October 15, 2009
MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE IN NEW JERSEY
Archbishop Oshagan presided over the Mid-Atlantic regional conference
which took place last Saturday at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey.
Panel discussions were led by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Dn. Shant
Kazanjian, Harout Misserlian, and Raffi Ourlian. Hagop Khatchadourian
presented an overview of the day’s agenda and led the closing
session. Discussions centered around the new guidelines for Boards of
Trustees, the role of the Prelacy, spiritual awakening, religious and
language education.
Archbishop Oshagan offered the opening and closing prayers and
remarks. His Eminence praised the attendees from the Mid-Atlantic
parishes and the presenters for their thorough and serious exploration
of their assigned topics. He said the Religious and Executive
Councils are committed to the continuation of regional conferences and
other events that will strengthen the parishes.
PRELATE PRESIDES OVER 84TH
ANNIVERSARY
OF NEW BRITAIN PARISH
Last Sunday Archbishop Oshagan presided over the 84th anniversary
celebration of St. Stephen Church of New Britain/Hartford,
Connecticut. The Prelate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered
the sermon, and presided over the anniversary banquet.
Certificates of Merit were presented to Chris Bennettson and Kenarig
Zamgochian in recognition and appreciation of their years of dedicated
service to the church.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO RACINE
The Prelate will visit St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin this
weekend where he will confer with the pastor, V. Rev. Fr. Daniel
Garabedian and members of the Board of Trustees. On Sunday His
Eminence will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon and
preside over the church’s banquet.
ARMENIA FUND BOARD TO MEET
Archbishop Oshagan will attend a meeting of the Board of Trustees and
Directors of the Armenia Fund USA (AFUSA), Monday evening, October 19,
at the home of Andreas Roubian in Saddle River, New Jersey.
Founded in 1992, the Armenia Fund USA is the first of Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates. AFUSA supports
large-scale, self-sustaining initiatives in Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh.
VICAR WILL BE IN NEW ENGLAND THIS WEEKEND
Bishop Anoushavan, who has been in Greece attending the World Council
of Church’s Faith & Order Plenary Commission is en route to the
U.S. and will go to Whitinsville, Massachusetts where on Saturday,
October 17, he will participate in the "Crop-A-Thon for Hunger,"
joining the pastor and parishioners of Sts. Asdvadzadzin Church.
On Sunday he will preside over the Divine Liturgy and deliver the
sermon at St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts.
NALG SEMINAR THIS SATURDAY
Archbishop Oshagan will welcome the National Association of Ladies
Guilds (NALG) to the Prelacy this Saturday, October 17. His Eminence
will offer the opening prayer and deliver his message to the gathering
at the start of the NALG’s annual conference.
The conference will begin at 9:30 am and conclude early afternoon with
a lunch break at noon. The agenda will include a report of NALG
activities and reports from individual Ladies Guilds. Discussions will
focus on by-laws updates and recommended changes, the role of the
Guilds, and how the Guilds can be strengthened.
PRELATE WILL ATTEND OPENING OF GORKY RETROSPECTIVE TONIGHT
As a member of the Gorky Host Committee, Archbishop Oshagan will
attend the gala preview and reception in celebration of the opening of
the Arshile Gorky retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
tonight.
The first comprehensive survey of the work of this artist in nearly
three decades, Arshile Gorky: A Retrospective will open to the public
on October 21 and continue until January 10, 2010. The exhibition will
then travel to the Tate Modern, London (Spring 2010) and The Museum of
Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (Summer 2010).
ST. ILLUMINATOR’S CATHEDRAL WILL CELEBRATE THE HOLY TRANSLATORS THIS
SUNDAY
Following the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, October 18,
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral will celebrate the Holy Translators and
the Armenian language with a cultural program and book
fair. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $5.00. For information
contact the church office at 212-689-5880.
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I ADDRESSES THOUSANDS GATHERED IN ANTELIAS LAST
SATURDAY
Last Saturday, October 10, at 6 pm, as the representatives of Armenia
and Turkey and those of the international community were preparing to
sign the protocol agreement (after a three-hour delay), thousands of
Armenians gathered in front of the Chapel of the Martyrs at the
Catholicosate in Antelias to reaffirm their demand for justice and the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Turkish
government in 1915.
After a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the Genocide,
His Holiness said: "As I stand today in front of the Chapel of Martyrs
where the relics of the victims of the Genocide have found their rest,
and as I stand next to the mausoleum of Catholicos Sahak of Cilicia,
who had to leave his Holy See, leaving behind the land, the churches,
and monasteries to find refuge in Lebanon, I cannot but share your
anger and grief."
The Catholicos declared that the history of the Armenian Church and
people have shown that Armenians have always responded to the
challenges at decisive moments of their lives through a collective Yes
or No. "This collective expression of Yes or No has always reflected
the faith, vision and hope of the nation. The Church is the community
of the faithful. It believes in people’s collective power and listens
to their just demands as an expression of their collective
will. Churches, governments and all human institutions are sustained
by the people. The power of institutions is transient, but the power
of the people is permanent…. Is there any religion, any moral
authority that will deny justice, human rights and human dignity in a
people and compensate impunity? It is out of this imperative that as
Catholicos of Cilicia I will stand up for your collective will," His
Holiness told the gathering.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, October 15, are: Isaiah 33:2-6;
Acts 17:16-34; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12; Luke 10:1-7.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is
right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of
everyone of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves
boast of you among the churches of God for your steadfastness and
faith during all your persecutions and the afflictions that you are
enduring.
There is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, and is intended to
make you worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also
suffering. For it is indeed just of God to repay with affliction those
who afflict you, and to give relief to the afflicted as well as to us,
when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in
flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on
those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will suffer
the punishment of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of
the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes to be
glorified by his saints and to be marveled at on that day among all
who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you
worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve
and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified
in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord
Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:1-12)
For listing of this week’s Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/dbr2009-10.pdf
).
THE HOLY EVANGELISTS
This Saturday, October 17, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy
Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the authors of the four
Gospels.
Matthew is the patron of the Church’s mission. The Gospel attributed
to him closes with the command by Jesus to His disciples and
followers, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and
teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And
remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew
28:19-20).
Mark had significant influence on the advancement of
Christianity. Although the Gospel according to Mark is a narrative of
the life of Jesus, theologians consider it to be a handbook of
discipleship. The dominant message is that being a Christian is not
only believing in Jesus
Christ, it is also living according to the example set by
Jesus. According to tradition, Mark was the first bishop of
Alexandria. One of the most
magnificent cathedrals in the world is named after him in Venice,
where his relics are kept.
Luke is the author of the third Gospel and the Book of Acts. He is
considered to be the patron of physicians and artists. The
Gospel according to Luke is greatly concerned with Jesus as "the
healer of a broken world." Luke is also noted for his concern for the
poor, the
marginalized, women, and social outcasts. His Gospel does not end with
the Resurrection, but rather continues to Pentecost and the eternal
presence
of Christ in the world. According to tradition, he was one of the
Seventy and was the unnamed disciple of Emmaus.
John, often called the "Beloved Disciple," is the author of the fourth
Gospel and the book of Revelation. He was one of the twelve
disciples who remained with Christ, standing in front of the cross.
Jesus entrusted his mother to John’s care on the day of the
Crucifixion.
The best known verse in his Gospel is, "For God so loved the world
that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have
eternal life." (John 3:16). According to tradition, John left
Jerusalem after attending the first council and went to Asia Minor and
settled in
Ephesus. He was exiled to the island of Patmos where he wrote the Book
of Revelation.
SIX SAINTS COMMEMORATED ON MONDAY
This Monday, October 19, the Armenian Church commemorates the
following saints:
Saint Longinus: Longinus was the centurion who pierced the side of
Jesus with a lance during the Crucifixion. He later converted
to Christianity and was baptized by the apostles. He was martyred in
Cappadocia in the first century.
Saint Joseph the Father of God: Joseph was a descendant of the house
of David, and was the earthly father of Jesus Christ. He died
of natural causes before the Crucifixion.
Saint Joseph of Arimathea: Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy Israelite
who Luke describes as "a good and just man." He became a
"secret" disciple of Jesus after hearing His preaching in
Judea. However, after the Crucifixion he became courageous in his
faith and he was the one
who went to Pilate to claim Jesus’ body to place in a tomb.
Saint Lazarus: Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha were beloved
friends of Jesus. Jesus visited their home in Bethany often.
At Martha’s request, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. The story of
the raising of Lazarus is related in the Gospel of John, Chapter 11,
Verses 1
to 46. It is here that Jesus told Martha, "Everyone who lives and
believes in me shall never die." (John 11:26).
Saints Mary and Martha: Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, are
among the most famous women in the Bible. As noted above, it
was to Martha that Christ first made his declaration of eternal life
and Mary had the distinction of anointing Jesus prior to the
Crucifixion.
ON LINE COURSE IN ARMENIAN
The Prelacy is making available an on-line course in modern Western
Armenian. The course was developed by Dr. Thomas J. Samuelian with
partial
funding from the Prelacy. It is accessible through the Prelacy’s web
page. Anyone wanting to learn Armenian can have access to it.
Also available are Dr. Samuelian’s pioneering text books: A Course in
Modern Western Armenian, (which comes with its companion book,
Dictionary and Linguistic Notes); and his popular ArmenianDictionary
in Transliteration. The books are available at the
Prelacy Bookstore.
To access the on-line course go to the Prelacy’s web page
( (
4882/goto:
))
or click here (
4882/goto: ogin/index.php
).
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 15-18–Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Food Festival
and Bazaar.
October 16-17–Annual Fall Fair Bazaar, St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall, 10 am to 8 pm.
October 17–National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) annual
conference at the Prelacy offices in New York City.
October 18–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Intercommunal Cultural
Celebration at Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, PA.
October 18–St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, presents
cultural program, book fair and refreshments in celebration of the
Holy
Translators and the Armenian Language, immediately after church
services. Admission $5.00. For information 212-689-5880.
October 25–The Armenian School of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack
Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, will present "Hello
Ellis Island," performed by The Way We Were ensemble, directed by
Hourig Papazian Sahagian. Adults $30/Students $10.00, including
lunch. For
information/tickets: 978-256-2538 or 978-685-3566.
October 25–St. Sarkis Church Cultural Committee (Douglaston, New
York) presents "Holistic Approaches to Well-Being," lecture
and workshop with Mr. Edward Boladian, 1 pm at the church hall, 38-65
234th St., Douglaston, New York. For information 718-224-2275.
November 1–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Sunday School Halloween
Party.
November 6–"On the Road," by Levon Shant, presented The Theater Group
of Hamazkayin, New York, directed by Dr. Herand Markarian.
Sponsored by the Armenian Relief Society Mayr Chapter, this
performance is a benefit for St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School.
Performance begins
at 8:35 pm at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Ave., Woodside, New
York. For tickets ($25) contact Sonia at 718-961-9550 or Alice at
516-676-6167.
November 6-7–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Food Festival.
November 6-7–St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 53rd
annual bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at the ACEC, 47 Nichols Avenue,
Watertown. Delicious lamb, losh and chicken kebab, kheyma, kufta and
yalanchi. Meals served from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm. Armenian pastries,
gourmet
foods, arts & crafts, auction, raffles, and more.
November 7–Christmas Holiday Craft Fair, St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall, 10 am to 4 pm.
November 7 & 8–Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
largest Armenian Fest in New England. Saturday from 12 noon
to 10 pm. Sunday 12 noon to 8 pm. Rhodes-on-the-Pawtucket, 60 Rhodes
Place (off Broad Street), Cranston, Rhode Island. Kebobs and kufta
dinners,
pastry, raffles and more. Performance by the Armenian school dance
group. Live Armenian music * dancing. For information, 401-831-6399.
November 14–Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 45th anniversary
celebration.
November 15–39th anniversary of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, presided by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar
General.
November 20-21–Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, Fall Fest 2009, Friday, November 20, 5 pm to 8 pm;
Saturday, November 21, 10 am to 5 pm. Armenian delicacies and
dinners. For information 508-852-2414.
November 20, 21, 22–Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey)
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. Saturday night dancing
with "Onnik Dinkjian"; Sunday traditional kavourma dinner.
December 5–Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
annual bazaar. Come one, come all.
December 5–Saint Gregory (North Andover, Massachusetts) Ladies Guild
Christmas Luncheon and Yankee Swap at the Phoenician at
Michael’s Function Hall, Route 110 in Haverhill.
December 20–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Sunday School
Christmas Pageant.
December 31–St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Seroonian Community
Center New Year’s Eve celebration.
December 31–Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), New
Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance. Details to follow.
Web pages of the parishes can be
accessed through the Prelacy’s 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])