 pm. Free tests, counseling,
information on medical conditions, mini-lectures on current health
issues. For information: Dr. Arthur Kubikian 718-786-3842.
April 24 Commemoration of the 95th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, organized by the Eastern Prelacy with the participation of
community organizations, 7 pm at St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York
City. Keynote speaker: Professor Peter Balakian.
May 1 New York State Theatre Institute presents Silence in a Circular
Rainbow, a staged reading of a play by Herand Markarian at the James
L. Meader Little Theatre, Troy, New York. For information about bus
transportation: Sonia 917-679-6992; Anahid 917-751-4916; Rita
347-991-4759.
May 10 Mothers Day luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, New
York Palace, 455 Madison Avenue, New York City. Reception at 12 noon;
lunch at 1 pm.
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] (mailto:[email protected]).
May 22 Divine Liturgy and annual banquet, presided by His Grace Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.
June 25-July 4 24th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer
Program for youth ages 13 to 18, at St. Mary of Providence Center,
Elverson, Pennsylvania.
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.
October 8-10 The Eastern Prelacys Linked In workshop weekend for young
adults at Holy Virgin Marys Spiritual Vineyard, Charlton,
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])