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:
March 31, 2011
MUSICAL ARMENIA ARTISTS THRILL AUDIENCE
The 28th Musical Armenia concert last Sunday was received with great
enthusiasm and appreciation. The two talented featured artists, Karen
Hakobyan and Joao Kouyoumdjian, enthralled the near-capacity audience
at Carnegie Halls Weill Recital Hall in Manhattan.
Archbishop Oshagan hosted a reception after the concert at the
Prelacys Vahakn and Hasmig Hovnanian Hall, providing an opportunity
for the artists and their families to meet some of the audience, the
patrons, and committee members who worked for months in organizing and
promoting the concert. The Prelate praised the two performers for an
outstanding concert. He noted the importance of the Musical Armenia
series which for nearly 30 years has been promoting young talent. I am
very proud that the Prelacy has been able to continue this concert
series since the first concert in 1982, and I look forward to its
continuation into the foreseeable future, the Prelate said. He
expressed his thanks the Prelacy Ladies Guild, the Organizing
Committee, and to the generous patrons.
Archbishop Oshagan congratulates the artists during reception at the
Prelacy.
Archbishop Oshagan with committee members and the artists holding the
concert poster.
LENTEN PROGRAM CONTINUES
The fourth of the six-part Prelacy Lenten program took place yesterday
evening, March 30, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy. The lecture The Miracle of
Children A Psychological Perspective was presented by Dn. Vahan
Kouyoumdjian, M.D.
Dn. Vahan highlighted how miraculously children are created
and discussed different stages of childrens development, and how at
each stage they have special needs and ways parents should meet those
needs for kids to grow up healthy. A lively discussion ensued after
his informative presentation.
In celebration of the Year of the Armenian Child, as proclaimed
by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, all
of the Lenten lectures this year will focus on children. Next
Wednesday, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, AREC Director, will speak about
Religious and Moral Development of Children.
The Lenten programs begin with table fellowship at 7:15 pm,
followed by Lenten Service (Husgoom) at 8:00 pm, and lecture and Q/A
from 8:30 pm to 9:15 pm. The Lenten program is sponsored by the
Prelacys Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy
Ladies Guild, and the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminators Cathedral. For
further information contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or the church
office at 212-689-5880.
Dn. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, M.D., presents a psychological perspective on
children.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS CONFERENCE
Twenty-one Sunday School teachers and directors from eight Prelacy
parishes, and six instructors, plus clergy and guests from the New
England region, gathered at the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas
Seminary in Bloomfield, Connecticut, for a conference on The Feasts of
the Armenian Church, last weekend, March 25-27, 2011. Sponsored by the
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the three-day conference
included morning and evening worship services, presentations and
workshops, as well as networking teaching ideas and Sunday School
programs.
H. G. Bishop Anoushavan, Prelacy Vicar, presented Easter in the
Armenian Christian Tradition; Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, pastor of
St. Stephens Church (MA), Nativity and Theophany in the Armenian
Christian Tradition; Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of St.
Asdvadzadzin Church (MA) and Chairman of the Prelacys Religious
Council, the message of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I on the Year of
the Armenian Child; Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian, pastor of St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church (MA), taught Easter and Christmas sharagans;
Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of AREC, spoke about The Calendar of the
Armenian Church; Mary M. Shamshoian-Olson, Ed.D., Chief Academic
Officer, Consolidated School District 158 (Illinois), led two
workshops on teaching the feasts of the Armenian Church in Sunday
School.
Teachers and presenters at the Conference for Sunday School teachers.
For more photos click here (
).
PRELATE WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy and Arevakal
Service this Sunday at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
Jersey. The services will be celebrated by the parish priest,
Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian. Archbishop Oshagan will deliver the sermon.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL SPEAK ABOUT BIBLE TRANSLATION
Archbishop Oshagan will lecture tomorrow, April 1, at St. Sarkis
Church, Douglaston, New York. His Eminence will speak about Bible
translation. The lecture is at 7:30 pm, after Vespers at 6:30; table
fellowship will follow the lecture.
ANEC DIRECTOR VISITS SCHOOLS
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) met on Saturday,
March 19, at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey. The
members discussed forthcoming activities, as well as reports on visits
to several Saturday and day schools within the jurisdiction of ANEC.
Dr. Vartan Matiossian, director of ANEC, visited the Nareg
Saturday School of Sts. Vartanantz Church in New Jersey, on February
19. He conferred with the principal, Mrs. Knar Apkarian, and also
observed several classes. During a seminar/meeting with the
administration and faculty of the school on Saturday, March 19, he
shared his observations about educational and curriculum aspects, and
offered various suggestions for the improvement of work in class.
Dr. Matiossian also visited the St. Illuminator Armenian Day
School in Woodside, New York on March 15. He met with the principal,
Ms. Christine Reiglehoff; the secretary, Mr. Sarkis Apelian; and the
chairman of the Board of Education, Dr. Herand Markarian. He also
observed several classes in English and Armenian.
DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The 25th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Christian
Studies Program, for youth ages 13-18, will take place at the St. Mary
of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from July 3-10,
2011. By popular demand, the Institute this year will again extend the
week-long program with a three-day retreat (optional) from June
30-July 3.
The summer program is sponsored by the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, contact
the AREC office by telephone at 212-689-7810, by email at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), or click
here (
).
NEWLY ELECTED TRUSTEES JOIN BOARD
OF ST. GREGORY, NORTH ANDOVER
Newly elected trustees joined with existing members at St. Gregory
Church, North Andover, Massachusetts. The parish is currently
undergoing extensive interior renovations. Renovations to the church
foyer and side staircases are almost complete. Major renovations to
the churchs sanctuary will begin later this spring. During this time
services will take place at the parishs Jaffarian Hall. Also planned
is the installation of a wheelchair lift.
The Board of Trustees of St. Gregory Church, front row, left to right:
Richard Shahtanian, Chairman John Kulunjian, Rev. Fr. Karekin
Bedourian, Nancy Vartabedian, Christine Kourkounian, and Karen
Aznoian. Second row, left to right: Joseph Almasian, Gregory Minasian,
John Jeknavorian, Dr. John Saryan, and Alexander Movsesian.
BIBLE READING
Bible readings for Sunday, April 3, Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, Sunday
of the Judge, are: Isaiah 65:8-25; Philippians 3:1-4:9: Luke
17:20-18:14.
Thus says the Lord: As the wine is found in the cluster, and
they say, Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it, so I will
do for my servants sake, and not destroy them all. I will bring forth
descendants from Jacob, and from Judah inheritors of my mountains; my
chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall settle there. Sharon
shall become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a place for
herds to lie down, for my people who have sought me. But you who
forsake the Lord, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for
Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny; I will destine you to
the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter; because,
when I called, you did not answer, when I spoke, you did not listen,
but you did what was evil in my sight, and chose what I did not
delight in.
Therefore thus says the Lord God: My servants shall eat, but
you shall be hungry; my servants shall drink, but you shall be
thirsty; my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame; my
servants shall sing for gladness of heart, but you shall cry out for
pain of heart, and shall wail for anguish of spirit. You shall leave
your name to my chosen to use as a curse, and the Lord God will put
you to death; but to his servants he will give a different name. Then
whoever invokes a blessing in the land shall bless by the God of
faithfulness, and whoever takes an oath in the land shall swear by the
God of faithfulness; because the former troubles are forgotten and are
hidden from my sight.
For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the
former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and
rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I am about to create
Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight. I will rejoice in
Jerusalem, and delight in my people; no more shall the sound of
weeping be heard in it, or the cry of distress. No more shall there be
in it an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does
not live out a lifetime; for one who dies at a hundred years will be
considered a youth, and one who falls short of a hundred will be
considered accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they
shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and
another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the
days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall
long enjoy the work of their hands.
They shall not labor in vain, or bear children for calamity;
for they shall be offspring blessed by the Lordand their descendants
as well. Before they call I will answer, while they are not yet
speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the
lion shall eat straw like the ox; but the serpentits food shall be
dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountains, says
the Lord. (Isaiah 65:8-25)
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
).
SUNDAY OF THE JUDGE
We are now more than half-way through Great Lent. This Sunday, April
3, is the Sunday of the Judge (Datavori Kiraki). The Gospel reading
for this day is the parable told by Jesus about a widow and a judge
(see Luke 18:1-8). The judge in this parable is seen as hard-hearted
and without principles, fear of God, or regard for people. A widow in
the same town has been ill-treated and she has come to the judge for
justice. Although her cause is just, the judge does not pay attention
to her case. However, she is persistent and she makes the same appeal
again and again until at last the judge decides to see that she
receives justice. He does this not because he cares for justice, but
because he wants to be rid of the widow.
The message of this parable is that we must persevere and
pursue righteousness and justice relentlessly with the confidence that
perseverance (especially in prayer) will be rewarded.
FORTY MARTYRS OF SEBASTIA
This Saturday, April 2, the Armenian Church commemorates the Forty
Martyrs of Sebastia. Although the backgrounds and identities of the
forty young soldiers are not certain, it is believed they came from
Lesser Armenia and served in the Roman army. According to St. Basil of
Caesarea, forty Christian soldiers refused to worship the Roman
emperor while stationed in Sebastia in Armenia in 320. They remained
faithful to their Christian faith. The soldiers were tried and
condemned to death by stoning. Miraculously, when the sentence was
being carried out, the stones would not reach the condemned soldiers,
but would instead come back striking those throwing the stones. The
soldiers were than thrown into a frozen lake and forced to stay there,
unless they renounced their faith. Warm baths were prepared for anyone
who would recant. Of the forty, only one gave up. When he did, another
soldier, moved by the example of the suffering Christians, declared
himself a Chr!
istian and took the apostates place. All forty died.
Some of our great church fathers like Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Ephraim
the Assyrian, and Sisian of Sebastia, wrote panegyrics about the forty
martyrs. Their memory is commemorated each year during Lent on the
Saturday following the median day of Lent (Meechink), which was
yesterday. The Armenians have built and named churches in memory of
the Forty Martyrs in various parts of the world.
ARMENIAN LANGUAGE DILEMMA
Well-known journalist Tom Vartabedian recently wrote an article which
he titled, Is Armenian Language Dying a Slow Death in America? The
article prompted an enormous response from the Armenian community. But
the responses Tom appreciated most of all were from the youngsters in
his own parish, St. Gregory Church in North Andover, Massachusetts.
Ten year old Meline Almasian offered her solution to preserving
the language: Go to church, hear the language spoken, and treat it
like a learning lesson. If any language dies, its only because people
let it die. Its up to all of us to keep the language aliveyoung and
old.
Aghavny Bebirian, 18, comes from a family that speaks Armenian
at home, and most of the youngsters agreed that this was important.
Aghavny said, Its up to our current generation to take the bull by the
horns. To save it, we must learn it, speak it, and more importantly
pass it along to others.
Thirteen-year-old John Mahlebjian noted, In order to keep our
identity, it starts with the language. If we cant communicate words,
we can communicate feelings. If parents dont use it in the home, its
hard for their children to learn.
To read all of the responses click here (
).
To read Toms original article click here (
).
BONE MARROW DONOR REGISTRY CONTINUES SEARCH
Two members of the Armenian community in New Jersey, Irene Hamptian
Katrandjian and Varoujan Vartanian, are in need of a stem cell match.
The search is continuing through the Armenian Bone Marrow Donor
Registry. The effort for donors is minimal, painless, and free. You
could be the one to save a life. Two more recruitment drives will take
place as follows:
On Palm Sunday, April 17, a recruitment drive will take place
at Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New
Jersey, 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. On Easter Sunday, April 24, a recruitment
drive will take place at St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th
Street, New York City, from 10:30 to 2:00 pm.
Meline Almasian plays a word game in Armenian School, using a fun
approach.
Aghavny Bebirian has visions of the Armenian alphabet dancing in her
mind.
Please remember: The Armenian Bone Marrow Donor Registry
(ABMDR) is in need of funds to cover the cost of processing the
samples. It costs $50 per sample. Please consider making a
tax-deductible donation in any amount. Donations may be sent to:
ABNDR, c/o Carol Haddad, 74 Eastbrook Drive, River Edge, NJ 07661.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE.
Besides books the Prelacy Bookstore offers unusual, one-of-a-kind
jewelry.
This week bring to your attention:
Lovely pendants created by an Armenian jewelry designer, Ludwig.
Each one is $60, plus shipping and handling.
To order contact the Prelacy Bookstore by email at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or by
phone at 212-689-7810.
Also from the Bookstore
>From time to time you have been receiving emails from the Bookstore
featuring new and old editions of publications in English and
Armenian. This list is prepared by the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC). Henceforth, this twice-monthly book list will be
offered as a link through Crossroads. To see the latest list of books
click here (
).
, , [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) (212) 689-7810
CONFERENCE ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ORAL HISTORY
This Saturday, April 2, an international conference will take place at
UCLA focusing on the Armenian Genocide oral history collections in
North America. It is organized by Richard G. Hovannisian, UCLA
Armenian Education Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History. We
have just received notification that the conference will be streamed
live. Connect by going to the web site: Armenianhistory.ucla.edu (
) and click on Events where the link for the conference may be
opened. The conference will begin at 9:30 am, Pacific Time (12:30 pm,
Eastern Time).
The conference is possible through the support of UCLA Center
for Near Eastern Studies, Souren and Verkin Papazian Fund, and Bob and
Nora Movel Fund.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 6 through LentSt. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic
Church, Granite City, Illinois, Lenten Bible Study Series 2011. Begins
Sunday, March 6, immediately following Divine Liturgy; continues every
Friday evening during Great Lent, from 6-7 pm. (Vigil service to
follow). Topic: Understanding the Divine Liturgy (Because lets face
it, you dont!). A detailed look at the origins, structure, theology
and historical development of the Soorp Badarak.
March 9 to April 13Prelacy Lenten Lectures, every Wednesday during
Lent, at St. Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York
City. Fellowship at 7:15 pm; Lenten service at 8 pm; Lecture at 8:30
pm. For details click here (
).
April 1St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Lenten Worship,
Education & Tradition series, Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate of Eastern
Prelacy, will speak about Bible translation. Fellowship by the
Saturday School PTA. Vespers 6:30 pm; Lecture 7:30 pm; Q 8:00 pm;
Fellowship 8:15 pm.
April 8St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. Lenten Worship,
Education & Tradition series, Biblical Meditation on the Year of the
Armenian Child, by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of
St. Illuminators Cathedral. Fellowship hour by the Yeraz Dance
Ensemble. Vespers 6:30 pm; Lecture 7:30 pm; Q 8:00 pm; Fellowship 8:15
pm.
April 9Evening service at 7 pm, followed by a reception for the
Pillars of the Prelacy in New England area, at St. Stephens Church,
Watertown, Massachusetts.
April 10St. Illuminators Cathedral, Pashalian Hall, New York,
Traditional Lenten Luncheon and Program, under the auspices of
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor. Organized and prepared by the
Cathedrals Ladies Guild; adults $25, children $10. For
information/reservations: 212-689-5880.
April 15St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. Lenten Worship,
Education and Tradition series, For Christ our Passover lamb, has been
sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5:7)a Reflection on the Death of Christ, by
Deacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Prelacys Armenian Religious
Education Council. Fellowship hour by the Senior Citizens
Group. Vespers 6:30 pm; Lecture 7:30 pm; Q 8:00 pm; Fellowship 8:15
pm.
May 1Armenian Genocide commemoration at the crossroads of the world,
Times Square, New York City, beginning at 2 pm. Sponsored by the
Knights and Daughters of Vartan; co-sponsored by AGBU, Armenian
Assembly of America, Armenian National Committee of America,
ADL-Ramgavars, and Armenian Council of America; with the participation
of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Armenian Missionary Association
of America, Armenian Catholic Eparchy for United States and Canada,
Mid-Atlantic ACYOA, AYF, Armenian Youth Organizations, and University
Armenian Clubs. For up to date information go to
(
).
May 2Prelacy Ladies Guild Mothers Day Luncheon, honoring Lucy
Ishkanian as Woman of the Year, at The New York Palace, 455 Madison
Avenue, New York City; reception at noon, luncheon at 1 pm.
May 4St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Mothers Day Luncheon,
honoring all mothers, sponsored by St. Sarkis Senior Citizens Group,
12 noon. Live Armenian and Middle Eastern music featuring Jacque
Hagopian. Limited seating. Reservations by April 25. Donation $25
advance; $35 at door. Reservations: 516-587-0727 or 718-224-2275.
May 7St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Fourth Annual
Celebration of International Cuisine, Simply the Best Party, 8
pm. Enjoy a special evening of tasting gourmet cooking and dancing to
the tunes of DJ Allen. Reservations a must; donation $50 in advance;
$60 at door; children under twelve, $25. Reservations: church office,
718-224-2275.
May 11-14National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy, hosted
by St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
May 22Celebration of the 95th anniversary of St. Illuminators
Cathedral, New York City, will take place at the Terrace on the Park,
Flushing Meadow Park, under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan. Cocktails 5 pm; Dinner 6 pm.
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] (mailto:[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] (mailto:[email protected])
From: A. Papazian