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May 29, 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]
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF
OUR LORD
Today, Thursday, May 29, is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord
Jesus Christ (Hambardzoum), which is commemorated forty days after
Easter. The universal church has celebrated the Ascension since the
fourth century. According to Biblical scripture the Ascension took
place in the village of Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, in the
presence of our Lord’s disciples.
After giving them commandments and blessings, the Lord was `received
up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God,’ (Mark 16:19), and `a
cloud received him out of their sight,’ (Acts 1:9). In the early
centuries of Christianity, Hambardzoum was one of the most popular
feast days for the faithful and was celebrated with merriment and
festivities. There are many Armenian traditions associated with this
dominical feast. Perhaps the most popular one is fortune telling
(vijakakhakh).
Today he ascended with divine power on the Father’s chariot
accompanied by hosts of angels who sang and cried out: You princes,
lift up your gates, and the King of glory shall come in. The powers on
high were amazed and in fearful voice cried out to each other: Who is
this King of glory who
comes in flesh and is wonderful in power? You princes, lift up your
gates and the King of glory shall come in. The lordships on high sang
a new song in marvelous voice: This is the Lord of glory, the Savior
of the world and the deliverer of the human race. You princes, lift up
your gates, and the King of glory shall come in.(From Canon for the
Ascension of Christ according to the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian
Apostolic Church)
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL OVERSEAS TO JOIN
HIS HOLINESS ARAM IN VISIT TO VATICAN
Archbishop Oshagan will travel overseas this weekend to join His
Holiness Aram on an official visit to the Vatican and His Holiness
Pope Francis. The
visit to the Vatican is from Tuesday, June 3 to Friday, June 6. A
number of clergy and lay individuals from dioceses under the
jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia have been invited to join the
Catholicos’ entourage.
A NOTE OF THANKS FROM ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN
Archbishop Oshagan wishes to express his sincere thanks for the many
condolence messages he received following the death of his mother,
Diramayr Mary
Choloyan, who passed away on May 7 in Beirut.
`I am grateful for the many messages and cards received by mail,
email, telephone, and donations in lieu-of-flowers. My family and I
were truly comforted by the many thoughtful and caring expressions of
sympathy,’ His Eminence said.
PARISHES CONDUCT FLAG BLESSING AND PRAYERS FOR THE
ARMENIAN REPUBLIC LAST SUNDAY
Prelacy parishes offered prayers and blessed the tricolor flag on the
occasion of the 96th anniversary of the first Armenian Republic (May
28), and the 23rd anniversary of the current Republic of Armenia
(September 21), last
Sunday.
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City.
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian assisted by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
blesses
the tricolor flag at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City.
Bishop Anoushavan, Der Mesrob, with altar servers, Homenetmen scouts,
and Mr. Sahak Sarkissian who attended the service on behalf of the
Armenian Mission to the United Nations.
Saint Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts
Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian blesses the tricolor flag at
St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville.
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ARMENIA VISITS PRELACY
John Heffern, the United States Ambassador to Armenia, was received at
the
Prelacy offices last Friday, May 23, where he met with the Prelate and
members of the Prelacy’s Executive Council, and several guests.
The Ambassador has been traveling in the U.S. and meeting with the
community in several cities for the purpose of encouraging potential
partners with
Armenia in the fields of cultural tourism, preservation, science,
technology, and innovative initiatives.
Archbishop Oshagan hosted a reception for John Heffern,
U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia, last Friday evening, seen here with members of the Prelacy’s
Executive Council. From left to right: Stephen Hagopian, Bishop
Anoushavan, Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian, Ambassador Heffern,
Archbishop Oshagan, Sarkis Ohanessian, Noubar Megerian, Hagop
Antranigian, Vazken Ghougassian, Executive Director.
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
()).
BIBLE READINGS
Note: Until Pentecost (June 8), each day four Gospels are read in the
following order: (1) Morning-Luke; (2) Midday-John; (3)
Evening-Matthew; (4) Evening dismissal-Mark.
Bible readings for Sunday, June 1, Second Palm Sunday, are: (1) Luke
19:29-48; (2) Acts 23:12-35; 1 John 5:13-21; John 12:12-23; (3)
Matthew 20:29-21:17; (4) Mark 15:20-37.
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that
Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and
went out
to meet him, shouting, `Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the
name of the Lord-the King of Israel!’ Jesus found a young donkey and
sat on it; as it is written: `Do not be afraid; daughter of
Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!’ His
disciples did not understand these things at first; but when
Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been
written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been
with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from
the dead continued to testify. It was also because they heard that he
had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees
then said to one another, =80=9CYou see, you can do nothing. Look, the
world has gone after him!’
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some
Greeks. So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and
said to him,
`Sir, we wish to see Jesus.’ Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew
and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, `The hour has
come for the Son of Man to be glorified.’ (John 12:12-23)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().
SECOND PALM SUNDAY
This Sunday, June 1, is Second Palm Sunday (Yerkrort Tzaghkazard). The
seventh Sunday of Easter is called Second Palm Sunday because of the
readings on that day. Beginning with New Sunday and continuing until
Pentecost, the Armenian Church reads from the four Gospels every day
in their proper order. Luke is read in the morning; John at midday;
Matthew at the beginning of the evening hour; and Mark at the end of
the evening hour. The sections related to Christ’s entry into
Jerusalem coincide with the seventh Sunday of Easter, hence the
designation of `Second Palm Sunday.’
There are several feast days in our liturgical calendar dedicated to
St. Gregory the Illuminator, but according to tradition he is also
remembered on
the fourth day of Hambardzoum, known as Second Palm Sunday. During the
years of Gregory’s imprisonment in the deep pit his guardian angel
would appear daily to give him nourishment. On the fourth day of the
Ascension
the angel did not come, and the next day Gregory asked why. The angel
told
him that the fourth day of Ascension is the feast day for his
celestial army of the 4th rank, and he was permitted to remain in the
heavens to celebrate the feast day and enjoy Christ in heaven.
A tradition has come down to us concerning the mysterious meaning of
this great and wonderful feast; the Enlightener of our souls heard
from his guardian angel: On this day there is a great feast in the
heavens in my rank. For during the ascent of the heavenly One from
earth the heavenly spirits in
their ranks celebrated this event with rejoicing, beginning with the
angels and concluding with the thrones. The Illuminator’s guardian
angel
being from the fourth rank hastened to share in the joyful celebration
of which the angel in the flesh learned when he asked him a
question. This great mystery took place for the salvation of the
logical of angels and mankind so that both of them might unite in one.
(From the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church for the first
Sunday after Christ’s Ascension, known as Second Palm Sunday).
NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
CATHOLICOS TRAVELS TO ARMENIA FOR MEETINGS
On Monday, May 26, His Holiness Aram I traveled to Armenia for a three
day
visit during which he and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, participated in a meeting of the 100th anniversary
committee, the annual meeting of the All Armenian Fund, and presided
over the Church’s committees on rituals and sainthood.
CATHOLICOS ARAM RECEIVES CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF ADL
The chairman of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar) and
members of the ADL Central Committee met with His Holiness Aram I last
week in Antelias, Lebanon. During their meeting they discussed the
plans for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. They agreed that Armenia and the Diaspora should work
together closely, emphasizing the importance of speaking with one
voice to Turkey and the world.
COMMEMORATING THE FIRST ARMENIAN REPUBLIC
His Holiness Aram I presided over a special requiem service following
the Holy Liturgy last Sunday in memory of the martyrs of the war of
independence and the first Armenian Republic of 1918. After the
service, the faithful gathered in the main reception hall of the
Catholicosal residence for a cultural event presented by the students
at the Seminary. In his closing message, the Catholicos reminded the
people that May 28 remains the symbol of the determination of
Armenians to safeguard their independence. `Freedom and independence
are a gift of God and no one has the right to take it away from an
individual or a nation. With this commitment and determination
we are working towards strengthening our second independent Republic
of Armenia. We should admit that we have problems of corruption, our
people are emigrating and the social and economic conditions of our
people are not improving. In view of this situation we cannot remain
silent. We should all contribute to nation building. The celebration
of May 28 every year should be
an occasion for all of us to recommit ourselves to safeguarding the
independence of our homeland and preserving its integrity and the well
being of all its citizens.’
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).
ANCA TELETHON
The annual telethon of the Armenian National Committee of America will
take place Sunday, June 1. The six-hour nationwide broadcast will
benefit the ANCA Endowment Fund. Go to
() for information about
the broadcast and to donate.
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
Death of Vazken Shoushanian
(June 2, 1941)
Vazken Shoushanian, a talented young writer of the `School of Paris,’
was also one of the orphans of the Armenian Genocide.
He was born in Rodosto (nowadays Tekirdag), a city of Eastern Tracia,
on February 9, 1902. His birth name was Onnig. He studied and
graduated from the local elementary schools. In September 1915 the
Shoushanian family was deported to Asia Minor, from where they
continued on the exile routes. Onnig lost his father, mother, brother,
and sister on the deportation routes between 1915 and 1917. Meanwhile,
he had reached Aleppo in February 1916. The young orphan, deprived of
any family support, managed to survive doing various menial work in
Aleppo and elsewhere until the end of the war, when he went to
Constantinople and then to Rodosto.
In 1919, Shoushanian entered the Agriculture School of Armash, and
moved to the Republic of Armenia with the rest of his schoolmates in
September 1920. Caught in the whirlwind of the end of the independence
and the beginning
of the Soviet regime, the students finally left the country and
returned to Constantinople in May 1921.
In July 1922, Shoushanian came to the United States, but he was not
admitted in Ellis Island due to trachoma and he had to return to
Constantinople. Months later, he managed to travel to France. He
became a factory worker, and in the meantime, he studied agronomy from
1923-1926 in Valabre, near Marseilles. Meanwhile, he had started to
write poetry, prose, and essays in the Armenian press of the Diaspora
under the name Vazken Shoushanian, including Hairenik daily and
monthly, in Boston. He had also become a member of the Armenian
Revolutionary Federation and in his twenties he represented the party
at the Socialist International. He would pursue studies of Social
Sciences in Paris and graduate in 1930.
>From 1931-1932 he was part of the literary group Menk, which
published the
homonymous journal and gathered, for a short while, the most promising
names in Armenian literature in the Diaspora, such as Shahan Shahnour,
Zareh Vorpouni, and others.
Shoushanian was already a noted writer when in 1932-1933 he became
entangled in the internal struggles of the A.R.F. and was left outside
the party. However, as he wrote in a journal entry of 1939, he
considered himself a member, `whether I have a party card or not.’
In the last years of his life, Shoushanian remained on the margin of
Armenian life. He worked at a French boarding school in Rouen from
1933-1939. The school was closed due to the war in 1940 and
Shoushanian made a dangerous
trip to bring the students to their homes. After a seven-year absence,
he then returned to Paris.
He caught pneumonia in the spring of 1941 and died practically alone,
forgotten by almost everyone, in a Paris hospital. He did not have a
tomb and was buried in an unmarked grave.
Few of his books were published in his lifetime; some remained
scattered in the press, while others were left unpublished. His
archives, in the end, went to Armenia, and some of his work started to
be published in the 1950s,
with publication still continuing until this day. A famous passage in
his Journal was a testimony of his love for the Armenian language:
`Armenian language, how much I love you! No girl on earth can brag
that has received so much warm affection, so much love, so much
entreaties from me. The
fidelity that I feel towards you is more powerful than this miserable
life
of ours. I would like to study you until my last moment, your ultimate
accents and your ultimate words, your internal music and the road you
have traced in history. You are our prayer and our pleasure, Armenian
language, I love you.’
Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History’ are on
the Prelacy’s web site (
())
FIRE AT CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY
A fire on Tuesday (May 27) caused minor damage at the Church of the
Nativity in Bethlehem. The fire was accidental when curtains caught
fire from a candle, according to a church official. There was some
smoke damage to the walls. The church is built over the grotto where
tradition says Jesus was born. The church was originally commissioned
in 327 AD by Constantine and his
mother Helena. The original basilica was destroyed by fire and a new
one was built in 565 AD by Justinian. The church, which is a World
Heritage Site, is administered jointly by the Roman Catholic, Greek
Orthodox, and Armenian Apostolic churches. Unfortunately, it is also
on the list of 100 Most Endangered Sites by the World Monuments Fund,
because of serious water damage
from its general state of disrepair. Any preservation projects require
the
cooperation of the three custodial churches as well as the Israeli
government and the Palestinian Authority. Alas, a herculean task.
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.
Story of the Near East Relief
By James L. Barton
By mid-July of 1915, the American ambassador to Turkey, Henry
Morgenthau, Sr., realized the Turks were carrying out a `campaign of
race extermination.’ He asked the U.S. State Department to form a
committee to head a massive relief effort. What began as the `Armenian
Atrocities Committee’ became the Near East Relief that made possible
the dramatic rebirth of the Armenian people and became a model for
future relief
and charitable organizations.
379 pages, hardcover, $25.00
The Forty Days of Musa Dagh
By Franz Werfel
The original English translation by Geoffrey Dunlop excised
approximately a quarter of the original two-volume text of Franz
Werfel’s masterpiece. Almost eight decades later, poet and translator
James Reidel has revised the 1934 translation incorporating the pages
that were omitted.
894 pages, softcover, $22.95
To order contact the Prelacy Bookstore by email
([email protected]) or by telephone (212-689-7810).
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
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 31-The Armenian Bar Association presents a panel discussion about
`Ongoing Legal Efforts and Challenges to Preserve Armenian Antiquities
and Cultural Property,’ at Association of the Bar of the City of New
York, 42 West 44th Street, New York City (between 5th and 6th
Avenues), 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Free admission. For information: Denise
Darmanian [email protected] or 917-848-0968.
May 31-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies’ Guild
Cooking Class, `Short Cuts to Armenian Cooking,’ 11 am, Homemade
Lahmajoon. $15 for each class; $40 for three classes.
June 1-Ladies Guild Annual Brunch, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New
York.
June 1-St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Sunday School
trip to Boston.
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 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.
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.
To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
add
[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]
From: A. Papazian
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www.ancatelethon.org
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