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 July 28, 2005
PRELACY CLERGY GO TO CAMP
It has been a time-honored tradition for members of the clergy from the
Eastern Prelacy to attend sessions at Camp Haiastan in Franklin,
Massachusetts, to offer religious education classes and to make the campers
aware of the teachings and mission of the Armenian Church.
This year three clergymen and one person currently studying for the
priesthood have been assigned to attend the Camp during different sessions.
They are: V. Rev. Fr. Taniel Garabedian, Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian, Rev. Fr.
Aram Stepanian, and Deacon Nishan Baljian.
Archbishop Oshagan recalls that during his student days in the United
States he was assigned to the Camp by the then Prelate, Archbishop Karekin
Sarkissian. Srpazan recalls that those days over a period of several summers
produced some of the most memorable experiences of his service.
VICAR GENERAL AND AREC DIRECTOR WILL LEAD
SUMMER PROGRAM FOR ORPHANS IN ARMENIA
V. Rev. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, and Dn. Shant Kazanjian,
Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), will travel to
Armenia next week where from August 8 to 18, they will conduct a Christian
Educational Program for fifty of the more than 800 orphans currently
sponsored through the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship Program. The program,
which will take place in Dzaghgatsor, Armenia, will provide religious
education for the youngsters as well as a camping environment that includes
recreational activities.
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS THROUGH SUMMER
TO PLAN VISIT OF ARAM I TO EASTERN PRELACY
The Steering Committee, under the presidency of Archbishop Oshagan and
chairmanship of Dr. George Dermksian, is meeting throughout the summer
months to plan every detail of the visit of Catholicos Aram I to the Eastern
Prelacy. His Holiness has been visiting all of the dioceses under the
jurisdiction of the Cilician See to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the
reestablishment of the Holy See’s Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon. The
Catholicos’s visit to the Eastern Prelacy will begin October 19 and continue
through to October 30. During this time he will attend commemorative events
and private meetings in New York, New Jersey, Washington, Boston, and
Chicago.
CILICIAN SEE PARTICIPATES IN WSCF GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The annual general assembly of the World Student Christian Federation
(WSCF) in the Middle East took place in Cairo early this month.
Representatives from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Sudan and Egypt participated.
Carla Khijoian, a member of the Executive Committee of WSCF and the
Student Association of the Armenian Church, participated in the conference
on behalf of the Catholicate of Cilicia.
A conference entitled “Women in the East and Honor Crimes” followed the
assembly. Several lecturers and professionals in various fields spoke about
the concept of honor in the Middle East and its immediate relation to women.
The participants stressed the importance of educating the women of the East
about their rights.
4,000 FAITHFUL PARTICIPATE IN PILGRIMAGE TO ST. TADEH
More than 4,000 Armenians participated in the annual three-day
pilgrimage to St. Tadeh (Thaddeus) Monastery in Iran, July 7-9, under the
patronage of the Catholicate of Cilicia, and the supervision of the Primate
of the Diocese, V. Rev. Fr. Neshan Topuzian. The Monastery is built on the
tomb of St. Thaddeus, one of two apostles who brought Christianity to
Armenia. During the pilgrimage the faithful lived in tents on the monastery
grounds, attended services, and participated in festivities.
EPHESUS COMMEMORATED ON AUGUST 6
The Holy Fathers of the Council of Ephesus (AD 431) are remembered in
the Armenian Church next Saturday, August 6.
Ephesus, the third general council, was convened upon the order of
Emperor Theodosius II to settle the Nestorian heresy. A large number of
high-ranking church leaders attended, headed by Patriarch Cyril of
Alexandria. The principle decision of the Council was the condemnation of
Nestorius. The Council excommunicated Nestorius and condemned his heresy,
affirmed the Nicene Creed, approved the title of Theotokos (God-bearer) as a
title for the Virgin Mary.
The Armenian Church accepted the canons and decisions of the Council and
set a feast day in the church calendar, on the Saturday of the “Barekendan”
of the Assumption.
The Armenian Church recognizes the first three councils: Nicaea (325),
Constantinople (381), and Ephesus (431), and has designated special days in
the liturgical calendar for all three.
ONE WEEK HIATUS FOR CROSSROADS
Please make a note that Crossroads will not be published next Thursday,
August 4. Our next issue will be transmitted on Thursday, August 11.
EVERYONE TALKS ABOUT THE WEATHER. . .
This past week just about everyone complained about the intense heat and
humidity here on the east coast, reminding us of this anonymous little
ditty:
As a rule, a man [and woman] is a fool;
When it’s hot, he wants it cool;
When it’s cool, he wants it hot-
Always wanting what is not.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 8-18-Christian Educational Program in Armenia for the Prelacy
sponsored orphans (ages 12 and 13), at Dzaghgatsor, conducted by V. Rev. Fr.
Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General and Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of the
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC).
August 27-National Educators’ Seminar sponsored by the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC), at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, NJ.
September 18-Banquet to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the consecration
of Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, and
honor the Church Godfathers. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will deliver
the keynote address. For more information, 508-852-2414.
September 25-35th anniversary of St. Gregory Armenian Church of North
Andover, Massachusetts, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan.
For more information, 978-685-5038.
October 19-November 1-Visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, to the Eastern Prelacy, commemorating the 75th anniversary
of the establishment of the Cilician Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon.
October 28-29-Mashtots Conference celebrating the 1600th anniversary of the
founding of the Armenian alphabet, at Harvard University. Jointly sponsored
by the Eastern Prelacy and Harvard University Mashtots Chair, Department of
Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.
November 11-13-Mini-Datev program for the Midwest parishes.
March 17-19, 2006-Sunday School Teachers’ Conference at the Wonderland
Conference and Retreat Center in Sharon, MA.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]
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