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:
June 5, 2014
The Armenian Prelacy =99¦ 138 East 39th Street =99¦ New York, NY
10016
tel: 212-689-7810 =99¦ Fax: 212-689-7168 =99¦ Email:
[email protected]
ALEPPO COMMUNITY IN PERIL
A panoramic view of Aleppo’s Armenian neighborhood of Nor Kyugh after
a recent bombing.
The continued rocket fire by rebel forces in the direction of the
mostly-Armenian populated Nor Kyugh neighborhood of Aleppo has forced
officials to declare the area a disaster zone, and threatens the
survival of the city’s Armenian community.
The Aleppo News Agency reported that incessant rocket fire from rebel
forces, a significant number of which are reportedly Turks or radical
Islamists, continued in Nor Kyugh, endangering civilians and causing
massive destruction. Residential buildings have been destroyed or
partially demolished, while Armenian community centers and local
businesses have been damaged as a result of the continued shelling.
Residents are fleeing the neighborhood, some heading toward the
seaside city of Latakia, which is already overflowing with Armenian
refugees from the
insurgence of Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist groups in Kessab earlier
this spring. Others are seeking refuge in other parts of Aleppo, as
well as the basement of the St. Gregory Church, which was damaged
earlier this week as a result of the rebel attacks.
Armenian community institutions have sustained heavy damage, including
the
Karen Jeppe Jemaran, the Zavarian and Sahakian schools, the Armenian
Catholic Holy Trinity and Zvartnots School, the Arevelki print shop,
the Armenian Relief Society’s clinic and social service center, and
residential buildings that are owned by the Prelacy of
Aleppo. Armenian-owned businesses and shops, as well as residences are
either in complete or partial destruction.
(Reporting by Aleppo News Agency and Asbarez)
A street with Armenian businesses and homes destroyed after a recent
bombing in Aleppo.
The play yard of the Sahagian School in Aleppo.
SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crises in Syria, including the recent upheaval in Kessab, require
our financial assistance. Please keep this community in your prayers,
your hearts, and your pocketbooks.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY
IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.
THE NEED IS REAL.
THE NEED IS GREAT.
DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE ()
AND
SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.
OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR DONATION TO:
Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief
Thank you for your help
CATHOLICOS ARAM VISITING POPE FRANCIS
Accompanied by high-ranking delegation of prelates, community leaders,
and
benefactors from various communities, His Holiness Aram I began his
official four-day visit to the Vatican and Pope Francis on Tuesday,
June 3. The Catholicos is receiving regular updates of the situation
in Aleppo, and no doubt the Middle East in general and the situation
in Aleppo in particular will be a topic that will be discussed during
the meeting with the Pope.
Yesterday the Catholicos addressed the Vatican’s Pontifical Council
for Promoting Christian Unity, emphasizing the growing importance of
bilateral theological dialogues as being the credible and efficient
way of leading the churches towards visible unity. `The ecumenical
movement is
not an option but an imperative for staying together and being
church.’
His Holiness spoke about the current ecumenical landscape and noted
that the ecumenical movement has become restless, in search of a new
self-understanding, new self-articulation, and a new vision. The
ecumenical agenda is steadily shifting from visible unity to issues
pertaining to church and society, from church-centered ecumenism to
inter-religious dialogue, as a result of globalization and radical
changes taking place in the life of churches
and societies at large, the Catholicos said.
()
Click above for a video about the Catholicos’ visit to the Vatican in
Armenian.
MUSICAL TRIBUTE FOR LUCY ISHKANIAN
A musical tribute in memory of the accomplished and internationally
recognized pianist Lucy Ishkanian took place last Sunday at
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. The tribute, which took
place following the Divine Liturgy and the 40-day requiem service for
Ms. Ishkanian, was organized by the Cathedral in cooperation with
`Direct Help for Armenian People.’
The memorial program began with welcoming remarks by Rev. Fr. Mesrob
Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral. The keynote speaker was Dr. Vartan
Matiossian, executive director of the Prelacy’s Armenian National
Education Council (ANEC). A group of young, talented musicians
performed a variety of
musical works in remembrance of Ms. Ishkanian who served as mentor and
advocate for many young musicians. Dr. Svetlana Amirkhanian, founder
and president of `Direct Help for Armenian People’ introduced the
musicians.
A musical tribute in memory of Lucy Ishkanian took place at
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral last Sunday. From left to right:
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Mr. Hagop Tankian, Dr. Svetlana
Amirkhanian, Bishop Anoushavan, Dr. Vartan Matiossian, and
V. Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian with the concert participants.
SUMMER CAMP FOR ORPHANS;
PRELATE CALLS FOR SPECIAL OFFERING
The 5th annual camp for orphans will take place in Dzaghgatzor,
Armenia, July 7 to 16. Under the sponsorship of the Eastern Prelacy,
each year more than fifty orphans enrolled in the Prelacy’s Orphan
Sponsorship Program (ages 13 to 16) attend the camp where they learn
about the Armenian Church, attend worship services, share in Christian
fellowship, and enjoy recreational activities and field trips. The
camp is under the directorship of Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian,
chairman of the Prelacy’s Religious Council, and pastor of
St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, with the
valuable assistance of qualified teachers and counselors
and with the logistical help of the Prelacy’s office in Armenia, the
St. Nerses the Great Charitable Organization.
Archbishop Oshagan has sent a directive to all parishes to show their
solidarity and support through a special plate offering this Sunday,
June 8, during the Divine Liturgy specifically for the summer camp for
orphans.
Parishes who wish to have more information about the camp should
contact Archpriest Aram by email ([email protected]) or by telephone
(508-865-2454).
ANEC DIRECTOR VISITS NAREG SATURDAY SCHOOL
Dr. Vartan Matiossian, executive director of the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC), visited the Nareg Armenian School of
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, on Saturday, May
31. During the visit, Dr. Matiossian attended and participated in the
classrooms of grades 3, 5, 6, and 7. He shared his observations and
suggestions with the administration, and also offered his assistance
to improve didactic materials used in the school.
The Executive Director of ANEC visited the classrooms of various
grades during his visit to the Nareg Armenian School in New Jersey.
DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM FOR YOUTH
St. Gregory of Datev Institute will hold its 28th annual summer
program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 29 to July 6, 2014. The program is
sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC).
For information and registration, please visit the Prelacy website
(armenianprelacy.org/arec/datev
()).
SUNDAY SCHOOL GRADUATION AND BIBLE STUDY IN RHODE ISLAND
Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian with the 2014 graduates of the
Sunday School of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
with their teacher Sandra Bogosian and Sunday School director Mary
Fermanian.
The final Bible Study before the summer break took place last Monday
at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, along with an enjoyable
Pot-Luck dinner.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, June 8, Pentecost, (Eve of the Fast of
Elijah) are: Acts 2:1-21; John 14:25-31.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one
place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a
violent wind,
and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided
tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each
of them. All of
them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in
Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered,
because each one heard them speaking in the native language of
each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, `Are not all these who are
speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own
native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of
Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus
and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya
belonging to
Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and
Arabs-in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deed of
power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another,
`What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, =80=9CThey are
filled with new wine.’
But, Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed
them,
`Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you,
and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose,
for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was
spoken through the prophet Joel: `In the last days it will be, God
declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons
and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves,
both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they
shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs
on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be
turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the
Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of
the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:1-21)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().
FEAST OF PENTECOST: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
This Sunday, June 8, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of
Pentecost
(Hokekaloust), the descent of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, and the
birth of the church. Jesus had commanded his apostles to `Go therefore
to all nations and make them my disciples,’ (Matthew
28:19). Recognizing the difficulty of this great responsibility,
Christ had advised his disciples not to begin their teaching mission
until after the `descent of the Holy Spirit.’
In the Acts of the Apostles, we read that on the day of Pentecost the
apostles gathered in one place, and suddenly a strong wind seemed to
fill the house in which they were assembled, and they were filled with
the Holy Spirit (see reading above). It was the Jewish feast of
Pentecost (Shabuoth) commemorating the giving of the law on Mount
Sinai and many people from different lands had come to Jerusalem. They
marveled that they could understand the Apostles’ words. This day when
the Holy Spirit descended upon the
Apostles marked the beginning of the mission of the Church to spread
the Good News throughout the world.
In a sense Pentecost is the opposite of what occurred in the Old
Testament
story of the Tower of Babel when God disapproved of the building of a
tower to reach the heavens and he created confusion by having the
workers suddenly speak in different tongues, and unable to understand
each other. At Pentecost he gave the disciples the ability to speak
other tongues and thus be
able to be understood by everyone everywhere.
Life-creating God, Spirit and lover of mankind, with tongues of fire
you enlightened those united with one accord in love; therefore we
also celebrate today your holy descent.
Filled with joy by your coming the holy apostles began in
different-sounding tongues to call into unity them that had been
divided from each other; therefore we also celebrate today your holy
descent.
By spiritual and holy baptism through them you have adorned the
universe in a new and radiant garment; therefore we also celebrate
your holy descent.
(From the Canon for the First Day of Pentecost according to the
Liturgical
Canons of the Armenian Church)
NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
CATHOLICOI KAREKIN AND ARAM ATTEND
100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE MEETING
After a private meeting with Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians
and Catholicos Aram of Cilicia, the President of Armenia, Serge
Sarkissian, invited the two catholicoi to attend the fourth session of
Armenia’s committee for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of
the Genocide.
In his message, Catholicos Aram said that during the first session of
the committee he had proposed that three concepts-Remember, Remind,
and
Demand-provide the framework for its work. He said that he was
gratified that the participants had adopted a motto of the planning
process that incorporated two of these concepts, `Remember and
Demand.’ At the end of the meeting the two Catholicoi attended a
luncheon
hosted by the President.
CATHOLICOI PRESIDE AT SERVICE
HONORING MARTYRS OF FIRST REPUBLIC
Catholicos Karekin II and Aram I, presided over the Liturgy
commemorating the martyrs of the Battle of Sardarabad. The service
took place on May 28, at the Cathedral in Etchmiadzin, with President
Serge Sarkissian attending.
Following the requiem service, the two Catholicoi addressed the
faithful and encouraged all Armenians to focus on strengthening the
Second Republic.
CATHOLICOS ARAM ATTENDS ENTHRONEMENT
His Holiness Aram I, accompanied by Bishop Shahe Panossian, Prelate of
Lebanon, and Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of Peria (Syria),
attended the installation ceremony of Mor Ignatius Aphrem II as
Patriarch of Antioch
and All the East, Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox
Church. The ceremony took place at Mar Aphrem Church in Beirut, last
Sunday, June 1.
During the service, Catholicos Aram addressed the faithful and spoke
of the urgency for the two churches to deepen their unity in faith and
strengthen their cooperation in view of the issues both churches are
confronting. He
then spoke of the new Patriarch and said that he has known him for
many years and wished him well in his new ministry.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SEEKS SUMMER VOLUNTEERS
Habitat for Humanity International is well-known worldwide for their
commitment to bring people together to build homes, communities, and
hope.
Habitat for Humanity Armenia that has been working in Armenia since
the year 2000, seeks to serve low-income families to improve their
living conditions. Habitat has been building homes primarily in the
rural and border areas of Armenia. Each energy-efficient house costs
about $2,500.
Habitat Armenia is looking for volunteers to work during the summer
building homes. Volunteers must pay their own expenses, including
travel, and are
also obligated to pay a participation fee of $200.
Thus far Habitat Armenia has helped more than 2,500 families in
Armenia and has hosted more than 800 volunteers that have worked with
families and local communities. Volunteers are not needed to have
construction experience.
Anyone interested in volunteering to work with Habitat Armenia should
contact Bishop Anoushavan at the Prelacy by email
([email protected]); letter (138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY
10016); or telephone (212-689-7810).
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
Death of Vahan Cardashian (June 9, 1934)
An American-educated lawyer, Vahan Cardashian became the pioneer of
the Armenian Cause lobby in the United States at the beginning of the
twentieth century.
Cardashian was born on December 1, 1883, in Caesarea (actual
Kayseri). He lost his father at an early age, and, after elementary
education at a local
Armenian school, he attended the French lyceum and the Talas American
College. In 1902 he immigrated to the United States and attended the
law school
at Yale University from 1904-1908. In 1907 he married Cornelia
Alexander Holub, a women rights advocate. Meanwhile, he published
several books, A Brief Commentary on the Eastern Question, The Ottoman
Empire of the Twentieth Century, and Actual Life in Turkish Harem.
After graduation he went into private practice. Cardashian took a job
as adviser of the Ottoman embassy in Washington D.C. in 1911 and
general counselor of the consulate in New York. He was designated head
of the Ottoman Chamber of Commerce and, in 1915, high commissioner of
the Ottoman exhibition at the Panama-Pacific Universal Exposition in
San Francisco. At the Exposition, he learned that his mother and
sister had perished in the Armenian Genocide. He did not abandon his
post, but started a secret campaign of letter-writing to inform
American officials of the ongoing annihilation. He had already warned
Secretary of War Lindsay Garrison in July 1914:
“I have information, bearing on the program of the Turkish Government,
to be put into operation in the event of Turkey’s being involved in
the European War with reference to all the native and foreign
Christians in Turkey . . . Unless some powerful restraining forces are
brought into play from without, you can rest assured that the Turk,
with the opportunity for untrammeled action, such as he now believes
to enjoy, will perpetrate upon helpless humanity the most ghastly
horrors of his entire loathsome career.”
When the Ottoman embassy discovered Cardashian’s backdoor work, he
was fired. In early 1916, he sued for divorce from his wife. At the
end of
the war, Cardashian relied on his diplomatic and high society contacts
to spearhead a lobbying effort, to which he committed his own personal
resources. To reach beyond the Armenian American community, he founded
the American Committee for the Independence of Armenia (ACIA) in
December 1918. He gathered there some of the most prominent names of
the day in American politics: James W. Gerard, former ambassador to
Germany, who was the driving force
of the ACIA along with Cardashian and the chairman of its Executive
Board;
Charles Hughes, 1916 presidential candidate of the Republican party;
William Jennings Bryan, former Secretary of State; senator Henry Cabot
Lodge (Massachusetts); and many others.
Cardashian’s tireless efforts included tours, letter campaigns, a
flood of editorials in various newspapers, memoranda to the highest
rank of
officials, and many books and pamphlets. The ACIA advocated for
American recognition of the Republic of Armenia and an American
mandate. It had
23 branches in thirteen states.
In the end, the ACIA efforts were fruitless, as the isolationist
majority in the Senate, ironically headed by Lodge himself, rejected
the American mandate over Armenia in May 1920. A few months later, the
independent republic collapsed, and the Armenian Cause took another
direction. However, Cardashian did not calm down. In 1924 he created
the American Committee Opposed to the Lausanne Treaty (ACOLT) and led
a successful campaign to block the ratification of the Treaty of
Lausanne by the U.S. Senate. The ratification was rejected by the
Senate in January 1927, citing Turkish failure to execute the Arbitral
Award of President Woodrow Wilson as the main cause.
Exhausted and penniless after a two-decade long crusade for Armenian
rights, Vahan Cardashian passed away on June 9, 1934, at the age of
fifty-one. He was buried in Cedar Grove cemetery in Long Island. The
legacy of the lone
crusader for the Armenian Cause is a remarkable example for future
generations.
Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History’ are on
the Prelacy’s web site (
())
FROM THE BOOKSTORE. . .
100th ANNIVERSARY OF GENOCIDE AT THE BOOKSTORE
The Prelacy’s Bookstore has an extensive collection of books (in
Armenian and English) about the Genocide including histories,
historical novels, memoirs, eye witness testimonies, essays, and
poetry. From now through
next April we will feature one or two books each week from the
Bookstore’s collection.
The Armenian Question and International Law
By Shavarsh Toriguian
This is the revised edition (1988) of the book that was first
published in
1974. It remains a classic on the subject. It analyzes the
premeditation of the Armenian Genocide, its relation to the convention
of 1948, the non-applicability of statutory limitations to war crimes
and crimes against humanity, the legal basis of Armenian claims and
the illegality of Turkish claims to provinces of Eastern Turkey, the
responsibility of the European powers
and the United States, the continuity of Turkey as successor state of
the Ottoman Empire, and the subject of the Armenian Genocide.
Price: $20.00 (hardcover) plus shipping & handling
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To order contact the Prelacy Bookstore by email
([email protected]) or by telephone (212-689-7810).
ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
Don’t Crush the Computer!
When you are on a ship or sit on a chair, we all agree that you have
something under your feet. The Armenian language agrees too. That’s
why it is accurate to say `ÔµÕ½ Õ¶Õ½Õ¿Õ¡Õ® Õ¥Õ´ Õ¡Õ©Õ¸Õ¼Õ« Õ´Õ¨
Õ¾Ö=80Õ¡Õµ’ (Yes nusdadz em atoree muh vra `I’m sitting on a
chair’) or `ÔµÕ½ Õ¶Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶
Õ¾Ö=80Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¥Õ´’ (Yes navoon vran em `I’m on the ship’).(*)
However, what happens when you are on the computer, you are on a
committee, or the light is on? None of those phrases is related to
something physical. The logic of grammar is stretched in these
colloquial expressions. If you applied actual logic, a) you would
crush the computer by being on it; b) you would be sitting on the
heads of the committee members; and c) the light would be placed on
something and not turned on.
Every language has its own way of thinking. You cannot translate
literally
from English into Armenian or vice versa. That’s why you can only use
Õ¾Ö=80Õ¡Õµ (vra) when you are literally or metaphorically
on or over something physical. Otherwise, you come up with ridiculous
results:
Wrong: `ÔµÕ½ Õ°Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Ö=80Õ£Õ«Õ¹Õ«Õ¶ Õ¾Ö=80Õ¡Õµ Õ§Õ«’ (Yes
hamagarkeecheen vra eyi), `I was on the computer.
Right: `ÔµÕ½ Õ°Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Ö=80Õ£Õ«Õ¹Õ«Õ¶ Õ¡Õ¼Õ»Õ¥Ö=82Õ¨
Õ¶Õ½Õ¿Õ¥Ö=81Õ¡Õµ’ (Yes hamagarkeecheen archevuh nusdetsa), namely, `I
sat before the computer’.
Wrong: `Ô¼Õ¸ÕµÕ½Õ¨ Õ¾Ö=80Õ¡Õ¶ Õ§’ (Looysuh vran eh), `The light is
on.’
Right: `Ô¼Õ¸ÕµÕ½Õ¨ Õ¾Õ¡Õ¼Õ¡Õ®
Õ§’ (Looysuh varadz eh), namely, `The light is turned on.
Wrong: `ÔµÕ½ ÕµÕ¡Õ¶Õ±Õ¶Õ¡Õ-Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¢Õ«Õ¶ Õ¾Ö=80Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¥Õ´ (Yes
hantznakhoompeen vran em), `I am on the committee.’
Right: `ÔµÕ½ ÕµÕ¡Õ¶Õ±Õ¶Õ¡Õ-Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¢Õ«Õ¶ Õ¡Õ¶Õ¤Õ¡Õ´ Õ¥Õ´’ (Yes
hantznakhoompeen antam mun em), namely, `I am a member
of the committee.’
The most comic and interesting example is the mix of French, English,
and Armenian in the following phrase, common among Armenians from the
Middle East: `Õ-Õ«Õ·Õ¨ Õ¾Ö=80Õ¡Õ¶ Õ§’ (Fishe vran eh). This is the
equivalent of English `The plug is in.’
Here we have:
The French word fiche (English plug, Armenian Õ-Ö=81Õ¡Õ¯/khutsag);
A contamination of the English concept of something on, replacing
`in’;
The Armenian verb `to be’ in the form eh.
Now, if you want us to believe that you are speaking proper Armenian,
then
you should say `Ô½Ö=81Õ¡Õ¯Õ¨ Õ¤Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¡Õ® Õ§’ (Khutsagu turvadz
eh) or `Ô½Ö=81Õ¡Õ¯Õ¨ Õ´Õ«Õ¡Ö=81Õ¡Õ® Õ§’ (Khutsagu miatsadz eh). It
sounds more idiomatic for one simple reason: it is thought in
Armenian, not in English. That is the first rule to follow when you
speak any given language: to think in that language.
———————————-
(*) Vra is used when the following word starts with a consonant; it
becomes vran when the following word is a vowel.
Previous entries in `The Armenian Language Corner’ are on the
Prelacy’s web site (
())
70th ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
The American Cemetery in Normandy where thousands of U.S. servicemen
who died in the invasion are buried.
Tomorrow, Friday, June 6, 2014, is the 70th anniversary of the
Normandy Invasion, known as D-Day, that led to the liberation of
France and the end of
World War II. An invading army had not crossed the unpredictable and
dangerous English Channel since 1688, until this massive effort that
included a 5,000-vessel armada that transported more than 150,000
American, British, and Canadian servicemen and 30,000 vehicles across
the channel to the French
beaches. In addition, six parachute regiments-more than 13,000
men-were flown from nine British airfields in more than 800 planes.
By the evening of June 6, more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were dead or
wounded. However, many thousands more made it ashore, securing French
coastal villages. Within weeks, supplies were being unloaded at Utah
and Omaha beachheads at the rate of 20,000 tons per day.
The operation was under the Supreme Allied Command of General Dwight
D. Eisenhower, who later was elected president of the United
States. It was pre-television and of course pre-internet, so the news
came from the radio. Americans gathered around the family radio to
receive the latest news.
Prior to the invasion General Eisenhower delivered this message to the
allied forces:
`Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You
are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven
these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and
prayers
of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with
our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring
about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of
Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for
ourselves in a free world.
`Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well
equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.
`But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs
of 1940-41. The united nations have inflicted upon the Germans great
defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously
reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on
the ground. Our
home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and
munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained
fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are
marching together to victory!
`I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in
battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
`Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon
this great and noble undertaking.’– Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 5-Avak luncheon at noon, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts. Speaker: U.S. Army Major Felix
Gregorian, =80=9CTo America With Love,’ on his pending fifth
deployment to the Middle East.
June 8-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies’ Guild
Hot Dog Social.
June 15-St. Gregory Church, annual Father’s Day Picnic, 12
noon to 5 pm on the church grounds at 135 Goodwin Street, Indian
Orchard, Massachusetts. Enjoy many favorite Armenian dinners including
shish kebab and rice pilaf. Baked goods available for
purchase. Raffle, Armenian music and dancing, and activities for
children. Admission and parking are free. For information,
413-543-4763.
June 16-17-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Sunday School Teens
Seminar at Colombiere Conference and Retreat Center, Clarkston,
Michigan.
June 22-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Nareg Saturday
School year-end Hantes, following the Divine Liturgy.
June 23-Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 11th Annual
Golf Outing, Sterling National Country Club, Sterling,
Massachusetts. Tee off: 9 am, shotgun start, scramble format. $145 per
person includes: Golf, cart, breakfast, dinner, prizes, raffles, and
chance to win a two-year lease on a 2014 Land Rover with a hole in
one. For information: Kap Kaprielian,
[email protected] or 508-872-9629.
June 24-26-Vacation Bible Camp for preschool (age 4) to 6th grade
students at St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, from 10 am to 2
pm. Religious activities, lessons, crafts, and games. For information:
313-336-6200.
June 28-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies Guild
Cooking Class, `Short Cuts to Armenian Cooking,’
11 am, Mock Manti. $15 for each class; $40 for three classes.
June 29 – July 6, 2014: St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program
for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education
Council (AREC). For information, contact the AREC office at
212.689.7810
or at [email protected].
July 14-39th Annual St. Sarkis Golf & Tennis Classic, Meadowbrook
Country Club, Northville, Michigan. $250 donation for golf breakfast,
lunch, and banquet. $125 donation banquet only. Reservations:
313-336-6200.
July 19-`A Hye Summer A Night IX,’ sponsored by the Ladies Guild of
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, and Armenian Relief Society Ani
Chapter, 7 pm to 12 midnight. Dinner Dance at Alpine Country Club,
Pippen Orchard Drive, Cranston, Rhode Island, featuring Hachig
Kazarian,
John Berberian, Ken Kalajian, and Jason Naroian. Dinner-Dance, $50;
dance only after 8:30 pm, $35 (with student ID $25). RSVP before June
30. Call Joyce Yeremian, 401-354-8770, [email protected] or Joyce
Bagdasarian, 401-434-4467, sweetano6aol.com.
July 26-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies Guild
Cooking Class, `Short Cuts to Armenian Cooking,’
11 am, Boereg. $15 for each class; $40 for three classes.
August 17-St. Sarkis Church (Dearborn) Grape Blessing Family Fun
Picnic at Kensington Park, Kensington, Michigan. Good food, music,
biking, soccer, dancing, magician, swimming, playscape, kids games,
door prizes, face painting, tavloo tournament and more.
August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Park,
Wild Duck Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts
and
crafts, and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more.
September 18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 12th
Annual Golf Classic, River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New
Jersey. Rain or Shine. 11 am registration and Grilled Lunch Buffet; 1
pm Tee Off. Format: Shotgun Scramble (All player levels welcome). Golf
Outing Reservation: $195; limited to first 128 paid golf
reservations. Reservation includes: Grilled lunch buffet, dinner
banquet, golf, cart, and range balls. Contests and
Prizes. Sponsorships available. For information: 201-943-2950.
October 3-St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday
School Dinner Dance Gala.
Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web
site.
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Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about
their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]