Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Crossroads E-Newsletter - January 3, 2012

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Crossroads E-Newsletter - January 3, 2012

    3
    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: http://www.armenianprelacy.org/


    January 3, 2013

    Õ'Ö=80Õ«Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Õ½ Õ®Õ¶Õ¡Ö=82 Õ¥Ö=82 ÕµÕ¡ÕµÕ¿Õ¶Õ¥Ö=81Õ¡Ö=82:

    Õ=95Ö=80Õ°Õ¶Õ¥Õ¡Õ¬ Õ§ ÕµÕ¡ÕµÕ¿Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶Õ¶ Õ'Ö=80Õ«Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Õ½Õ«:

    Khrisdos dzunav yev haydnetsav.

    Orhnyal e haydnoutyounun Krisdosi.

    Christ was Born and Revealed.

    Blessed is the Revelation of Christ.

    PRELATE'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE:

    The Empty Manger

    `For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave
    me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was
    naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I
    was in prison and you visited me.'
    (Matthew 25:25-36)

    On the occasion of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, spiritual
    joy blossoms in the hearts of individual Christians. God's visitation
    to Mankind with His message of good will, goodness, and peace, opens
    new horizons for our heavenly and earthly life and our relationship
    with each
    other.

    Jesus is born again in Bethlehem, proclaiming `Peace on Earth and
    Goodwill to all.' Once again we, the children of the Armenian Church,
    travel spiritually to Bethlehem to present our gifts to the infant
    Lord. How much joy is in our souls because we go to visit Jesus and as
    pious children of the Armenian Church, faithful to God as His first
    children,
    we offer our heartfelt gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh. With
    His birth, Jesus invites all Mankind to belong to Him, to hear His
    words, to convey His deeds, while also experiencing the suffering and
    turmoil of those who are deprived, in need, wounded, and grieving. We
    feel thankful and rewarded because we see our Savior in the manger in
    Bethlehem with the new announcement of salvation.

    We are not alone in our visit. Like many millions of other faithful
    Christians we take a spiritual pilgrimage to Bethlehem. The tangible
    love of the infant God must be there in the manger. The joy of the
    good news of the birth is there for everyone. The angels sing songs of
    glory and good news, but these days we Armenians hear murmurs of
    lament and pain, instead of
    joy. Jesus is not in His manger in Bethlehem. He is in another place,
    another biblical country. He is in Syria-in Aleppo, Deir Zor,
    Damascus,
    Kessab, Kamishli, and other Armenian towns. Leaving the manger empty,
    Jesus has gone where destruction and death are prevalent, where cries
    for His help are heard. With the Infant Jesus fixed in our souls, we
    become witness to the condition of our true kinsmen. We see their
    terror and hear their sobs. In spite of current helplessness and
    precarious situations, and in the face of future fear and uncertainty,
    we beseech Jesus through our prayers and supplications, to walk with
    us in our burned churches, in our damaged sacred memorial in Deir Zor,
    and in our destroyed schools-our educational fortresses.

    Dear Armenian Faithful,

    In the midst of every day concerns in America, and joyful surroundings
    especially during this season of Christmas, perhaps you do not have
    time to share the pain of our brothers and sisters. Perhaps you are
    not able to assess the extent of the danger that threatens our
    Armenian community in Syria-the community that after the Genocide
    became the cradle of our rebirth, and the community that remained
    faithful to its authenticity and
    preserved the pure Armenian character, cultural values, faith, and
    language.

    Aside from the danger for individuals, there is danger for our
    nation. Are you prepared to leave your comfortable manger, as Jesus
    did, and visit them to give bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty,
    care for the wounded, and comfort for the mourner? Yes, you are
    obligated, because whatever you do for any of them, you have done also
    for Jesus. Whatever you do for
    the Armenian community in Syria, you have done for the Armenian people
    in its entirety.

    I wish you joy and happiness for the New Year and the Holy
    Nativity. May our Lord, Savior, and Miracle Worker bless you and your
    family. Pray to Him so that the destruction will end, so His boundless
    love will be injected in the veins of all Mankind, and save us from
    all evil. It is the time
    for you to make provision from your charitable gifts for the hungry,
    the thirsty, the wounded, and the grieving, just as you would want to
    do for Jesus who has gone to visit and suffer with them.

    ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN

    Prelate
    Armenian Apostolic Church of America
    Eastern United States of America

    Holy Nativity, 2013

    Ô¹Ô±Õ`Õ=88Õ'Õ=90 Õ=84Õ=8DÕ=88Õ'Õ=90Ô¸

    `Õ=88Ö=80Õ¸Õ¾Õ°Õ¥Õ¿Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¡Õ¶Ö=85Õ©Õ« Õ§Õ« Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¦Õ«Õ½
    Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Ö=80Õ¥Ö=81Õ«Ö=84, Õ®Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Ö=82 Õ§Õ« Õ¥Ö=82 Õ»Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80
    Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ«Ö=84, Ö=85Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Õ§Õ« Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ¥Ö=81Õ«Ö=84 Õ¦Õ«Õ½, Õ´Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯ Õ§Õ« Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ°Õ¡Õ£Ö=81Õ¸Ö=82Ö=81Õ«Ö=84 Õ«Õ¶Õ®Õ«, Õ°Õ«Ö=82Õ¡Õ¶Õ¤ Õ§Õ« Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ°Õ¸Õ£ Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ«Ö=84 Õ«Õ¶Õ®Õ«, Õ¢Õ¡Õ¶Õ¿Õ« Õ´Õ§Õ» Õ§Õ« Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ¡ÕµÖ=81Õ¥Õ¬Õ¥Ö=81Õ«Ö=84 Õ«Õ¶Õ®Õ«' (Õ=84Õ¿ 25.35-36)Ö=89

    Õ=84Õ¥Ö=80 Õ=8FÕ«Ö=80Õ¸Õ» Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½ Õ'Ö=80Õ«Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Õ½Õ«
    Õ=8DÕ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¢ Ô¾Õ¶Õ¶Õ¤Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¿Ö=85Õ¶Õ«Õ¶ Õ¡Õ¼Õ«Õ©Õ¸Õ¾
    Ö=84Ö=80Õ«Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Õ¶Õ¥Õ¡Õµ Õ¡Õ¶Õ°Õ¡Õ¿ Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ¥Ö=81Õ¡Õ®
    Õ°Õ¸Õ£Õ¥Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80 Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¡Õ-Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶Õ¶ Õ§ Õ¸Ö=80 Õ¯Õ¨
    Õ®Õ¡Õ²Õ¯Õ« Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 Õ½Ö=80Õ¿Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ»Ö=89 Ô±Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ¡Õ®
    Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¤Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ¡Õ® Õ«Ö=80
    Õ¡ÕµÖ=81Õ¥Õ¬Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ´Õ¢, Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Ö=80Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80 Õ©Õ§
    Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Õ¶Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80 Õ¯Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84Õ«Õ¶ Õ°Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Ö=80 Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ«Ö=80Õ¡Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82 Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¤Õ§Õº Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ¥Ö=81Õ¡Õ® Õ´Õ¥Ö=80
    ÕµÕ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ¢Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ°Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Ö=80
    Õ¶Õ¸Ö=80 Õ°Õ¸Ö=80Õ«Õ¦Õ¸Õ¶ Õ´Õ¨ Õ¢Õ¡Ö=81Õ¡Ö=82, Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80 Õ½Ö=80Õ¿Õ«
    Õ¢Õ¡Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶, Õ¡Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ¡Õ®Õ¡Õ°Õ¡Õ³Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ-Õ¡Õ²Õ¡Õ²Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¡Ö=82Õ¥Õ¿Õ«Õ½Õ¨ Õ¯Õ¨ Õ½Ö=83Õ¼Õ¸Ö=82Õ«Ö=89

    Ô²Õ¥Õ©Õ²Õ¥Õ°Õ§Õ´Õ« Õ´Õ§Õ» Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½ Õ¯Ö=80Õ¯Õ«Õ¶
    Õ¯Õ¨ Õ®Õ¶Õ«, Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¤Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¡Ö=82Õ¥Õ¿Õ¥Õ¬Õ¸Õ¾
    `Õ-Õ¡Õ²Õ¡Õ²Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶
    Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Ö=80Õ« Õ¾Ö=80Õ¡Õµ Õ¥Ö=82 Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¤Õ¸Ö=81 Õ´Õ«Õ»Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ°Õ¡Õ³Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶'Ö=89 ÔµÖ=82 Õ´Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84, Õ¦Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¯Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¨
    Õ=80Õ¡Õµ ÔµÕ¯Õ¥Õ²Õ¥Ö=81Ö=82Õ¸Õµ,
    Õ¡ÕµÕ½ Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ« Õ¥Ö=82Õ½ Õ°Õ¸Õ£Õ¥ÕºÕ§Õ½ Õ¯þÕ¥Ö=80Õ©Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84
    Ô²Õ¥Õ©Õ²Õ¥Õ°Õ§Õ´Õ=9D Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 Õ¨Õ¶Õ®Õ¡Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¨
    Õ´Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Ö=81Õ¡Õ¶Õ¥Õ¬Õ¸Ö=82 Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¯Õ¡Ö=81Õ¥Õ¡Õ¬
    Ô±Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ®Õ¸ÕµÖ=89 Õ=88Ö=80Ö=84Õ¡Õ=9CÕ¶
    Õ¥Ö=80Õ»Õ¡Õ¶Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ Õ¯Õ¡Õµ
    Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 Õ°Õ¸Õ£Õ«Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ», Ö=84Õ¡Õ¶Õ«
    Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½Õ«Õ¶ Õ¿Õ¥Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¯þÕ¥Ö=80Õ©Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84 Õ¥Ö=82,
    Õ«Õ¢Ö=80Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¢Õ¡Ö=80Õ¥ÕºÕ¡Õ·Õ¿ Õ¦Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¯Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¨ Õ=80Õ¡Õµ
    ÔµÕ¯Õ¥Õ²Õ¥Ö=81Ö=82Õ¸Õµ, ÕºÕ«Õ¿Õ« Õ¸Ö=82Õ¦Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84 Õ«Ö=80Õ¥Õ¶
    Õ´Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Ö=81Õ¡Õ¶Õ¥Õ¬ Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 Õ½Ö=80Õ¿Õ« Õ¯Õ¶Õ¤Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¯Õ¨,
    Õ¸Õ½Õ¯Õ«Õ¶ Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¦Õ´Õ¸Ö=82Õ¼Õ½Õ¨, Õ°Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ«Õ´
    Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Õ¬Õ¸Õ¾ Ô±Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ®Õ¸Õµ Õ¸Ö=80ÕºÕ§Õ½ Õ«Ö=80 Õ¡Õ¶Õ¤Ö=80Õ¡Õ¶Õ«Õ¯
    Õ¸Ö=80Õ¤Õ«Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¨Ö=89 Ô»Ö=80 Õ®Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ¤Õ¸Õ¾, Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½
    Õ¡Õ´Õ¢Õ¸Õ²Õ» Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¤Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ°Ö=80Õ¡Ö=82Õ§Ö=80 Õ´Õ¨
    Õ¯þÕ¸Ö=82Õ²Õ²Õ§, ÕºÕ¡Õ¿Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶Õ¥Õ¬Õ¸Ö=82 Õ«Ö=80Õ¥Õ¶, Õ¬Õ½Õ¥Õ¬Õ¸Ö=82
    Õ«Ö=80 Õ-Ö=85Õ½Ö=84Õ¥Ö=80Õ¨, ÕºÕ¡Õ¿Õ´Õ¥Õ¬Õ¸Ö=82 Õ«Ö=80
    Õ£Õ¸Ö=80Õ®Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ´Õ¡Õ½Õ«Õ¶, Õ´Õ«Õ¥Ö=82Õ¶Õ¸ÕµÕ¶ Õ¡Õ¿Õ¥Õ¶
    Õ¿Õ¡Õ¼Õ¡ÕºÕ¥Õ¬Õ¸Ö=82 Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¿Õ¡Õ£Õ¶Õ¡ÕºÕ¥Õ¬Õ¸Ö=82Õ=9D Õ« Õ¿Õ¥Õ½
    Õ¦Ö=80Õ¯Õ¥Õ¡Õ¬Õ«Õ¶, Õ¯Õ¡Ö=80Ö=85Õ¿Õ¥Õ¡Õ¬Õ«Õ¶, Õ¾Õ«Ö=80Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80Õ«Õ¶
    Õ¸Ö=82 Õ½Õ£Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80Õ«Õ¶Ö=89
    Ô³Õ¸Õ°Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯ Õ¸Ö=82 Õ¾Õ¡Ö=80Õ±Õ¡Õ¿Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¡Õ® Õ¯Õ¨
    Õ¦Õ£Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84 Õ´Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84 Õ¦Õ´Õ¥Õ¦, Ö=84Õ¡Õ¶Õ« Õ¯Õ¨ Õ¿Õ¥Õ½Õ¶Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84
    Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 Õ`Ö=80Õ¯Õ«Õ¹Õ¨, Ô²Õ¥Õ©Õ²Õ¥Õ°Õ§Õ´Õ« Õ´Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ»,
    Ö=83Ö=80Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ«Ö=80 Õ¶Õ¸Ö=80 Õ¡Ö=82Õ¥Õ¿Õ«Õ½Õ¸Õ¾Ö=89

    Õ=88Ö=80ÕºÕ§Õ½ Õ¡ÕµÖ=81Õ¥Õ¬Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80 Õ¡Õ¼Õ¡Õ¶Õ±Õ«Õ¶ Õ¹Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84
    Õ´Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84, Õ¢Õ¡Õ¦Õ´Õ¡Õ´Õ«Õ¬Õ«Õ¸Õ¶ Ö=84Ö=80Õ«Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Õ¶Õ¥Õ¡Õµ
    Õ°Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡Ö=81Õ¥Õ¡Õ¬Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82 Õ°Õ¥Õ¿ Õ´Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84 Õ¡Õ¬
    Õ°Õ¸Õ£Õ¥ÕºÕ§Õ½ Õ¸Ö=82Õ-Õ¿Õ« Õ¯þÕ¥Ö=80Õ©Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84
    Ô²Õ¥Õ©Õ²Õ¥Õ°Õ§Õ´Ö=89 Õ=8DÕ«Ö=80Õ¸Õµ Õ©Õ¡Õ¶Õ±Ö=80Õ¡Ö=81Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¨
    Õ¥Ö=82 Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ´Õ¶Õ¡Ö=81Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¨ Õ¥Õ²Õ¸Õ² Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¯Õ¡Ö=81Õ¥Õ¡Õ¬
    Ô±Õ½Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ¡Õ®Õ¨ Õ°Õ¸Õ¶ Õ´Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ»
    ÕºÕ§Õ¿Ö=84 Õ§ Õ¨Õ¬Õ¬Õ¡ÕµÖ=89 Ô²Õ¸Õ¬Õ¸Ö=80Õ«Õ¶ Õ°Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Ö=80
    Õ®Õ¶Õ¶Õ¤Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¡Õ-Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¡Ö=82Õ¥Õ¿Õ«Õ½ Õ¯Õ¡Õµ
    Õ°Õ¸Õ¶Ö=89 Õ=80Ö=80Õ¥Õ·Õ¿Õ¡Õ¯Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82 Ö=83Õ¡Õ¼Õ¡Õ¢Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶
    Õ¥Ö=80Õ£Õ¥Ö=80Õ¨ Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¡Ö=82Õ¥Õ¿Õ«Õ½Õ¨ Õ¯Õ¨ Õ¬Õ½Õ¥Õ¶ Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Õ¶Ö=84,
    Õ´Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ Õ´Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84Õ=9D Õ°Õ¡ÕµÕ¥Ö=80Õ½, Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¡Õ-Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶
    Õ±Õ¡ÕµÕ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82 Ö=83Õ¸Õ-Õ¡Ö=80Õ§Õ¶ Õ¡ÕµÕ½ Ö=85Ö=80Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶
    Õ¸Õ²Õ¢Õ« Õ¸Ö=82 Ö=81Õ¡Ö=82Õ« Õ´Ö=80Õ´Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ»Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80 Õ¯Õ¨
    Õ¬Õ½Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84Ö=89 Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½ Ô²Õ¥Õ©Õ²Õ¥Õ°Õ§Õ´Õ« Õ«Ö=80
    Õ´Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ» Õ¹Õ§, Õ¡ÕµÕ¬ Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ· Õ¿Õ¥Õ² Õ´Õ¨,
    Õ=8DÕ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¢ Ô³Ö=80Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ· Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Õ«Ö=80
    Õ´Õ¨. Õ=8DÕ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ¸Õµ Õ´Õ§Õ» Õ§ Õ¡Õ¶, Õ=80Õ¡Õ¬Õ§ÕºÕ«, Õ=8FÕ§Ö=80
    Ô¶Ö=85Ö=80Õ«, Ô´Õ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ½Õ¯Õ¸Õ½Õ«, Õ'Õ¥Õ½Õ¡ÕºÕ«, Ô³Õ¡Õ´Õ«Õ·Õ¬Õ«Õ«
    Õ¥Ö=82 Õ°Õ¡ÕµÕ¡Õ¢Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯ Õ¡ÕµÕ¬ Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¶Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82 Õ´Õ§Õ»Ö=89
    Õ=84Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¨ Õ©Õ¡Ö=83Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80 Õ±Õ£Õ¡Õ®, Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½
    Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Õ¡Õµ Õ§ Õ°Õ¸Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80 Õ¡Ö=82Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ´ Õ¸Ö=82 Õ´Õ¡Õ°
    Õ¯Õ¡Õµ, Õ°Õ¸Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80 Ö=85Õ£Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¡Õ²Õ¡Õ²Õ¡Õ¯ Õ¯Õ¡Õµ
    Õ«Ö=80Õ¥Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82Õ²Õ²Õ¸Ö=82Õ¡Õ®Ö=89 ÔµÖ=82 Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¯Õ¡Ö=81Õ¥Õ¡Õ¬
    Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½Õ¨ Õ´Õ¥Ö=80
    Õ°Õ¸Õ£Õ«Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ» Õ½Õ¥Õ²Õ´Õ¡Õ®, Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ¿Õ¥Õ½
    Õ¯þÕ¨Õ¬Õ¬Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84 Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 Õ°Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ¦Õ¡Õ¿
    Õ¡Ö=80Õ¥Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ«Ö=81Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ¾Õ«Õ³Õ¡Õ¯Õ«Õ¶, Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Õ¶Ö=81
    Õ½Õ¡Ö=80Õ½Õ¡Ö=83Õ«Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82 Õ°Õ¥Õ®Õ¥Õ®Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84Õ«Õ¶: Õ=86Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Õ¡ÕµÕ«
    Õ¡Õ¶Õ¯Õ¡Ö=80Õ¸Õ²Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ¡Õ¶Ö=85Õ£Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¯Õ¡Ö=81Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ»
    Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¡ÕºÕ¡Õ£Õ¡ÕµÕ« Õ¾Õ¡Õ-Õ« Õ¸Ö=82 Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=80Õ¸Õ·Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶
    Õ½ÕºÕ¡Õ¼Õ¶Õ¡Õ¬Õ«Ö=84Õ«Õ¶ Õ¤Õ«Õ´Õ¡Ö=81 Õ¡Õ²Ö=85Õ©Ö=84Õ¸Õ¾ Õ¸Ö=82
    ÕºÕ¡Õ²Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84Õ¸Õ¾ Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½Õ«Õ¶ Õ¯Õ¨ Õ¤Õ«Õ´Õ¥Õ¶Ö=84,
    Õ¸Ö=80 Õ´Õ¥Õ¦Õ« Õ°Õ¥Õ¿ Ö=84Õ¡Õ¬Õ§ Õ°Ö=80Õ¯Õ«Õ¦Õ¥Õ¡Õ¬
    Õ¥Õ¯Õ¥Õ²Õ¥Ö=81Õ«Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ», Õ=8FÕ§Ö=80 Ô¶Ö=85Ö=80Õ«
    Õ¡Ö=82Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯ Õ½Ö=80Õ¢Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ», Õ¯Ö=80Õ©Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶
    Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 Õ¡Õ´Ö=80Õ¸Ö=81Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ»Ö=89

    Õ=8DÕ«Ö=80Õ¥Õ¬Õ« Õ°Õ¡ÕµÕ¸Ö=80Õ¤Õ«,

    Ô±Õ´Õ¥Ö=80Õ«Õ¯Õ¡ÕµÕ« Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 Õ¡Õ´Õ¥Õ¶Ö=85Ö=80Õ¥Õ¡Õµ Õ¯Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84Õ«Õ¶
    Õ´Õ¿Õ¡Õ°Õ¸Õ£Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ», Õ´Õ¥Ö=80
    Õ¡Õ¶Õ´Õ«Õ»Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Õ·Ö=80Õ»Õ¡ÕºÕ¡Õ¿Õ« Õ®Õ¶Õ¶Õ¤Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶
    Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¡Õ-Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Õ´Õ©Õ¶Õ¸Õ¬Õ¸Ö=80Õ¿Õ«Õ¶
    Õ´Õ§Õ» Õ©Õ¥Ö=80Õ¥Ö=82Õ½ Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ¡Õ¦ ÕªÕ¡Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯ Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ¥Õ¶Õ¡Õ½
    Ö=81Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¯Õ«Ö=81 Õ¨Õ¬Õ¬Õ¡Õ¬Õ¸Ö=82 Õ´Õ¥Ö=80
    Õ¥Õ²Õ¢Õ¡ÕµÖ=80Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82 Ö=84Õ¸ÕµÖ=80Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Ö=89
    Ô¹Õ¥Ö=80Õ¥Ö=82Õ½ Õ¹Õ¹Õ¡Ö=83Õ¥Õ½ Õ¾Õ¿Õ¡Õ¶Õ£Õ«Õ¶
    Õ¡Õ°Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶Õ¨, Õ¸Ö=80 Õ¯Õ¨ Õ½ÕºÕ¡Õ¼Õ¶Õ¡Õµ
    Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ¡Õ°Õ¡Õµ Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 ÕªÕ¸Õ²Õ¸Õ¾Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¤Õ«Õ¶, Õ¡ÕµÕ¶
    Õ£Õ¡Õ²Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶Õ=9D Õ¸Ö=80 Ö=81Õ¥Õ²Õ¡Õ½ÕºÕ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¶Õ§Õ¶
    Õ¥Õ¿Ö=84 Õ´Õ¥Ö=80 Õ¾Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ®Õ¶Õ¶Õ¤Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Ö=85Ö=80Ö=80Õ¡Õ¶Õ¨
    Õ¥Õ²Õ¡Ö=82, Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=80 Õ°Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ´Ö=85Ö=80Õ§Õ¶ Õ«Ö=80
    Õ°Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ¦Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ´Õ§Õ» ÕºÕ¡Õ°Õ¥Ö=81 Õ°Õ¡ÕµÕ¸Ö=82
    Ö=81Õ¥Õ²Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶ Õ´Õ¡Ö=84Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80 Õ¶Õ¯Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ£Õ«Ö=80Õ¨,
    Õ´Õ·Õ¡Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶ Õ¡Ö=80ÕªÕ§Ö=84Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¨, Õ°Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¿Ö=84Õ¶
    Õ¸Ö=82 Õ¬Õ¥Õ¦Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Ö=89

    Ô±Õ¶Õ°Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¾Õ¿Õ¡Õ¶Õ£Õ§Õ¶ Õ¡Õ¶Õ¤Õ«Õ¶ Õ¡Õ¦Õ£Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶
    Õ¡Ö=82Õ¥Ö=80 Õ¯Õ¡Õµ
    Õ°Õ¸Õ¶Ö=89 Õ=8AÕ¡Õ¿Ö=80Õ¡Õ=9EÕ½Õ¿
    Õ¥Õ½ Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½Õ«Õ¶ Õ¶Õ´Õ¡Õ¶ Õ©Õ¸Õ²Õ¸Ö=82Õ¬ Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ£Õ«Õ½Õ¿
    Õ´Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¤ Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¡ÕµÖ=81Õ¥Õ¬Õ¥Õ¬ Õ«Ö=80Õ¥Õ¶Ö=81,
    Õ¡Õ¶Ö=85Õ©Õ«Õ«Õ¶ Õ°Õ¡Ö=81 Õ¿Õ¡Õ¬Õ¸Õ¾, Õ®Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Ö=82Õ«Õ¶Õ=9D
    Õ»Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80, Õ¾Õ«Ö=80Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80Õ«Õ¶Õ=9D
    Õ¤Õ¥Õ²Ö=85Ö=80Õ¡ÕµÖ=84, Õ½Õ£Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80Õ«Õ¶Õ=9D
    Õ´Õ-Õ«Õ©Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ¶Ö=84Ö=89 Ô±ÕµÕ¸, ÕºÕ¡Ö=80Õ¿Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80 Õ¥Õ½,
    Õ¸Ö=80Õ¸Õ¾Õ°Õ¥Õ¿Õ¥Ö=82 Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ Õ¸Ö=80 Õ¯þÕ¨Õ¶Õ¥Õ½ Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Õ¶Ö=81Õ´Õ§
    Õ¸Õ¥Ö=82Õ§ Õ´Õ§Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶, Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½Õ«Õ¶ Õ¨Ö=80Õ¡Õ®
    Õ¯þÕ¨Õ¬Õ¬Õ¡Õ½, Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ Õ¸Ö=80 Õ¯þÕ¨Õ¶Õ¥Õ½ Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ¡Õ°Õ¡Õµ
    Õ£Õ¡Õ²Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Õ¶, Õ°Õ¡Õµ ÕªÕ¸Õ²Õ¸Õ¾Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¤Õ«Õ¶
    Õ¡Õ´Õ¢Õ¸Õ²Õ»Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¨Ö=80Õ¡Õ® Õ¯þÕ¨Õ¬Õ¬Õ¡Õ½Ö=89

    Õ=87Õ¶Õ¸Ö=80Õ°Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80 Õ©Õ¸Õ² Õ¨Õ¬Õ¬Õ¡Õµ Õ=86Õ¸Ö=80 Õ=8FÕ¡Ö=80Õ«Õ¤
    Õ¥Ö=82 Õ=8DÕ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ¢ Ô¾Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ¤Õ¨Ö=89 Ô¹Õ¸Õ² Õ´Õ¥Ö=80
    Õ=8FÕ§Ö=80Õ¨, Õ`Ö=80Õ¯Õ«Õ¹Õ¨ Õ¥Ö=82 Õ=80Ö=80Õ¡Õ·Õ¡Õ£Õ¸Ö=80Õ®Õ¨
    Ö=85Ö=80Õ°Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ Õ¢Õ¡Õ·Õ-Õ§ Ö=84Õ¥Õ¦Õ« Õ¸Ö=82
    Õ¨Õ¶Õ¿Õ¡Õ¶Õ«Ö=84Õ«Õ¤Ö=89 Ô±Õ²Ö=85Õ©Õ§ Õ«Ö=80Õ¥Õ¶, Õ¸Ö=80ÕºÕ§Õ½Õ¦Õ«
    Õ¤Õ¡Õ¤Ö=80Õ«Õ¶ Õ¡Ö=82Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¨, Õ¸Ö=80 Õ«Ö=80
    Õ¡Õ¶Õ½Õ¡Õ°Õ´Õ¡Õ¶ Õ½Õ§Ö=80Õ¨ Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Ö=80Õ¯Õ§ Õ¡Õ´Õ¢Õ¸Õ²Õ»
    Õ´Õ¡Ö=80Õ¤Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ¹Õ¡Ö=80Õ§Õ¶ Ö=83Ö=80Õ¯Õ§ Õ¢Õ¸Õ¬Õ¸Ö=80Õ½Ö=89 Õ=8AÕ¡Õ°Õ¶ Õ§ Õ¸Ö=80
    Õ¶Õ«Ö=82Õ©Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¢Õ¡Ö=80Õ«Ö=84Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ§Õ¤ Õ¢Õ¡ÕªÕ«Õ¶ Õ°Õ¡Õ¶Õ¥Õ½
    Õ¶Õ¡Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¡Õ¶Ö=85Õ©Õ«Õ«Õ¶, Õ®Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Ö=82Õ«Õ«Õ¶,
    Õ¾Õ«Ö=80Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80Õ¥Õ¡Õ¬Õ«Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82 Õ½Õ£Õ¡Ö=82Õ¸Ö=80Õ«Õ¶,
    Õ¡ÕµÕ¶ÕºÕ§Õ½ Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ÕºÕ§Õ½ ÕºÕ«Õ¿Õ« Õ¸Ö=82Õ¦Õ§Õ«Ö=80 Õ¨Õ¶Õ¥Õ¬
    Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ¡Õ°Õ¡ÕµÕ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶ Õ¡ÕµÖ=81Õ« Õ£Õ¡Ö=81Õ¸Õ² Õ¥Ö=82
    Õ¡Õ¶Õ¸Õ¶Ö=81 Õ°Õ¥Õ¿ Õ¿Õ¡Õ¼Õ¡ÕºÕ¸Õ² Õ=85Õ«Õ½Õ¸Ö=82Õ½Õ«Õ¶Ö=89

    Õ=95Õ·Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Ô±Ö=80Ö=84Õ¥ÕºÕ«Õ½Õ¯Õ¸ÕºÕ¸Õ½

    Ô±Õ¼Õ¡Õ»Õ¶Õ¸Ö=80Õ¤

    Õ=8D. Ô¾Õ¶Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ¤, 2013

    WE WISH YOU A BLESSED AND HOLY NATIVITY

    This Sunday, January 6, is Christmas. The Armenian Church has remained
    faithful to the celebration of the Nativity and Epiphany on January
    6. All Christians celebrated Christmas on January 6 until the
    mid-fourth century when the Roman Church separated the two events,
    celebrating the birth on
    December 25 and the baptism and visit of the magi on January 6 (thus
    the twelve days of Christmas).

    On Christmas Eve a solemn Mass is celebrated, preceded by readings
    taken from various parts of the Bible about the birth or the coming of
    the
    Messiah. The third chapter from the book of Daniel is read, usually by
    a deacon and three young men representing Shadrach, Meshach, and
    Abednego, the
    youths who would not renounce their faith in spite of
    torture. Following Christmas Eve services, traditionally choir members
    would go from house to house singing hymns, spreading the Good News of
    the birth of our Savior.

    On Christmas day, after the Divine Liturgy, a special service is
    performed symbolizing the baptism of Jesus, which was a turning point
    in His life and the beginning of His ministry. This service, which is
    called Blessing of the Water (Churorhnek) commemorates the Baptism and
    the Manifestation of Christ recognizing Him as the true Son of God.

    Light sent from the Father, you came down from heaven and became flesh
    from the Holy Virgin; you are the Lamb of God and Son of the Father.

    Today you appeared in the cave as Savior and accepted adoration from
    the magi and seeing you the shepherds said: You are the Lamb of God
    and Son of the Father.

    Having seen the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, John cried out
    saying: This is the Lamb of God and Son of the Father.
    (From the Canon for the seventh day of Theophany according to the
    Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church).

    PRELATE'S CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

    Saturday, January 5

    His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Philadelphia where in
    the morning he will attend a special 30th Day Remembrance for His
    Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas, former Metropolitan of the Northeast
    American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church that will
    take place at St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church in Philadelphia.

    On Christmas Eve the Prelate will preside over Christmas Eve
    (Jrakalouyts) services at St. Gregory Church in
    Philadelphia. Following services His Eminence will preside over a
    dinner to benefit the Syrian Armenian community that will take place
    at Founders Hall at St. Gregory Church.

    Sunday, January 6

    His Eminence will celebrate the Christmas Divine Liturgy and Blessing
    of the Water at St. Illuminator's Cathedral in New York
    City. Following the services, the Prelate will consecrate the
    Cathedral's new front doors.

    Sunday afternoon, from 5 pm to 7 pm, His Eminence will host his annual
    Christmas Reception at the Prelacy's Vahakn and Hasmig Hovnanian Hall,
    in New York.

    VICAR'S CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

    Saturday, January 5

    Saturday morning His Grace Bishop Anoushavan will attend a celebration
    of the Episcopate of the Right Reverend Mark Sean Sisk, 15th Bishop of
    the Episcopal Diocese of New York, at St. John the Divine Cathedral.

    In the evening, His Grace will preside over Christmas Eve
    (Jrakalouyts) services at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

    Sunday, January 6

    The Vicar will celebrate the Christmas Divine Liturgy and Blessing of
    the Water at Sts.
    Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

    CATHOLICOS ARAM EXPRESSES THANKS; STRESSES NEED FOR ONGOING AID

    His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, expressed
    gratitude to all those who have provided assistance for the Armenian
    community in Syria and stressed the vital need for ongoing
    humanitarian aid for the beleaguered community.

    His Holiness met with Syrian Armenian religious and community leaders
    in Antelias that was also attended by representatives of the
    Catholicosate's Executive Council. His Holiness briefed the delegation
    about his contacts with foreign ambassadors and representatives of
    international non-governmental organization s and foundations and on
    the funds that have been received through the Catholicosate's special
    fund for the Syrian Armenian community.

    The Catholicos listed the priorities that have been agreed upon and
    will be implemented by the leadership in Syria:

    Assist all needy families.

    Ensure the salaries of teachers and staff working in community
    organizations.

    Contact all warring parties for information on those who have been
    kidnapped.

    Strengthen the internal unity of the community.

    In his Christmas message, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan has
    emphatically stated, `Whatever you do for the Armenian community in
    Syria, you have done for the Armenian people in its entirety.' Please
    continue to pray for peace and reconciliation and make the necessary
    sacrifices to help our fellow Armenians in Syria.

    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 (http://e2.ma/click/47h2c/4f4cee/08v2x) 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.

    PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH ELECTED

    His Holiness Yohanna Yazigi was elected as the Greek Orthodox
    Patriarch of Antioch and All the East on December 17. He succeeds
    Patriarch Ignatius IV who died on December 5. Prior to his election,
    the new Patriarch, who was born in Latakia, Syria, served as the
    Metropolitan in Europe. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, as it is
    known, is part of the family of the Oriental Orthodox Churches and is
    in full communion with the Armenian Church.

    PRELACY OFFICE IN YEREVAN WILL DISTRIBUTE VITA MEALS

    The Prelacy's office in Yerevan, St. Nerses the Great Charitable and
    Social Organization, will distribute the contents of a 40-foot
    container filled with VitaMeals that have been secured and transported
    by the
    United Armenian Fund. The VitaMeals will be distributed to Armenian
    refugees from Syria currently in Armenia, as well as needy families,
    and under-nourished children.
    VitaMeal is a product developed with a rice-lentil formula that
    provides the right amount of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates,
    and essential vitamins and minerals. Vegetables, meat, and spices can
    be added according to local tastes. The 40-foot container holds 6,000
    bags of VitaMeal; each bag contains thirty meals. Thus the total
    shipment will provide 180,000 meals.

    BIBLE READINGS

    PLEASE NOTE:
    The 2013 Liturgical Calendar and Daily Bible Readings
    according to the Typicon of the Armenian Apostolic Church
    are now available on the Prelacy's web site (www.armenianprelacy.org
    (http://e2.ma/click/47h2c/4f4cee/g1w2x))

    Bible readings for Sunday, January 6, Christmas and Epiphany, are:

    Divine Liturgy: Titus 2:1-15; Matthew 1:18-25;

    Blessing of Water: 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; Matthew 3:1-17.

    In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea,
    proclaiming, `Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.' This
    is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said, =80=9CThe
    voice of one crying out in the wilderness: `Prepare the way of the
    Lord, make his paths straight.'' Now John wore clothing of camel's
    hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts
    and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going
    out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were
    baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

    But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he
    said to them, `You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the
    wrath to come? Bear fruit worthy of repentance. Do not presume to say
    to yourselves, `We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God
    is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now
    the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that
    does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

    `I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful
    than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He
    will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is
    in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his
    wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable
    fire.'

    Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by
    him. John would have prevented him, saying, `I need to be baptized by
    you, and do you come to me?' But Jesus answered him, `Let it be so
    now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all
    righteousness.' Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized,
    just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to
    him and
    he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on
    him. And a voice from heaven said, `This is my Son, the Beloved, with
    whom I
    am well pleased.' (Matthew 3:1-17)

    For a listing of the coming week's Bible readings click here
    (http://e2.ma/click/47h2c/4f4cee/wtx2x).

    MEMORIAL DAY

    Monday, January 7, the day after Christmas, is Memorial Day. As is the
    custom in the Armenian Church, the day after each of the five great
    tabernacle feasts is a Memorial Day. Traditionally, the Divine Liturgy
    is celebrated on Memorial Day and afterwards the faithful go to the
    cemetery to honor their loved ones and have their graves blessed.

    LITURGICAL CALENDAR POSTER

    A colorful 2013 Liturgical Calendar Poster of the Armenian Apostolic
    Church is available at the Prelacy. At a glance, one can see the cycle
    of
    feasts and fasts and seasons of the Armenian Church year, which begins
    on January 6, 2013, and ends on January 5, 2014. This 27x27 inch
    poster belongs in every classroom as well as on Church bulletin boards
    ($5.00 plus shipping and handling). To order, please contact the
    Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or at [email protected].



    `THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE OF GOD'

    On Tuesday, December 25, in celebration of the Feast of St. Stephen,
    His Holiness Aram I received the clergy, the seminarians, and the
    faithful at the main reception hall of the Catholicosal residence. In
    his message he said, `Today is not only the feast of the protomartyr
    deacon who
    served the Church, it is also the feast of the Church itself. Jesus,
    the Head of the Church, came to the world to serve, not to be
    served. He served the sick, the poor, and the needy. The Church is not
    only a building and rituals; it is the people of God. Throughout our
    history, our church has served our people. The feast of St. Stephen is
    a constant reminder of the essence of our church as the people of
    God.'

    HIS HOLINESS VISITS BIRDS NEST ORPHANAGE

    On the eve of Christmas and the New Year His Holiness Aram I, visited
    the children at the Birds Nest Orphanage in Lebanon, where he spent
    time
    with the children, talked with them, listened to their stories, and
    distributed gifts.

    The Birds Nest Orphanage was established by Danish missionaries during
    the Armenian Genocide and was under the directorship of a young
    missionary, Maria Jacobsen, who remained with the orphanage until her
    death. Thousands of Armenian orphans called her `Mama,' for many the
    only mother they knew. The memory of Maria Jacobsen is legendary among
    Armenians. She kept copious diaries that have helped to document the
    work of the Danish missionaries and the tragedy of the Armenian
    Genocide. In fact, the largest part of her diaries covers the period
    of the Genocide. She was the only one who kept detailed daily
    records. She began her missionary work in Harpoot when she was 24
    years old and she served at the Birds Nest Orphanage until her death
    in 1960 at age 77. Denmark entrusted the orphanage to the
    care of the Holy See of Cilicia in 1970. It is open to all orphans and
    children from broken homes. This year (November 6, 2013) will be the
    130th anniversary of the birth of Maria Jacobsen. It is an appropriate
    time to honor
    the Danish missionaries in general and Maria Jacobsen in particular
    for the gift of life they gave to thousands of Armenian children.

    Maria Jacobsen, Diaries of a Danish Missionary: Harpoot, 1907-1919,
    is available at the Prelacy bookstore ([email protected] or
    212-689-7810).



    DEATH OF SRPOUHI DUSSAP (January 3, 1901)

    Srpouhi Dussap was a pioneering Armenian feminist and the first
    Armenian female novelist. She was born Srpouhi Vahanian in 1842 to a
    well-to-do Armenian Catholic family in Constantinople. Her brother
    Hovhannes (1832-1891) had an important career in the Ottoman
    administration (he was Minister
    of Justice from 1876-1877).

    Srpouhi Vahanian lost her father when she was a young child and grew
    under the care of her mother, Nazli Arzoumanian, a very well-educated
    woman. Her daughter also received a good education in French
    institutions. She
    developed little interest in the Armenian language until she was put
    under
    the tutoring of the famous poet Meguerdich Beshigtashlian
    (1828-1868). Afterwards, she started her literary career, writing her
    first pieces in classical Armenian.

    Srpouhi Vahanian-Dussap married a French musician, Paul
    Dussap. Together they

    operated a literary salon in the European style, where prominent
    intellectuals, writers, and public activists would gather to discuss
    social, political, and literary issues.

    Srpouhi Dussap worked tirelessly for the emancipation of women. She
    attacked traditional patriarchal structures and male oppression, that
    were
    rampant even in the more cultured and cosmopolitan capital of the
    Ottoman Empire. She worked for the Armenian Women's School Society and
    secured funds from local banks, theatrical performances and other
    sources.

    Dussap's first work of fiction, Mayda (1878), written in the form of
    an epistolary novel,became an event. It sold hundreds of copies in a
    few weeks. Despite its glaring flaws that were criticized by her
    contemporaries, the novel marked a turning point in Armenian
    literature for its advocacy of women's rights. Her next novels,
    Siranoush (1884) and Araxi (1888), did not generate the same level of
    controversy, but they marked further developments in her thought.

    She abandoned writing after her third novel because of her ill health,
    but continued her charitable and educational labor. However, personal
    tragedy struck her in 1892. After her return to Constantinople
    following a two-year sojourn in France, her young daughter died of
    tuberculosis. She retreated to religious mysticism, hoping to
    communicate with her dead daughter's spirit, and also burnt most of
    her archives. At the time of her
    death, she had already become a recognized name and poet Zabel Asadour
    (Sibil, 1863-1934) and novelist Zabel Essayan (1878-1942) were already
    following the path she had opened.

    (http://e2.ma/click/47h2c/4f4cee/cmy2x)

    PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER FOR ATLAS ENDS JANUARY 18

    The long-awaited revised edition of the popular Historical Atlas of
    Armenia will be available soon. The special pre-publication price has
    been
    extended to January 18, 2013. 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.

    IN MEMORIAM:
    DR. VARANT HAGOPIAN

    As we completed preparation of this issue of Crossroads this afternoon
    Archbishop Oshagan received the sad news of the death of Dr. Varant
    Hagopian, of Wayland, Massachusetts, a life-long supporter of the
    Prelacy and St. Stephen's Church in Watertown. Dr. Hagopian served for
    many years as a member of the Prelacy's Executive Council during the
    tenures of Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian (1974-77) and Archbishop
    Mesrob Ashjian (1978-1998). He served as Vice Chairman of the Council
    from 1985 to 1988. He also served on a number of Prelacy
    committees. He was awarded the Knight of Cilicia insignia in
    recognition of his service by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of
    Cilicia (later Catholicos of All Armenians).

    Funeral arrangements are not complete at this time. We extend
    heartfelt condolences to his wife Ruth and family. May his soul rest
    in eternal peace and bliss.

    CALENDAR OF EVENTS

    January 6-St. Illuminator's Cathedral, Christmas and Epiphany
    services, celebrated by the Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
    Choloyan. Following the services Archbishop Oshagan will consecrate
    the new doors of the Cathedral. Godfather of the Holy Cross is
    Mr. Ardashes Bedrosian.

    January 13-Bazaar and Food Festival hosted by ARS Mayr Chapter at
    St. Illuminator's Cathedral, Pashalian Hall, 221 E. 27th Street, New
    York City, 1 pm. Free admission. For information contact Anais at
    718-392-6982.

    January 27-St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts,
    Anniversary Dinner and Program following the Divine Liturgy.

    January 29-31-Annual Ghevontianz Joint Clergy Conference hosted by
    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 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.

    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]


    From: Baghdasarian
Working...
X