** TOP STORY October 17, 2013
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Sts. Sahag and Mesrop Church
** Wynnewood Parish to Mark 50 Years
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St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church will celebrate the 50th anniversary of
the parish’s relocation to Wynnewood, PA, this weekend.
On Saturday, October 19, the church will hold a gala dance, from 8
p.m. to 1 a.m. On Sunday, October 20, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy, ordain altar
servers, and preside over a 50th anniversary banquet. There will be a
program and awards presented to outstanding parishioners, including
John Eskandarian who will receive the `St. Nersess’ medal.
Click here
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to view a flyer for information.
** Scripture of the Week
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Is 20:2-21:6
Gal 4:3-18
Lk 4:14-23
** Prayer of the Week
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O Giver of good gifts and bountiful in all your gifts, immortal God,
we beseech you, dispel from us gloomy and dark thoughts, preserve us
from the deceits of the tempter and grant us in faith to take refuge
in the all-Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and always. Amen.
** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
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19 October: Holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
20 October: Sixth Sunday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
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Releasing doves in Yekaterinburg, Russia
Parishioners release doves at St. Hovaness Garabed Church.
** Yekaterinburg’s New Church
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On Saturday, October 12, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, consecrated a new Armenian
Church in Yekaterinburg, Russia. He was assisted by Archbishop Yezras
Nersisyan, Primate of Armenian Church Diocese of New Nakhichevan and
Russia, and other clergy.
Construction of St. Hovaness Garabed Church began in 2003, some 15
years after local Armenians first organized a parish in Russia’s
fourth-largest city. It was made possible through the generosity of
benefactor Masis Nazarian, as well as the efforts of the local
Armenian community.
Among those present at last weekend’s consecration were government
officials and religious leaders, including the head of the Russian
Orthodox Church in Yekaterinburg, Metropolitan Kirill. At his
invitation, His Holiness Karekin II visited the museum built on the
site of the execution of Tsar Nicholas and the Russian royal family,
who were killed by the Bolsheviks in 1918.
Click here
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to view photos of the consecration service.
New Museum in Armenia
Yervand Kochar’s 1959 sculpture `Melancholy’ at the entrance of the
Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art.
** Transforming Armenia’s Art Scene
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An article appearing in the New York Times earlier this week
highlighted the work of the Armenian Center for Contemporary
Experimental Art.
Located in Yerevan, the center was founded by the Eastern Diocese’s
former chief administrator, Edward Balassanian, and his wife, Sonia,
to host exhibits by emerging artists, as well as concerts and other
performances.
Click here
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to read the Times article.
** DIOCESAN NEWS
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Diocesan Annula Appeal
** Support the Diocese’s 2013 Annual Appeal
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The Eastern Diocese has launched its 2013 Annual Appeal-the only
Diocesan-wide fundraiser conducted each year to help the Diocese
undertake the many ministries, programs, and resources that enrich
life in our parishes.
Your thoughtful gift brings light to our local churches. It supports
Christian education, Armenian language instruction, summer camps,
youth programs, mission parish outreach, and the use of new
communication technologies.
To our past and prospective donors, we are deeply grateful for your
support of the creative, educational, and inspirational programs that
lift up Armenian communities throughout the Eastern Diocese.
Please accept this invitation to strengthen our efforts. Your generous
contribution to the 2013 Annual Appeal will help spread the good work
of the Armenian Church across our local communities-and across the
generations.
Follow this link to donate now
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to the 2013 Annual Appeal, and see the item below under `Events’ for
an upcoming Annual Appeal reception in New York.
Diocesan Council Meeting, October 17, 2013
Diocesan Council members reviewed the progress of the 2013 Annual
Appeal.
** Diocesan Council Discusses Fundraising, Strategic Planning
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Meeting at the Diocesan Center on Thursday, October 17, members of the
Diocesan Council received an update on the progress of the 2013 Annual
Appeal and discussed ways they could strengthen the fundraising
campaign.
Council members also heard about the mission parishes, discussed
strategic planning initiatives, and reviewed the Diocese’s religious
education programming. Archbishop Barsamian presented a report on last
month’s bishops synod at Holy Etchmiadzin.
Oriental Orthodox Concelebration
Archbishop Barsamian was among the celebrants at the Oriental Orthodox
Concelebration of the Divine Liturgy in New Jersey.
** Divine Liturgy Concelebration
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On Saturday, October 12, the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox
Churches sponsored the annual Oriental Orthodox Concelebration of the
Divine Liturgy at St. Mary’s Syrian Orthodox Church in Paramus, NJ.
Clergy, altar servers, and choir members of the Armenian, Coptic,
Ethiopian, Malankara, and Syrian Orthodox Churches took part in the
service. Celebrants included Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of
the Eastern Diocese; Archbishop Cyril Aphrem Karim of the Syrian
Church; Archbishop Abune Zekarias of the Ethiopian Church; Archbishop
Mor Titus Yeldo of the Malankara Church; Bishop David of the Coptic
Church; and Bishop Makarios of the Eritrean Tewahedo Church.
Click here
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to view photos.
Participants in the Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation
meeting. Click here
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to view a full-size photo.
** Oriental-Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation Meets
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Clergy of the Eastern Diocese took part in a meeting of the United
States Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation on October 10 and
11, at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in New York City.
Representing the Armenian Church were the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel
Findikyan, Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Very Rev. Fr. Aren
Jebejian, and seminarian Eric Vozzy. Fr. Findikyan spoke about the
Diocese’s efforts to grow its community of faithful, while
Fr. Jebejian described the recent bishops synod at Holy
Etchmiadzin. Fr. Odabashian explained the election process for
catholicoi of the Armenian Church.
Board Book
The new book is illustrated by Anush Movsesian Avejic.
** New Board Book for Toddlers
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The Diocese’s department of Christian Education has released a new
book for toddlers, titled When I Go To Church. At 5′ X 5,’ the book
is sized for a child’s small hands and made of thick, coated cardboard
to withstand the curiosity and energy of the youngest worshipers.
Its 15 pages feature simple bilingual text lines describing what
children experience in church-praying, lighting candles, singing,
receiving Holy Communion, and more. Best of all, children will be
entranced by the illustrations of Anush Movsesian Avejic whose winning
renderings are certain to charm toddlers into looking again and again.
Ideal for church pews and Sunday School and Armenian School
classrooms, the book also makes a perfect gift for baptisms, name
days, birthdays, and Christmas. When I Go To Church is available from
the St. Vartan Bookstore. Click on the following links to read more
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about the book and the artist, and to order a copy
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FAR
Students at the newly renovated Gavar Special School in Armenia.
** School in Armenia Receives Much-Needed Renovation
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Armenia’s Gavar Special School celebrated the completion of
renovations on September 17. The school now has a new main entrance
with a wheelchair-accessible ramp, as well as new equipment for its
rehabilitation and physical therapy room.
The effort was spearheaded by the Gavar Special School #1 New York
Auxiliary Committee member Cano Ozgener and the committee’s longtime
partner, the Fund for Armenian Relief.
The Gavar Special School #1 was established 35 years ago to serve
children with physical and mental disabilities.
Click on the following links to view a video
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in Armenian about the September17 ceremony, and to read more
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on FAR’s blog.
** PARISH NEWS
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Sts. Vartanantz Church, Chelmsford, MA
Archbishop Barsamian ordains altar servers at Sts. Vartanantz Church.
** Chelmsford Parish Celebrates Milestone
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Sts. Vartanantz Church of Chelmsford, MA., marked its 35th anniversary
with services and a program last weekend.
On Saturday evening, October 12, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan
Primate, met with the parish pastor, the Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan,
and members of the parish council and parish delegates. He spoke about
the historic bishops synod, which convened at Holy Etchmiadzin last
month, and he also highlighted Diocesan programs. Parish leaders
shared with the Primate updates on local programs.
On Sunday, October 13, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine
Liturgy and gave a sermon on the importance of the cross as a symbol
of victory and hope. Following the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop
Barsamian ordained five altar servers.
The Primate then led the congregation in a special service of
veneration of the St. Vartan the Brave relic-a piece of stone
encrusted with the blood of Armenia’s 5th-century warrior saint, and
encased in a beautiful silver cross. The Primate had brought the relic
to Chelmsford from St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City, where it was
first unveiled on the occasion of the cathedral’s 45th anniversary in
September.
Later that afternoon, some 180 people gathered in the church’s
Kazanjian Ballroom to mark the church’s 35th anniversary. During the
banquet, the parish honored longtime members Patricia Amboian and
George Simonian with the `St. Vartan Award.’
Click on the following links to read more
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and to view photos
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Holy Translators Church, Framingham, MA
Archbishop Barsamian ordains altar servers in Framingham.
** Holy Translators Church Marks 10th Anniversary
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The Church of the Holy Translators of Framingham, MA, marked its 10th
anniversary on October 5 and 6. Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian visited the parish on this occasion and presided over the
celebration.
On Saturday, October 5, the parish hosted a dinner-dance at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel in Natick, MA. On Sunday, October 6, parish pastor, the
Rev. Fr. Krikor Sabounjian, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and
Archbishop Barsamian ordained altar servers.
The congregation then took part in a special service of veneration of
the St. Vartan the Brave relic-a piece of stone encrusted with the
blood of Armenia’s 5th-century warrior saint, and encased in a
beautiful silver cross. The Primate brought the relic to Framingham
from St. Vartan Cathedral in New York City, where it was first
unveiled on the occasion of the cathedral’s 45th anniversary in
September.
Click on the following links to read more
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and to view photos
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ArmeniaFest in Dallas, TX
Dancers perform at ArmeniaFest.
** In Dallas, a Marriage of Faith and Culture
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The St. Sarkis Church of Dallas, TX, held its 18th annual
`ArmeniaFest’ on the weekend of October 11-13. ArmeniaFest is
considered one of the best-attended community festivals in Dallas, and
this year’s event was no exception, with the parishioners coming
together to bring Armenian culture and cuisine to their neighbors in
the city.
The weekend also marked the first Divine Liturgy celebrated by the
parish’s newly-ordained pastor, the Rev. Fr. Ghevond Ajamian, in
Dallas. Fr. Ajamian was greeted with flowers and lit candles, as the
parish gave thanks for the blessing of a new pastor. The
Rev. Fr. Mikael Devejian was also present to offer his heartfelt
congratulations and blessings on the occasion.
In a homily, Fr. Ajamian remarked on the significance of celebrating
his first badarak in the parish on its ArmeniaFest weekend. `For
Armenians, faith, culture, and family go together,’ he said, as he
blessed his flock.
To view photos of the occasion, click here
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Members of the Armenian Inter-Communal Committee of
Philadelphia. Click here
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to view a full-size photo.
** Honoring Half a Century of Armenian Christian Fellowship
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The Philadelphia-area Armenian community marked a milestone in an
exemplary history of fellowship and cooperation on Sunday, October 13,
when the Armenian Inter-Communal Committee of Philadelphia (AICCP)
celebrated its 50th anniversary.
About 200 people representing the area’s three Armenian Apostolic
churches, as well as its Armenian Catholic and Protestant communities,
gathered at the Armenian Martyrs’ Congregational Church in Haverford,
PA. During a program which included musical performances and
recitations, the history of the organization was described by current
AICCP chair Hrant Jilozian, and by the Rev. Fr. Zaven Arzoumanian (a
former pastor of the Diocesan parishes in Wynnewood and Cheltenham),
who addressed the gathering in a video-taped presentation.
Of special interest was a visual retrospective of photos and papers
from the archives of Hagop Kitabjian, who spoke about the formation of
the organization and its achievements through the years.
The churches and their people get together every year to observe
Vartanantz and Martyrs Day, and support each other informally on other
occasions.
Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs
Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan explains the importance of acolytes to young
parishioners.
** Learning the Badarak in Bayside
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After a brief summer recess a new season of youth activities has begun
at the Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY. The parish pastor, the
Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhasyan, has been actively recruiting youngsters
for the church’s Acolyte Training Program and Junior Choir.
An orientation session was held on September 13, where Fr. Malkhasyan
explained to a group of young students the importance of acolytes and
of vocal music in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Since that
initial gathering, the youngsters have met with much enthusiasm to
learn their respective roles.
In addition to the acolyte and Junior Choir programs, the Bayside
church has a dedicated group of young men in its Deacons’ Training
Program, as well as active chapters of the ACYOA Juniors and Seniors.
Armenian Church in Baton Rouge, FL
Women prepare the traditional jidabour meal at St. Garabed Church.
** Baton Rouge Remembers the Defense of Hadjin
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Each year, the parishioners of the St. Garabed Church in Baton Rouge,
LA, commemorate the heroic defense of the Armenian town of Hadjin. The
event has been honored annually for more than 25 years by the Baton
Rouge parishioners-many of whom trace their family roots to Hadjin.
The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, Diocesan director of mission parishes,
celebrated badarak at the parish on October 13, which was followed by
a hokehankisd service and the traditional blessing of madagh. Visitors
had come from as far away as Los Angeles and Texas for the annual
event.
The prior evening had been spent preparing the traditional jidabour
meal, with parishioners of all ages taking part in the night-long task
of stirring the ingredients-principally meat and grain-in large
cooking pots. After badarak on Sunday the faithful gathered in the
church hall, where Fr. Abdalian blessed the food that was shared by
all.
The historic defense of Hadjin began in earnest on March 31, 1920. In
the prior cataclysm of the Genocide, a population of some 20,000 had
been reduced to 8,000. For seven months the Hadjin Armenians defended
their town against savage attacks from an overwhelming Turkish force;
but by mid-October, with only 480 men remaining, the defenders could
no longer hold their position and chose to abandon the city, fleeing
in small groups south towards Feke and on to Adana. Those who could
not escape were massacred without mercy.
Click here
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to view photos.
Upcoming Events
** Upcoming Parish Events
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St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
On Friday, October 18, St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will present
Migirdic Migirdicyan, chairman of Haystan Foundation, Toronto, who
will give an illustrated presentation on the Karabagh movement. The
event is scheduled for 8 p.m. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
St. Leon Church will host the 77th annual St. Leon Food and Arts
Festival on Friday, October 18; Saturday, October 19, and Sunday,
October 20. Enjoy Armenian food and cultural programming featuring
live musical and artistic performances. For more information, click
here
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to visit the parish website, or call Berj Akian at (201) 745-1999.
St. Gregory the Enlightener | White Plains, NY
St. Gregory the Enlightener Church Women’s Guild and Men’s Club are
sponsoring wine and cheese tasting night on Friday, October 18. Wine
connoisseur Derek Kruizenga will guide you in sampling wines and
appetizers. RSVP by October 11 is required; contact Sylvia Kruizenga
at (203) 637-3638, or [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
. Click here
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to view a flyer with ticket information.
St. George Church | Hartford, CT
St. George Church of Hartford, CT, will host its annual “Armenian Food
Fest” on Friday, October 18 (5 to 8 p.m.), and Saturday, October 19
(11 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
Enjoy lamb, chicken, and luleh kebab; vegetarian platters; and
Armenian breads and pastries. The fest also features an iPad raffle
and a country store offering jams and other delicacies. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
St. Mary Church | Livingston, NJ
`Cultural Night’ at St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ, will feature a
multi-media presentation on `A Journey to Historic Armenia,’ by Edward
and Mary Ann Kazanjian. Via photos, video, and music, the Kazanjians
document their 3,000-mile adventure visiting some 30 historic Armenian
villages.
The event will take place on Friday, October 18, at 7:30 p.m., in the
parish’s new Toufayan Hall. It is open to the public (with a small
donation), hosted by the parish YPA and 3Ms groups, with a reception
to follow. Click here to view a flyer for information.
Holy Martyrs Church | Bayside, NY
Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will sponsor a multi-media
presentation on `A Journey to Historic Armenia,’ by Edward and Mary
Ann Kazanjian. Via photos, video, and music, the Kazanjians document
their 3,000-mile adventure visiting some 30 historic Armenian
villages.
The event will take place on Saturday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. in the
church’s Kalustyan Hall. It is free and open to the
public. Refreshments will be served. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
St. James Church | Watertown, MA
St. James Church of Watertown, MA, will hold its annual bazaar on
Friday and Saturday, October 18 and 19. Enjoy kebabs, kheyma and
eetch, boereg, manti, yalanchi, choereg, khadaif, and other