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
September 7, 2006
NEW PRELACY OFFICE IN YEREVAN TO BE NAMED
IN HONOR OF ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
The Eastern Prelacy’s charitable work in Armenia began immediately after
the December 1988 earthquake in northern Armenia, but it was in 1993 that an
office was officially opened in Yerevan, under the supervision of the then
Prelate, the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian. It was Mesrob Srpazan who named
the agency "The St. Nerses the Great Charitable and Social Organization," in
honor of Catholicos Nerses (c. 326-373) who is remembered for the great
charitable work he accomplished, building schools, hospitals and other
institutions that served the needs of the people.
Since its establishment thirteen years ago, the St. Nerses Charitable
Organization has been operating from a small two-room office. Two years ago
an apartment on Koryun Street was purchased and has been undergoing
renovations for use as an office. The official opening of this new office
will take place on Tuesday evening, September 19, and the office will be
named "The Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian Center." The Prelate, Archbishop
Oshagan, will preside over the opening and naming ceremonies, which is
expected to be attended by a number of dignitaries and guests.
"The Executive Council and I deemed it appropriate to name the office in
honor of Mesrob Srpazan, because of the extraordinary service he performed
in Armenia. He created the St. Nerses Charitable Organization and nurtured
it from its earliest days paving the way to the current status of this
charitable organization, which provides assistance to hundreds of
individuals and institutions in Armenia and Artsakh. I hope this will be
another link in remembering the splendid legacy he left," said Archbishop
Oshagan.
VICAR GENERAL RETURNS TO NEW YORK
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, returned to New York last
week after more than two weeks in Armenia where he directed the program of
summer religious studies for some of the children sponsored by the Prelacy’s
Orphan Sponsorship Program, which took place at the summer camp in Vanadzor
in northern Armenia.
PRELATE AT THE AYF OLYMPICS
As he does every Labor Day weekend, Archbishop Oshagan opened the 73rd
annual AYF Olympic games, which this year took place in Milwaukee.
In his opening message and prayer, His Eminence praised the Armenian
Youth Federation for its years of service to the youth, and said, ".the AYF
has taught you to participate and not remain in the margins of Armenian
American life. May you always be faithful to these traditions in the
footsteps of our forefathers, looking ahead to the future."
To read the entire message click
EPISCOPAL CONSECRATION OF BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN
WILL BE CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 1
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the celebration in honor of the
recent Episcopal consecration of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian. A
community-wide banquet will take place on Sunday, October 1, 3 pm at the
Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, New York. In the morning, Bishop
Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, a parish he served for more than a decade. Bishop
Anoushavan’s elevation and consecration took place on June 4, in ceremonies
officiated by Catholicos Aram I in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the
Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon.
For more information about the October 1st event click
V. REV. FR. DANIEL GARABEDIAN SAYS FAREWELL AND
PREPARES FOR NEW MINISTRY IN MIDWEST
Yesterday, September 6, was V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian’s final day at
the Prelacy offices in New York City, where he has been serving in the
religious education department for the past year. The Prelate, Vicar, and
staff members enjoyed a luncheon together with expressions of good wishes
and prayers for Fr. Daniel who will begin his ministry to St. Hagop Church
in Racine, Wisconsin and St. Paul Church in Waukegan, Illinois.
Besides working in the Christian education department, Fr. Daniel served
as interim priest at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, as well as visiting priest
to other parishes. For several weeks during the summer Hayr Sourp was at
Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Massachusetts, where he assisted in the
educational program for campers, especially in religious education.
Godspeed, Hayr Sourp.
VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO RACINE THIS WEEKEND
Bishop Anoushavan, the Vicar General, will travel to Racine, Wisconsin,
this weekend where he will introduce V. Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian to the
congregation of St. Hagop Church. Joining the Vicar will be the chairman of
the Prelacy’s Executive Council, Jack Mardoian. Hayr Daniel will begin his
service as pastor of St. Hagop Church and St. Paul Church in Waukegan,
Illinois. Hayr Daniel will officiate over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday at
St. Hagop Church.
AREC DIRECTOR WILL LEAD RETREAT
Deacon Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education
Council, will lead a retreat for the Sunday School teachers and staff of St.
Gregory the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September
22-23, 2006. The theme of the retreat is "Nurturing Faith."
NEW SERIES OF BIBLE STUDY AT PRELACY
An eight-session course on the "Letter to the Hebrews" will start on
Monday, October 2, 2006, at the Prelacy from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, and will
continue to be held on the first and third Mondays of the month. Sponsored
by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the course will be
conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC.
The Letter to the Hebrews is a profound written homily, a "word of
exhortation" (Hebrews 13:22). One of the main themes of the Letter is that
the old covenant has been superseded through the sacrificial death of
Christ. And for that reason, studying the Letter to the Hebrews will give
the participants a solid biblical understanding of the "Soorp Badarak" (Holy
Sacrifice) that we celebrate on Sundays.
Registration is required (suggested donation: $25). For registration and
information, please call 212-689-7810 or e mail at [email protected].
QUARTER OF MILLION IS ALLOCATED TO SCHOOLS IN LEBANON
FROM KHATCHIG BABIKIAN FUND
The recently established "Khachig Babikian Fund," of the Catholicosate of
Cilicia will donate $250,000 to the Armenian national schools in Lebanon.
In making the announcement, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, said: "As we had previously announced, the yearly income
of this fund will be used for educational, cultural, social and publishing
projects. However, considering the hardships created in Lebanon as a
consequence of the recent war, we decided to grant the largest part of the
fund’s allocation this year to our schools. We believe this is a wise
decision considering the importance of the Armenian school in the life of
the community."
We remind readers that the Prelacy continues to accept donations for
Lebanese aid. Checks payable to Armenian Prelacy can be mailed to 138 E.
39th Street, New York, New York 10016.
FIRST MEETING OF NEW WCC CENTRAL COMMITTEE
The first meeting of the new WCC Central Committee began last week, on
August 30 in Geneva and is scheduled to end today. Attending on behalf of
the Armenian Church are: Bishop Nareg Alemezian and Dr. Nora Bairakdarian,
representing the Catholicosate of Cilicia, and Bishop Vicken Aikazian and
Paula Devedjian on behalf of the Catholicosate of All Armenians.
CATHOLICOS ARAM I RECEIVES U.S. AMBASSADOR
The Ambassador of the United States to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman, visited
His Holiness Aram I at the Catholicos’s summer residence in Bikfaya,
Lebanon, on August 30. The Ambassador and His Holiness discussed the
post-war efforts of the various Lebanese communities and the peace process.
WHITINSVILLE PARISH FEATURED
The local newspaper, Blackstone Tribune, printed an extensive feature
article on the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony and picnic of Sts.
Aasvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, with many photographs,
including a beautiful color photo on page one showing the blessing of grapes
ceremony led by Archbishop Oshagan, assisted by the parish’s priest, Rev.
Fr. Aram Stepanian, and clergy from area Prelacy churches including Rev. Fr.
Gomidas Baghsarian (Providence), Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian (Watertown), Rev.
Fr. Khachadour Boghossian (Worcester), Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian (North
Andover). The article’s focus was on the many young people who attended and
participated in the services and the picnic that followed.
SAVE THE DATE: CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18
With the extraordinary success of the Prelacy’s Children’s Concert two
years ago, another concert for children will take place on Saturday
afternoon, November 18, at Florence Gould Hall, at the Alliance Francaise in
New York City, featuring the talented and popular TALINE AND FRIENDS, from
California.
SPEAKING OF CONCERTS..
Speaking of concerts, a number of events are scheduled in the coming days
in New York featuring Armenian artists.
Sunday, September 17, a concert in celebration of the 15th anniversary of
the Republic of Armenia, will take place at Merkin Concert Hall at 7 pm.
"Now and Then: Music in Armenia after Khatchaturian," will feature a number
of well known musicians including Sahan Arzruni, Kim Kashkashian, Andre
Emelianoff, Shushi Dance Ensemble, and others, performing the works of
composers after Khatchaturian. Tickets ($25 each) available through the
Prelacy are sold out, but you can contact the box office at 212-501-3330.
Datevik Hovanessian and her trio are taking part in the "2nd Annual Diet
Coke Women in Jazz Festival," at Jazz at Lincoln Center, on Monday,
September 18, 7:30 pm, at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at the Time Warner Center
in New York, Broadway at 60th Street. For information and reservations go to
, or 212-258-9595.
On Monday, September 18, and Tuesday, September 19, the internationally
known and loved Charles Aznavour will perform at Radio City Music Hall, 8
pm, as part of his worldwide "Farewell Tour." Aznavour’s shows are always
first-rate. If you have never seen him perform in person, do it now.
Tickets, 212-307-7171.
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Tomorrow, Friday, September 8, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast
of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to tradition, Joachim
and Anna were faithful and pious, waiting for the promised messiah. They
were elderly and childless. They prayed to God for a child and were blessed
with a child who would become the Mother of the Messiah.
THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA
On Saturday, September 9, the Armenian Church celebrates the First
Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in Asia Minor in the year 325 and the 318
Church Fathers who attended. The Council was called by Emperor Constantine.
The Armenian Church participated in this Council and contributed toward the
victory of Orthodoxy. The Council is mentioned in the historical writings of
Moses of Khoren and Agathangelos. In later centuries and in all their
doctrinal writings, the Fathers of the Armenian Church referred to the
Council of Nicaea with veneration and the Nicene Creed was incorporated into
the Armenian Liturgy.
FAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, September 10, begins the Fast (Barekentan) leading to the
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachveratz), which is a week
from Sunday, September 17. Because this is a Great or Tabernacle Feast, it
is preceded by a week (Monday to Friday) of fasting.
FIVE YEARS AGO.
Monday, September 11, is the fifth anniversary of the attacks in New
York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Five years later the memories are of
lives lost and lives changed. Also of lives spared.
No matter what, those of us who did not lose a loved one on that day can
never imagine the pain of those who did. We experienced a taste of that
impending terror of loss on that day. Our niece and a cousin worked at the
World Trade Center in New York and when we watched the towers come down we
feared the worst. The hours of uncertainty, with no means of communication,
heightened our fears, but indicative of human behavior, we hoped and prayed
for salvation. When we finally received word that both had exited Tower Two
moments before it collapsed and were safe, our happiness was muted by the
knowledge that thousands of people did not escape and died that day in a
death that can only be described as senseless and evil. Five years later the
same questions abound as we contemplate a world vastly different than before
9/11.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 10-Sts. Vartanantz Sunday School, Ridgefield, New Jersey, luncheon
and registration for the 2006-2007 school year.
September 10-Annual picnic of St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
September 10-Annual picnic of St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack
Valley, at the American Legion grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
September 10-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Sunday School classes resume.
September 15-2nd Annual Golf Outing of All Saints Church, at Hilldale Golf
Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois. For reservations and/or information,
847-858-7685.
September 17-Sunday School registration and fellowship, Holy Trinity
Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, following the Divine
Liturgy.
September 17-First Annual Lobster Fest, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 215-482-9200.
September 17-Annual Picnic, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, on the
church grounds, following church services and the blessing of Basil. For
information: 718-224-2275.
September 18-11th Annual ACEC/School golf outing at Stow Acres Country Club,
Stow, Massachusetts. For information, 781-326-5764.
September 22-Family Night at St. Gregory Armenian Church of Merrimack
Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, 6 pm at Jaffarian Hall.
September 22-23-Retreat, "Nurturing Faith," for Sunday School teachers and
staff of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 25-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 3rd Annual Golf Outing and Award Dinner at Raceway Golf
Course, Thompson, Connecticut. Registration 7:30 a.m. For information
508-872-9629 or church office 508-852-2414.
September 25-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Third Annual Golf Outing. For information, 215-482-9200.
September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.
October 1-Banquet honoring Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian on the occasion of
his recent elevation, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York, 3
pm. Details will follow.
October 2-New eight-session Bible study on the "Letter to the Hebrews"
begins at the Prelacy, 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm, first and third Mondays of the
month, sponsored by AREC. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian. For information:
212-689-7810.
October 8-81st anniversary celebration of St. Stephen Church, New Britain,
Connecticut.
October 19-22-Annual bazaar, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland.
October 22-Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.
November 3-4- Ladies Guild Food Festival, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
November 3, 4, 5-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 5-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
November 5-36th Anniversary Luncheon and program, St. Gregory Armenian
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts.
November 10-12-Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere
Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan.
November 11-42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in
the church hall.
November 11-12-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual "Armenian Fest" at
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.
November 17 & 18-Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts.
November 18-Children’s Concert, GIVING THANKS, sponsored by the Eastern
Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring
TALINE AND FRIENDS. Details will follow.
November 26-St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
First Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
December 9-Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
December 24-Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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