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:
January 17, 2013
YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN MOTHER
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilcia, has
declared 2013 as the `Year of the Armenian Mother.’
In his Pontifical message informing all of the dioceses under the
jurisdiction of the Cilician See of his decision, the Catholicos
describes the mother in the Bible; the mother in the teachings of our
Church Fathers; The mother in the life of the Armenian nation; and the
mother today in the face of new challenges.
His Holiness suggests that during the entire year our parishes and
organizations should recognize the role the Armenian mother has
played; the
profound love and honor for mothers should be reaffirmed; and the role
and
true image of the Armenian mother should be kept alive and active.
In his conclusion, the Catholicos asked the clergy and lay leaders of
the dioceses to focus on the theme of motherhood with activities to
help
define the new profile of the mother in the family, the church, the
community, and society.
MEETING IN ANTELIAS
Archbishop Oshagan traveled to Lebanon where he is participating in
a meeting with His Holiness Aram I and the Central Religious and
Executive
Councils of the Catholicosate and all the Prelates serving the Holy
See of
Cilicia.
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO ROME
>From Lebanon Archbishop Oshagan will travel to the Vatican where he
will participate in the Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue
between the Roman Catholic and Oriental Orthodox churches. This is the
tenth plenary meeting of the Commission. Archbishop Oshagan and
Archbishop Nareg Alemezian are representing the Armenian Church
(Catholicosate of Cilicia). The meetings will begin Monday, January 21
and conclude on Saturday, January 26.
The Oriental Orthodox Churches include the Armenian Church, Coptic
Church, Syrian Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Church, and Eritrean Church.
ANNUAL GHEVONTIANTZ CLERGY GATHERING
The annual clergy gathering and conference on the occasion of the
Feast of St. Ghevont and the Priests, will take place from January 28
to 31.
This year the three North American Prelacies (Eastern, Western, and
Canadian) will join to celebrate this holiday. The conference is
hosted by the Western Prelacy and will take place at St. Gregory
Church, San
Francisco.
ST. ILLUMINATOR’S SATURDAY SCHOOL BEGINS
The all new academic program for the Saturday school of
St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York, began last Saturday to a
rousing welcome by students and parents. The school, which meets every
Saturday from 9:45
am to 1 pm, will continue through May 18. Classes are held at the
Armenian
Center in Woodside, New York.
Armenian music, laughter, and balloons filled the halls and classrooms
of the school as the organizing committee registered students and
showed them the renovated classrooms. Parents and children filled the
school’s main hall, to hear Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the
Cathedral and acting principal of the school, offer an opening prayer
and words of welcome.
Following a reception for students and parents, the children were
introduced to the teachers and then participated in special opening
day activities that had been planned by the organizing committee.
The classrooms and hallways of the school were refurbished and the
committee’s goal is to provide the students with a safe and happy
place to learn and grow with their Armenian friends. Part of the
opening day activities included the students leaving their handprints
on the wall near the entrance. The children were given a choice of
paint color in which they dipped their hands and with great joy left
their imprint on the wall.
Students enjoyed first day activities in their classrooms and then
the older students invited the younger students to watch their
presentation of a short skit in Armenian about a little turtle that
helps his friends when they need help.
Der Mesrob expressed thanks to the organizing committee and the
parents for an inspiring opening day and the beginning of a successful
academic year.
Registration is still open. Forms can be obtained at
[email protected] or at
(). Copies are also available at
the Cathedral office.
Opening day at St. Illuminator’s Saturday School was enjoyed by
students and teachers, shown here with Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
pastor and acting principal.
Younger students watch a skit by the older students.
Students prepare to leave their handprint on the wall.
MORE CHRISTMAS
Christmas at All Saints Church, Glenview, Illinois
Archpriest Fr. Zareh Sahagian, pastor of All Saints Church, Glenview,
Illinois, with the altar servers and Godfather during the Blessing of
the Water
ceremony.
Young parishioners taking part in Nativity services at All Saints
Church.
Christmas at New York Armenian Home
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian and Deacon Shant Kazanjian visited the
residents
of the New York Armenian Home, in Flushing, New York on January
10. After a beautiful Armenian Christmas service, Der Hayr and
Dn. Shant sang some songs for the residents. Der Hayr presented each
of the residents with beautiful scarves from Armenia. The residents
were very glad to be remembered and
gratefully accepted the gifts.
PRELACY LENTEN PROGRAM WILL BEGIN FEBRUARY 13
The Prelacy Lenten Lecture series, which will focus on `The Year of
the Armenian Mother,’ will begin on Wednesday, February 13 and
continue to March 20. The lectures will take place on Wednesdays of
Great Lent under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan. The
program includes a Service at 7:30 pm, followed by a lecture and Q&A
at 8 pm, and table fellowship at 8:45 pm.
The Lenten program is sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), and the
Ladies’ guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral. All of the lectures will
take place at the Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City.
For a listing of the topics and speakers click here
().
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, January 20, First Sunday after Nativity
(Eve of the Fast of the Catechumens) are: Isaiah 61:10-62:9; 2 Timothy
2:15-26; John 6: 15-21.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a
worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of
truth. Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and
more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are
Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth by claiming
that the resurrection has
already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s
firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: `The Lord knows
those who are him,’ and, `Let everyone who calls on the name of the
Lord turn away from wickedness.’
In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but
also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. All
who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become
special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house,
ready for every good work. Shun youthful passions and pursue
righteousness, faith, love, and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing
to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they
breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but
kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with
gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to
know the truth, and that
they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive
by him to do his will. (2 Timothy:2-15-26)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here
().
A NOTE ABOUT THE READINGS
There are no Bible readings according to the Armenian Liturgical
calendar four days next week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and
Thursday, January 21, 22, 23, and 24.
These four days without designated readings coincide with the Fast of
the Catechumens, which begins Monday and ends on Friday. There is only
one Bible reading for Friday, January 25, from the Book of Jonah. This
period is traditionally a time for reflection and repentance, and a
time for the
clergy and laity to witness their faith to the unbaptized who are
preparing for baptism. The Fast of the Catechumens, which is unique to
the Armenian
Church, leads to the Church’s remembrance of the prophet Jonah, whose
`entombment’ in the belly of the whale represents the three-day burial
of Jesus, and Jonah’s release represents the resurrection of our Lord.
PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF THE CATECHUMENS
This Sunday, January 20, is the Paregentan (Mardi Gras) of the Fast
of the Catechumens. A catechumen is someone who is receiving
instruction in the fundamentals of the faith while preparing for
baptism. This occurs three weeks before Poun Paregentan (Eve of Great
Lent) and ten weeks before Easter. The Fast of the Catechumens is five
days of strict fast (dzom). Traditionally, the Catechumens were
instructed for several hours daily and required to stand through every
church service, separate from the baptized congregation. This
continued until Easter when the catechumens were baptized and anointed
and received their first communion.
ST. THEODOSIUS THE GREAT
This Saturday, January 19, the Armenian Church commemorates
Theodosius, the Roman Emperor who put an end to the last of paganism
and the Arian
heresy in the empire. He was recognized as a `just and mighty
Christian emperor,’ and was called `the Great.’ During his reign he
devoted considerable time and energy to the establishment of the
universal and orthodox faith and was co-publisher of the edict that
all subjects should profess the faith of the Bishops of Rome and
Alexandria.
PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS VISITS HIS HOLINESS
The President of Cyprus, Dimitrios Christofias, visited the Cilician
See in Antelias last week. Accompanying the President was an 18-member
delegation.
The President and Catholicos met privately where they discussed
relations between Cyprus and Lebanon, Cyprus and Armenia, and the
Armenian community in Cyprus. They then met with the Cypriot
delegation, members of the
Executive Council of the Catholicosate, and Armenian members of the
Lebanese government and members of parliament.
In his welcoming remarks, His Holiness spoke about the long and warm
relations between the Cypriots and Armenians. He spoke about the
occupation of northern Cyprus by Turkey, and called for the withdrawal
of all Turkish forces from Cyprus. He encouraged the President to
continue pursuing justice through international law. President
Christofias expressed his agreement with the Catholicos and reaffirmed
the solidarity of the people of Cyprus with the Armenian cause.
All participants walked to the Genocide Memorial where the President
laid a wreath. In the evening His Holiness attended a dinner given by
the
President of Lebanon, Michel Sulaiman, in honor of President
Christoforas.
REPRESENTATIVES OF ACUSA MEET WITH CATHOLICOS
Representatives of the Armenian Church University Students Association
(ACUSA) met with His Holiness in December to discuss plans for future
activities, including the most immediate task of establishing a
network of former members of ACUSA in Lebanon and the Diaspora. The
Catholicos appointed a committee of eleven women and men to lead this
effort and other initiatives. His Holiness expressed his good wishes
to the ACUSA representatives and wished them a happy and successful
New Year and blessed celebration of the Holy Nativity.
MUSLIM SCHOLARS MEET WITH HIS HOLINESS
Sunni and Shiite scholars representing the Association of Muslim
Scholars of Lebanon met with His Holiness Aram I on Tuesday to discuss
three main issues: Strengthening Christian and Muslim relations; the
social role of religion; and the proposed new election law.
In discussing the issues with the scholars, His Holiness stated his
thoughts as follows: Christian-Muslim dialogue should be strengthened
in the region and particularly in Lebanon, because the current
problems of the region concern both religions. Therefore it is
imperative that they work together; our two religions not only teach
the faith, but also teach a lifestyle and set of values to be
translated into action for the service of the community. We should,
therefore, assume our responsibility; the new electoral law should
allow different communities to have their say in the election of their
representatives, and at the same time safeguard the internal unity
of the country.
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.
NEW YORK AREA YOUTH RAISE $2,000 FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF
Two thousand dollars was raised by five Armenian youth organizations
during their 8th annual Thanksgiving party for the Fund for Syrian
Armenian Relief. A check was presented to Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
Pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and a member of the Prelacy’s
Religious Council, who accepted the check and expressed gratitude on
behalf of
Archbishop Oshagan.
The five organizations are: AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New
York; Armenian Network, Greater New York Region; New York Armenian
Students Association; AYF-YOARF New Jersey Arsen Chapter; and
AYF-YOARF, New York
Hyortik Chapter.
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian accepts a check of $2,000 from Raffi
Hovsepian of the New York Armenian Students Association, for Syrian
Armenian relief. The money was raised at a Thanksgiving party of five
youth organizations in the New York metro area.
DEATH OF BEDROS TOURIAN (January 21, 1872)
It has been said that Armenian literature had two great foes whose
names started with the letter Õ© (t): tuberculosis (Õ©Õ¸Ö=84Õ¡Õ-Õ¿,
tokakhd) and Turks (Õ©Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Ö=84Õ¥Ö=80). Five famous poets were
among the victims of the terrible illness, related to poverty and
malnourishment. One of them was Bedros Tourian, the great name of
Armenian romanticism.
Tourian was born in Scutari, a suburb of Constantinople, on May 20,
1851 (Julian calendar, equivalent to June 1 in the Gregorian
calendar). His father, Abraham Zmbayan, was a struggling blacksmith in
a poverty stricken family, named after his profession (Turkish zımba
`chisel’), from which his son derived the Armenian translation Tourian
(Armenian Õ¤Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80[tour]`chisel’).
Young Bedros studied at the Armenian lyceum of Scutari, where he was a
pupil of the future great Armenian satirist, Hagop Baronian
(1843-1891). He was thirteen when he wrote his first poem. He was
particularly interested in theater. He read Lamartine, Victor Hugo,
Alfred de Musset, and other
contemporaries of French romanticism. In 1866 he wrote his first play,
=80=9CVart and Shushan.’ Another noted contemporary, poet Meguerdich
Beshigtashlian (1828-1868), who would die of tuberculosis shortly
thereafter, read it and exclaimed: `This young boy will overcome me.’
He finished school in 1867 and started working to help his parents.
He first was a secretary for a moneylender and then for a
merchant. However, he soon left these menial jobs to devote himself to
literary and theatrical works. He worked on the editorial board of the
newspaper Orakir and gave private lessons, and later became an actor
in Hagop Vartovian’s theatrical group. On the advice of the latter, he
started to write plays. Some of them were performed during his
lifetime, mostly being historical plays which were the favorite of the
Armenian public. His tragedy `Artashes I the Conqueror’ brought him 10
golden Turkish pounds, but his
other plays did not ensure financial gains, although they were warmly
received by the public. He wrote a total of 10 plays and also
translated Shakespeare’s `Macbeth’ into Armenian. His last play,
=80=9CTheater or the Wretched,’ abandoned the historical subject for
social and realist issues, opening a new page in Armenian theatrical
literature.
He was famous for his plays during his life, but he became a
celebrated poem after his death. He wrote a total of 39 poems, of
which 26 were composed in his last year of life. His patriotic poems
did not survive time,
but his lyrical and love pieces ensured him a place in the pantheon of
Armenian poetry. Early in 1871, the first signs of the feared
tuberculosis appeared. Some of his most well-known pieces, such as
`Lake’ and `Complaint,’ were written at that time. Aware of his
forthcoming end, he rode the roller coaster of emotion, complaining to
the Almighty in one poem and beseeching forgiveness in
another. Unrealized dreams and an anxiety to live caused him deep pain
and sorrow, which are reflected
in his writing. He did not publish any book in his lifetime, but a
volume of his poems and plays was posthumously printed in 1872 by a
group of friends and admirers. An English translation of his complete
poems by James Russell has been published by Harvard University Press.
On February 2 2012, Bedros Tourian’s relics (fragments of his skull)
mixed
with the soil brought from the poet’s grave from the Armenian cemetery
of Constantinople were placed in the memorial wall at Yerevan Pantheon
Cemetery.
Tourian passed away on January 21, 1872. He was 21 years old. The
Armenian community wished to do a solemn burial. The youth requested
Patriarch Meguerdich Khrimian (Khrimian Hayrig) to allow the burial
with an orchestra. Khrimian, visibly moved, answered: `I don’t allow
it, but I pardon it.’ The coffin was followed by 4,000 youngsters. The
poet was buried in the cemetery of Scutari. His friends built a
memorial; the inscription was written by Tourian’s young brother, who
later would become Patriarch Yeghishe Tourian (1852-1930), also a poet
and writer.
()
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
JUST ARRIVED!
HISTORICAL ATLAS OF ARMENIA
ONLY 1 DAY TO ORDER ATLAS AT PRE-PUBLICATION PRICE
Shipment of the new Historical Atlas of Armenia arrived today. The
special pre-publication offer ends tomorrow, January 18. So, don’t
delay; secure your copies now at a good saving, plus free
shipping. The Atlas comes with a companion CD that includes all of the
maps.
Historical Atlas of Armenia
Thirty maps, 174 color and monochrome photographs and CD-ROM.
Softcover, 110 pages
Pre-Publication offer: $35 (including shipping)
After January 18: $40 plus shipping
Order by phone (212-689-7810) or email ([email protected]).
ARMENIAN PRESENCE AT AWARDS CEREMONIES
Last week two major award ceremonies took place: The Golden Globe
Awards and the People’s Choice Awards, and there were some Armenian
connections to both.
At the Golden Globe’s Katherine Sarafian, producer of the animated
feature film, `Brave,’ was the winner in the =80=9CBest Animated
Feature Film’ category. Her film has also been nominated for the
upcoming Academy Awards and the Annie Awards.
Also at the Golden Globes, producer Steven Shareshian won for his
`Game Change,’ selected as the best TV movie. This was his
second Golden Globe.
And at the People’s Choice Awards, Hooshere Bezdikian was a
credited producer of the nationally televised award show. Hooshere
manages
creative aspects of the live telecast, and is the Executive Producer
of the `Live Red Carpet Arrivals’ special. She is in charge of all
digital properties for the franchise.
Congratulations to all.
INAUGURATION DAY
This Monday, January 21, is Presidential Inauguration Day. The 20th
amendment of the U.S. Constitution sets the date of inauguration as
January 20 (prior to the amendment the date was March 4). When the
20th falls on a Sunday, as is the case this year, public inauguration
ceremonies take place on Monday, January 21. However, a small private
swearing-in ceremony will take place on Sunday. Both days the oath of
office will be administered by the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme
Court.
HRANT DINK ANNIVERSARY
This Saturday, January 19, marks the 6th anniversary of the
assassination of Hrant Dink, the out-spoken and brave editor of the
influential Turkish Armenian newspaper, Agos, the first newspaper in
Turkey to be published in Turkish and Armenian.
Dink was one of Turkey’s most prominent Armenian voices and, despite
threats on his life, he refused to remain silent. He always said
his aim was to improve the difficult relationship between Turks and
Armenians. He focused on issues of free speech, minority rights, civic
rights, injustice, and issues pertaining to the Armenian community in
Turkey. In his public speeches he never refrained from using the word
genocide when talking about the Armenian Genocide.
Hrant Dink was featured in the 2006 genocide documentary film
Screamers in which he explained: `There are Turks who don’t admit that
their ancestors committed genocide. If you look at it though, they
seem to be nice people…. So why don’t they admit it? Because
they think that genocide is a bad thing which they would never want to
commit and because they can’t believe their ancestors would do such a
thing either.’
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
This Monday, January 21, is a federal holiday honoring Martin Luther
King, Jr.
Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929. He attended public schools in
Georgia and graduated from high school at age 15. He received the
B.A. degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta. After three years of
theological study at Crozser Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, he
received the B.D. degree and continued graduate studies at Boston
University where he successfully completed his doctoral studies in
1955. Two years later he was elected president of the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference, an organization formed to provide new
leadership for the civil rights movement. King took
the ideals of this organization from Christianity and its operation al
techniques from Gandhi. From 1957 to 1968 he traveled more than six
million miles and delivered more than 2,500 speeches, appearing
wherever there was injustice, believing that injustice anywhere is
injustice everywhere. In 1964, at age 35, he received the Nobel Peace
Prize. Four years later, on April 4, 1968, he was assassinated in
Memphis, Tennessee.
May the memory of the righteous be forever blessed and honored.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
January 27-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, 43rd
Anniversary Dinner and Program following the Divine Liturgy celebrated
by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian.
January 27-`Enemy of the People,’ a documentary film by Zareh
Tjeknavorian, followed by a Q&A with the director, sponsored by
Hamazkayin of New York at Pashalian Hall, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral,
221 East 27th Street, New York, at 1 pm. Suggested donation:
$5.00. For information: Shushan, 347-337-8786.
January 29-31-Annual Ghevontianz Joint Clergy Conference of three
North American Prelacies, hosted by the Western Prelacy and
St. Gregory Church, San Francisco, California.
February 9-All Saints Armenian Church, Glenview, Illinois, 6th Annual
Poon Paregentan Celebration (Ethnic Food Festival), 7 pm, at
Shahnasarian Hall, 1701 N. Greenwood, Glenview, Illinois. For more
details, 847-998-1989.
February 17-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, Annual
Membership Meeting and Luncheon following the Divine Liturgy.
February 22-Second Annual Presentation of Young Authors, organized
b6y the New York Chapter of Hamazkayin. Contemporary Armenian American
authors (Nancy Agabian, Christopher Atamian, Alan Semerdjian, Aida
Zilelian-Silak) will read excerpts from their works at Waltz Astoria,
23-14 Ditmars Boulevard, Astoria, NY, at 8 pm. For information: Arevig
718-459-2757
February 23-Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for pastors,
boards of trustees, and NRA delegates, hosted by St. Gregory Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania beginning at 10 am and concluding at 4 pm.
February 23-`Armenia Unseen-Among the Mountains, Valleys and
Villages,’ a visual presentation by Joe Dagdigian, sponsored by the
Lowell `Aharonian’ Gomideh, 6 pm, at St. Gregory Church, 158 Main
Street, North Andover, Massachusetts. Dinner and program
and update on events in Syria by Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian. All
proceeds will benefit Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund. $20 adults; $10
students.
March 16-Annual New England Regional Conference for pastors, boards of
trustees, and NRA delegates, hosted by St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts, beginning at 10 am and concluding at 4 pm.
May 16, 17, 18-National Representative Assembly hosted by Soorp Khatch
Church, Bethesda, Maryland.
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]
http://www.armenianprelacy.org/
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www.stilluminators.org