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PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
138 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-689-7810
Fax: 212-689-7168
e-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER - September 23, 2004
STS. VARTANANTZ CHURCH IN PROVIDENCE
CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF
MOURAD ARMENIAN SCHOOL
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan was in Providence, Rhode Island, last Saturday
to attend the gala celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Mourad
Armenian School. Joining the celebration were the former pastor of the
parish, Archpriest Mesrob Tashjian and the current pastor Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Baghsarian. Also attending were Gilda Kupelian and Nayiri Balanian,
Executive Director and Chair, respectively, of the Armenian National
Education Committee.
Appreciation and thanks were extended to the past and present teachers and
administrators. A booklet marking this occasion was produced which included
a history of the Mourad School written by Archpriest Mesrob Tashjian.
In his remarks, Archbishop Oshagan noted that in all parts of the world the
Armenian School has held a unique role of transmitting our culture, language
and history, and has been in the forefront of the wholesome education of our
children.
FIVE SESSION COURSE ON THE LITURGY
WILL BEGIN MONDAY, OCTOBER 18
A five-session introductory course on the Soorp Badarak (the Eucharist),
will start on Monday, October 18, 2004, at the Armenian Prelacy on the first
and third Mondays of the month, from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm. Classes will be
taught by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). Prior registration is required. The $25 course fee
(for five sessions) includes a light supper. To register, please contact the
AREC office by telephone (212-689-4481) or by email
([email protected]).
NEW ENGLAND SEMINAR FOR EDUCATORS
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) is sponsoring an educators
seminar in the New England area on Saturday, October 23, 2004. It will be
hosted by the Mourad School of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island. The theme of the seminar is Teaching Armenian and History and
Teaching Methods for the non-Armenian speaker. To register or obtain
additional information contact the Executive Director of ANEC, Gilda
Kupelian, 212-689-7810, [email protected].
MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
A Memorial Tribute to Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory, will
take place on Friday, October 15, at St. Peter Church, 619 Lexington Ave.
(at 54th Street), New York City, at 7:30 pm. The evening is organized by the
New York Hamazkayin and is under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan. The evening will feature remembrances by Dr. Ashot
Melkonian, Director of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences
in Armenia, and the Honorable Judge Sarkis Teshoian. Archbishop Oshagan will
deliver the final message of the evening and the benediction. Cultural
program includes the singer Hasmik Mekhanedjian and pianist Janet Marcarian.
A video presentation of the Life and Work of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian,
narrated by the recorded voice of the late Archbishop. Free admission. For
information, 718-459-2757.
REGISTER BEFORE OCTOBER 15 FOR
NEW ENGLAND RETREAT
The New England area Retreat, We Are Family, will take place on Saturday,
October 23. Registration deadline is October 15. The September 16 issue of
Crossroads gave some details of the retreat. New Englanders should contact
their local parish for information and registration form. Back issues of
Crossroads is on the Prelacy web page, www.armenianprelacy.org.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR
A CHILDRENS HOLIDAY CONCERT
The Prelacy is sponsoring a Family Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 4,
2004, 3 pm at Florence Gould Hall, the Alliance Francaise, 55 East 59th
Street, New York City. The concert features Nvair and her HyeFamily friends,
special guest from California, Taline, and Gaghant Baba. For tickets and
information, 212-689-7810.
MID-ATLANTIC DEACONS SEMINAR
IN PHILADEPHIA IN NOVEMBER
A Mid-Atlantic Deacons Seminar will take place at St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church, 8701 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, on Friday and Saturday,
November 12 and 13. For information contact the AREC office, 212-689-7810.
ST. GEORGE THE COMMANDER AND
HOLY CROSS OF VARAG
This weekend the Armenian Church commemorates St. George (Kevork) and the
holiday of the Holy Cross of Varag.
On Saturday, St. George the Commander is remembered. Although there are no
exact records about St. George, he is a popular legendary hero among all
Christian people. He is considered to be the patron saint of soldiers and
boy scouts. As in other cases, the Armenian people have given St. George the
Commander an Armenian national character. The name George (Kevork) has been
used extensively by Armenians starting in the fifth century. There are many
large churches named in his honor. Perhaps the one we know best is Sourp
Kevork of Moughni (St. George of Moughni), the church in Armenia that the
late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian restored to its original glory through the
generosity of his friends in the United States and Canada. The monastery
complex stands today in living testimony to the dedication and patronage of
the late Archbishop.
On Sunday the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Cross of
Varag. The Hripsimiantz Virgins, after coming to Armenia, lived near Mount
Varag. Hripsime always carried a small wooden cross, which some considered
to be made of a piece of the true cross. One day, in order to escape
persecution, she found refuge on the mountain where she hid the cross among
the rocks before escaping to Vagharshapat. According to tradition, in the
year 563, a hermit named Todik, was searching for the hidden cross. He
followed a brilliant light that illuminated the mountain that guided him
inside the church to the altar and a fragment of the cross. The light
remained for twelve days. In memory of this event, Nerses Catholicos
established the Feast of the Cross of Varag.
Mount Varag is located in the southeastern region of Van in historic
Armenia. There, in honor of the Cross, the monastery of Saint Nishan was
built on the site where St. Hripsime had hidden her cross. The monastery
attained special importance especially during the leadership of Khrimian
Hyerik.
Some of us here at Crossroads had the opportunity to visit this site, among
others, with the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian in a pilgrimage organized by
Armen Aroyan. It was a thrill to visit Varaga Vank, but so sad to see ruins
and stones instead of a thriving monastery.
Apart from religious ceremonies honoring the Cross, the reverence shown
toward the Cross by the Armenian people is prominent. The Cross has been the
source of creativity in many areas of the arts. Perhaps the greatest of
these is the Armenian khachkars (cross stones), of which there are so many
beautiful examples.
We end with a poem, Khackkarere (the Cross Stones) written by Hovhannes
Shiraz:
I know not why, when a child,
I kissed the cross stones so,
When with my mother, I, barefoot,
Like a lamb, climbed the hills to the Vank.
I still kiss them now,
But now I know why.
I kiss them, O my forebears,
Your skilled hands made them emit light.
Fashioned of hard, harsh rock,
Miraculous works of the soul,
In kissing your holy presence
I kiss your immortality.
Visit our website at www.armenianprelacy.org
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 - September 23, 2004
STS. VARTANANTZ CHURCH IN PROVIDENCE
CELEBRATES 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF
MOURAD ARMENIAN SCHOOL
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan was in Providence, Rhode Island, last Saturday
to attend the gala celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Mourad
Armenian School. Joining the celebration were the former pastor of the
parish, Archpriest Mesrob Tashjian and the current pastor Rev. Fr. Gomidas
Baghsarian. Also attending were Gilda Kupelian and Nayiri Balanian,
Executive Director and Chair, respectively, of the Armenian National
Education Committee.
Appreciation and thanks were extended to the past and present teachers and
administrators. A booklet marking this occasion was produced which included
a history of the Mourad School written by Archpriest Mesrob Tashjian.
In his remarks, Archbishop Oshagan noted that in all parts of the world the
Armenian School has held a unique role of transmitting our culture, language
and history, and has been in the forefront of the wholesome education of our
children.
FIVE SESSION COURSE ON THE LITURGY
WILL BEGIN MONDAY, OCTOBER 18
A five-session introductory course on the Soorp Badarak (the Eucharist),
will start on Monday, October 18, 2004, at the Armenian Prelacy on the first
and third Mondays of the month, from 7:15 pm to 8:45 pm. Classes will be
taught by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC). Prior registration is required. The $25 course fee
(for five sessions) includes a light supper. To register, please contact the
AREC office by telephone (212-689-4481) or by email
([email protected]).
NEW ENGLAND SEMINAR FOR EDUCATORS
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) is sponsoring an educators
seminar in the New England area on Saturday, October 23, 2004. It will be
hosted by the Mourad School of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
Island. The theme of the seminar is Teaching Armenian and History and
Teaching Methods for the non-Armenian speaker. To register or obtain
additional information contact the Executive Director of ANEC, Gilda
Kupelian, 212-689-7810, [email protected].
MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN
A Memorial Tribute to Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory, will
take place on Friday, October 15, at St. Peter Church, 619 Lexington Ave.
(at 54th Street), New York City, at 7:30 pm. The evening is organized by the
New York Hamazkayin and is under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan. The evening will feature remembrances by Dr. Ashot
Melkonian, Director of the Institute of History of the Academy of Sciences
in Armenia, and the Honorable Judge Sarkis Teshoian. Archbishop Oshagan will
deliver the final message of the evening and the benediction. Cultural
program includes the singer Hasmik Mekhanedjian and pianist Janet Marcarian.
A video presentation of the Life and Work of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian,
narrated by the recorded voice of the late Archbishop. Free admission. For
information, 718-459-2757.
REGISTER BEFORE OCTOBER 15 FOR
NEW ENGLAND RETREAT
The New England area Retreat, We Are Family, will take place on Saturday,
October 23. Registration deadline is October 15. The September 16 issue of
Crossroads gave some details of the retreat. New Englanders should contact
their local parish for information and registration form. Back issues of
Crossroads is on the Prelacy web page, www.armenianprelacy.org.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR
A CHILDRENS HOLIDAY CONCERT
The Prelacy is sponsoring a Family Holiday Concert on Saturday, December 4,
2004, 3 pm at Florence Gould Hall, the Alliance Francaise, 55 East 59th
Street, New York City. The concert features Nvair and her HyeFamily friends,
special guest from California, Taline, and Gaghant Baba. For tickets and
information, 212-689-7810.
MID-ATLANTIC DEACONS SEMINAR
IN PHILADEPHIA IN NOVEMBER
A Mid-Atlantic Deacons Seminar will take place at St. Gregory the
Illuminator Church, 8701 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, on Friday and Saturday,
November 12 and 13. For information contact the AREC office, 212-689-7810.
ST. GEORGE THE COMMANDER AND
HOLY CROSS OF VARAG
This weekend the Armenian Church commemorates St. George (Kevork) and the
holiday of the Holy Cross of Varag.
On Saturday, St. George the Commander is remembered. Although there are no
exact records about St. George, he is a popular legendary hero among all
Christian people. He is considered to be the patron saint of soldiers and
boy scouts. As in other cases, the Armenian people have given St. George the
Commander an Armenian national character. The name George (Kevork) has been
used extensively by Armenians starting in the fifth century. There are many
large churches named in his honor. Perhaps the one we know best is Sourp
Kevork of Moughni (St. George of Moughni), the church in Armenia that the
late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian restored to its original glory through the
generosity of his friends in the United States and Canada. The monastery
complex stands today in living testimony to the dedication and patronage of
the late Archbishop.
On Sunday the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Holy Cross of
Varag. The Hripsimiantz Virgins, after coming to Armenia, lived near Mount
Varag. Hripsime always carried a small wooden cross, which some considered
to be made of a piece of the true cross. One day, in order to escape
persecution, she found refuge on the mountain where she hid the cross among
the rocks before escaping to Vagharshapat. According to tradition, in the
year 563, a hermit named Todik, was searching for the hidden cross. He
followed a brilliant light that illuminated the mountain that guided him
inside the church to the altar and a fragment of the cross. The light
remained for twelve days. In memory of this event, Nerses Catholicos
established the Feast of the Cross of Varag.
Mount Varag is located in the southeastern region of Van in historic
Armenia. There, in honor of the Cross, the monastery of Saint Nishan was
built on the site where St. Hripsime had hidden her cross. The monastery
attained special importance especially during the leadership of Khrimian
Hyerik.
Some of us here at Crossroads had the opportunity to visit this site, among
others, with the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian in a pilgrimage organized by
Armen Aroyan. It was a thrill to visit Varaga Vank, but so sad to see ruins
and stones instead of a thriving monastery.
Apart from religious ceremonies honoring the Cross, the reverence shown
toward the Cross by the Armenian people is prominent. The Cross has been the
source of creativity in many areas of the arts. Perhaps the greatest of
these is the Armenian khachkars (cross stones), of which there are so many
beautiful examples.
We end with a poem, Khackkarere (the Cross Stones) written by Hovhannes
Shiraz:
I know not why, when a child,
I kissed the cross stones so,
When with my mother, I, barefoot,
Like a lamb, climbed the hills to the Vank.
I still kiss them now,
But now I know why.
I kiss them, O my forebears,
Your skilled hands made them emit light.
Fashioned of hard, harsh rock,
Miraculous works of the soul,
In kissing your holy presence
I kiss your immortality.
Visit our website at www.armenianprelacy.org