PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Jake Goshert, Coordinator of Information Services
Tel: (212) 686-0710 Ext. 60; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
March 16, 2006
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WOMEN’S GUILD ORGANIZES ANNUAL SAINTLY WOMEN’S DAY
Parishes throughout the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
will honor the contributions of women during Saintly Women’s Day, organized
by the Women’s Guild, on Saturday, March 18, 2006.
During the annual celebration, faithful gather to celebrate and learn from
the life example of a devout woman from Armenian history. Parishes also
host lectures and discussions about the importance of women in today’s
church and society.
“The Armenian Church would wither without the contributions of women,” said
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese. “From our ancestors
who were tested and tormented because of their faith, to our mothers,
sisters, and wives of today who give their time and talent to ensure our
parishes are vibrant Armenian Christian homes, each in their own way makes
the Armenian Church a living church.”
SHAHANTOOKHD’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE
This year, the celebration will focus on the life of Shahantookhd, a
beautiful Armenian princess who lived in the Karabagh region in the early
9th century. On her way to her wedding, her party was attacked in the
Siunik region by bandits who had heard of her beauty.
The heathen bandits butchered many of her attendants. Seeing the
viciousness of the un-Christian bandits, and realizing what was in store for
her, Shahantookhd made the sign of the cross and whipped up her horse,
bravely jumping into a grand chasm.
Miraculously, she survived the fall unhurt. Seeing her miraculous leap, the
gang of bandits fled. Shahantookhd, realizing that God spared her life,
decided to stay where she had landed. She dedicated her life to God and
vowed never to leave that spot, located south of the Monastery of Datev.
She remained true to her vow, despite the pleas of her family, and stayed in
that spot for 30 years. She built a chapel with a small cell, where she
lived in seclusion until her death. She also gave her entire estate to the
bishop of Siunik, instructing him to use half for the needy and the other
half for the work of the Monastery of Datev.
EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE DIOCESE
To mark Saintly Women’s Day, parishes will gather for special services on
Saturday, March 18, 2006. Some will meet regionally, while other parishes
will host individual programs.
Regional events have been designated at the following locations.
Holy Resurrection Church, New Britain, CT, with faithful from Watervliet,
NY; Springfield, MA; and Hartford, CT.
Holy Trinity Church, Cambridge, MA, with faithful from Lawrence/Haverhill,
Chelmsford, Worcester, Framingham, Mashpee, and Watertown, MA; along with
Providence, RI.
St. Mary Church, Livingston, NJ, with faithful from Fair Lawn, Union City,
Elberon, and Tenafly, NJ.
Holy Martyrs Church, Bayside, NY, with faithful from New York City and White
Plains, NY.
St. Paul Church, Syracuse, NY, with faithful from Binghamton, NY.
Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, PA, with faithful from Wynnewood, PA.
St. James Church, Evanston, IL, with faithful from Chicago, Waukegan, Palos
Heights, IL; and Waukegan and Racine, WI.
Individual churches holding services are: St. David Church, Boca Raton, FL;
St. John Church, Southfield, MI; St. Mary Church, Washington, D.C.; St. Mary
Church, Hollywood, FL; Holy Virgin Mary and Shoghagat Church, Belleville,
IL; St. Gregory of Narek Church, Cleveland, OH; St. Sarkis Church, Dallas,
TX; St. Kevork Church, Houston, TX; St. James Church, Richmond, VA; and St.
Hagop Church, St. Petersburg, FL.
Please contact your local parish for details on Saintly Women’s Day
activities.
— 3/16/06
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