PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710 or (973) 943-8697
E-mail: chrisz@armeniandiocese.org
Web:

** TOP STORY April 2, 2015
————————————————————
Easter

** He is Risen!
————————————————————
This Sunday, the worldwide Armenian Church will celebrate the Feast of
the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ-the most important
day of the year in our church calendar.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan
Primate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral. The Divine Liturgy will begin at 10:30 a.m. Click here
()
to read Archbishop Barsamian’s Easter message in English and Armenian.

Immediately following the service, the `Release of Doves’ ceremony
will go forth on the cathedral plaza. This year, Armenia’s Ambassador
to the United Nations Zohrab Mnatsakanian will serve as the godfather
of the doves ceremony. An Easter reception and program will follow in
Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium.

Click here
()
for a complete schedule of Holy Week and Easter services at the
cathedral. And be sure to contact your local parish
()
for information on services in your area.

St. Mary
A depiction of St. Mary found at Holy Etchmiadzin.

** Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
————————————————————
On Tuesday, April 7, the Armenian Church will celebrate the
Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. This feast day is one of five devoted
to the blessed mother of Jesus Christ, and the first such feast to
arise in a given year. It concerns the defining event of Mary’s life:
her realization that she had been chosen by God to be the mother of
His Son.

The announcement came by way of the angel Gabriel, and it troubled
Mary at first. But Gabriel tried to allay her fears: `Behold,’ he told
her, `you shall conceive and bring forth a son, and call his name
Jesus. He shall be great, and be called the Son of the Highest…and
of his kingdom there shall be no end.’

In her youthful sweetness and innocence, Mary asked the angel how this
could ever come to pass. Gabriel’s reply-`With God, nothing shall be
impossible’-is one of our greatest expressions of Christian hope. And
Mary’s reply is equally great for the example it sets for all people
who sense God’s hand in their lives: `Behold the handmaid of the Lord;
let it be unto me according to thy word.’

Nine months later, her son was born-and with him, the hope of the
world’s redemption. It’s worth noting that the Armenian Church’s fixed
date for the Annunciation, April 7, comes exactly nine months before
the Armenian Church’s fixed date for the celebration of Christmas,
January 6.

The entire touching story is told at Luke 1:26-38. Click on the
following links to read more
()
about St. Mary, and to view a brief video
()
.

** Scripture of the Week
————————————————————

Acts 1:15-26
Mk 16:2-8

** Prayer of the Week
————————————————————

We rejoice with great joy for the Good News of the resurrection of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who has been the fruit and the first
born of all that have fallen asleep. He has destroyed the gates of
hell, and loosed the tyranny of death; and he gave us the firm hope of
the renewal of the life of all men.

In faith let us ask of our Savior Jesus Christ that he may please to
make us worthy of his resurrection, and to transform our lowly body
into the likeness of his glorious Body. For the very God, Jesus Christ
our Lord, has promised to grant this great and ineffable gift to them
that love him.

** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
————————————————————

2 April: Holy Thursday

3 April: Holy Friday

4 April: Holy Saturday (Easter Eve)

5 April: Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

6 April: Remembrance of the Dead

7 April: Annunciation to the Virgin Mary

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
Pope Francis
His Holiness Pope Francis will celebrate a special Mass in memory of
the Armenian martyrs of 1915.

** A Spiritual Journey to Rome
————————————————————
His Holiness Pope Francis has announced that he will celebrate a
special Mass in memory of the Armenian martyrs of 1915. The leader of
the Roman Catholic Church will celebrate the Mass on Sunday, April 12,
at the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, Italy.

His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House
of Cilicia, will both be present at the Mass. Armenia’s President
Serge Sargsian and dignitaries of the Republic of Armenia will also be
in attendance.

For Armenian-Americans interested in participating in this historic
occasion, a special `spiritual journey’ is being organized by the
Eastern and Western Dioceses of the Armenian Church of America, under
the auspices of Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian.

Click here
()
to download a flyer that contains basic information on the trip to
Rome (scheduled for April 9-13), as well as the relevant contact
information.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Sunday School Workshop
Elise Antreassian (second from left) with educators in Massachusetts.

** New England Sunday School Superintendents Meet
————————————————————
On Saturday, March 21, Sunday School superintendents representing
eight schools in the New England region gathered at the Church of the
Holy Translators in Framingham, MA, for the annual meeting of the New
England Region Sunday School Superintendents Association (NERSA).

During the three-hour session facilitated by Laurie Bejoian, NERSA
chair, and Elise Antreassian, the Diocese’s director of Christian
Education, the 10 participants reviewed new developments since the
ground-breaking National Superintendents Summit held last July. They
also heard a presentation on the Christian Education section of the
Diocesan website and received information on the department’s social
media presence and other resources.

Participants discussed future curriculum formats, which will emphasize
electronic and interactive approaches, and shared ideas and
concerns. The primary focus of the association will be their teaching
staffs in an effort to create a stronger `disciple-making’ team. A
teacher workshop is scheduled for October 2015.

FAR
Doctors at the CME seminar in Nagorno-Karabagh earlier this year.

** Video on FAR’s Continuing Medical Education in Armenia
————————————————————
Earlier this year the Fund for Armenian Relief organized Continuing
Medical Education (CME) seminars in Nagorno-Karabagh. The seminars
focused on modern trends in obstetrics and gynecology and were led by
lecturers Dr. Hripsime Apresyan and Dr. Rusadan Vardanyan.

Now FAR has made a video about the seminars featuring feedback
provided by the participating physicians from Stepanakert and other
regions of Nagorno-Karabagh. Click here
()
to visit FAR’s blog and to view the film.

Working with the Armenian American Health Professionals Organization
(AAHPO), FAR has been implementing Continuing Medical Education
sessions in Nagorno-Karabagh since 2011.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
St. Thomas Church, NJ
ACYOA members present Fr. Papken Anoushian with a donation to the
church.

** St. Thomas Church Marks 50th Anniversary
————————————————————
On Palm Sunday, the St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, celebrated the
50th anniversary of its consecration. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, delivered the homily and presided over the
celebratory dinner that followed the
badarak.

At the anniversary banquet parish pastor the Very Rev. Fr. Papken
Anoushian led the parishioners in a program that included tributes to
the parish-builders of the past, a multimedia presentation on
St. Thomas’s history, and lively performances by talented
parishioners. The present centennial anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide was a recurring theme of remarks and reflections throughout
the day.

Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.

Palm Sunday at St. James
Parishioners exit St. James Church in Watertown at the conclusion of
Palm Sunday services.

** Palm Sunday Observed Across the Parishes
————————————————————
Local Armenian churches celebrated Palm Sunday and ACYOA Day with
services and activities for young people.

At Hye Pointe Church of Haverhill, MA, the Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalian,
parish pastor, blessed children at the conclusion of the Divine
Liturgy. The ACYOA Juniors and Seniors organized a dinner and program,
during which ACYOA member Julianne Tavitian spoke about her experience
volunteering in Armenia last fall. ACYOA Central Council vice chair
Jonathan Pelaez spoke about the organization’s activities. An Easter
egg hunt was organized for the Sunday School students.

An `ACYOA Day Palm Sunday Banquet’ was held at St. James Church of
Watertown, MA. ACYOA members served the more than 250 parishioners
taking part in the celebration. The program, dedicated to the
centennial year of the Armenian Genocide, included reflections by the
ACYOA members and a recitation of Barouyr Sevag’s poem Menk keech enk
(=80=9CWe are few’) in Armenian and English.

In Livingston, NJ, parishioners at St. Mary Church enjoyed a talent
show put on by the local children. They also raised funds to support
orphans in Armenia.

The mission parish of St. Garabed Church of Kansas City, MO, welcomed
the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s director of Mission
Parishes, on Palm Sunday. Following the Divine Liturgy, the community
gathered in the church hall for fellowship. On Saturday, Fr. Abdalian
met with members of the Parish Council to discuss future plans for the
community. The St. Garabed mission parish collected food items to
donate to a local food pantry in remembrance of the children who
perished in the Armenian Genocide.

Members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Community and its dean the Very
Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian gathered to honor Archbishop Yeghishe
Gizirian following Palm Sunday services. The afternoon event was held
at the home of Parish Council chair Mr. and Mrs. Hagop and Sylva
Svajian-Yahiayan (Mr. Yahiayan is also the Diocesan Director of
Administration). Click here
()
to read more about the gathering.

Click here
()
to view photos of these Palm Sunday celebrations.

Shnorhali Concert
The concert was held at St. Malachy’s Church in New York City.

** Shnorhali Choir Performs in Manhattan
————————————————————
On Sunday, March 22, the Shnorhali Choir of the Church of the Holy
Martyrs of Bayside, NY, gave a concert in observance of the centennial
year of the Armenian Genocide. The performance was held in the Actors’
Chapel of St. Malachy’s Church in Manhattan.

Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian opened the program with a
prayer. Dr. Lynn Cetin, chair of the parish’s centennial commemoration
committee, welcomed guests.

Under the artistic direction of Maestro Vagharshak Ohanyan, the
Shnorhali Choir sang traditional Armenian songs. Special performances
were also made by soloists Ruthann Turekian and Yn. Karine Malkhasyan,
the Arekag Children’s Chorus, cellist Laura Navasardian, and Maestro
Konstantin Petrossian. The Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, pastor of Holy
Martyrs Church, closed the concert with a pastoral message.

Click here
()
to view photos.

Genocide Pins

** South Milwaukee Creates Centennial Emblem Pins
————————————————————
This spring, Holy Resurrection Church of South Milwaukee, WI, is
making available forget-me-not lapel pins (the forget-me-not flower is
the official emblem of the 100th year of remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide).

The pins are 7/8 of an inch across, and crafted using the cloisonné
decorating technique. The packaging includes a small box and a card
explaining the elements making up the forget-me-not emblem
()
.

To place an order, visit the parish website at

Judge Sahagian
The Honorable Judge Mary Anne Sahagian at Sts. Vartanantz Church.

** Genocide and the Courts
————————————————————
Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA, concluded its Lenten program
dedicated to the centennial year of the Armenian Genocide with a
presentation by the Honorable Judge Mary Anne Sahagian, First Justice,
Essex County Massachusetts. Judge Sahagian spoke about seeking
reparations through the judicial system.

She discussed lawsuits in U.S. federal courts, where class-action
filings have focused on insurance and banking institutions with links
to victims of the Genocide, and spoke about the possibility of seeking
recognition through international courts. She also shared the personal
story of her family’s survival, and emphasized the importance of
keeping alive the memory of the martyrs of 1915.

St. Mary Church, Livingston, NJ
Dr. Herand Markarian, Fr. Arakel Vardazaryan, and parishioners at
St. Mary Church.

** The Voices of Martyred Armenian Writers
————————————————————
St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, hosted an evening with Dr. Herand
Markarian author of
The Martyred Armenian Writers: 1915-1922. The anthology includes the
works of 13 Armenian writers martyred in the Armenian Genocide. During
the presentation, parishioners read dramatic passages from the book.

Click here
()
to view a video of the event.

Ararat Center

** Ararat Center Reaches Out to Local Community
————————————————————
On Saturday, March 7, the Girl Scouts troop of Greenville, NY,
highlighted Armenian culture at its annual `International Day’
celebration. Greenville is home to the Ararat Center, the Eastern
Diocese’s retreat, camp, and conference facility.

Paul Ventura, the Ararat Center’s executive chef and client relations
manager, spoke about the mission of the Ararat Center. The Greenville
troop showcased Armenian books, photographs, maps, hand-crafted tiles,
Armenian pottery, and other objects. With Mr. Ventura’s help, they
also prepared Armenian food, including pilaf, lahmajun, and
traditional sweets.

Upcoming events

** Upcoming Parish Events
————————————————————

St. Hagop Church | St. Petersburg, FL
The Florida Holocaust Museum will screen the documentary film “Orphans
of the Genocide” on Thursday, April 9. Filmmaker Bared Maronian will
speak about the documentary and answer questions. For information,
contact the Florida Holocaust Museum at (727) 820-0100, or visit their
website at
()
.

St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church | Wynnewood, PA
>From April 10 to 12, the five Armenian churches of the greater
Philadelphia area will present a symposium titled “We Not Only
Survived, We Thrive,” and an exhibit of Ottoman-era artifacts and
documents as part of the city’s observance of the Armenian Genocide
centennial year.

The symposium and exhibit will be held at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob
Church of Wynnewood, PA. Dr. Richard Hovannisian, Professor Emeritus
of Armenian and Near Eastern History at the University of California,
Los Angeles, will deliver the keynote address. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Gregory of Narek Church | Cleveland, OH
On Friday, April 10, St. Gregory of Narek Church will host a talk by
Dr. Ani Kalayjian on `Generational Healing: Transforming Anger and
Denial into Peace.’ The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. Click here
()
to download a flyer.

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will host a concert by the
Aradzani Dance Ensemble in observance of the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. The program will feature songs and dances of
Historic Armenia. The concert will be held on Saturday, April 11,
beginning at 8 p.m. in the church’s Kalustyan Hall. Admission is
free. For information, call the church office at (718) 225-0235.

St. Thomas Church | Tenafly, NJ
St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, will mark the 100th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide with services on Friday, April 24, and a special
program at Ellis Island on Saturday, April 15. At Ellis Island, a
prayer service and laying of flowers ceremony will be held. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Church of Our Saviour | Worcester, MA
The Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, MA, will commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Saturday April 18 and Friday,
April 24. On April 18, a march to City Hall from the Lincoln Street
Tunnel will begin at 12 p.m., followed by the planting of a Genocide
memorial tree at 1:30 p.m. At 2:15 p.m. an ecumenical service will be
held at St. Paul’s Cathedral (at 38 High Street).

On April 24, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Church of
Our Saviour, beginning at 6 p.m. Rev. Fr. Aved Terzian will be the
celebrant; the Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, of Holy Trinity Armenian
Church, will be the homilist.

Armenian Church of Austin | Austin, TX
The Armenian community of Texas is sponsoring a `Texas Peace March’ at
the State Capitol in Austin to commemorate the 100th year of
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. The march is scheduled for
Saturday, April 18. Bus transportation will be provided from
Dallas. For information, contact Hamlet Sarokhanian at
eushtsn@gmail.com (mailto:eushtsn@gmail.com) .

Holy Trinity Church | Cambridge, MA
On Sunday, April 19, Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA, will host a
concert titled `Lest We Forget’ in observance of the 100th year of
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. The concert will be given by the
Erevan Choral Society, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the church
sanctuary. Click here
()
to visit the parish website for information.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
The Women’s Guild of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI,
will observe `Saintly Women’s Day’ on Saturday, April 18. The day[`s
program will be dedicated to the unnamed women of the Armenian
Genocide. Women’s Guild Central Council chair Nancy Kassabian will
deliver the keynote address. For information, contact the church at
(401) 272-7712.

St. James Church | Richmond, VA
St. James Church of Richmond, VA, will host an ecumenical prayer
service and program on Saturday, April 18, at 11 a.m. The Very
Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, will preside. Guest clergy
representing local churches will be in attendance. The service is
organized in memory of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and of all
those who have fallen victim to crimes against humanity. At a madagh
luncheon following the service, keynote speaker Aram Hamparian,
executive director of Armenian National Committee of America, will
make a presentation. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

A requiem service will be held at St. James Church of Richmond, VA, to
commemorate the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide on Sunday, April
19. Fr. Odabashian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and perform the
requiem service, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
The Gomidas Choir of the Eastern Diocese, under the direction of Kris
Kalfayan, will sing the hymns of the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory the
Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, on Sunday, April 19. Later
that day, the parish’s Culture Committee will host a performance by
pianist Karén Hakobyan as part of the 13th annual Lionel Galstaun
Memorial Concert. Click here
()
to download a flyer with concert reservation information.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
ACYOA Day
ACYOA members in Hartford.

** ACYOA Day in the Eastern Diocese
————————————————————
ACYOA Central Council members were active throughout the Diocese this
Palm Sunday to address parishioners and local young people on the
traditional occasion of `ACYOA Day’ in the Eastern Diocese.

Chair Ani Grigorian visited St. Mary Church in Hollywood, FL, which
hosted a Palm Sunday luncheon for 80 people. Vice chair Jonathan
Pelaez shared Palm Sunday with members at Hye Point parish in
Haverhill, MA, where around 150 parishioners gathered for a luncheon
and program. Treasurer Shant Paklaian traveled to St. David Church in
Boca Raton, FL, for a luncheon hosted by local ACYOA seniors. Public
relations coordinator Sarine Atamian visited the St. George Church in
Hartford, CT, and Secretary Chelsea Kress spent Palm Sunday with the
St. Mark Church in Springfield, MA.

Diocesan coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Lorie
Odabashian spent the day with the parish community in St. Mary’s
Church in Washington, DC. All the visitors spoke about their personal
influences, and encouraged local youth to take advantage of
programming offered by the Diocese.

Click here
()
to view photos.

ASP
ASP participants volunteer in Gyumri.

** Register for the Armenia Service Program
————————————————————
The ACYOA Central Council has opened registration for this year’s
ACYOA Armenia Service Program, scheduled for July 1 to 20. The program
of travel, service, and worship gives young adults (ages 18 to 30) a
unique opportunity to discover their homeland and to serve its people
in a meaningful way. ACYOA members leave Armenia with a connection to
their faith and heritage that continues to inspire them throughout
their lives.

This year’s trip leader will be the Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan
(`d36ac740&e=3aa2e2c3e9&utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=79ce1e05ce-&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3f0172fcf2-79ce1e05ce-159688434)
, pastor of St. Sahag Church of St. Paul, MN. The Dadourian Foundation
is providing generous scholarship funds to help offset costs for the
first 20 applicants to the ASP program. In addition, the ACYOA Central
Council is offering scholarships to participants in need of financial
assistance.

Click on the following links to view a flyer
()
and to download an application
form. ()
For more information on ASP and the scholarships, contact Jennifer
Morris, the Diocese’s director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at
jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org (mailto:jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org)
or (248) 648-0702.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
Divine Liturgy at Lafayette University

** Divine Liturgy to be Celebrated at Lafayette College
————————————————————
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocese’s Ecumenical Director and
Legate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Lafayette College in
Easton, PA, on Wednesday, April 8. The service is scheduled to begin
at 7 p.m. at Colton Chapel.

It is being organized in commemoration of the centennial year of the
Armenian Genocide, and sponsored by the Acopian family and the
Lafayette Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Catholicos Hovsepiants
Catholicos Karekin Hovsepian is one of three clergymen Dr. Roberta
Ervine will speak about next week.

** Zohrab Center Lecture Next Week
————————————————————
On Wednesday, April 8, Dr. Roberta Ervine, professor of Armenian
Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, will give a lecture titled
=80=9CPicking Up the Pieces: Three Bishops and their Vision for the
Armenian Church circa 1920.’ The event is scheduled to begin at 7
p.m. at the Diocesan Center.

Her presentation will focus on three distinguished clergymen-Yeghishé
Tourian, Papken Guleserian, and Karekin Hovsepian-and how they
realized a vision for the Armenian Church in the aftermath of
1915. Click here
()
to read more on the Zohrab Center’s blog.

Times Square

** Genocide Centennial Observance in Times Square
————————————————————
Every Armenian in the greater New York region needs to be a part of
the centennial observance of the Armenian Genocide in New York City on
Sunday, April 26. The day will begin with the Divine Liturgy at
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, scheduled for 10 a.m. Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian will celebrate the Divine Liturgy; Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan will deliver the sermon.

A procession to Times Square will depart the cathedral at 12:00
p.m. The program in Times Square will begin at 1:45 p.m. The 2015
Genocide Commemoration in Times Square is organized by the
Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan, in affiliation with the
Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America (Eastern Region).

Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

April 24 at NYC

** April 24 Events in New York City
————————————————————
On Friday, April 24, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral and St. Illuminator’s Armenian
Cathedral.

A march to the Turkish Consulate, jointly organized by ARF and ADL,
will be depart from St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral and
St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral at 12 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

In the afternoon, a vigil will be held at the United Nation’s Dag
Hammarskjold Plaza (East 47th Street at Second Avenue). The program
will include traditional Armenian songs, poetry readings, and
remarks. It is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.