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
September 21, 2006
CATHOLICOS ARAM I ADDRESS ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, called for
a strong Armenian nation and a strong Armenia in an address to a large
number of Armenians from all parts of the world during the opening session
of the third Armenia-Diaspora Conference in Yerevan which took place
September 18 to 20. One day prior to the opening of the conference President
Robert Kocharian received His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia, for an exchange
of ideas about Diaspora-Armenia relations.
Catholicos Aram’s speech to the conference, which was received
enthusiastically, highlighted the important role of the conference in the
life of the Armenian nation, church and motherland. He considered this
conference to be a more conscious approach towards collective belonging and
one dictated by the Armenian nation’s collective history.
He elaborated on four major points and then talked about a number of
important national issues that should be discussed on a Pan-Armenian level
with a clear separation in the roles of the Armenian government and the
Diaspora. In this context he particularly mentioned the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, the Nagorno Karabagh conflict, the situation in Javakh,
and the issues of dictation and dual nationality. He stated that collective
discussion on these issues strengthens and channels Pan-Armenian issues.
"The cooperation between Armenia and the Diaspora should not be
conditioned by financial standards only and should not be limited to narrow
economic boundaries. In other words, the Diaspora should not be satisfied
with financing projects in Armenia; it has much more to give to Armenia with
its manpower and experience. Armenia in its turn should not only organize
Pan-Armenian conferences, it also has a lot to offer to the Diaspora
particularly in the fields of culture and Armenology. Our church and
intellectuals have an important role to play in this respect," said the
Catholicos.
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan attended the conference as part of the
official delegation representing the Holy See of Cilicia. Archbishop Oshagan
is expected to return to New York next week.
NEW OFFICES OF ST. NERSES THE GREAT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
IS DEDICATED TO ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
Tuesday evening, September 19, the new Yerevan offices of the Prelacy’s
St. Nerses the Great Charitable and Social Organization were dedicated by
Archbishop Oshagan. The office was named in honor of the late Archbishop
Mesrob Ashjian, who as Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, first organized the
St. Nerses organization and its program of social work in Armenia and
Artsakh. The offices are now known as "The Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian
Center." Details and photos next week.
EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION OF BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN
WILL BE CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 1
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the celebration in honor of the
recent Episcopal consecration of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian. A
community-wide banquet will take place on Sunday, October 1 at 3 pm at the
Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, New York. In the morning, Bishop
Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, a parish he served for more than a decade. Bishop
Anoushavan’s elevation and consecration took place on June 4, in ceremonies
officiated by Catholicos Aram I in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the
Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon.
For more information about the October 1st event click
NEW SERIES OF BIBLE STUDY AT PRELACY
An eight-session course on the "Letter to the Hebrews" will start on
Monday, October 2, at the Prelacy from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, and will continue
on the first and third Mondays of the month. Sponsored by the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC), the course will be conducted by Dn.
Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC.
The Letter to the Hebrews is a profound homily, a "word of exhortation"
(Hebrews 13:22). One of the main themes of the Letter is that the old
covenant has been superseded through the sacrificial death of Christ. And
for that reason, studying the Letter to the Hebrews gives a solid biblical
understanding of the "Soorp Badarak" (Holy Sacrifice) that we celebrate on
Sundays.
Registration is required (suggested donation: $25). For registration and
information, please call 212-689-7810 or e-mail at [email protected].
CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
WILL CELEBRATE THE "COLORS OF FALL"
With the extraordinary success of the Prelacy’s Children’s Concert two
years ago, another concert for children will take place on Saturday
afternoon, November 18, at Florence Gould Hall, at the Alliance Francaise in
New York City, featuring the talented and popular TALINE AND FRIENDS, from
California.
The theme of the concert will be "Fall Colors" (Ashnan Kouyner). Tickets are
$20 each and can be purchased by contacting the Prelacy office,
212-689-7810, Ext. 26.
MIDWEST DATEV PROGRAM NOVEMBER 10-12
The popular summer Datev program goes on the road again with a weekend
program scheduled in the Midwest, November 10 to 12, at the Colombiere
Retreat and Conference Center, Clarkston, Michigan.
The program will include interactive presentations and instructions on
faith-related topics, discussions of religious and current issues, Bible
studies, short worship services, fellowship and recreational activities.
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian and Deacon Shant Kazanjian will be the
instructors and facilitators.
For information and registration click
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PAREGENTAN OF THE HOLY CROSS OF VARAG
This Sunday is the Paregentan of the Fast of the Holy Cross of Varag.
Monday to Friday are fasting days leading up to next Sunday when the Feast
of the Holy Cross of Varag will be celebrated.
VICAR GENERAL WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY
This Sunday, September 24, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian will visit the
Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey. The New Jersey parish
recently welcomed its new pastor and his family, Rev. Fr. and Yeretzgeen
Hovnan Bozoian.
AREC DIRECTOR WILL TRAVEL TO PHILLY
Deacon Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC) will travel to his home parish of St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church in Philadelphia where he will lead a Sunday school teachers’
seminar/retreat focusing on "Nurturing Faith."
TODAY IS ARMENIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
Today, September 21, we celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Republic of
Armenia.
"Stretch forth your generous hands of mercy and bless our entire Armenian
nation and Armenian church in order that the spirit of love, peace, wisdom
and devotion rest upon them and remain there forever." (from Prayer of
Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia, by Archbishop Torkom Koushagian,
1920).
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION
One hundred forty-four years ago, on September 22, 1862, President
Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation which would go into
effect on January 1, 1863, abolishing slavery in the United States.
"That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State
or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion
against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free;
and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military
and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such
persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them,
in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom."
AUTUMN BEGINS SATURDAY
The official beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere begins on
Saturday, September 23, at 12:03 a.m., eastern daylight time, with the fall
equinox, when day and night are approximately the same length. Henceforth,
our daylight hours will become increasingly shorter until the winter
solstice in December.
No spring, nor summer beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one autumnal face.
"Elegy IX: The Autumnal," by John Donne (1572-1631)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 22-Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack
Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, 6 pm at Jaffarian Hall.
September 22-23-Retreat, "Nurturing Faith," for Sunday School teachers and
staff of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 25-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 3rd Annual Golf Outing and Award Dinner at Raceway Golf
Course, Thompson, Connecticut. Registration 7:30 a.m. For information
508-872-9629 or church office 508-852-2414.
September 25-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Third Annual Golf Outing. For information, 215-482-9200.
September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.
October 1-Banquet honoring Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian on the occasion of
his recent elevation, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York, 3
pm. Details will follow.
October 2-New eight-session Bible study on the "Letter to the Hebrews"
begins at the Prelacy, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, first and third Mondays of the
month, sponsored by AREC. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian. For information:
212-689-7810.
October 8-81st anniversary celebration of St. Stephen Church, New Britain,
Connecticut.
October 19-22-Annual bazaar, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland.
October 22-Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.
November 3-4- Ladies Guild Food Festival, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
November 3, 4, 5-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 5-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
November 5-36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.
November 10-12-Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere
Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan.
November 11-42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in
the church hall.
November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual "Armenian Fest" at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.
November 17 & 18-Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts.
November 18-Children’s Concert, "FALL COLORS", sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring
TALINE AND FRIENDS. Details will follow.
November 26-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
First Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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