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Eastern Prelacy: Crossroads E-Newsletter - 10/21/2004

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  • Eastern Prelacy: Crossroads E-Newsletter - 10/21/2004

    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

    CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER - October 21, 2004

    WE MOURN THE PASSING OF
    VARKIS MARKARIAN
    It was with great sorrow that the Eastern Prelacy announced the death of a
    beloved son of the Armenian church and nation, Varkis Markarian of Cranston,
    Rhode Island. Mr. Markarian died last Friday, October 15, at his home
    following a short illness.

    Mr. Markarian was a Prince of Cilicia, Delegate to the World Assembly,
    Delegate to the National Representative Assembly, Pillar of the Prelacy, and
    board member of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Providence, Rhode
    Island.

    His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan officiated at the national funeral
    services, which took place at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence on Monday
    and Tuesday, October 18 and 19.

    We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his wife of 55 years, Mrs. Lillian
    Markarian and their three children and six grandchildren.

    ORDINATIONS IN LEBANON
    The ordination of two married priests took place at St. Nishan Cathedral,
    Beirut, Lebanon, last Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17. The ordination
    ceremony was officiated by Bishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of Lebanon.

    Deacon Serop Terterian was given the new name of Nareg. Deacon Vatche
    Bozoyan was given the new name of Hovnan. Both clergymen will serve the
    Eastern Prelacy.

    ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL VISIT
    WASHINGTON, DC PARISH THIS WEEKEND
    Archbishop Oshagan will travel to the Washington, DC area this weekend, to
    be with the parish of Sourp Khach Armenian Apostolic Church in Bethesda,
    Maryland. On Saturday evening he will attend a banquet in honor of the
    recently retired Archpriest Fr. Khoren Habeshian, who served the Sourp Khach
    parish for many years.

    On Sunday, His Eminence will officiate at the Divine Liturgy.

    REMINDER: TWO SEMINARS THIS WEEKEND
    Two seminars in the New England region will take place this weekend. The We
    Are Family retreat, sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council,
    is set for Saturday, October 23, at the E. Kent Swift Estate in
    Whitinsville, Massachusetts.

    The New England Seminar for Educators, sponsored by the Armenian National
    Education Committee, will take place Saturday, October 23, in Providence,
    hosted by the Mourad School. The seminar will focus on Teaching Armenian and
    History and Teaching Methods for the Non-Armenian Speaker.

    BOOK FAIR THIS WEEKEND
    The annual Prelacy Book Fair will take place at Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461
    Bergen Blvd., Ridgefield, New Jersey, this weekend, Saturday and Sunday
    October 23 and 24.

    Many titles, Armenian and English, will be available for purchase along with
    videos, CDs, and gift items-including many that recently arrived from
    Armenia.

    ARMENIAN CHURCHES SPORTS ASSOCIATION
    BEGINS SEASON THIS SUNDAY
    The Armenian Churches Sports Association (ACSA) will begin its 38th year
    this Sunday. The ACSA started with senior boys and later added leagues for
    junior boys, girls, and men. It now consists of 25 teams with more than 250
    participants.

    Churches participating include: Sts. Vartanantz (Ridgefield, New Jersey);
    St. Sarkis (Douglaston, New York); St. Illuminator's Cathedral (New York
    City); St. Vartan Cathedral (New York City); St. Thomas (Tenafly, New
    Jersey); St. Leon (Fairlawn, New Jersey); St. Mary (Livingston, New Jersey);
    and the Armenian Presbyterian Church (Paramus, New Jersey).

    PILLARS GATHER AT PRELACY
    Pillars of the Prelacy from the Mid-Atlantic area and beyond gathered at the
    Prelacy for a reception hosted by the Prelate in appreciation for the
    Pillars support of Prelacy programs.

    In a message to the Pillars, Archbishop Oshagan noted: When we think of a
    pillar we think of abstract words like strength, support, power and force.
    When we give it life and use it as a human adjective we think of words like
    trustworthy, reliable, sensible and dependable. This is exactly how we
    perceive you as a Pillar of the Prelacy.

    His Eminence explained how the Pillars program helps the Prelacy in its
    mission. In conclusion, he said, I think of the Prelacy as a home, not just
    an office. And it is your home also. This evening is our way of extending to
    you the recognition and thanks you so richly deserve.

    ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
    REMEMBERED IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY
    The Life and Work of the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian were remembered in
    New York and New Jersey last week. On Friday, a commemorative event took
    place at St. Peter Church in New York City, organized by the Hamazkayin of
    New York and under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan. Main speakers were
    the Honorable Judge Sarkis Teshoian and Dr. Ashot Melkonian, Director of the
    Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences in Armenia. Both men spoke
    eloquently about Archbishop Mesrob from their perspective. Both worked
    closely with Mesrob Srpazan at different times and places. In his
    address, Archbishop Oshagan focused on the twenty years Mesrob Srpazan
    served as Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy. He described how Mesrob Srpazan
    gave the Prelacy its innovative image in its mission and service to the
    people.

    On Sunday, a similar event took place at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield,
    New Jersey, following church services. Organized by the Hamazkayin of New
    Jersey, the event featured Dr. Ashot Melkonian. A special video presentation
    about the late Archbishop's life and works, was shown. The video was also
    part of the program on Friday in New York.

    FOREIGN MINISTER OF KARABAGH
    VISITS PRELACY OFFICE
    The Foreign Minister of Nagorno Karabagh, Mr. Ashot Ghoulian, came to the
    Prelacy offices this afternoon, where he visited with Archbishop Oshagan.
    His Eminence and Mr. Ghoulian shared a pleasant exchange of ideas and
    concerns.

    DISCOVERY OF THE CROSS
    COMMEMORATED THIS SUNDAY
    This Sunday, October 24, the Armenian Church commemorates the Discovery of
    the Cross (Giut Khatch).

    Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, was a devout Christian. While in
    Jerusalem she wanted to find the True Cross. She went to Golgotha (Calvary),
    which at this time had become an obscure and neglected place. The Empress
    ordered the excavation on the spot of the Crucifixion. Three wooden crosses
    were found. In order to distinguish the True Cross, the three crosses were
    successively placed on the body of a youth who had just died. When one of
    the crosses was placed on him, the young man came to life. This was
    determined to be the True Cross. The exact burial spot of Christ was also
    found and in subsequent years the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built on
    that spot in 335. The church was built around the excavated hill of the
    Crucifixion and was actually three connected churches built over three
    different holy sites. It was destroyed by fire in 614 when the Persians
    invaded Jerusalem. Subsequently it was rebuilt at various times. The current
    dome dates from 1870.

    Several denominations cooperate (not always harmoniously) in the
    administration and maintenance of the church and grounds. The three
    appointed when the Crusaders held Jerusalem are the Greek Orthodox, the
    Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic churches. These three remain the
    primary custodians. Within the complex there are chapels and shrines to
    which many Christian denominations have rights of access. An agreement
    regulates times and places of worship for each Church. A neutral Muslim
    neighbor family has been the custodian of the keys for centuries. The
    Church, which is within the walled Old City of Jerusalem, is a revered and
    important destination for pilgrims.

    THANK YOU READERS
    Today we pause to thank you, dear readers, for your many insightful and
    laudatory comments about Crossroads. We here at Crossroads love to hear from
    you; it makes our task that much more enjoyable and meaningful. Some of you
    have given us some good tips that we hope to incorporate sometime in the
    near future. Write to us at [email protected].

    FINALLY.
    If you are lucky enough to be living in an area where true autumn is in
    bloom, take the time this weekend to enjoy the beauty of the trees bedecked
    in their emblazoned garb before their deep winter sleep. Magnificent!

    Visit our website at www.armenianprelacy.org
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