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:
January 19, 2012
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN ATTENDING THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE
Archbishop Oshagan is representing the Holy See of Cilicia at the
Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Roman Catholic
and Oriental Orthodox churches. This ninth plenary meeting of the
Commission is currently taking place in Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. Archbishop Oshagan and Archbishop Nareg Alemezian are
representing the Armenian Church (Catholicosate of Cilicia). The
Oriental Orthodox family of churches includes the Armenian, Coptic,
Syrian Orthodox, Ethiopian, and Eritrean churches.
YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN BOOK
On Sunday, January 29, all of the Eastern Prelacy parishes will read
portions of the pontifical message of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, declaring the year 2012 as the Year of
the Armenian Book.
His Holiness designation coincides with the 500th anniversary of the
printing of the first book in Armenian utilizing newly-developed
technology, and the recent selection of Yerevan by UNESCO as the Book
Capital of 2012.
In a recent sermon delivered at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the
Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon, His Holiness said that the Armenian
book should remain the reliable friend of every Armenian and called on
Armenians in all walks of life to value the Armenian book. The
Armenian book should remain the reliable companion of the Armenian
family, the school, and community organizations. It will contribute to
the spiritual and intellectual growth of every Armenian. Because of
its power to enrich and enlighten, it will equip our people to enter
into dialogue with civilizations.
In his pontifical message His Holiness also noted: The book is a rich
source of knowledge; and knowledge generates faith and faithfulness,
responsibility and commitment; it enhances self-understanding and
promotes mutual respect and understanding. It is our wish that through
these efforts and other ways that you may think of, we shall
re-establish the centrality and vital importance of the book in the
life of the Armenian church and nation. We also hope that through our
commitment to Armenian published works, we shall strengthen our
national identity and deepen and broaden the dialogue with our
neighbors in different environments in which we live.
To read His Holiness message in English click here (
). For Armenian click here (
).
PRELATE AND VICAR ATTEND BENEFIT EVENT IN NEW JERSEY
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan attended a fundraising event
hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Hrair and Silva Baronian, on January 8. The event
benefited the Armenian Cultural Association (ACA).
Archbishop Oshagan speaks to the gathering at the Baronian home. From
left to right, Silva Baronian, Hrair Baronian, Archbishop Oshagan,
Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, and Antranig Kasbarian.
Some of the guests at the event, from left to right, Haroutune
Misserlian, Bishop Anoushavan, Dr. Herand Markarian, Dr. Raffy
Hovanessian, Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, Mrs. Talin Daghlian.
VICAR MEETS WITH SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS
On Sunday, January 8, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian presided over the
Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New
Jersey. His Grace delivered the sermon on this occasion and later met
with an upper grade class of the Sunday school. Bishop Anoushavan
enjoyed his interaction with the students and answered the questions
they posed.
Bishop Anoushavan and Mrs. Maggie Kouyoumdjian, Director of the
Sunday school, with Sunday school students at Sts. Vartanantz Church.
VICARS 40th ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION
TO BE CELEBRATED ON MARCH 25
The 40th anniversary of the ordination of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian,
Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy, will be celebrated on Sunday,
March 25. His Grace will celebrate the Divine Liturgy Sunday morning
at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, where he served as the
parish priest for many years. This will be followed by a celebratory
banquet at Terrace on the Park in Flushing, New York.
ST. ILLUMINATORS HUYSER MUSIC ENSEMBLE
PERFORMS TO SOLD-OUT AUDIENCE
Manhattans Florence Gould Hall was filled to capacity last Sunday for
St. Illuminators Huyser Music Ensemble performance of Heartbeat of Our
Land. The performance included a special presentation by the AGBU
Antranig Dance Ensemble.
Huyser Music Ensemble fulfilled its promise of keeping Armenian music
alive by giving a performance of a lifetime and kept the audience in
joy, pride and tears. The performance earned standing ovations from an
appreciative audience.
Bishop Anoushavan and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian with the participants
including the AGBU Dance Ensemble.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, January 22, Second Sunday after Nativity,
are: Isaiah 58:13-59:7; 1 Timothy 4:12-5:10; John 3:13-21.
No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from
heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes
in him may have eternal life.
For God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but
in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe
in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned
already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of
God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world,
and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were
evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light,
so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true
come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds
have been done in God. (John 3:13-21)
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
).
HOLY FATHERS ATHANASIUS AND CYRIL
This Saturday, January 21, the Armenian Church remembers the Holy
Fathers Athanasius and Cyril.
Athanasius was a bishop and doctor of the church. He was born and died
in Alexandria. While a deacon he attended the Council of Nicaea in
325, where he was a strong opponent of Arianism. He served as Bishop
of Alexandria for 46 years; about 17 of those years were spent in
exile because of disagreements with the emperor. Much of his writings
have survived, as well as some of his letters. Athanasius is one of
the four great Greek doctors of the church, along with Basil the
Great, John Chrysostom, and Gregory of Nazianzus.
Cyril of Alexandria, a father and doctor of the church, was born in
Alexandria, and was the nephew of the patriarch of that city. He
presided over the third Ecumenical Council at Ephesus. He wrote
treatises that clarified the doctrines of the Trinity and the
Incarnation. He was a brilliant theologian of the Alexandrian
tradition and highly respected by the Church of Armenia.
VAHAN OF GOGHTN
On Tuesday, January 24, the Armenian Church remembers Vahan
Goghtnatzi. As a young child he and other children of Armenian
nobility were taken to Damascus for education. When they reached
adulthood, the Arab overlords granted them permission to return to
Armenia. Vahan promised his overlord he would return. Vahan married
and established himself over his fathers lands; however the Arab
overlords demanded his return. After fleeing from place to place,
Vahan surrendered and expressed his desire to remain in Armenia and
practice his Christian religion. He was imprisoned and martyred. It is
believed that the melody and words of the sharagan (hymn) dedicated to
Vahan (Zarmanali e ints) were written by his sister.
Your sighs and cries of repentance are more pleasant to me than songs
or music. O blessed lord Vahan, God chosen one. Arousing all the
powers of my soul, it even more urges me to compose in your honor not
a sad elegy, but a hymn that is spiritual, joyful, of praise which
calls others to walk in your footsteps. O blessed lord Vahan, servant
of Christ.
(From the sharagan to Vahan of Goghten, from the Liturgical Canons of
the Armenian Church)
GHEVONTIANTZ CLERGY GATHERING
The annual clergy gathering on the occasion of the Feast of St.
Ghevont and the Priests will take place February 13 to 16. Clergy from
the Eastern and Canadian Prelacies will be meeting jointly this year
at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey.
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)
2012 LITURGICAL CALENDAR POSTER
A colorful 2012 Liturgical Calendar Poster of the Armenian Apostolic
Church, 27 x 27 inches, was produced this year, and is available 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, from
January 6, 2012 to 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])
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)
HELPING CORY GARABEDIAN
Some of our readers may have seen two articles by journalist Tom
Vartabedian about 23-year old Cory Garabedian from Providence, Rhode
Island, who sustained severe injuries in an automobile accident on the
morning of Christmas Eve day when the vehicle he was in swerved to
avoid another automobile before striking a barrier. Cory was ejected
75 feet from the back seat and was in a coma and critical condition.
In a recent follow-up story, Tom gave an update on Cory, who is slowly
making a miraculous recovery, but still needs special care. A fund has
been established to help with the mounting medical costs. Checks can
be written out to Friends of Cory and sent to Sovereign Bank, 184
Taunton Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island 02914, attention: Ryan
Purcell. In addition, a major fundraiser is planned at the Victory
Ball of the Providence AYF on January 28 at West Valley Inn. All
proceeds from a raffle will benefit Corys fund.
To read the updated story by Tom Vartabedian click here (
).
Cory with his mother, Leslie Ani Garbedian.
FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF HRANT DINK ASSASSINATION
Today, January 19, is the fifth anniversary of the
murder/assassination of Hrant Dink, the editor of the Turkish-Armenian
newspaper, Agos.
According to press reports, a new plaque has been seen near the Agos
building in Istanbul with the inscription, Hrant Dink was murdered
here, January 19, 2007, at 15:05.
More than 20,000 people marched in Istanbul today in remembrance of
the martyred journalist and in protest of a recent court ruling that
set free many of the murder suspects. Marchers carried signs that
read, We are all Hrant Dink, we are all Armenian.
Two days earlier, 19 suspects were acquitted of charges of being
members of a
terrorist organization that plotted the murder. One suspect, Yasin
Hayal, received a life sentence on charges of instigating the
murder. Last year, an Istanbul court sentenced Ogun Samast to 22 years
and 10 months in prison for killing Dink. Samast, who was 17 years
old, was tried as a minor, and received a more lenient sentence.
May the memory of the righteous be forever blessed and honored.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 29Unprecented performance of two plays: The Foolish Man and
The Birthday Gift, and a concert of Armenian folk songs by the
celebrated State Puppet Theater of Armenia, organized by
St. Illuminators Cathedral and Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and
Cultural Society of New York. Donation: $10 for children; $20 for
adults. Event will take place at John Pashalian Hall, St.
Illuminators Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. For tickets
write to [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) or call the Cathedral office
212-689-5880 or 404-538-5323.
February 2Inaugural lecture of the Hamazkayin Arts & Letters Series,
Searching for Tehlirian, by Eric Bogosian, discussing his writing and
acting career and his new book and ongoing research on Soghomon
Tehlirian, at the Cornell Club, 6 East 44th Street, New York City, 7
to 9 pm. For information: [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) and for tickets:
hamazkayin.ticketbud.com/eric.
February 2Grammy composer Hayg Boyadjian will discuss his music during
a noontime Avak luncheon at St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street, North
Andover, Massachusetts. Public is invited.
February 12St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts,
Consecration of new baptismal font and special prayer for the newly
renovated sanctuary, and 42nd anniversary celebration, under the
auspices of the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, at 1 pm in the churchs
Jaffarian Hall. Adults $40; children $10. Tickets must be purchased in
advance.
February 13-16Ghevontiantz Clergy Gathering, Eastern and Canadian
Prelacies, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
March 3Mid-Atlantic Regional Seminar for Sunday School teachers, 10 am
to 3 pm, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC)
at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
March 3Hovnanian Schools 35th Anniversary Gala at Westmount Country
Club, Woodland Park, New Jersey. Honorees are Dr. John Apovian and
Mr. Hratch Kaprielian. Cocktail hour 6 pm; dinner and dancing 7:30
pm. Art Exhibition during cocktail hour. Entertainment by Kevork
Artinian and his band; Ara Dinkjian; and Yuri Yunakov. $175 per
person. For reservations, information or sponsorship contact at:
[email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or
201-967-5940.
March 17Mid-West Regional Seminar for Sunday School teachers, 10 am to
3 pm, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) at
St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan.
March 24New England Regional Seminar for Sunday school teachers, 10 am
to 3 pm, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC)
at St. Stephens Church, Watertown, Massachusetts.
March 25Celebration of the 40th anniversary of Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielians ordination to the priesthood. Save the date.
May 9-12National 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.
May 4 thru May 24Sixteen performances in May (including matinee
performances on Saturdays and Sundays) of Herand M. Markarians new
play commissioned by the New York State Theater Institute,
Silence. With award-winning actress Lorraine Serabian. This story of
love, loss, and relentless search by a women for her son after the
Armenian genocide of 1915, is directed by Kevin Thomson. Performances
at the Shell Theater in the Times Square Arts Building, 300 West 43rd
Street, New York City. Reserve tickets now ($18): SmartTix.com or
212-868-4444. For information: [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]).
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])
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
