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 – September 4, 2008
SUNDAY AND ARMENIAN SCHOOLS SET TO BEGIN NEW TERM
With Labor Day behind us, please note that most of our parishes are set
to begin the 2008-2009 term of their Sunday and Armenian schools. Check with
your local parish for registration dates.
PRELATE PRESIDES OVER ANNIVERSARY DINNER AND
OPENING CEREMONIES OF AYF OLYMPICS IN DETROIT
Archbishop Oshagan participated in the 75th annual Olympic Games of the
Armenian Youth Federation which took place Labor Day weekend in Detroit,
Michigan. On Saturday evening he presided over a special 75th anniversary
celebration and on Sunday delivered the opening prayer at the Track and
Field games.
In his message the Prelate praised the AYF for its 75 years of service
to the Armenian youth in America. "The original Olympics was the greatest
festival in the ancient Greek world, and the AYF Olympics has become the
greatest festival in the modern Armenian Diaspora," the Prelate said. "For
seven and one-half decades the Armenian Youth Federation has brought
together our youth. The AYF has a rich history of service to our younger
generations that must continue." Archbishop Oshagan concluded his message
with prayerful words: "Let us together give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ
and our forefathers for this blessed occasion which brings us together as a
family of caring and loving Armenians.. God bless each of you; may the grace
of our Lord be with you always."
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN IN LEBANON
The Prelate traveled to Antelias, Lebanon this week and is expected to
return to New York next week.
PRELATE CONSECRATES WALL PAINTING IN PROVIDENCE
On Sunday, August 24, Archbishop Oshagan consecrated a wall painting at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence Rhode Island.
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.
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.
OUTREACH ONLINE
The September 2008 issue of Outreach (Volume 30, Number 1) is at the
printers and will be mailed next week.
MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City is
continuing. Archbishop Oshagan is a frequent on-site visitor to monitor the
progress. The Prelate reports that right now there is dust everywhere, but
he can already see that when it is completed it is going to be beautiful!
Until the interior renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy is being
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, September 4, are: Proverbs 20:6-22;
Job 42:12-16; Lamentations 3:22-56; Acts 13:25-33; James 5:7-11; Matthew
14:1-12.
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer
waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it
receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen
your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble
against one another so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is
standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed
those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you
have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and
merciful. (James 5:7-11)
ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER AND JOB THE RIGHTEOUS
Today, Thursday, September 4, the Armenian Church remembers St. John the
Forerunner and Job the Righteous.
St. John the Forerunner, also known as John the Baptist (Hovhaness
Mkrtich), is an important figure in the four New Testament Gospels. He is
understood to be the "forerunner" (Karapet) to the Messiah. He lived as a
hermit in the desert of Judea. At the age of 30 he began to preach against
the evils of the times and called for penance and baptism, "for the kingdom
of heaven is close at hand."
The Book of Job is one of the five books, along with Psalms, Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, classified as the "poetical" books of the
Bible. Many theologians consider it to be one of the most remarkable books
in the Bible. The central theme of the Book of Job is the mystery of
suffering. Job is a good and righteous person who experiences and endures
catastrophe after catastrophe. The phrase "the patience of Job" has entered
the English lexicon as a popular cliché. Biblical scholars agree that rather
than "patience" a more accurate translation would be "persistence" or
"endurance." Ultimately, Job is rewarded because "the Lord blessed the
latter days of Job more than his beginning," and "After this Job lived one
hundred and forty years, and saw his children, and his children’s children,
four generations. And Job died, old and full of days." (Job, chapter 42).
THE 318 FATHERS OF THE HOLY COUNCIL OF NICAEA
This Saturday, September 6, the Armenian Church commemorates the First
Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea in Asia Minor in the year 325, and the 318
Church Fathers who attended. The Council was called by Emperor Constantine.
The Armenian Church participated in this Council and contributed toward the
victory of Orthodoxy. Aristakes, son of Gregory the Illuminator, represented
the Armenian Church. The Council is mentioned in the writings of Moses of
Khoren and Agathangelos. In later centuries and in all their doctrinal
writings, the Fathers of the Armenian Church referred to the Council of
Nicaea with veneration and the Nicene Creed (Havatamk) was incorporated into
the Armenian Liturgy. The Council condemned Arianism (which denied the full
divinity of Christ) and proclaimed that the orthodox position is the belief
in "one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of God the Father,
Only-Begotten, of the substance of the Father. God from God, Light from
Light, true God from true God, begotten and not made." (from the Nicene
Creed recited during the Divine Liturgy).
BAREKENDAN OF THE FAST OF EXALTATION
This Sunday, September 7, is the Barekendan of the Fast (Bahk) leading
to the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachveratz), which is
next Sunday, September 14. Because this is a Tabernacle Feast, it is
preceded by a week (Monday to Friday) of fasting, and a memorial day the day
after (Monday)..
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE HOLY MOTHER
This Monday, September 8, is the Feast of the Nativity of the Holy
Mother of God. The birth of Mary is not recorded in the Bible. The account
of this event is from the apocryphal writings which are not part of the New
Testament scriptures. According to tradition, Joachim and Anna were faithful
and pious, waiting for the promised Messiah. They were elderly and
childless. They prayed to God for a child and were blessed with a child, who
they named Mary and who would become the Mother of the Messiah.
The Armenian Liturgical Calendar sets aside seven days devoted to the
Holy Mother. These are: Annunciation; Birth; Purification, Presentation to
the Temple; Conception; Assumption; Discovery of her sash;, and Discovery of
Reliquary.
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 12-St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral, New York, Annual
Book Fair, dedicated to the Holy Translators in celebrating of the Cultural
Month. Immediately after the Badarak at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Avenue, Woodside, New York. For information, 212-689-5880.
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 7 & 8-Annual bazaar, St. Stephen’s Armenian Church, 10 am to 9 pm,
at the ACED, 47 Nichols Ave., Watertown, Massachusetts. Dinners and gourmet
delicacies, arts and crafts, games and activities for children. For
information, 617-924-7562.
November 8-Mid-West Regional Conference with Executive Council, Pastors,
Boards of Trustees, and Delegates to the National Representative Assembly,
9:30 to 4:30 pm, hosted by All Saints Armenian Church, Glenview, Illinois.
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.
March 8-Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City,
sponsored by Prelacy and Prelacy Ladies Guild.
March 28-ARS Centennial Gala Banquet, Yale Club, New York City.
May 7-9-National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy, hosted by All
Saints Armenian Apostolic Church, Glenview, Illinois. Clergy Conference
begins May 6.
June 29 – July 5-St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute, St. Mary of
Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania.