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:
April 8, 2010
FAITHFUL FILL CHURCHES DURING HOLY WEEK AND EASTER
The Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is
the center of our liturgical life. Faithful of all ages filled our
parishes during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday to celebrate the
grandest and oldest feast in the Christian calendar.
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy and delivered the sermon at St. Illuminators Cathedral in New
York City.
His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy and delivered the sermon at Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. He is surrounded by Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian,
pastor of the church, and choir members and altar servers.
PRELATE WILL PRESIDE AT ST. SARKIS
This Sunday, April 11, Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine
Liturgy and deliver the Sermon at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York.
HEAD OF CELLULAR FIRM IN ARMENIA
VISITS PRELACY
Ralph Yirikian, the Chief Executive Officer of VIVACELL, the major
cellular communications firm in Armenia, visited the Prelacy this
afternoon, where he met with Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop
Anoushavan. Accompanying Mr. Yirikian was Dr. Rachel Goshgarian, the
director of the Zohrab Center at the Diocese of the Armenian Church
(Eastern).
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.
BIBLE READING
Bible readings for today, Thursday, April 8 are: Acts 4:13-31; James
1:13-27; Matthew 5:1-12. Evening Gospels: Luke 24:36-40; Matthew
5:1-12.
No one, when tempted, should say, I am being tempted by God;
for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. Bu8t
one is tempted by ones own desire, being lured and enticed by it;
then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that
sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. Do not be
deceived, my beloved.
Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from
above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no
variation or shadow due to change. In fulfillment of his own purpose
he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind
of first fruits of his creatures.
You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to
listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce
Gods righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and
rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted
word that has the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive
themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are
like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at
themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were
like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and
persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who actthey will be
blessed in their doing.
If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their
tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is
worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father,
is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep
oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:13-27)
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010dbr-4.pdf
).
NEW SUNDAY
This Sunday, April 11, is New Sunday (Nor Kiraki). Easter Sunday is
followed by a period of fifty days (Hinoonk) during which there are no
fasting days or saints days. This period from the Resurrection to
Pentecost (Hogegaloost) is dedicated to the glorification of the
Resurrection. Each of the seven Sundays of Hinoonk has a separate
name. This Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter, is called New
Sunday, since the first day of the week through Christs resurrection
became consecrated and Sunday became a dominical day. By virtue of its
being the eighth day of Easter and a day similar to Easter, it is also
called Second Easter (Grgnazadig), which literally means, Easter
repeated.
Today, you new peoples, with the heavenly and radiant angels
let us sing to the renewer of the human race who died and arose for
us, saying: May your resurrection be glorified.
Today, sons of Sion, born sons of God by grace in the font for
the renewal for the tomb, saying, May your resurrection be glorified.
Children of faith, celebrating today the feast of Jerusalem on
high, renew the garment of your souls and with the sons of light of
the new Sion bless Christ the King, saying: May your resurrection be
glorified.
(Prayer for New Sunday from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian
Apostolic Church)
NEW CHRISTIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM AT THE CATHEDRAL
A new Bible study program focusing on Women in the Bible, in keeping
with the theme of 2010 as the Year of the Armenian Woman, proclaimed
by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, will begin on
Wednesday, April 28.
The five-part Bible study will spotlight women in the
overarching narrative of the Biblefrom creation to new creationa story
that reached its climax in the person, ministry, death and
resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Not limited to women, certainly men
too will learn much from this program about their place in this grand
biblical story, the story of God dealing with humanity and creation.
Sponsored by the Prelacys Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC) and St. Illuminators Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, the program
will take place at the Cathedral (221 E. 27th Street, NYC) on five
consecutive Wednesdays starting April 28 through May 26, 2010, from
7:15 pm to 8:45 pm. Classes will be conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian,
Director of AREC.
To register or for information, contact the Cathedral office
at 212-689-5880 or the Prelacy office at 212-689-7810 or at
arec@armenianprelacy.org (mailto:arec@armenianprelacy.org).
KHATCHIG BABIKIAN FUND PLEDGES $50,000 TO
ST. STEPHENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The St. Stephens Elementary School, Watertown, Massachusetts, recently
announced that the Khatchig Babikian Fund has pledged a generous gift
of $50,000 to the schools scholarship fund. The announcement was made
following a meeting with Nicole Babikian Hajjar, her husband
Jean-Jacques Hajjar, the schools principal, Mrs. Houry Boyamian, and a
board representative. The Babikian Fund made a similar grant in
2007. This latest grant, which will be made over a four-year period,
will support the schools mission by subsidizing tuitions of
disadvantaged students.
The Fund was established in 2007 to honor the memory of
Khatchig Babikian by his daughter Nicole. Mr. Babikian was a well
known attorney, a former member of the Lebanese parliament, cabinet
minister and served as chairman of the Executive Council of the
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon.
St. Stephens Armenian Elementary School, dedicated to
educational excellence in an environment rich in Armenian culture,
serves students starting at pre-kindergarten through grade five.
EXPANSION AT PHILADELPHIA CHURCH IS PROGRESSING
A week before Easter Archbishop Oshagan paid a surprise visit to
St. Gregory Church in Philadelphia where he met with the pastor,
Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian, who gave the Prelate a tour of the
expansion of the church complex currently underway. The project
started last October and is expected to be completed in May. A grand
opening, under the auspices of the Prelate, is scheduled for September
12.
DVD PRESENTATION OF PILGRIMAGE TO WESTERN ARMENIA
The New York Hamazkayin Literary Committee is presenting a DVD
presentation of Land of the Screaming Stones, a pilgrimage to Western
Armenia. It will be shown on Friday, April 16, at 8:05 pm at the
Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, New York.
The presentation is based on the various trips made by His
Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory, who served as
prelate of the Eastern Prelacy from 1978 to 1998. Along with pilgrims,
including scholars and historians, he takes us back to the ancestral
home of the Armenians. Nostalgic visits are made to many churches and
monasteries, most in ruins, where for the first time in decades
beautiful Armenian hymns fill the countryside. Admission is $5, per
person. All proceeds will be donated to the school in the village of
Moughni, Armenia, which was named in honor of Archbishop Mesrob.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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 hyejazzeve@gmail.com
(mailto:hyejazzeve@gmail.com) 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 sweetano6@aol.com.
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 1 Third Annual Silent Auction and Wine Tasting, Holy Trinity
Church, 635 Grove St., Worcester, Massachusetts, 7 pm to 10 pm. Join
us for hors doeurves, wine and a fun-filled night. General admission
$20; students $15. For information: 508-852-2414 or visit web site
(holytrinitysilentauction.vpweb.com
(mailto:a rmenianholytrinitychurch@gmail.com)), or send email to
armenianholytrinitychurch@gmail.com
(mailto:arm enianholytrinitychurch@gmail.com).
May 2 Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon sponsored by Ladies Guild of
St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall, 158
Main Street, North Andover.
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, hyeguin@yahoo.com (mailto:hyeguin@yahoo.com).
May 22 Divine Liturgy and annual banquet, presided by His Grace Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.
May 23 75th Anniversary celebration of Holy Trinity Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Worcester. For information: 508-852-2414.
June 12 Food Festival sponsored by Ladies Guild of St. Gregory Church,
Jaffarian Hall, 158 Main Street, North Andover, 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,
at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Cranston,
Rhode Island. For tickets and information: Joyce Bagdasarian
(401-434-4467) or Joyce Yeremian. (401-354-8770).
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@armenianprelacy.org (mailto:email@armenianprelacy.org) 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:
info@armenianprelacy.org (mailto:info@armenianprelacy.org)
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress