Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 686-0710 | Fax: (212) 779-3558
Web: [15]
Links:
15.
TOP STORY October 7, 2010
_ACYOA Leadership Conference to Focus on Identity_
This weekend the Eastern Diocese will host a young adult leadership
conference on the topic of the Armenian identity in 21st -century America.
Themed `Leading with Faith,’ the conference will be held at the Diocesan
Center in New York, from October 8-10.
Participants will discuss the connection between the Armenian faith and
identity, as articulated by St. Vartan and his followers in the 5th-century
Battle of Avarayr. Participants will hear from exemplary leaders in the
Eastern Diocese and brainstorm ways young Armenians can take up leadership
roles in the Armenian Church.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America (Eastern), will address the group and preside over the weekend
conference. The Primate, Diocesan leaders, clergy, and staff, and members of
the ACYOA Central Council planned and organized the three-day event. More
than 60 college students and young professionals are scheduled to take part
in the sessions.
The conference follows on the success of a similar symposium held in March
on the topic of young adult leadership. For a video on the March event,
[4]click here.
Links:
4.
Scripture of the Week
Is 19:1-11
Gal 2:1-10
Mk 12:35-44
Prayer of the week
You created the visible light, separated the day and night, shed forth on
us, O Lord, by night the rays of spiritual light. Give us at all times the
shadow of your protecting hand, that by day and by night we may give you
glory incessantly. Amen.
Upcoming Saints & Feasts
_9 October_: Holy Translators Mesrob, Yeghishe, Moses the Poet, David the
Philosopher, Gregory of Narek, and Nersess the Graceful
_16 October_: Holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Bishop Mkrtich Proshian blesses a cornerstone of the new church.
_New Armenian Church to be Built in Russia _
Plans are underway to build a new Armenian church in Shakhty, a city in
Russia’s Rostov Oblast.
On September 25, a cornerstone blessing was held for the new house of
worship. Bishop Mkrtich Proshian, the Locum Tenens of the Diocese of
Aragatsotn in Armenia, traveled to Shakhty to preside over the service, and
to bless a new _khatchkar_ on church grounds.
Armenians began settling in the Rostov region in the 18th century; later,
some went on to work in the coal mining industry in Shakhty (the city takes
its name from the Russian word for `mine shafts’). Today Shakhty is home to
a growing Armenian community. In 2007, local Armenians established the Soorb
Sarkis Church parish and an Armenian cultural center named `Andranik.’
Between 2008 and 2009, Bishop Mkrtich Proshian served as pastor of the St.
Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA.
DIOCESAN NEWS
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and religious leaders with Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton.
_Diocesan Legate Meets with U.S. Secretary of State and White House Officials
_
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Director of Ecumenical Relations at the Eastern
Diocese, met last month with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Assistant
Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, and National
Security Adviser Gen. James Jones.
In meeting with the State Department and White House officials, Archbishop
Aykazian joined Christian, Jewish, and Muslim leaders taking part in
sessions organized under the umbrella of the National Interreligious
Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East.
The Wednesday, September 29, meeting focused on the Israeli-Palestinian
peace talks, which resumed last month. Religious leaders shared their views
and concerns and presented a joint statement on the issue, stressing that
peace is possible, and urging U.S. leadership and guidance in the process.
[5]Click here to read more.
Links:
5.
FAR benefactor Dr. John Ounjian invites his friends to join him on a trip to
Armenia each year.
_FAR’s Ounjian School Benefactor Visits Armenia__ _
Dr. John Ounjian, a major supporter of the Fund for Armenian Relief, and a
group of friends recently paid a visit to Armenia, where they toured FAR
projects and met with staff and beneficiaries.
Dr. Ounjian, a retired New York doctor, is the chief benefactor of FAR’s
Ounjian School in Gyumri, Armenia. Each year, he invites his friends to join
him on a trip to Armenia, where he visits the school and other FAR sites.
During this year’s trip, Dr. Ounjian’s group marked the 10th anniversary of
the Ounjian School, which serves more than 500 students and teachers. FAR
Programs Director Arto Vorperian presented Dr. Ounjian with a congratulatory
letter from Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate and FAR president.
The group also visited FAR’s Children’s Support Foundation Center in
Yerevan, where they learned about the center’s programs and met with its
dynamic young residents, and stopped by FAR’s Yerevan office, where staff
members celebrated Dr. Ounjian’s 90th birthday. [6]Click here to visit
FAR’s blog and to read more.
Links:
6.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian with Jerusalem students Vasken Panossian and
Karin Hagopian.
_Jerusalem Students Reflect on Summer Conferences at St. Nersess Seminary _
Two students from Jerusalem’s Sts. Tarkmanchatz Armenian School took part in
the St. Nersess Seminary summer conferences last July. The students traveled
to New York as part of a program launched by the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian
five years ago to give talented Armenian youth in Jerusalem an opportunity
to learn and interact with peers in the Eastern Diocese.
In addition to studying at St. Nersess Seminary, the students=80’Vasken
Panossian and Karin Hagopian-visited the Diocesan Center and met with
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate.
They shared their impressions and spoke about the benefits of the exchange
program in a recent article. [7]Click here to read more.
Links:
7.
_Diocese Searches for Executive Director_
The Eastern Diocese is searching for candidates for the position of
Executive Director.
Based in New York City, the Executive Director will be responsible for the
management of the administrative and operational functions at the Diocese,
in accordance with the policies established by the Primate and the Diocesan
Council. Responsibilities will encompass the areas of finance,
administration, development, communications, education, and facilities
management.
[8]Click here to view a complete job description and list of qualifications.
Applicants should send a resume and cover letter to
[9][email protected].
Links:
8.
9. mailto:[email protected]
PARISH NEWS
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian with newly-ordained
altar servers at St. Leon Church, Fair Lawn, NJ. (Photo by Linda
Harutunian.)
_St. Leon Church Celebrates Continued Growth_
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, celebrated the Divine Liturgy
at St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, on Sunday, October 3, where he ordained
a deacon and 21 acolytes, and presented awards to six long-serving
parishioners.
Sarkis Pilvadjian was ordained to the diaconate. The following young
parishioners were ordained to the rank of acolyte: Derek Ajamian, Ara Araz,
Nikolas Aslanian, Richard Bohajian, Karnic Boudoughian, Paul Chamesian,
Nicholas Dadekian, David Dovlatian, Richard Egazarian, Aram Haroutunian,
Kevin and Ryan Jessourian, Troy Karanfilian, Armen Kasparian, Connor
Kazanjian, Daniel and Christopher Murray, Alexander and Gregory Nargizian,
Nicholas Tokmanian, and Nicholas Zoraian.
.
A luncheon was held after the Divine Liturgy as the parish gathered to honor
the dedication of some its longest-serving members. Deacons Charles Pinajian
and Hacik Sariminasyan, and choir members Lucy Dabagian, Florence Gulkasian,
Rose Kirian, and Emerald Noorigian, were honored for their years of service
and commitment to the church.
Archbishop Barsamian spoke about the community’s humility and warmth. He
added that the altar servers, choir members, and other lay leaders who
helped set the foundation of St. Leon Church are an inspiration to a young
generation of faithful, who today are beginning to take up the call to serve
the Armenian Church. [10]Click here to read the full article on Sunday’s
ordinations and luncheon.
Links:
10.
_Upcoming Parish Festivals and Gatherings _
_St. Mary Church | Washington, DC_
St. Mary Church of Washington, DC, is hosting its 62nd annual food festival
this week. The festival is being held on October 6, 7, and 8, with lunch
served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and on October 9, with lunch from 11 a.m. to
2 p.m., and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, contact the church at (202) 363-1923, or [11]click
here to visit the parish website.
Links:
11.
_St. Mary Church | Livingston, NJ_
The Women’s Guild of St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, will host a Luncheon
Tricky Tray with harp soloist Odarka Stockert on Wednesday, October 13, at
11:30 a.m.
.
The event will be held at The Manor restaurant, 111 Prospect Avenue, West
Orange, NJ. The donation is $50 per person. To make a reservation, call
Janet Ariyan at (908) 464-5427.
_St. Vartan Cathedral | New York, NY_
The St. Vartan Cathedral Council is sponsoring a fall gathering at Michael
Aram’s flagship store in Manhattan on Friday, October 29, from 6:30 to 8:30
p.m.
Come mingle and meet members of the cathedral community. Meet artist and
designer Michael Aram and browse his latest collection. Light food and
refreshments will be served.
The Michael Aram Flagship Store is located at 136 West 18th Street in
Manhattan (between 6th and 7th avenues). [12]Click here to view a flyer.
RSVP is requested but not required. Call Deacon Sebuh at (212) 686-0710,
ext. 141.
Links:
12.
_Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale Marks 10 Years_
The Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale celebrated its 10th anniversary with
a concert on September 19. The event was attended by Worcester mayor Joseph
C. O’Brien.
Founded in February 2000, the chorale is comprised of singers from area
churches; it also supports a children’s chorus and dance group. The chorale
is under the direction of Maestro Konstantin Petrossian (pictured at right),
who serves as its artistic director and conductor. In the past decade, the
group has given more than 20 concerts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
EVENTS
_An Evening with Agop J. Hacikyan to be Held at Diocese_
The public is invited to attend an evening with Agop J. Hacikyan=80’author of
`A Summer Without Dawn’ and `The Lamppost Diary’-at the Diocesan Center on
Friday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m.
The event is being organized by several Armenian organizations in the
greater New York City area in celebration of Mr. Hacikyan’s literary career.
It will be held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium of the Diocesan
Center (35th Street and Second Avenue) in Manhattan.
For more information, [13]click here to view a flyer.
Links:
13.
YOUTH NEWS
The ACYOA Juniors Fall Sports Weekend will take place this weekend in
Philadelphia. Pictured above is last year’s Wynnewood-Cheltenham team.
_ACYOA Juniors Sports Weekend to be Held in Philly_
This weekend, more than 180 ACYOA Juniors from 18 parishes across the
Eastern Diocese are scheduled to participate in the ACYOA Juniors Fall
Sports Weekend-a gathering focusing on worship, fellowship, and a little
friendly competition.
Held in various cities every Columbus Day weekend, the event is designed to
bring together young Armenians between the ages of 13 and 17 who are
actively involved in the life of their local parish and ACYOA chapter.
This year the festivities are being hosted jointly by the parishioners of
St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Wynnewood, PA, and Holy Trinity Church of
Cheltenham, PA. All of the participants will be housed by members of the
parish and supervised by their chaperones throughout the weekend’s
activities. Participants will have an opportunity to reconnect with old
friends and meet new people as they come together to pray, reflect on their
role in the Armenian Church, and take part in athletic events.
For more information about upcoming events for ACYOA Juniors, please contact
Jennifer Morris, Youth Outreach coordinator at the Diocese, at
[14][email protected].
Links:
14. mailto:[email protected]
From: A. Papazian