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 – January 27, 2005
FIVE EAST COAST ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVE
SETTLEMENT FROM NEW YORK LIFE
Yesterday, January 26, was both a poignant and melancholy day as five
Armenian organizations on the east coast each received $333,333 as part of a
$20 million settlement reached between New York Life and descendants of
victims massacred in the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The ceremony took place at
the New York headquarters of the Armenian General Benevolent Union.
The five organizations are: the Armenian Church of North America Eastern
Diocese (New York); Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern
United States and Canada (New York); Armenian Apostolic Catholic Exarchate
in the United States and Canada (New York); Armenian Missionary Association
of America, Inc., (Paramus, New Jersey); and the Armenian General Benevolent
Union (New York). An additional four other Armenian organizations in
California and Massachusetts will receive an equal portion of the proceeds
in ceremonies later this month.
Representing the Eastern Prelacy on this occasion were: V. Rev. Fr.
Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General; Mr. Bedros Givelekian, treasurer of the
Executive Council; Dr. Vazken Ghougassian, Executive Director; and Mrs. Iris
Papazian, Communications Director.
On hand for the ceremony were attorney Brian S. Kabateck of the Los
Angeles based firm of Kabatek Brown Kellner, LLP, one of the attorneys
representing the class, California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi and
Bill Werfelman representing New York Life.
Prior to 1915, New York Life sold life insurance policies to thousands
of Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire. New York Life policyholders were
among the 1.5 million Armenians massacred during the Armenian Genocide. In
the ensuing chaotic years, many of the rightful policy heirs were unable to
obtain the insurance proceeds while others were unaware that they were
entitled to any insurance benefits. According to the records of New York
Life about 2,400 policies were sold to Armenians before the Genocide and
remain unpaid. Survivors and/or their descendants will share the bulk of the
multi-million settlement.
Descendants have until March 15, 2005, to make a claim for a portion of
the settlement. Details, including a list of the names, addresses, and
occupations of the policyholders, are available at
The first distribution totals three million dollars. Any unclaimed money
from the $20 million settlement will subsequently be distributed to the
Armenian charitable organizations.
To view photos from the ceremony yesterday go to:
STATUE OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR
IS INSTALLED AT ST. PETER BASILICA AT VATICAN
Pope John Paul II attended the unveiling and official installation of a
statue of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of the Armenian
Church, last week on January 19. The 18-foot, 26 ton statue of Carrara
marble is the work of Khatchik Kazandjian of Paris. St. Gregory holds in his
right hand the Armenian Holy Cross of gilt bronze, and in his left hand the
Holy Bible decorated with the symbols of the four Evangelists. To see a
photo of the statue go to:
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN IS IN ROME
FOR DIALOGUE
Archbishop Oshagan is currently in Rome attending official dialogues at
the Vatican between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
The division dates back to the Council of Chalcedon in 451. The Oriental
Orthodox Churches include: Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch, Coptic
Orthodox Church, Armenian Apostolic Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
in India; and Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church.
The meetings began Tuesday, January 25 and will continue to Sunday,
January 30.
PRELACY LENTEN PROGRAM WILL
FOCUS ON PASSION NARRATIVES
This year the Prelacy’s Lenten program will focus on passages from the
passion narratives, particularly those that are solemnly read during the
Holy Week services in the Armenian Church. The six-week Bible study will be
led by Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), sponsor of the series together with the Prelacy
Ladies Guild. The Lenten programs will take place at St. Illuminator
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. For details go to:
CATHOLICOS ARAM I RECEIVES DELEGATION
OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES USA
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, received
a delegation of the National Council of Churches USA at the Catholicosate in
Antelias, Lebanon, last Saturday, January 22.
His Holiness spoke about the challenges facing the Ecumenical Movement
and identified areas where the Churches should cooperate and support each
other: We do not live in isolation. Global, regional and local challenges
are inter-connected and we need to adopt a policy of facing them together
and responsibly. In this respect, the role of the Churches should be
expressed as bridge-builders and promoters of dialogue and collaboration,
and the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is strongly committed to this
principle.
The delegation invited His Holiness to address the National Council of
Churches Board meeting in October, in New York.
ARTICLE BY VIGEN GUROIAN IN
RECENT ISSUE OF CHRISTIANITY TODAY
An article by Professor Vigen Guroian is included in the recent issue of
Christianity Today. The article entitled, Dorm Brothel, explores modern-day
mores in institutions of higher learning and condemns the institutions for
allowing what he calls the new debauchery.
The article can be found at:
REMEMBERING CATHOLICOS SAHAG BARTEV
This Saturday, January 29, the Armenian Church remembers Catholicos
Sahag Bartev who with Mesrob Mashtotz was instrumental in the establishment
of the Armenian alphabet which led to the naming of the fifth century as the
Golden Age of Armenian literature. Sahag was the son of Nerses the Great.
Sahag wisely understood that the lack of a written Armenian language was
a major problem for the Church. He realized that the faith would be
transmitted more effectively to the people if the liturgy itself were in
Armenian, and if the Gospels and other books of the Bible were available in
Armenian. He, therefore, became a great proponent for the development of the
Armenian alphabet. As it happens so many times in history, he was joined by
the right person in this endeavor in the person of Mesrob Mashtots.
CELEBRATING THE GHEVONTIAN SAINTS
Next Tuesday, February 1, is the commemoration of the Ghevontian saints
and priests. It has become a time when clergy come together for a period of
renewal and brotherhood. The collective name for the feast honors the memory
and the sacrifice made by those churchmen who dedicated their lives to their
faith and nation. While the name, like Vartanantz, is meant for the many, it
is based on one individual, Ghevont Yeretz (Leondius the Priest).
GhevontYeretz studied under Mesrob Mashtotz and St. Sahag, and was one of
the early translators. He is remembered and honored for his extraordinary
religious devotion, eloquent speech and exceptional patriotism.
The martyrdom of Ghevont Yeretz and his fellow clergy is observed in the
Armenian Church on the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent and two days
before Vartanantz. It is a day of particular importance for Armenian
clergymen, since Ghevont is their patron saint. It has become traditional
for the clergy to come together to observe the memory of their saintly
predecessors while celebrating the present and future of the Armenian
Church.
This year the clergy of the Eastern and Western Prelacies will travel to
Montreal where they will be hosted by the Canadian Prelacy.
WINTER IN FULL BLOOM
After the start of a mild winter, the east coast was barraged with the
fury of winter, with a major blizzard this past weekend bringing up to three
feet of snow in some areas, especially in New England. Travel was difficult
especially with temperatures in the single digits and below. But still, the
whiteness and purity of the snow had a beauty of its own. And really, is it
possible to appreciate spring without winter?
May the most beneficient Christ be moved to pity, that he may be your
comforter and savior, release you from these material bonds that constrain
you, and humiliate your enviers and enemies. May he make you worthy in the
eyes of your families and all the Armenian world. May the remains of each of
you be interred alongside those of your forbears, and may your souls be
released from the invisible bonds of Satan, and thus be safeguarded always.
Prayer by Ghevont Yeretz for the martyred clergy
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