PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America and Canada
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan
Prelate, Easter Prelacy and Canada
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
Web:
Email: [email protected]
May 27, 2009
91ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FIRST ARMENIAN
REPUBLIC
Tomorrow, Thursday, May 28, is the 91st anniversary of the establishment of the first
Armenian Republic.
After defeating Turkish forces at Sardarabad, Bashabaran and Karakilise, on May 28, 1918,
the Armenians proclaimed an independent democratic Armenian Republic, on what was left of the Armenian homeland. Throughout these critical days,
Catholicos Kevork IV remained in Etchmiadzin against the advice and urging of authorities, maintaining that he would rather die in Etchmiadzin. The
battle of Sardarabad is recognized today as not only stopping the Turkish advance, but also preventing the complete destruction of the Armenian
nation.
The fledgling republic faced unbelievable hardships, including an influx of refugeessurvivors
of the Genocide of 1915. Yet, even today, its very existence seems miraculous. We pause to remember and to celebrate the resilience of the Armenian
nation.
FLAG BLESSING AND PRAYERS FOR THE
REPUBLIC
This Sunday, May 31, all Prelacy churches will offer prayers and bless the flag on the
occasion of the 91st anniversary of the first Armenian Republic and the 18th anniversary of the second Armenian Republic Requiem service will be
held for the souls of the fallen heroes of Sardarabad, Bashabaran, Karakilise, and the new martyrs of the struggle for Artsakh.
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO LEBANON ON FRIDAY
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Antelias, Lebanon, on Friday, May 29, where he will attend meetings of the Central Religious and Lay Councils, as
well as a meeting of all of the Prelates in the Cilician See.
ST. ASDVADZADZIN CHURCH (WHITINSVILLE) MARKS 52ND
ANNIVERSARY;
REV. FR. ARAM STEPANIAN RECEIVES HONORS FROM CATHOLICOS
Archbishop
Oshagan presided over the 52nd anniversary banquet celebration of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, last Saturday. On Sunday His
Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the Sermon.
On this occasion the Prelate announced that
by order of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, Rev. Fr. Aram is hereby given the honor of wearing the Floral Philonion
(Dzaghgia Pilon) during religious services on holidays and official ceremonies and bestowed with the honorific title, Archpriest (Avak
Kahana).
We extend our congratulations to Archpriest Aram Stepanian, pastor of Sts. Asdvadzadzin Church,
and chairman of the Prelacys Religious Council.
PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON GREAT SUCCESS
The
Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers Day luncheon was a great success. With the blessing of sunny skies, the beautiful home of Rene and Linda Chirinian in New
Canaan, Connecticut, was filled to capacity last Thursday. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan attended and expressed his gratitude to the
Chirinians for opening their beautiful home for this years Mothers Day luncheon. He praised the PLG for the dedication they have shown
to the Prelacy and the Church.
KINDERGARTEN GRADUATION OF ST. ILLUMINATORS SCHOOL
The Kindergarten graduation of St. Illuminators Day School will take place tomorrow
evening, at the school in Woodside, New York.
YEAR OF THE YOUTH
His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has designated the year 2009 as the Year of The Youth.
To read His Holiness message in Armenian click here ( 82/goto: doc/Pontifical%20Messages/messages68.htm ).
To
read His Holiness message in English click
here ( 82/goto: cal.pdf ).
DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
The 23rd annual St.
Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for youth ages 13-18, is rapidly approaching. As in previous years it will take place at the St. Mary of
Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 28 to July 5, 2009, preceded by a weekend retreat (optional) from June 26-28, 2009. The Program
is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC).
For more information click here ( 82/goto: ).
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for
today, Wednesday, May 27, are: Luke 20:20-26; Acts 25:13-22; Jude 1:1-7; John 12:44-50; Matthew 22:1-14; Mark
12:18-34.
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, who are
beloved in God the Father and kept safe for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance. Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write
to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to
the saints., For certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who
pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Now I desire to remind you, though you are fully
informed, that the Lord, who once for all saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who
did not keep their own position, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment of the great day.
Likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which, in the same manner as they, indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural lust,
serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 1:1-7)
For listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click
here ().
S UNDAY IS PENTECOST
This Sunday, May 31, is
Pentecost (Hogegaloust), which is celebrated fifty days after Easter.
Jesus had commanded the
apostles to Go therefore to all nations and make them my disciples, (Matthew 28:19). Christ recognized the difficulty of this great
responsibility and had advised them not to begin their teaching mission until after the Descent of the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the
Apostles, we read that on the day of Pentecost the apostles gathered in one place, and that suddenly a strong wind seemed to fill the house in which
they were assembled. And there appeared to them flames like tongues of fire distributed among them and coming to rest on each one. They were
all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them power of utterance, (Acts 2:2-4). Many of the
people in Jerusalem were from foreign lands. They marveled at the fact that each one of them could understand the Apostles words in his own
language. The first gift of the Holy Spirit given to the Apostles was the ability to speak and be understood by people who came from many different
nations.
Life-creating God, Spirit and lover of mankind, with tongues of fire you enlightened those
united with one accord in love; therefore we also celebrate today your holy descent. Filled with joy by your coming the holy apostles began in
different-sounding tongues to call into unity them that had been divided from each other: therefore we also celebrate today your holy descent. By
spiritual and holy baptism through them you have adorned the universe in a new and radiant garment, therefore we also celebrate your holy
descent.
>From the Canon for Pentecost according to the liturgical calendar of the Armenian Church
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 28St. Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church,
Whitinsville, Massachusetts, is offering a short film series and discussions on 40 days of Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. The series will begin
May 28 at 7 pm at the church, 315 Church Street, Whitinsville. The public is invited and refreshments will be served. Come and bring friends and enjoy
this uplifting series.
May 31St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, Special meeting for Parish building project.
June 20Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian and the Young Adults
Bible Study Group of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, invite you to attend a Seminar on Marriage and Family from 10 am to 4 pm. Presentations
by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian and Professor Joann C. Heaney-Hunter from St. Johns University. Group discussions on topics of interest for young
Armenian couples and families. Lunch and refreshments will be served. Registration fee: $25 per couple. Contact church office, 718-224-2275.
June 28Annual Madagh Picnic, St. Hagop Church (Racine),
at Johnson Park Picnic Grounds, 6200 Northwestern Ave., Racine, Wisconsin, 10:30 to 7 pm.
June 29 July 5St. Gregory of Datev Summer
Institute, St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania.
July 18Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island, Ladies Guild/ARS Chapter present a Hye Summer Night 4 Dance at The Annunciation Greek Church, Cranston, Rhode Island. For information
401-434-4467.
July 22Gathering of North American youth in Los
Angeles, organized by the Western Prelacy with the participation of the Eastern and Canadian Prelacies.
August 2Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island, Annual Picnic and Blessing of Madagh and Grapes at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, 12 noon to 6 pm, rain or shine. Music by John
Berberian and Ensemble.
August 9St. Stephens Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, annual picnic and blessing of madagh and grapes at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. Starts at 12 noon, rain or shine. Live
music.
August 9Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts, annual picnic and blessing of the grapes.
August 16Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey, annual picnic and Blessing of the Grapes.
August 16St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, picnic and Blessing of the Grapes.
September 13Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
Worcester, Massachusetts, 75th anniversary Holy Mass and banquet, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan.
September 25-26-27Prelacy Linked In, gathering of the
youth. Details will follow.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web site.
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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] (mailto:[email protected])