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
February 1, 2007
PRELATE IN VATICAN
Archbishop Oshagan is at the Vatican this week where he is attending the
meetings of the Catholic Church-Oriental Orthodox Churches Joint Commission
for Theological Dialogue. The Armenian Church is represented by the
Catholicosate of Etchmiadzin of All Armenians by Archbishop Mesrob Krikorian
and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, and the Catholcosate of Cilicia by
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and Bishop Nareg Alemezian. This is the fourth
such dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox
Churches, which besides the Armenian Church include the Coptic Orthodox
Church, the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church,
Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church, and the Syrian Orthodox Church of
Antioch.
PRELATE WILL COMMEMORATE ST. SARKIS DAY
WITH DOUGLASTON, NEW YORK PARISH
Archbishop Oshagan will return from the Vatican this weekend and on
Sunday, February 4, he will commemorate St. Sarkis Day with the parish of
St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York. A Requiem Service for the parish’s
former priest, Archpriest Asoghik Kilejian, will take place.
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY IN MICHIGAN
The 2007 National Representative Assembly (NRA) will be hosted by the
St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, May 16, 17, 18. Information will be
sent to all delegates from the host parish within the next ten days.
PRELATE’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY WILL BE MARKED THIS YEAR
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan to the priesthood. In celebration of this milestone
anniversary the Religious and Executive Councils are organizing three
celebrations which will take place in May.
The first celebration will take place on Saturday, May 5, in Providence,
Rhode Island, for the New England area; the second will take place on
Saturday, May 12, in northern New Jersey for the Mid-Atlantic area; and the
third will take place in the Midwest on Friday, May 18, during the National
Representative Assembly which will be hosted by St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn,
Michigan.
VICAR ATTENDS ECUMENICAL RECEPTION
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar, attended a reception in honor of
Bishop Munib Younan, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Jordan and the
Holy Land, on Monday, January 29, at the offices of the Catholic Near East
Welfare Association in New York City.
VICAR AND CHAIRMAN WILL GO THE FLORIDA
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General of the Prelacy, and Jack Mardoian,
chairman of the Executive Council, will travel to Florida, this weekend, to
visit the St. Gregory parish of Fort Lauderdale.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HRANT DINK IN ANTELIAS
Last Saturday evening, January 27, a candlelight service took place in
the courtyard of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, in
memory of the Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink who was assassinated in
Istanbul. The service took place in front of the Martyrs Chapel with many
hundreds participating.
PRELACY LENTEN LECTURES WILL BEGIN FEBRUARY 21
The 2007 Prelacy Lenten program will feature six lectures on the seven
vices and seven virtues. The annual Lenten series is sponsored by the
Prelacy Ladies Guild, the St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild, and the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC). The first lecture will take place
Wednesday, February 21 and continue for the next five Wednesdays during
Lent. All of the programs will take place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral,
221 East 27th Street, New York City, with the following general schedule:
Lenten Service at 7:30 pm; Lecture at 8 pm, followed by questions and
answers, and Fellowship.
For a complete schedule of lectures click
GENOC IDE RESOLUTION INTRODUCED IN HOUSE
Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA) and
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) joined in announcing the support of more than 160 of
their House colleagues for the introduction of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution. The sponsors say that the move to Democratic control in Congress
increases chances that the bill will reach the House floor for a vote.
Similar resolutions have been introduced in the past, but were kept from a
full vote by congressional leaders. The resolution’s supporters say that the
leader of the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, who has expressed
support for the resolution, is likely to come under pressure from the Bush
administration to keep the House from voting on the bill. (from
International Herald Tribune)
For information on how you can help, go to the ANCA web page
().
THE PROPHET JONAH
This Friday, February 2, the Armenian Church remembers the Prophet
Jonah, one of the so-called twelve "Minor Prophets." These prophets are not
less important than those we call "Major Prophets," but their books are
shorter. All of the Minor Prophets were servants of God who proclaimed His
will to people in need of repentance.
The story of Jonah and the Whale is one of the better known stories in
the Old Testament. The remembrance of Jonah comes on the fifth day of the
Fast of the Catechumens. Just as the Ninevites fasted and repented from
their wicked ways, so too do the people of God during this preliminary fast
before Great Lent, repent and reconcile themselves to God and one another.
ST. SARKIS THE WARRIOR
This Saturday, February 3, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Sarkis
the Warrior and his son Mardiros. It is a moveable feast day that can occur
between January 11 and February 15. It follows the five-day Fast of the
Catechumens. Although the Fast is not connected to St. Sarkis, it has become
associated with this saint who enjoys a special popularity amongst the
Armenians. Sarkis lived during the fourth century and was from Cappadocia in
Asia Minor. He rose through the military ranks as a consequence of his
valiant campaigns on behalf of the Emperor Constantine. With the accession
of the Emperor Julian, Sarkis took refuge in Armenia with his son, Mardiros.
Later he and his son went to Persia to join the Persian army in fighting
Emperor Julian. Both fought with exceptional bravery. The Persian leader
(Shapur II) tried to convince them to abandon their Christian faith and
embrace Zorastrianism. Both refused, and father and son were martyred. Loyal
Christian soldiers, who went to retrieve the bodies, were killed as well.
Eventually, Christians secured the remains and sent them to Assyria, where
they remained until the fifth century, when Mesrob Mashdots had them moved
to the city of Garpi in Armenia. The famed Garpi Monastery, erected over the
site of the grave, stands to this day.
St. Sarkis is revered and there are many Armenian churches throughout
the world named in his memory, including two within the Eastern Prelacy: St.
Sarkis of Dearborn, Michigan, and St. Sarkis of Douglaston, New York.
ST. ADOM and ST. SOUKIAS
It is a busy week for the Armenian Church in the remembrance of saints.
On Monday and Tuesday respectively the Armenian Church remembers Sts.
Adom and Generals and the Holy Sookiasians. Two armies of Armenian soldiers
were led by Adom Knooni and Manajihr Rshdooni in the fifth century before
the Battle of Avarayr. They were ordered by their Persian commanders to
leave Armenia and proceed to one of the most distant outposts of the empire
for the purpose of keeping the Armenian soldiers far away from Armenia and
thus preventing them from defending the Armenians. The commanders recognized
the Persian plot and returned to Armenia with their armies. They were
pursued, captured and martyred by the Persian forces.
The Holy Sookiasians were members of the Royal Court who were converted
and baptized by the Voskyan priests. They lived in isolation at Mount
Sougaved. When they refused to return to court and worship the pagan gods,
they were martyred.
SCREAMERS EXTENDED IN NEW YORK
Screamers, the documentary film about the denial of genocide inspired by
the System of a Down, has been extended to February 8, at the AMC Empire
Theater, in Times Square (234 W. 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th avenues).
For information: 212-398-3939.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
Traditionally the strongest link in Armenian identity has been the
Armenian Church. With the invention of the alphabet the church became the
keeper of not only the faith but of the language and literature. It was
Catholicos Sahak who supported and encouraged Mesrob Mashtots in his pursuit
of an alphabet. Sahak made sure that monastery schools were established, and
encouraged students to learn, and then take part in the great era of
translation that followed. The manuscripts that were produced with their
beautiful illuminations are testament to the people’s devotion to their
faith. The master scribes were held in great esteem. The calligraphy was
done with extraordinary patience, diligence and sacrifice. For instance, one
manuscript ends with this note from the scribe: "A man who knows not how to
write may think this is no great feat. But only try to do it yourself and
you will learn how arduous is the writer’s task. It dims your eyes, makes
your back ache, and knits your chest and belly together-it is a terrible
ordeal for the whole body. So, gentle reader, turn these pages carefully and
keep your fingers far from the text. For just as hail plays havoc with the
fruits of spring, so a careless reader is a bane to books and writing."
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Today is the last of the four-day period (as explained in last week’s
Crossroads) when there are no Bible readings in the Armenian liturgical
calendar.
The reading for tomorrow, Friday, February 2, is Jonah 1:1-4:11.
"Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their
wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from
the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to
Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went on board, to go with them to
Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord hurled a great
wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the
ship threatened to break up." Jonah 1:1-4.
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.
TOMORROW IS GROUNDHOG DAY
Hard to believe, but tomorrow, February 2, is Groundhog Day. It is the
day when the lowly groundhog predicts the coming of spring. Here in the
northeast it has only recently been "winter-like" so the talk of spring
seems to be premature. The most famous of the groundhogs is Punxsutawney
Phil who resides in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. You can file this under
"Only in America" category: There are events and celebrations related to
Punxsutawney Phil in his hometown all week long and non-stop beginning 3 am
Friday continuing through to 1 am Saturday.
WOODROW WILSON AND FOOTBALL
This Saturday, February 3, is the 73rd anniversary of the death of
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States. In this weekend of
the Super Bowl, let us note that Wilson was the first president known to
have a special love for football, which he described as a "noble game."
During his presidency of Princeton University, he worked to improve the
rules of the game and to implement safety standards, because of the large
number of deaths and serious injuries that were occurring. His pioneering
efforts for safety reduced death and injury considerably, and resulted in
the forming of the Intercollegiate Football Rules Committee, which was the
organization that eventually led to the National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA).
SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR DER TORKOM
Archpriest Fr. Torkom Hagopian, former pastor of St. Stephen Church in
Watertown, Massachusetts, underwent successful knee replacement surgery this
week. He is expected to go to rehab next week before returning to his home
where he will continue his rehabilitation and recuperation. We extend our
heartfelt best wishes to Der Hayr for a very speedy recovery. Those wishing
to extend their personal get-well wishes can direct cards and letters to his
home, 744 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02154.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 4-St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the church
and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York.
February 4-Membership meeting, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island.
February 11-Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston,
New York.
February 11-Membership meeting, Holy Trinity Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts.
February 11-Membership meeting, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
February 12, 13, 14-Joint clergy gathering on the occasion of the
Ghevontiantz commemoration. Clergy of the Eastern, Western and Canadian
Prelacies will meet in California. Monday evening, Divine Liturgy and Sermon
at Forty Martyrs Church in Orange County; Tuesday evening, celebration of
the eve of Diarantaratch at St. Mary Church in Glendale. Major themes of
clergy gathering are the zeal of clergymen toward their mission, and joint
projects for Christian education texts and Sunday school curricula.
February 17-Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night,
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
February 25-Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church, Granite City, Illinois.
March 4-Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts.
March 4-Membership meeting, St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts.
March 4-Membership meeting, St. Illuminator Cathedral, New York City.
March 4-Membership meeting, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
March 18-Membership meeting, St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut.
March 25-Musical Armenia 2007, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, 2 pm.
Sponsored by Prelacy Ladies Guild.
May 5-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in the
New England area will take place in Providence, Rhode Island.
May 6-30th anniversary of St. Illuminator’s Armenian Day School, Terrace on
the Park, Corona, New York, at 5 pm.
May 7-Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers’ Day Luncheon, St. Regis Hotel, New York
City.
May 12-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in Mid
Atlantic area will take place at the Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New
Jersey.
May 12-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, 50th anniversary concert
featuring Onnik Dinkjian and John Berberian.
May 18-40th anniversary of ordination of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan in
Midwest will take place at the National Representative Assembly.
July 1-8-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, 21st annual summer Christian
studies program for junior and senior high school students, at St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania.
August 7-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf
tournament at Blackstone Country Club.
August 19-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic.
September 29-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley.
December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar.
December 1-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.
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