PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – December 2, 2004
COMMITTEE FOR UNITED COMMEMORATION
OF 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF GENOCIDE FORMED
Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate
of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and His Eminence Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, a
committee has been formed to organize a pan-Armenian American commemoration
of the 90th anniversary of the Genocide next year. The commemoration will
take place in New York City on Sunday, April 24, 2005.
The joint commemorative committee convened its first meeting on October
21. Roy Stepanian of St. Mary Armenian Church, Livingston, New Jersey, and
Ken Sarajian of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey have been
appointed by the Diocese and the Prelacy to serve as co-chairs. With the
attendance and support of major Armenian American groups, the committee
began its work. The immediate task will be the formation of subcommittees to
plan specific events, prepare educational and press materials, and begin
fundraising to underwrite the commemoration.
>From press release issued by the Joint Committee
ST. GREGORY CHURCH, GRANITE CITY
CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS WEEKEND
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate, will be with the
parish of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Granite City, Illinois, to
celebrate the 50th anniversary of the church. His Eminence will travel to
Granite City. On Saturday he will preside over services in the former church
of the parish followed by a fellowship hour. His Eminence will officiate at
the Divine Liturgy services on Sunday, assisted by Rev. Fr. Serop Azarian,
pastor of the church. A celebratory banquet will follow.
The original St. Gregory Church, a small church on Maple Street, was
consecrated on December 5, 1954. A new and much larger church, a few miles
from the original site, was built and consecrated on October 12, 1997. In
2001 a Memorial was erected to honor the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide,
along with a Walk of Remembrance that recognizes other family memorials.
Saturday evening arrangements have been made for informal nostalgic
remembrances with photographs and memorabilia covering the fifty-year
history of the parish.
In conjunction with the commemorations, parishioners will participate in
a mortgage burning ceremony thanks to an aggressive fundraising drive, which
enabled the church to pay its mortgage debt and establish an endowment fund.
CATHOLICOS ARAM IN GENEVA
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, left
Antelias last Saturday, November 27, for Geneva where he will preside over
the meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the World Council of
Churches. His Holiness is the Moderator of the WCC. During his visit to
Geneva and the headquarters of the WCC, His Holiness will deliver a prime
lecture on Ecumenism in the 21st Century.
CHRISTMAS FAMILY CONCERT ON SATURDAY
CELEBRATES THE YEAR OF THE FAMILY
During 2004, which was designated as The Year of the Family by His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, the Prelacy has
set its goals with the health and welfare of our families. Although the
yearlong celebration will come to an end with a Family Christmas Concert
this Saturday, December 4, certainly the Prelacy’s focus on the family will
continue as it has always.
The December 4th concert at the Alliance Française in New York City,
featuring Nvair and her HyeFamily friends and special guest from California,
Taline, has been sold-out for more than a month.
Youngsters attending with their parents are due for an exciting
afternoon with many surprises.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN PARTICIPATES
IN AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Archbishop Oshagan participated in the meetings this week of the
National Church Leadership Council organized by the American Bible Society.
The meetings took place in New York City, Monday and Tuesday, November 29
and 30. The theme of the meetings was, An Effective Church in a Post-Modern
World.
ST. SARKIS WILL HONOR POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over special morning services and
luncheon in honor of the police of the 111th precinct and fire fighters of
Bayside, New York, organized by St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New
York.
This annual service and luncheon by St. Sarkis Church has helped bring
the church and community closer together.
THADDEUS AND BARTHOLOMEW
This Saturday, December 4, the Armenian Church commemorates Sts.
Thaddeus and Bartholomew, two of the twelve apostles who were the first
evangelizers of Armenia and were martyred there, giving the Armenian Church
its apostolic identity.
Thaddeus came to Armenia about 43 AD to preach Christianity. He was
martyred in southeastern Armenia. His tomb lies in the Armenian monastery of
St. Thaddeus (now Iran) where a chapel was built in the third century.
Bartholomew is thought to have come to Armenia about 66 AD. He was
martyred in Hadamakert, southeast of Lake Van.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday, December 5, is the second Sunday of Advent. Advent, the
solemn period anticipating the birth of the Savior, is a period of
contemplation. This week let us think of those less fortunate than us and
take some action to help.
NEXT TUESDAY IS 16TH ANNIVERSARY
OF EARTHQUAKE IN ARMENIA
Next Tuesday, December 7, is the 16th anniversary of the earthquake in
Armenia that shook the very foundations of the Soviet Empire. Our thoughts
and prayers are with the families that suffered great loss and continue to
strive to reach normalcy. God rest the souls of those who perished and peace
to those who survived.
DECEMBER 7TH IS ALSO PEARL HARBOR DAY
At dawn on Sunday, December 7, 1941, naval aviation forces of the Empire
of Japan attacked the United States Pacific Fleet center at Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, and other military targets. The sneak attack against Pearl Harbor
brought an immediate reaction of unprecedented unity from the American
people. Families from every class sent their sons and daughters to war,
bringing the U.S. into World War II in full force. Women joined the work
force and took over the jobs that were generally reserved for men.
Ultimately it was the industrial strength of the United States and the will
of the people that was the foundation of the U.S. victory.
TODAY MARKS FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH
OF ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
Today, December 2 marks the first anniversary of the passing of His
Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian who died in New York City where he was
visiting family and introducing his latest book, The Etchmiadzin Chronicles.
Our community was shocked and stunned as the news of his sudden death
spread.
On Sunday, December 12, all Prelacy churches will observe the first
anniversary of his passing with Requiem Services and Madagh. Archbishop
Oshagan will be at St. Illuminator Cathedral in New York City, where the
Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Souren
Kataroyan, the former Prelate of Aleppo.
Archbishop Ashjian served as Prelate of the Eastern United States and
Canada for twenty years from January 1978 to May 1998. He also served as the
Executive Secretary of the 1700th anniversary of Christian Armenia and he
presided over a host of programs spreading the Light of Christianity and
benefiting the general population of Armenia and Artsakh.
Therefore, and we beseech you O heavenly Father, accept our deceased in
your Upper Jerusalem, in the gathering of those, who have been registered
first into the heavens. (from Armenian Requiem Hymn)
We end this week with a quote from a 1995 New Year message by Archbishop
Ashjian:
Traditionally the New Year has come to symbolize a time to reflect on
one’s own life and the general condition of the human race. Somehow, with
the coming of a new year-almost miraculously-life’s slate seems to be clean
and ready to be filled anew. This time, we think, we are determined to
change our ways, to have better priorities, to make this year better than
last. The changes that have taken place in our national lives in less than a
decade are enough to fill half a century. For so many years we went along
almost by rote with little, if any, deviation. And then on that fateful day
of December 7, 1988, the earthquake in northern Armenia brought upheaval and
change not only to Armenia but also to every corner of the Armenian
Diaspora. Life has not been the same since, nor will it ever be.
Visit our website at