Untitled DocumentPress 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
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – JUNE 5, 2008
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CILICIAN BROTHERHOOD
The General Assembly of the Catholicosate of Cilicia’s Brotherhood is
taking place today and tomorrow, June 5 and 6, in Antelias, Lebanon. The
meeting is chaired by the Catholicos, His Holiness Aram I. Members of the
Brotherhood from all of the dioceses under the jurisdiction of the Cilician
See are participating. Under the general heading, "The Armenian clergy
facing the challenges of the 21st century," the clergymen will discuss the
mission of the Armenian Church and the Holy See of Cilicia, reassessing in
light of present-day challenges. Various units and departments of the
Catholicosate will present reports about their activities and
accomplishments. The spiritual, educational, cultural and social activities
of the Brotherhood will be presented.
BLESSING OF MURON THIS SATURDAY
The Blessing of the Holy Muron, which generally occurs every seven
years, will take place this Saturday, June 7, in the courtyard of the
Catholicosate of Cilicia in front of the Cathedral of St. Gregory the
Illuminator. The Holy Muron has a special place in the spirituality of the
Armenian Church. With the anointment of the Holy Oil we become members of
the Armenian Church. Through the touch of the Holy Muron we are reborn,
recreated, and restored in God’s image.
In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Armenian Church, the
Holy Muron is prepared with 48 flowers, herbs, olive oil, and balsamum. The
preparation is a long process and each stage is accompanied with special
prayers. Preparations for the Muron blessing of 2008 began on April 25 when
Brotherhood members and Seminary students started to prepare the ingredients
of the Muron (which had been brought from different regions
around the world), while reciting sections of the book of Psalms. The Grand
Sacristan of the Cathedral placed the ingredients in the laurel and olive
oils. His Holiness Aram I then lit the flame on which the Muron was boiled
in special pots for a period of 48 hours. During this time members of the
Cilician Brotherhood stood watch while singing hymns and reading the Bible
under close guidance of the Catholicos. The Muron is placed in a special
cauldron and must remain on the altar of the Cathedral for forty days prior
to the blessing.
The blessing of the Holy Muron began with St. Gregory the Illuminator
and has continued to the present day. The pouring of the remaining portion
of the previous blessed Muron into the newly prepared oil during the
blessing ceremony passes the blessing from generation to generation. The
blessed oil is then distributed to all Armenian churches. The oil is used on
various occasions including the anointing of new clergymen during
ordination, new churches, articles and artwork used in church, during the
Blessing of the Water ceremony on Epiphany, and for confirmation and
chrismation during sacrament of baptism.
SEMINAR FOR YOUTH IN SEPTEMBER
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the
jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia, a youth seminar/retreat will take
place September 26-28, 2008. The retreat, open to anyone ages 18 to 35, will
take place at the St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center in Charlton,
Massachusetts. The event is being planned and prepared for youth by youth,
in collaboration with the Prelate, the Vicar General, and the Prelacy
Executive Council. The agenda will feature a variety of excellent speakers
and two workshops on the Badarak, all aimed to educate and enrich the youth
of the Armenian Church. Complete details, as well as agenda, registration
form, etc., will be available on the Prelacy website by mid-June. In the
meantime if you have any questions regarding this event send an email to
[email protected].
MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City has
begun. Until the renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy will be offered
every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Street,
Woodside, New York.
SUMMER CAMP AT ST. SARKIS
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, will once again have a summer
camp for children from age 5 to 12. The camp will take place at the church
facilities from Monday, July 7 to Friday, July 18, from 10 am to 3 pm.
Registration must be completed by June 8. The program includes arts and
crafts, music, dance, prayer, Armenian language and history, introduction to
the Bible, sports, games..and more. See calendar of events below for more
details.
YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has
designated the year 2008 as the "Year of Christian Education."
To read His Holiness’ message in Armenian click
tifical%20Messages/messages58.htm.
To read His Holiness’ message in English click
.
2008 DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
We are nearing the final countdown to the 2008 St. Gregory of Datev
Institute’s Summer Program. For details click
PAN-DI ASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE
A pan-Diaspora youth conference will take place in Antelias, Lebanon, on
August 14-16. Under the theme, "The Armenian youth face the challenges of
the 21st century," the conference will feature lectures, and round table and
group discussions. More than 100 youth from the various dioceses within the
Catholicosate of Cilicia will participate. Travel subsidies are available.
For information contact your local parish or the Prelacy office,
212-689-7810.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, June 5, are: Wisdom 6:11-21; 2
Corinthians 6:1-10; John 16:1-5
Therefore set your desire on my words; long for them, and you will be
instructed. Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by
those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. She hastens to make
herself known to those who desire here. One who rises early to seek her will
have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate. To fix one’s
thoughts on her is perfect understanding, and one who is vigilant on her
account will soon be free from care, because she goes about seeking those
worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets
them in every thought. The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire
for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her, and love of her
is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of
immortality, and immortality brings one near to God; so the desire for
wisdom leads to a kingdom. Therefore if you delight in thrones and scepters,
O monarchs over the peoples, honor wisdom, so that you may reign forever.
(Wisdom of Solomon 6:11-21)
For listing of the week’s Bible readings click
DI SCOVERY OF RELICS OF ST. GREGORY
This Saturday, June 7, the Armenian Church commemorates one of the three
feast days dedicated to St. Gregory the Illuminator: The discovery of his
remains. The other two commemorative days are his commitment into the pit
and his deliverance from the pit.
St. Gregory is the greatest figure in the Armenian Church, and is
considered to be the "Apostle of Armenia." After years of evangelizing, St.
Gregory sought solitude and an ascetic life. He eventually retired to a cave
on Mount Sepouh. It was here that Gregory died alone. Some shepherds found
his body, and without realizing who he was, buried him under a pile of
stones. Later a hermit, Garnik of Pasen, who had been a disciple of St.
Gregory, saw a vision and went to Mount Sepouh where he found the site of
Gregory’s burial. He took the remains to the village of Tordan for burial,
where King Trtad was buried. Relics of St. Gregory were retained and sent to
different locations as was the custom of the time. Relics from the right
hand of St. Gregory are at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin and the Holy See of
Cilicia. The Catholicoi mix the new muron with the old muron with the right
hand which contains the relics.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE THIS WEEK..
SAYAT NOVA: COMPLETE COLLECTION OF ARMENIAN SONGS
This two-CD set contains a total of 31 selections, beautifully executed by
the Sayat Nova Ensemble. Limited number available. $30, plus shipping and
handling.
SHOGHAKEN ENSEMBLE: MUSIC FROM ARMENIA
A musical journey through historic Armenia by the popular folk group,
Shoghaken Ensemble. $18, plus shipping and handling.
JOYOUS LIGHT BY ISABEL BAYRAKDARIAN
Beautiful selection of Armenian sacred music, featuring the extraordinary
soprano, Isabel Bayrakdarian, with the Elmer Iseler Singers & Chorale
Orchestra, directed by Raffi Armenian. $18, plus shipping and handling.
A LONG JOURNEY HOME-ISABEL BAYRAKDARIAN
Isabel Bayrakdarian’s first trip to Armenia is preserved on this lovely DVD.
Includes her recitals in Armenia and sacred music in the ancient churches of
Armenia. $25, plus shipping and handling.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER ITEMS AT THE BOOKSTORE VISIT THE
PRELACY’S WEB SITE, OR CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY
EMAIL AT [email protected] OR BY TELEPHONE 212-689-7810.
PHOTO FROM OUR ARCHIVES..
This photograph was taken on May 20,1962, during the National Representative
Assembly at St. Sarkis Church in Bayside, New York. Members of the Prelacy’s
Executive Council seated, left to right, Yeghishe Melikian, Archbishop Hrant
Khatchadourian, Rev. Fr. Kourken Yaralian. Standing, left to right, Yeghia
Khimatian, Vigen Babayan, Rev. Fr. Khachig Giragosian, Jack Chadrjian, Rev.
Fr. Yeghishe Mkitarian, Haikaz Ghazarian, Mihran Guzelian.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 11-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Young Adults Bible Study
Group’s 2nd Annual Open House. 7:30 pm. Join the fellowship and camaraderie
and bring your friends. Refreshments, food and music. For information
718-224-2275.
June 21-Armenian Food Fair sponsored by the Ladies Guild of St. Gregory
Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall from 11 a.m. to 7 pm.
June 22-St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Anniversary
Celebration, under auspices of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Special program
and exhibit dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy’s affiliation
with the Holy See of Cilicia. Also honored will be the Ladies Guild of St.
Sarkis Church. For reservations contact the church office, 718-224-2275.
June 22-St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, Divine Liturgy, Luncheon
and Program dedicated to Father’s Day. Organized by the Cathedral’s Ladies
Guild. Mardo Anastasian will be honored as Father of the Year. Information
and reservations: 212-689-5880.
June 24-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, 5th annual Golf Outing,
Juniper Hill Golf Course, Northboro, Massachusetts. For information
508-852-2414.
June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council. For
more information click
July 7 to July 18-Summer Camp at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New
York. For children age 5 to 12. 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday, lunch and
snack included. Minimum donation is $150. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. &
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. Registration deadline is June 8. For
information contact the church office, 718-224-2275.
July 19-"A Hye Summer Night 3," dance hosted by Ladies’ Guild of Sts.
Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island. For details
401-434-4467.
September 7-Annual picnic Festival of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, at American Legion Grounds, Haverhill, Massachusetts,
beginning at 12 noon.
August 3-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the
Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or
shine.
August 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. Annual
picnic on church grounds. Free admission; free parking.
August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual church
picnic and blessing of the grapes at Dunkerhook Park, Pavilion D, Paramus,
NJ. For information 201-943-2950.
September 14-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Celebration of
the Holy Cross and Madagh. For information 201-943-2950.
September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet. Details to follow.
September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.
September 26-28-National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.
September 29-30-Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.
October 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.
October 21, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 9-38th anniversary of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy See of
Cilicia, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan at Jaffarian Hall
following Divine Liturgy.
October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.
Details to follow.
November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.
To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add
[email protected] to your address book.
Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit
Crossroads as the source.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]