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
August 23, 2007
ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE ACKNOWLEDGES GENOCIDE
A front-page article written by Keith O’Brien in yesterday’s Boston
Globe, describes how "the national director [Abraham Foxman] of the
Anti-Defamation League bowed to pressure from both Jewish and Armenian
American communities and officially acknowledged the genocide of Armenians
at the hands of Ottoman Turkey more than 90 years ago."
O’Brien explains how the debate began locally weeks ago in Watertown,
home to more than 8,000 Armenian Americans. Some residents there, he said,
became upset when they learned that the ADL, which had long refused to
acknowledge the genocide, was the sponsor of the town’s anti-bigotry
program, No Place For Hate. The Watertown Town Council voted to pull out of
the program. Other towns followed.
The Boston Globe has been filled with stories, editorials, op-ed
columns, and letters during the past few weeks on this matter.
Although the national ADL has changed its policy in recognizing the
genocide, it remains against the passing of the congressional resolution on
the Armenian Genocide, using the same rhetoric used by the Turkish
government that this is best left to historians, implying that the Armenian
genocide is debatable. The New England regional director, Andrew Tarsy, was
fired by Foxman earlier because of Tarsy’s public support of the genocide
resolution. His firing prompted the resignation of at least two board
members and a general outcry of outrage. There is speculation that he will
be reinstated.
To read the entire Boston Globe article by Keith O’Brien click
/22/adl_chief_bows_to_critics/.
To read "Truth and The Armenian Genocide" by Jeff Jacoby click
n/oped/articles/2007/08/22/no_room_to_deny_genocid e/.
DIVINE LITURGY DURING OLYMPICS WEEKEND
The 74th annual Olympics of the Armenian Youth Federation is being
sponsored by the New Jersey Arsen chapter. On Sunday, September 2, Badarak
will be celebrated at the Sheraton Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New
Jersey, the headquarters of the Olympics. The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan,
will preside and the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, will officiate. All are
invited to attend. Choir members are encouraged to join the ad hoc choir.
For information about the weekend events and directions go to
CATHOLICOS ARAM I MEETS WITH PATRIARCH SFEIR
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, met with
Patriarch Sfeir (Maronite Catholic Church) on August 17. In a subsequent
statement to the press, Catholicos Aram said: "On the basic challenges
confronting Lebanon, Patriarch Sfeir’s and our viewpoints are similar. We
support His Beatitude and find it important for all the spiritual leaders to
work together to bring Lebanon out of its current uncertain situation."
Speaking about the presidential election, he said: "All efforts must be
exerted to elect a new president within the time-period specified by the
constitution. The new president should be elected in Lebanon, by the
Lebanese and by consensus of all sides. The new president should be someone
who builds bridges of mutual understanding and trust between the different
sides, someone who works for the integrity, sovereignty and independence of
Lebanon."
His Holiness stressed the role of the church, noting that the church "is
the voice of truth, the apostle of justice and peace, the will of the
people, the promoter of moral values, the preacher of love and unity."
The Catholicos called on everyone "to transcend temporary interests,
stay away from the valueless political culture dominant in the country,
gather around Lebanon’s basic values and priorities, and work together for
strengthening the unity, sovereignty and integrity of Lebanon."
ASSOCIATION OF MUSLIM CLERICS
VISIT CATHOLICOS ARAM I
A senior delegation of Muslim clerics representing the Association of
Muslim Clerics of Lebanon visited His Holiness Aram I on August 20. The
representative of the Armenian community in the Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Committee, Dr. Jean Salmanian, also attended the meeting.
The delegation expressed its support to the Armenian Pontiff,
particularly in light of his recently expressed national positions and the
importance he places on Christian-Muslim dialogue.
The Catholicos said: "We respect all our friends who support Lebanon be
they Arab Christians, Muslims or from the Western world. However, the
interests of Lebanon remain a priority for us. We do not have the right to
sacrifice Lebanon’s principal interests for the sake of our friendship or
other forms of attachments. Lebanon is home for all of us and as the
children of those in charge of it, we have the obligation to strengthen our
common home, its internal unity, sovereignty and independence."
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click
.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click
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:
Armenian literature developed with the creation of the Armenian
alphabet, beginning with the translation of the Bible. The first texts to be
translated were the writing of the great Greek philosophers, politicians and
theologians. Being able to read these works gave the Armenians a more
universal outlook. Ironically, many works in Classical Greek, Latin and
other languages are available today only in their Armenian translations, the
originals being lost.
Modern Armenian literature began in the nineteenth century with the
writings of Khatchatour Abovian (1804-1848), who was the first author to
write in modern Armenian rather than classical Armenian. His most famous
work is The Wounds of Armenia.
Another great writer at this time was Raffi (Hagop Melik-Hakopian,
1837-1888), the grand romanticist of Armenian literature. He began as a poet
but turned to patriotic and historic novels after traveling through Turkish
Armenia and seeing the condition of the Armenians.
The literary tradition continued when Armenia came under communist rule
with writers and poets like Hovhaness Toumanian and Yeghishe Charentz in the
1920s and 30s. In the late 1960s a new generation of writers like Barouyr
Sevag, Kevork Emin, and Hovaness Shiraz began a new era of Armenian
literature.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, August 23, are: Jeremiah 1:1-10; 38:1-13; 2
Peter 2:9-22; Matthew 2:16-18.
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was
infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem
who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned
from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the
prophet Jeremiah:
"A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentations,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more." (Matthew 2:16-18)
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
.
"I HAVE A DREAM."
Next Tuesday is the 44th anniversary of the peaceful civil rights march
on Washington where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his electrifying "I
Have a Dream" speech.
On August 28, 1963, more than a quarter of a million people gathered on
the mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It was a
day of speeches and performances by entertainers like Harry Belafonte,
Sidney Poitier, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan. As the sun set and evening
approached the keynote speaker standing on the steps in front of the Lincoln
Memorial began his speech to those assembled and to the tens of millions
watching on television. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., sensing the response
and mood of the crowd, at one point set aside his prepared text and
extemporaneously delivered a soul-stirring speech filled with biblical and
patriotic imagery and uplifting optimism. The speech immediately became
known as the "I have a dream" speech and today is considered to be one of
the most stirring and memorable orations of the twentieth century. One year
later the Civil Rights Act was passed, and Dr. King was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize-at age 35 the youngest recipient.
If you would like to read the "I Have a Dream" speech click here.
(A video of the speech is on YouTube.)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 9-Annual picnic of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley at
American Legion Grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
September 9-St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, annual picnic at
Quartette Club grounds, New Britain.
September 9-St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York.
Annual picnic on the church grounds following church services. For
information 718-224-2275.
September 15-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, "The Moon*The
Stars*and All that Jazz." An evening of music and mezze under the stars,
presented by the Ladies Guild. For information 845-735-8713 or 201-445-6867.
September 25-Holy 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-Sts. 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-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th
anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley. For information
or 508-234-3677.
October 7-St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, 82nd Anniversary
banquet, Marriott Hotel, Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
October 7-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, "Hello Ellis
Island," the latest production of The Way We Were Troupe, hosted by the
Ladies Guild, 1 pm. Lunch served. For information 201-943-2950.
October 18, 19, 20, 21-Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Annual Food
Festival and Bazaar.
October 21-St. 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 11-37th 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-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual
"Armenian Fest," at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island. For
information 401-831-6399.
November 17-Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 43rd Anniversary
Banquet.
December 1-Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual
church bazaar. For information or 508-234-3677.
December 9-St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary
celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.
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