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 29, 2011
HAPPY NEW YEAR
The New Year, 2012, begins this weekend, with New Years Eve on
Saturday and New Years Day on Sunday.
In the Armenian tradition, the New Year is a time to set aside feuds
and misunderstandings and start anew. On New Years Day Armenian
families are prepared to entertain impromptu guests with a table
filled with an assortment of sweets, nuts, and dried and fresh
fruit. The exchange of gifts is associated with the New Year rather
than Christmas. Homes are decorated and the Santa Claus figure known
as Gaghant Baba makes the rounds on New Years Eve distributing gifts
to children.
WATCH FOR A SPECIAL ISSUE OF CROSSROADS FOR THE NEW YEAR
AND THE NATIVITY NEXT WEEK
SPECIAL DAY FOR DEACONS AT ST. SARKIS
(Photo): Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, presided over the
Divine Liturgy last Sunday celebrated by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian at
St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York. They are shown here with
the deacons, altar servers and choir members. As is customary, on the
Feast of St. Stephen, the first deacon and proto-martyr, the deacons
serving the altar wore crowns in honor of this special day.
ST. ILLUMINATORS DAY SCHOOL COLLECTS BOOKS
The PTO of St. Illuminators Day School in Woodside, New York,
organized a book drive to benefit the Children of Armenia Fund
(COAF). English-language books are in short supply and thanks to the
PTO, students, and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, books were collected and
will be sent to the COAF schools.
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminators Cathedral, with
some students at St. Illuminators Day School, display some of the
books collected for COAF schools in Armenia.
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BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, January 1, Sixth Sunday of Advent, Third
day of the Fast of the Nativity, are: Isaiah 51:15-52:3; Hebrews
13:18-25; Luke 22:24-30.
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be
regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, The kings of the
Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are
called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you
must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For
who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is
it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you,
just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat
and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones
judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:14-30).
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
).
HOLY APOSTLES JAMES AND JOHN THE EVANGELIST: SONS OF THUNDER
Today, Thursday, December 29, the Armenian Church remembers the
apostles James and John (Mark 10:35-41), called the Sons of Thunder by
Jesus because of their passionate and quick-natured character. James
was a Galilean fisherman, who was called along with his brother John
to be two of the twelve apostles. They, together with Peter, formed
the inner core among the twelve who were present at the raising of the
daughter of Jarius, the Transfiguration, and the agony of Gethsemane.
James is sometimes referred to as James the Greater to differentiate
from the younger apostle also named James. James was the first of the
apostles to be martyred by order of Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1-2). He is
considered to be the patron saint of Spain and according to tradition
his body was brought from Jerusalem to Spain to Santiago de
Compostela, which became, and remains, a popular destination for
pilgrims.
John is often called The Divine. It was to John that Jesus on the
cross entrusted the care of his mother. Paul names Peter, John, and
James as the pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9).
PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF THE NATIVITY
Today is the Paregentan of the Fast of the Nativity, the third and
final fasting period during Advent. A seven-day fasting period begins
tomorrow leading us to the birth of our Lord and Savior next Friday,
January 6.
HOLY FATHERS BASIL, GREGORY OF NYSSA. SYLVESTER OF ROME, AND
EPHRAEM THE SYRIAN
This Saturday, December 31, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy
Fathers Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Sylvester of Rome, and Ephraem the
Syrian.
St. Basil, called the Great, was an intellectual and exceptional
leader who helped spread Christianity. At the age of 26 he gave up his
wealth and became a monk, and dedicated his life in service to the
people, which he did by establishing hospitals, hostels, and public
kitchens to feed the needy. He was a talented writer and many of his
prayers are still used in the Armenian Church and other eastern
churches. At a time when a solitary life of a hermit was considered to
be spiritual, he instead urged monastic communities believing that no
one is totally self-sufficient.
St. Gregory of Nyssa was the younger brother of Basil, and friend of
Gregory of Nazianzus. He was educated in Athens and influenced by the
writings of Origen and Plato. He was a professor of Rhetoric, but
became disillusioned with his life as a teacher and became a
priest. He served as Bishop of Nyssa and Archbishop of Sebastia.
St. Sylvester served as the Bishop of Rome during the era of
Constantine for more than twenty years. During the time of his
service many great churches were built. He took part in the
negotiations concerning Arianism at the Council of Nicaea.
St. Ephraem the Syrian lived in Mesopotamia (Syria) during his entire
life. He was baptized at age 18 and he served under St. James of
Nisibis. He is credited for introducing hymns in public worship
services. He visited St. Basil at Caesarea and upon his return he
helped counter the famine during the winter of 372-73 by distributing
food and money to the poor and needy. He was a prolific writer and his
work, written in Syriac, was immediately translated into Greek,
Armenian, and Latin.
JOHN SARYAN SELECTED AS TOP DOCTOR
Congratulations to Dr. John Saryan, a deacon of the Armenian Church
serving St. Gregory Church in North Andover, Massachusetts, on his
recent selection by Boston Magazine as one of the top doctors in his
field in the Greater Boston area. Dr. Saryan is the department chair
of allergy and immunology at the famed Lahey Clinic.
Dr. Saryan and his family are devoted members of the Armenian
American community. He describes the Church as a place I go for
peace. Every time I put on that stole, its where I belong.
To read Tom Vartabedians article about Top Doc click here (
).
2012 LITURGICAL CALENDAR POSTER
A new item is available at the Prelacya colorful 2012 Liturgical
Calendar Poster of the Armenian Apostolic Church, 27 x 27 inches, for
$5.00 plus shipping and handling. At a glance, one can see the cycle
of feasts and fasts and seasons of the Armenian Church year, which
begins on January 6, 2012, and ends on January 5, 2013. It belongs in
every classroom as well as on Church bulletin boards.
To order, please contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or at
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).
FROM THE BOOKSTORE THIS WEEK. . .
NOW AVAILABLE AT THE BOOKSTORE:
FOUR DVDs BY THE POPULAR CHILDRENS ENTERTAINER, MAGGIE.
Your children will be captivated and entertained by these
presentations.
TATIGNER: ARMENIAN CHILDRENS SONGS
LIVE IN CONCERT: ARMENIAN CHILDRENS SONGS
THE ROAD TO SCHOOL (Tbrotzi Jampan)
MAGGIE AND SANTA (Mageen yev Gaghant Baban)
Each DVD is $20.00, plus shipping and handling.
TO ORDER CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY EMAIL ([email protected]
(mailto:[email protected])) OR BY TELEPHONE (212-689-7810).
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A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW BEGINNING
As we welcome the New Year, somewhere from the recesses of our poetic
memory we recall the sentiment, if not the exact words, of T.S. Eliot:
Last years words belong to last years language; next years words await
another voice; and every end is a new beginning.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December 31New Years Gala, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley,
North Andover, Massachusetts, Wyndham Hotel, Andover, 8:30 pm. $75 per
person includes mezze and the famous Midnight Soujouk & Eggs Full
Breakfast Buffet and Desserts. Music by Richard Berberian, Mal
Barsamian, Bruce Girgarjian, and Ron Tutunjian. For
information/reservations contact church office, 978-685-5038.
January 14Huyser Musical Ensemble of St. Illuminators Cathedral, New
York, presents Heartbeat of our Land, under auspices of
H.E. Archbishop Oshagan, 7:30 pm at Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th
Street (between Madison and Park Avenues), New York City. Special
appearance by AGBU Antranig Armenian Dance Ensemble. For
information/tickets contact the Cathedrals office,
212-689-5880. Tickets also available on line at (
).
February 13-16Ghevontiantz Clergy Gathering, Eastern and Canadian
Prelacies, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
March 25Celebration of the 40th anniversary of Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielians ordination to the priesthood. Save the date.
May 9-12, 2012National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy,
hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island. Clergy
conference on May 9; full delegation May 10 to 12. Accommodations at
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick, Rhode Island. Details will be forthcoming
to parishes and delegates.
May 11-12National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG), 30th
anniversary celebration and annual conference in conjunction with the
National Representative Assembly, Crowne Plaza, Warwick, Rhode
Island. For information: Mary Derderian 781-762-4253.
July 14Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild and ARS Ani Chapter,
Providence, Rhode Island, A Hye Summer Night VI dance, featuring
Hachig Kazarian, Richard Hagopian, Kenneth Kalajian, Jason Naroian, 8
pm to 1 am; $35 adults; $15 children 16 and under. At the Annunciation
Greek Orthodox Church, 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, Rhode
Island. Mezza will be served. Limited seating. For tickets and
information: 401-434-4467 (Joyce Bagdasarian); 401-354-8770 (Joyce
Yeremian).
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])