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Untitled DocumentPRESS 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: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
DECEMBER 14, 2007
DELEGATION FROM ARMENIA VISITS PRELACY
A delegation from Armenia, visiting New York to attend meetings devoted
to children at the United Nations, visited the Prelacy yesterday, December
13. The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, and Dr.
Vazken Ghougassian, Executive Director, welcomed the delegation and shared
in a very congenial dialogue about programs in Armenia that benefit
children, and the programs that the Prelacy currently supports through
orphan sponsorship program and direct aid to orphanages. Heading the
delegation was Mr. Aghvan Vardanyan, the Minister of Social Welfare Affairs.
Other members of the delegation were Dr. Ara Babloyan, chairman of the
standing committee on social, health care and Environmental Protection
Affairs; Col. Nelly Duryan, Deputy to the Director of Internal Affairs for
Children, and Ms. Lala Ghazaryan, head of the Department of Social Welfare
for Orphanages. Accompanying the delegation was Armen Martirossian,
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations.
Also on hand to welcome the delegation were Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
pastor of St. Illuminator's Cathedral, in New York City and Rev. Fr. Nareg
Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York.
CONSUL GENERAL ANTOINE AZZAM VISITS PRELACY
Mr. Antoine Azzam, Consul General of Lebanon, visited the Prelacy today,
December 14, where he met with Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan. The
Consul General expressed greetings on the coming Christmas holiday, and
discussed the current situation in Lebanon. They agreed on the importance of
all factions coming together and standing firm in support of Lebanon.
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO RHODE ISLAND
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Providence, Rhode Island, this weekend
to visit the parish of Sts. Vartanantz Church. Tomorrow, Saturday, December
15, the Prelate will visit the students of the Murad Armenian School. His
Eminence will visit each of the classes and speak with the students. On
Sunday he will preside over the Divine Liturgy and deliver the Sermon. His
Eminence will visit with the students of the Sunday School and share lunch
with them and then enjoy the students' Christmas Pageant, directed by Yn.
Joanna Baghsarian.
BLESSING OF MURON IN 2008
The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia announced that His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I will consecrate the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) next year on
June 7, 2008. The Holy Muron, symbol of the grace of the Holy Spirit, is
traditionally blessed every seven years. Only the Catholicos can consecrate
the oil which is then distributed to the various dioceses for distribution
to the parishes. The oil consists of 48 different herbs, flowers, and oils
which are combined in a special vessel and mixed with some of the old Muron,
creating an unbroken chain with the past.
The Muron Blessing is expected to attract a large number of pilgrims
>From various parts of the world. More details will be forthcoming.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING IN AUGUST 2008
An International Gathering of Youth is being organized by the Holy See
of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I is inviting the youth, 18 years and older,
to attend this gathering which will include a one-week pilgrimage to Der
Zor. Details will follow.
ST. JAMES (HAGOP) OF NISIBUS
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 15, is the feast day St. James (Hagop) of
Nisibus (Mdzbin). He was a participant at the first ecumenical council in
Nicea (325), where he earned great respect from the Emperor Constantine and
other attendees of the council. He was educated in Caesarea and was a cousin
of St. Gregory the Illuminator. He was the first bishop of Nisibis, an
important early Christian center in Asia Minor (south eastern Turkey) that
was a transit point of the caravans traveling between east and west. St.
Hagop is one of the most beloved saints in the Armenian Church. Gregory of
Narek dedicated one of his hymns to him. Although there is not much known
about his personal life, he attempted in old age to reach the summit of Mt.
Ararat in search of the Ark. During the difficult climb one night while
asleep an angel appeared telling him he is too old to continue. The angel
gave him a piece of the Ark and asked him to be satisfied with this and
return home. He complied. This piece of the Ark is kept in Holy Etchmiadzin.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday, December 16, is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent is
supposed to be a period of quiet reflection. It should be a remembrance of
those less fortunate. Feed the hungry. Clothe the poor. Visit the elderly
and sick. Recommit and reinforce the Lord's commandments. That's the real
Christmas.
ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS FOLDER ON INTERNET
>From ST. GREGORY CHURCH IN PHILLY
Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church in Philadelphia, has sent an "Armenian Christmas Folder" through the
internet to his parishioners. The "folder" contains the church's Christmas
liturgical schedule, greeting card list, the Prelate's Christmas message,
Der Nerses's Christmas message, several Armenian Christmas Hymns, and ends
with a Christmas greeting from Der Nerses. Very nicely done! If you would
like to see it click here.
2008 DIARY IS IN THE MAIL
Many of you may have already received the Prelacy's 2008 pocket diary.
Besides its usefulness as a pocket diary, it is filled with information that
is not readily available elsewhere. Enjoy using it all year long.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, December 14, are: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Luke
15:1-7.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to
him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This
fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable:
"Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not
leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost
until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and
rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and
neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that
was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance. (Luke 15:1-7)
For listing of the entire week's Bible readings click here.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click here.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click here.
The year 2007 is coming to an end and with it the Year of the Armenian
Language will come to a close. For the remaining issues of Crossroads
during 2007 we will quote excerpts from the pontifical message issued by
Catholicos Aram I on January 1, 2007.
"Culture is the totality of a nation's mental and spiritual emotions and
dreams, conceptions and aspirations as expressed in words and colors, sounds
and forms. Language has a definitive role in all of this.
"The Armenian language has become the backbone of Armenian culture, the
main artery pumping blood to it. The Armenian language became the driving
force in the creation of the Golden Age and Silver Age in the history of
Armenian culture. The Armenian language became the driving force in the
creation and development of Armenian historiography, hagiography, literature
and the press. In other words, the Armenian language has been the living
means giving form and style, spirit and flight to the Armenian mind.
"The Armenian language continues to remain the pivot of Armenian
culture, one of the main roads leading the Armenians to their intellectual
and spiritual values and traditions. Without the living and vivifying
presence of the Armenian language, Armenian culture will become emptied of
its true contents, will lose its authentic spirit and specific identity.
Without the Armenian language, the Armenian culture, as one of the principal
means of defining and expression of our identity and solid pillars of our
existence, will lose its particularity and vitality."
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Great House of Cilicia
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 16 to December 18-"From Jesus' meals with sinners to the Lord's
Supper," a five part Bible study at the Armenian Prelacy will begin on
October 16 and continue on the first and third Tuesday of the month, from
7:15 to 8:45 pm. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, please
send e-mail to [email protected] or call 212-689-4481.
December 16-St. Gregory Church (North Andover, Massachusetts), Children's
Christmas Pageant and Party following the Divine Liturgy. Luncheon buffet.
December 23-St. Stephen's Day Celebration, Watertown, Massachusetts. The
Golden Jubilee celebration will come to a close with a commemoration of the
church's patron saint, the first deacon and martyr, St. Stephen.
December 31-New Year's Eve Dinner Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey, and ARF Dro Gomideh, The Sheraton Meadowlands, E. Rutherford,
New Jersey. For information 201-943-2950.
February 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, Annual Membership Meeting. Snow date: February 24.
February 24, 2008-Annual Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church (North
Andover, Massachusetts).
March 2, 2008-Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York
City, featuring Aleksandr Nazaryan on viola and Karen Tchougourian on piano.
June 7, 2008-Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon. Details will
follow.
June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council. For
more information click here.
August 15-17, 2008-International Gathering of Youth and Pilgrimage to Der
Zor, organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Details will follow.
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]
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: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
DECEMBER 14, 2007
DELEGATION FROM ARMENIA VISITS PRELACY
A delegation from Armenia, visiting New York to attend meetings devoted
to children at the United Nations, visited the Prelacy yesterday, December
13. The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, and Dr.
Vazken Ghougassian, Executive Director, welcomed the delegation and shared
in a very congenial dialogue about programs in Armenia that benefit
children, and the programs that the Prelacy currently supports through
orphan sponsorship program and direct aid to orphanages. Heading the
delegation was Mr. Aghvan Vardanyan, the Minister of Social Welfare Affairs.
Other members of the delegation were Dr. Ara Babloyan, chairman of the
standing committee on social, health care and Environmental Protection
Affairs; Col. Nelly Duryan, Deputy to the Director of Internal Affairs for
Children, and Ms. Lala Ghazaryan, head of the Department of Social Welfare
for Orphanages. Accompanying the delegation was Armen Martirossian,
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations.
Also on hand to welcome the delegation were Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian,
pastor of St. Illuminator's Cathedral, in New York City and Rev. Fr. Nareg
Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York.
CONSUL GENERAL ANTOINE AZZAM VISITS PRELACY
Mr. Antoine Azzam, Consul General of Lebanon, visited the Prelacy today,
December 14, where he met with Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan. The
Consul General expressed greetings on the coming Christmas holiday, and
discussed the current situation in Lebanon. They agreed on the importance of
all factions coming together and standing firm in support of Lebanon.
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO RHODE ISLAND
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Providence, Rhode Island, this weekend
to visit the parish of Sts. Vartanantz Church. Tomorrow, Saturday, December
15, the Prelate will visit the students of the Murad Armenian School. His
Eminence will visit each of the classes and speak with the students. On
Sunday he will preside over the Divine Liturgy and deliver the Sermon. His
Eminence will visit with the students of the Sunday School and share lunch
with them and then enjoy the students' Christmas Pageant, directed by Yn.
Joanna Baghsarian.
BLESSING OF MURON IN 2008
The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia announced that His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I will consecrate the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) next year on
June 7, 2008. The Holy Muron, symbol of the grace of the Holy Spirit, is
traditionally blessed every seven years. Only the Catholicos can consecrate
the oil which is then distributed to the various dioceses for distribution
to the parishes. The oil consists of 48 different herbs, flowers, and oils
which are combined in a special vessel and mixed with some of the old Muron,
creating an unbroken chain with the past.
The Muron Blessing is expected to attract a large number of pilgrims
>From various parts of the world. More details will be forthcoming.
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING IN AUGUST 2008
An International Gathering of Youth is being organized by the Holy See
of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I is inviting the youth, 18 years and older,
to attend this gathering which will include a one-week pilgrimage to Der
Zor. Details will follow.
ST. JAMES (HAGOP) OF NISIBUS
Tomorrow, Saturday, December 15, is the feast day St. James (Hagop) of
Nisibus (Mdzbin). He was a participant at the first ecumenical council in
Nicea (325), where he earned great respect from the Emperor Constantine and
other attendees of the council. He was educated in Caesarea and was a cousin
of St. Gregory the Illuminator. He was the first bishop of Nisibis, an
important early Christian center in Asia Minor (south eastern Turkey) that
was a transit point of the caravans traveling between east and west. St.
Hagop is one of the most beloved saints in the Armenian Church. Gregory of
Narek dedicated one of his hymns to him. Although there is not much known
about his personal life, he attempted in old age to reach the summit of Mt.
Ararat in search of the Ark. During the difficult climb one night while
asleep an angel appeared telling him he is too old to continue. The angel
gave him a piece of the Ark and asked him to be satisfied with this and
return home. He complied. This piece of the Ark is kept in Holy Etchmiadzin.
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
This Sunday, December 16, is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Advent is
supposed to be a period of quiet reflection. It should be a remembrance of
those less fortunate. Feed the hungry. Clothe the poor. Visit the elderly
and sick. Recommit and reinforce the Lord's commandments. That's the real
Christmas.
ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS FOLDER ON INTERNET
>From ST. GREGORY CHURCH IN PHILLY
Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator
Church in Philadelphia, has sent an "Armenian Christmas Folder" through the
internet to his parishioners. The "folder" contains the church's Christmas
liturgical schedule, greeting card list, the Prelate's Christmas message,
Der Nerses's Christmas message, several Armenian Christmas Hymns, and ends
with a Christmas greeting from Der Nerses. Very nicely done! If you would
like to see it click here.
2008 DIARY IS IN THE MAIL
Many of you may have already received the Prelacy's 2008 pocket diary.
Besides its usefulness as a pocket diary, it is filled with information that
is not readily available elsewhere. Enjoy using it all year long.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, December 14, are: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18; Luke
15:1-7.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to
him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This
fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable:
"Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not
leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost
until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and
rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and
neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that
was lost.' Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one
sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance. (Luke 15:1-7)
For listing of the entire week's Bible readings click here.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE.
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click here.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click here.
The year 2007 is coming to an end and with it the Year of the Armenian
Language will come to a close. For the remaining issues of Crossroads
during 2007 we will quote excerpts from the pontifical message issued by
Catholicos Aram I on January 1, 2007.
"Culture is the totality of a nation's mental and spiritual emotions and
dreams, conceptions and aspirations as expressed in words and colors, sounds
and forms. Language has a definitive role in all of this.
"The Armenian language has become the backbone of Armenian culture, the
main artery pumping blood to it. The Armenian language became the driving
force in the creation of the Golden Age and Silver Age in the history of
Armenian culture. The Armenian language became the driving force in the
creation and development of Armenian historiography, hagiography, literature
and the press. In other words, the Armenian language has been the living
means giving form and style, spirit and flight to the Armenian mind.
"The Armenian language continues to remain the pivot of Armenian
culture, one of the main roads leading the Armenians to their intellectual
and spiritual values and traditions. Without the living and vivifying
presence of the Armenian language, Armenian culture will become emptied of
its true contents, will lose its authentic spirit and specific identity.
Without the Armenian language, the Armenian culture, as one of the principal
means of defining and expression of our identity and solid pillars of our
existence, will lose its particularity and vitality."
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Great House of Cilicia
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 16 to December 18-"From Jesus' meals with sinners to the Lord's
Supper," a five part Bible study at the Armenian Prelacy will begin on
October 16 and continue on the first and third Tuesday of the month, from
7:15 to 8:45 pm. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian
Religious Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, please
send e-mail to [email protected] or call 212-689-4481.
December 16-St. Gregory Church (North Andover, Massachusetts), Children's
Christmas Pageant and Party following the Divine Liturgy. Luncheon buffet.
December 23-St. Stephen's Day Celebration, Watertown, Massachusetts. The
Golden Jubilee celebration will come to a close with a commemoration of the
church's patron saint, the first deacon and martyr, St. Stephen.
December 31-New Year's Eve Dinner Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
New Jersey, and ARF Dro Gomideh, The Sheraton Meadowlands, E. Rutherford,
New Jersey. For information 201-943-2950.
February 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester,
Massachusetts, Annual Membership Meeting. Snow date: February 24.
February 24, 2008-Annual Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church (North
Andover, Massachusetts).
March 2, 2008-Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York
City, featuring Aleksandr Nazaryan on viola and Karen Tchougourian on piano.
June 7, 2008-Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon. Details will
follow.
June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council. For
more information click here.
August 15-17, 2008-International Gathering of Youth and Pilgrimage to Der
Zor, organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Details will follow.
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]