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 26, 2012
PONTIFICAL VISIT OF HIS HOLINESS ARAM I
TO EASTERN PRELACY IN OCTOBER ANNOUNCED
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and the Religious and
Executive Councils are pleased to announce that His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has accepted an invitation
to visit the Eastern Prelacy in October.
Jack Mardoian, Esq., a member of All Saints Church in Glenview,
Illinois, and Karen Jehanian, a member of St. Gregory Church in
Philadelphia, have been appointed co-chairs of the Pontifical Visit
National Steering Committee. The co-chairs have served in leadership
positions on the Prelacys Executive Council for a number of
yearsMr. Mardoian as chairman and Ms. Jehanian as secretary.
The Catholicos is expected to arrive in the United States on October
4, and remain until October 31. With guidance from His Holiness, the
theme of the visit has been designated as Witness and Renewal: Taking
the Church to the People. With this in mind, His Holiness will visit
all of the parishes and will focus his attention on parish renewal and
making the life of the Church a part of everyday life for the faithful
of all ages.
A National Steering Committee is currently being formed to oversee the
Pontifical Visit, as well as a number of sub-committees with specific
responsibilities.
Archbishop Oshagan noted, We are grateful to His Holiness for
accepting our invitation. This visit will be an occasion for all of
our parishes and faithful to welcome our beloved Vehapar, and a
magnificent opportunity to rededicate ourselves to our Christian faith
and Armenian heritage.
OBITUARY: ARMEN TANIELIAN
Archbishop Oshagan and the Religious and Executive Council expressed
profound sorrow on the death of Armen Tanielian, eldest brother of His
Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern
Prelacy. Mr. Tanielian passed away on Tuesday, January 24, in Beirut,
Lebanon, following a stroke. Bishop Anoushavan immediately left for
Lebanon upon receiving the news of his brothers serious illness.
Funeral services took place on Wednesday, January 25, at Forty Martyrs
Armenian Church in Beirut. Interment followed at the National Cemetery
in Bourdj Hamoud.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Bishop Anoushavan and all members
of the Tanielian family. May he rest in heavenly peace.
FRENCH SENATE PASSES GENOCIDE BILL
The French Senate passed the bill criminalizing the denial of the
Armenian Genocide early this week, despite continuing threats of
retaliation by the Turkish government. The bill easily passed the
Senate; the lower house had already passed it in December.
Vive la France.
YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN BOOK
This 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 (
).
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS EXHIBITION WILL OPEN IN APRIL
In honor of the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing, the Library of
Congress is planning an exhibit of Armenian treasures. The exhibit
entitled To Know Wisdom and Instruction, will open on April 19 and
will include a collection of Armenian manuscripts and printed
books. The exhibit will remain open to the public from April through
summer.
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.
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.
SEMINAR AT ST. ILLUMINATORS CATHEDRAL
At the invitation of Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor, and the Board
of Trustees of St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York, a three-hour
seminar was held for the board members on Christian Basics, conducted
by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Prelacys Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), yesterday evening, January 25.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, January 29, Third Sunday after Nativity,
Eve of the Fast of the Catechumens, are: Isaiah 61:10-62:9; 2 Timothy
2:15-26; John 6:15-21.
When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force
to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When
evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and
started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had
not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was
blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus
walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were
terrified. But he said to them, It is I; do not be afraid. Then they
wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the
land toward which they were going. (John 6:15-21)
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
).
ST. GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN
This Saturday, January 28, the Armenian Church commemorates
St. Gregory the Theologian (also known as Gregory of Nazianzus). He is
a Doctor of the Church and one of the three Cappadocian Fathers (Basil
the Great and Gregory of Nyssa are the other two). He was a scholar in
Christian writings, especially the works of Origen and Greek
philosophy. His own writings, notably his five Theological Orations,
earned him the title The Theologian and he is remembered as one of the
great Fathers and Doctors of the Church.
By the light of the divine word you beatified the Church and dispelled
the darkness of ignorance from the souls of men; O master holy
Gregory, be our intercessor before the only-begotten Word of the
Father.
You revealed to the Church to confess as one the consubstantial nature
of the undivided Trinity; O master Saint Gregory, be our intercessor
before the only-begotten Word of the Father.
You taught to confess the saving economy of him who became man for us
as one Christ from two natures, a marvelous mixture; O master Saint
Gregory, be our intercessor before the only-begotten Word of the
Father.
Hymn to Saint Gregory the Theologian according to the Liturgical
Canons of the Armenian Church.
PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF THE CATECHUMENS
This Sunday, January 29, is the Paregentan (Mardi Gras) of the Fast of
the Catechumens. This occurs three weeks before Poun Paregentan (Eve
of Great Lent) and ten weeks before Easter, ushering in five days of
strict fast (dzom). According to tradition, the Catechumens were
instructed for several hours daily and required to stand through every
church service, separate from the baptized congregation. This
continued until Easter when the catechumens were baptized, anointed
and received their first Communion.
CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM CONFERENCE AT CATHOLICOSATE
A Christian-Muslim Conference on the Christian presence and witness in
the Middle East is taking place at the Catholicosate of Cilicia this
week. The conference, organized by the World Council of Churches, is
focusing on issues and challenges facing the Christian communities at
this critical time.
In his remarks during the opening of the conference, His Holiness Aram
I said, In view of the changing political landscape in the Arab world,
the Christian communities are called to engage in dialogue with all
trends of Islam which advocates democracy, coexistence, and
non-violence. The Catholicos told the participants that the Christians
are deeply concerned about their future in the Middle East, and
emphasized that the Middle East is at a crucial juncture of its modern
history and that although the present situation is depicted by some as
an Arab spring or Arab revival, and by others, the end of autocracies
and emergence of democratic processes or simply regime change, the
common denominator in all these characterizations is that the region
is in a process of transformation.
ERIC BOGOSIAN IN SEARCH OF TEHLIRIAN
Writer and actor Eric Boghosian will discuss his writing and acting
career as well as his new book and ongoing research on Soghomon
Tehlirian, at the inaugural lecture of the Hamazkayin Arts & Letters
series, next Thursday, February 2 at The Cornell Club, 6 East 44th
Street, New York City, 7 to 9 pm. Admission is $75 for advanced orders
and $85 at the door. For students with valid ID the fee is $40 in
advance and $50 at the door. Advance orders accepted up to January
30. For information: [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) and for tickets go to
hamazkayin.ticketbud.com/eric.
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])