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 – October 21, 2004
WE MOURN THE PASSING OF
VARKIS MARKARIAN
It was with great sorrow that the Eastern Prelacy announced the death of a
beloved son of the Armenian church and nation, Varkis Markarian of Cranston,
Rhode Island. Mr. Markarian died last Friday, October 15, at his home
following a short illness.
Mr. Markarian was a Prince of Cilicia, Delegate to the World Assembly,
Delegate to the National Representative Assembly, Pillar of the Prelacy, and
board member of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Providence, Rhode
Island.
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan officiated at the national funeral
services, which took place at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence on Monday
and Tuesday, October 18 and 19.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife of 55 years, Mrs. Lillian
Markarian and their three children and six grandchildren.
ORDINATIONS IN LEBANON
The ordination of two married priests took place at St. Nishan Cathedral,
Beirut, Lebanon, last Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17. The ordination
ceremony was officiated by Bishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of Lebanon.
Deacon Serop Terterian was given the new name of Nareg. Deacon Vatche
Bozoyan was given the new name of Hovnan. Both clergymen will serve the
Eastern Prelacy.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL VISIT
WASHINGTON, DC PARISH THIS WEEKEND
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to the Washington, DC area this weekend, to
be with the parish of Sourp Khach Armenian Apostolic Church in Bethesda,
Maryland. On Saturday evening he will attend a banquet in honor of the
recently retired Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian, who served the Sourp Khach
parish for many years.
On Sunday, His Eminence will officiate at the Divine Liturgy.
REMINDER: TWO SEMINARS THIS WEEKEND
Two seminars in the New England region will take place this weekend. The We
Are Family retreat, sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council,
is set for Saturday, October 23, at the E. Kent Swift Estate in
Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
The New England Seminar for Educators, sponsored by the Armenian National
Education Committee, will take place Saturday, October 23, in Providence,
hosted by the Mourad School. The seminar will focus on Teaching Armenian and
History and Teaching Methods for the Non-Armenian Speaker.
BOOK FAIR THIS WEEKEND
The annual Prelacy Book Fair will take place at Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461
Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield, New Jersey, this weekend, Saturday and Sunday
October 23 and 24.
Many titles, Armenian and English, will be available for purchase along with
videos, CDs, and gift items-including many that recently arrived from
Armenia.
ARMENIAN CHURCHES SPORTS ASSOCIATION
BEGINS SEASON THIS SUNDAY
The Armenian Churches Sports Association (ACSA) will begin its 38th year
this Sunday. The ACSA started with senior boys and later added leagues for
junior boys, girls, and men. It now consists of 25 teams with more than 250
participants.
Churches participating include: Sts. Vartanantz (Ridgefield, New Jersey);
St. Sarkis (Douglaston, New York); St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (New York
City); St. Vartan Cathedral (New York City); St. Thomas (Tenafly, New
Jersey); St. Leon (Fairlawn, New Jersey); St. Mary (Livingston, New Jersey);
and the Armenian Presbyterian Church (Paramus, New Jersey).
PILLARS GATHER AT PRELACY
Pillars of the Prelacy from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond gathered at the
Prelacy for a reception hosted by the Prelate in appreciation for the
Pillars support of Prelacy programs.
In a message to the Pillars, Archbishop Oshagan noted: When we think of a
pillar we think of abstract words like strength, support, power and force.
When we give it life and use it as a human adjective we think of words like
trustworthy, reliable, sensible and dependable. This is exactly how we
perceive you as a Pillar of the Prelacy.
His Eminence explained how the Pillars program helps the Prelacy in its
mission. In conclusion, he said, I think of the Prelacy as a home, not just
an office. And it is your home also. This evening is our way of extending to
you the recognition and thanks you so richly deserve.
ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
REMEMBERED IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY
The Life and Work of the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian were remembered in
New York and New Jersey last week. On Friday, a commemorative event took
place at St. Peter Church in New York City, organized by the Hamazkayin of
New York and under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan. Main speakers were
the Honorable Judge Sarkis Teshoian and Dr. Ashot Melkonian, Director of the
Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences in Armenia. Both men spoke
eloquently about Archbishop Mesrob from their perspective. Both worked
closely with Mesrob Srpazan at different times and places. In his
address, Archbishop Oshagan focused on the twenty years Mesrob Srpazan
served as Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy. He described how Mesrob Srpazan
gave the Prelacy its innovative image in its mission and service to the
people.
On Sunday, a similar event took place at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey, following church services. Organized by the Hamazkayin of New
Jersey, the event featured Dr. Ashot Melkonian. A special video presentation
about the late Archbishop’s life and works, was shown. The video was also
part of the program on Friday in New York.
FOREIGN MINISTER OF KARABAGH
VISITS PRELACY OFFICE
The Foreign Minister of Nagorno Karabagh, Mr. Ashot Ghoulian, came to the
Prelacy offices this afternoon, where he visited with Archbishop Oshagan.
His Eminence and Mr. Ghoulian shared a pleasant exchange of ideas and
concerns.
DISCOVERY OF THE CROSS
COMMEMORATED THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, October 24, the Armenian Church commemorates the Discovery of
the Cross (Giut Khatch).
Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, was a devout Christian. While in
Jerusalem she wanted to find the True Cross. She went to Golgotha (Calvary),
which at this time had become an obscure and neglected place. The Empress
ordered the excavation on the spot of the Crucifixion. Three wooden crosses
were found. In order to distinguish the True Cross, the three crosses were
successively placed on the body of a youth who had just died. When one of
the crosses was placed on him, the young man came to life. This was
determined to be the True Cross. The exact burial spot of Christ was also
found and in subsequent years the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built on
that spot in 335. The church was built around the excavated hill of the
Crucifixion and was actually three connected churches built over three
different holy sites. It was destroyed by fire in 614 when the Persians
invaded Jerusalem. Subsequently it was rebuilt at various times. The current
dome dates from 1870.
Several denominations cooperate (not always harmoniously) in the
administration and maintenance of the church and grounds. The three
appointed when the Crusaders held Jerusalem are the Greek Orthodox, the
Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic churches. These three remain the
primary custodians. Within the complex there are chapels and shrines to
which many Christian denominations have rights of access. An agreement
regulates times and places of worship for each Church. A neutral Muslim
neighbor family has been the custodian of the keys for centuries. The
Church, which is within the walled Old City of Jerusalem, is a revered and
important destination for pilgrims.
THANK YOU READERS
Today we pause to thank you, dear readers, for your many insightful and
laudatory comments about Crossroads. We here at Crossroads love to hear from
you; it makes our task that much more enjoyable and meaningful. Some of you
have given us some good tips that we hope to incorporate sometime in the
near future. Write to us at [email protected].
FINALLY.
If you are lucky enough to be living in an area where true autumn is in
bloom, take the time this weekend to enjoy the beauty of the trees bedecked
in their emblazoned garb before their deep winter sleep. Magnificent!
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