PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website:
Contact: Iris Papazian
September 29, 2005
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO CANADA SATURDAY
TO JOIN ENTOURAGE OF CATHOLICOS ARAM I
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan will travel to Toronto, Canada this Saturday
to join the entourage of Catholicos Aram I. His Holiness is currently on a
Pontifical Visit to Canada, which will end on October 4. The Prelate will
accompany His Holiness to California where the Catholicos will begin his
Pontifical Visit to the Western Prelacy on October 5 through to October 19.
From California His Holiness will travel to New York to begin his visit
to the Eastern Prelacy. He will arrive in New York on Wednesday evening,
October 19 and continue through to November 1 when he will return to
Antelias.
For complete details about His Holiness’s visit to the Eastern Prelacy
CATHOLICOS VISITS CANADIAN CENTER FOR ECUMENISM;
MEETS WITH ARMENIAN YOUTH IN MONTREAL
His Holiness Aram I visited the Canadian Center for Ecumenism on
September 27, accompanied by Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada;
V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communications Officer of the Catholicosate;
Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirosian, Staffbearer; and Rev. Fr. Karnig Koyounian,
Pastor of Sourp Hagop Cathedral, Montreal, Canada.
Dr. Stuart E. Brown, Director of the Center, greeted His Holiness and
his entourage, and welcomed them to a meeting with the Orthodox, Catholic,
Anglican and Evangelical members of the Council as well as the employees of
the Center. Participants stressed the importance of the Ecumenical Movement
for churches, pointing out that ecumenism paved the way to a mutual
recognition of one another and tolerance, which in turn brought various
Christian Churches together.
“Churches and religions cannot isolate themselves in today’s borderless
society. Religions and particularly Christian churches should recognize one
another, tolerate their differences and look for means of cooperation,” said
His Holiness.
The Catholicos met with Armenian youth of Montreal on the evening of
September 26, at which time he had the opportunity to listen to their
concerns, views and proposals regarding various issues. More than 200 young
adults were given the opportunity to ask questions, express their concerns
and expectations. For more than two hours His Holiness listened and showed
his understanding of youthful concerns earning him the title “Catholicos of
the youth”-a leader who speaks their language and understands their
concerns.
“Our Church has an overdue need for reform,” the Catholicos said.
“Reform does not only mean shortening or adapting rites and services. Reform
should include all the areas of our church’s life. Social and moral issues
are part of the church’s reform and these should be discussed according to
the Bible and the theological principals of a Christian Church,” he told the
young people.
The Catholicosate has set up a special committee to gather the different
views regarding reform of the Armenian Church.
HURRICANE RELIEF FUNDS TO GO TO ARMENIAN CHURCH IN LOUISIANA
Ten thousand dollars of relief funds collected by the Prelacy for
Hurricane Katrina relief will be forwarded to St. Garabed Armenian Church in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Church, which serves the New Orleans community,
will distribute the funds to families in need of financial assistance. Many
Armenian families have suffered extensive property loss, but thankfully as
far as we can ascertain, no loss of life.
The Prelate and the Vicar have been in communications with the community
in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, to assess the needs.
Because the Prelacy does not have a parish in Louisiana, it was decided to
send the donation to St. Garabed Church, which is under the jurisdiction of
the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern). Archbishop Oshagan has
maintained contact with Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese,
on this and other matters.
.AND, ANOTHER SUNDAY SCHOOL DONATION FOR HURRICANE RELIEF
Speaking of hurricane relief, another Sunday School has submitted a
donation. A donation of $100 was received from the students of St. Gregory
Church Sunday School (Philadelphia). The Prelate expressed his thanks and
appreciation for the thoughtfulness of the students who wished to make their
own donations to the cause.
Donations are still being accepted. Send your check to Armenian Prelacy,
138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. Indicate “Hurricane Relief” in the
memo area.
MUSICAL ARMENIA CONCERT SET FOR FEBRUARY 26
The Musical Armenia committee has been meeting for several months
planning the 2006 Musical Armenia concert, which will take place February
26, at Carnegie Hall’s Weil Recital Hall. An innovative program will feature
the talented Duo Maesteso from California and Zulal from New York. This
promises to be yet another exciting and exceptional Musical Armenia event.
ST. SARKIS CHURCH (NY) WILL CELEBRATE CULTURAL MONTH
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, has formed a Cultural Committee
and will begin with a series of events in celebration of Armenian Cultural
Month (October).
On Sunday, October 2, several people will offer insights on “Everyday
Legal Issues.” Participating in the presentations are: Simon Bardizbanian,
Esq., Denise Darmanian, Esq., Tamar Harutunian, Esq., and Lori Hatem, Esq.
On Sunday, October 16, Professor Dennis Papazian will lecture on
“Yeghishe and the Real Story Behind the Vartanantz Wars.”
The lectures will take place following church services. For information
contact the church, 718-224-2275.
HOLY PRINCES SAHAK AND HAMAZASP REMEMBERED TODAY
Today, Thursday, September 29, the Armenian Church commemorates the
lives of two princes: Sahak and Hamazasp. The two holy princes lived during
the reign of Emperor Leo and Archbishop Flavian of Constantinople and during
the pontificate of Catholicos Nerses. It was a time of intense Arab
domination. The governorship had been given to Hamazasp, who was from the
Ardzrouni dynasty. He had two brothers, Sahag and Merhouzhan. All three were
considered brave men and dedicated Christians, but there were evil forces
against them. The Arab leader, Harun, who ostensibly called them in
friendship, summoned them. Instead when they came before him, the princes
were given a choice of forsaking their faith in Christ or being tortured to
death. Merhouzhan, renounced Christ and was given authority to rule over the
province of Vasbouragan. Sahak and Hamazasp remained steadfast. Both were
martyred.
72 HOLY DISCIPLES OF CHRIST COMMEMORATED THIS SATURDAY
This Saturday, October 1, the Armenian Church commemorates the 72 holy
disciples of Christ. The reference comes from the Gospel of Luke, chapter
10, verse 1: After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on
ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to
go. (Some versions of the Gospel say 72, rather than 70).
The tradition of the church confirms that the seventy (or seventy-two)
disciples remained true to the Lord and their calling, and spread the
Gospel. They were not random choices, but rather true disciples whose labors
carried the message of the Lord throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. All
of the saints are remembered individually in the calendar of the church, but
this day is set aside to remember them collectively. The number 70 is also
considered to be a reference to Genesis, which speaks of 70 nations of the
world.
“I thank you, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has made us worthy of
dying for your holy name and kept firm our hope in you. You gladdened us
with your consoling Holy Spirit that dwells in us. Glory to you, holy and
consubstantial Trinity, who made my brother distinguish himself earlier by
defeating the adversary; you likewise hearten me by means of this
overflowing cup, Sahag’s blood. O Lord, listen to my prayer through the
shedding of your servant’s blood, who willingly took it upon himself to die
for your great and glorious name. Listen, Lord, to the supplication of your
servant and make my blood worthy to be mixed with that of my brother in
honor of the holy blood which you shed for us. For your name is indeed
glorified through the witness of this labor of our martyrdom. For yours is
dominion and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayer of St. Hamazasp
Translation from The Light of the World: Lives of Armenian Saints, St.
Vartan Press, New York.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 19-November 1-Visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great
House of Cilicia, to the Eastern Prelacy, commemorating the 75th anniversary
of the establishment of the Cilician Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon. For full
details
October 28-29-Mashtots Conference celebrating the 1600th anniversary of the
founding of the Armenian alphabet, at Harvard University. Jointly sponsored
by the Eastern Prelacy and Harvard University Mashtots Chair, Department of
Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations.
November 4, 5, 6-Annual Bazaar and Food Festival, Sts. Vartanantz Church,
461 Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield, NJ. For information, 201-943-2950.
November 6-St. Stephen Armenian Apostolic Church of Hartford-New Britain,
Connecticut, will celebrate its 80th anniversary. Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan will be the keynote speaker. The program will include a slide show
presentation two non-Armenian Peace Corps volunteers who recently returned
from serving in Armenia.
November 11-13-Mini-Datev program for the Midwest parishes.
December 31-New Years Eve dinner-dance, Sts. Vartanantz (NJ) and ARF Dro
Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton. Information: 201-943-2950 or 201-945-0011.
February 26-Musical Armenia 2006 concert, 2 p.m., at Carnegie Hall’s Weil
Recital Hall, New York City. Featuring Duo Maesteso (California) and Zulal
(New York). Watch for details.
March 5-Sts. Vartanantz (NJ) 2006 membership meeting.
March 17-19, 2006-Sunday School Teachers’ Conference at the Wonderland
Conference and Retreat Center in Sharon, MA.
Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
[email protected]
Visit our website at
http://www.armenianprelacy.org
www.armenianprelacy.org