Because of interruption of internet service at the Prelacy offices we were
unable to transmit this issue of Crossroads yesterday. Please note that the
June 28th issue is being sent to you on Friday, June 29
JUNE 28, 2007
12th ANNIVERSARY OF ANOINTMENT AND ENTHRONMENT
OF CATHOLICOS ARAM I THIS SUNDAY
The 12th anniversary of the anointment and enthronement of His Holiness Aram
I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will be celebrated throughout
the Eastern Prelacy with special services offering good wishes for the
Pontiff (Hairabedakan Maghtank), this Sunday, July 1.
PRELATE WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY
The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, will preside over the Divine
Liturgy and officiate over the special services marking the 12th anniversary
of the anointment and enthronement of Catholicos Aram I, at Sts. Vartanantz
Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, this Sunday, July 1.
VICAR WILL BE IN PHILADELPHIA
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar, will attend the Divine Liturgy at St.
Gregory the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia this Sunday, July 1.
Immediately thereafter he will travel to Elverson, Pennsylvania, for the
beginning of the St. Gregory of Datev Institute.
21ST ANNUAL ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
Seventy-seven students (mostly ages 13-18) from thirteen parishes, and eight
clergymen, will gather at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, on Sunday, July 1, for the 21st annual weeklong St. Gregory of
Datev Institute Summer Program, under the directorship of Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian.
Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the Prelacy,
the Summer Program offers a unique opportunity for our youth to learn the
essentials of Armenian Christianity in a wholesome and nurturing
environment. Each day the program begins with Morning Service from
7:15am-7:45am. Four classes are held from 8:30am to 12:30pm. In the
afternoons, the students enjoy recreational activities, such as volleyball,
soccer, basketball, and swimming. In addition, there will be occasional
excursions to the French Creek Park for canoeing, to a movie theatre, and
historical sites. In the evenings, there is a general lecture from 7:30 to
8:20, followed by three concurrent Bible studies from 8:30-9:30 for
different age groups. The day comes to a close with the Compline Service
(Husgoom) from 9:45-10:30pm.
The Instructors of the Institute this year are: Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian,
Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Garabedian, Rev. Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Rev. Fr.
Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian,
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Dn. Nishan Baljian, Dn. Arsen Mekaelian, Ms. Jeanette
Nazarian, and Ms. Nayiri Baljian.
This year the Institute is privileged to have two guest instructors: Rev.
Fr. Paul Tarazi, Professor of Biblical Studies and Biblical Languages at St.
Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (New York, Crestwood), and Rev. Dr.
George Leylegian.
For more information about the Datev Institute, please visit the Prelacy
website at or contact the AREC
office at 212 689-4481.
Photo: On Wednesday, June 27, ³datevatsies² from the NY-NJ area came to the
Prelacy office to put together program material for the seventy-seven
participants of the weeklong St. Gregory of Datev Institute Armenian
Christian Studies Program.
SEMINAR ON BOOK OF REVELATIONS DURING DATEV
A three-hour seminar on the Orthodox understanding of the Book of
Revelations will be presented by Father Paul Tarazi, Professor of Old
Testament at St. Vladimir¹s Orthodox Theological Seminary, on Saturday, July
7, during the Datev program at St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson,
Pennsylvania. Father Tarazi is a member of the faculty of the Datev
Institute. This seminar is open to all and is sponsored by the Prelacy¹s
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and the Christian Education
Committee of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia.
Father Tarazi, a specialist in Scriptural studies in Old and New Testament
and Biblical Hebrew, is noted for his dynamic speaking style and his ability
to hold an audience¹s interest while explaining complex issues. He has
written several commentaries on the Bible including one on the Book of
Revelations.
Registration is required. Fees are nominal. For details click here:
< tm.>
CILICIAN SEMINARY CONCLUDES ACADEMIC YEAR
Graduation ceremonies concluded the 77th academic year of the Theological
Seminary of the Holy See of Cilicia. The ceremony took place June 21 in
Bikfaya, Lebanon, where the Seminary is located, under the auspices of His
Holiness Aram I.
V. Rev. Fr. Shahe Panossian, dean of the Seminary, presented the graduates
to His Holiness, who conferred the diplomas. In his message he stressed the
importance of being high expectations and encouraged the graduates to be
attentive to quality, preserving the spirit that the Seminary gave them
which they should take to various areas of their future service.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE=8A
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click here
< ical.htm>.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click here
< m>.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated 2007 as the Year of the Armenian Language. In celebration of this
year-long tribute, each week we will offer an interesting tidbit about the
Armenian language and literature:
Today, June 28, as noted below, is one of two days in the Armenian
liturgical calendar honoring the Holy Translators.
Catholicos Sahag Bartev was the son of St. Nerses the Great. He received his
primary and higher education in Caesarea and Byzantium. He was a very
learned and literary person who guided Armenia¹s Golden Age following the
invention of the Armenian alphabet. He was a mentor and supporter of St.
Mesrob in his quest for an alphabet.
St. Mesrob was born in the province of Daron. He learned Greek and Persian
at an early age, and came to realize the vital need of an alphabet for the
Armenian language. According to tradition, while meditating in a cave near
the town of Palu, he had a vision where ³the hand of God wrote the alphabet
in letters of fire.²
The first words to be translated into Armenian were from the Book of
Proverbs: ³That you may know wisdom and instruction, and understand words of
insight=8A.² (Proverbs 1:2)
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, July 1, are: Isaiah 2:5-11; Romans 9:30-10:4;
Matthew 13:24-30.
What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness,
have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; but Israel, who did
strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in
fulfilling that law. Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the
basis of faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over
the stumbling stone, as it is written, ³See I am laying in Zion¹s stone that
will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall, and whoever
believes in him will not be put to shame.²
Brothers and sisters, my heart¹s desire and prayer to God for them is that
they may be saved. I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is
not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from
God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God¹s
righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be
righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 9:30-10:4
For listing of the entire week¹s Bible readings click
here< 07.htm#062807>.
HOLY TRANSLATORS SAINTS SAHAG AND MESROB
Today, June 28, the Armenian Church remembers the Holy Translators, Sts.
Sahag Bartev and Mesrob Mashtots. The feasts dedicated to the Holy
Translators are among the most popular and beloved celebrations for the
Armenians. Their lives are commemorated two times during the liturgical
year, on the Thursday following the fourth Sunday after Pentecost (which is
today), and on the second Saturday of October.
KING TIRIDATES, QUEEN ASHKHEN, PRINCESS KHOSROVITOUKHT
This Saturday, June 30, the Armenian Church celebrates King Tiridates
(Drtad), Queen Ashkhen, and Princess Khosrovitoukht. After torturing and
condemning St. Gregory to the pit and because of his fatal treatment of the
Hripsimeyan nuns, King Tiridates became inflicted with strange maladies. His
wife, Ashkhen, and his sister, Khosrovitoukht (who had already secretly
accepted Christianity) convinced the king that only Gregory could cure him.
Gregory was released from the pit. With the king¹s subsequent recovery, all
three helped to spread Christianity throughout the land. In their later
years, the queen and the princess lived in the fortress of Garni and the
king retired to St. Gregory¹s final place of retreat, Mt. Sebouh.
NEW ON THE PRELACY WEB PAGE
Photographs from the three celebrations in honor of the 40th anniversary of
the ordination of Archbishop Oshagan. Click
here< uets/trireg06.html>.
Press release and photographs from the National Representative Assembly.
Click here <; .
THE FOURTH OF JULY
Next Wednesday, July 4, we celebrate the 231st anniversary of the United
States Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was 33 years old when
he wrote the draft of the Declaration of Independence as a member of a
committee that included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Some changes were
made, but the final document remained primarily the work of Jefferson. It
was the most daring document every produced at a time when it was unheard of
a fledgling, divided country made up of thirteen separate colonies having
the boldness (some would say audacity) to produce a document against the
most powerful country of the time with demands for ³certain unalienable
rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.²
Every American should read this document once a year. July 4th would be the
perfect time.
REMEMBERING CATHOLICOS KAREKIN I
Tomorrow, June 29, is the 8th anniversary of the passing of His Holiness
Karekin I, Catholicos and Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians, 1995 to 1999;
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia from 1977 to 1995; and Prelate of
the Eastern Prelacy from 1973 to 1977.
³Throughout the duration of the life of any Christian, he or she remains a
child or child-like. That is to say, a Christian is always a student.
Childhood is not only a matter of age, just as learning is not only a matter
of the school term or year. Education is an indispensable part of our
everyday life. In the same way, learning the Christian faith is not a matter
of a desk or classroom=8A. Everything is changeable in the world, except the
breath of God and His mark is within all of us. Those who seek it will find
it. Christ said, the sky and country will end, but my words will never end.²
Karekin I (1999)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July 1-8=8BSt. 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. For information Click here
< gt;.
July 7=8BSt. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, gathering at the
home of the parish priest, Rev. Father Bedros Shetilian.
July 9 to July 20=8BSt. Sarkis Church Summer Camp, Douglaston, New York, for
ages 5 to 12. Prayers and hymns, Armenian classes, introduction to the
bible, arts and crafts, sports, and much more. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to
3:00 pm. Lunch and snack will be served. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. and
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. Enrollment limited to 30 students.
Registration deadline June 5. Minimum donation $75. For information,
718-224-2275.
July 21=8BSts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild, Providence, Rhode Island, and
ARS Ani Chapter present ³A Hye Summer Night 2.² For information
401-286-8107.
August 7=8BSoorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf
tournament at Blackstone Country Club. For information
<; or
508-234-3677.
August 12=8BSts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual church
picnic at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. For information
401-831-6399.
August 19=8BSoorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church picnic. For information
< anchurchofwhit.org/> or 508-234-3677.
September 9=8BAnnual picnic of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley at
American Legion Grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
September 25=8BHoly Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, 4th annual golf outing at Juniper Hill Golf Course,
Northboro, Massachusetts. Registration at 8 am. Tee off at 9 am. $125
includes golf cart, dinner and prizes. For information 508-852-2414.
September 27=8BSts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 5th Annual Golf
Outing at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. Registration
begins at 11 a.m. and tee time at 1 p.m. For information, 201-943-2950.
September 29=8BSoorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley. For information
<; or
508-234-3677.
October 21=8BSt. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, celebrating the
20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, under the
auspices of the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan. For information
<; or
215-482-9200.
November 4=8B37th anniversary of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley and
ordination of Nishan Dagley to the office of acolyte and stole bearer.
Presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the
Prelacy.
November 10-11=8BSts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual
³Armenian Fest,² at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island. For
information 401-831-6399.
December 1=8BSoorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar. For information
< anchurchofwhit.org/> or 508-234-3677.
December 9=8BSt. Stephen¹s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy¹s web site.
To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add
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Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit
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Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]