Tweet
Untitled DocumentPress 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
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER - July 3, 2008
13th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PONTIFICATE OF CATHOLICOS ARAM I
The 13th anniversary of the election and consecration of His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, was commemorated
with pontifical blessings last Sunday, June 29, at the Cathedral of St.
Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon.
The consecration of His Holiness took place on July 1, 1995,
officiated by His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians.
A Pontifical Blessing will be offered in all Prelacy churches
this Sunday, July 6, 2008
22nd ANNUAL ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE IN PROGRESS
Seventy-five students (ages 13-18) from ten parishes, and seven
clergymen, are at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, for the 22nd annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer
Program, under the directorship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian,
Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy. The summer program began last Friday,
June 27 and will continue through to this Sunday, July 6.
Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the
Prelacy, the Summer Program offers a unique opportunity for our youth to
learn the essentials of Armenian Christianity in a wholesome and nurturing
environment. Each day the program begins with Morning Service from
7:15am-7:45am. Four classes are held from 8:30am to 12:30pm. In the
afternoons, the students enjoy recreational activities, such as volleyball,
soccer, basketball, and swimming. In the evenings, there is a general
lecture from 7:30 to 8:20, followed by three concurrent Bible studies from
8:30-9:30 for different age groups. The day comes to a close with the
Compline Service (Husgoom) from 9:45-10:30pm.
The Instructors of the Institute this year are: His Grace Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Rev. Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr.
Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Dn.
Shant Kazanjian, Ms. Nayiri Baljian, Mrs. Denise Borekjian and Ms. Jeanette
Nazarian.
In addition to the regular faculty, this year the Institute has four guest
speakers: Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Th.D., Rev. Kenneth E. Bailey, Th.D., Dn.
Dr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, and Tom Samuelian, Ph.D.
The summer program will come to an end on Sunday, July 6, with
the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, at St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar
of the Prelacy, and director of the Datev Institute will deliver the sermon.
A Blessing of the Water service will take place with the newly consecrated
Muron that took place in Antelias in June. . Graduation of students who have
completed the Datev program will follow the Liturgy.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL VISIT DATEV ON JULY 4
On Friday, July 4, Archbishop Oshagan will travel to
Pennsylvania where he will spend the day with the youth gathered at St. Mary
of Providence Center, for the Datev summer institute. His Eminence will
attend the traditional picnic that takes place each year on July 4th during
Datev with shish kebob and all the trimmings.and more.prepared and hosted by
Mrs. Asdghig Kazanjian, owner of Philadelphia's popular Armenian Delight
gourmet food store.
HMEM OLYMPICS
Archbishop Oshagan will open the HMEM Olympics on Saturday, July
5 in Chicago. On Sunday he will preside over the Divine Liturgy in Glenview,
IL.
PRELACY'S YOUTH GATHERING IN SEPTEMBER
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the
jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia, a youth seminar/retreat will take
place September 26-28, 2008. The retreat, open to anyone ages 18 to 35, will
take place at the St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center in Charlton,
Massachusetts. The event is being planned and prepared for youth by youth,
in collaboration with the Prelate, the Vicar General, and the Prelacy
Executive Council. The agenda will feature a variety of excellent speakers
and two workshops on the Badarak, all aimed to educate and enrich the youth
of the Armenian Church.
If you have any questions send an email to:
[email protected].
MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator's Cathedral in New York City
has begun. Until the renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy will be
offered every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Street, Woodside, New York.
YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
has designated the year 2008 as the "Year of Christian Education."
To read His Holiness' message in Armenian click here.
To read His Holiness' message in English click here.
PAN-DIASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE
A pan-Diaspora youth conference will take place in Antelias,
Lebanon, on August 14-16. Under the theme, "The Armenian youth face the
challenges of the 21st century," the conference will feature lectures, and
round table and group discussions. More than 100 youth from the various
dioceses within the Catholicosate of Cilicia will participate. Travel
subsidies are available. For information contact your local parish or the
Prelacy office, 212-689-7810.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, July 3, are: Exodus 19:16-20; 1 Kings
19:11-16; Hebrews 12:18-27; Luke 9:27-36.
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning,
as well as a thick cloud on the mountain, and a blast of a trumpet so loud
that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Moses brought the people
out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the
mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the Lord had
descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while
the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the trumpet grew louder
and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder. When the
Lord descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the Lord
summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
For listing of the week's Bible readings click here.
ST. ISAIAH THE PROPHET
Today, July 3, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the
Prophet Isaiah, who lived 700 years before the Birth of Christ. Isaiah was
called to prophetic service during the reign of Uzziah, king of Judea, and
he prophesied for 60 years. The book of Isaiah is the longest of the
prophetic books in the Old Testament. He foretold many events including the
captivity of the Jews and their return from captivity during the reign of
Emperor Cyrus. Most significantly, Isaiah foretold the coming of the
Messiah, Christ the Savior.
STS. THADDEUS AND SANDOUKHT
This Saturday, July 5, the Armenian Church celebrates the lives
of St. Thaddeus and St. Sandoukht. According to the historian Movses
Khorenatsi, the apostle Thaddeus came to Edessa where he healed the sick and
baptized King Abgar. Khorenatsi writes that from Edessa, Thaddeus went to
Armenia where he preached and converted the Armenian king, Sanatrouk, and
the king's daughter, Sandoukht. When faced with the opposition of his
governors, the king recanted his conversion. Sandoukht, however, refused to
renounce the Christian faith. She was imprisoned and executed by order of
her father, and thus became Armenia's first martyr.
Thaddeus was martyred at Artaz (in present day northern Iran).
The Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus is built on the apostle's tomb.
During the early 20th century the monastery was an important crossroads for
the defense of the Armenian population of Van, Daron and surrounding areas.
A popular annual pilgrimage by Armenians from around the world takes place
in July. During the four-day festival thousands gather in tents pitched on
the monastery grounds, attend services, sing and dance in remembrance of St.
Thaddeus, one of the two apostles who brought Christianity to Armenia. St.
Thaddeus Monastery and the other famous Armenian monastery in northern Iran,
St. Stephen Monastery, on the banks of the Arax River, have undergone major
renovations in recent years.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES
This year we are marking the dual anniversaries of the 110th anniversary of
the establishment of the Armenian Prelacy of America by Catholicos Mgrditch
(Khrimian Hairig), and the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy
See of Cilicia. We continue to seek any type of memorabilia and photographs.
Please contact us by email at [email protected] or by telephone
212-689-7810, Extension 23. We thank many of you who have already responded.
This week's photo is one of many given to us by Hagop Khatchadourian, nephew
of Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, and currently secretary of the Prelacy's
Executive Council. The photo was
taken in Washington, DC. Hrant Srpazan and Rev. Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian
are with Congressman Henry C. Schadeberg (left) of Wisconsin, and
Congressman Edward Derwinski of Illinois. The exact date of the photo is not
certain, but it is in the early 1960s.
REMEMBERING CATHOLICOS KAREKIN I
Last Sunday, June 29, was the ninth anniversary of the passing of His
Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians from 1995 to 1999;
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia from 1977 to 1995; and Prelate of
the Eastern Prelacy from 1973 to 1977.
THE FOURTH OF JULY
Tomorrow, July 4, we commemorate the 232nd anniversary of the adoption of
the United States Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was 33 years
old when he wrote the first draft of the Declaration as a member of a
committee that included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Some changes were
made in the draft, but it remains primarily the work of Jefferson that was
adopted on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia.
REV. FR. BEDROS SHETILIAN WILL CONDUCT TROY ORCHESTRA
IN FOURTH OF JULY PROGRAM
And, speaking of the Fourth of July, Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian, pastor of
St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, and Holy Cross Church,
Troy, New York, will conduct the newly-formed Troy Orchestra in an
Independence Day concert tonight, July 3, at 6 pm, River Front Park, Troy,
New York. Der Bedros is the music director of the new orchestra. To read an
article that appeared in the Times Union click here.
A MINI SERMON
Do we really understand what the words faith and devotion mean? Can we
honestly say that we try to do our best with the gifts that God has given
us? What I have observed unfortunately among a great number of people is
that as Christians we like to pick and choose what we will or will not
believe or what we will or not do. If we call ourselves Orthodox Christians,
then we cannot say that everything and anything is acceptable. This is an
absurd assumption and conclusion especially if we profess to take our faith
and relationship with Jesus Christ with any seriousness.
Our society is in serious need of being redeemed and healed but in
order to be cured it first must come to the reality that we are suffering
from it. Are we ready to do this? There no longer exists a sense of right or
wrong, responsibility for our actions, or the acknowledgement of sin in our
daily lives. Everything has become a matter of individual convenience and
gratification, even if our action has an adverse effect on the rest of
society as a whole. There is no disputing the unmistakable reality that we
have definitely lost our way out of the light and have entered into the
realm of darkness. There is only one that can lead us back to light and that
one is Jesus Christ. The choice is ours.
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian
Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley
North Andover, Massachusetts
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council. For
more information click here.
July 7 to July 18-Summer Camp at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New
York. For children age 5 to 12. 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday, lunch and
snack included. Minimum donation is $150. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. &
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. For information contact the church
office, 718-224-2275.
July 14 to August 1-St. Illuminator's Day School Summer Program, July 14
through August 1, for children ages 3 to 10, Monday through Friday, 9 am to
2 pm. Armenian language, history, Bible readings, arts and crafts, sports
and much more. For information and registration contact the school office
718-478-4073 or the Cathedral office 212-689-5880.
July 19-"A Hye Summer Night 3," dance hosted by Ladies' Guild of Sts.
Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island. For details
401-434-4467.
August 5-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 9th annual
golf outing at Blackstone National Golf Club, Summon, Massachusetts.
Information: 508-234-3261.
August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, picnic and
blessing of the grapes, officiated by Archbishop Oshagan and New England
area clergy. On church grounds, beginning at 12 noon. For information:
508-234-3677 or www.armenianchurchofwhit.org.
August 17-St. Illuminator's Cathedral, Feast of the Assumption of the Holy
Mother of God and Blessing of the Grapes, and picnic, at the Armenian
Center, Woodside, NY. For information 212-689-5880.
September 7-Annual picnic Festival of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, at American Legion Grounds, Haverhill, Massachusetts,
beginning at 12 noon.
August 3-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the
Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or
shine.
August 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. Annual
picnic on church grounds. Free admission; free parking.
August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual church
picnic and blessing of the grapes at Dunkerhook Park, Pavilion D, Paramus,
NJ. For information 201-943-2950.
September 14-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Celebration of
the Holy Cross and Madagh. For information 201-943-2950.
September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet. Details to follow.
September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.
September 26-28-National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.
September 29-30-Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.
October 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.
October 21, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 9-38th anniversary of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy See of
Cilicia, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan at Jaffarian Hall
following Divine Liturgy.
October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.
Details to follow.
November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.
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.
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]
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
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.armenianprelacy.org
Contact: Iris Papazian
CROSSROADS E-NEWSLETTER - July 3, 2008
13th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PONTIFICATE OF CATHOLICOS ARAM I
The 13th anniversary of the election and consecration of His
Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, was commemorated
with pontifical blessings last Sunday, June 29, at the Cathedral of St.
Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias, Lebanon.
The consecration of His Holiness took place on July 1, 1995,
officiated by His Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians.
A Pontifical Blessing will be offered in all Prelacy churches
this Sunday, July 6, 2008
22nd ANNUAL ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE IN PROGRESS
Seventy-five students (ages 13-18) from ten parishes, and seven
clergymen, are at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, for the 22nd annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer
Program, under the directorship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian,
Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy. The summer program began last Friday,
June 27 and will continue through to this Sunday, July 6.
Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the
Prelacy, the Summer Program offers a unique opportunity for our youth to
learn the essentials of Armenian Christianity in a wholesome and nurturing
environment. Each day the program begins with Morning Service from
7:15am-7:45am. Four classes are held from 8:30am to 12:30pm. In the
afternoons, the students enjoy recreational activities, such as volleyball,
soccer, basketball, and swimming. In the evenings, there is a general
lecture from 7:30 to 8:20, followed by three concurrent Bible studies from
8:30-9:30 for different age groups. The day comes to a close with the
Compline Service (Husgoom) from 9:45-10:30pm.
The Instructors of the Institute this year are: His Grace Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Rev. Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr.
Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Dn.
Shant Kazanjian, Ms. Nayiri Baljian, Mrs. Denise Borekjian and Ms. Jeanette
Nazarian.
In addition to the regular faculty, this year the Institute has four guest
speakers: Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Th.D., Rev. Kenneth E. Bailey, Th.D., Dn.
Dr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, and Tom Samuelian, Ph.D.
The summer program will come to an end on Sunday, July 6, with
the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, at St. Gregory
the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar
of the Prelacy, and director of the Datev Institute will deliver the sermon.
A Blessing of the Water service will take place with the newly consecrated
Muron that took place in Antelias in June. . Graduation of students who have
completed the Datev program will follow the Liturgy.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL VISIT DATEV ON JULY 4
On Friday, July 4, Archbishop Oshagan will travel to
Pennsylvania where he will spend the day with the youth gathered at St. Mary
of Providence Center, for the Datev summer institute. His Eminence will
attend the traditional picnic that takes place each year on July 4th during
Datev with shish kebob and all the trimmings.and more.prepared and hosted by
Mrs. Asdghig Kazanjian, owner of Philadelphia's popular Armenian Delight
gourmet food store.
HMEM OLYMPICS
Archbishop Oshagan will open the HMEM Olympics on Saturday, July
5 in Chicago. On Sunday he will preside over the Divine Liturgy in Glenview,
IL.
PRELACY'S YOUTH GATHERING IN SEPTEMBER
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the
jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia, a youth seminar/retreat will take
place September 26-28, 2008. The retreat, open to anyone ages 18 to 35, will
take place at the St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center in Charlton,
Massachusetts. The event is being planned and prepared for youth by youth,
in collaboration with the Prelate, the Vicar General, and the Prelacy
Executive Council. The agenda will feature a variety of excellent speakers
and two workshops on the Badarak, all aimed to educate and enrich the youth
of the Armenian Church.
If you have any questions send an email to:
[email protected].
MAJOR RENOVATION UNDERWAY AT ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL
Major renovation of St. Illuminator's Cathedral in New York City
has begun. Until the renovation is completed the Divine Liturgy will be
offered every Sunday at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th
Street, Woodside, New York.
YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
has designated the year 2008 as the "Year of Christian Education."
To read His Holiness' message in Armenian click here.
To read His Holiness' message in English click here.
PAN-DIASPORA YOUTH CONFERENCE
A pan-Diaspora youth conference will take place in Antelias,
Lebanon, on August 14-16. Under the theme, "The Armenian youth face the
challenges of the 21st century," the conference will feature lectures, and
round table and group discussions. More than 100 youth from the various
dioceses within the Catholicosate of Cilicia will participate. Travel
subsidies are available. For information contact your local parish or the
Prelacy office, 212-689-7810.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, July 3, are: Exodus 19:16-20; 1 Kings
19:11-16; Hebrews 12:18-27; Luke 9:27-36.
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning,
as well as a thick cloud on the mountain, and a blast of a trumpet so loud
that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Moses brought the people
out of the camp to meet God. They took their stand at the foot of the
mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke, because the Lord had
descended upon it in fire; the smoke went up like the smoke of a kiln, while
the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the trumpet grew louder
and louder, Moses would speak and God would answer him in thunder. When the
Lord descended upon Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain, the Lord
summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.
For listing of the week's Bible readings click here.
ST. ISAIAH THE PROPHET
Today, July 3, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the
Prophet Isaiah, who lived 700 years before the Birth of Christ. Isaiah was
called to prophetic service during the reign of Uzziah, king of Judea, and
he prophesied for 60 years. The book of Isaiah is the longest of the
prophetic books in the Old Testament. He foretold many events including the
captivity of the Jews and their return from captivity during the reign of
Emperor Cyrus. Most significantly, Isaiah foretold the coming of the
Messiah, Christ the Savior.
STS. THADDEUS AND SANDOUKHT
This Saturday, July 5, the Armenian Church celebrates the lives
of St. Thaddeus and St. Sandoukht. According to the historian Movses
Khorenatsi, the apostle Thaddeus came to Edessa where he healed the sick and
baptized King Abgar. Khorenatsi writes that from Edessa, Thaddeus went to
Armenia where he preached and converted the Armenian king, Sanatrouk, and
the king's daughter, Sandoukht. When faced with the opposition of his
governors, the king recanted his conversion. Sandoukht, however, refused to
renounce the Christian faith. She was imprisoned and executed by order of
her father, and thus became Armenia's first martyr.
Thaddeus was martyred at Artaz (in present day northern Iran).
The Armenian monastery of St. Thaddeus is built on the apostle's tomb.
During the early 20th century the monastery was an important crossroads for
the defense of the Armenian population of Van, Daron and surrounding areas.
A popular annual pilgrimage by Armenians from around the world takes place
in July. During the four-day festival thousands gather in tents pitched on
the monastery grounds, attend services, sing and dance in remembrance of St.
Thaddeus, one of the two apostles who brought Christianity to Armenia. St.
Thaddeus Monastery and the other famous Armenian monastery in northern Iran,
St. Stephen Monastery, on the banks of the Arax River, have undergone major
renovations in recent years.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES
This year we are marking the dual anniversaries of the 110th anniversary of
the establishment of the Armenian Prelacy of America by Catholicos Mgrditch
(Khrimian Hairig), and the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy
See of Cilicia. We continue to seek any type of memorabilia and photographs.
Please contact us by email at [email protected] or by telephone
212-689-7810, Extension 23. We thank many of you who have already responded.
This week's photo is one of many given to us by Hagop Khatchadourian, nephew
of Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, and currently secretary of the Prelacy's
Executive Council. The photo was
taken in Washington, DC. Hrant Srpazan and Rev. Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian
are with Congressman Henry C. Schadeberg (left) of Wisconsin, and
Congressman Edward Derwinski of Illinois. The exact date of the photo is not
certain, but it is in the early 1960s.
REMEMBERING CATHOLICOS KAREKIN I
Last Sunday, June 29, was the ninth anniversary of the passing of His
Holiness Karekin I, Catholicos of All Armenians from 1995 to 1999;
Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia from 1977 to 1995; and Prelate of
the Eastern Prelacy from 1973 to 1977.
THE FOURTH OF JULY
Tomorrow, July 4, we commemorate the 232nd anniversary of the adoption of
the United States Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was 33 years
old when he wrote the first draft of the Declaration as a member of a
committee that included John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. Some changes were
made in the draft, but it remains primarily the work of Jefferson that was
adopted on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia.
REV. FR. BEDROS SHETILIAN WILL CONDUCT TROY ORCHESTRA
IN FOURTH OF JULY PROGRAM
And, speaking of the Fourth of July, Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian, pastor of
St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, and Holy Cross Church,
Troy, New York, will conduct the newly-formed Troy Orchestra in an
Independence Day concert tonight, July 3, at 6 pm, River Front Park, Troy,
New York. Der Bedros is the music director of the new orchestra. To read an
article that appeared in the Times Union click here.
A MINI SERMON
Do we really understand what the words faith and devotion mean? Can we
honestly say that we try to do our best with the gifts that God has given
us? What I have observed unfortunately among a great number of people is
that as Christians we like to pick and choose what we will or will not
believe or what we will or not do. If we call ourselves Orthodox Christians,
then we cannot say that everything and anything is acceptable. This is an
absurd assumption and conclusion especially if we profess to take our faith
and relationship with Jesus Christ with any seriousness.
Our society is in serious need of being redeemed and healed but in
order to be cured it first must come to the reality that we are suffering
from it. Are we ready to do this? There no longer exists a sense of right or
wrong, responsibility for our actions, or the acknowledgement of sin in our
daily lives. Everything has become a matter of individual convenience and
gratification, even if our action has an adverse effect on the rest of
society as a whole. There is no disputing the unmistakable reality that we
have definitely lost our way out of the light and have entered into the
realm of darkness. There is only one that can lead us back to light and that
one is Jesus Christ. The choice is ours.
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian
Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley
North Andover, Massachusetts
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June 27 to July 6-St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian Studies
Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson,
Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education Council. For
more information click here.
July 7 to July 18-Summer Camp at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New
York. For children age 5 to 12. 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Friday, lunch and
snack included. Minimum donation is $150. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. &
Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. For information contact the church
office, 718-224-2275.
July 14 to August 1-St. Illuminator's Day School Summer Program, July 14
through August 1, for children ages 3 to 10, Monday through Friday, 9 am to
2 pm. Armenian language, history, Bible readings, arts and crafts, sports
and much more. For information and registration contact the school office
718-478-4073 or the Cathedral office 212-689-5880.
July 19-"A Hye Summer Night 3," dance hosted by Ladies' Guild of Sts.
Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island. For details
401-434-4467.
August 5-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 9th annual
golf outing at Blackstone National Golf Club, Summon, Massachusetts.
Information: 508-234-3261.
August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, picnic and
blessing of the grapes, officiated by Archbishop Oshagan and New England
area clergy. On church grounds, beginning at 12 noon. For information:
508-234-3677 or www.armenianchurchofwhit.org.
August 17-St. Illuminator's Cathedral, Feast of the Assumption of the Holy
Mother of God and Blessing of the Grapes, and picnic, at the Armenian
Center, Woodside, NY. For information 212-689-5880.
September 7-Annual picnic Festival of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, at American Legion Grounds, Haverhill, Massachusetts,
beginning at 12 noon.
August 3-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the
Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or
shine.
August 10-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. Annual
picnic on church grounds. Free admission; free parking.
August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual church
picnic and blessing of the grapes at Dunkerhook Park, Pavilion D, Paramus,
NJ. For information 201-943-2950.
September 14-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Celebration of
the Holy Cross and Madagh. For information 201-943-2950.
September 21-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, annual
church banquet. Details to follow.
September 25-Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey.
For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office
201-943-2950.
September 26-28-National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.
September 29-30-Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual
Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.
October 17-18-Annual Fall Fair of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall.
October 21, November 1 and 2-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. For information 201-943-2950.
November 9-38th anniversary of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, and 50th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy See of
Cilicia, presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan at Jaffarian Hall
following Divine Liturgy.
October 25-Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy of the
Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great
House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey.
Details to follow.
November 21 and 22-Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Food Festival.
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.
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]