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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/
March 12, 2015
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE:
NATIONAL EVENTS IN WASHINGTON
The national observance in the United States includes special events
that will take place over a three-day period (May 7, 8, 9) in
Washington, DC, that includes an ecumenical prayer service, a
Pontifical Divine Liturgy, a memorial concert, and an awards banquet
honoring those who helped the survivors. The Catholicoi, His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will be present to preside
over the events. Armenians from all over the United States are
expected to participate in solidarity and unity.
Events in Washington, DC
Thursday, May 7, 2015-Ecumenical Service, 7 pm
Ecumenical Service will take place at the National Cathedral, 3101
Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See
of Cilicia. President of Armenia, Serge Sarkisian, will attend as will
many dignitaries and diplomats. Performances by soprano Isabel
Bayrakdarian and Hover Chamber Choir. Very limited seating and ID is
needed. Tickets (non-transferable and color-coded for seating blocks)
are free but required for entry. Contact your local parish and
register your name for tickets.
Friday, May 8, 2015-Concert of Armenian Music at 8 pm
`A Journey through 100 Years, ` a concert of Armenian music at the
Music Center at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike North, Bethesda,
Maryland. Artists participating include sopranos Hasmik Papian and
Isabel Bayrakdarian, violinists Ida Kavafian and Levon Chilingirian,
cellist Alexander Chaushian, clarinetist Narek Arutyunian, Hover
Chamber Choir, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by
Edward Topchian. For tickets ($40 to $125) go to www.strathmore.org.
Saturday, May 9, 2015-Divine Liturgy at 10 am
Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC, on the
campus of Catholic University, at 10 am. His Holiness Karekin II will
celebrate the
Divine Liturgy and His Holiness Aram I will deliver the sermon.
Armenian choirs from across the country will participate under the
direction of
Maestro Khoren Mekanejian.
Saturday, May 9, 2015-Reception and Banquet, 6 pm
Reception and Banquet at the Marriott Marquis Hotel at 6
pm. Institutions and individuals who helped Armenians will be honored,
with remembrance of all those experiencing genocide and human rights
abuses. Mark Geragos, emcee; keynote speakers to be announced; Zulal,
a cappella choir, will perform. Tickets are $120 per person. Checks
should be payable to Armenian Commemoration Centennial, and mailed to
NCAGC, 4125 Fessenden Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016.
THOSE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE WASHINGTON EVENTS SHOULD MAKE THEIR HOTEL
RESERVATIONS AND TICKET PURCHASES IMMEDIATELY.
Learn more about the national observance in Washington at
www.armeniangenocidecentennial.org
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/0s7oub).
NEW YORK METRO AREA EVENTS ORGANIZED BY CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
Divine Liturgy, Friday, April 24, 10 am
at
Saint Vartan's Cathedral
630 Second Avenue, New York City
and
Saint Illuminator's Cathedral
221 East 27th Street, New York City
Friday, April 24-March to Demand Justice, 12 noon
Immediately after the Divine Liturgy there will be a march from
St. Vartan
and St. Illuminator Cathedrals to the Turkish Embassy organized by the
ARF-ADL.
Sunday, April 26-Divine Liturgy, 10 am
Saint Vartan's Cathedral
The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Church of America; the
sermon will be delivered by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. Please note:
Divine Liturgy will not be celebrated in local parishes of the Eastern
Diocese and Eastern Prelacy on Sunday, April 26.
Sunday, April 26, 2015-Gathering at Times Square
Immediately after the Liturgy, the faithful will walk in a procession
from
Second Avenue and 34th Street to Times Square to participate in a
rally/gathering at the crossroads of the world. Buses are expected
from throughout the East Coast and Midwest making this the largest
gathering ever of Armenian Americans.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TIMES SQUARE GATHERING
The Knights of Vartan and the Eastern Centennial Committee have issued
a call for volunteers to assist the elderly, direct procession
participants, maintain security, and to keep order and flow of traffic
of the participants
at the gathering at Times Square on Sunday, April 26. Volunteers are
needed for the procession from St. Vartan Cathedral to Times Square,
9am to 2pm and at Times Square, 10am to 5pm. Volunteers will be
required to attend a pre-event orientation on Sunday, April 19, 1 pm
at St. Vartan Cathedral (V-Hall). Contact: Tigran Sahakyan,
212-444-8003, [email protected] or Ari Minnetyan, 516-521-7347,
[email protected].
`RESPONSIBILITY 2015' WILL TAKE PLACE THIS WEEKEND
`Responsibility 2015,' an international conference for the
Armenian Genocide's centennial will take place this Friday, Saturday,
and Sunday, March 13, 14, and 15, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in
Times Square, New York City. The conference featuring prominent
historians, policymakers, authors, and artists is organized by the ARF
Eastern US Centennial Committee, under the auspices of the Armenian
Genocide Centennial Committee of America, Eastern Region.
For information: www.responsibility2015.com
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/gl8oub).
IN MEMORIAM
Jeanette Nazarian
1956-2015
It was with heartbreaking sorrow that we received the news of the
passing of Jeanette Sophia Nazarian, who died on Saturday, March
7. Jeanette was a faithful member of the St. Gregory the Illuminator
parish in Philadelphia where she served in a number of capacities
including director of the Sunday School for which she had a deep and
special passion.
Funeral services will take place this Saturday, March 14, at
St. Gregory Church, officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan. Viewing will
take place from 9 am to 11 am. Funeral services will follow at 11 am.
Jeanette Sophia Nazarian was born on June 1, 1956, to the late
Joomshoot Nazarian and Victoria Azadouhi Antabian Nazarian, who
survives her. Jeanette
received a BA in German from Saint Joseph University and a BS from
Thomas Jefferson University in Occupational Therapy. She loved
languages and in addition to English she spoke Armenian, German, and
Russian.
Jeanette's passion in life was her faith and the Armenian Church and
making a difference in the lives of her students in the Sunday
School. In addition to her dedication to the Sunday School, Jeanette
has served as editor and photographer of The Illuminator, as a
delegate to the National Representative Assembly, as a member of the
Board of Trustees, the choir, the
Knar Choral Group, and an instructor and advisor at the Prelacy's
St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute. She was a frequent contributor
to the Prelacy's e-newsletter Crossroads with news about her
Philadelphia parish.
Jeanette is survived by her mother Victoria and her sister Anita. We
pray the Almighty will embrace His faithful servant in heavenly peace
and grant the grace of His comfort to her family and all those who
loved and admired her. Asdvatz Hokeen Lousavoreh.
ST. GREGORY OF NAREK:
THE 36TH DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
St. Gregory of Narek, the tenth century Armenian monk, priest, mystic,
composer, theologian, and poet was declared the 36th Doctor of the
Church by Pope Francis on February 21. The Roman Catholic Church
confers this honor on
saints whose lives and writings have provided significant
contributions to
the teachings of the faith. Thus, Gregory joins 35 other Doctors that
include notable names like Augustine, John Chrysostom, and Thomas
Aquinas.
Gregory grew up in a family of church leaders. His father was a bishop
and
theologian and his uncle was abbot of the famed Narek Monastery on the
shores of Lake Van. Gregory spent most of his life as a monk, priest,
and teacher at Narek. His first notable work was a commentary on the
Song of Songs.
He also wrote many letters, odes, songs, poems, and Armenian
liturgical chants. His masterwork was his last, the `Book of
Lamentations,' known simply as the `Narek.' It is a collection of 95
deeply personal prayers composed in classical Armenian in 1003, with
one major goal: `Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart.'
The Narek has been the source of consolation and guidance for
generations in times of suffering.
The Narek was published in 2001 in a bilingual edition with English
translation by Tom Samuelian. The book is now out-of-print; however,
the Prelacy Bookstore has a few copies left from its original
stock. The price is $35.00 plus shipping & handling. Contact the
Bookstore, ([email protected]) or 212-689-7810.
Gregory of Narek will be remembered on the Roman Catholic Church's
liturgical calendar on February 27 each year. In the Armenian Church,
he is remembered on several occasions during the year.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, March 15, Fifth Sunday of Lent, Sunday of
the Judge are: Isaiah 65:8-25; Philippians 3:1-4:9; Luke 17:20-18:14.
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not
to lose heart. He said, `In a certain city there was a judge who
neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was
a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against
my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself,
`Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because
this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she
may not wear me out by continually coming.' And the Lord said, `Listen
to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his
chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in
helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And
yet, when the Son of
Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' (Luke 18:1-8)
For a listing of the coming week's Bible readings click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/wd9oub).
SUNDAY OF THE JUDGE
We are now more than half-way through Great Lent (yesterday was
Michink, the median day of Lent). This Sunday, March 15, is the Sunday
of the Judge (Datavori Kiraki). The Gospel reading for this day is the
parable told by Jesus about a widow and a judge (see reading
above). The judge in the parable
is seen as hard-hearted and without principles, fear of God, or
compassion
for people. A widow in the same town has been ill-treated and she has
come
to the judge for justice. Although her cause is just, the judge does
not pay attention to her case. However, she is persistent and she
makes the same
appeal again and again until at last the judge decides to see she
receives
justice. He does this not because he cares about justice, but because
he wants to be rid of the widow.
The message of this parable is that we must persist in our pursuit of
righteousness and justice with the confidence that perseverance
(especially in prayer) will be rewarded.
FORTY MARTYRS OF SEBASTIA
This Saturday, March 14, we remember the Forty Martyrs of
Sebastia. Although the backgrounds and identities of the forty young
soldiers are not
known, it is believed they came from Lesser Armenia and served in the
Roman army. According to St. Basil of Caesarea, forty Christian
soldiers refused to worship the Roman emperor while stationed in
Sebastia in Armenia in 320. They remained faithful to their Christian
faith. The soldiers were tried
and condemned to death by stoning. Miraculously, when the sentence was
being carried out, the stones would not reach the condemned soldiers,
but would instead come back striking those throwing the stones. The
soldiers were then thrown into a frozen lake and forced to stay there,
unless they renounced their faith. Warm baths were prepared for anyone
who would recant. Of the forty, only one gave up. When he did, another
soldier, moved by the example of the suffering Christians, declared
himself a Christian and took the apostate's place. All forty died.
Some of our great Church Fathers like Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Ephraim
the
Assyrian, and Sisian of Sebastia, wrote panegyrics about the forty
martyrs, who are remembered each year during Lent on the Saturday
following the median day of Lent. The Armenians have built and named
churches in memory of the Forty Martyrs in various parts of the world.
LENTEN REFLECTIONS CONTINUE
The fourth of the Prelacy's six-part Lenten Program took place last
night at St. Illuminator's Cathedral in New York City, with church
service and reflections and meal fellowship, presided over by His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan.
This year, instead of faith-based topics, the Lenten reflections are
focusing on diverse aspects of the Armenian Genocide, in commemoration
of the centennial anniversary. The reflections are presented by young
adults, three every Wednesday. Last night's presentations were offered
by Lara Milian Bardizbanian, Simon Bardizbanian, Esq., and Hooshere
Bezdikian Kaligian.
Next Wednesday, March 18, reflections will be presented by Andrew
Bagdasarian, Dalita Getzoyan, Anahid Ugurlayan, Esq.
The Lenten Program is sponsored by the Prelacy's Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy's Ladies Guild (PLG), and the
Ladies' Guild of St. Illuminator's Cathedral.
The presenters last night were Lara Milian Bardizbanian, Simon
Bardizbanian, Esq., Hooshere Bezdikian Kaligian.
Reflections offered in prior weeks, can be seen here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/c69oub).
MUSICAL ARMENIA
To all lovers of Armenian music: The 32nd Musical Armenia concert is
just a week away. If you have not secured your tickets we suggest that
you do so
right away. Tickets are $25 and can be secured from the Carnegie Box
Office, 212-247-7800 or from the Prelacy, 212-689-7810
([email protected]).
The annual Musical Armenia concert series presented by the Eastern
Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Prelacy Ladies Guild, will
take place Friday, March 20, 2015 at 8 p.m. in Weill Recital Hall at
Carnegie Hall in New York City. The high standards of professionalism
as represented by
the roster of artists featured during the past years will continue
with this year's thirty-second concert of the series. A duo of
exceptionally talented musicians, Patil Harboyan, pianist, and Heather
Tuach, cellist,
in a program dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, will present the works of Armenian composers, including
Atamian, Babajanian, Khatchaturian, Saradjian, Stepanian, and
Talalyan. A considerable part of
the program will be devoted to the work of the great Armenian composer
and
musicologist Komitas Vardapet, who was among the intellectuals and
leaders
arrested on April 24, 1915, at the onslaught of the Armenian
Genocide. Continue reading the entire press release here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/syapub).
For an online interview with Patil Harboyan go to
http://www.horizonweekly.ca/news/details/53300
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/8qbpub)
CURRICULUM MATERIALS ON THE GENOCIDE
Fulfilling one of the missions of the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC) of providing educational resources and guidance to
Armenian schools, ANEC recently prepared curriculum materials on the
Armenian Genocide for
use of the schools under its jurisdiction. Structured as a Power Point
presentation enriched with maps and illustrations, it includes an
introduction
about the definition of genocide and the reasons why the Medz Yeghern
is a
genocide, a historical background (the beginnings of the Armenian
Question
and the massacres of 1894-1896 and 1909), and the process of
annihilation and its aftermath up to the present day. The materials
have been sent to the schools for distribution to all teachers.
ARS REMEMBRANCE DAY
Remembrance Day for the Armenian Relief Society was observed in all
Prelacy parishes on Sunday, March 1. Requiem service was observed for
all deceased members and benefactors of the ARS.
Remembered specifically was the founder of the ARS, Agnouni
(Khatchadour Maloomian), on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of
his death, as well as benefactors George and Beatrice Lazarian, Levon
and Sophia Hagopian, Karekin and Virginia Siroonian, Samuel and Agnes
Yeremian, Araxie Proodian, Haiganoush Garabedian, Doris Norian Lentzi,
Alice Norian, Arpkes Kelerchian, Hagop Jacques Mouradian , Alice
Haigazian Berman, Genevieve Yekeshian,
Yervant and Helen Terzian, Albert and Takouhi Bagian, Giragos
Vaporsiyan, Kourken Assaturian, and Margaret Assaturian.
`This is a day for us to honor those who served the Armenian people
for many decades in the field of education and humanitarian and social
welfare. It is also an opportunity for us to express appreciation of
the Armenian Relief Society's noble service for more than 100 years,'
said the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan.
Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, Rev. Fr. Mesrob, and Talin
Daghlian, chairlady of the ARS Eastern Region, with members of the New
York Mayr Chapter of the ARS, at St. Illuminator's Cathedral in New
York.
Requiem Service for ARS members and benefactors at Sts. Vartanantz
Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey.
SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance.
Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your
pocketbooks.
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
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/ojcpub) AND SELECT SYRIAN
ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.
OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR DONATION TO:
Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief
Thank you for your help
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
Birth of Alan Hovhaness (March 8, 1911)
Armenian American composer Alan Hovhaness is said to be one of the
most prolific composers of the 20th century.
He was born Alan Vaness Chakmakjian in Somerville (Massachusetts), on
March 8, 1911. His father, Haroutioun Chakmakjian (1878-1973), was a
professor of chemistry at Tufts College and author of a popular
English-Armenian dictionary, as well as onetime editor of
Hairenik. His mother, Madeleine Scott,
was of Scottish ancestry, and did not especially approve that he
learned about Armenian culture from his father. Until her death in
1931, the composer would sign his earliest music as Alan Scott Vaness.
Alan Hovhaness was a precocious composer who already penned operas by
age 14. After initial studies at Tufts College, he studied composition
at the New England Conservatory of Music, in Boston. In the 1930s, he
composed mostly chamber music in Western modes of expression.
He would shift to a fusion of Western and Eastern music in the 1940s,
starting with his job as organist at St. James Armenian Church in
Watertown, where he was exposed to the Armenian liturgy and the works
of Komitas Vartabed. `It was through Komitas that I got the idea of
saying as much as
possible with the fewest possible notes,' he would write later. He
got rid of most of his earliest music, and started anew to seek out
his Armenian heritage. His `Armenian period' lasted from 1943 to 1951,
and was benefited from the performances of important works and rave
reviews in the mainstream press. The Friends of Armenian Music, a
committee headed by pianist Maro Ajemian and her sister, violinist
Anahid Ajemian, were instrumental in supporting him in various
capacities. Maro Ajemian performed and recorded many of his works.
Alan Hovhaness conducts the Ani Symphony at the Metropolitan Museum of
Art
in New York City on April 21, 1989, in one of several events sponsored
by the Prelacy on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the Great
Cathedral of Ani.
After a three-year stint at the Boston Music Conservatory (1948-1951),
while he had married for the third time, Hovhaness gradually acquired
considerable reputation. He received academic honors and a steady flow
of commissions. He embarked on a more Western phase of writing and
devoted himself to full-time composing. His Symphony No. 2 (Mysterious
Mountain ) that premiered in 1955, brought him national
recognition. MGM Records released 8 long-plays of all-Hovhaness
records from 1955-1957. `Mysterious Mountain' was recorded in 1958 by
Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and became his most
famous recording and most-performed orchestral work. To this day it is
considered to be one of the best recordings ever made.
After a Fulbright research scholarship in India (1959-1960), Alan
Hovhaness also visited and studied in Japan and Korea. He also visited
the former Soviet Union in 1965, including Soviet Armenia. He shared
his time between New York and Switzerland in the mid-1960s, while
steadily maintaining his prolific output. He settled in Seattle,
Washington, in the early 1970s. At this time, his music veered towards
a more Western neo-romantic expression. In 1977 he married his sixth
wife, Japanese soprano Hinako Fujihara. In the same year, he was
elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
In 1991 the American Composers Society and the Eastern Prelacy, by
initiative of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, celebrated the 80th birthday
of Alan Hovhaness at Carnegie Hall. He directed his own works,
including the premiere of his symphony No. 65 `Artsakh,' dedicated to
the heroic fighters for the liberation of Karabagh and commissioned by
the Prelacy.
The composer continued to be active until his 85th birthday. In 1996
his health suffered a marked decline. He passed away on June 21, 2000
at the age
of 89. His official catalogue includes 67 symphonies and 434 works.
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/4bdpub)
Episode 28: Interview with Mrs. Lala Demirdjian-Attarian, Executive
Director of ARS, Inc.
AND IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE RECENT ARTICLES...
Armenian Leaders Establish Rights Award to Commemorate Centenary of
Genocide
By Rick Gladstone, New York Times, March 10. Click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/k4dpub).
Study Backs 5th-Century Historian's Date for Founding of Armenia
By Nicholas Wade, New York Times, March 11. Click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/0wepub).
Why does Turkey continue to deny Armenian genocide?
By Chris Bohjalian, Boston Globe, March 9. Click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/gpfpub).
Remembering a forgotten genocide.
By Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Catholic Philly, March 5. Click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/whgpub).
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 5-27-Solo Exhibition of art by Seeroon Yeretzian,
N.A.W.A. Gallery, 80 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1405, New York City, Tuesday
to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm. Opening reception on March 5, 5 pm to 8
pm. For information: 212-675-1616.
March 13-15-`Responsibility 2015,' International conference for
Armenian Genocide's centennial at Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York,
featuring prominent historians, policymakers, authors, and
artists. Organized by the ARF Eastern US Centennial Committee, under
the auspices of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America,
Eastern Region. www.responsibility2015.com for information.
March 15-Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield,
New Jersey, Annual Membership Meeting following the Divine
Liturgy. For information: 201-943-2950.
March 13-15-International conference, `Responsibility 2015' marking
the Armenian Genocide's centennial, at Marriott Marquis Hotel, New
York City. Organized by the ARF Eastern United States Centennial
Committee, under the auspices of the Armenian Genocide Centennial
Committee of America, Eastern Region. For information visit the web
site (www.responsibility2015.com).
March 20-Musical Armenia, presented by Eastern Prelacy and Prelacy
Ladies Guild, Weill Recital Hall, 8 pm, Carnegie Hall, New York
City. Featured artists Patil Harboyan, piano and Heather Tuach, cello,
will present a
program dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
that will include works of Armenian composers Atamian, Babajanian,
Gomidas, Khatchaturian, Saradjian, Stepanian, and Talalyan. Tickets
are $25 and will be on sale after December 20th at the box office and
the Prelacy, 212-689-7810.
March 21-`Renewal and Remembrance,' Centennial Commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide presented by Hamazkayin of Philadelphia, at Founders
Hall, 7:30 pm, celebrating three generations of the Armenian singer in
the Diaspora, featuring Maroush Paneyan-Nigon (soprano), Barig
Naltantian (soprano), Vartan Gabrielian (baritone), and Gary Gress
(piano) performing works by European, American and Armenian
composers. Tickets: $35. Anny Aghajanian 215-699-9296; Elizabeth
Dramgotchian 215-920-6054; Kari Ghezarian 484-919-0203.
March 28-Eastern Prelacy's Mid Atlantic Regional Conference for
pastors, trustees, and delegates, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 10 am to 4 pm.
April 21-`Commemorating the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide: A
Reading in Remembrance,' Holy Cross Church, 580 West 187th Street, New
York City, 7 pm. For information: Lola Koundakjian,
[email protected].
April 23-Canonization of the Armenian Martyrs of 1915 in Holy
Etchmiadzin, Armenia.
April 25-Connecticut Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day at the
Connecticut State Capitol. Keynote speaker: Noted author Chris
Bohjalian.
April 26-Centennial commemoration of Genocide. Joint united Divine
Liturgy in New York City (site to be announced), presided by
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. To be
followed by Times Square gathering `100 Years to Remember.'
April 27-`Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide,' by Drew University Center for Holocaust/Genocide Study in
Madison, New Jersey at 7 pm. Testimony of Andranik Vartanian
(1900-2007), presented by his daughter Susan Vartanian Barba; `Undoing
Denial: The Armenian Genocide and Art' presented by Neery
E. Melkonian; Concert by the Armenian folk group, Zulal, an a cappella
trio will present Armenian village folk melodies. Free and open to the
public. RSVP encouraged: (973) 408-3600 or [email protected].
May 7, 8, 9-National Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration in
Washington, DC, organized under the patronage of the Diocese and the
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Presided by His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of
Cilicia. May 7, Ecumenical Service at the National Cathedral, 7 pm;
May 8, A Journey Through Armenian Music at the Music Center at
Strathmore, 7:30 pm; May 8 & 9, Exhibits, Films, and Events at various
venues; May 9, Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception, 10 am; May 9, A Time to Give Thanks,
banquet, 6 pm, Marriott Marquis.
May 10 to June 4-Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I to the
Eastern Prelacy.
June 3-6-National Representative Assembly hosted by St. Stephen's
Church, Watertown, Massachusetts.
June 18-Annual Cigar Night and Dinner, Men's Club of St. Gregory
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. Drawing of
Super Raffle of 2015 Mercedes Benz-CLA 250 will take place. Raffle
tickets can be purchased online
(saintgregory.org/organizations/mens-club).
July 18-Blessing of the Holy Muron (Oil) by His Holiness Aram I, at
the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias,
Lebanon. For details click here.
October 5-9-Clergy gathering of Eastern, Western, and Canadian
Prelacies.
November 15-90th Anniversary Banquet, St. Stephen's Church, 167
Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Watch for details.
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 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/
March 12, 2015
ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE:
NATIONAL EVENTS IN WASHINGTON
The national observance in the United States includes special events
that will take place over a three-day period (May 7, 8, 9) in
Washington, DC, that includes an ecumenical prayer service, a
Pontifical Divine Liturgy, a memorial concert, and an awards banquet
honoring those who helped the survivors. The Catholicoi, His Holiness
Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I,
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will be present to preside
over the events. Armenians from all over the United States are
expected to participate in solidarity and unity.
Events in Washington, DC
Thursday, May 7, 2015-Ecumenical Service, 7 pm
Ecumenical Service will take place at the National Cathedral, 3101
Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos
of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See
of Cilicia. President of Armenia, Serge Sarkisian, will attend as will
many dignitaries and diplomats. Performances by soprano Isabel
Bayrakdarian and Hover Chamber Choir. Very limited seating and ID is
needed. Tickets (non-transferable and color-coded for seating blocks)
are free but required for entry. Contact your local parish and
register your name for tickets.
Friday, May 8, 2015-Concert of Armenian Music at 8 pm
`A Journey through 100 Years, ` a concert of Armenian music at the
Music Center at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike North, Bethesda,
Maryland. Artists participating include sopranos Hasmik Papian and
Isabel Bayrakdarian, violinists Ida Kavafian and Levon Chilingirian,
cellist Alexander Chaushian, clarinetist Narek Arutyunian, Hover
Chamber Choir, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by
Edward Topchian. For tickets ($40 to $125) go to www.strathmore.org.
Saturday, May 9, 2015-Divine Liturgy at 10 am
Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC, on the
campus of Catholic University, at 10 am. His Holiness Karekin II will
celebrate the
Divine Liturgy and His Holiness Aram I will deliver the sermon.
Armenian choirs from across the country will participate under the
direction of
Maestro Khoren Mekanejian.
Saturday, May 9, 2015-Reception and Banquet, 6 pm
Reception and Banquet at the Marriott Marquis Hotel at 6
pm. Institutions and individuals who helped Armenians will be honored,
with remembrance of all those experiencing genocide and human rights
abuses. Mark Geragos, emcee; keynote speakers to be announced; Zulal,
a cappella choir, will perform. Tickets are $120 per person. Checks
should be payable to Armenian Commemoration Centennial, and mailed to
NCAGC, 4125 Fessenden Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016.
THOSE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE WASHINGTON EVENTS SHOULD MAKE THEIR HOTEL
RESERVATIONS AND TICKET PURCHASES IMMEDIATELY.
Learn more about the national observance in Washington at
www.armeniangenocidecentennial.org
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/0s7oub).
NEW YORK METRO AREA EVENTS ORGANIZED BY CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE
Divine Liturgy, Friday, April 24, 10 am
at
Saint Vartan's Cathedral
630 Second Avenue, New York City
and
Saint Illuminator's Cathedral
221 East 27th Street, New York City
Friday, April 24-March to Demand Justice, 12 noon
Immediately after the Divine Liturgy there will be a march from
St. Vartan
and St. Illuminator Cathedrals to the Turkish Embassy organized by the
ARF-ADL.
Sunday, April 26-Divine Liturgy, 10 am
Saint Vartan's Cathedral
The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop
Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Church of America; the
sermon will be delivered by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan,
Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. Please note:
Divine Liturgy will not be celebrated in local parishes of the Eastern
Diocese and Eastern Prelacy on Sunday, April 26.
Sunday, April 26, 2015-Gathering at Times Square
Immediately after the Liturgy, the faithful will walk in a procession
from
Second Avenue and 34th Street to Times Square to participate in a
rally/gathering at the crossroads of the world. Buses are expected
from throughout the East Coast and Midwest making this the largest
gathering ever of Armenian Americans.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR TIMES SQUARE GATHERING
The Knights of Vartan and the Eastern Centennial Committee have issued
a call for volunteers to assist the elderly, direct procession
participants, maintain security, and to keep order and flow of traffic
of the participants
at the gathering at Times Square on Sunday, April 26. Volunteers are
needed for the procession from St. Vartan Cathedral to Times Square,
9am to 2pm and at Times Square, 10am to 5pm. Volunteers will be
required to attend a pre-event orientation on Sunday, April 19, 1 pm
at St. Vartan Cathedral (V-Hall). Contact: Tigran Sahakyan,
212-444-8003, [email protected] or Ari Minnetyan, 516-521-7347,
[email protected].
`RESPONSIBILITY 2015' WILL TAKE PLACE THIS WEEKEND
`Responsibility 2015,' an international conference for the
Armenian Genocide's centennial will take place this Friday, Saturday,
and Sunday, March 13, 14, and 15, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in
Times Square, New York City. The conference featuring prominent
historians, policymakers, authors, and artists is organized by the ARF
Eastern US Centennial Committee, under the auspices of the Armenian
Genocide Centennial Committee of America, Eastern Region.
For information: www.responsibility2015.com
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/gl8oub).
IN MEMORIAM
Jeanette Nazarian
1956-2015
It was with heartbreaking sorrow that we received the news of the
passing of Jeanette Sophia Nazarian, who died on Saturday, March
7. Jeanette was a faithful member of the St. Gregory the Illuminator
parish in Philadelphia where she served in a number of capacities
including director of the Sunday School for which she had a deep and
special passion.
Funeral services will take place this Saturday, March 14, at
St. Gregory Church, officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan. Viewing will
take place from 9 am to 11 am. Funeral services will follow at 11 am.
Jeanette Sophia Nazarian was born on June 1, 1956, to the late
Joomshoot Nazarian and Victoria Azadouhi Antabian Nazarian, who
survives her. Jeanette
received a BA in German from Saint Joseph University and a BS from
Thomas Jefferson University in Occupational Therapy. She loved
languages and in addition to English she spoke Armenian, German, and
Russian.
Jeanette's passion in life was her faith and the Armenian Church and
making a difference in the lives of her students in the Sunday
School. In addition to her dedication to the Sunday School, Jeanette
has served as editor and photographer of The Illuminator, as a
delegate to the National Representative Assembly, as a member of the
Board of Trustees, the choir, the
Knar Choral Group, and an instructor and advisor at the Prelacy's
St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute. She was a frequent contributor
to the Prelacy's e-newsletter Crossroads with news about her
Philadelphia parish.
Jeanette is survived by her mother Victoria and her sister Anita. We
pray the Almighty will embrace His faithful servant in heavenly peace
and grant the grace of His comfort to her family and all those who
loved and admired her. Asdvatz Hokeen Lousavoreh.
ST. GREGORY OF NAREK:
THE 36TH DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH
St. Gregory of Narek, the tenth century Armenian monk, priest, mystic,
composer, theologian, and poet was declared the 36th Doctor of the
Church by Pope Francis on February 21. The Roman Catholic Church
confers this honor on
saints whose lives and writings have provided significant
contributions to
the teachings of the faith. Thus, Gregory joins 35 other Doctors that
include notable names like Augustine, John Chrysostom, and Thomas
Aquinas.
Gregory grew up in a family of church leaders. His father was a bishop
and
theologian and his uncle was abbot of the famed Narek Monastery on the
shores of Lake Van. Gregory spent most of his life as a monk, priest,
and teacher at Narek. His first notable work was a commentary on the
Song of Songs.
He also wrote many letters, odes, songs, poems, and Armenian
liturgical chants. His masterwork was his last, the `Book of
Lamentations,' known simply as the `Narek.' It is a collection of 95
deeply personal prayers composed in classical Armenian in 1003, with
one major goal: `Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart.'
The Narek has been the source of consolation and guidance for
generations in times of suffering.
The Narek was published in 2001 in a bilingual edition with English
translation by Tom Samuelian. The book is now out-of-print; however,
the Prelacy Bookstore has a few copies left from its original
stock. The price is $35.00 plus shipping & handling. Contact the
Bookstore, ([email protected]) or 212-689-7810.
Gregory of Narek will be remembered on the Roman Catholic Church's
liturgical calendar on February 27 each year. In the Armenian Church,
he is remembered on several occasions during the year.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, March 15, Fifth Sunday of Lent, Sunday of
the Judge are: Isaiah 65:8-25; Philippians 3:1-4:9; Luke 17:20-18:14.
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not
to lose heart. He said, `In a certain city there was a judge who
neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was
a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against
my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself,
`Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because
this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she
may not wear me out by continually coming.' And the Lord said, `Listen
to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his
chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in
helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And
yet, when the Son of
Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' (Luke 18:1-8)
For a listing of the coming week's Bible readings click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/wd9oub).
SUNDAY OF THE JUDGE
We are now more than half-way through Great Lent (yesterday was
Michink, the median day of Lent). This Sunday, March 15, is the Sunday
of the Judge (Datavori Kiraki). The Gospel reading for this day is the
parable told by Jesus about a widow and a judge (see reading
above). The judge in the parable
is seen as hard-hearted and without principles, fear of God, or
compassion
for people. A widow in the same town has been ill-treated and she has
come
to the judge for justice. Although her cause is just, the judge does
not pay attention to her case. However, she is persistent and she
makes the same
appeal again and again until at last the judge decides to see she
receives
justice. He does this not because he cares about justice, but because
he wants to be rid of the widow.
The message of this parable is that we must persist in our pursuit of
righteousness and justice with the confidence that perseverance
(especially in prayer) will be rewarded.
FORTY MARTYRS OF SEBASTIA
This Saturday, March 14, we remember the Forty Martyrs of
Sebastia. Although the backgrounds and identities of the forty young
soldiers are not
known, it is believed they came from Lesser Armenia and served in the
Roman army. According to St. Basil of Caesarea, forty Christian
soldiers refused to worship the Roman emperor while stationed in
Sebastia in Armenia in 320. They remained faithful to their Christian
faith. The soldiers were tried
and condemned to death by stoning. Miraculously, when the sentence was
being carried out, the stones would not reach the condemned soldiers,
but would instead come back striking those throwing the stones. The
soldiers were then thrown into a frozen lake and forced to stay there,
unless they renounced their faith. Warm baths were prepared for anyone
who would recant. Of the forty, only one gave up. When he did, another
soldier, moved by the example of the suffering Christians, declared
himself a Christian and took the apostate's place. All forty died.
Some of our great Church Fathers like Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Ephraim
the
Assyrian, and Sisian of Sebastia, wrote panegyrics about the forty
martyrs, who are remembered each year during Lent on the Saturday
following the median day of Lent. The Armenians have built and named
churches in memory of the Forty Martyrs in various parts of the world.
LENTEN REFLECTIONS CONTINUE
The fourth of the Prelacy's six-part Lenten Program took place last
night at St. Illuminator's Cathedral in New York City, with church
service and reflections and meal fellowship, presided over by His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan.
This year, instead of faith-based topics, the Lenten reflections are
focusing on diverse aspects of the Armenian Genocide, in commemoration
of the centennial anniversary. The reflections are presented by young
adults, three every Wednesday. Last night's presentations were offered
by Lara Milian Bardizbanian, Simon Bardizbanian, Esq., and Hooshere
Bezdikian Kaligian.
Next Wednesday, March 18, reflections will be presented by Andrew
Bagdasarian, Dalita Getzoyan, Anahid Ugurlayan, Esq.
The Lenten Program is sponsored by the Prelacy's Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy's Ladies Guild (PLG), and the
Ladies' Guild of St. Illuminator's Cathedral.
The presenters last night were Lara Milian Bardizbanian, Simon
Bardizbanian, Esq., Hooshere Bezdikian Kaligian.
Reflections offered in prior weeks, can be seen here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/c69oub).
MUSICAL ARMENIA
To all lovers of Armenian music: The 32nd Musical Armenia concert is
just a week away. If you have not secured your tickets we suggest that
you do so
right away. Tickets are $25 and can be secured from the Carnegie Box
Office, 212-247-7800 or from the Prelacy, 212-689-7810
([email protected]).
The annual Musical Armenia concert series presented by the Eastern
Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Prelacy Ladies Guild, will
take place Friday, March 20, 2015 at 8 p.m. in Weill Recital Hall at
Carnegie Hall in New York City. The high standards of professionalism
as represented by
the roster of artists featured during the past years will continue
with this year's thirty-second concert of the series. A duo of
exceptionally talented musicians, Patil Harboyan, pianist, and Heather
Tuach, cellist,
in a program dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, will present the works of Armenian composers, including
Atamian, Babajanian, Khatchaturian, Saradjian, Stepanian, and
Talalyan. A considerable part of
the program will be devoted to the work of the great Armenian composer
and
musicologist Komitas Vardapet, who was among the intellectuals and
leaders
arrested on April 24, 1915, at the onslaught of the Armenian
Genocide. Continue reading the entire press release here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/syapub).
For an online interview with Patil Harboyan go to
http://www.horizonweekly.ca/news/details/53300
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/8qbpub)
CURRICULUM MATERIALS ON THE GENOCIDE
Fulfilling one of the missions of the Armenian National Education
Committee (ANEC) of providing educational resources and guidance to
Armenian schools, ANEC recently prepared curriculum materials on the
Armenian Genocide for
use of the schools under its jurisdiction. Structured as a Power Point
presentation enriched with maps and illustrations, it includes an
introduction
about the definition of genocide and the reasons why the Medz Yeghern
is a
genocide, a historical background (the beginnings of the Armenian
Question
and the massacres of 1894-1896 and 1909), and the process of
annihilation and its aftermath up to the present day. The materials
have been sent to the schools for distribution to all teachers.
ARS REMEMBRANCE DAY
Remembrance Day for the Armenian Relief Society was observed in all
Prelacy parishes on Sunday, March 1. Requiem service was observed for
all deceased members and benefactors of the ARS.
Remembered specifically was the founder of the ARS, Agnouni
(Khatchadour Maloomian), on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of
his death, as well as benefactors George and Beatrice Lazarian, Levon
and Sophia Hagopian, Karekin and Virginia Siroonian, Samuel and Agnes
Yeremian, Araxie Proodian, Haiganoush Garabedian, Doris Norian Lentzi,
Alice Norian, Arpkes Kelerchian, Hagop Jacques Mouradian , Alice
Haigazian Berman, Genevieve Yekeshian,
Yervant and Helen Terzian, Albert and Takouhi Bagian, Giragos
Vaporsiyan, Kourken Assaturian, and Margaret Assaturian.
`This is a day for us to honor those who served the Armenian people
for many decades in the field of education and humanitarian and social
welfare. It is also an opportunity for us to express appreciation of
the Armenian Relief Society's noble service for more than 100 years,'
said the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan.
Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, Rev. Fr. Mesrob, and Talin
Daghlian, chairlady of the ARS Eastern Region, with members of the New
York Mayr Chapter of the ARS, at St. Illuminator's Cathedral in New
York.
Requiem Service for ARS members and benefactors at Sts. Vartanantz
Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey.
SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance.
Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your
pocketbooks.
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
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/ojcpub) AND SELECT SYRIAN
ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.
OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR DONATION TO:
Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief
Thank you for your help
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
Birth of Alan Hovhaness (March 8, 1911)
Armenian American composer Alan Hovhaness is said to be one of the
most prolific composers of the 20th century.
He was born Alan Vaness Chakmakjian in Somerville (Massachusetts), on
March 8, 1911. His father, Haroutioun Chakmakjian (1878-1973), was a
professor of chemistry at Tufts College and author of a popular
English-Armenian dictionary, as well as onetime editor of
Hairenik. His mother, Madeleine Scott,
was of Scottish ancestry, and did not especially approve that he
learned about Armenian culture from his father. Until her death in
1931, the composer would sign his earliest music as Alan Scott Vaness.
Alan Hovhaness was a precocious composer who already penned operas by
age 14. After initial studies at Tufts College, he studied composition
at the New England Conservatory of Music, in Boston. In the 1930s, he
composed mostly chamber music in Western modes of expression.
He would shift to a fusion of Western and Eastern music in the 1940s,
starting with his job as organist at St. James Armenian Church in
Watertown, where he was exposed to the Armenian liturgy and the works
of Komitas Vartabed. `It was through Komitas that I got the idea of
saying as much as
possible with the fewest possible notes,' he would write later. He
got rid of most of his earliest music, and started anew to seek out
his Armenian heritage. His `Armenian period' lasted from 1943 to 1951,
and was benefited from the performances of important works and rave
reviews in the mainstream press. The Friends of Armenian Music, a
committee headed by pianist Maro Ajemian and her sister, violinist
Anahid Ajemian, were instrumental in supporting him in various
capacities. Maro Ajemian performed and recorded many of his works.
Alan Hovhaness conducts the Ani Symphony at the Metropolitan Museum of
Art
in New York City on April 21, 1989, in one of several events sponsored
by the Prelacy on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the Great
Cathedral of Ani.
After a three-year stint at the Boston Music Conservatory (1948-1951),
while he had married for the third time, Hovhaness gradually acquired
considerable reputation. He received academic honors and a steady flow
of commissions. He embarked on a more Western phase of writing and
devoted himself to full-time composing. His Symphony No. 2 (Mysterious
Mountain ) that premiered in 1955, brought him national
recognition. MGM Records released 8 long-plays of all-Hovhaness
records from 1955-1957. `Mysterious Mountain' was recorded in 1958 by
Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and became his most
famous recording and most-performed orchestral work. To this day it is
considered to be one of the best recordings ever made.
After a Fulbright research scholarship in India (1959-1960), Alan
Hovhaness also visited and studied in Japan and Korea. He also visited
the former Soviet Union in 1965, including Soviet Armenia. He shared
his time between New York and Switzerland in the mid-1960s, while
steadily maintaining his prolific output. He settled in Seattle,
Washington, in the early 1970s. At this time, his music veered towards
a more Western neo-romantic expression. In 1977 he married his sixth
wife, Japanese soprano Hinako Fujihara. In the same year, he was
elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
In 1991 the American Composers Society and the Eastern Prelacy, by
initiative of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, celebrated the 80th birthday
of Alan Hovhaness at Carnegie Hall. He directed his own works,
including the premiere of his symphony No. 65 `Artsakh,' dedicated to
the heroic fighters for the liberation of Karabagh and commissioned by
the Prelacy.
The composer continued to be active until his 85th birthday. In 1996
his health suffered a marked decline. He passed away on June 21, 2000
at the age
of 89. His official catalogue includes 67 symphonies and 434 works.
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/4bdpub)
Episode 28: Interview with Mrs. Lala Demirdjian-Attarian, Executive
Director of ARS, Inc.
AND IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE RECENT ARTICLES...
Armenian Leaders Establish Rights Award to Commemorate Centenary of
Genocide
By Rick Gladstone, New York Times, March 10. Click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/k4dpub).
Study Backs 5th-Century Historian's Date for Founding of Armenia
By Nicholas Wade, New York Times, March 11. Click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/0wepub).
Why does Turkey continue to deny Armenian genocide?
By Chris Bohjalian, Boston Globe, March 9. Click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/gpfpub).
Remembering a forgotten genocide.
By Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Catholic Philly, March 5. Click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kssgg/4f4cee/whgpub).
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 5-27-Solo Exhibition of art by Seeroon Yeretzian,
N.A.W.A. Gallery, 80 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1405, New York City, Tuesday
to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm. Opening reception on March 5, 5 pm to 8
pm. For information: 212-675-1616.
March 13-15-`Responsibility 2015,' International conference for
Armenian Genocide's centennial at Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York,
featuring prominent historians, policymakers, authors, and
artists. Organized by the ARF Eastern US Centennial Committee, under
the auspices of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee of America,
Eastern Region. www.responsibility2015.com for information.
March 15-Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield,
New Jersey, Annual Membership Meeting following the Divine
Liturgy. For information: 201-943-2950.
March 13-15-International conference, `Responsibility 2015' marking
the Armenian Genocide's centennial, at Marriott Marquis Hotel, New
York City. Organized by the ARF Eastern United States Centennial
Committee, under the auspices of the Armenian Genocide Centennial
Committee of America, Eastern Region. For information visit the web
site (www.responsibility2015.com).
March 20-Musical Armenia, presented by Eastern Prelacy and Prelacy
Ladies Guild, Weill Recital Hall, 8 pm, Carnegie Hall, New York
City. Featured artists Patil Harboyan, piano and Heather Tuach, cello,
will present a
program dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide
that will include works of Armenian composers Atamian, Babajanian,
Gomidas, Khatchaturian, Saradjian, Stepanian, and Talalyan. Tickets
are $25 and will be on sale after December 20th at the box office and
the Prelacy, 212-689-7810.
March 21-`Renewal and Remembrance,' Centennial Commemoration of the
Armenian Genocide presented by Hamazkayin of Philadelphia, at Founders
Hall, 7:30 pm, celebrating three generations of the Armenian singer in
the Diaspora, featuring Maroush Paneyan-Nigon (soprano), Barig
Naltantian (soprano), Vartan Gabrielian (baritone), and Gary Gress
(piano) performing works by European, American and Armenian
composers. Tickets: $35. Anny Aghajanian 215-699-9296; Elizabeth
Dramgotchian 215-920-6054; Kari Ghezarian 484-919-0203.
March 28-Eastern Prelacy's Mid Atlantic Regional Conference for
pastors, trustees, and delegates, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 10 am to 4 pm.
April 21-`Commemorating the Centenary of the Armenian Genocide: A
Reading in Remembrance,' Holy Cross Church, 580 West 187th Street, New
York City, 7 pm. For information: Lola Koundakjian,
[email protected].
April 23-Canonization of the Armenian Martyrs of 1915 in Holy
Etchmiadzin, Armenia.
April 25-Connecticut Armenian Genocide Commemoration Day at the
Connecticut State Capitol. Keynote speaker: Noted author Chris
Bohjalian.
April 26-Centennial commemoration of Genocide. Joint united Divine
Liturgy in New York City (site to be announced), presided by
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. To be
followed by Times Square gathering `100 Years to Remember.'
April 27-`Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide,' by Drew University Center for Holocaust/Genocide Study in
Madison, New Jersey at 7 pm. Testimony of Andranik Vartanian
(1900-2007), presented by his daughter Susan Vartanian Barba; `Undoing
Denial: The Armenian Genocide and Art' presented by Neery
E. Melkonian; Concert by the Armenian folk group, Zulal, an a cappella
trio will present Armenian village folk melodies. Free and open to the
public. RSVP encouraged: (973) 408-3600 or [email protected].
May 7, 8, 9-National Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration in
Washington, DC, organized under the patronage of the Diocese and the
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Presided by His Holiness
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of
Cilicia. May 7, Ecumenical Service at the National Cathedral, 7 pm;
May 8, A Journey Through Armenian Music at the Music Center at
Strathmore, 7:30 pm; May 8 & 9, Exhibits, Films, and Events at various
venues; May 9, Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine
of the Immaculate Conception, 10 am; May 9, A Time to Give Thanks,
banquet, 6 pm, Marriott Marquis.
May 10 to June 4-Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I to the
Eastern Prelacy.
June 3-6-National Representative Assembly hosted by St. Stephen's
Church, Watertown, Massachusetts.
June 18-Annual Cigar Night and Dinner, Men's Club of St. Gregory
Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. Drawing of
Super Raffle of 2015 Mercedes Benz-CLA 250 will take place. Raffle
tickets can be purchased online
(saintgregory.org/organizations/mens-club).
July 18-Blessing of the Holy Muron (Oil) by His Holiness Aram I, at
the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias,
Lebanon. For details click here.
October 5-9-Clergy gathering of Eastern, Western, and Canadian
Prelacies.
November 15-90th Anniversary Banquet, St. Stephen's Church, 167
Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Watch for details.
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]