The Armenian Church eNewsletter
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July 31, 2008
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Diocese of the
Armenian Church
of America (Eastern)
630 Second Ave.
New York, NY 10016
<mailto:[email protected]> Contact Us
Diocesan News
REMEMBERING VERY REV. FR. OSHAGAN MINASSIAN
It is with great sadness that we learned the news of the passing of Very
Rev. Fr. Oshagan Minassian on Saturday, July 26. Fr. Minassian was
hospitalized in April for severe pneumonia – a recurring condition he had
battled throughout his life.
On Wednesday, July 30, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese
of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), presided at a wake service for
Fr. Minassian, held at Holy Trinity Armenian Church in Cambridge, Mass.
Today the Primate also presided at Fr. Minassian’s funeral and final
anointing at Holy Trinity Armenian Church. All parishes of the Eastern
Diocese will mark the 40th day of Fr. Minassian’s passing with a memorial
service on Sunday, September 7.
To read more, visit
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PRIMATE TO VISIT ARMENIAN CHURCH OF CAPE COD
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), will visit the mission parish of the Armenian Church
of Cape Cod on Sunday, August 3. The Primate will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy and join parishioners for a luncheon after the service. For more
information, call Alice Hagopian at 508-255-2026.
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PRIM ATE LEADS CIT CLASS AT ST. VARTAN CAMP
On Thursday, July 24, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited the Ararat Center in
upstate New York to spend an afternoon with campers attending Session C of
St. Vartan Camp.
Archbishop Barsamian joined the campers and staff in the Aintab building for
lunch, and then joined Youth Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Morris for a
counselor-in-training (CIT) class, where the 16-and-17- year-old staff
members participate in group discussions and learn leadership skills. The
Primate encouraged CITs to look to our Church history to find role models of
exemplary leadership, citing qualities such as humility, discipline and
dedication.
"The CIT program is important to develop leaders who will one day become
leaders in our parish communities," Archbishop Barsamian said. "I have
enjoyed watching you grow up in the camp program as campers, and now you are
back as the leaders and role models to the young campers."
primate in computer lab.jpg
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), looks on as campers learn Armenian in the new computer
lab at St. Vartan Camp.
After the CIT class, the Primate spent time with campers in the computer
lab, which is new this year thanks to the generosity of several St. Vartan
Camp supporters. The lab is equipped with 20 new laptops, which provide the
campers with the opportunity to use several types of interactive software
designed to improve Armenian language skills. "It is always a wonderful
experience when Srpazan joins us," said Jennifer Morris. "The campers get a
chance to have some one-on-one time visiting with our Primate and the
interaction is uplifting for all."
St. Vartan Camp is in its final session, which ends on Saturday, August 2.
Hye Camp, located at Camp Hickory in Ingleside, Ill., will host its annual
Opening Day Open House on Sunday, August 3. Click here
< ews> to read camp blogs.
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PRIMATE MEETS WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AT ST. NERSESS SUMMER CONFERENCE
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), visited St. Nersess Armenian Seminary on Tuesday, July
29 to spend time with the young people gathered there for the High School C
Summer Conference.
The Primate joined Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian, director of Youth and
Vocations at St. Nersess, as well as other visiting clergy, staff and the
conference participants for dinner in the grand dining hall of the Seminary.
Following dinner, the Primate engaged in a discussion with conference
participants, who asked questions about the history of the Armenian Church,
the priesthood and other topics.
For more information about St. Nersess summer conferences, visit
PRIMATE CONF.jpg
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), with participants of the High School C Summer
Conference at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary.
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DIOCESE BIDS FAREWELL TO SUMMER INTERNS
On Friday, July 25, the Diocese bid farewell to three interns who joined the
Diocesan team this summer for an eight-week program. The interns – Deanna
Cachoian-Schanz, of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church in White Plains,
N.Y.; Lindsey Deirmengian, of St. John’s Church in Detroit, Mich.; and
Daniel Mantis of St. Mesrob Church in Racine, Wis. – worked in the Krikor
and Clara Zohrab Information Center and the Finance Department at the
Diocese. In addition to assisting with various projects, interns attended
daily Bible-study sessions and had the opportunity to learn about the
history of the Armenian Church and the Eastern Diocese by taking part in
weekly lunch meetings with area clergy.
"Working at the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center this summer was
a wonderfully rewarding experience," said Deanna Cachoian-Schanz. "Not only
was I learning about library organization and communications, my Armenian
reading skills improved, and I was given the opportunity to interact with
living Armenian history – Bibles, talismans, trinkets and coins from ancient
times – history I could touch and feel, and understand how and why it is
still so important and amazing today."
During Friday’s farewell, Diocesan Vicar Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian
chrismated Cachoian-Schanz at St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral. Rev. Fr.
Mardiros Chevian, dean of the Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Karekin Kasparian, pastor
at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church – Cachoian-Schanz’s home parish – and
Diocesan staff also attended the ceremony. Later everyone gathered in the
Haik and Alice Kavookjian Hall for a farewell luncheon where the interns
were recognized for their hard work and encouraged to continue their active
involvement in the Armenian Church.
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Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian and Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian with Diocesan
summer interns Deanna Cachoian-Schanz, Daniel Mantis and Lindsey
Deirmengian.
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DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND FOR ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS
>From January 13 to 22, 2009, the Eastern Diocese will lead a pilgrimage to
the Holy Land to celebrate Armenian Christmas according to the Old Calendar
(January 18-19).
This pilgrimage will give participants the opportunity to visit some of the
holiest sites of our faith in Jerusalem and also to visit Jericho, the Sea
of Galilee, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River, Tiberias and Qumran.
Participants will tour the Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem and the
Patriarchate Complex, where they will be received by the Patriarch. On
January 18, pilgrims will travel to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of
Christ with a Christmas procession and a midnight Divine Liturgy. To learn
more < f> click here or to
download the registration form visit <;
www.armenian church.net.
Jerusalem trip.jpg
The Armenian bell tower of the Church of the Holy Nativity in Bethlehem.
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CHURCH AND HOME MATERIALS AVAILABLE ONLINE
A wealth of new Church and Home materials are now available on our Web site,
<; Click on the
"Church and Home" button on the homepage and you will be directed to a
listing of a variety of online tutorials and programs designed to offer
"Back to the Basics" educational tools that can be used from the comfort of
your home. Learn about Armenian Church feasts, the calendar, Modern and
Classical Armenian and much more!
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EVENTS ON THE CATHEDRAL PLAZA FOR VYPs (ST. VARTAN YOUNG PROFESSIONALS)
This summer St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral is hosting monthly cultural and
social programs to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Cathedral and to
give young professionals in the greater New York area an opportunity to come
together on the Cathedral’s Grand Plaza. The programs feature local Armenian
artists and musicians, a grand tour of the Cathedral complex and
opportunities to connect with other Armenians in a unique space. Mark your
calendars now for the following events:
Thursday, August 7, 6-8 p.m. – Enjoy Armenian mezze and tour St. Vartan
Cathedral (free admission)
Thursday, September 18, 6-8 p.m. tentative date – Fall Kick-Off Coffeehouse
featuring performances by local Armenian musicians ($10 in advance, $15 at
the door)
For more information, contact Rachel Goshgarian at 212-686-0710 x126 or
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]; or Julie
Hoplamazian at 212-686-0710 x165 or <mailto:[email protected]>
julieh@a rmeniandiocese.org.
SVC Under Construction, Arches from above.jpg
Construction of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in the 1960s. The Cathedral
was consecrated in April 1968.
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ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY TO HOST BENEFIT AND REUNION IN SEPTEMBER
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary would like to invite participants of past
Summer and Winter Conferences to enjoy an evening of cocktails and hors
d’oeuvres at a reunion on Saturday, September 13 at 7 p.m.
The gathering will benefit St. Nersess Armenian Seminary and will give
guests the opportunity to reminisce about old songs, the dinner bell and
pool, trips to the Diocese and all the laughter and love that was shared at
each conference.
For more information and registration, click here
<; .
St. Nersess.jpg
St. Nersess Armenian Seminary will host a reunion in September for
participants of past Summer and Winter Conferences.
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WOMEN’S GUILD SYMPOSIUM: MIND, BODY, SPIRIT
The 4th Annual Women’s Guild Symposium – Mind, Body, Spirit – will be held
at the Ararat Center in Greenville, N.Y., September 19-21. This is a
wonderful opportunity to get away for the weekend and enjoy learning,
fellowship and laughter with other women from the Diocese and beyond.
Hear psychotherapist Dr. Anie Kalayjian make a presentation on "Empowering
Yourself Through Movement, Laughter, Forgiveness and Love," join our book
club, hear Anne Bruno-Loshigian speak about "15 Financial Myths for Women
Demystified," learn dance steps with Yn. Pat Butero, try "Painting With
Scissors: Creating a unique collage in the style of Henri Matisse" with
Carol Loshigian and so much more. On Sunday, culminate the weekend with
Badarak celebrated by Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian.
< /symposium.pdf> Click here to learn more.
For information about WGCC programs, including Children of Armenia
Sponsorship Program (CASP), School Bags, Habitat for Humanity and Saintly
Women’s Day, please contact Lucy Murad at 703-517-6249 or
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected] or Louise Demirjian at
440-331-1668 or <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected].
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DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO THE MOTHER CATHEDRAL OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN
The Eastern Diocese will make a pilgrimage to the Mother Cathedral of Holy
Etchmiadzin this fall to participate in the blessing of the Holy Muron
(Oil). The two-week pilgrimage begins in late September and concludes in
early October. The blessing of the Holy Muron will take place on Sunday,
September 28. For more information,
< /muron.pdf> click here or contact Arto
Vorperian at the Diocesan Center at 212-686-0710 x213, or e-mail
<mailto:[email protected]> [email protected]. To view a video about the Holy
Muron, < gt; click here.
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ARMENIAN RECIPE INSPIRES CREATION OF RICE-A-RONI
Armenians have contributed a number of dishes to mainstream American
cuisine, not least of which is Armenian pilaf. In a report airing this
morning, National Public Radio traced the birth of Rice-A-Roni, the
now-famous rice and pasta products that were inspired by an Armenian recipe.
Click < toryId`067862> here
to learn more.
SAVE THE DATE: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The 40th anniversary commemoration of the consecration of St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral will take place on Sunday, October 12, along with the
distribution of the Holy Muron (Oil) from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
to our parishes. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern), and will be followed by a requiem service (Hoki Hankisd) for all
the deceased godfathers and committee members who played a part in the
founding of our Cathedral. A celebratory luncheon will take place in the
Haik and Alice Kavookjian Hall following services, during which all
individuals who participated in the establishment of St. Vartan Armenian
Cathedral will be honored.
Reservations for the luncheon can be made by sending a $40 check (payable to
the Diocese of the Armenian Church) to: Lorraine Marootian, 774 Butternut
Dr., Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. For more information, call the Diocese at
212-686-0710 or e-mail <mailto:[email protected]>
st [email protected].
Commemorative bracelets honoring the 40th anniversary of St. Vartan
Cathedral are available in silver or gold at the Cathedral or by ordering
directly from
invitation page 1.jpg
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Prayer for the Week
Guard us, O Christ our God, in peace under the shadow of your holy and
venerable Cross. Deliver us from the visible and invisible enemy. Make us
worthy to give you thanks and to glorify you together with the Father and
the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
More prayers
< .asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=5246&
HS=1 > <;
Scripture for the Week
Is 62:1-11
2 Tm 2:15-19
Jn 6:30-47
Saints & Feasts
8/2: St. Gregory the Theologian
8/3: Sixth Sunday after Transfiguration
May God bless and keep you and your family.