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]
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Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS July 7, 2005
PRAYERS FOR LONDONERS
Although the full extent of the terrorist attacks in London this morning
is not yet clear, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their
families, and the more than 1,000 who were wounded in the coordinated
attacks on the public transportation system in London.
DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM IN FULL SWING
Seventy-five students ranging from ages 13 to 18 are at the St. Mary
of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, for the 19th annual St.
Gregory of Datev Institute Armenian Christian Studies Program.
Some of the comments offered by the Datevatzis include: “We talked
about Jesus as a doctor. We read passages from the Bible about His
healings.”. “I had a really great time in Open Discussion.” . “The first
day of Datev went by so quickly. I was so excited to see my old friends and
make new friends.” . “After lunch we continued the Datev games and then went
to the pool. .An enjoyable day will be capped with my two favorite Datev
activities-Bible study and evening service.”
Much to the delight of the Datevatzis, Archbishop Oshagan visited on
Monday, July 4, and shared the day of fun and learning activities.
To see photographs and read Datev impressions from days 1, 2 and 3 go
to:
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN IN RACINE FOR ARS CONVENTION
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan is in Racine, Wisconsin today, July 7, where
he is the guest of the Armenian Relief Society (Eastern USA) at the
charitable organization’s annual regional convention. His Eminence opened
the sessions with a prayer. He praised the ARS for its distinguished service
to the Armenian nation and encouraged the members to continue their
dedicated service. The Eastern region is comprised of 33 chapters. The
organization’s triennial international convention will convene in Montreal
in October.
PRELACY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING THIS SATURDAY
The Eastern Prelacy’s Executive Council will meet this Saturday, July 9,
at the Prelacy offices in New York City. The Council meets once a month.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY ON SUNDAY
Archbishop Oshagan will attend the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz
Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, this Sunday, July 10.
CATHOLICOS ARAM I RECEIVES FOREIGN MINISTER OF ARMENIA
His Holiness Aram I met with the foreign minister of Armenia, Vartan
Oskanian, on July 2. Also attending was Armenia’s ambassador to Lebanon, His
Excellency Arek Hovhannisian. Issues related to the Middle East, Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh were discussed.
CATHOLICATE OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN
MECC WOMEN’S PROGRAM
The Middle East Council of Churches’ (MECC) committee of women’s
programs organized a one-day conference which convened in the museum of the
Catholicate of Cilicia on June 25. More than 100 women, representing
different church denominations, participated. The main theme of the
conference was “What does being a Christian mean?”
ARMENIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES ISAIAH THE PROPHET
Today, July 7, the Armenian Church commemorates the life of St. Isaiah
the Prophet. The book of Isaiah is the longest prophetic book in the Bible.
STS. THADDEUS AND SANDOUKHT REMEMBERED
This Saturday, July 9, the Armenian Church remembers St. Thaddeus and
St. Sandoukht.
According to the historian, Movses Khorenatsi, the apostle Thaddeus came
to Edessa where he healed the sick and baptized King Abgar. Khorenatsi
writes that from Edessa Thaddeus went to Armenia where he preached and
converted the Armenian king, Sanatrouk, and the king’s daughter, Sandoukht.
When faced with the opposition of his governors, the king recanted his
conversion. Sandoukht however refused to renounce the Christian faith. She
was imprisoned and executed by order of her father, and thus became Armenia’s
first martyr.
Thaddeus was martyred at Artaz, (present day northern Iran). The
Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus is built on the apostles’ tomb. In the
beginning of the twentieth century the monastery was an important crossroad
for the defense of the Armenian population of Van, Daron and surrounding
areas. A popular annual pilgrimage by Armenians from around the world takes
place in July. During the four-day festival thousands gather in pitched
tents on the monastery grounds, attend services, sing and dance in
remembrance of St. Thaddeus, one of two apostles who brought Christianity to
Armenia. St. Thaddeus Monastery and the other famous Armenian monastery in
northern Iran, St. Stephen Monastery on the banks of the Arax River, have
undergone major renovations in recent years. In the late 1970s Armenian
youth throughout the Diaspora spent their summers living and working
together and, under the supervision of experts, helped restore the ancient
monasteries and beautify the surrounding grounds.
“See, some shall come from afar, others from the north and the west, and
some from the land of Syene.” (Isaiah 49:12-13)
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