** TOP STORY April 23, 2015
————————————————————
Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide
Faithful venerate the new icon of the sainted martyrs of the Armenian
Genocide.

** Sainted!
————————————————————
Armenian Church history was made today, when the martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide were ceremonially recognized as holy saints. The
splendid service took place at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,
under the leadership of 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.

Heads of sister churches, dignitaries of state, as well as the
episcopal authorities of the Armenian Church also took part in the
historic service. Among the latter were Diocesan Primate Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, and Diocesan Legate and Ecumenical Director
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian.

This ceremony marked the first time in centuries that new saints have
been designated in the Armenian Church. With their canonization, the
Genocide martyrs will now join other great exemplars of holiness,
virtue, and sacrifice, in the `canon’ of revered saints from church
history.

People throughout the world were able to watch the ceremony thanks to
a livestream broadcast sponsored by the Armenian General Benevolent
Union. At the conclusion of the broadcast, as bells rang out at Holy
Etchmiadzin, footage of church bells ringing across the globe
(including footage from New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral) was intercut
with the live footage, in a breathtaking montage of worldwide
celebration for the newly-recognized saints.

Click on the following links to view photos
()
and a video of the service
()
.

New York City

** Genocide Centennial Observance in New York
————————————————————
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.

An Episcopal Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral, beginning at 10 a.m. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian will
celebrate the Divine Liturgy; Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan will deliver
the sermon. For Armenian communities in other parts of the country, a
live broadcast of the April 26 service will be available online here
()
.

A procession to Times Square will depart St. Vartan Cathedral at 12
noon. 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 on the April 26 events.

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

Acts 13:16-43
1 Pt 5:1-14
Jn 5:19-30

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

Christ our God, you crown your saints with triumph and you do the will
of all who fear you, looking after your creatures with love and
kindness. Hear us from your holy and heavenly realm by the
intercession of the Holy Mother of God and by the prayers of all your
saints, especially the holy martyrs who gave their lives during
the Armenian Genocide for faith and for the homeland, whom we
commemorate today. Hear us Lord, and show us your mercy. Amen.

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

24 April: Armenian Martyrs Day

26 April: 47th Anniversary of the Consecration of St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral

** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————

** Watch, Learn, and Never Forget
————————————————————
This weekend marks the worldwide commemoration of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. In preparation for the occasion,
take 12 minutes to view this brief documentary clip.

Professor Richard Hovannisian, the world’s leading authority on modern
Armenian history, narrates the history of the Genocide in a compact,
spellbinding manner. The Armenian community of Philadelphia
commissioned and produced the clip, and is graciously sharing it with
the community. It’s only part of a longer documentary which can be
obtained from the Philadelphia community (see the end of the video
clip for details).

Click here
()
to view the short clip of `From Horror to Hope: Memories of the
Armenian Genocide.’ Professor Hovannisian was also featured this week
in a Los Angeles Times Q&A: click here
()
to read it.

Ethiopians
Mourners remember loved ones in Ethiopia.

** Prayers for the Suffering
————————————————————
In a story that has become heartbreakingly familiar in recent months,
innocent Christians have been brutally killed for adhering to their
faith. Grotesque video footage released this week by the terror
organization calling itself the Islamic State showed 30 Ethiopian
Christians being shot and beheaded in Libya.

These are the world’s latest martyrs for Christ, joining the 21
Christian Copts slain in February by the same terror group. His
Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, sent a note of condolence to Patriarch Abuna Matthias of
the Ethiopian Tewahedo Orthodox Church-joining other world religious
leaders such as Pope Francis in expressing solidarity with the
persecuted, and condemnation of the continuing martyrdom of
Christians.

This Sunday, April 26, at 3:30 p.m., a memorial service for the
Ethiopian martyrs will be held at the Christ Our Savior Ethiopian
Orthodox Tewahedo Church in the Bronx, NY. Diocesan Vicar the Very
Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian will represent Diocesan Primate Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian at the service.

** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
April 24 in New York City

** 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 (at Third Avenue and 50th Street),
jointly organized by ARF and ADL, will depart from St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral and St. Illuminator’s Armenian Cathedral at 12 noon. 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.

FAR
Armen Haratunian engages in a game of chess with children at the FAR
Children’s Center in Yerevan.

** FAR Children’s Center Welcomes Special Visitors
————————————————————
When Kenar and Armen Haratunian of Manhasset, NY, visited the FAR
Children’s Center in Yerevan last week, they brought with them bags of
games and supplies for arts and crafts projects.

Teenagers Kenar and Armen have a personal connection to the
center. Together with their parents, Stephen and Arda Haratunian, they
renovated the Children’s Center’s three art therapy rooms last year in
memory of their great-aunt and uncle, Grace and Antranig Krikorian.

`We loved how bright and uplifting the art therapy rooms were, and it
was great to see them full of smiling kids and busy activity,’ Armen
said. `We also loved seeing the children enthusiastically opening and
using the crafts we brought with us. We went back a few times and we
loved having more time to play with them.’

FAR Children’s Center is the only facility in Armenia providing
rehabilitation and counseling to vulnerable and at-risk youth. Its art
therapy program-which includes activities such as ceramics, painting,
and jewelry-making-is a crucial part of the center’s mission. Click
here
()
to read more on FAR’s blog.

** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Ecummenical Service in Minnesota
An ecumenical prayer service in observance of the Armenian Genocide
centennial at St. Paul Cathedral.

** Ecumenical Service in St. Paul
————————————————————
On Saturday, April 18, St. Sahag Church of St. Paul, MN, co-hosted an
ecumenical prayer service in observance of the 100th year of
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, and in memory of all martyrs of
faith. The service was held at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of
St. Paul in Minnesota’s capital.

Archbishop John Nienstedt, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
St. Paul and Minneapolis, presided. The Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian,
pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Chicago, and the
Rev. Fr. Tadeos Barseghyan, pastor of St. Sahag Church, took part in
the service. Also participating were representatives of the Minnesota
Council of Churches.

Click on the following links to view photos
()
, and to read articles in the Star Tribune
()
and on TwinCities.com
()
.

March in Texas
A march down Congress Avenue in Austin to the Texas State Capitol.

** Genocide Commemoration in Austin
————————————————————
On Saturday, April 18, Armenians from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio,
and Austin gathered at the Texas State Capitol to commemorate the
centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

An estimated 750 participants marched down Congress Avenue to the
capitol. The Armenian community was joined by clergy and members from
local Presbyterian, Maronite, Lutheran, and Catholic parishes.

Keynote speakers included Emily Sample from the Houston Holocaust
Museum and Khatchig Mouradian, coordinator of the Armenian Genocide
Program at Rutgers University. Participants spilled 1.5 million
sunflower seeds on the steps of the capitol building to symbolize
Armenian lives that `were sown but denied the opportunity to blossom.’
They read aloud the names of known Armenians who perished in the
Genocide. Click here
()
to view photos.

Click on the following links to view a letter from U.S. Senator Ted
Cruz
()
, a resolution from the Texas House of Representatives
()
, a City of Austin proclamation
()
, and a statement from Rabbi Neil F. Blumofe
()
.

Armenian Church in Orlando, FL
A parishioner receives Fr. Daniel Findikyan’s blessing at the
conclusion of services on Sunday.

** Armenians in Orlando Remember Martyrs of 1915
————————————————————
On Sunday, April 19, the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan celebrated the
Divine Liturgy at Soorp Haroutiun Church of Orlando, FL. He gave a
sermon on the significance of the canonization of the martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide.

`For the first time in centuries, the entire Armenian Church will come
together and canonize those Christians who were massacred in the
Genocide,” he said. `As we battle these conflicting feelings =80′
sadness over the loss of ancestors, anger at the injustice and the
denial of truth – there is also some sense of hope that God is with
us.’

Click here
()
to read an article and to view a video on the Orlando Sentinel
website.

St. Garabed Church, Baton Rouge, LA
Parishioners at the St. Garabed Church khatchkar memorial.

** Requiem Service Held in Baton Rouge
————————————————————
On Sunday, April 19, St. Garabed Church of Baton Rouge, LA, observed
the 100th year of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. The
Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s director of Mission Parishes,
celebrated the Divine Liturgy and performed a requiem service; the
latter was held at the
khatchkar on church grounds dedicated to the martyrs of 1915.

Guest speaker Krikor Khodanian made remarks at a luncheon following
services. Click here
()
to view photos.

Robert Deranian and Fr. Yeprem Kelegian
Fr. Yeprem Kelegian with film director Robert Deranian.

** Komitas Film Screened in Racine
————————————————————
On Sunday, April 19, the Heritage Committee of St. Mesrob Church of
Racine, WI, sponsored the showing of the movie, “Music to Madness: The
Story of Komitas,” a documentary on the Armenian Genocide.

Director Robert Deranian was on hand to present the movie and answer
questions.

Upcoming events

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

Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will host `An Evening of
Remembrance’ on Friday, April 24, beginning at 7 p.m. A khatchkar
blessing will follow the evening service. Local students will give a
special performance.

The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at Holy Martyrs Church on
Saturday, April 25, beginning at 10 a.m. A luncheon and program by the
students of the Holy Martyrs Armenian Language School will follow.

St. Sahag Church | St. Paul, MN
On April 24, St. Sahag Church of St. Paul, MN, will host an
=80=9CArmenian Genocide Remembrance Day.’ The day will include a
prayer service, remarks, and a musical performance. For additional
events planned in Minnesota, click here
()
.

Church of Our Saviour | Worcester, MA
On April 24, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Church of
Our Saviour of Worcester, MA, beginning at 6 p.m. The Rev. Fr. Aved
Terzian will be the celebrant; the Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, of
Holy Trinity Armenian Church, will be the homilist. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. James Church | Richmond, VA
St. Johns United Church of Christ of Richmond, VA, will offer a prayer
in remembrance of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide on Sunday,
April 26. A parishioner of the St. James Armenian Church of Richmond
will give an overview of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. A St. James
choir member will sing the “Hayr Mer.” For information, contact
St. Johns United Church of Christ at (804) 358-9291.

St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
On Friday, April 24, St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White
Plains, NY, will observe Armenian Martyrs Day, starting at 4
p.m. Events include a lesson for children, Scripture readings, an
ecumenical prayer service, and a program with Armenian and Sunday
School students. Click here
()
for information.

Earlier that morning a flag-raising ceremony will be held at Greenwich
City Hall in Greenwich, CT. A proclamation will be presented by the
First Selectman of Greenwich Peter J. Tesei.

Armenian Churches of Boston
On Friday, April 24, a joint Divine Liturgy by all New England
Armenian churches will be held at Holy Trinity Armenian Church of
Cambridge, MA, at 10 a.m. A procession to the Massachusetts State
House and a vigil at Armenian Heritage Park will follow. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Armenian Churches of Connecticut
The Armenian community of Connecticut will gather at the State Capitol
in Hartford on Saturday, April 25. Author Chris Bohjalian will be the
keynote speaker. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. John Church | Detroit, MI
St. John Church of Detroit, MI, will co-host an ecumenical prayer
service on Friday, April 24. The service will be held at St. Mary
Antiochian Orthodox Basilica in Livonia, MI, beginning at 7:30
p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Hagop Church | Pinellas Park, FL
St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, FL, will host `An Evening of
Remembrance’ on Friday, April 24, beginning at 7 p.m. The parish will
remember the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide and celebrate their
ongoing legacy through prayer and musical performances. For
information, e-mail jshahnasar@aol.com (mailto:jshahnasar@aol.com) .

Historian Garabet Moumdjian will give a talk titled “Rising from the
Ashes of Tragedy: Armenia’s Triumph Over Its Genocide” at St. Hagop
Church on Saturday, April 25, at 7 p.m.

St. Sarkis Church | Dallas, TX
St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX, will sponsor a “Candlelight Peace
Gathering” at the Dallas City Hall on Friday, April 24, from 5 to 8
p.m. The vigil is organized in remembrance of the martyrs of the
Armenian Genocide. For information, contact Hamlet Sarokhanian at
eushtsn@gmail.com (mailto:eushtsn@gmail.com) .

The Dallas Holocaust Museum will screen Andrew Goldberg’s PBS
documentary `The Armenian Genocide’ on Thursday, April 30, from 6:30
to 8:30 p.m. The Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, pastor of St. Sarkis
Church, and Robert Barsamian will make remarks.

St Gregory the Illuminator Church | Binghamton, NY
St Gregory the Illuminator Church of Binghamton, NY, will commemorate
the Armenian Genocide centennial on Saturday, April 25. A proclamation
ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Conklin Ave. by the South
Washington St. bridge. An ecumenical service will follow at the church
at 12 p.m. A video recording of the `Responsibility 2015′ conference
held in March in New York City will be shown after the service.

St. Gregory of Narek Church | Cleveland, OH
On Friday, April 24, St. Gregory of Narek Church of Cleveland, OH,
will host an Armenian Genocide program at Cleveland City Hall
beginning at 5:30 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

On Saturday, April 25, an Oriental Orthodox Con-Celebration of the
Divine Liturgy will be held at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in
Seven Hills, OH. The service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

On Sunday, April 26, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at
St. Gregory of Narek Church. School children will plant flowers on
church grounds in honor of the martyrs of 1915.

St. Stepanos Church | Elberon, NJ
St. Stepanos Church of Elberon, NJ, will host the following events in
observance of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide: The Center for
Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education at Brookdale Community
College in Lincroft, NJ, will showcase `A Journey to Life: Armenia,’
an interactive exhibit, which features the personal histories of local
Armenian survivors and their families. Click here
()
for information.

On Friday, April 24, St. Stepanos Church will hold a flag-raising
ceremony. Haroutune Misserlian will give a talk titled `Our 100th
April 24,’ which will be followed by a prayer service and a classical
concert.

St. Thomas Church | Tenafly, NJ
The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Thomas Church of Tenafly,
NJ, on Friday, April 24, beginning at 10:15 a.m. The church bells will
ring 100 times following services in remembrance of the centennial
year of the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call (201) 567-5446.

St. Thomas Church will hold a special program at Ellis Island on
Saturday, April 25, which will include a prayer service and laying of
flowers ceremony. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

On Friday, May 1, the church will host 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. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Sts. Vartanantz Church | Chelmsford, MA
Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA, will hold a Martyrs Vigil on
April 24, from 7 to 8 p.m. The evening will include prayer, as well as
readings from Scripture, newspaper articles, and eye-witness accounts
of the Armenian Genocide. The church bells will be rung 100
times. Click here
()
to view a flyer.

Armenian Church of Rochester | Rochester, NY
The Armenian Church of Rochester mission parish will observe the
centennial of the Armenian Genocide on Sunday, April 26, beginning at
2 p.m., at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation (1957 Five Mile
Line Rd., Penfield, NY).

Vincent Lima, former editor of the `Armenian Reporter’ and former
director of the Gomidas Institute, will be the keynote speaker. He
will speak about the observance of the Genocide centennial in
Turkey. The day’s program also will include poetry readings,
reflections, and performances by Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
violinist Tigran Vardanyan and pianist Suren Barry; vocalists Liliana
Natalie Buickians and Varduhi Pchakchyan.

St. Mary Church | Livingston, NJ
On Monday, April 27, St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, will
co-sponsor a lecture and concert in commemoration of the 100th year of
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide at the Center for Holocaust and
Genocide Studies at Drew University of Madison, NJ. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

St. Mary Church is co-hosting an evening of awareness centered on the
Armenian Genocide on Thursday, April 30, at the College of Saint
Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ. The program will begin at 4:30 p.m. and
include lectures, a film screening, and musical performances. In
addition, free professional development will be offered to school
teachers on teaching the Armenian Genocide. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, will host a concert in
memory of the martyrs of 1915 on Saturday May 2, beginning at 7
p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

Armenian Community of Albany
Christian Arts International will host Handel’s “Messiah” concert in
honor of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide on Sunday, May 3, at
3 p.m. The concert will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in
Albany, NY.

The program will feature mezzo soprano Solange Merdinian; the
Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, pastor of St. Peter Armenian Church of
Watervliet, NY; and members of the Albany and Schenectady Symphony
orchestras.

Click here
()
to view a flyer with more information and sponsorship opportunities.

** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
Sport Weekend

** ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend
————————————————————
The ACYOA Seniors of St. John Church of Southfield, MI, are hosting
this year’s ACYOA General Assembly and Sports Weekend, scheduled for
May 21 to 25. The weekend will include worship, discussion of the
organization’s activities, athletic and social events, and service
projects.

Registration for the annual youth gathering is now open; the
registration deadline is May 1. Click here
()
for event information and registration materials, or contact
detroitSW2015@gmail.com (mailto:detroitSW2015@gmail.com) .

The committee is looking for support of its ad booklet; click here
()
for information on how you can help.

** EVENTS
————————————————————
St. Nersess Seminary

** A Retreat at St. Nersess Seminary
————————————————————
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary will host a daylong retreat focusing on
the canonization of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. The retreat
will be held at the seminary in New Rochelle, NY, on Saturday, April
25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Presenters include Dr. Roberta Ervine, Professor of Armenian Studies
at St. Nersess Seminary, and seminarian Arpi Nakashian.

The retreat is free and open to the public. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.

1915: The Movie

** “1915: The Movie” Being Screened in New York City
————————————————————
`1915: The Movie’-a drama and psychological thriller co-written and
directed by Garin Hovannisian in anticipation of the100th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide-is playing at Quad Cinema in New York City
through Thursday, April 30.

Click on the following links to visit the film’s official site
()
and to purchase tickets
()
.

Kardash Onig

** Kardash Onnig Exhibit to Open in Upstate New York
————————————————————
Artist Kardash Onnig has created a multimedia installation in
observance of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Titled
“Transfourming Sorrow,” the exhibition will open on Saturday, April
25, in Stanfordville, NY.

It is free and open to the public. Click here
()
for more information.

PEN

** Armenian Genocide Talk at PEN Center
————————————————————
PEN American Center will present “Armenian Genocide: A Dark
Paradigm”=80’a talk featuring Peter Balakian, Eric Bogosian, Maureen
Freely, Nancy Kricorian, Robert Jay Lifton, Ronald Grigor Suny, and
Ragip Zarakolu on Wednesday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m.

The event will be held at SVA Theatre in New York City (333 West 23rd
Street). Click here
()
to view a flyer for more information, or visit penworldvoices.org
()
to purchase tickets.

From: A. Papazian