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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: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
March 21, 2007
40th Anniversary of Ordination of Archbishop Oshagan
Will be Celebrated during May in New England,
Mid Atlantic, and Mid West
by Iris Papazian
NEW YORK, NY-The community of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of America, is preparing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan's ordination to the priesthood during
the month of May in three different locations.
Archbishop Oshagan has been the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy since
1998 and last year during the National Representative Assembly he was
elected to a third four-year term. A national steering committee, under the
leadership of Jack Mardoian, Esq., chairman of the Prelacy's Executive
Council, is guiding the three events with the coordination of local
committees.
New England
The first of the commemorations will take place on Saturday, May 5. The
event, which is expected to draw attendees from various parts of New
England, is being hosted by the Sts. Vartanantz Church of Providence, Rhode
Island. The banquet will take place in the evening, beginning with a
reception at 6:30, followed by dinner and program, at the Marriott on Orms
Street in Providence, located right off Interstate 95 and easily reached
from all areas of New England.
Mid Atlantic
One week later, on Saturday, May 12, the Mid Atlantic community will
honor Archbishop Oshagan with a gala banquet at The Marriott at Glenpointe
in Teaneck, New Jersey. A cocktail reception will begin at 7 pm, with dinner
and program at 8 pm. The Marriott's location is conveniently located at the
crossroads of major highways and is easily accessible from New York to
Washington.
Mid West
Coinciding with the Prelacy's National Representative Assembly (NRA),
which is being hosted by St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, the third
event will take place on Friday, May 18, at Doubletree Hotel, in Dearborn.
Cocktail reception will begin at 7 pm, with dinner and program beginning at
8 pm. This event will provide the opportunity for the faithful of the Mid
West parishes to attend, as well as the NRA delegates who will be in
Dearborn for the annual assembly.
Identical Programs
The program at all three events will be basically the same, with some
variation for local artistic participation. Mr. Mardoian will be the Master
of Ceremonies, and Judge Sarkis Teshoian will be the keynote speaker at all
three events. A video message from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia, will be shown, as will a short video presentation
about Archbishop Oshagan's life and service. The Vicar General, His Grace
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, who is hosting all three events on behalf of
the Religious and Executive Councils, will introduce the Prelate.
Keynote Address
The Honorable Judge Sarkis Teshoian, a devoted son of the Armenian
Church and a close friend of the Prelate, will deliver the keynote address
at all three events. Judge Teshoian has served in many leading positions,
including chairman of the Prelacy's Executive Council. He has been honored
by the Holy See of Cilicia for his devoted service by both Catholicos
Karekin II, and Catholicos Aram I, who presented him with the highest
civilian award-the Prince of Cilicia insignia-in 2005.
Judge Teshoian was appointed to the judiciary in 1988 by then Governor
of Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis. Judge Teshoian, who retired recently
after serving close to 18 years on the bench, notes that for a judge it is
most important to have a sense of fairness, to allow individuals to present
their perspectives, and to study situations without prejudice. By following
his own guidelines, he has earned the respect of his fellow jurists and the
public for his integrity, humanity, and his vast knowledge of the law.
Last year, the Massachusetts Judges' Conference honored Judge Teshoian
for judicial excellence in the district court. In 1980, he received the
Ecumenical Award from the St. Thomas Moore Society.
Commemorative Booklet
A commemorative book is being published on this occasion devoted to the
life and service of the honoree. The book will be a keepsake memento of an
extraordinary gifted clergyman. Donations, which His Eminence has requested
to benefit the Prelacy's fund for clergy recruitment, training and education
and religious publications, will be acknowledged in the commemorative book.
Inquiries about this should be directed to the Prelacy office in New York
City.
Archbishop Oshagan
Archbishop Oshagan was born in Aleppo, Syria, in 1947, with baptismal
name of Manoog. He is the third of six children of Antranig and Marie (nee
Kasbarian) Choloyan. He received his primary education in Aleppo's Haikazian
School. In 1960 he was accepted into the Cilician See's Seminary in
Antelias, Lebanon. He was ordained a deacon in 1964 and a celibate priest in
1967, and given the name Oshagan, by Bishop Karekin Sarkissian, who in 1994
as Catholicos Karekin II of Cilicia, ordained him to the Episcopal rank. He
1998, His Holiness Aram I elevated him to the rank of Archbishop.
He attended the American University of Beirut from 1968 to 1970 where he
majored in history. From 1974 to 1978 he attended Princeton Theological
Seminary where he majored in education and psychology, earning a Masters
Degree. Continuing his studies at Princeton, he earned a second Masters in
the history of the church.
In May 1977, he was called upon to serve as locum tenens of the Eastern
Prelacy for eight months prior to the election of a new prelate. In April
1980, His Holiness Karekin II appointed him pontifical legate to Kuwait and
the Arab Emirates, to organize the whole region, which in 1992 was
officially declared the newest diocese of the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia. He was subsequently elected to serve that diocese as prelate. In
1998, he was elected prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America. He was re-elected in 2002 and 2006.
In addition to his demanding pastoral and leadership duties, Archbishop
Oshagan has been a vital force in preserving the music of the Armenian
Church. Together with the late Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian, he meticulously
prepared five volumes of sharagans (hymns) of the Armenian Church, most of
which were not available in print, thus preserving the hymns for posterity.
He and Archbishop Aznavourian also collaborated on a new translation of the
New Testament from Classical Armenian into modern Armenian. They were in the
midst of translating the Old Testament when Archbishop Zareh passed away.
Archbishop Oshagan is currently leading the continuation of this monumental
work in tribute to his late spiritual brother.
He has been a member of the Middle East Council of Churches since 1979,
serving for several years on the executive committee. He has served as a
delegate to the World Council of Churches Assembly, and he has participated
in many ecumenical meetings throughout the world representing the Holy See
of Cilicia. He served as co-chair of the executive committee for the 1700th
anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in
Armenia. Most recently he was elected chairman of the newly formed
organization of the churches of the Middle East in the United States.
Throughout his service to the Armenian Church he has been guided by his
intense faith in the mission of the Church and his dedication to the
Armenian nation, always guided by the words of St. Paul, "Therefore.be
steadfast, immoveable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you
know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Information can be obtained from local parishes or the Prelacy by
telephone (212-689-7810) or on the Prelacy web page
(www.armenianprelacy.org) which lists complete information about all three
events.
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
March 21, 2007
40th Anniversary of Ordination of Archbishop Oshagan
Will be Celebrated during May in New England,
Mid Atlantic, and Mid West
by Iris Papazian
NEW YORK, NY-The community of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of America, is preparing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan's ordination to the priesthood during
the month of May in three different locations.
Archbishop Oshagan has been the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy since
1998 and last year during the National Representative Assembly he was
elected to a third four-year term. A national steering committee, under the
leadership of Jack Mardoian, Esq., chairman of the Prelacy's Executive
Council, is guiding the three events with the coordination of local
committees.
New England
The first of the commemorations will take place on Saturday, May 5. The
event, which is expected to draw attendees from various parts of New
England, is being hosted by the Sts. Vartanantz Church of Providence, Rhode
Island. The banquet will take place in the evening, beginning with a
reception at 6:30, followed by dinner and program, at the Marriott on Orms
Street in Providence, located right off Interstate 95 and easily reached
from all areas of New England.
Mid Atlantic
One week later, on Saturday, May 12, the Mid Atlantic community will
honor Archbishop Oshagan with a gala banquet at The Marriott at Glenpointe
in Teaneck, New Jersey. A cocktail reception will begin at 7 pm, with dinner
and program at 8 pm. The Marriott's location is conveniently located at the
crossroads of major highways and is easily accessible from New York to
Washington.
Mid West
Coinciding with the Prelacy's National Representative Assembly (NRA),
which is being hosted by St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, the third
event will take place on Friday, May 18, at Doubletree Hotel, in Dearborn.
Cocktail reception will begin at 7 pm, with dinner and program beginning at
8 pm. This event will provide the opportunity for the faithful of the Mid
West parishes to attend, as well as the NRA delegates who will be in
Dearborn for the annual assembly.
Identical Programs
The program at all three events will be basically the same, with some
variation for local artistic participation. Mr. Mardoian will be the Master
of Ceremonies, and Judge Sarkis Teshoian will be the keynote speaker at all
three events. A video message from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Great House of Cilicia, will be shown, as will a short video presentation
about Archbishop Oshagan's life and service. The Vicar General, His Grace
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, who is hosting all three events on behalf of
the Religious and Executive Councils, will introduce the Prelate.
Keynote Address
The Honorable Judge Sarkis Teshoian, a devoted son of the Armenian
Church and a close friend of the Prelate, will deliver the keynote address
at all three events. Judge Teshoian has served in many leading positions,
including chairman of the Prelacy's Executive Council. He has been honored
by the Holy See of Cilicia for his devoted service by both Catholicos
Karekin II, and Catholicos Aram I, who presented him with the highest
civilian award-the Prince of Cilicia insignia-in 2005.
Judge Teshoian was appointed to the judiciary in 1988 by then Governor
of Massachusetts, Michael Dukakis. Judge Teshoian, who retired recently
after serving close to 18 years on the bench, notes that for a judge it is
most important to have a sense of fairness, to allow individuals to present
their perspectives, and to study situations without prejudice. By following
his own guidelines, he has earned the respect of his fellow jurists and the
public for his integrity, humanity, and his vast knowledge of the law.
Last year, the Massachusetts Judges' Conference honored Judge Teshoian
for judicial excellence in the district court. In 1980, he received the
Ecumenical Award from the St. Thomas Moore Society.
Commemorative Booklet
A commemorative book is being published on this occasion devoted to the
life and service of the honoree. The book will be a keepsake memento of an
extraordinary gifted clergyman. Donations, which His Eminence has requested
to benefit the Prelacy's fund for clergy recruitment, training and education
and religious publications, will be acknowledged in the commemorative book.
Inquiries about this should be directed to the Prelacy office in New York
City.
Archbishop Oshagan
Archbishop Oshagan was born in Aleppo, Syria, in 1947, with baptismal
name of Manoog. He is the third of six children of Antranig and Marie (nee
Kasbarian) Choloyan. He received his primary education in Aleppo's Haikazian
School. In 1960 he was accepted into the Cilician See's Seminary in
Antelias, Lebanon. He was ordained a deacon in 1964 and a celibate priest in
1967, and given the name Oshagan, by Bishop Karekin Sarkissian, who in 1994
as Catholicos Karekin II of Cilicia, ordained him to the Episcopal rank. He
1998, His Holiness Aram I elevated him to the rank of Archbishop.
He attended the American University of Beirut from 1968 to 1970 where he
majored in history. From 1974 to 1978 he attended Princeton Theological
Seminary where he majored in education and psychology, earning a Masters
Degree. Continuing his studies at Princeton, he earned a second Masters in
the history of the church.
In May 1977, he was called upon to serve as locum tenens of the Eastern
Prelacy for eight months prior to the election of a new prelate. In April
1980, His Holiness Karekin II appointed him pontifical legate to Kuwait and
the Arab Emirates, to organize the whole region, which in 1992 was
officially declared the newest diocese of the Armenian Catholicosate of
Cilicia. He was subsequently elected to serve that diocese as prelate. In
1998, he was elected prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America. He was re-elected in 2002 and 2006.
In addition to his demanding pastoral and leadership duties, Archbishop
Oshagan has been a vital force in preserving the music of the Armenian
Church. Together with the late Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian, he meticulously
prepared five volumes of sharagans (hymns) of the Armenian Church, most of
which were not available in print, thus preserving the hymns for posterity.
He and Archbishop Aznavourian also collaborated on a new translation of the
New Testament from Classical Armenian into modern Armenian. They were in the
midst of translating the Old Testament when Archbishop Zareh passed away.
Archbishop Oshagan is currently leading the continuation of this monumental
work in tribute to his late spiritual brother.
He has been a member of the Middle East Council of Churches since 1979,
serving for several years on the executive committee. He has served as a
delegate to the World Council of Churches Assembly, and he has participated
in many ecumenical meetings throughout the world representing the Holy See
of Cilicia. He served as co-chair of the executive committee for the 1700th
anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as the state religion in
Armenia. Most recently he was elected chairman of the newly formed
organization of the churches of the Middle East in the United States.
Throughout his service to the Armenian Church he has been guided by his
intense faith in the mission of the Church and his dedication to the
Armenian nation, always guided by the words of St. Paul, "Therefore.be
steadfast, immoveable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you
know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
Information can be obtained from local parishes or the Prelacy by
telephone (212-689-7810) or on the Prelacy web page
(www.armenianprelacy.org) which lists complete information about all three
events.