PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Chris Zakian
Tel: (212) 686-0710 or (973) 943-8697
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
** TOP STORY October 9, 2014
————————————————————
Holy Translators
Celebrate the power of the Armenian identity this weekend.
** Translators Assemble!
————————————————————
The Invincible Philosopher. The Master of Mystic Poetry. The Wartime
Chronicler. The Grace-Filled Patriarch. The Man of a Dozen Tongues.
It could be the line-up of characters for a new super-hero flick. But
in fact, each is a saint of the Armenian Church-David, Narek,
Yeghishe, Nersess, Masdots-remembered together (along with others) as
a distinctive `team’ known as the Holy Translators. This Saturday,
October 11, is their annual feast day.
Whether super or not, the Holy Translators were genuine heroes-and
powerful ones, at that. Endowed with rare qualities of imagination and
vision, they helped to forge a national identity for the Armenian
people-using simple words and humble faith as their primary tools.
It’s an identity that has outlasted empires, overcome persecution, and
reached the heights of civilization. Most remarkable of all, it has
endured to the present day-and is ready to be embraced by all of
us. This Saturday, try to reflect on the great power we’ve
inherited-and the great responsibility that goes with it.
Learn more about the Holy Translators by clicking here
()
.
** Scripture of the Week
————————————————————
Is 19:1-11
Gal 2:1-10
Mk 12:35-44
** Prayer of the Week
————————————————————
With your peace, Christ our savior, which surpasses all understanding
and speech, defend us and keep us fearless of all evil. Make us equal
to your true worshipers, who worship you in spirit and in truth; for
to the most-holy Trinity is befitting glory, dominion, and honor, now
and always. Amen.
** Upcoming Saints & Feasts
————————————————————
11 October: Holy Translators Mesrob, Yeghishe, Moses the Poet, David
the Philosopher, Gregory of Narek, and Nersess the Graceful
** CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
————————————————————
New Church in Gegharkunik
St. Gregory of Narek Church in Vaghashen village.
** A New Church in Armenia’s Gegharkunik Region
————————————————————
On Saturday, October 4, a newly built church was consecrated in
Armenia’s eastern Gegharkunik region by Bishop Markos Hovhannisyan,
Primate of the Gegharkunik Diocese.
Residents of the village of Vaghashen poured into St. Gregory of Narek
Church for the consecration service. Many said they hoped the church
would be a focal point for religious and cultural activity in
Vaghashen, which has been without a house of worship for years. The
only other church in the village, a 19th-century chapel located near
the local cemetery, has been in ruins since the Soviet period.
Construction costs for St. Gregory of Narek Church were underwritten
by Vaghashen native Henri Melkhonyan, and the building was designed by
architect Hrachya Gasparyan. Young people donning traditional Armenian
costumes performed folk songs following Saturday’s consecration
service.
Click here
()
to view a video in Armenian.
** DIOCESAN NEWS
————————————————————
Roman Catholic Conference
Participants in last week’s meeting pose for a group photo in Long
Branch, NJ.
** Roman Catholic Oriental Orthodox Consultation Meets
————————————————————
The annual Roman Catholic Oriental Orthodox Consultation took place on
Thursday, October 2, and Friday, October 3 at the Stella Maris Retreat
Center in Long Branch, NJ.
Clergy and leaders from the Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox
churches gathered to discuss how they help prepare couples for
marriage and how they address divorce and re-marriage. The Roman
Catholic Oriental Orthodox Consultation, of which the Eastern Diocese
is a founding member, meets every year to discuss various theological
and pastoral issues.
Representing the Armenian Church at last week’s meeting were
Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocese’s Ecumenical Director; Very
Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, Rev. Fr. Diran
Bohajian, and Eric Vozzy of the Diocese’s Christian Education
Department.
Abp. Torkom Manoogian
Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the late 96th Armenian Patriarch of
Jerusalem.
** Remember Patriarch Torkom
————————————————————
This Sunday, October 12, will mark the second anniversary of the
passing of His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the late 96th
Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and long-serving Primate of the
Eastern Diocese.
We ask our parishioners to remember Archbishop Torkom in their
prayers, and to reflect on his lifelong ministry to God, the Armenian
Church, and our people. Click here
()
to view a video made in his memory.
Fr. Groeschel
Fr. Benedict Groeschel.
** In Memoriam: Fr. Benedict Groeschel
————————————————————
The Eastern Diocese mourns the passing of Fr. Benedict Groeschel: a
Roman Catholic priest and Franciscan friar, well known to the public
as host of a talk show on the Eternal Word Television Network, who
passed way on October 3, 2014.
To Armenian clergy in the Eastern Diocese, he was a beloved friend and
guide: faith-filled, humble, learned, and a true disciple of Jesus
Christ. Fr. Benedict was equally a great supporter of the Armenian
people, who preached the need for the Armenian martyrs to be
sanctified, as a way to bring healing and life to our church. Numerous
Armenian clergymen, deacons, and laypeople felt fortunate to have been
blessed by his presence and spiritual support.
Fr. Benedict taught, inspired, and witnessed at the Trinity Retreat
House, nestled next to Long Island Sound, the site of many Diocesan
clergy gatherings. His compassionate spirit will always reside there,
beckoning guests to “Come, have a glass of wine, and take a retreat.”
His soul will surely rejoice when our church sanctifies the Armenian
Genocide martyrs in 2015.
Ani Garmiryan
Ani Garmiryan, the long-serving principal of the Hovnanian School who
has taken a new position in Portugal, was honored at the school last
Saturday.
** Hovnanian School Honors Principal Emeritus
————————————————————
On Saturday, October 4, the Hovnanian School community honored its
principal emeritus Ani Garmiryan. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Diocesan Primate, traveled to the school in New Milford, NJ, where he
presented Ms. Garmiryan with the `Sts. Sahag and Mesrob’ medal and
encyclical from His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians.
`Ani Garmiryan has led the Hovnanian School with deep seriousness,
creativity, and compassion,’ Archbishop Barsamian wrote in a
congratulatory message. `The continuing high achievement of Hovnanian
School students-in both academic and societal settings=80’testifies to
the success of her leadership, building on the legacy of equally
distinguished predecessors.’
Ms. Garmiryan joined the Hovnanian School in 1997, and became the
school’s principal three years later. In September, she was named a
senior program officer at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in
Lisbon, Portugal, where she will work on Western Armenian language
programs.
Annual Appeal
** Support the Diocese’s 2014 Annual Appeal
————————————————————
The Eastern Diocese has launched its 2014 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 2014 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
()
to the 2014 Annual Appeal.
FAR
Children in Chinchin, Armenia, celebrate the opening of their new
school gymnasium.
** FAR Opens New Playgrounds in Tavush
————————————————————
Beginning last month, more than 270 schoolchildren in Armenia’s Tavush
province have been enjoying renovated playgrounds, thanks to the Fund
for Armenian Relief’s `Breaking the Cycle of Poverty’ program.
Three outdoor playgrounds were renovated in Berd, Varagavan, and
Chinchin. FAR also renovated a school gymnasium in Chinchin. Click
here
()
to visit FAR’s blog and to read more.
The `Breaking the Cycle of Poverty” program was established by the
Mardigian Family Foundation through the largest-ever contribution made
to FAR. The five-year project addresses malnutrition, unemployment,
poverty, and infrastructure weaknesses in Armenia’s northeastern
Tavush province.
** PARISH NEWS
————————————————————
Altar Servers Ordained in Bayside
Young men during their ordination to the sub-diaconate at Holy Martyrs
Church.
** Altar Servers Ordained in Bayside
————————————————————
Parishioners at Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, welcomed
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, on Sunday, October 5,
who traveled to the church to ordain young altar servers. Archbishop
Barsamian celebrated the Divine Liturgy, with the Rev. Fr. Abraham
Malkhasyan, parish pastor, assisting.
Two parishioners-Alexander Calikyan and Karnik Kiliciyan-were ordained
to the diaconate. Five others-Ara Arsenian, Armen Arsenian, Nicholas
Calikyan, Vahe Gemdzian, and Arthur Ipek-became
sub-deacons. Archbishop Barsamian also ordained nine parishioners as
acolytes, blessed the veils of choir members, and blessed the
vestments of the parish’s new choir co-director. At the conclusion of
services, two longtime deacons, Dn. Hagop Sason Demirjian and
Dn. Hagop Yagliyan, received encyclicals issued by His Holiness
Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
During a luncheon following services, remarks were made by Deacons
Kiliciyan and Calikyan, the Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, director
of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center, and Jennifer
Morris, director of Diocese’s Department of Youth and Young Adult
Ministries.
Click on the following links to read more
()
and to view photos
()
.
Fr. Aved Terzian
Fr. Aved Terzian administers holy communion at Sunday’s service at the
Church of our Saviour.
** Worcester Parish Celebrates Pastor’s Milestone
————————————————————
Parishioners at the Church of Our Saviour of Worcester, MA, celebrated
a special milestone last Sunday, October 5: the 30th anniversary of
ordination to the holy priesthood of their pastor, the Rev. Fr. Aved
Terzian. Fr. Terzian celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian, the Diocese’s Ecumenical Director, presided over the service
and delivered the day’s sermon.
Later that afternoon, more than 300 people gathered in church’s
cultural center for a celebratory luncheon. Parish council chair Ed
Atamian, who also chaired the event committee, served as the master of
ceremonies. The program began with a song by the Sunday School
students. Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty spoke about his friendship with
Fr. Terzian and presented him with a key to the city. The
Rev. Fr. Mampre Kouzouian read messages from Archbishop Nourhan
Manougian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Diocesan Primate.
It was a memorable tribute to Fr. Terzian-who has been serving the
Church of Our Saviour since his ordination in 1984-and an uplifting
day for the entire Worcester community.
Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, PA
Gail Lulejian, Kathryn Ashbahian, Fr. Gevorgyan, Arpi Nakashian, and
Nancy Basmajian.
** Cheltenham Welcomes Seminarians
————————————————————
Two students from St. Nersess Armenian Seminary visited the Holy
Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, on Sunday, October 5. Seminarians
Kathryn Ashbahian and Arpi Nakashian received a warm greeting from the
community and its pastor, the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan.
The seminarians received a tour of the church school facilities and
met the staff, after which Arpi conducted an interactive Assembly
program for the students, and Kathryn spoke in the sanctuary on the
Kiss of Peace.
Kathryn grew up in the St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, and is a
graduate of the College of New Jersey. Arpi was born and raised in
Jerusalem, attended the Tarkmanchatz School of the Armenian
Patriarchate, and graduated from California State University
Stanislaus. Both women are due to graduate from St. Nersess in 2015,
and hope to serve the Eastern Diocese as lay ministers.
** A New Website for Watertown’s St. James Church
————————————————————
St. James Church of Watertown, MA, has unveiled its redesigned
website. The new site- -provides a calendar of
upcoming parish events, descriptions of parish organizations,
explanations of services, links to parish publications, news articles,
photo galleries, and other information.
The parish also has accounts on Twitter
()
and Facebook
()
, and invites all community members to visit with them online.
St. Sarkis Church, North Carolina
** Armenian Studies Weekend in Charlotte
————————————————————
Gilda Kupelian of the Diocese’s Armenian Studies Department will visit
St. Sarkis Church of Charlotte, NC, this weekend, where she will meet
with the local Armenian teachers and make cultural presentations.
On Saturday, October 11, she will meet with teachers to discuss
resources, methodology, and best practices in Armenian language
instruction. A cultural presentation will follow the meeting. On
Sunday, October 12, she will make a presentation about the Holy
Translators to the entire parish following services.
Dn. Benjamin Rith-Najarian, deacon-in-charge of the Charlotte parish,
and parishioners are working to restart an Armenian School program
there.
St. Peter Church, NY
Women’s Guild members sang in the choir and performed other duties
during the Divine Liturgy on “Women’s Guild Day” in Watervliet.
** “Women’s Guild Day” in Upstate New York
————————————————————
On Sunday, September 28, the Women’s Guild of St. Peter Church of
Watervliet, NY, celebrated `Women’s Guild Day’ by greeting
parishioners as they arrived, singing in the choir, offering the Kiss
of Peace, and distributing
mahs. Each member of the Women’s Guild also received carnations on
this special occasion.
Following services, parishioners enjoyed a celebratory luncheon in the
church’s Gdanian Auditorium. In addition to observing `Women’s Guild
Day,’ they marked the 100th anniversary of the local Women’s
Guild. Sharon Foley, the organization’s chair, presented a framed
citation from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to the Women’s Guild.
Click here
()
to view the day’s photos.
Bible Study in Jacksoville
A Bible study session in Jacksonville.
** Jacksonville Welcomes Mission Parish Director
————————————————————
Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s Director of Mission Parishes,
made his monthly visit to the Jacksonville, FL, mission parish last
weekend.
On Saturday evening, he met with Sunday School students and observed
lessons taught by Alex Shafiyev and Erik Mirzoian, two young men who
are also altar servers. Later he met with adults to begin studying the
services of the Advent season.
On Sunday, Fr. Abdalian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and gave a
sermon on the significance of the Feast of the Holy Translators.
Upcoming events
** Upcoming Parish Events
————————————————————
St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ
St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will host its 78th annual Food
Festival from October 17 through 19. The annual event draws more than
2,000 guests for a weekend of Armenian food and music. One highlight
will be presentations of “tasting menus” by select chefs and
restaurateurs. Food enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to meet
Armenian chefs and taste their culinary creations. Other activities
include performances by Armenian dance groups, Armenian cooking
lessons, talks on Armenian history, an art exhibit, and basketball and
tavloo tournaments. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call (201) 745-1999.
Professor George Bournoutian will give a talk at St. Leon Church on
Friday, October 17, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Titled `Russo-Iranian
Relations and the Formation of Modern Armenia,’ the lecture will
consider Russia’s annexation of Yerevan and Nakhichevan from Iran and
the foundations of present-day Armenia. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
St. Gregory the Illuminator Church | Chicago, IL
As part of its 50th anniversary celebration, St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church of Chicago, IL, is raffling off an Armenian cross
stained glass window. The unique artwork was created by St. Gregory
parishioner and stained glass window artist Linda Garvanian. Raffle
tickets are available for purchase. The drawing will be held on
October 17. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
St. Gregory the Enlightener Church | White Plains, NY
The Men’s Club of St. Gregory the Enlightener Church of White Plains,
NY, will host a screening of the documentary `Yerevan: A Celebration
of Life’ on Thursday, October 9, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The film
explores life in Armenia’s capital city. Dinner will be served. Click
here
()
to view a flyer for ticket information.
St. James Church | Watertown, MA
St. James Church of Watertown, MA, will host its annual bazaar on
Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Enjoy a full menu of Armenian dishes and sweets, including kebab,
kheyma, boreg, yalanchi, baklava, choreg, khadaif, and more. The
bazaar also features a farmer’s market, attic treasures, silent
auction, raffles, and jewelry vendors. Children’s activities include
games, clowns, and crafts. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
St. George Church | Hartford, CT
St. George Church of Hartford, CT, will host its annual Armenian Food
Fest on Friday, October 17 (5 to 8 p.m.) and Saturday, October 18 (11
a.m. to 6 p.m.). Enjoy Armenian dinners, baked goods, a Country Store,
Attic Treasures, and other activities. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, will host a
`Centennial Ball’ gala to conclude this year’s celebration of the
church’s centennial. The event on Saturday, October 18, will feature a
`Battle of the Bands.’ Joe Kouyoumjian’s “All Star Armenian Ensemble”
will face-off the “Sevan Armenian Band.” Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
Holy Trinity Church | Cheltenham, PA
Holy Trinity Church of Cheltenham, PA, will host its 2014 Harvest
Bazaar from Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Highlights
include Armenian food, music, a Country Store, vendors, displays of
Armenian art, and activities for kids. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call the church at (215) 663-1600.
Hye Pointe Church | Haverhill, MA
The ACYOA of Hye Pointe Church of Haverhill, MA, will host a “Harvest
Hayride and Apple Picking” on Saturday, October 25, beginning at 2
p.m. The afternoon of activities, which includes a pizza lunch, will
be held at Smolak Farms in North Andover, MA. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call the church at (978) 372-9227.
Armenian Church of Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL
The mission parish of Jacksonville, FL, will host a costume party for
kids on Saturday, October 25. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information.
St. Thomas Church | Tenafly, NJ
The Cultural Committee of St. Thomas Church of Tenafly, NJ, and the
TCA Mher Megerdchian Theatrical Group will present a concert by the
Huyser Music Ensemble
()
on Saturday, October 25. The ensemble will give an encore performance
of its “CLASH-Reloaded” program, featuring
violinist Diana Vasilyan and percussionist Raffi Massoyan.
For ticket information and reservations, contact Marie Zokian at (201)
745-8850, or Talar Sesetyan Sarafian at (201) 240-8541.
St. Peter Church | Watervliet, NY
St. Peter Church of Watervliet, NY, will take part in Albany’s
“Festival of Nations” at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center on
Sunday, October 26. The parish’s Renee Dearstyne will compete for the
title of `Miss Festival of Nations.’ Click here
()
for more information.
** YOUTH NEWS
————————————————————
Zohrab Information Center
** Zohrab Center Lecture on Martyrdom
————————————————————
On Thursday, October 9, the Diocese’s Krikor and Clara Zohrab
Information Center will host a talk on martyrdom and canonization by
Maxwell Johnson, professor of Liturgical Studies at the University of
Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. Titled “”The Blood of the Martyrs,
Yesterday and Today,” the lecture is organized in anticipation of the
canonization of the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide of 1915.
The lecture is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. It is free and open to the
public. Click here
()
to visit the Zohrab Center blog for information.
Merdinian
Violinist Sami Merdinian will give a concert on October 24.
** A Concert at St. Vartan Cathedral
————————————————————
St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral will host a concert by violinist Sami
Merdinian on Friday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m. He will be accompanied by
pianist Riko Higuma.
The program will include music by Khachaturian, Komitas, Tartini,
Saint-Saëns, and Beethoven. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $10 for
students and seniors. Click here
()
to view a flyer for information, or call (212) 686-0170.
Ararat Center
** Ararat Center Boston Harbor Cruise
————————————————————
The Ararat Center will host a Boston Harbor cruise on Saturday,
October 25, beginning at 7 p.m.
Guests will enjoy dinner, dancing, and a silent auction aboard the
Odyssey. Proceeds help benefit the Ararat Center, the Diocese’s
conference and recreation facility in upstate New York.
Click here
()
to view a flyer for ticket information.
** EVENTS
————————————————————
ACYOA Sports Weekend
ACYOA Juniors at their Hye M’rtsoom event in Watertown last May.
** ACYOA Juniors Sports Weekend
————————————————————
This weekend, 266 ACYOA Juniors representing more than 16 parishes
across the Eastern Diocese will gather for the ACYOA Fall Juniors
Sports Weekend hosted by St. Leon Church in Fair Lawn, NJ.
Close to 40 families are opening up their homes to host the young
people throughout the weekend. Participants will enjoy a full day of
sports on Saturday, ranging from volleyball and basketball to
individual competitions of tavloo, chess and ping pong.
On Sunday, they will take part in the Divine Liturgy before concluding
the sporting events. An awards banquet and dance are scheduled for
Sunday evening. The weekend will conclude on Monday morning with a
farewell breakfast.
For information on the ACYOA Juniors, contact Jennifer Morris,
director of Diocese’s Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries,
at (248) 648-0702, or via e-mail at [email protected]
(mailto:[email protected]) .
From: Baghdasarian