PRESS RELEASE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-0710
Fax: (212) 779-3558
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Email: [email protected]
TOP STORY April
19, 2012
Armenian Genocide
Armenian Martyrs Day
This year Armenian Martyrs Day will be observed in New York through
events on Sunday, April 22, and Tuesday, April 24.
On April 22, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. It will be followed by a requiem
service and the blessing of madagh. The annual Genocide Commemoration
sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Knights and Daughters of Vartan will be
held in Times Square beginning at 2 p.m. (In the event of rain, the
Times Square program will be held in Haik and Alice Kavookjian
Auditorium at the Diocesan Center.) [4]Click here to view a flyer.
Links:
4.
On April 24, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Vartan
Armenian Cathedral at 11 a.m. It will be followed by a requiem service
and a memorial meal. The cathedral will remain open throughout the day
for prayer and remembrance. [5]Click here to view a flyer.
Links:
5.
Local commemorations are planned throughout the Diocese. Check with
[6]your parish to learn about events planned in your area.
Links:
6.
Scripture of the Week
Acts 9:23-31
1 Pt 2:1-10
Jn 2:23-3:12
Prayer of the Week
O Lord, turn not your face from me. O beneficent Lord, I beseech you,
be my helper. O Lord, despise me not and forsake me not. O God, my
Savior. Amen.
Upcoming Saints & Feasts
22 April: Sunday of the World Church (Green Sunday)
24 April: Armenian Martyrs Day
CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin
Armenia Prepares to Mark 500 Years of Printing
During services at Holy Etchmiadzin on Sunday, April 15, Bishop Musheg
Babayan read the message of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, issued on the occasion of
the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing.
`In our nation’s long history of scholarship, the inauguration of
Armenian printing is second in importance only to the invention of the
Armenian alphabet,’ he said. `Armenian printing came to life with a
commitment to wisdom, and a love for books expressed by the Armenian
people.” [7]Click here to read the message in Armenian.
Links:
7.
Yerevan will serve as the UNESCO World Book Capital this year. The city
will host a series of programs to promote books and reading.
DIOCESAN NEWS
Diocesan Council meeting at the Diocesan Center in NYC
Members of the Diocesan Council met in New York on April 19.
Diocesan Council Looks Forward to Annual Assembly
Diocesan Council members opened their Thursday, April 19, meeting with
a Bible study on Romans chapter 6 on the theme of being dead to sin,
and alive in Christ.
The Council continued planning for the upcoming Diocesan Assembly,
which will be hosted by St. Mark Church of Springfield, MA, May 3-5.
Council members also reviewed notes from the Leadership Meeting held at
the Diocesan Center on March 24. Representatives of the Diocesan
organizations, St. Nersess Seminary, and the Diocesan administration
and staff took part in the March meeting to discuss the Diocese’s
mission and to begin planning new initiatives for the Diocese and its
local parishes.
The council received a report on the success of the 2011 Annual Appeal,
and extended its appreciation to Dr. Sam Mikaelian, the Diocese’s
development coordinator, and Sandra Shahinian Leitner, who assisted
with the appeal. In total, 1,510 individuals contributed to the 2011
Annual Appeal-an increase over past performance which continues the
trend of adding more than 400 new names to the list of Diocesan donors
in the course of three years.
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, described recent parish
visits. The council also discussed the upcoming Diocesan pilgrimage to
historic Armenia.
Library of Congress
An exhibit commemorating the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing is
on view at the Library of Congress.
Exhibit on Armenian Printing at the Library of Congress
An exhibit commemorating the 500th anniversary of Armenian printing
opened at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday,
April 18. The exhibit, titled `To Know Wisdom and Instruction: The
Armenian Literary Tradition at the Library of Congress,’ was curated by
Dr. Levon Avdoyan, the Armenian collection specialist at the Library of
Congress. It will remain on view through September 26.
Dr. Vartan Gregorian, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New
York, delivered the keynote address at last evening’s reception, which
drew some 700 people. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Diocese’s
Director of Ecumenical Relations, was in attendance.
[8]
Click here to learn more about the exhibit.
Links:
8.
Adamian
Dr. Gregory H. Adamian has been named `Armenian Church Member of the
Year’ for 2012. (photo courtesy of Bentley University Archives)
Gregory Adamian to be Honored at Diocesan Assembly
The Diocese is proud to announce that it will honor Dr. Gregory H.
Adamian as its `Armenian Church Member of the Year’ during the 110th
Diocesan Assembly, to be hosted by the St. Mark Church of Springfield,
MA. The award will be bestowed during the grand banquet on Friday
evening, May 4, at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.
Dr. Adamian, the long-serving president of Bentley University and a
distinguished Armenian community leader, has served on the boards of
the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research and the
Armenian General Benevolent Union, and as a Diocesan Assembly delegate
from St. James Church of Watertown, MA. [9]Click here to read more
about this year’s distinguished honoree.
Links:
9.
Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of
Churches, will also be honored at the banquet as this year’s `Friend of
the Armenians.’
Individuals wishing to attend the banquet should contact St. Mark
Church at (413) 783-5793 for information.
Diocesan Assembly 2012
Diocesan Assembly to Convene in May
The 110th Diocesan Assembly will be hosted by the St. Mark Church of
Springfield, MA, from May 3-5. This year’s Diocesan theme is titled
`Vocations-The Call to Serve: Ministry of the Faithful’-a continuation
of the current theme which revolves around lay ministry in the church.
The Assembly proceedings will be held at the Marriott Hartford/Windsor
Airport Hotel in Windsor, CT, from Thursday, May 3, to Saturday, May 5
(the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Mark Church on Sunday,
May 6). The Assembly will be preceded by the annual Clergy Conference,
which will be held at the Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center in West
Hartford, CT, from Monday, April 30, to Wednesday, May 2.
A banquet will be held at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield,
MA, on Friday, May 4, during which the Diocese will honor this year’s
`Armenian of the Year,’ Dr. Gregory Adamian, and “Friend of the
Armenians,” Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit.
For more information about the Diocesan Assembly, and to download
registration forms, visit the St. Mark Church website at
[10]
Links:
10.
Women’s Guild Assembly and Luncheon
The Women’s Guild will host its 26th annual assembly concurrent with
the Diocesan Assembly in Windsor, CT, from May 3-5. On Saturday, May 5,
the Women’s Guild Central Council will sponsor the third annual `Woman
of Wonder (WOW) Luncheon’ at the Marriott in Windsor.
This year’s WOW honoree is Julie Ashekian of St. George Church of
Hartford, CT. Mrs. Ashekian will be recognized for her dedication to
the Armenian Church and for her work in helping the children of Armenia
through the CASP and Mer Doon programs.
Reservations for the luncheon must be made by April 20. The event is
being organized by WGCC chair Charlotte Sevazlian, vice chair Zita
Butler, and advisor Meline Grigorian.
[11]Click here for information on the event and to learn about
sponsorship opportunities. The WGCC will make a donation to Mer Doon in
Mrs. Ashekian’s honor.
Links:
11.
FAR Children’s Center committee
May 18 FAR banquet committee members with Archbishop Barsamian.
FAR to Host Banquet Next Month in New York
On May 18, the Fund for Armenian Relief will host a banquet
(barahandes) at the Diocesan Center in New York to benefit its
Children’s Center in Yerevan. The evening will include a presentation
by Dr. Mira Antonyan, the director of the Children’s Center who will
speak about the center’s work and the status of child protection in
Armenia. In addition to Dr. Antoyan’s presentation, the evening will
feature live music. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will
preside.
On Tuesday, April 17, the committee organizing next month’s banquet met
with Archbishop Barsamian at the Diocesan Center to finalize plans for
what promises to be a fruitful and exciting event. The honorary chair
of the event is Mrs. Sirvart Hovnanian; other committee members include
Nadya Garipian and Sylva Torosian (co-chairs), Nuard Arslan, Annette
Choolfaian, Sonya Bekarian, Yeghsa Bestepe, Ani Hamparsumian, Magda
Najarian, Sossie Najarian, Karen Nargizian, and Anita Temiz.
To purchase tickets for the May 18 banquet, [12]click here or call
(212) 686-0710.
Links:
12.
Sacre Music workshop
Sacred Music Council member Konstantin Petrossian led workshop sessions
at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford, MA, last Saturday.
Sacred Music Council Conducts Choir Workshop
The Sacred Music Council conducted a workshop for choir members in the
Greater Boston area at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Chelmsford, MA, on
Saturday April 14.
The Rev. Fr. Khachatur Kesablyan, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church,
warmly greeted the clergy and choir members gathered for the workshop.
Sacred Music Council member Yn. Arpie Kouzouian thanked the host parish
and gave an overview of the programs developed by the council.
The day’s program focused on the hymns of the Divine Liturgy. Sacred
Music Council member Konstantin Petrossian led exercises on voice
training, breathing techniques, and vowels tones. He emphasized the
importance of basic voice training prior to singing. Paul Ketchoyian,
choir director and organist at Sts. Vartanantz Church, accompanied
Maestro Petrossian on the organ.
Choir members of the Sts. Vartanantz, Hye Pointe, and Holy Trinity
churches took part in the workshop. Other clergy attending the program
were the Very Rev. Fr. Ghevont Samoorian and Rev. Fr. Vart Gyozalyan.
Another workshop is planned for fall 2012.
FAR
A doctor in Armenia learns how to use a densitometer machine.
Bone Health a Focus of FAR Effort in Armenia
Three medical centers in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh received bone
densitometer machines-indispensable equipment in the evaluation of bone
health-thanks to the generosity of Dr. John Bilezikian, professor of
medicine and pharmacology at Columbia University, and the
Massachusetts-based Hologic Company.
The machines arrived in 2011 in an effort coordinated by the Fund for
Armenian Relief. FAR is also helping organize the training sessions
local doctors need to use the new equipment. This includes last month’s
visit by instructor Larry Mowat of the Hologic Company to train medical
staff.
Dr. Bilezikian’s continued support of Armenia’s medical institutions
has also included a lecture series he organized through FAR last fall
on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. The lectures drew a
range of specialists from Yerevan and from Armenia’s provincial
hospitals, and gave them the opportunity to become familiar with the
latest methods in identifying and treating the bone disease.
[13]Click here to visit FAR’s blog and to read more.
Links:
13.
Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Historic Armenia
The Eastern Diocese is sponsoring a pilgrimage to historic Armenia,
from September 5 to 19.
Participants will have the opportunity to take part in the celebration
of the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Church on the island of Aghtamar,
and in prayer services at the recently consecrated St. Giragos Armenian
Church of Dikranagert and the St. Gregory Church in Kayseri.
The pilgrimage also includes visits to Armenia’s magnificent former
capital of Ani and tours of other parts of historic Armenia- Arapkir,
Kars, Antep, and Malatya, among other cities and villages. The journey
will include a stop in Istanbul, where pilgrims will visit the Armenian
Patriarchate.
[14]Click here to view a flyer for more information.
Links:
14.
PARISH NEWS
Primate visits St. Hagop Church, FL
Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Hovnan Demerjian with altar servers at St.
Hagop Church.
Primate, Diocesan Council Chair Visit St. Hagop Church
Diocesan Primate Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Diocesan Council Chair
Oscar Tatosian visited St. Hagop Church of Pinellas Park, FL, last
weekend, where they met with parish leaders to discuss the community’s
long-range goals.
On Saturday, April 14, Archbishop Barsamian and Mr. Tatosian met with
Parish Council members and other leaders to review the history of the
establishment of St. Hagop Church, speak about programs presently
underway, and plan for future growth. The parish is planning to
implement a capital campaign to raise funds for the construction of a
cultural hall on church grounds.
On Sunday, April 15, Archbishop Barsamian celebrated the Divine
Liturgy, with the Rev. Fr. Hovnan Demerjian, parish pastor, assisting.
Following services, the Women’s Guild offered a luncheon in the
church’s Alice Tanielian Pavilion. Some 100 parishioners took part in
Sunday’s service.
Diocesan Vicar visits St. Haroutiun Church, FL
Fr. Simeon Odabashian and Fr. Abraham Malkhazyan with Parish Council
members at Soorp Haroutiun Church.
Orlando, FL, Parish Welcomes Diocesan Vicar
The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, visited Soorp
Haroutiun Church of Orlando, FL, on Saturday, April 14, where he
presided over the Parish Council election.
The visit began with a Bible study focusing on Christian virtues. Fr.
Odabashian then presented a summary of the various responsibilities of
the Parish Council and presided over the election of the executive
committee.
Elected were Aram Nazarian, chair; Rita Arnold, vice chair; Lucine
Harvey, treasurer; Emik Zare, assistant treasurer; Anna Stepanyan,
recording secretary; and John Shahinian, corresponding secretary.
Parish Council members and the Rev. Fr. Abraham Malkhazyan, visiting
priest, then gave an overview of parish accomplishments and discussed
goals for the coming year.
St. John’s Church honors Lisa
Lisa Mardigian (center) with parishioners at St. John Church.
Southfield, MI, Parish Honors Youth Minister
On Sunday, April 1, parishioners of St. John Church of Southfield, MI,
honored Lisa Mardigian, the longest-serving youth coordinator in the
Eastern Diocese.
For more than 20 years, Ms. Mardigian has been in charge of parish
youth activities, including the ACYOA Seniors and Juniors chapters. She
has also organized a number of programs, including annual Lenten
dinners, Kef Club, and the White Cross Project. Ms. Mardigian has also
been active in Hye Camp and the Orthodox Youth Athletic Association
basketball program.
More than 450 people gathered to pay tribute to Ms. Mardigian on Palm
Sunday. The day featured a slide show highlighting Ms. Mardigian’s work
and a special presentation by young people, all of whom were wearing
T-shirts that read `We Love Lisa!’ The parish presented Ms. Mardigian
with a diamond cross.
Speakers included the Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, parish pastor; Armen
Mardigian; and Alberta Godoshian. Jennifer Morris, Youth Outreach
coordinator at the Diocese, and Danny Dardarian, chair of the ACYOA
Seniors, shared memories of working with Ms. Mardigian. Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, sent a letter of congratulations.
Raffi ElChemmas served as the master of ceremonies.
Ms. Mardigian also received a commendation from the City of Southfield.
`Lisa’s generous spirit and unwavering devotion to the Armenian faith
are a blessing to St. John’s and to its members, and her loving
influence has been, and continues to be, a cherished gift to the
Armenian community,’ the parish said.
[15]Click here to view photos.
Links:
15.
Mission Parish in Baton Rouge
Fr. Tateos Abdalian led services at St. Garabed Church during Holy Week
and Easter Sunday.
Mission Parish of Baton Rouge, LA, Celebrates Easter
The Rev. Fr. Tateos Abdalian, the Diocese’s director of Mission
Parishes, and Yn. Margaret Abdalian traveled to Baton Rouge, LA, for
Holy Week and Easter observances at the mission parish of St. Garabed
Church.
Fr. Abdalian led the Holy Thursday and Holy Friday services. On Easter
Eve, the Jrakalooytz Badarak concluded with a procession and the
lighting of candles. Following the service, Fr. Abdalian blessed a
newly-engaged couple.
On Easter Sunday, Fr. Abdalian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and
conducted the `Blessing of the Four Corners of the World’ (Antasdan
Service). A dinner and egg-cracking contest followed in the church
hall.
[16]Click here to view photos.
Links:
16.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Parish Events
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church | Providence, RI
Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church of Providence, RI, will commemorate the
97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Saturday, April 21, with a
memorial service and concert. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. in the
church sanctuary.
The Armenian Chorale of Rhode Island, under the direction of Maestro
Konstantin Petrossian, will perform a selection of Armenian songs.
[17]Click here to view a flyer for more information.
Links:
17.
St. Mary Church | Hollywood, FL
St. Mary Church of Hollywood, FL, will host a “Food & Music Fest” on
Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 22. The event will feature
Armenian food and music, arts and crafts vendors, and activities for
children. [18]Click here to view a flyer.
Links:
18.
YOUTH NEWS
ACYOA Lenten Retreat
ACYOA Central Council Sponsors Retreat in Evanston, IL
The ACYOA Central Council sponsored a Spring Retreat on Saturday, April
14, at St. James Church in Evanston, IL, for young people and adults in
the Midwest region.
The day focused on understanding lay ministry, and participants had the
opportunity to explore this topic through Bible study, discussion, and
reflection.
Retreat sessions were led by the Rev. Fr. Hovhan Khoja-Eynatyan, pastor
of St. James Church; Rev. Fr. Yeprem Kelegian, pastor of St. Mesrob
Church of Racine, WI; and Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA executive secretary.
Some 20 people took part in the daylong program.
“This retreat helped me reflect on my spiritual discipline and
discipleship,’ said Arie Zakaryan of St. James Church.
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