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 – August 21, 2008
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.
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.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO PROVIDENCE
Archbishop Oshagan will be in Providence, Rhode Island, this Sunday,
August 24, where he will preside over the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz
Church, and deliver the sermon, and consecrate a new wall painting of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
PAN-DIASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE IN BIKFAYA
The Pan-Diaspora Youth Conference took place last week with more than
100 young Armenians from the Eastern and Western Prelacies of North America,
Istanbul, Cyprus, Kuwait, the Arab Gulf countries, Tehran, Isfahan, Syria
and Lebanon.
The conference was held under the auspices of His Holiness Aram I, who
presided over the opening ceremony and addressed the young delegates. His
Holiness welcomed the young Armenians who had come to Bikfaya from around
the world and he presented a thorough analysis of the difficulties that the
Armenian youth face both at the global and national levels. Referring to the
characteristics relevant to a person’s adolescent life, he underlined the
importance of Christian formation and a purpose-goal life. His Holiness said
that the Church, as a source of morality, is a compass, a path leading to
Christ, an institution that organizes social life based on mutual respect of
the laws governing society.
The conference’s general theme was "The Armenian youth in the face of
the challenges of the 21st century." Lecturers included Rev. Dr. Paul
Haidostian, President of Haigazian College, Dr. Joe Piri, lecturer at the
University of Geneva, historian Garo Hovhannesian, and Very Rev. Fr. Krikor
Chifdjian.
His Holiness presided over the concluding session, which became an
occasion for honest discussion. The young delegates freely addressed His
Holiness with their questions. The Catholicos responded to all questions
with great thought, patience and caring.
"Our church is the reservoir of spiritual and moral values," said His
Holiness talking about the national character of the Armenian Church. "We
cannot separate the spiritual from the nation," referring to those periods
in Armenian history when after the fall of kingdoms the Church had taken up
the task of addressing cultural, educational and political issues. He added:
"Today, however, our Church and particularly the Catholicosate of Cilicia is
trying to reemphasize our church’s religious service."
ANNIVERSARY BANQUET SET FOR OCTOBER 25
The dual anniversaries of the 110th anniversary of the establishment of
the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America and the 50th
anniversary of the Prelacy’s affiliation with the Great House of Cilicia
will be marked with a gala banquet on Saturday, October 25, at the Marriott
at Glenpointe in Teaneck New Jersey. An exhibit about the history of the
Prelacy and a DVD film, "A Journey of Faith" will be on display during the
cocktail hour. We will provide regular updates about this event.
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.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, August 21 are: Proverbs 11:30-12:4;
Zechariah 2:10-13; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; Luke 1:39-56.
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the
hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted
Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her
womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a
loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your
womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to
me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb
leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a
fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in
God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One
has done great things for me, and holy is his name. His mercy is for those
who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his
arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has
brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he
has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has
helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the
promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants
forever."
And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her
home.
(Luke 1:39-56)
SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANNA
Next Tuesday, August 26, the Armenian Church commemorates Saints Joachim
and Anna, parents of Mary, the mother of Christ. Very little is known about
them. According to tradition, Joachim and Anna were childless through years
of marriage and were reproached for their barrenness. Joachim fasted forty
days in the desert and both of them prayed for a child, placing their trust
in God’s will, whatever it may be. An angel appeared to each of them telling
them they would be the parents of a child. That child was Mary, the blessed
mother of Christ
60th ANNIVERSARY OF WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, 1948-2008
This Saturday, August 23, is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the
World Council of Churches (WCC). As he prepared to leave for a commemorative
event in Amsterdam where the WCC was founded, Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia, general
secretary of the WCC noted, "Stating that in seeking Christ they found each
other, the 147 churches that sixty years ago came together in Amsterdam,
Netherlands, committed themselves afresh to Christ and covenanted with one
another in constituting the World Council of Churches. It is significant
that as we gather sixty years later at the same venue we note that the
churches have been faithful to their commitment. Not only have they stayed
together, but they have deepened and broadened the Fellowship."
Tomorrow afternoon the creation of the WCC is to be commemorated by a
select gathering in Amsterdam. At the church where the opening service of
the WCC’s founding assembly took place 60 years earlier, Queen Beatrix of
the Netherlands will receive the first copy of the jubilee book, "The
Ecumenical Movement at a Crossroads."
Today the WCC has 348 member churches from 120 countries.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 7-Annual picnic Festival of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, at American Legion Grounds, Haverhill, Massachusetts,
beginning at 12 noon.
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 14-50th anniversary of Holy Cross Armenian Church, Troy, New York,
and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy. Badarak will be celebrated by
Archbishop Oshagan, assisted by Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian. Dinner will
follow at the Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Avenue, Troy. $50 per
person; $20 for children 12 and under. For information: 518-283-3515.
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 20-Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference with Executive Council,
Pastors, Boards of Trustees and Delegates to the National Representative
Assembly, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Hosted by St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia,
Pa.
September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet.
September 21-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, annual picnic on the
church grounds. Good food, music and supervised activities for children.
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 5-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Requiem Service for
benefactor Mrs. Suzanne Hagopian.
October 5-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. Lecture by His Grace
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
October 12-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Lecture by Rev. Fr.
Nareg Terterian.
October 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.
October 19-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Lecture by Dn. Shant
Kazanjian.
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 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.
October 31, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 1-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, International Cuisine
Harvest Night. Enjoy tastes from over 20 countries, prepared by more than 40
cooks. Music and entertainment to help burn the calories. Early reservations
recommended. For information: 718-352-3848.
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 8 & 9-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, largest
Armenian Fest in New England. Saturday 12 noon to 10 pm; Sunday 12 noon to 8
pm. Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston, Rhode Island. Kebobs and
kufta dinners. Live Armenian music. For information: 401-434-4467.
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.
November 15-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Annual Bazaar and Food
Festival by Ladies Guild.
November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.
November 23-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.
February 7-50th anniversary celebration of Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey. Dinner Dance at Rockleigh Country Club.