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:
December 10, 2009
GRANITE CITYS ST. GREGORY CHURCH CELEBRATES 55TH ANNIVERSARY
A grand celebration took place last weekend in celebration of the 55th
anniversary of the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Granite City,
Illinois. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan and Rev. Fr. Stephan
Baljian joined representatives of various parish and community
organizations as well as members of the Board of Trustees in attending
a concert given by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra on Saturday. The
guest conductor was Mr. Peter Oundjian, a critically acclaimed
virtuoso violinist, chamber musician and conductor who is currently
music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. After the concert
the Prelate, along with Fr. Baljian and some parish members met with
Maestro Oundjian to congratulate him. His Eminence presented him with
a certificate of appreciation commemorating his visit along with a
reprint of a page from the Marshal Oshin Gospels, which is part of the
Armenian manuscript collection of the Morgan Library and Museum in New
York.
On Sunday Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Divine Liturgy,
during which he blessed and installed a new Holy Chrism Aghavni (dove)
and hand cross. The Aghavni was donated by Dn. & Mrs. Jeffrey Hagopian
and the hand cross by Mr. & Mrs. Hagop Varadian. A commemorative
banquet followed with the Prelate as the guest speaker.
(Reported by Susan Spataro)
Photo: Archbishop Oshagan and Fr. Stephan Baljian with parishioners of
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Granite City, Illinois.
RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS TO MEET
The Religious and Executive Councils of the Prelacy will convene their
monthly meeting tomorrow and Saturday at the Prelacy offices in New
York City.
SERVICE AND LUNCHEON FOR
POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS
Archbishop Oshagan presided over the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas
luncheon yesterday, December 9, at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York, in honor of the local New York City police and fire departments
(111th precinct). The day began with a worship service led by the
Prelate, Bishop Anoushavan, and Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of
St. Sarkis. A luncheon followed the service with delicious food and
fellowship.
POSTHUMOUS AWARD TO KARL SOGOIAN
Last Saturday, December 5, a posthumous award for Karl Sogoian was
presented to his widow, Mrs. Emma Sogoian, by the Armenian Engineers
and Scientists of America (Michigan Section) in recognition of
Mr. Sogoians engineering accomplishments as well as for his many
undertakings for society, industry, and to the Armenian community. The
event took place in the Ararat Room of St. John Armenian Church in
Southfield, Michigan. Tributes were offered by Mr. Tatoul Markarian,
Armenian Ambassador to the United States and Mr. Robert Avetisyan,
Representative to the
United States from Nagorno-Karabagh.
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian and Rev. Fr. Daron Stepanian attended and
offered congratulations to Mrs. Sogoian. The late Mr. Sogoian and his
wife Emma have been generous benefactors to the Armenian Church as
well as to the Republics of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh.
STUDY OF THE CREED CONTINUES
The second of a six-part program on The Creed (Havadamk), will take
place this Monday, December 14 at St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221
E. 27th Street, New York City. The program begins at 7:15 pm with a
presentation, followed by Q and discussion. The series is sponsored by
the Prelacys Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and the
Cathedral. The lectures are by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC.
Chanted or recited by countless Christians every Sunday during
the Divine Liturgy, the Creed represents a concise summary of biblical
faith, formulated by the Church Fathers of the first two Ecumenical
Councils and endorsed by all the ancient churches.
All are welcome. Refreshments will be served. For information:
[email protected] or 212-689-7810; [email protected] or
212-689-5880.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, December 10, are: Proverbs 1:1-9;
Nahum 2:1-7; Romans 5:1-5; Matthew 5:1-12.
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
For learning about wisdom and instruction, for understanding words of
insight, for gaining instruction in wise dealing, righteousness,
justice, and equity; to teach shrewdness to the simple, knowledge and
prudence to the younglet the wise also hear and gain in learning, and
the discerning acquire skill, to understand a proverb and a figure,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools
despise wisdom and instruction. Hear, my child, your fathers
instruction, and do not reject your mothers teaching; for they are a
fair garland for your head, and pendants for your neck. (Proverbs
1:1-9)
ST. JAMES (HAGOP) OF NISIBIS
This Saturday, December 12, is the feast of St. James (Hagop) of
Nisibis (Mdzbin). He was a participant at the first ecumenical council
in Nicaea (325), where he earned great respect from the Emperor
Constantine and other attendees. He was educated in Caesarea and was a
cousin of St. Gregory the Illuminator. He was born, raised and died in
the city of Nisibis (modern day Nusbyien in southeastern Turkey), an
important early Christian center in Asia Minor and a transit point of
the caravans traveling east and west.
St. Hagop is one of the most beloved saints in the Armenian
Church (and also in the Syriac Church). Gregory of Nareg dedicated one
of his hymns to him. Although there is not much known about his
personal life, we do know that at an advanced age he attempted to
reach the summit of Mt. Ararat in search of the Ark. During the
difficult climb one night while he slept an angel appeared telling him
he was too old to continue the climb. The angel gave him a piece of
the Ark and asked him to be satisfied with this and return home. He
complied with the angelic wishes. This piece of the Ark is kept in
Holy Etchmiadzin.
Conqueror and holy bishop like the great Moses fighter against
the evil spirits, with pride you took on yourself the cross; we have
you as intercessor for us before the Father in heaven.
When you participated in the hymn-singing of the spirits on
high like the great John by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, you
were called from the wilderness to high honor; we have you as our
intercessor before the Father in heaven.
By the power given to you, you were able to perform wonderful
signs, like the great Peter you were given by God as shepherd to
Christs chosen flock; we have you as intercessor before the Father in
heaven.
The heavenly hosts rejoiced at the greatness of your feats by
which you in the flesh became like the angels on high; we have you as
intercessor for us before the Father in heaven.
And we with a joyful voice celebrate your holy memory, O
venerable witness of Christ, holy bishop James; we have you as
intercessor for us before the Father in heaven.
You decided on severe toils to see Noahs ark and from the
angels hands received a portion of the wood which served the human
race as salvation; we have you as intercessor for us before the Father
in heaven.
>From the Canon to St. James, Bishop of Nisibis, according to the
Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 12Second Armenian Holiday Food Fair, St. Hagop Church, 4100
Newman Road, Racine, Wisconsin, noon to 5 pm. For information:
262-632-2033.
December 13Christmas Boutique by ARS Mayr and Erebouni chapters of New
York at St. Sarkis Church, Pagoumian Hall, 38-65 234th Street,
Douglaston, New York, following church services. New and pretty gifts,
homemade delicacies, gifts from Armenia, original art, and more.
December 20St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Sunday School Christmas
Pageant.
December 31St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, New Years Eve
celebration, Seroonian Community Center.
December 31Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. New Years
Eve Dinner-Dance.
February 6St. Stephens (Watertown, Massachusetts) Ladies Guild, Mardi
Gras celebration, 7 pm at church hall. Costumes optional; masks are a
must. For information: Mary Derderian, [email protected] or
781-762-4253.
July 17A Hye Summer Night V, dance hosted by Ladies Guild of
Sts. Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode
Island. Watch for details.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys 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]