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Eastern Prelacy: Crossroads E-Newsletter - 01/05/2005

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  • Eastern Prelacy: Crossroads E-Newsletter - 01/05/2005

    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 - January 5, 2005
    SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EDITION

    PRELACY PARISHES RESPOND TO
    APPEAL BY PRELATE FOR TSUNAMI RELIEF
    Prelacy parishes responded to the appeal made last week by His Eminence
    Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and began collecting funds for the victims of
    the earthquake in the Indian Ocean which resulted in the tsunamis that
    devastated parts of Southeast Asia and Africa.
    Last Sunday, January 2, parishes asked their Faithful for donations
    during a special plate collection specifically for this purpose. Many
    parishes have indicated that they will continue to seek donations.
    In his appeal, His Eminence said: It is critical that help reach these
    areas as soon as possible, otherwise the death toll through disease and
    malnutrition can easily double.. Armenians, unfortunately, are all too
    familiar with great tragedies. We have been the benefactors of the altruism
    of others. Let us open our hearts and our pockets to help humanitarian
    assistance reach those caught up in this tragic scenario.
    You can read the complete message on the Prelacy web page:
    http://www.armenianprelacy.org/123004a.htm
    There is no better way to celebrate Christmas than to offer a helping
    hand to fellow human beings who are in great need. Your donations can be
    made through your local parish or to the Prelacy. Checks should be payable
    to the Armenian Apostolic Church of America (indicate for Asian Relief), and
    mailed to 138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.

    CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA AND WCC GENERAL SECRETARY
    RELEASE JOINT MESSAGE TO TSUNAMI AREA CHURCHES
    His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia and
    Moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia,
    General Secretary of the WCC sent the following joint message on December
    31, 2004, to WCC member churches in the affected areas:
    On behalf of the entire fellowship of the World Council of Churches we
    send you sincere condolences and express our sorrow at the loss of more than
    125,000 lives in one of the deadliest natural catastrophes that has faced
    the people of Southeast Asia and regions surrounding the Indian Ocean. We
    are also aware that the devastating earthquake followed by the tsunami has
    left more than five million people homeless who are in dire need of
    immediate humanitarian aid as well as psychological and spiritual
    accompaniment.
    With our deepest sympathy we pray and think of those who have lost their
    loved ones. We are greatly encouraged by the exemplary efforts of our member
    churches in responding even with meager resources to bandage the wounded and
    bond with the sorrowful. In prayer, we yearn to God that we may all overcome
    this cosmic anguish together with all peoples of faith in the region. The
    WCC together with our partners in ecumenical disaster and emergency
    management will continue to reach out with the resources available at our
    disposal to prevent more human suffering and bring about relief to those in
    this great affliction. Please let us know in what ways you would wish the
    global ecumenical community to be in solidarity with you as you try to come
    to terms with this unprecedented catastrophe.
    During this holy season we have witnessed through liturgy and the sacred
    narratives of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ that even the face of so
    many contradictions in life God is still part of our broken world. The
    miracle of the incarnation reminds us in the most profound way of the
    dwelling presence of God that transforms even probabilities of annihilation
    into new possibilities of life in history. And now we must reach out to one
    another, and not only weep with those in anguish but also make a new place
    for those seeking shelter as we struggle to find lasting solutions to future
    tragedies in this world. One lesson to learn from this tsunami tragedy is
    the need for the international community and the religious communities to
    unite in one spirit and reinvent the capacity for preparedness to face such
    tragedies together. It is also a moment to be reawakened to our God given
    responsibility to care not only for one another but for the health of the
    creation as well.
    On the eve of the New Year may God's grace be with you, comfort you, and
    give you peace in 2005 and beyond.

    2005 BIBLE READINGS ON THE WEB
    We remind you that the Bible readings for 2005 are posted on the Prelacy web
    page. To reach the Bible readings go to:
    http://www.armenianprelacy.org/readings.htm

    HIS HOLINESS ARAM I BEGINS
    DIALOGUE WITH THE YOUTH
    Catholicos Aram I issued the first of a series of message directed at
    the youth. The first communication is titled, For a Life-Centered
    Spirituality: A Dialogue with the Youth.
    In his opening statement His Holiness said: We lived the last days of
    2004 confronting an unprecedented disaster caused by nature. This tragedy
    comes to add to the burden human beings and particularly youth are facing as
    a result of man-made tragedies, like war, violence, poverty, unemployment,
    and a sense of meaninglessness and uncertainty. These are times when people
    question, pray and yearn for spirituality.
    His Holiness then goes on to describe the features of a life-centered
    spirituality and ends with this:
    On the eve of the New Year and Christmas, I wanted to share these few
    reflections with our youth. This is not a formal message but the beginning
    of a frank dialogue with our youth. I consider dialoging with the youth of
    crucial importance for the future of our church and nation. Therefore, I
    would like to continue this dialogue with our youth by addressing, from time
    to time, issues, challenges and concerns pertaining to the present day
    societies in general, and the Armenian Church and community, in particular.
    The full message is on the Prelacy web page:
    http://www.armenianprelacy.org/010405a.htm

    CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS
    Today, January 5, is Christmas Eve day, and tomorrow is Christmas when
    Armenians celebrate the birth and baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ. Most
    Prelacy parishes will have services this evening and tomorrow. Please check
    with your local parish for the exact schedule.
    This morning, His Eminence visited the Armenian Old Age Home in Emerson,
    New Jersey, where he officiated at services and had the opportunity to visit
    with the residents.
    Tonight, Christmas Eve, Archbishop Oshagan, will celebrate the Divine
    Liturgy at St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City.
    Tomorrow, Christmas Day, he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and
    deliver the Sermon at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
    Tomorrow evening he will host his annual Christmas reception at the
    Prelacy at which time the traditional Home Blessing will take place.

    ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN VISITS ST. SARKIS PARISH
    Last Sunday, January 2, Archbishop Oshagan was with the St. Sarkis
    parish, Douglaston, New York. His Eminence presided over the Divine Liturgy
    and had opportunity to visit with the parishioners on the occasion of the
    New Year. On this occasion the parishioners generously donated for relief
    aid for the tsunami victims.
    To view a photo of this visit go to:
    http://www.armenianprelacy.org/010505a.htm

    CHRISTMAS MASS FROM ANTELIAS TO BE TELEVISED
    The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI) will
    broadcast via satellite the Christmas Mass presided over by His Holiness
    Aram I, from St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Antelias, Lebanon.
    Those with satellite service will be able to view the Mass tomorrow
    evening, January 6, beginning between 6 and 7 pm.

    CHRISTMAS AND EPIPHANY
    In the December 23 issue of Crossroads we explained how the Armenian
    Church has remained faithful to the original tradition of celebrating the
    birth and baptism of Christ on January 6.
    Following the Christmas Divine Liturgy, a special ceremony of the
    Blessing of the Water (Choororhnek) takes place. The cross is immersed in
    water, which has been blessed with Holy Oil (Muron), symbolizing the baptism
    of our Lord. During the early centuries the celebration of the baptism was
    marked with great splendor usually on the shores of a river.
    In modern times, especially here in the United States, the Blessing of
    the Water service takes place in the church following the Divine Liturgy.
    Prayers are said, passages from the Gospel are read, and the dove-shaped
    vessel containing Holy Oil is ceremoniously brought forward and the
    officiating priest drops the Muron into a large basin containing water. The
    priest dips the cross into the blessed water while reciting special prayers.
    A member of the congregation usually acts as the Godfather.
    There are some interesting commentaries about the Armenian Blessing of
    Water ceremonies in history. For example, there is a description written by
    a foreign churchman, Canonicus Willebrandt, about the ceremony that took
    place on January 6, in the year 1211. He was on the way to a pilgrimage to
    Jerusalem and remained in Cilicia for several months. He wrote:
    We arrived at Sis on the day of Theophany on the invitation of King
    Levon, who was to show us their ceremony. Sis is one of their important
    cities. It has countless people of wealth. This is how they celebrated the
    Feast of the Revelation. First, they did penance for twelve days and
    observed abstinence, shunning even fish, wine, and oils. On the day
    preceding they fasted. In the evening they celebrated the Divine Liturgy and
    worshipped piously the whole night through. In the morning they went to the
    river bank near the city. King Levon was astride a tall and stately horse..
    Then came the Greek patriarch with his retinue, and then the Armenian clergy
    with their Catholicos in a glorious procession. They began to bless the
    waters of the river. The Gospel was read in both Greek and Armenian. The
    Cross was immersed into the water, and a dove was released. Someone went
    into the river and when he was in the center he cried out in a powerful
    voice, Long Live our King. Then he cried out again, May Christianity rise
    and grow strong throughout the world..

    JANUARY 7 IS REMEMBRANCE DAY (MERELOTS)
    In the Armenian Church, the day following the five major feasts
    (Nativity, Easter, Transfiguration, Assumption, Holy Cross) is a remembrance
    day devoted to the dead. This is another tradition that we, unfortunately,
    have lost in the United States. In some countries, especially in the Middle
    East, it is still observed. On this day the Faithful go to the cemetery to
    have the graves of their loved ones blessed, and requiem service for the
    repose of the departed souls.
    Great, civilized nations show great respect for the dead. In fact,
    Catholicos Zareh I, of blessed memory, used to often repeat the words of a
    famous historian who upon analyzing the reasons for the fall of Rome said,
    Rome fell because Romans lost respect for their dead.
    May the memory of the righteous be ever blessed.

    REMEMBERING..
    Our late father was totally devoted to the Armenian Church throughout
    his life. A survivor of the Genocide, he remembered the Yergir very vividly
    and shared his recollections about holiday celebrations.
    He told us that gifts for the poor were often left at door of needy
    families on New Year's Eve anonymously. The benefactors were never know.
    And, of course, the exchange of gifts was not associated with Christmas at
    all, but rather the New Year. The only gifts he remembered were dried fruits
    and nuts, received with great joy. No matter how much dried fruit and nuts
    he ate, none had the taste of his youth. He recalled the sweet sound of the
    church bells at Midnight on Christmas Eve announcing the birth of our Lord
    and summoning the Faithful to Church.

    And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling
    clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the
    inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field,
    keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came
    upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were
    sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring you
    good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is
    born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
    The Gospel According to Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 7 to 11

    On the occasion of the New York and the Holy Nativity, let us feel Gods
    descent in our hearts and recognize it as a gift distributed to us. Let us
    act such that our work and life will be a Christian gift first to God and
    then to each other, turning our New Year to thanksgiving.
    Archbishop Oshagan, Christmas Message
    To read the entire message go to: http://www.armenianprelacy.org/121604.htm

    AND FINALLY.
    A perfect ending to this Christmas edition of Crossroads is to send
    special birthday greetings to 105-year-old Yeghsapet Giragosian. She is a
    member of the St. Gregory parish of North Andover, Massachusetts. She
    celebrated her 105th birthday on January 3.
    You can send your birthday wishes to her:
    Mrs. Yeghsapet Giragosian
    154 High St.
    North Andover, MA 01845

    A Blessed Christmas to all.

    Visit our website at www.armenianprelacy.org
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