PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
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Email: [email protected]
TOP STORY March 31,2011
_A Feast for the Spirit in April _
April begins on Friday-and with it begins one of the most active and
consequential months in the Armenian Church calendar.
Across the Eastern Diocese, local parishes are continuing their Lenten
programs, in anticipation of Palm Sunday (April 17) and the Holy Week
observances of Holy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (April 21, 22,
23)-dramatizing the great events from the final days of Christ’s earthly
ministry.
That drama reaches its climax on Easter Sunday (April 24), when the church
rejoices over Christ’s triumph over evil and death, through his glorious
resurrection.
A rare conjunction of dates in 2011 places Easter on the date usually
designated for Armenian Martyrs Day. Please note that Diocesan parishes will
be observing Martyrs Day on the day _after _Easter-Monday, April 25-at which
time requiem services will be held in memory of the martyrs of the 1915
Armenian Genocide.
The month will conclude with the Eastern Diocese’s annual gathering, the
109th Diocesan Assembly, convening this year in Boston, MA. The Holy Trinity
Church of Cambridge, MA, is hosting the annual Diocesan Clergy Conference
(April 26-28) and the Diocesan Assembly itself (April 28-May1), as well as
concurrent organizational gatherings like the Women’s Guild Assembly (April
29-30).
Look for features on all of these events in the present and upcoming
editions of the Diocesan e-Newsletter, and on the Diocesan [4]website. And
please contact your local parish for information on its own activities
throughout the month, so you and your family can enrich your lives with the
spiritual treasures of the Armenian Church.
Links:
4.
Scripture of the Week
Mk 13:1-37
Is 65:8-25
Phil 3:1-4:9
Lk 17:20-18:14
Prayer of the week
O Lord, send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring
me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of
God, and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God. Amen.
Upcoming Saints & Feasts
_2 April:_ Forty Martyrs of Sebastia
_3 April:_ Sunday of the Judge
_7 April:_ Annunciation to the Virgin Mary
CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
A cornerstone blessing ceremony for a new church in Armavir was held this
week.
_New Church to be Built in Armavir, Armenia_
On Monday, March 28, a ground blessing ceremony was held for a new church in
the Perkashad village of Armenia’s northwestern Armavir Province.
The village has long been without a church, and one of its former residents,
Mr. Khachatur Khachatryan, stepped forward to sponsor the project. Mr.
Khachatryan currently resides in Kiev, Ukraine.
Bishop Sion Adamian, the Primate of the Armavir Diocese, presided over the
cornerstone blessing ceremony. Archbishop Grigoris Buniatian, Primate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Church of Ukraine, also took part in the ceremony.
The new church is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2012.
_History Written in Thread _
A wonderful article in the March 30 online edition of the _New York Times_
tells how officials of the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, along with a
pair of American scholars, have preserved and documented a treasure trove of
Armenian textiles-some dating from the 1700s.
In studying these exquisite works of art-which in their day were put to
actual use as liturgical vestments, altar curtains, and vessel coverings-the
researchers gained a fresh appreciation for the devotional life of
generations of Armenian Christian women.
With the Eastern Diocese poised to embark on a year-long exploration of lay
ministry in the Armenian Church, the article is a beautiful reminder of how
pious Armenian women offered their artistic talent, and their fine
embroidery work, to illuminate the faith for the larger community of
believers.
The _Times_ online piece, titled `A Culture’s History Written in Thread,’
includes a splendid photo gallery of some of the finer pieces on display in
an underground museum at the Armenian Patriarchate. To read the article, and
view the gallery, click [5]here.
Links:
5.
DIOCESAN NEWS
Clergy from the Diocese’s Midwest region met for their annual retreat this
week.
_Midwest Clergy Gather for Lenten Retreat _
Clergy from the Midwest region gathered this week for a three-day Lenten
retreat in Ingleside, IL. The program began on Monday, March 28, with
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, presiding.
Organized by Diocesan Vicar, the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, the
retreat focused on the centrality of prayer in a priest’s life. Through a
series of Bible study and discussion sessions clergy examined personal and
liturgical prayer and its importance in a pastor’s life and ministry.
Clergy also took part in daily morning, midday, evening, and nighttime
prayers. The 17 participants included clergy from across the Midwest. A
similar retreat is scheduled for the New England region in Whitensville, MA,
next week.
Members of the Fund for Armenian Relief board of directors met at the
Diocesan Center today.
_FAR Board Reviews Latest Activities and Plans _
Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian presided over a meeting of the
Fund for Armenian Relief board of directors on March 31 at the Diocesan
Center in New York.
The board heard updates on FAR’s most recent humanitarian and developmental
projects involving orphans, handicapped children, educational opportunities,
and improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable people of Armenia.
With an eye to the future, the board discussed strategic priorities for the
coming year.
Also reviewed and approved was a financial performance report conducted by
independent auditors, which praised FAR for its overall integrity, its
strict adherence to internal control policies, and the transparency of its
activities.
Delegates at last year’s Diocesan Assembly in Chicago, IL.
_109th Diocesan Assembly to be Held in Boston _
This year’s Clergy Conference and Annual Diocesan Assembly-themed
`Vocations-The Call to Serve: Ministry of the Faithful’-will be hosted by
Holy Trinity Church of Cambridge, MA.
The_ Clergy Conference_ will be held at the Connors Family Retreat and
Conference Center in Dover, MA, from Tuesday, April 26 to Thursday, April
28. The _Assembly_ proceedings will be held at the Park Plaza Hotel in
Boston, from Thursday, April 28 to Saturday, April 30 (the Divine Liturgy
will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Church on Sunday, May 1).
A _banquet_ will be held on Friday, April 29, to honor this year’s `Armenian
Church Member of the Year’ and `Friend of the Armenians.’ The awards will be
presented to Mr. Sarkis Bedevian and Governor Deval Patrick, respectively.
Recognition will also be extended to board members of the Armenian Heritage
Foundation, which is working to build the Armenian Heritage Park in Boston.
For more information, [6]click here to visit the parish’s Assembly website.
Links:
6.
_Holy Week and Easter at New York’s St. Vartan Cathedral
_
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will observe Holy Week, April 17 through April
24, with a series of special services, culminating in the Easter Sunday
celebration on April 24, 2011.
Holy Week is the sacred commemoration of the dramatic events leading to the
resurrection of Jesus Christ, his victory over death, and the redemption of
humanity and the fallen world. The Armenian Church re-enacts these episodes
in the days leading up to Easter.
An unusual conjunction of the calendar this year places Easter Sunday on the
date designated for observance of Armenian Martyrs Day, in commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Please note that at St. Vartan Cathedral, and
at parishes throughout the Eastern Diocese, April 24 will be reserved for
the full Easter celebration; Martyrs Day, with its traditional requiem
service, will be observed on Monday, April 25.
[7]
Click here for a complete schedule of services.
Links:
7.
FAR will honor the beloved artist and humanitarian Charles Aznavour in New
York on May 20.
_Dignitaries Joining FAR’s Tribute to Charles Aznavour _
As announced previously, on Friday, May 20, the Fund for Armenian Relief
will mark the 20th anniversary of Armenia’s independence with a grand
tribute honoring a beloved Armenian artist of international standing:
Charles Aznavour.
Since the 1988 earthquake, Mr. Aznavour, through his _Aznavour Pour
L’Armenie _foundation, has been a major force in humanitarian aid to
Armenia.
FAR will honor this great artist, humanitarian, diplomat, and visionary in
the elegant setting of New York’s Cipriani Wall Street. Charles Aznavour
will be traveling to New York to receive the admiration of the community in
person.
As news of the tribute has spread, an impressive roster of dignitaries have
lent their names to the tribute’s Honorary Committee, including fellow
artists Liza Minnelli, Elton John, Celine Dion, Placido Domingo, Tony Benet,
and Atom Egoyan. Also gracing the committee are Vartan Gregorian (president
of the Carnegie Corporation), Clive Gillinson (artistic director of Carnegie
Hall), Reynold Levy (president of the Lincoln Center for the Performing
Arts), Joseph Polisi (president of the Juilliard School), and the French and
Armenian ambassadors to the U.S. and U.N.
Actor Eric Bogosian will entertain guests at the tribute as its Master of
Ceremonies. Tickets for the Friday, May 20 tribute are still available
online at [8]
Links:
8.
Aghtamar Church, a precious jewel of Armenian architecture, on an island in
Lake Van.
_FAR’s Young Professionals Trip to Tour Historic Armenia_
For the first time, the Fund for Armenian Relief’s `Hayastani Kidak
Society’ Young Professionals Trip will include a tour of historic Armenian
lands in eastern Turkey as part of its itinerary. The year 2011 marks the
16th summer that FAR has held the two-week trip, which also includes an
extensive and enriching tour around Armenia.
This year, participants will be able to visit incredible historic sites like
Armenia’s magnificent former capital of Ani, the holy island of Aghtamar, as
well as Kars and Van. The trip provides an ideal opportunity for young
professionals between the ages of 23 and 40 to travel to Armenia as a group,
learn about the country and culture firsthand, and become acquainted with
FAR’s projects.
[9]Click here to learn more about the trip, on the FAR blog.
Links:
9.
PARISH NEWS
Fr. Tateos Abdalian with children at St. Garabed Church of Baton Rouge, LA.
_Baton Rouge Parish Prepares for Easter_
St. Garabed Church of Baton Rouge, LA, welcomed Archbishop Yeghishe
Gizirian, as well as Diocesan Mission Parishes director, the Rev. Fr. Tateos
Abdalian, to the community on the weekend of March 25-28.
On Saturday, Fr. Abdalian spoke to Sunday School students on Great Lent, and
on how to prepare for Easter. Later, he met with the local ACYOA to discuss
their involvement in church activities. A choir rehearsal in preparation for
Holy Week and Easter was also held.
On Sunday, Fr. Abdalian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and Archbishop
Gizirian delivered a homily on the parable of the shrewd manager, and on the
need to use the Lenten season to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. A meal
in the church hall followed services.
Parishioners of the Armenian Church of Southwest Florida mission parish
gather for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy (photo by J. Meghreblian
via naplesnews.com).
_Badarak Closes Winter Season in Southwest Florida _
Diocesan Mission Parishes director, the Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, led more
than 125 parishioners of the Armenian Church community of Southwest Florida,
in a celebration of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 20. The occasion was
an uplifting way to close the annual winter season, during which the
community fills with vacationers from colder climes.
Following the liturgy, people gathered in the hall of a local Episcopal
Church for a Lenten luncheon and program, where Parish Council chair Carole
Meghreblian welcomed the crowd, and Fr. Abdalian encouraged them to return
to their home parishes with a refreshed spirit of Christian witness.
An informal `quiz-contest,’ using questions from the `Armenian Church
Hye-Q’ game created by the Diocesan Department of Youth and Education,
brought out the competitive spirit in the attendees, and rounded out the day
and the local winter season.
For more information about the parish, or to join its mailing list, contact
Carole Meghreblian at (239) 348-3804, or at [10][email protected].
[11]Click here to read an article about the parish written for the local
newspaper.
Links:
10. mailto:[email protected]
11.
_Upcoming Parish Events _
_Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI _
The Cultural Committee of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI,
will host Professor Rouben Shugarian, Armenia’s first Ambassador to the
United States, on Saturday, April 2, at 7 p.m.
The evening is being organized in commemoration of the 96th anniversary of
the Armenian Genocide. Professor Shugarian’s talk is titled “The Recent
History of the International Mediation of Armenian-Turkish Relations. The
Basic Mistakes.”
[12]Click here for more information.
Links:
12.
_Holy Cross Church | Union City, NJ_
The Women’s Guild of Holy Cross Church of Union City, NJ, will host a `Women
Saintly Day’ program on Saturday, April 2, beginning at 11 a.m.
The day will include a worship service in the church sanctuary, followed by
a luncheon and program at the Holy Cross Church Center.
Donation is $20. Reservations must be made by Saturday, March 26. For more
information, contact the church office at (201) 864-2480, or Diana Burggraf
at (201) 868-0520.
_Holy Trinity Church | Cheltenham, PA_
The Women’s Guild of Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, will host the
annual Saintly Women’s Day program on Saturday, April 2. Ladies from all
the Armenian churches in Philadelphia are invited to participate in the
event.
The day will begin at 11 a.m. with a worship service. The service will be
followed by a Lenten luncheon and program, featuring guest speaker Maria
Bakalian. For more information, contact the church office at (215) 663-1600.
_St. Mary Church | Livingston, NJ_
The Women’s Guild of St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, will host a
mid-Lenten luncheon on Sunday, April 3, beginning at noon.
The family-style meal will be held in the church’s Toufayan Hall. Donation
is $15 for adults; free for children. For more information, call the church
office at (973) 533-9794.
_Holy Ascension Church | Trumbull, CT_
The Church of the Holy Ascension of Trumbull, CT, will host a Lenten
luncheon and program on Sunday, April 3, at 12:15 p.m. in the
Agahigian-Sherinian Church Hall.
The Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, parish pastor, will speak about the
challenges facing the Armenian Church.
The free event is part of a series of programs organized in celebration of
the 80th anniversary of Holy Ascension Church.
_Holy Translators Church | Framingham, MA_
On Thursday, April 7, the Church of the Holy Translators of Framingham, MA,
and the National Association of Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) will
cosponsor an evening with Dr. Richard Hovannisian, AEF Professor of Modern
Armenian History at UCLA. The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Titled “In Search of Armenian Cilicia,” Dr. Hovannisian’s talk will offer an
illustrated presentation about his trip to historic Cilicia. The
presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. Dr.
Hovannisian’s books will be available for sale.
The evening will be held in the fellowship hall at Holy Translators Church.
For more information, contact Stepan Piligian at (508) 574-4130 or
[13][email protected].
Links:
13. mailto:[email protected]
_St. Vartan Cathedral | New York, NY_
On Wednesday, April 13, the St. Vartan Cathedral Council will sponsor a
Lenten lecture by Dr. Roberta Ervine of St. Nersess Armenian Seminary. Dr.
Ervine will speak on “The Rock at the Tree: Armenian Faith and the Cross.”
The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. For more information, contact the
cathedral office at (212) 686-0710, ext. 141.
_St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY_
The Women’s Guild of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY,
will host a Ladies Boutique Luncheon on Saturday, April 30, beginning at
12:30 p.m.
The stylish fundraiser will feature unique shopping kiosks, silent auction
opportunities, and a chef-prepared lunch.
Admission is $45 per person (reservations must be made in advance). Proceeds
from the event will go toward St. Gregory the Enlightener Church.
Contributions for the event booklet must be made by March 31. [14]Click here
for more information.
Links:
14.
EVENTS
Participants at last year’s Walk for Faith event at St. Nersess Seminary.
_St. Nersess Seminary Walk for Faith Event on Sunday _
The third annual St. Nersess Armenian Seminary Walk for Faith fundraiser
will be held on Sunday, April 3. The goal is to raise $20,000 to benefit the
various youth and vocations programs offered by the seminary.
The day will begin with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the
seminary’s chapel, followed by lunch and the 3K walk in the seminary’s New
Rochelle, NY, neighborhood.
For the first time this year, the event will include an inspirational rally
immediately before participants set out for the walk. `During the
seminary’s 50th anniversary year, we want to make this Walk for Faith a bit
more special than in years past,’ said the Rev. Fr. Stepanos Doudoukjian,
who is organizing the walkathon.
[15]
Click here for more information.
Links:
15.
Zabel Yesayan.
_Film Screening at the Zohrab Center Next Week _
The Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center will screen the
film “Finding Zabel Yesayan” on Thursday, April 7, at 7 p.m.
The 40-minute documentary traces the life of the Armenian writer and
activist Zabel Yesayan, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide who later
settled in Soviet Armenia.
[16]
Click here to view a flyer.
Links:
16.
YOUTH NEWS
Young people from nine parishes took part in the ACYOA National Lenten
Retreat last weekend.
_ACYOA Meets for National Lenten Retreat_
Young people from nine parishes across the Eastern Diocese gathered in
Michigan last weekend to learn about the importance of prayer in daily life.
Titled `Conversations with God for a New Generation,’ the National Lenten
Retreat was led by the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, dean of St. Nersess
Armenian Seminary, and was sponsored by the ACYOA Central Council.
Meeting from Friday, March 25 to Sunday, March 27, the ACYOA members took
part in presentations such as `Prayer: Definitions and Directions,’ `Psalms:
The Heart of Prayer,’ `Narek: From the Depths of the Heart,’ `Beginning to
Pray: A How-to Guide,’ and `Seeing God: A Toumanian Tale.’
Instructors included the Very Rev. Fr. Aren Jebejian, pastor of St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL; the Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian,
pastor of the St. John Church of Southfield, MI; and ACYOA executive
secretary Nancy Basmajian.
[17]Click here to read more.
Links:
17.
ACYOA Juniors Retreat participants at St. Mary Church of Hollywood, FL.
_Florida Holds an ACYOA Juniors Retreat_
Diocesan Youth Outreach coordinator Jennifer Morris traveled to Florida last
weekend to lead that state’s first Diocesan-sponsored ACYOA Juniors regional
retreat.
Three Florida parishes-St. Mary (in Hollywood), St. Hagop (in St.
Petersburg), and St. David (in Boca Raton)-sent a total of 23 teenagers to
the St. Mary Church, for a 24-hour retreat and `lock-in,’ where the youth
were led in talks and activities on the topic `Communicating Through
Christ.’
Sessions were led by the Rev. Fr. Vartan Joulfayan, pastor of St. Mary
Church; Dn. Justin Ajamian, pastoral intern at St. David Church; and Ms.
Morris. A Saturday evening campfire and vespers service encouraged attendees
to reflect on the day’s sessions, with the entire event concluding on Sunday
with the Divine Liturgy and a luncheon provided by the hosting St. Mary
parish.
Two more ACYOA Juniors retreats are scheduled for the upcoming weeks:
_New York Metro/Mid-Atlantic Regional Retreat_, at Don Bosco and Marian
Shrine Retreat Center (Stony Point, NY); Friday-Sunday, April 1-3 (ending
with the third annual St. Nersess 3K Walk for Faith, on April 3).
_Michigan/Ohio Regional Retreat_, at Camp Ohiyesa (Holly, MI);
Friday-Sunday, April 8-10.
To receive registration packets for these events, contact your parish priest
or youth advisor, or e-mail Jennifer Morris at
[18][email protected].
Links:
18. mailto:[email protected]
Fr. Krikor Sabounjian with staff members at St. Vartan Camp.
_Register Now for Diocesan Summer Camps_
The first two weeks of spring have flown by (although at this writing winter
still seems to have some life in it), and the Diocesan Summer Camp programs
are gearing up for another season. Both camps are taking applications for
the following sessions:
_Hye Camp 2011, housed at Camp Hickory in Ingleside, IL_
Staff Training: Thursday, July 27 – Saturday, July 30
Camp Session: Saturday, July 30 – Saturday, August 6
_St. Vartan Camp 2011, housed at the Ararat Center in Greenville, NY_
Staff Training: Wednesday, June 22 – Saturday, June 25
Session A: Sunday, June 26 – Saturday, July 9
Session B: Sunday, July 10 – Saturday, July 23
Session C: Sunday, July 24 – Saturday, August 6
Applications for Midwest Hye Camp are now available for download. [19]Click
here to download and print camper, CIT, staff, and volunteer application
forms. Register by June 1 to take advantage of the early-bird discount.
Links:
19.
St. Vartan Camp registration may be completed online. [20]Click here to
register online for St. Vartan Camp.
Links:
20.
For information about Hye Camp and St. Vartan Camp, contact Jennifer Morris,
Youth Outreach coordinator, at (212) 686-0710, ext. 118, or
[21][email protected].
Links:
21. mailto:[email protected]
From: A. Papazian