PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Communications Officer
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
April 1, 2004
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Week of March 26 to April 1, 2004
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HOLY WEEK BEGINS
Sunday (4/4) is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week, which recalls the last
week of Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry. It is a time to remember His
teachings, His suffering, His death, and His resurrection. Holy Week is the
most important week of the year for the church. Christ’s Resurrection
redeemed humanity and vanquished sin and death. Learn more about Holy Week
and Easter, find activities to help educate your children, and
Armenian-language resources, on the Eastern Diocese’s website:
Come to St. Vartan Cathedral for Holy Week and Easter celebrations. For a
schedule, click here:
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2004
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
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CHARLOTTE TAKES FIRST STEP TOWARD NEW CHURCH
The mission parish in Charlotte, NC, held a cornerstone blessing ceremony
last Sunday (3/28) for what will become the first Armenian Church in that
state. Construction is scheduled to be complete in early 2005. To read
more about efforts in Charlotte, click to the Eastern Diocese’s website:
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2004
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
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PRIMATE TO ORDAIN DEACON IN TENAFLY
On Palm Sunday (4/4), Dr. Levon Capan will be ordained as a deacon by
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese, during the
Divine Liturgy at St. Thomas Church, Tenafly, NJ. A banquet will
immediately follow the service. For more on the St. Thomas Church, click to
the Eastern Diocese’s website:
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/29/04)
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VOLUNTEERS CONTINUE WORK AT NEW CONFERENCE CENTER
This past weekend, 16 volunteers from several parishes descended on the
Diocese’s Youth and Conference Center for a weekend of cleanup and
refurbishing work. The team overseeing the new site is organizing the work
weekends to get the facility into shape for use this summer. This group of
volunteers painted the entire interior of a five-room cottage and the large
gathering room in another building. Future work dates are April 16 to 18
and May 21 to 23. If you’re interested in helping or supporting the
efforts, e-mail Karen Durgarian at [email protected]
To learn more about the new Diocesan Youth and Conference Center, take a
virtual tour of the facility, and donate to its purchase click to our
website:
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COORDINATOR IN HARTFORD SATURDAY
Elise Antreassian, coordinator of Christian education for the Diocese, will
be conducting a Sunday School teacher workshop for the St. George Church of
Hartford, CT, this Saturday (4/3). Titled “Better Teaching,” the workshop
will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and explore basic elements that comprise an
interesting, well-planned, interactive, and fun religious classroom. For
more information on the session, or to schedule a workshop for your parish,
e-mail Elise at [email protected].
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *
ATLANTA BUYS MORE PROPERTY FOR FUTURE CHURCH SITE
The mission parish in Atlanta, GA, this week announced it bought more
property at the site of its future church building. The new purchase
includes a building which will be temporarily used for services and
gatherings, as the parish works to build its permanent Armenian Church home.
For more on the purchase, click to the Eastern Diocese’s website:
;selmonth=4&selyear=
2004
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
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TRAVEL TO ARMENIA THIS YEAR
Traveling to Armenia strengthens your faith and dedication. If you haven’t
gone yet, there are five opportunities this year:
June 12 to 26 — Young Professionals Trip / $2,250. Specifically designed
for travelers between the ages of 23 and 40, this trip offers a chance to
see the sights of Armenia and build life-long friendships with other
Armenian American professionals. Call the Fund for Armenian Relief (212)
889-5150.
June 17 to July 7 — Diocesan Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia and the
Republic of Armenia / $3,450. Travel to Istanbul, historic Armenian
locations in modern day Turkey such as Musa Dagh, Cappadocia, Mt. Ararat,
and Ani. Continue to Armenia to tour important historical and cultural
sites. For more information call Armen Aroyan (626) 359-9510.
June 22 to July 15 — Armenia Service Program (ASP) / $1,980. A unique
opportunity for Armenians between the ages of 18 and 28, to help run a
summer camp in the village of Yeghegnadzor before touring throughout
Armenia. Call Nancy Basmajian (212) 686-0710.
September 18 to October 3 — Pilgrimage to Armenia / $2,350. A trip to all
the highlights of Armenia. For more information call Sidon Travel at (818)
553-0777.
To get more information on any of these travel opportunities, e-mail
[email protected].
And don’t forget — you can also help fund the trip of a young person in
your parish, who will return more eager to be involved in parish life.
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
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LOOKING FOR SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS
St. Vartan Camp organizers are looking for fun-loving, dedicated, and
faithful individuals who welcome the opportunity to spend the summer
mentoring young Armenian Christians, and strengthening their own faith in
the process. For the first time camp staff will receive an honorarium for
their work. Please note: St. Vartan Camp prefers staff who are available
for both Sessions A and B, but will accept staff who can only attend one
session. Session A first staff day is Saturday, June 26; staff for Session
B start Saturday, July 10.
Applications must be received by April 30, 2004. To apply or get further
information, contact Yn. Arpi Kouzouian, Diocesan coordinator of youth
outreach, by e-mailing [email protected] or calling (617) 876-2700.
APPLY FOR SUMMER CAMP TODAY, spaces are going fast. Application materials
and more information on both St. Vartan Camp and the Midwest Hye Camp, can
be found on our website:
(Source, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
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SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION ONLINE
Are you an undergraduate student looking for help paying your tuition? Do
you know of such a student? Did you know that the Diocese manages
scholarships for Armenian students? Just click here for more information
and to download an application:
The scholarships are made possible by endowments established by generous
donors. If you want to help educate the future leaders of the Armenian
Church, consider starting a scholarship endowment. Just e-mail
[email protected].
(Source: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 3/31/04)
* * *
DIOCESAN REPRESENTATIVE MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR
Last Thursday (3/25), Ambassador Armen Martirosyan, Armenia’s representative
at the United Nations, met with representatives from the Armenian
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) accredited at the United Nations.
Representing the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) was
Aram Arkun, coordinator of the Diocese’s Zohrab Information Center. The
meeting allowed the new U.N. ambassador to get acquainted with the work
carried out by these organizations, listen to their concerns, and explore
possibilities for cooperation with Armenia’s U.N. mission. The meeting also
included representatives from the Armenian Assembly of America, the World
Federation of Mental Health, the Armenian Relief Society, the Armenian
International Women’s Association, and the AGBU.
(Source: Permanent Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations,
3/29/04)
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SHOP ONLINE FOR EASTER
Unique Armenian-style gold crosses, Easter stories for children in Armenian,
and sacred music of the season are just some of the great Easter gifts you
can find by going to the St. Vartan Bookstore website,
Order online today for delivery by Easter. It’s safe, simple, and quick.
Just click to:
(Source: , 3/29/04)
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PLAY IN QUEENS TO BENEFIT FAR
This Saturday (4/3), a production of “Servant of Two Masters,” a comedic
play in Armenian, will benefit the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), the
Diocesan-affiliated international humanitarian aid organization. Ticket
proceeds will benefit the Ounjian School in Gyumri. The show will begin at 8
p.m. at the Queensborough Community College, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, NY.
Orchestra tickets are $100 and $50, which includes entry in a raffle.
Balcony admission, which does not include the raffle, is $20.
For information on this and other events throughout the Diocese, click to
our website’s calendar of events:
(Source: Fund for Armenian Relief, 3/29/04)
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