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 July 30, 2004
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL BE IN MASSACHUSETTS
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Camp Haiastan, Franklin,
Massachusetts, where he will preside over the Andastan Service on Sunday,
August 1, during the annual summer picnic sponsored by the St. Stephen
parish of Watertown.
Andastan service is the blessing of the harvest and blesses the four
corners of the world, East, West, South and North and concludes with this
benediction: Oh Christ our God, guardian and hope of the faithful, protect
and keep in peace your faithful people under the protection of Your Holy and
venerable cross; their family, their home, the bread, the salt, and the
water. Save them Oh Lord, from visible and invisible enemies and make them
worthy to glorify You with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always,
forever and ever. Amen.
CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF
ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR
This Saturday, July 31, the Armenian Church remembers the children and
grandchildren of St. Gregory the Illuminator: Saints Aristakes, Vrtanes,
Housik, Grigoris, and Daniel. Paganism and anti-Christian values were
prevalent in Armenia in spite of the missionary work of St. Gregory and King
Drtad. The sons and grandsons of Gregory continued the mission to spread
Christianity. Their efforts continued to strengthen the young church.
St. Gregory was succeeded by his son, Aristakes, as Catholicos.
Aristakes was martyred in 333 and was succeeded by his brother, Vertanes.
Housik, son of Vertanes, succeeded his father. Housik was succeeded by a
grandson rather than his son. This grandson was St. Nerses the Great who is
often referred to as the Second Illuminator. But, that is another story for
another day. Grigoris became the first Bishop of Georgia and Caucasian
Albania. Daniel, although neither a son nor grandson of Gregory, is included
in this commemoration. He was a student of Gregory and helped in the
conversion to Christianity.
JORDANIAN PRINCE VISITS ARAM I
His Highness Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan recently visited His
Holiness Catholicos Aram I in Antelias, Lebanon, where the See of Cilicia is
located. The Prince and the Catholicos are actively involved in the
Christian-Moslem dialogue and both of them stressed the crucial importance
of deepening the interfaith dialogue as an important instrument for peace,
justice, and reconciliation.
CILICIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY CONCLUDES 74TH YEAR
The Armenian Theological Seminary of the Cilician See in Bikfaya,
Lebanon, brought its 74th year to a successful conclusion on June 25. That
the fruits of the Seminary have had a worldwide impact cannot be disputed.
During the past 74 years thousands of young Armenians have passed through
the Seminary. Among its students have been future catholicoses, archbishops,
bishops, celibate and married priests, teachers, headmaster, and choir
directors, as well as writers and intellectuals. The history of this
institution is a tribute to the dedication and intelligence of the Armenian
people. Since its founding in 1930, the Antelias Seminary has produced four
catholicoses: Zareh I (first graduate of the Seminary); Khoren I, Karekin II
(later also Karekin I of Etchmiadzin), and Aram I, the current catholicos.
The 75th anniversary of this venerable institution will be commemorated
worldwide next year.
PAN-ARMENIAN EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
Last week we reported that the Executive Director of the Armenian
National Education Committee (ANEC), Gilda Kupelian, will attend two
upcoming conferences. We neglected to mention that Mrs. Nayiri Balanian,
chair of ANEC, will also be attending the Pan-Armenian Educational
Conference in Yerevan, Armenia.
IN NEED OF SPONSORS
The orphan sponsorship program started by the Prelacy in 1993 is now
well established and extremely efficient in its operation. Currently more
than 700 children are enrolled in the program. About 100 children are
waiting for sponsors. Annual sponsorship is only $180. We are so fortunate
to live at a time and place where we are blessed with many gifts. Please
remember that there are many people, especially children, less fortunate who
need our assistance. If you would like to sponsor a child in Armenia or
Artsakh contact the Prelacy office, 212-689-7810.
Here are some excerpts from letters we have recently received from
sponsored children:
From Datevig: I was born November 9, 1991. I was born seven months after
my father died, so I have never seen my father, nor have I seen his grave.
My father was a freedom fighter and a hero. My mother’s name is Irina. She
has been suffering from illness for many years. I have two sisters. Dear
sponsor, on behalf of my family I want to thank you. We are grateful for
your help. We wish you good health, happiness and peace.
>From Kevork: I was born March 10, 1990. I am currently in the sixth grade.
We have six people in our family. My father, Gabriel, was a freedom fighter
in Artsakh. He was killed on April 24, 1994. I am proud to be a son of such
a father and I hope I will be like him.
From Gohar: I am eleven years old and in fifth grade. It is true that I
am very proud of my father, but I must be truthful and say that I miss my
father very much, especially when I see my friends walking hand-in-hand with
their fathers. I am deprived of that joy. I am happy to have a benefactor
like you and I consider you to be a part of my family. I love you very much.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to
help them. If you can help your neighbor now, do not say, Come back
tomorrow, and then I will help you.
Proverbs 3:27-28
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress