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Crossroads E-Newsletter - May 5, 2011

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  • Crossroads E-Newsletter - May 5, 2011

    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/

    May 5, 2011



    NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY WILL CONVENE

    NEXT WEEK IN PHILADELPHIA

    The National Representative Assembly (NRA) will convene next week in
    Philadelphia at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church. The clergy
    conference will begin on Wednesday, May 11; the full Assembly will
    convene on Thursday, May 12 at 11 a.m., and continue through to
    Saturday, May 14. Archbishop Oshagan will deliver the keynote address
    on Thursday and the banquet will take place Friday evening, May 13, at
    the Double Tree Hotel. All of the meetings and meals during the
    Assembly will be at St. Gregory Church, 8701 Ridge Avenue,
    Philadelphia.

    The NRA is the highest ecclesiastical and administrative body of the
    Prelacy. It is composed of a ratio of one-seventh clergy and
    six-sevenths lay delegates. The clergy delegates are elected by the
    Clergy Conference and the lay delegates by their respective
    parishes. The number of delegates from the parishes depends on the
    number of members. The minimum number of delegates for a parish is two
    delegates; the maximum is seven delegates.

    For more information about the 2011 NRA click here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/9337645306/3628855/105777880/24882/goto:http://www.armenianprelacy.org/index.php/nra
    ).



    PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO MARYLAND

    This Sunday, May 8, Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine
    Liturgy and deliver the sermon at Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda,
    Maryland. The Liturgy will be celebrated by the parish priest,
    Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian.



    PRELATE DELIVERS INVOCATION AT TIMES SQUARE GATHERING

    Archbishop Oshagan presided over the Divine Liturgy last Sunday, May
    1, at St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City. Following the
    Liturgy he attended the gathering at Times Square commemorating the
    96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The annual gathering is
    organized by the Knights of Vartan with the sponsorship and
    participation of all Armenian churches and major organizations. His
    Eminence delivered the invocation. In his prayer the Prelate noted
    that New generations of Armenians have stood by their obligation not
    only by remembering the past and honoring the martyrs, but also by
    dedicating themselves to the pursuit of justice for their Armenian
    nation. This is a promise we made to our survivor generation. This is
    a promise we will honor.

    To read His Eminences invocation click here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/9337645306/3628855/105777881/24882/goto:http://armenianprelacy.org/index.php/prelate/messages/2011-invocation-at-times-square
    ).



    ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN ATTENDS ANNUAL

    CAPITOL HILL OBSERVANCE

    About two dozen members of Congress gathered at the historic Kennedy
    Senate Caucus Room on Capitol Hill on April 14 along with hundreds of
    Armenian Americans, the Congressional Caucus on Armenian issues, the
    Embassy of Armenia, and the Office of the Nagorno Karabagh Republic
    and reaffirmed their support for a truthful and just resolution of the
    Armenian Genocide.

    Chuck Yessaian, Jr., served as master of ceremonies. Opening and
    closing prayers were offered, respectively, by our Prelate Archbishop
    Oshagan Choloyan, and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Diocesan Legate of
    the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), Armenian Ambassador to the
    United States Tatoul Markarian, and Republic of Nagorno Karabagh
    Representative Robert Avetisyan, spoke about the importance of the
    annual Capitol Hill commemoration and ongoing international efforts to
    secure justice for the Armenian Genocide.




    Archbishop Oshagan greets genocide survivor, 106-year-old Yeretzgin
    Sirarpi Khoyan.

    With Congressman Frank Pallone (New Jersey).

    With Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (New York).

    With Congressman Adam Schiff (California).



    WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ISSUES MESSAGE FOR
    ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY

    His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
    received a letter from the General Secretary of the World Council of
    Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, about the WCCs 2011
    message for Armenian Remembrance Day.

    The Secretary General wrote, I am glad to inform Your Holiness that
    the WCC, together with Conference of European Churches (CEC), being
    aware of this tragedy in the history of all Armenians and based on the
    previous efforts undertaken by the WCC and CEC in supporting the
    public recognition of the Armenian Genocide, issued a common letter,
    signed by their general secretaries, in which the fellowship of member
    churches is asked to pray for their Armenian brothers and sisters from
    all around the world as well as for the victims of the genocide.

    The WCC has a long history of solidarity with the Armenians. The
    question of the Genocide was put on the agenda of the WCCs General
    Assembly in Uppsala in 1968 by Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian, of
    blessed memory. Archbishop Karekin, who was subsequently elected
    Karekin II of Cilicia and Karekin I of Etchmiadzin, served as
    Vice-Moderator of the WCC for seven years. Through the efforts of
    Archbishop Aram Keshishian (later Aram I of Cilicia), first as a
    delegate, and later as Moderator of the WCC for 16 years, the Armenian
    Genocide remained a priority and April 24 was added to the Prayer
    Cycle of the World Council of Churches, a prayer book used by member
    churches. In 1984 the Catholicosate of Cilicia proposed that the
    Commission of International Affairs of the WCC publish a background
    information document on the Armenian Genocide. The Commission in
    collaboration with the Middle East Council of Churches published
    Armenia: the Continuing Tragedy, in the four !
    official languages of the WCC (English, French, German, Spanish), and
    in Arabic. This publication followed the participation of
    Prof. Shavarsh Toriguian, who, representing the Catholicosate of
    Cilicia at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission, on behalf of
    the World Council of Churches, raised the question of the Armenian
    Genocide.

    To read the 2011 message issued by the WCC click here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/9337645306/3628855/105777882/24882/goto:http://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/general-secretary/wider-ecumenical-movement-incl-wcc/message-for-the-armenian-genocide-remembrance-day.html
    ).



    ARCHBISHOP NAREG ALEMEZIAN WILL RECEIVE DOCTORATE

    Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer for the
    Catholicosate of Cilicia, will be awarded his Doctor of Ministry
    degree from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver School of
    Theology. The graduation ceremony will take place at Christ Church
    Cathedral in Vancouver, this Monday evening, May 9.

    On Sunday, May 8, Archbishop Nareg will deliver the sermon at
    St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Vancouver. Following
    the Liturgy there will be a reception.

    Before assuming his current position of service at the Catholicosate,
    Archbishop Nareg served as pastor of St. Gregory Church in Vancouver,
    and later served as the pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church in
    Ridgefield, New Jersey.

    We extend our prayers and joyful congratulations to Archbishop Nareg
    on his grand achievement.



    MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON

    The annual Mothers Day Luncheon hosted by the Prelacy Ladies Guild
    took place last Monday, May 2, at the lovely Palace Hotel in New York
    City.

    Well-known musical artist Lucy Ishkanian was honored as the Woman of
    the Year, and in a surprise presentation His Eminence Archbishop
    Oshagan also conferred upon her the highest award given by the
    Prelacy, the Queen Zabel award.

    Full details and photographs will be given in the next Crossroads.



    DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM:

    EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS MAY 15

    The 25th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Christian
    Studies Program, for youth ages 13-18, will take place at the St. Mary
    of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from July 3-10,
    2011. By popular demand, the Institute this year will again extend the
    week-long program with a three-day retreat (optional) from June
    30-July 3.

    The summer program is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education
    Council (AREC). For information and registration, contact the AREC
    office by telephone at 212-689-7810, by email at
    [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]), or click
    here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/9337645306/3628855/105777883/24882/goto:http://www.armenianprelacy.org/index.php/departments/arec/datev-institute
    ) or join us on our Facebook (
    http://e2ma.net/go/9337645306/3628855/105777884/24882/goto:http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Gregory-of-Datev-Institute/105187422899322
    ) page.



    BIBLE READING

    Bible readings for Sunday, May 8, Green Sunday are: Luke 6:12-45; Acts
    9:23-31; 1 Peter 2:1-10; John 2:23-3:12; Matthew 8:18-9:8; Mark
    3:6-12.

    After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their
    plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night
    so that they might kill him; but his disciples took him by night and
    let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

    When he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples; and
    they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a
    disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and
    described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had
    spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of
    Jesus. So he went in and out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly
    in the name of the Lord. H spoke and argued with the Hellenists; but
    they were attempting to kill him. When the believers learned of it,
    they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

    Meanwhile the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace
    and was built up. Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort
    of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. (Acts 9:23-31)



    For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/9337645306/3628855/105777885/24882/goto:http://www.armenianprelacy.org/images/prelacy/PDF/2011dbr-05.pdf
    ).



    GREEN SUNDAY

    This Sunday, May 8, is Green Sunday (Ganach Giragi), also known as
    Sunday of the World Church (Ashkharhamadoor). The concept of Green
    Sunday most probably comes from an ancient folk holiday celebrating
    spring. Our forefathers, seeing mother earth bloom after long winter
    months, glorified the Creator with an act of thanksgiving and
    celebrated by decorating the church and themselves with greenery. The
    reawakening of nature is also symbolic of the Resurrection. Green is
    the color of life, freshness and promise. After a barren winter we are
    filled with hope, life, and love.

    Green Sunday is also known as World Church Sunday in the sense of the
    church belonging to the whole world beginning with Christ and the
    Apostles who met regularly to pray and partake of the Holy Sacrament
    of Communion.

    Green Sunday is also an appropriate time for us to remember our
    obligations to be good stewards of the earth and the gifts that have
    been given to us by God.



    ARMENIAN CULTURAL AWARENESS WEEKEND

    The Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian
    Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery at Queens College
    (Flushing, New York), have partnered with the Kupferberg Holocaust
    Resource Center at Queensborough Community College to present a unique
    program of exhibits, lectures, food, films, music and dance, during
    the weekend of May 13 to 15. The college campus (222-05 56th Avenue,
    Bayside, New York) will be open to the general public with exhibits on
    Armenian history and culture, free food samples, and activities
    designed to educate and entertain both adults and young people about
    the vibrant Armenian community in New York City.

    Friday evening at 7:30 pm, the program will include Voice Verses,
    singing of Genocide and Holocaust survivors experiences performed by
    the Serenity Quartet and featured speaker Dr. Dennis
    Papazian. Saturday at 3 pm, the films Forty Days of Musa Dagh, and
    William Saroyans short, Hello Out There, will be shown; at 7:30 pm the
    program will feature Armenian Hip Hop dancers, the PT Grimm Avante
    Guard Rock Band and featured speaker Bryan Armen Graham from Sports
    Illustrated. Sunday at 5:30 pm the Armenian Antranig Dancers and the
    Israeli Shalom Dancers will perform traditional folk and modern
    dances. Featured speaker will be Shant Mardirossian. For information:
    718-428-5650.



    QUEENS COLLEGE LIBRARY IN SPECIAL EXHIBITION

    OF BOOKS & MEMORABILA ON THE GENOCIDE

    An exhibit of books, documents, photographs, and memorabilia,
    entitled, Genocide: The Armenians, 1915-1922, is currently on display
    and will continue until June 30, at the Queens College Benjamin
    S. Rosenthal Library, Barham Rotunda, 3rd Floor. The selections are
    from the personal library of Professor Hratch Zadoian, former Queens
    College Vice President for Business and Finance, who currently teaches
    in the Political Science department. Professor Zadoian has donated the
    collection to the library.










    TODAY IS NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

    Today, Thursday, May 5, is National Day of Prayer by presidential
    proclamation. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the
    Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming
    a nation, the call to prayer has continued through U.S. history,
    including President Abraham Lincolns proclamation of a day of
    humility, fasting, and prayer in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by
    Congress signed by President Harry Truman declared an annual, national
    day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President
    Ronald Reagan permanently setting the day on the first Thursday of the
    month of May. Each year the president signs a proclamation encouraging
    all Americans to pray on this day.

    In his proclamation for 2011, President Barack Obama said in part: Let
    us be thankful for the liberty that allows people of all faiths to
    worship or not worship according to the dictates of their conscience,
    and let us be thankful for the many other freedoms and blessings that
    we often take for granted. I invite all citizens of our Nation, as
    their own faith or conscience directs them, to join me in giving
    thanks for the many blessings we enjoy, and I ask all people of faith
    to join me in asking God for guidance, mercy, and protection for our
    Nation.

    To read the entire proclamation click here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/9337645306/3628855/105777886/24882/goto:http://nationaldayofprayer.org/news/2010-presidential-proclamation/2011-proclamation
    ).



    ANDDONT FORGET: SUNDAY IS MOTHERS DAY. CALL YOUR MOTHER!





    CALENDAR OF EVENTS



    May 7St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Fourth Annual
    Celebration of International Cuisine, Simply the Best Party, 8
    pm. Enjoy a special evening of tasting gourmet cooking and dancing to
    the tunes of DJ Allen. Reservations a must; donation $50 in advance;
    $60 at door; children under twelve, $25. Reservations: church office,
    718-224-2275.



    May 11-14National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy, hosted
    by St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.



    May 13Mothers Day Dinner and Cultural Program sponsored by ARS Mayr
    Chapter, New York, honoring Mother of the Year Mrs. Azniv
    Ebrimian. Armenian Center, Woodside, New York, 8 pm, donation
    $40. Contact Anais (718) 392-6982 or Maria (516) 921-0563.



    May 21An event not to be missed, A Benefit Dinner Dance Extravaganza,
    sponsored by the Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence,
    Rhode Island, at the West Valley Inn, 4 Blossum Street, West Warwick,
    Rhode Island. Twenty-seven musicians from New England area are
    generously donating their talent and time. Dinner at 6 pm; adults $35,
    children (under 16) $25. Dance only $20. Dinner tickets by advance
    sale only. Contact Joyce Bagdasarian, 401-434-4467.



    May 21Walk Armenia, sponsored by New York Mayr and Erebouni chapters
    of the Armenian Relief Society, to benefit Camp Haiastan, Franklin,
    Massachusetts. Registration 12 noon at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston,
    New York. Walk (approximately 4 miles) begins at 1 pm; rest halfway at
    Armenian Society, Little Neck, New York. Participation fee $25. For
    information: Hasmik Israelian 516-330-5290 or Nayda Voskerijian
    516-603-2809.



    May 22Celebration of the 95th anniversary of St. Illuminators
    Cathedral, New York City, will take place at the Terrace on the Park,
    Flushing Meadow Park, under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Oshagan
    Choloyan. Cocktails 5 pm; Dinner 6 pm.



    June 11St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, presents
    Armenian Food Festival, 11 am to 7 pm. Buffet served all day; take-out
    available. Pastries, handmade jewelry, Armenian gifts, raffles, and
    much more. For information contact church office, 978-685-5038.



    June 16Second Annual Cigar Night & Dinner in memory of Rev. Fr. Vartan
    Kassabian, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover,
    Massachusetts. Featuring hors doeuvres with cold seafood buffet at 6
    pm, followed by Filet Mignon & Stuffed Lobster dinner at 7:30
    pm. Premium Cigars and Top Shelf Complimentary Bar. Donation: $100
    per person. For information/reservations contact church office
    978-685-5038.



    October 23Student Festival in celebration of the Year of the Armenian
    Child. Details will follow.





    Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacys web
    site.



    To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox,
    add [email protected] (mailto:[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] (mailto:[email protected])




    From: A. Papazian
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