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 2, 2015
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem
(Kovya Yeroosaghem Uzder)
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Christ is risen from the dead, alleluia!
To Him who is risen from the dead, alleluia!
To him that enlightened the world, alleluia!
Read the Prelate’s Easter Message, `Resurrected Life’ in Armenian
() or English
().
CENTENNIAL COMMEMORATIONS
Centennial commemorations of the Armenian Genocide are taking place
throughout the world. The national observance in the United States
includes special events that will take place over a three-day period
(May 7, 8, 9) in Washington, DC, that includes an ecumenical prayer
service, a Pontifical Divine Liturgy, a memorial concert, and an
awards banquet honoring those who helped the survivors. The
Catholicoi, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will be
present to preside over the events.
For Listing of Events in Washington, DC and New York City click here
()
For more information about the national observances in Washington go
to
()
PONTIFICAL VISIT
May 10-June 4, 2015
The Pontifical Visit National Steering Committee under the presidency
of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan and chairmanship of Jack Mardoian,
Esq., has
been meeting regularly since last year to plan every detail of the
visit of His Holiness Aram I to the Eastern Prelacy. The pontifical
visit will begin on Sunday, May 10, with the conclusion of the
three-day 100th anniversary commemorations in Washington. His Holiness
will visit parishes in the Eastern Prelacy where he will be warmly
greeted by the faithful of all ages. He will connect with young adults
at seminars in New York (May 16) and Boston (May 30), and he will
visit with the youthful members of the AYF Juniors at their annual
weekend seminar on May 24 at Camp Lutherlyn in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Watch this space for weekly updates. Information about the pontifical
visit is also available on the Prelacy’s web page. To go there now
click here ().
NEW JERSEY HOSTS REGIONAL CONFERENCE
The Prelacy’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference convened last Saturday,
March 28, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey. The conference was attended by clergy, members of the boards
of trustees, and
delegates to the National Representative Assembly, as well as members
of the Prelacy’s Religious and Executive Councils.
Archbishop Oshagan addresses the participants in the Mid-Atlantic
Conference.
Archbishop Oshagan and Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian with the participants.
DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM FOR YOUTH 13-18
The 29th annual summer program for youth ages 13-18 is scheduled to be
held at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania,
from June
28-July 5, 2015. Sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), the summer program offers a unique weeklong
Christian educational program for youth. It aims to instill and
nurture the
Armenian Christian faith and identity in our youth through a variety
of educational activities, coupled with daily church services and
communal recreational activities. For information and registration,
please visit the Prelacy’s website at armenianprelacy.org/arec/datev
or contact the AREC
office at 212-689-7810 or [email protected].
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, April 5, Easter Sunday are: Acts 1:15-26;
Mark 16:2-8
Evening Gospels: Luke 24:13-36; John 20:1-18; John 5:24-30; John
19:31-37;
John 20:19-25
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd
numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, `Friends, the
scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David
foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested
Jesus-for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this
ministry.’ (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his
wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all
his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of
Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama,
that is, Field of Blood.) For it is written in the book of Psalms,
`Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in
it’; and `Let another take his position of overseers.’ So one of the
men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus
went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the
day when he was taken up from us=80’one of these must become a witness
with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called
Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they
prayed and said, `Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one
of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and
apostleship from which Judas turned aside
to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell
on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:15-26)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().
MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
In the Armenian tradition, the day following each of the five major
feast days, is Memorial Day, or Remembrance of the
Dead. Traditionally, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated on this day, and
afterwards the faithful visit the graves of their loved ones that are
blessed by the priest with chants and incense.
FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION TO THE VIRGIN MARY
This Tuesday, April 7, is the Feast of the Annunciation to the Virgin
Mary. This feast day is always commemorated on April 7, nine months
before the birth of Christ. The Feast celebrates the announcement made
by the archangel Gabriel to Mary that she would bear the Son of God,
as foretold by the Prophet Isaiah (7:1) and as related in the Gospel
of Luke (chapter 1).
Rejoice Mary, holy Mother of God, for the Lord has come suddenly into
your
purified temple; we bless and magnify you. Rejoice closed door through
whom no one has passed except the Lord God of Israel; we bless and
magnify you. Rejoice sealed fountain of the living water giving to you
thirsting nature as drink; we bless and magnify you.
(Canon for the Annunciation to the Holy Mother of God from the
Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)
WITH OUR PARISHES AND COMMUNITY
St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown
Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the
sermon on Palm Sunday at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown,
Massachusetts.
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield
Bishop Anoushavan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the
sermon on Palm Sunday at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New
Jersey.
All Saints Church, Glenview
Archpriest Fr. Zareh Sahakian, pastor of All Saints Church in
Glenview, Illinois, with altar servers and members of the Angels
Choir.
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston
Bishop Anoushavan presided at the Remembrance of the ten virgins
service at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
Hovnanian School, New Milford
Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, and Rev. Fr. Hovnan with the
upper grade students at the Hovnanian School in New Milford, New
Jersey, and administrators and faculty.
The children perform for their guests.
Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Emerson
Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, and Rev. Fr. Hovnan conduct a
prayer service for the residents of the Armenian Nursing and
Rehabilitation Center in Emerson, New Jersey.
The clergymen with Andrew Torigian, chairman of the Board, and Matthew
Russo (right), administrator of the Emerson Home.
THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
A Very Public Word
The Armenian word enthanoor (Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80) has quite a
ubiquitous meaning. It is an adjective that usually
means `general,’ as it appears in the name of various Armenian
organizations. For instance, such is the case of the Armenian General
Athletic Union (Hay Marmnagrtagan Enthanoor Miootioon, Õ=80Õ¡Õµ
Õ=84Õ¡Ö=80Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Ö=80Õ©Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Ô¸Õ¶Õ¤Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80
Õ=84Õ«Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶), usually known by its acronym Õ=80Õ=84Ô¸Õ=84
(Homenetmen).
Now, we know that the English word general comes from the Latin
generalis,
meaning `relating to all, of a whole class, generic’ (from
genus `stock, kind’). The Armenian word enthanoor has a meaning quite
close to Latin generalis, and it comes from Classical Armenian or
krapar (Yeznik Koghbatsi used it in his Refutation of the
Sects). Every Sunday, the faithful join to recite the Credo of the
Armenian Apostolic Church, written in Classical Armenian, where it is
said: `We also believe in only one, universal, and apostolic holy
Church.’ Here, the word for `universal’ is enthanragan
(Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶).
Now, the word enthanoor is actually a compound of an adverb and an
adjective: ent + hanoor (Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤ + Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80), where ent means
`together, under’ and hanoor (`all, every’). Literally, it would mean
`altogether.’
Ent is an adverb that did not enter modern usage, but hanoor has been
used
at times, and one can find it here and there, for instance in the
expression hanoor martgootioone (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80
Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¤Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶Õ¨ `the entire humankind’).
Hanoor, composed by the prefix han, more commonly used as ham
(Õ°Õ¡Õ´), which means `all,’ and the familiar adverb oor (Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80
`where’), is particularly interesting for its many derivations. For
instance, the same as the English public (from
the Latin publicus, meaning `of the people; general’), the
Armenian language created the noun hanrootioon
(Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ `public’) and the adjective hanrayin
(Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶ `public’). Consequently, republic (from Latin res
publica `public affair, the state’) became hanrabedootioon
(Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡ÕºÕ¥Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶, which literally means `the state
of all’).
Another example is omnibus, from the same Latin word that means `for
all.’ The English word came from the French voiture omnibus
(=80=9Ccarriage for all’), which was probably the inspiration for the
Armenian version: hanragark (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¼Ö=84 `carriage, vehicle
for all’).
In the end, here are a few more usual terms that come from the very
prolific hanoor, despite being a word that has fallen from usage in
colloquial language:
Hanrakidaran (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ£Õ«Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ¶ `encyclopedia’)
Hanrahashiv (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ°Õ¡Õ·Õ«Ö=82
`algebra’)
Hanrakve (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Ö=84Õ¸Ö=82Õ§ `referendum’)
Hanrakoomar (Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Ö=80Õ¡Õ£Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¡Ö=80 `grand total’)
Previous entries in `The Armenian Language Corner’ are on the
Prelacy’s web site ()
SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance.
Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your
pocketbooks.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY
IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.
THE NEED IS REAL.
THE NEED IS GREAT.
DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON
LINE. TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE
() AND SELECT SYRIAN
ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU. OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR
DONATION TO:
Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief
Thank you for your help
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
Birth of Ara Sarkisian (April 4, 1902)
One of the familiar views around the Opera of Yerevan is that of the
statues of Hovhannes Tumanian and Alexander Spentiarian. Those two
works were co-authored by Ghazar Chubarian and Ara Sarkisian in 1957.
Sculptor Ara Sarkisian was born in Makriköy (now Bakirköy), in the
outskirts of Constantinople, on April 4, 1902. He studied in the local
Dadian School. His family moved to the suburb of Pera (Beyoglu) in
1914 and he continued his studies in the Essayan School. His uncle
Sarkis Sarkisian was a well-known architect, and advised his nephew to
deepen his knowledge of art.
The sculptor at work in his studio.
During the war years, Sarkisian abandoned his studies and pursued
menial jobs to make ends meet. Afterwards, he studied in the School of
Fine Arts of
Constantinople from 1919-1921, where he produced original busts, as
well as compositions of tragic subjects inspired by the Armenian
massacres and the war.
He finished the four-year program in two years and continued his
studies at the Academy of Fine Arts of Vienna (1921-1924), where he
participated in local exhibitions.
However, it remained secret for decades that Sarkisian had been an
assistant to Arshavir Shiragian both in his operations in Rome
(December 1921) and
Berlin (April 1922). He had helped chase the targets with his
excellent command of Turkish and his photographic memory.
After graduation, he took Soviet citizenship and arrived in Yerevan on
April 26, 1925, where he spent the rest of his life. He set the
grounds of Armenian professional sculpture and he specialized in bust
sculptures, creating works inspired by Armenian writers, scholars,
artists, and historical figures. One of his most important works, the
statue `Mesrob Mashdots and Sahak Bartev’ (1943) is placed near the
main building of Yerevan State University.
Sarkisian’s statue of Hovhannes Tumanian located in Freedom Square,
adjacent to the Yerevan Opera.
Sarkisian opened the section of sculpture at the technical school of
art and production of Yerevan where he taught from 1925-1930. At the
same time, he organized the Armenian branch of the Society of Painters
of Revolutionary Russia and became its president. He tried to bring
together the Armenian painters in the early 1930s and succeeded in the
foundation of the Painters
Union of Armenia in 1932, together with Gabriel Gurjian and Mikayel
Arutchian. He became the first secretary of the Union until 1937 and
was instrumental in the foundation of the Art Institute (now Academy
of Fine Arts) of Yerevan in 1945, which he directed until 1959. Later,
he became chair holder
and head of the art studio at the Institute.
In 1959 Ara Sarkisian left for Brussels to participate in `Expo-59′
with his works. There, by chance he met his brother Patrick, whose
existence he had hidden from the Soviet authorities for almost four
decades. His brother worked for USAID and was a leader of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation in Athens. These two facts did not go
unnoticed by the KGB. Sarkisian returned to Yerevan and was forced to
resign as director of the
Art Institute.
A memorial monument to the sculptor in Yerevan created in his style.
He remained under surveillance for the rest of his life. The memoirs
of the participants in the Nemesis Operation started to appear in the
1960s, such as Shiragian’s memoirs, but Sarkisian’s name was never
mentioned, except as A.S. when needed. However, apparently a newspaper
in Beirut mentioned his complete name and this did not escape the
attention of the secret police.
In 1969 Sarkisian suffered a fracture in a leg and was admitted in the
hospital, where he was writing his memoirs. He also wrote his
will. The Nemesis Operation and any activity related to the A.R.F.,
together with the existence of a former member of the party, now a
prominent Soviet artist, were problematic issues for the Soviet
intelligence. It appears that this was enough reason to make both the
memoirs and author disappear.
The sculptor left the hospital, totally cured. The same day, he had a
violent fever and died two days later, on June 6, 1969. His death is
still surrounded with mystery.
A museum dedicated to the works of Ara Sarkisian and Hakob Kojoyan was
opened in 1993, located on Pushkin Street in Yerevan, near the church
of Surp Zoravor. The museum was last renovated in 1980. Recently, the
Armenian Students Association raised funds to help catalogue and
digitize the important documents and manuscripts housed there, which
are in poor condition. The project is being carried out by the
Johannissyan Institute, a newly formed research institute in Yerevan.
Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History’ are on
the Prelacy’s web site ()
()
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST WITH FR. NAREG TERTERIAN
(Pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York)
This week’s podcast: Holy Week Special. Click the image above to
listen.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 1-30-Photography exhibit by Tom Vartabedian commemorating the
Centennial at Haverhill Public Library, 99 Main Street, showing images
of
the country and its people, including scenes of the eternal flame at
Tzizernagapert. The exhibit is next to the Children’s Room in the
upstairs gallery.
April 7-`The Centenary of the Armenian Genocide: What have
we learned?’ lecture by Dr. Richard Hovannisian, sponsored by
Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Kean University, Union, New Jersey,
Kean Hall at 7 pm. Admission is free.
April 11-Concert by the Armenian Society Areni Choir, conducted by
Armine Vardanyan, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, 6 pm, at The Queens Theater in the Park, 14 United Nations
Avenue South, Flushing Meadows Park, Corona. Also featuring renowned
guest singers and musicians, as well as the Antranig Dance
Ensemble. For tickets ($40 and $50): 732-982-7364.
April 12-`A Tribute to Survival,’ concert, sponsored by the Armenian
Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of Rhode Island, featuring The Armenian
Chorale of Rhode Island, directed by Maestro Konstantin
Petrossian, accompanied by Mari Panosian and symphony orchestra. Guest
artists: Gohar Manjelikian, Joanne Mouradjian, Kate Norigian, Debra
Takian Pjojian, Elizabeth Souin, Vagharshag Ohanian. Musical
instrumental selections by David Ayriyan on Kemancha and David
Gevorkian on Duduk. The Sayat Nova Dance Company of Boston, directed
by Apo Ashjian will perform. Park Theatre,
848 Park Avenue, Cranston, Rhode Island, at 3 pm. Free admission and
parking. Valet parking available. For information:
April 21-The Armenian Poetry Project Presents, `Commemorating the
Centenary of the Armenian Genocide: A Reading in Remembrance,’ Holy
Cross Church, 580 West 187th Street, New York City, 7 pm. For
information: Lola Koundakjian, [email protected].
April 23-Canonization of the Armenian Martyrs of 1915 in Holy
Etchmiadzin, Armenia.
April 24-Centennial Memorial Dinner, sponsored by Providence ARF,
hosted by the Armenian Cultural Association of America, Inc., Omni
Providence Hotel, One West Exchange Street, Providence, Rhode
Island. Cocktails 6 pm; dinner 7 pm. Emcee: Honorable Scott Avedisian,
Mayor of Warwick; guest speaker, Marian Mesrobian MacCurdy, author of
`Sacred Justice: The Voices and Legacy of the Armenian Operation
Nemesis.’ $50 per person. Reserve by email: [email protected] or
by phone: Raffi Rachdouni 401-226-2305; Paula Burke 401-282-0459.
April 25-Connecticut Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day at the
Connecticut State Capitol at 11 am. Keynote speaker: Noted author
Chris Bohjalian.
April 25-Armenian Genocide Centennial commemoration sponsored by the
Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley (Massachusetts), 10 am
at Lowell City Hall, following a procession from John Street, led by
the Armenian American Veterans. Participants are asked to gather at
9:30 am. Luncheon buffet to follow with the showing of a film.
April 26-Centennial commemoration of Genocide. Joint united Divine
Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral, New York City. Celebrant, Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian; homilist, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. To be
followed by Times Square gathering `100 Years to Remember.’
April 27-`Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide,’ by Drew University Center for Holocaust/Genocide Study in
Madison, New Jersey at 7 pm. Testimony of Andranik Vartanian
(1900-2007), presented by his daughter Susan Vartanian Barba; `Undoing
Denial: The Armenian Genocide and Art’ presented by Neery
E. Melkonian;
Concert by the Armenian folk group, Zulal, an a cappella trio will
present
Armenian village folk melodies. Free and open to the public. RSVP
encouraged: (973) 408-3600 or [email protected].
May 7, 8, 9-National Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration in
Washington, DC, organized under the patronage of the Diocese and the
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Presided by His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of
Cilicia. May 7, Ecumenical
Service at the National Cathedral, 7 pm; May 8, A Journey Through
Armenian
Music at the Music Center at Strathmore, 7:30 pm; May 8 & 9, Exhibits,
Films, and Events at various venues; May 9, Divine Liturgy at the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 10 am;
May 9, A Time to Give Thanks, banquet, 5:30 pm, Marriott Marquis.
May 10 to June 4-Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I to the
Eastern Prelacy.
May 12-`Anatolia, Land of Armenians Until the 1915 Armenian Genocide,’
presentation by Margaret Tellalian-Kyrkostas, executive director of
the Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian
Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery at Queens College, 7 pm
in the Lapham Meeting Room at the Port Washington Public Library.
June 3-6-National Representative Assembly hosted by St. Stephen’s
Church, Watertown, Massachusetts.
June 18-Annual Cigar Night and Dinner, Men’s Club of St. Gregory
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. Drawing of
Super Raffle of 2015 Mercedes Benz-CLA 250 will take place. Raffle
tickets
can be purchased online (saintgregory.org/organizations/mens-club).
June 28-July 5-29th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer
Program for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, please
visit the Prelacy’s website at armenianprelacy.org/arec/datev or
contact the AREC office at 212-689-7810 or [email protected].
July 18-Blessing of the Holy Muron (Oil) by His Holiness Aram I, at
the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias,
Lebanon. For
details click here.
October 5-9-Clergy gathering of Eastern, Western, and Canadian
Prelacies.
November 15-90th Anniversary Banquet, St. Stephen’s Church, 167
Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Watch for details.
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] 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]