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
Email: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER – July 31, 2008
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO CAMP HAIASTAN
This Sunday, August 3, Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Camp Haiastan
in Franklin, Massachusetts where he will preside over the annual picnic
organized by St. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island.
Besides the hundreds of young campers that flock to Camp Haiastan each
summer, it is a popular gathering place for adults on the weekends, as
nearly every Sunday during the summer one of the New England churches or
other organizations sponsor a good old-fashioned Armenian picnic.
LINKED IN: A WEEKEND WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS & PROFESSIONALS
Are you looking for a way to connect with friends and with your church?
Would you like to learn more about your Armenian spiritual heritage?
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, a workshop for students and professionals (ages 18
to 35) will take place September 26 to 28, at St. Mary Coptic Orthodox
Retreat Center in Charlton, Massachusetts.
For more details click here.
Direct your questions via email to [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: The registration form is now on the web page. Don’t delay. Send
in your form right away as space is limited. Click here.
QUEEN RECEIVES LAMBETH PARTICIPANTS
The participants in the meeting of the Bishops of the Anglican Church
were welcomed on July 24 by Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain to
Buckingham Palace in London. Some 1,500 participants and guests participated
in the march organized by the spiritual head of the Anglican Church, the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Their main aim was to bring
attention to poverty reduction.
Later the participants visited Lambeth Palace, the headquarters of the
Anglican Archbishop, where they met with the Prime Minister of England,
Gordon Brown. The meetings of the Lambeth Conference took place from July 21
to 26. Bishop Nareg Alemezian attended as the representative of the Armenian
Church of the Catholicosate of Cilicia.
PASSING OF VERY REV. FR. OSHAGAN MINASSIAN
Archbishop Oshagan expressed his deep sympathy to Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), on the
passing of V. Rev. Fr. Oshagan Minassian, who passed away last Saturday,
July 26. His funeral and final anointing took place today, at Holy Trinity
Church in Cambridge with Archbishop Barsamian presiding.
Born in Aleppo, Syria in 1930, Fr. Minassian entered the Armenian
Theological Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon when he was 14 years old and later
continued his studies at the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He served
as pastor of Holy Cross Church in Lawrence, Massachusetts, as well as St.
Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, from
1958 to 1960.
Fr. Minassian suffered a spinal cord injury following an automobile
accident in 1955, which eventually prevented him from continuing his serve
as a parish priest. He turned his efforts to teaching and liturgical music.
He earned a master’s in religious education in 1962, a doctorate in theology
in 1974 and a master’s degree in sacred music in 1982. He also studied
conducting and completed the requirements for a doctorate in musicology at
the University of Massachusetts. For the past 42 years, Fr. Minassian served
as choirmaster at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
He founded the Erevan Choral Society and published a number of works related
to Armenian liturgical music.
May Almighty God grant eternal rest, peace and light to his soul and
grant comfort to his family.
PASSING OF JOHN OULIGIAN
John Ouligian of Fairfield, Connecticut, died at home last Sunday, July
27. John was an active member of the Armenian community and served as
chairman of the Prelacy’s Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) for
several years, as well as serving as a member of the committee for many more
years.
Funeral services took place yesterday at the Armenian Church of the Holy
Ascension, in Trumbull, Connecticut, with Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian
officiating. In lieu of flowers donations are being accepted for: Armenian
Church of the Holy Ascension, Trumbull, Connecticut; St. Illuminator’s
Armenian Cathedral, New York City; and Camp Haiastan, Franklin,
Massachusetts.
He is survived by his wife, Dottie Bengoian Ouligian, who lovingly cared
for him, as well as a son, Charles Ouligian and family; a sister Susan
Kelerchian, nieces and nephews, and many friends who remember his sweet
nature and smiling face.
May Almighty God illuminate his soul.
DATEV INSTITUTE PHOTOS ON WEB
Many photos from the 2008 St. Gregory of Datev Institute of Armenian
Christian Studies, are now on the Prelacy’s web page. Click here and take a
look.
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.
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 here.
To read His Holiness’ message in English click here.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, July 31 are: Proverbs 1:20-25;
Isaiah 55:10-13; Romans 15:30-33; Luke 12:32-40.
You grew weary from your many wanderings, but you did not say, "It is
useless," You found your desire rekindled, and so you did not weaken. Whom
did you dread and fear so that you lied, and did not remember me or give me
a thought? Have I not kept silent and closed my eyes. And so you do not fear
me? I will concede your righteousness and your works, but they will not help
you. When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you! The wind
will carry them off, a breath will take away. But whoever takes refuge in me
shall possess the land and inherit my holy mountain. (Isaiah 55:10-13)
For listing of the week’s Bible readings click here.
ST. GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN
This Saturday, August 2, the Armenian Church remembers St. Gregory the
Theologian, also known as Gregory of Nazianzus, considered to be one of the
four great doctors of the Church during the 4th century, along with Basil
the Great, John Chrysostom and Athanasius the Great. He is noted for being
an accomplished and eloquent speaker. He is also known as one of the
Cappadocian Fathers, along with Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa. Some
of his sermons and poetry have survived.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 3-Holy Cross Armenian Church, 50th Anniversary Blessing of the Grapes
picnic, noon to 4 pm, on the church grounds, 101 Spring Ave., Troy, NY.
Blessing of the grapes at 3 pm officiated by Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian. Eat
in or takeout; raffle. For information 518-274-1477.
August 5-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 9th annual
golf outing at Blackstone National Golf Club, Summon, Massachusetts.
Information: 508-234-3261.
August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, picnic and
blessing of the grapes, officiated by Archbishop Oshagan and New England
area clergy. On church grounds, beginning at 12 noon. For information:
508-234-3677 or
August 17-St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, Feast of the Assumption of the Holy
Mother of God and Blessing of the Grapes, and picnic, at the Armenian
Center, Woodside, NY. For information 212-689-5880.
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 7-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, Connecticut,
annual picnic, 1 pm to dusk at Quartette Club Grounds, 225 Wooster Street,
New Britain. Rain or shine. Free admission.
September 14-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Celebration of
the Holy Cross and Madagh. For information 201-943-2950.
September 19-Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild, Providence, Rhode Island,
present "Remembering the Good Old Days. 8 pm, Aramian Auditorium. For
tickets and information 401-434-4467.
September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet. Details to follow.
September 22-13th annual St. Stephen’s School/ACEC Golf Tournament,
Framingham Country Club, Framingham, MA. For information, Astor Guzelian,
781-326-5764.
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 19-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, first Connecticut
performance of "Hello Ellis Island," at Silas Deane Middle School, 551 Silas
Deane Highway, Wethersfield, Connecticut. Program starts at 3 pm; reception
follows. Advance reservation desired. Adults $25; Students $10; Children
under 12 $5. Tickets at door $30. For information: 860-229-8322.
October 31, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 2-St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain-Hartford, Connecticut, 83rd
anniversary banquet at Indian Hill Country Club, 111 Golf Street, Newington,
Connecticut. Reception 1 pm, dinner at 2 pm. For information: 860-229-8322.
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.
November 28-William Saroyan Centennial Celebration, co-sponsored by the
Anthropology/Armenian Museum at Queens College and the AGBU, 3 pm at Lefrak
Concert Hall, Queens College, Flushing, New York. Archbishop Oshagan will
participate. The program includes readings and a play by Saroyan. Also
special performance by the Aaron Copeland School of Music students of the
music of composer Arno Babadjanian. For information: 718-428-5650.
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]