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
March 11, 2004
BYZANTINE EXHIBITION OPENS AT
METROPOLITAN MUSEUM WITH
ARTIFACTS FROM CILICIAN SEE
The much awaited exhibit Byzantium: Power and Faith, (1261-1557), will
open to the public on March 23 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
City. It will remain on view through July 4, 2004. The exhibit includes some
Armenian artifacts from that era-which is the Cilician period-that have been
loaned to the museum by the Catholicate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon.
Included in the exhibit are two manuscripts, one of which is the famous
Gospel of Partserpert, and the reliquary of the right hand of St. Nicholas.
Archbishop Oshagan will attend a special preview opening and dinner on
Monday evening, March 15, in the presence of His All-Holiness Bartholomew,
Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch.
This exhibit, which is the museum’s third major exhibition on Byzantium,
brings together some 350 masterpieces from churches, monasteries and museums
around the world to demonstrate the great flowering of art and culture
within the Byzantine Empire and among its East Christian rivals during the
Empire’s last centuries. Included are icons, textiles, metalwork, and
manuscripts made primarily for the Orthodox Church and other East Christian
peoples as well as paintings, manuscripts, and metalwork of the Latin West
and the Islamic world.
THIRD LENTEN LECTURE
CONTINUES TO EXPLORE THE FAMILY
The third Lenten Lecture, delivered by V. Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian,
pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, last night continued to explore the
general theme of the Family.
Rev. Fr. Muron focused on the family as a school of religious formation.
Using biblical references from both the Old and New Testaments, Hayr Sourp
described the characteristics of a family and especially the Christian
family. He described how religious education can be transmitted within a
positive environment in a family. He also spoke about the difficult teen-age
years with the many negative influences in society.
A question and answer period followed the lecture. A time of fellowship
was enjoyed by all of the attendees as discussions continued over a
satisfying Lenten meal prepared by the Prelacy Ladies Guild.
The Lenten Lectures are sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education
Council and the Prelacy Ladies Guild.
FOURTH LENTEN LECTURE WILL BE PRESENTED BY
REV. FR. KHATCHADOUR BOGHOSSIAN
Rev. Fr. Khatchadour Boghossian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, will present the fourth lecture of the Lenten
Lecture series next Wednesday, March 17. Der Khatchadour will speak about
the Family as a Small Church.
The lectures take place at St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th
Street, New York City. Lenten service begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary,
followed by the lecture and fellowship in Pashalian Hall. All are welcome.
SEMINAR IN GRANITE CITY
SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 13
A seminar devoted to Badarak: Supreme Expression of our Communal
Spirituality will take place Saturday, March 13, at St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church, Granite City, Illinois. Deacon Shant Kazanjian, Director
of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), will lead the daylong
seminar.
PRELACY BIBLE STUDIES GROUP
WILL DISCUSS THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST
The Bible Studies group that meets at the Prelacy every 1st and 3rd
Mondays of the month will discuss the Mel Gibson movie, The Passion of the
Christ, on March 22, 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. Deacon Shant Kazanjian leads the
discussions. The group plans to see the movie this Monday, March 15, in New
York City. For more information contact Deacon Shant, 212-689-7810.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT:
SUNDAY OF THE STEWARD
We have come to the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is the Sunday of the
Steward (Tntesi Kiraki). The reading on this day is from the Gospel of St.
Luke, chapter 16, verses 1 to 8, which relates the parable of The
Unrighteous Steward. This parable is about a shrewd rich and his steward.
The steward was one who looked out for his own personal benefit and through
his cunning arrangements made deals with those who were in debt to his
master. Jesus used this parable not to condone the behavior of the steward
but rather as an illustration of qualities that have a necessary place in
the life of true disciples. Since we are stewards of this world, we are
accountable to our Lord for the talents we have and that which has been
entrusted to us.
The Prelacy bookstore has several books on Armenian Church Feasts and on
the Lenten season leading to the Great Week. Visit the Prelacy web site,
for these and other books, or contact the
bookstore at 212-689-7810.
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