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
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – April 29, 2004
APRIL 24TH COMMEMORATIONS
REMEMBER MARTYRS AND CONVEY
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
The various events commemorating the 89th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide concluded this week.
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan presided over the Divine
Liturgy and Requiem Service on Saturday, April 24, at St. Illuminators
Cathedral in New York City. V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General
of the Prelacy and pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, NY, was the
celebrant and preacher.
His Eminence attended various commemorations including at the New York
City offices of Governor George Pataki, New York City Hall, Times Square,
and Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. The Prelate’s prayers and messages on
these occasions are on the Prelacy’s web page,
ST. GREGORY CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA
HOLDS RETREAT FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS
St. Gregory the Illuminator Sunday School, Philadelphia, held its eighth
annual sleepover retreat for third through twelfth grades as well as for
candle and fan bearers on Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27.
Based on the proclamation of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia, designating 2004 as the Year of the Family, the
theme of the retreat was baptism, the initial welcoming of a child into the
Armenian Church family. Baptism, Chrismation, and Holy Communion were
covered first in teaching, questions and answers and then anchored into
virtual reality via a mock baptism. Afterwards the students gathered in the
kitchen to learn to make Mahs, which was distributed among the St. Gregory
Church family on Sunday.
Other activities of the weekend included evening and morning worship
services, roller blading at a local skating rink, and fellowship with one
another.
(submitted by Jeanette Nazarian)
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GENOCIDE,
IMPUNITY AND JUSTICE TAKES PLACE IN ANTELIAS
An international conference organized by the Catholicate of Cilicia on
Genocide, Impunity and Justice, and under the auspices of the President of
Lebanon, took place last week at the Catholicate in Antelias, Lebanon. The
conference was organized as part of the Catholicate’s commemoration of the
89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, with the participation of were
prominent genocide scholars and specialists. A special message was received
from the President of Rwanda.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, addressed
the conference. The Catholicos said that the 20th century was an age of
genocide despite significant and encouraging developments, which were the
result of numerous international declarations for human rights, including
the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 1998.
However, he said, the international community failed to respond immediately
in Rwanda, which led to disastrous repercussions. While in Kosovo, thousands
of human beings were saved because of preventive action.
The Catholicos also pointed out that the punitive approach is an
essential factor for the restoration of justice, which only happens when the
rights of the victims are fully recognized and adequately addressed. He
added that retributive justice should follow the punitive approach. This
means that victims should be compensated, truth should be revealed and
responsibility accepted.
ORDINATIONS AT ST. PAUL CHURCH
IN WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS
On the weekend of May 8 – 9, Archbishop Oshagan will visit the community
of St. Paul Armenian Church, Waukegan, Illinois.
On Saturday evening the Prelate will attend a dinner welcoming Rev. Fr.
Arsen Kassabian as the new pastor of the church. The dinner will also be a
fond farewell for Archpriest Fr. Arshag Daghlian, who has been serving the
parish as an outreach priest. The Prelacy and the Waukegan community express
their warm thanks and appreciation to Der Arshag for his dedicated service.
On Sunday, May 9, Archbishop Oshagan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy,
deliver the Sermon, and officiate at the ordination ceremonies. Asadour
Soulakian, Dr. Arsen Mekaelian, and Sam Haroian will be ordained deacons.
Mikayel Mekaelian and Ghougas Mekaelian will be ordained sub-deacons, and
Vazken Haroian and Zareh Haroian will be ordained acolytes.
PRELATE WILL BE WITH NEW JERSEY
AND NEW YORK COMMUNITIES THIS WEEKEND
Archbishop Oshagan will visit the Sts. Vartanantz parish in Ridgefield,
New Jersey, this Sunday, May 2, where he will deliver the sermon. Following
the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence will go to St. Illuminators Cathedral, New
York City, to attend the Mothers Day luncheon organized by the Cathedral
parish.
PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON & FASHION SHOW, MAY 3
The Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers Day luncheon and fashion show will take
place Monday, May 3, at The St. Regis. Archbishop Oshagan will attend and
make the surprise Mother of the Year presentation.
A UNIQUE PROGRAM FOR ADULTS
IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION
Critical Issues of Life & Faith: An Armenian Orthodox Perspective will
be the topic of a unique educational program for adults in the Mid-Atlantic
region. The seminar, sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC) will take place June 25 to 27, at St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania.
The issues explored will include: Marriages: Straight or Gay?
Reproductive Technologies; Abortion; Suicide, Cremation. The program will
include lectures, Bible studies, panel discussions, small group discussions,
and worship services.
The main speaker will be Dr. Vigen Guroian, Professor of Theology and
Ethics at Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland. Professor Guroian is the
first Armenian theologian ever elected to the American Theological Society
and the Orthodox Theological Society of America. He has served on the Board
of Directors of the Society of Christian Ethics, has been active in both the
National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches, and is a
member on numerous editorial boards. His published works include nearly 150
articles and six books with three more scheduled to be published later this
year.
The fee is a modest $90, which includes meals and room accommodations
for two evenings (Friday and Saturday). The weekend program begins Friday
evening and concludes Sunday afternoon.
For information contact Deacon Shant Kazanjian at the AREC office,
[email protected] or 212-689-7810. Visit the Prelacy web page,
for more information.
THIS SUNDAY IS RED SUNDAY
This Sunday, May 2, the third Sunday after Easter, is called Red Sunday
(Karmir Kiraki). The origin of the name, Red Sunday, has been lost, but it
is most probably related to nature. Like Green Sunday, it is a popular
designation related to spring, since it is at this time of the year that the
fields are adorned with red tulips amidst the green grass. It is a good time
of the year to think about ecological concerns and our stewardship of the
earth created for us by God.
Relying on his promise we look forward to new heavens and a new earth, in
which justice will be established. (2 Peter 3:13)
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