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:
PONTIFICAL BLESSINGS THIS SUNDAY FOR CATHOLICOS ARAM
By order of the Prelate, parishes of the Eastern Prelacy will offer
Pontifical Prayers and Blessings this Sunday, June 30, on the occasion
of the 18th anniversary of the election and consecration of His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia.
His Holiness was consecrated Catholicos on July 1, 1995, after serving
as Prelate of the Armenian Orthodox community in Lebanon for fifteen
years.
Catholicos Aram was ordained a celibate priest in 1968 and earned the
title `Vartabed’ (Doctor of the Armenian Church) in 1970. He received
his Episcopal ordination in 1980. Born in Beirut in 1947, His Holiness
studied at the Holy See’s Theological Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon,
and the Near East School of Theology before attending the American
University of Beirut. He pursued his graduate education at the
Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Oxford University, and Fordham
University, earning two Master’s degrees and a Doctor of Philosophy
(Ph.D).
During the past 18 years, His Holiness has enriched the legacy of the
Holy
See especially through its Seminary which has produced outstanding
clerical and lay leaders for the Armenian Church. The Catholicosate’s
prolific printing press has produced an impressive list of books on
theology, history, biography, music, and literature.
27th ANNUAL ST. GREGORY OF DATEV SUMMER INSTITUTE BEGINS SUNDAY
Sixty-eight students (ages 13-18) and twenty clergymen and lay leaders
will gather at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, from June 30 to July 7, 2013, for a week of fellowship,
prayer, and instruction in the elements of our Christian faith and
traditions, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the
Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
Sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC), the Summer Program offers a unique opportunity for our
teenagers to learn some of the basic elements of the Christian faith
in general and how that faith is expressed in the Armenian Apostolic
Church in particular. Each
day, the program begins with a Morning Service at 7:15 am; classes are
held from 8:30am to 12:30pm. In the afternoons, the students enjoy
recreational activities, such as volleyball, soccer, basketball, and
swimming. In the evenings, the students engage in a panel discussion,
followed by three concurrent Bible studies for different age
groups. The day comes to a close with the Compline Service (Husgoom)
at 9:45 pm.
The Instructors and the leaders of the Institute this year are: His
Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian (Vicar General), Rev. Fr. Khoren
Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian,
Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian,
Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian (Institute Director), Rev. Hovnan Bozoian,
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Dn. Harout Takvorian,
Dn. Bedros Kalajian, Dn. James Haddad, Yn. Joanna Baghsarian,
Mrs. Maral Doghramadjian, Mrs. Maggie Kouyoumdjian, Ms. Tamar
Lakissian and Ms. Jeanette Nazarian. The Institute will have three
guest lecturers: Fr. Paul Tarazi, Professor of Biblical Studies at
St. Valdimir’s Theological Seminary, S. Peter Cowe, Professor of
Armenian Studies at UCLA, and Siobhan Nash-Marshall, Professor of
Philosophy at Manhattanville College.
For information about the Datev Institute, please visit the Prelacy
website at
or contact the AREC office at 212 689 4481.
Datevatsies from the New York-New Jersey area came to the Prelacy
yesterday to assemble program materials for the participants of the
Datev Summer Program that will begin this Sunday.
SUMMER CAMP FOR ORPHANS BEGINS NEXT WEEK IN ARMENIA
The 4th annual summer camp for orphans will take place in Dzaghgatzor,
Armenia, next week, July 4 to 11. Sponsored by 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 directed by Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of
St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, with the help of
the Prelacy’s Armenia office, the St. Nerses the Great Charitable
Organization.
Two photographs from last year’s camp session showing daily activities
that include outdoor exercise and Bible studies.
NAREG ARMENIAN SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY
The closing hantes and graduation ceremonies of the Nareg Armenian
School took place last Sunday following the Divine Liturgy at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
Archbishop Oshagan presided over the Divine Liturgy and the Nareg
School’s graduation and hantes. His Eminence offered the opening and
closing prayers, as well as words of encouragement and praise for
Rev. Fr. Hovnan
Bozoian, the students, teachers and administrators. He stressed the
importance of learning the Armenian language and literature by
upcoming generations. In this respect he noted the important role
played by the Nareg Armenian School.
Students of lower grades perform at the Nareg Armenian School’s
closing hantes.
Graduates of the Nareg School.
Archbishop Oshagan, Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, with the graduates of the
upper grade with principal and teachers.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, June 30, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, (Eve
of the Fast of Transfiguration), are: Isaiah 3:1-11; Romans 11:13-24;
Matthew 14:13-21
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a
deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed
him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd;
and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was
evening, the disciples came
to him and said, `This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late;
send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy
food
for themselves.’ Jesus said to them, `They need not go away; you give
them something to eat.’ They replied, `We have nothing here but five
loaves and two fish.’ And he said, `Bring them here to me.’ Then he
ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves
and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the
loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to
the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took
up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And
those
who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and
children. (Matthew
14:13-21)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().
ELISHA THE PROPHET
Today, Thursday, June 27, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of
Elisha the Prophet, whose life and works are recorded in 1 and 2
Kings. Elisha (`God is Salvation’), was a disciple of the Prophet
Elijah,
who at God’s command anointed Elisha to be his successor much like
Jesus later did in calling his disciples in Galilee.
Elisha performs miracles, healing the sick and reviving the dead. His
message to his followers was that they should return to traditional
religious practices and acknowledge God’s sovereignty over all aspects
of life. When he healed the sick it was to demonstrate God’s power
over life and death; when he helped in battle, it was to demonstrate
God’s
power over nations.
TWELVE APOSTLES OF CHRIST AND SAINT PAUL, THE THIRTEENTH APOSTLE
This Saturday, June 29, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of
the Twelve Apostles of Christ and Saint Paul, who is considered the
thirteenth apostle.
Jesus selected twelve apostles to carry on His work and instructed
them to
preach and to baptize converts all over the world (Mt. 28:19-20). He
gave the title `apostle’ to the twelve (Luke 6:13; Mark 3:14). The
word apostle derives from the Greek word apostellein (arakyal in
Armenian). The apostles dedicated their lives to spreading the Word
and fulfilling
the sacred mission entrusted to them. Their mission was not just to
transmit the message, but to put it into practice.
Paul was initially an enemy of Christians and persecuted them. He had
a vision on the road to Damascus and became a fervent Christian
convert and was
subsequently responsible in large measure for the rapid spread of the
new religion. Most of the New Testament (aside from the four Gospels)
is from the writings of Paul.
The Armenian Church has its roots in the apostolic ministry and
succession
(Thaddeus and Bartholomew) and is therefore known as `apostolic,’
(arakelagan). The apostles and their immediate successors (including
the Armenian Church) defended the Orthodox faith and kept it pure.
PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF TRANSFIGURATION
This Sunday, June 30, the sixth Sunday after Pentecost, is the
Paregentan of the Fast of the Transfiguration-the five-day (Monday to
Friday) period of fasting prior to the Feast of the Transfiguration
(Aylagerboutyan
/ Vartavar), which is next Sunday, July 7.
NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
COMMITTEE ON RITES MEETS IN ANTELIAS
The committee appointed by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II and His
Holiness Catholicos Aram I convened a two-day meeting at the
Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon. The
committee is reviewing current ritual ceremonies of the Armenian
Church and will propose changes to the Conference of Bishops scheduled
to take place in Etchmiadzin in the autumn.
The representatives from the Holy See of Etchmiadzin are: Bishop
Michael Atchabahyan, Bishop Arshag Khachatourian, Bishop Vahan
Hovhannessian, and V.
Rev. Fr. Zakaria Paghoumian. The representatives from the Holy See of
Cilicia are: Archbishop Gomitas Ohanian, Archbishop Kegham Khacherian,
and V. Rev. Krikor Chiftjian. Guest clergy attendees included
Archbishop Varoujan Herkelian and Archbishop Nareg Alemezian from the
Catholicosate of Cilicia, and V. Rev. Fr. Tatoul Anoushian from the
Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Catholicos Aram hosted the committee members at a luncheon on the
first day. In his welcoming remarks, His Holiness emphasized the
importance and urgency of their task.
ORDINATIONS IN ANTELIAS
Three new celibate priests were ordained last weekend at the Cathedral
of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon.
The ordination ceremonies began Saturday evening when Deacons Sepastia
Tarkhanian, Hampartsoum Balekjian, and Antranig Dalkourgian took the
oath according to the canons of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in the
presence of His
Holiness Aram I, the members of the Cilician Brotherhood, and the
faithful
gathered in the Cathedral. The new priests were renamed Vahrich,
Vatche, Vigen, respectively
On Sunday, His Holiness presided over the Holy Liturgy and Bishop
Shahe Panossian, Pontifical Delegate to the Gulf countries, officiated
over the ordination ceremony. Bishop Shahe chose Matthew 19:16-30, the
parable of the Rich Young Man and the Kingdom of God, as the lesson of
the day. At the end of his sermon, Bishop Shahe congratulated the
director and staff of the Seminary and expressed thanks to the
Catholicos for his pastoral care.
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
The Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief is a joint effort of: Armenian
Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy); Armenian Catholic
Eparchy; Armenian
Evangelical Union of North America; Armenian Relief Society (Eastern
USA, Inc.); Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
Death of Hovhannes Abelian (July 1, 1936)
The three Abelian brothers, originally from Shamakha (current
Azerbaijan),
became noteworthy personalities in different aspects of Armenian
culture and history in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The
elder brother, Nerses (1855-1933), an engineer by trade, was among the
students who founded the Union of Patriots (1882) in Moscow, one of
the first Armenian political
groups in the Russian Empire. The middle brother, Alexander
(1858-1940), was a prolific playwright, and the younger one,
Hovhannes, turned to be one of the stars of Armenian theater for more
than fifty years.
Hovhannes Abelian was born in 1865 in Shamakha. After the violent
earthquake of 1872, most of the Armenian population of the city
started to move to Baku, which was coincidental to the development of
this city as a world-known oil center. The young Hovhannes gave his
first steps on the stage in 1882, in a Russian group. He moved to
Tiflis (Tbilisi), the main Armenian cultural center of the Caucasus,
in 1886 and entered the playgroup of the
Armenian Dramatic Club. He lived and played between Tiflis and Baku
for the next two decades, and became an unsurpassed interpreter of the
works of famous playwright Shirvanzade (Alexander Movsisian,
1858-1935), who incidentally was his cousin. He played some 300 roles
in his long career, including
plays by Gabriel Sundukian, Levon Shant, and Hagop Baronian, but also
works by Russian and European playwrights, from Nikolai Gogol to
William Shakespeare.
In 1908 Abelian joined forces with another famous Armenian actor,
Armen Armenian (1871-1965), brother of theater director and playwright
Kaspar Ipekian (the founder of the Hamazkayin theater group in
Lebanon, 1883-1952). The
Abelian-Armenian Theater Group, with several very important names in
the cast, started a three-year long tour of Armenian cities and
communities in Eastern Armenia, the Caucasus, Western Armenia, Iran,
and Turkey. In 1909 it
went to Constantinople and another famous actor, Hovhannes Zarifian
(1879-1936), joined them. After several performances in the Ottoman
capital, following the cultural revival brought by the restoration of
the Ottoman Constitution in 1908, the Abelian-Armenian-Zarifian
Theater Group divided into three branches, which performed in Smyrna
(Izmir), Anatolia, and the third one, led by Abelian and Zarifian, in
Izmit, Bardizag, Adapazar, Eskishehir, and Rodosto (Tekirdag). They
ended their run in 1911, with performances in Baku, Nor Nakhichevan,
and Moscow.
During the 1910s, Abelian-who was equally qualified to play in
Armenian and Russian productions-continued his professional activities
and performed in the Caucasus, but also in Moscow and Petersburg, as
well as Iran and Central Asia. He left the Caucasus in September 1920
and moved abroad with his family. For the next three years, he
performed in Constantinople, Smyrna, Cairo, Alexandria, Berlin, (where
he played `Othello’ with a German group, performing his signature role
of Othello in
Armenian), Paris, Brussels, and London. He arrived in the United
States in
1923 and performed in many communities on the East Coast and the
Midwest (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Chicago) for the
next two years.
However, Abelian’s aim was not to stay abroad. In 1925 he accepted
an invitation of the government of Soviet Armenia and settled in
Yerevan. He was conferred with the title of Popular Artist of the
Republic in 1925 and entered the First Theater (now the Sundukian
Theater). He would continue
to play with the same enthusiasm and talent of his younger years until
his
death on the stage, in Yerevan, at the age of 71. The dramatic theater
of Vanadzor, the third city of Armenia, bears his name.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
MESSIAH
Messiah is a graphic story of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and
resurrection in Western Armenian, printed in Japan and illustrated in
the Japanese Manga comic style.
Messiah, 287 pages, softcover, $18.00, plus shipping & handling.
Letters from Syria 1921-1923:A Response to the Armenian Tragedy
By Nellie Miller-Mann
Transcribed and Edited by David M. Mann
Foreword by Shant Mardirossian, chairman of Near East Foundation
Letters from Syria 1921-1923, is a compilation of letters, reports,
and photographs by Nellie Miller-Mann, who served as secretary for the
Near East Relief offices in Beirut, Lebanon. The book chronicles the
suffering of the
refugees and the aid provided by the Near East Relief.
Letters from Syria 1921-1923: A response to the Armenian Tragedy, 228
pages, softcover, $16.00, plus shipping & handling.
To order this book or for information about any other book contact the
Prelacy Bookstore by email ([email protected]) or by telephone
(212-689-7810).
A radiant rainbow embraced St. Stephen’s Church inWatertown,
Massachusetts last week.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 2 to June 30-`History of Armenia: Past, Present, Future,’ a series
of eight seminars presented on Thursdays, 7 pm to 8:30
pm, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York
City. Sponsored by the Cathedral and the UN Armenian
Mission. Facilitator:
Artur Martirosyan, Ph.D.
June 30-Brunch and Talent Show, organized and hosted by the Ladies
Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York, at 1 pm, under the
auspices of Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian. Adults $15.00; Children
$10.00. For
information: 212-689-5880.
July 7-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Outdoor Family Event,
following church services on the Feast of Transfiguration,
Vartivar. Everyone, especially the youth, is invited to join in water
games on the lawn next to the church.
June 30-July 7-27th Annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute, at St. Mary
of Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the
Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Cou8ncil (AREC). For
information contact the AREC office3 by email
([email protected]) or phone (212-689-7810).
June 30-Brunch and Talent Show with guest performers `Hayer’ Band, at
St. Illuminator’s John Pashalian Hall, under the auspices of
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian. Organized and prepared by the Cathedral
Ladies Guild. Admission $15.00; for information/reservations:
212-689-5880.
July 4-11-4th Annual Summer Camp for Orphans will take place in
Dzaghgztazor, Armenia, sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy. Orphans ages
13 to 16 who are enrolled in the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship program
are eligible to attend to learn about the Armenian Church and
history. The week
long program includes Bible study and prayers and meditation combined
with
summer fun activities and fellowship with other campers. For more
information contact Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian by email
([email protected]) or by phone (508-865-2454).
July 8-19-8th Annual Summer Camp program at St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York.
July 13-`A Hye Summer Night VII’ Dinner Dance sponsored by Ladies
Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church and Armenian Relief Society
`Ani’ Chapter of Providence, Rhode Island, at the Providence Marriott
Hotel, One Orms Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02904, 6 pm to
1 am. Featuring: Joe Kouyoumjian (oud), Brian Ansbigian (oud), David
Ansbigian (oud), Leon Janikian (clarinet), Ken Kalajian (guitar),
Jason Naroian (dumbeg), Armen Janigian (Daf). For tickets ($50 per
person) and information: Joyce Bagdasarian (401-434-4467); Joyce
Yeremian (401-354-8770).
July 21-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, will present FOUND, a
play by Ms. Anoush Baghdassarian, about a woman’s experience through
the Genocide. Presented following the Divine Liturgy. Open discussion
will take place after the presentation with the director and the
cast. Contact the church office for information: 718-224-2275.
August 4-Annual picnic of St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, at Camp Haiastan, 722 Summer Street, Franklin,
Massachusetts 02038. Delicious food, music and more from 12 noon to 5
pm. For information, 617-924-7562, visit online at
or on Facebook.
August 18-Annual Picnic of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, 12 noon on the church grounds, 315 Church Street,
Whitinsville, immediately following the Divine Liturgy celebrated by
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian who will also officiate the Blessing of
the Grapes ceremony with the participation of New England
clergy. Delicious Armenian food, homemade baked goods. Listen and
dance to traditional live Armenian music by the
Mugrditchian Band. For information: 508-234-3677.
August 18-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Blessing of the
Grapes and Family Fun Picnic, at Lakeshore Park, 601 South Lake Drive,
Novi,
Michigan. Food, music, dancing, magic show, volleyball, soccer, tavlou
tournament, mountain biking, swimming.
August 18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, New Jersey, Annual Picnic and
Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Parki, Wild Duck
Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts and
crafts and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more.
September 5 to October 3-`A Brief Introduction to Modern Armenian
Literature,’ a series of five seminars presented on Thursdays, 7 pm to
8:30 pm, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New
York City. Sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee
(ANEC) and the Cathedral. Presented by Vartan Matiossian, Ph.D.
September 7-Teachers’ Seminar sponsored by the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC) at the Prelacy offices, 138 E. 39th Street,
New York City, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Details will follow.
September 15-Book Presentation at Pashalian Hall, St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, New York, of `One Church One Nation’
by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian.
October 5-Symposium `Armenian Women as Artists and Mothers,’ 2-6 pm,
sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) at
St. Illuminator Cathedral Pashalian Hall, 221 East 27th Street, New
York City, in celebration of the Year of the Mother of the Armenian
Family. Lecturers: Melissa Bilal (Columbia University), Jennifer
Manoukian (Columbia University), and Vartan Matiossian (ANEC).
October 19-Armenian Friends of America presents `Hye Kef 5′ featuring
musicians Leon Janikian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken
Kalajian, Ron Raphaelian, and Jay Baronian, 7:30-12:30, Michael’s
Function Hall, 12 Alpha Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Proceeds
to benefit all Armenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New
Hampshire. Tickets: $40 adults; $30 students; includes
individually-served mezza platters. For information/reservations: John
Arzigian 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan 978-251-8687; Scott Sahagian
617-699-3581; Peter Gulezian 978-375-1616.
November 15-16-17-Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen
Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
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: Baghdasarian