Author: Jilavian Emma

DVDS OF IAN GILAN’S YEREVAN CONCERT WILL BE ISSUED

Aysor
May 11 2010
Armenia

In September 2010 starts the international sale of the DVD of the
joint concert of Yan Gilan and the Armenian Symphonic orchestra.

As Mediamax agency informs Drew Thompson, the head of the Thompson
Music Company said about it. During the last 12 years he is the
producer of the CDs and DVDs of Deep Purple and Ian Gilan during the
last 12 years.

One part of the profit received from the sale of the DVDs will be
directed to the resumption of Gyumri’s musical school number 6.

"The material is perfect. The group of the Armenian Public TV has
done its work perfectly. The audio-material is also perfect. All the
members of the team were impressed by the work of the orchestra. It was
vivid that they were playing with great pleasure. As I was present in
Yerevan I can surely say that that evening was attractive for all of
us. I am working for Yan Gilan for already 12 years but this project
is special for me, as it is demonstrates its wonderful relations
with the audience. I think Yan was really impressed by the reception
of the Armenian audience, and it is obvious also in the material. I
think that issuing this DVD will become a nice event for the fans of
Yan Gillan and the Deep Purple," Drew Thompson said.

In two weeks Yan Gilan will visit Armenia again. On May 25 in the
music hall complex after Karen Demirchyan will take place the concert
of Deep Purple, which will become the first performance of the group
in the South Caucasus.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HAYASTAN ALL-ARMENIAN FUND VISITS TAVUSH

Aysor
May 10 2010
Armenia

On May 11, Ara Vardanyan, Acting Executive Director of the Hayastan
All-Armenian Fund will pay a working visit to Tavush region to learn
about the works being held in the current year, informed the public
relations department of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund.

In the frameworks of the visit of the delegation he will visit
the hospital of Noyemberyan city that is being reconstructed, will
participate in the official opening ceremony of Azatamut village’s
dairy center and the water-pipe of Aknaghbyur village.

In the region the Mayors of Tavush A. Ghularyan, Archbishop of
Gugarats diocese Sepuh Chuljyan, Sasun Zmrukhtyan and others will
receive the delegation.

AzerNews Weekly, Azerbaijan
May 5 2010

Geneva opens bids for `genocide’ monument project: report

08-05-2010 05:43:41

The authorities of Geneva have announced a tender for the
construction of a monument to the victims of the alleged World War
I-era genocide of Armenians in Ottoman Turkey. Along with ethnic
Armenians living in Switzerland, six sculptors will be involved in the
tender, in which 100,000 francs (about $90,000) will be awarded,
Turkey’s Dogan news agency reported.

The proposed landmark locations for the planned monument are
Chantepoulet square, Le Pradier square and `L’esplanade
Theodore-de-Bizet.

Switzerland’s Armenian community has pledged to provide about $360,000
for the project.

The Geneva administration recognized the alleged genocide in June 1998
but did not announce its decision owing to the efforts of Turkey and
the Turkish diaspora. Further, in 2001, the city’s new authorities
both endorsed the decision and made it public.
According to historians, from 1915 to 1923, Armenians had begun an
uprising. They had taken up arms against Turkey and assisted Russia,
one of Turkey’s enemies in WWI. To counter these actions, the Ottoman
Empire decided to resettle the Armenians. However, the latter claim
that their predecessors were subjected to genocide in the process,
while Ankara rejects the allegations and has offered to research the
events through a joint commission of historians.*

PRESIDENT SARGSYAN TO VISIT MOSCOW MAY 8-9

armradio.am
07.05.2010 14:52

At the invitation of the President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev,
President Serzh Sargsyan will leave pay a working visit to Moscow May
8-9 to participate in the events dedicated to the 65th anniversary
of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

President Sargsyan will participate in the non-official meetings of the
Heads of State of the Collective Security Treaty Organization and the
Commonwealth of Independent Sates, President’s Press Office reported.

CRUSADERS OF SHUSHI

Lragir.am
07/05/10

In the evening of May 7, 1992 Armenian troops moved towards Shushi.

Director Tigran Khzmalyan recalls a filmed episode: "I still shiver.

Military uniforms of the Armenians and Azeris were identical, and
our, in order to differ – made crosses with bandages or anything
else on their backs: it was easy. When the order "to go" sounded,
the soldiers formed up in a row: imagine 400 people in the twilight,
with crosses on their backs, and they go to die … It was a real
crusade. And the most fantastic was that it was accidental".

To plan the operation in Shushi, the Karabakh forces started
immediately after Khojalu. On April 28, the main directions of the
attack were set. The attack was to take place on May 4, but because of
sudden snow it was delayed for a couple of days. On May 7, Karabakh
forces started the attack in 4 directions. The operation was headed
by the commander of Karabakhi military forces Arkadi Ter-Ghukasyan.

The place of arms was near the village of Shosh from where the eastern
attack started headed by the first commander of self-defense forces of
Karabakh Arkadi Karapetyan. The northern direction (Stepanakert-Shushi)
was headed by Valeri Chitchyan, northwestern (Dzhangasan-Kesalar)
– Seyran Ohanyan. Yuri Hovhannisyan directed the 26 reserve teams
(near the village of Krkzhan, near Stepanakert). The commander of
the South direction or the direction of Lachin was Samvel Babayan.

Babayan affirms, "On May 8, the Azeri started leaving the city of
Shushi in the morning of May 9. No resistance was shown, no fight
happened. Hostages became those people who were hiding not knowing
what was happening".

Every year, on May 9, Armenians celebrate the liberation of Shushi.

Celebrations start at the memorial complex in Stepanakert, then a stop
near the tank-monument on the road taking to the city of Shushi. In
2000, the British journalist Thomas de Waal also participated in
these celebrations.

Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev fought in the 90 years in Karabakh,
where he arrived to accomplish a jihad – holy war. His mujahideens
left Shushi among the latter ones. In July 2000, in the mountains of
Chechnya, Basayev assured an Azerbaijani journalist that Shushi was
taken only because there was no order and control in the Azeri army.

Then, in Baku, the version that the Armenians took Shushi without
fights only because of a betrayal by the Azerbaijani military command
and political power was spread. Even the Azerbaijani former Defense
Minister Ragim Gaziyev was trialed.

In the course of military actions, the Karabakh party lost 58
soldiers. None of them died in Shushi. The Armenians let the enemy
leave by Shushi-Lachin road.

Gaziyev, who was accused in the treacherous surrender of Shushi, during
the trial confirmed that in May 1992, in Shushi and in the suburbs
there were up to 2500-3000 soldiers, 3 T-72 tanks and a T-55 tank,
12 armored vehicles, three multiple rocket launchers Grad BM-21 and
6000 shells for them, three guns, four units of the system "Alazan",
30 units of anti-aircraft missile complexes "Igla and Strela-2",
twenty units of 82-mm mortar fire, 50 hand mortars more than five
million munitions.

Babayan remembers, "We took Shushi with the help of our tactics not
with force. We decided to take the enemy into a circle: when the circle
tightened the danger to be surrounded enhanced and the Azerbaijani
army and population started to panic. This is why they escaped from
Shushi. The same tactics was used during other operations too. We
tried to avoid frontal fights. Therefore we were able to avoid large
losses – the attacking side always has big losses".

PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:

May 7, 2010
___________________

AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE, DIOCESAN CLERGY DISCUSS WAYS TO ADVANCE VOCATIONS IN
THE ARMENIAN CHURCH

At the Eastern Diocese’s annual Clergy Conference, held April 26 to 29, 49
clergy gathered to discuss the Diocese’s theme of vocations and to consider
ways to encourage a new generation of young men to become priests in the
Armenian Church.

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), presided over the meeting, which was held at St. Mary
of the Lake retreat center in Mundelein, Ill., in the days prior to the
108th Diocesan Assembly in Chicago, Ill. Chairing the Clergy Conference was
the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian; the Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian served as
vice chair, with the Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, and the Rev. Fr. Hovnan
Demerjian as secretary and assistant secretary, respectively.

Following an opening prayer, the conference began with presentations by
guest clergy representatives from Holy Etchmiadzin: the Rev. Fr. Vart
Gyozalyan and the Rev. Fr. Hovhaness Kesablyan. Fr. Gyozalyan spoke about
youth programs in Armenia and outlined young people’s involvement in the
life of the church. Fr. Kesablyan spoke about ways vocations are nourished
at Holy Etchmiadzin and how young seminarians in Armenia are prepared for
the priesthood.

Clergy also received a spiritual message from His Holiness Karekin II, the
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, conveying his blessing
and best wishes to each clergyman. "Your enthusiasm, service and dedication
will be a shining example to our people, encouraging them to grow in their
commitment to God, to the Armenian Church, and to the Armenian nation,"
wrote the Catholicos. Quoting St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, he exhorted
the clergy to "love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another
in showing honor" (Rom 12:10 RSV).

In the Primate’s presentation, Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the
Diocese’s theme of "Vocations: The Call to Serve," and how clergy and lay
people needed to work together to encourage the priestly vocations in the
Eastern Diocese. He introduced the four new priests who had entered the
service of the Eastern Diocese within the last year: the Very Rev. Oshagan
Gulgulian, Rev. Fr. Paren Galstyan, Rev. Fr. Hagop Gevorgyan, Rev. Fr.
Martiros Hakobyan, and Rev. Fr. Hratch Sargsyan.

The Primate reminded the clergy that the Diocese had taken up the Vocations
theme last year, and was continuing with it for the next, in order to
address the need to identify candidates for the priesthood from within the
Eastern Diocese’s parishes. He spoke about the traditional practice-still
alive in the Middle East-of pastors being raised from their home
communities. Different circumstances in Europe and America may require a
different approach, he said; and through St. Nersess Seminary the Eastern
Diocese has been able to respond effectively to the need. But not yet at
the level needed for a growing, dynamic church.

"It’s vitally important to gain everyone’s involvement in order to identify,
encourage, support, and guide young men who feel the calling to become
priests," he said.

Emphasizing his commitment to strengthening St. Nersess Seminary, he
solicited vocations-related ideas and suggestions from the clergy, and
directed them to continue to use the Vocations resource book created by the
Diocesan Council last year.

Reflecting on the 21 priests he has ordained to serve in the Eastern
Diocese, as well as the additional 27 he ordained during a single ordination
service in Armenia last summer (most of whom will be serving in Armenia),
the Primate expressed the feeling of inspiration and fulfillment he receives
every time he confers the holy orders.

He urged pastors to continue working in partnership with the Diocesan
Department of Youth and Education, to strengthen programming and ensure that
children learn in their hearts and minds to feel at home within the church.
Relatedly, he spoke about the recent ACYOA Young Adult Leadership
Conference, and said that "the well-educated young leaders who are committed
to serving our church at the parish and Diocesan levels" need the
encouragement and trust of the clergy. He concluded by thanking the clergy
for their "brotherly spirit of love and respect for one another."

* Inspiration, Preparation, and Renewal

In a presentation titled "The Armenian Service of the Sacrament of
Ordinationas a Source of Renewal for Our Priests," the Very Rev. Fr. Nareg
Berberian spoke about ways clergy could renew their callings, with the Rev.
Fr. Mardiros Hakobyan giving his perspective on renewal as a young
clergyman.

Participants also watched a video about vocations, titled "Vocations: The
Call to Serve." The short video and accompanying guidebook were designed
and distributed by the Diocese to help parishes discuss vocations in their
communities. The resources were presented at the Clergy Conference by the
Rev. Fr. Vasken Kouzouian, in a talk titled "How We Can Inspire, Encourage,
and Guide Others to Respond to God’s Call." Pastors had an opportunity to
share how they have used the video and guidebook in their parishes during
the past months.

The Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian delivered a presentation about St. Nersess
Armenian Seminary, titled "Preparing Candidates to the Priesthood," which
related the past and present history of the seminary.

Four seminarians will graduate this year, while four others will continue
their studies at the seminary. Also this year, St. Nersess Seminary
introduced online classes, made a number of parish visits, and revived its
"mission trips" program, which allows seminarians to minister to the needs
of a given parish. The St. Nersess presentation closed with small group
discussions, where clergy spoke about ways to support the seminary.

Diocesan Council member Paul Mardoian spoke about clergy insurance and
pension plans.

Leslie Movsessian, chair of the Women’s Guild Central Council, spoke about
Women’s Guild programs, and highlighted steps pastors can take to encourage
and support the growth of local chapters.

ACYOA Central Council representatives Daniel DerAssadourian and Danny Mantis
spoke about the success of this year’s Young Adult Leadership Conference,
which was held last March. Clergy then discussed possible projects young
people can take up at the local parishes to further firm up their leadership
skills.

In "Developing New Approaches to Serving our Faithful," Dr. Rachel
Goshgarian, co-director of the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education,
spoke about the ongoing partnership between the clergy and the DYE. She
detailed the steps taken to strengthen programming based on suggestions
presented by clergy at the last annual conference and at regional
conferences. Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian Education at the
Diocese, reviewed two new initiatives underway at the parishes: the Teacher
Development Project and the Sunday School Pilot Program-the latter of which
stresses the Diocesan policy of having children take part in the Divine
Liturgy as part of their weekly Sunday School experience.

The Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin and the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian gave a
presentation on the Ararat Center and encouraged clergy to consider holding
retreats and seminars at the facility in upstate New York.

Archbishop Barsamian thanked the clergy for their continued ministry and
dedication. He also expressed his gratitude to the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun
Najarian and the Very Rev. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian, who this year were
appointed by His Holiness Karekin II to take up new leadership roles in
Central Europe and England, respectively.

On the final evening of the Clergy Conference, the host parish held a dinner
for the visiting clergymen, where a warm atmosphere prevailed.

The conference schedule was framed by daily morning and evening worship. On
Thursday, April 29, clergy gathered at St. James Church of Evanston,
Ill.-the host parish of this year’s Diocesan Assembly-for the celebration of
the Divine Liturgy. The celebrant was the Rev. Fr. Hovhaness Kesablyan.

–5/6/10

* * *

PHOTO CAPTIONS

ClergyConference1

Clergy from throughout the Eastern Diocese gathered for their annual
conference, meeting this year near Chicago. Diocesan Primate Abp. Khajag
Barsamian (third from right) presided over the meeting; Fr. Haigazoun
Najarian (fourth from right) was the chairman.

ClergyConference2

The Rev. Fr. Hovhaness Kesablyan, a guest clergymen from Holy Etchmiadzin,
celebrated the Divine Liturgy that concluded this year’s Diocesan Clergy
Conference.

ClergyConference3

Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral, leads on the
presentations at the 2010 Clergy Conference.

ClergyConference4

A roundtable discussion of Diocesan clergy.

ClergyConference5

More than 40 priests from throughout the Eastern Diocese came together for
the 2010 Clergy Conference.

# # #

YEREVAN-SHUSHI AUTO RACE TO TAKE PLACE MAY 9

PanARMENIAN.Net
May 6, 2010 – 13:01 AMT 08:01 GMT

To mark the 65th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War,
a Yerevan-Shushi auto race will take place on May 9. The race will kick
off at 9 am from Yerevan’s Victory Park, after the participants lay
wreaths to the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb and plant an apricot tree. They
will stop in Artashat, Ararat, Eghegnadzor, Vayk, Goris and Lachin
to lay flowers at the monuments.

According to Hovhannes Danileyan, the head of the initiative
group, the event will precede a Yerevan-Moscow race
(Armenia-Georgia-Belarus-Ukraine-Russia) presumably scheduled for 2011.

REP. SCHIFF CALLS ON SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO DOCUMENT STORIES AND MEMORIES OF THE GENOCIDE

asbarez.com
06.05.2010 16:23

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) on Wednesday launched an effort to parallel
H. Res. 252, the Congressional resolution he introduced to recognize
and commemorate the Armenian Genocide, by calling on survivors of
the genocide carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923,
as well as their family members and descendants, to submit their
stories and memories for inclusion into the Congressional Record.

Survivors of the genocide and their families from throughout the
country are encouraged to send Congressman Schiff the story of what
happened to their family during the genocide. The Congressman will
then make these accounts a part of the Congressional Record – the
nation’s enduring record of proceedings before Congress.

Please send your family’s story to Mary Hovagimian in the Congressman’s
Pasadena office. She can be reached at [email protected].

"Let us fill the Congressional Record with the personal histories of
those who survived the genocide and their families," Rep. Schiff said.

"While there are still some survivors left, we can use the official
record of the Congress to document the first genocide of the last
century. This can become an important resource for historians, a
vital part of our nation’s archives, and a part of the continuing
effort to educate Members of Congress as we move forward with the
genocide resolution."

While the Armenian Genocide has been recognized by more than 20 nations
including Canada, Italy, Sweden, France, Argentina and Russia, as
well as the European Parliament, it has not been formally recognized
by the U.S. Congress in decades.

DIASPORA’S EXPERIENCE TO BE USED FOR NAGORNO-KARABAKH RECOGNITION

news.am
May 6 2010
Armenia

Discussions over the prospects for international recognition of the
Ngorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) held with numerous Armenian and foreign
experts gave the NKR Public Foreign Policy and Security Council the
idea of addressing a message to the traditional Armenian parties
and the Diasporan lobbyist organizations, Council Chairman Masis
Mailyan said in his interview with the Analitikon monthly published
in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR). He pointed out that
the issues "has become even more urgent after the latest developments
in the Armenian-Turkish dialogue, and after the publication of the
so-called Madrid principles, which actually pose a threat to the
future of both Armenia and NKR."

Also, Mailyan said, the recognition of Kosovo, Abkhazia and South
Ossetia, served as a precedent for the recognition of other new
states in defiance of the former "monopolies’" will. "As a matter
of fact, the United States, most of the EU member-states, Russia,
Turkey, as well as a number of other states, for various reasons,
preferred the recognition of unrecognized states. The states arrived
at the conclusion that recognition means consolidating security and
stability in the conflict zones, which, besides everything, does not
require huge efforts or funds," he said.

"The Council members and experts hold the opinion that, in a new
international situation, the efforts aimed at the international
recognition of the NKR jointly made by Disaporan organizations and
official agencies of Armenia and NKR will be crowned with success. Our
nationals abroad have a wide experience – they have gained it for
decades in their activities aimed at the international recognition
of the Armenian Genocide. It is time to apply this experience
in consolidating the Armenian victories in Artsakh by means of
international law," Mailyan said.

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:

May 6, 2010
EXTREME UNCTION AND BURIAL SERVICES
FOR BISHOP NSHAN TOPOUZIAN
Extreme Unction (last anointing) service for Bishop Nshan Topouzian,
Prelate of Aderbadagan (Iran), took place on Sunday, May 2, at St.
James Church in Kanaker, Armenia, during the Holy Liturgy. The Grand
Sacristan of the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Bishop Ararat Kaltakjian,
celebrated the Liturgy. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of
Tehran, representing His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, officiated over the final anointing service with the
participation
of Bishop Papken Tcharian, Prelate of Isfahan, and members of the
Brotherhood of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.
Funeral services took place yesterday, May 5, in
Tabriz. Burial services followed at the Armenian Cemetery of
Tabriz. May the Almighty bless the memory of His faithful servant.
A remembrance of Bishop Nshan, written in Armenian by
V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian is at the end of todays Crossroads before
the Calendar of Events.

TODAY IS NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Today, Thursday, May 6th, is National Day of Prayer by presidential
proclamation.
Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental
Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation,
the call to prayer has continued through U.S. history, including
President Abraham Lincolns proclamation of a day of humiliation,
fasting, and prayer in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress,
signed by President Harry Truman, declared an annual, national day of
prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Ronald
Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every
May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all
Americans to pray on this day.
On this day, let us give thanks for the many blessings God has
bestowed upon our Nation. Let us rejoice for the blessing of freedom
both to believe and to live our beliefs, and for the many other
freedoms and opportunities that bring us together as one Nation. Let
us ask for wisdom, compassion, and discernment of justice as we
address the great challenges of our time.
We are blessed to live in a Nation that counts freedom of
conscience and free exercise of religion among its most fundamental
principles, thereby ensuring that all people of goodwill may hold and
practice their beliefs according to the dictates of their
consciences. Prayer has been a sustaining way for many Americans of
diverse faiths to express their most cherished beliefs, and thus we
have long deemed it fitting and proper to publicly recognize the
importance of prayer on this day across the Nation.
From Proclamation issued by President Barack Obama, National Day of
Prayer 2010
MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON
The Prelacy Ladies Guilds Mothers Day luncheon will take place this
Monday, May 10, at the New York Palace, 455 Madison Avenue, New York
City. Reception begins at 12 noon with luncheon at 1 pm.
Grace Keshgegian, a member of St. Gregorys Church in
Philadelphia, is being honored as the Prelacys Mother of the
Year. Grace is not only a faithful member of her local parish, but
well-known on a national level through her service as a delegate to
the National Representative Assembly, as well as her dedicated support
of other community
organizations, most significantly the Armenian Sisters Academy in
Philadelphia.
For information about the Mothers Day luncheon contact the
Prelacy at 212-689-7810.

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY
WILL CONVENE NEXT WEEK
The Eastern Prelacys National Representative Assembly (NRA) will
convene in New York next week, May 13 to May 15. The clergy conference
will begin one day earlier. The NRA is being hosted by the two New
York parishes: St. Illuminators Cathedral and St. Sarkis Church. It is
the first time the NRA is being hosted jointly by two parishes and it
is the first time since 1962 that the NRA will take place in New York.
The overall theme of the NRA will focus on His Holiness proclamation
of 2010 as the Year of the Armenian Woman.
The Assemblys banquet is scheduled for Friday, May 14, at the
Crowne Plaza at LaGuardia Airport. The banquet is open to the public;
reservations can be made by contacting Dr. Louiza Kubikian at
516-445-3169.
For more information about the NRA click here (
4882/goto: /nra
).

YERETZGIN CONFERENCE WILL TAKE PLACE DURING NRA
This year once again the Prelacy is sponsoring a conference for the
Yeretzgins. As in past years the conference will provide an
opportunity for the wives of our parish priests to meet with each
other to discuss issues of importance. The all-day program will take
place on Thursday, May 13. The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will open
the program. The morning session will feature a presentation by Iris
Papazian on Women as Guardians of Armenian Family Values, and the
afternoon session will feature a presentation by Yn. Joanna Baghsarian
on Women as Christian Educators Today. The lectures can be attended by
all interested parties.
On Friday morning, May 14, the group will go to the
Metropolitan Museum of Art where they will have a guided tour, notably
of the two Armenian khatchkars that were recently installed and other
exhibits of interest. They will have lunch at the museum before
returning to the hotel in Queens.

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION WILL BE CELEBRATED
DURING NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IN NEW YORK
Thursday evening, May 13, delegates to the NRA as well as the faithful
from the New York metropolitan area will celebrate the Feast of the
Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, at
St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York. The
Divine Liturgy will begin at 6:30 pm with dinner at 8 pm. After dinner
entertainment will be provided by the Yeraz Dance Group and the
students of St. Illuminators Armenian School. For dinner reservations
($25) or more information contact the St. Sarkis Church office,
718-224-2275.

DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The 24th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for
youth ages 13-18, is scheduled to take place at the St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 25-July 4,
2010. The program is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC). For more information click here (
4882/goto: /departments/arec/datev-institute
).
ST. STEPHENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL USES
LITERARY APPROACH TO GENOCIDE STUDIES
St. Stephens Armenian Elementary School, Watertown, Massachusetts, is
using age-appropriate literature to supplement the teaching of the
Armenian Genocide. In grade four, Arams Choice by Marsha Forchuk
Skrypuch, has been added to the curriculum. Arams Choice and its
sequel, Call Me Aram, relate the story of the Georgetown Boys, a group
of Armenian orphans who were brought to Georgetown, Ontario, Canada in
1923.
In grade 5 the students read the highly-acclaimed The Road
from Home: The Story of an Armenian Girl, by David Kherdian, told from
his mothers perspective about her childhood in an Armenian community
in Turkey, and her eventual arrival in America.
Photo: St. Stephens Elementary School fourth grade students with
author Marsha Skrypuch and Houry Boyamian, principal, and teachers
Julia Kramer and Kacie Carli.
In April, the fourth and fifth graders went to Cranston, Rhode
Island, to see the theatrical performance of The Georgetown Boys,
directed by Dr. Herand Markarian.

BIBLE READING
Beginning April 12 and continuing through to Pentecost (May 23), in
addition to other readings portions of the four Gospels are read each
day: Luke is read in the morning; John is read at mid-day; Matthew is
read at the beginning of the evening hour; and Mark is read at the end
of the evening hour.
Bible readings for today, Thursday, May 6 are: Luke 13:10-21;
Acts 19:1-20; 1 John 2:24-25; John 8:21-30; Matthew 15:1-20; Mark
7:31-37.
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and
said, Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For
they do not wash their hands before they eat. He answered them, And
why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your
tradition? For God said, Honor your father and your mother, and
Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die. But you say
that whoever tells father or mother, Whatever support you might have
had from me is given to God, then that person need not honor the
father. So, for the sake of your tradition, you make void the word of
God. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said:
This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from
me; in vain do they worship me, teaching human precepts as doctrines.
Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, Listen and
understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person,
but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles. Then the disciples
approached and said to him, Do you know that the Pharisees took
offense when they heard what you said? He answered, Every plant that
my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone;
they are blind guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides
another, both will fall into a pit. But Peter said to him, Explain
this parable to us. Then he said, Are you still without understanding?
Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach,
and goes out into the sewer? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds
from the heart, and this is what defiles. For out of the heart come
evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness,
slander. These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed
hands does not de!
file.
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
4882/goto: elacy/PDF/2010dbr-5.pdf
).
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Next Thursday, May 13, is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus
Christ (Hambardzoum), which is celebrated forty days after the
Resurrection. The universal church has celebrated the Ascension since
the fourth century. According to Biblical scripture the Ascension took
place in the village of Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, in the
presence of our Lords disciples. After giving them commandments and
blessings, the Lord was received up into heaven and sat on the right
hand of God, (Mark 16:19), and a cloud received him out of their
sight, (Acts 1:9). In the early centuries of Christianity, Hambardzoum
was one of the most popular feast days for the faithful and was
celebrated with merriment and festivities. There are many Armenian
traditions associated with this dominical feast. Perhaps the best
known one being fortune-telling (vijakakhakh).
Today the first and only Son of the Father rises to heaven in
the form of man. Melodic eulogies sound today from the multitude of
heavenly souls. (Breviary of the Armenian Church)

SUNDAY IS MOTHERS DAY
This Sunday, May 9, is Mothers Day. Dont forget to call your mother. I
wish I could call mine.
The following poignant remembrance of Bishop Nshan Topouzian was
written by Very Rev. Fr. Krikor Chifjian, communications director of
the Holy See of Cilicia.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 731st annual Literary Gems and Wine. Readings from the works of
three Armenian satirists: Hagop Baronian, Yervant Odian, and Lerr
Gamsar, presented by the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural
Society, Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, New York. Free
admission. For information: [email protected]
(mailto:hamazkayinny@yahoo. com).
May 10 Mothers Day luncheon sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, New
York Palace, 455 Madison Avenue, New York City. Reception at 12 noon;
lunch at 1 pm.
May 12 Third of five Bible studies on Women in the Bible at
St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City, 7:15
pm. Sponsored by the Prelacys Armenian Religious Education Council and
St. Illuminators Cathedral.
May 13 to 16 National Representative Assembly hosted by
St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York City, and St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.
May 13-14 NALG Annual Conference in conjunction with the NRA, Crowne
Plaza, LaGuardia Airport Hotel. For information Mary Derderian,
781-762-4253, [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).
May 19 Fourth of five Bible studies on Women in the Bible at
St. Illuminators Cathedral, New York City, 7:15 pm. Sponsored by the
Prelacys Armenian Religious Education Council and St. Illuminators
Church.
May 22 Divine Liturgy and annual banquet, presided by His Grace Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.
May 23 75th Anniversary celebration of Holy Trinity Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Worcester. For information: 508-852-2414.
May 26 Fifth and final Bible study on Women in the Bible at
St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City, 7:15
pm. Sponsored by the Prelacys Armenian Religious Education Council and
St. Illuminators Cathedral.
June 12 Food Festival sponsored by Ladies Guild of St. Gregory Church,
Jaffarian Hall, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts.
June 25-July 4 24th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer
Program for youth ages 13 to 18, at St. Mary of Providence Center,
Elverson, Pennsylvania.
June 27 St. Hagop (Racine) annual Madagh and Church Picnic at Johnsons
Park (Hwy 38) Racine, Wisconsin.
July 17 A Hye Summer Night V, dance hosted by Ladies Guild of
Sts. Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island,
at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Cranston,
Rhode Island. For tickets and information: Joyce Bagdasarian
(401-434-4467) or Joyce Yeremian. (401-354-8770).
August 15 Annual picnic of St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts (12 noon to 5
pm). For information: 617-924-7562.
August 22 Annual picnic of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.
October 8-10 The Eastern Prelacys Linked In workshop weekend for young
adults at Holy Virgin Marys Spiritual Vineyard, Charlton,
Massachusetts.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys 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])