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Eastern Prelacy: Crossroads E-Newsletter - 05/25/2006

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  • Eastern Prelacy: Crossroads E-Newsletter - 05/25/2006

    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

    MAY 25, 2006

    NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES:
    ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN RE-ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION;
    DELEGATES APPLAUD ASSEMBLY THEME, PARISH DEVELOPMENT;
    FIRST CONFERENCE OF YERETZGEENS IS APPRECIATED
    The 2006 National Representative Assembly (NRA) of the Eastern Prelacy
    concluded last Friday with a banquet at the Fort Lee Hilton. The meetings
    took place at the host parish, Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New
    Jersey. His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan was re-elected to a third
    four-year term by acclamation of the NRA.
    The delegates received the Assembly's theme, "Parish Development,"
    enthusiastically with presentations made by Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian,
    pastor of St. Gregory Church in Philadelphia, and Steve Hagopian, secretary
    of the Prelacy's Executive Council. Small panel discussions on the same
    theme followed the presentations.
    For the first time a two-day conference for the Yeretzgeens took place
    and was well attended by the wives of the parish priests serving the
    Prelacy.
    During the concluding banquet the Prelate honored seven individuals who
    had received medals in New York during the Pontifical visit of His Holiness
    Aram I in October, as the "Persons of the Year," including: Honorable Sarkis
    Teshoian, Hagop Kouyoumdjian, Dr. Dertad Manguikian, Antranig Boudakian,
    Harry Koundakjian, Iris Papazian, and Richard Sarajian, Esq. Six couples
    from the host parish received certificates of merit in appreciation of many
    years of devoted service: Zohrab and Talin Daghlian, Charles and Alice
    Kasparian, Berj & Varsenne Massoyan, Charles and Helen Mesropian, Sarkis and
    Mary Ohanessian, Zarmair and Sonia Setrakian. Youth Leadership Awards were
    presented to Shogher Baronian, Tamar Samuelian, Yeghya Sanboulian, and Ara
    Sarajian.
    Full details about the NRA, photographs, and the two presentations about
    parish development will be available on the Prelacy's web page next week.

    PRELATE AND VICAR MEET WITH NEW ENGLAND CLERGY
    On Monday, May 22, the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan and the Vicar, V.
    Rev. Fr. Anoushavan, met with the clergy of the New England area to continue
    informal discussions on the NRA theme of parish development. Rev. Fr. Aram
    Stepanian, pastor of St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
    hosted the meeting.

    THE DA VINCI CODE
    The release of the movie The Da Vinci Code last week seemed to generate
    much more "heat" than the book itself which in the hard and paper versions
    has sold in the millions. To read an article about The Da Vince Code by
    Michael B. Papazian, as well as links to other articles click
    http://www.armenianprelacy.org/052506a.htm

    CATHO LICOS ARAM I CONSECRATES CHURCH IN BOURJ HAMMOUD
    His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
    consecrated the new Sts. Vartanantz Church in Norashen in the municipality
    of Bourj Hammoud in Lebanon on Sunday, May 21. The new church-on the site of
    the old church-was constructed with the generous contribution of the late
    philanthropist, Garbis Harboyan.
    In his sermon, the Catholicos stressed the concept of becoming a church
    through the church. He spoke about the need to gather around the church
    noting that "participation in the church's life is fulfilled by contributing
    to its mission. A church is not only stones and a building; beyond these
    walls, a church should become a mission."

    DELEGATION OF AMERICAN CHURCHES VISITS ANTELIAS
    Catholicos Aram I received a special delegation of American churches in
    his office in Antelias, Lebanon, on May 19. The aim of the visit was to
    become closely informed about the current situation in the Middle East and
    particularly the challenges faced by Christianity. His Holiness stressed the
    following priorities: Giving tangible expression to the unity of the church;
    giving new impetus to the Christian-Muslim dialogue; reorganizing the role
    of Christianity through families, Sunday schools and everyday schools;
    making the social services offered by the church reachable to the people
    through effective methods; and reemphasizing the role of the church in
    issues related to human rights.

    COMMUNION AND BREAKFAST FOR GRADUATES AT
    ST. GREGORY CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA
    St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, is hosting its 38th annual Graduates'
    Communion and Breakfast, honoring all of the parish's high school and
    college graduates and their parents, on Sunday, June 4. Holy Communion will
    be given during regular church services. Breakfast and program will be
    presented in the church's Terhanian Hall immediately following the services.
    For information, 215-482-9200.

    FATHERS' DAY CELEBRATION AT THE CATHEDRAL
    St. Illuminator's Cathedral in New York City will host a luncheon and
    program dedicated to Fathers' Day on Sunday, June 18, immediately after the
    Divine Liturgy. The event is organized by the Cathedral's Ladies Guild and
    is under the auspices of the parish's priest, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian.
    Hagop Tehlirian and Antranig Vartanian will be honored as the fathers of the
    year. For information and reservations, 212-689-5880.

    SERVING IN ARMENIA
    Aura Arslanian, daughter of Ara Arslanian and Corine Nyssens Arslanian,
    is currently in Armenia where she is volunteering her services at the
    Noubarashen Orphanage in Yerevan. The Noubarashen Orphanage is one of the
    orphanages where the Eastern Prelacy provides assistance. Arrangements for
    Aura's service to the orphanage was arranged by Archbishop Oshagan. This is
    Aura's third trip to Armenia. In 1998 she worked on the rebuilding of a 13th
    century church and in 2002 she cared for children in an orphanage.

    REMEMBERING HAGOP NERSOYAN
    We note with regret the recent passing of Hagop Nersoyan, a noted
    educator and theologian, whose service to the Armenian church and nation
    spanned many decades. His most recent work, "The Other Tower: An Armenian
    Christian Looks at Terrorism," was reviewed in the November/December 2002
    issue of Outreach. The reviewer, Professor Michael B. Papazian, described
    the work as a "brief though evocative book," "filled with valuable insights
    on Christian repentance and its relation to politics." and concluded that
    "Nersoyan has admirably shown that the Armenian Christian faith and theology
    is neither obsolete nor impractical. Instead, the living faith remains a
    compelling response to the evils and afflictions of the contemporary world."
    We here at Crossroads particularly remember an earlier work by Professor
    Nersoyan, From Istanbul to Aghtamar: An Armenian Pilgrimage, published by
    Ashod Press in 1990.
    Professor Nersoyan was Professor Emeritus at the University of Dayton in
    Ohio.

    CAMP HAIASTAN EXTENDS CAMPERSHIPS
    TO EASTERN PRELACY PARISHES
    Archbishop Oshagan and the Board of Directors of the AYF Camp Haiastan
    of Franklin, Massachusetts, recently announced a joint program. Each parish
    in the Eastern Prelacy is extended one two-week fully paid campership by
    Camp Haiastan. Eastern Prelacy clergymen will select a boy or girl in their
    Sunday School or church community who have never attended the camp. The
    sessions being offered for the camperships are the Teen Session for 15 and
    16 year olds, or Session 3 for 8 to 14 year olds.

    TODAY IS ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
    Forty days after the Resurrection is the feast day commemorating the
    Ascension (Hambardzoom) of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to Biblical
    scripture the Ascension took place at the village of Bethany, on the Mount
    of Olives, in the presence of His disciples. After giving them commandments
    and blessings, the Lord was "received up into heaven and sat on the right
    hand of God," (Mark 16:19), and "a cloud received him out of their sight,"
    (Acts 1:9).
    In the early centuries of Christianity Hambardzoom was one of the most
    popular feast days for the faithful and was celebrated with merriment and
    festivities.

    SUNDAY IS SECOND PALM SUNDAY
    This Sunday, May 28-the seventh Sunday of Easter-is Second Palm Sunday
    (Yerkrord Tzaghkazard). On this occasion all the readings and hymns of Palm
    Sunday are repeated. This feast day was first celebrated by Catholicos
    Grigor Vkayaser, based on an event that according to tradition took place
    during St. Gregory's imprisonment. When Gregory was in the deep dungeon
    (khor virab), an angel ministered to him. On the fourth day of Hambardzoom
    the angel did not appear. When the Illuminator asked why, he was told that
    the heavens were celebrating Christ's Ascension into heaven.

    88TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
    This Sunday, May 28, we commemorate the 88th anniversary of the
    independent republic of Armenia of 1918. After defeating Turkish forces at
    Sardarabad, Bashabaran and Karakilise, the Armenians proclaimed an
    independent democratic Armenian Republic on what was left of their homeland
    on May 28, 1918.
    On this occasion Archbishop Oshagan has asked all Prelacy parishes to
    conduct a service of thanksgiving and blessing of the flag this Sunday, May
    28, in honor of the 88th anniversary of the first republic and the 15th
    anniversary of the Armenian Republic of today.
    O Lord, hearken the voice of the supplication of your servants and keep
    unshaken the Armenian Republic which was restored by your mercy. Increase
    the wisdom of all those ministers who are appointed for the leadership of
    the Republic in order that they may lead your people with equity to justice.
    Those who respect wisdom will rule forever. Grant abundantly the spirit of
    courageousness to our generals and armies in order that their arrows
    straightly aim at their targets. Plant in all of us the love of holiness,
    wisdom and good sense, to know the wisdom and instruction and bring our part
    to the observance of all laws that are useful for our nation. Pour into our
    hearts the mercy of your benevolence, in order that we may manifest through
    good works our love towards our homeland. For if the words are not
    accompanied with good works of virtue, according to the Proverbs, the hearts
    of such people are like ashes, their hope aimless, and their life worse than
    clay.. Bless, O Lord, this flag, in order that as the rainbow-which shone in
    the skies over Mt. Ararat after the Deluge-became the sign of your eternal
    covenant with man, likewise, this flag, after the huge floods of our blood,
    becomes the symbol of our indissoluble covenant with you. (from "Prayer of
    Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia," prepared in 1920 by Archbishop
    Torkom Koushagian.)

    MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
    This Monday, May 29, is Memorial Day. Originally called "Decoration
    Day," it is a day of remembrance for those who died in service to our
    nation. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General
    John A. Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was
    first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of
    Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first
    state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. After World
    War I, the holiday changed from honoring those who died in the Civil War to
    honoring all American servicemen who died in battle. It is now celebrated in
    every state on the last Monday in May.
    In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
    With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me:
    As he died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
    While God is marking on..
    (from the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," a Civil War song written by
    Julia Ward Howe.)


    CALENDAR OF EVENTS

    June 4-16th Anniversary Celebration of the new St. Sarkis Church,
    Douglaston, New York. For information, 718-224-2275.

    June 4-Communion and Breakfast honoring high school and college graduates,
    St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, 8701 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia. For
    information: 215-482-9200.

    June 18-Fathers' Day celebration at St. Illuminator Cathedral, 221 E. 27th
    Street, New York City, following Divine Liturgy. Organized by the Cathedral's
    Ladies Guild. For information: 212-689-5880.

    July 8-9-Datev 20th Anniversary Celebration at St. Mary of Providence
    Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania. Weekend program will include seminar,
    banquet, Badarak, and farewell picnic. For more information, contact the
    Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or visit www.armenianprelacy.org/datevatsi.htm.

    July 22-Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
    and Ani Chapter of Armenian Relief Society co-host gala dance at Greek
    Orthodox Annunciation Church. For information, 401-286-8107.

    September 28-4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
    Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
    For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.

    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.

    Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their
    major events to be included in the calendar. Send to:
    [email protected]

    Visit our website at www.armenianprelacy.org
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