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Crossroads E-Newsletter - July 16, 2009

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  • Crossroads E-Newsletter - July 16, 2009

    July 16, 2009

    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.armprelacy.org/
    Email: [email protected]


    SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR VICTIMS OF AIR CRASH IN IRAN IN ALL PRELACY
    CHURCHES THIS SUNDAY
    The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, has directed all Prelacy churches to
    offer
    special prayers during the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, July 19, for
    the victims of the air crash in northern Iran. The Caspian Airlines
    plane left
    Tehran and was headed to Yerevan when it is thought to have
    encountered mechanical difficulties. All 168 people on board
    died. According to reports,
    at least 40 of the victims were Armenian; most were Iranian Armenians,
    but five were citizens of the Republic of Armenia. One of the victims,
    Dr.
    Levon Davitian, had been a member of the Iranian Parliament for many
    years, chairman of the Tehran Diocesan Council, and was currently
    serving as a
    member of the Central Executive Committee of the Catholicate of
    Cilicia.
    His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of
    the Great House of Cilicia, sent messages of condolence to the
    Presidents of Armenia and Iran and to the three Armenian dioceses in
    Iran.
    Today, Thursday, July 16, was declared a national day of mourning in
    Armenia.
    Expressing his heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims,
    Archbishop Oshagan offered prayers
    for the souls of the victims and for comfort and healing to those who
    are mourning the sudden loss of their loved ones.

    VICAR AT ARS CONVENTION
    Bishop Anoushavan,
    Vicar of the Prelacy, is attending the annual convention of the
    Armenian Relief Society (Eastern Region) today, Thursday, July 16. His
    Grace will
    offer the opening prayer and convey a message on behalf of the
    Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan.

    VICAR WILL PRESIDE AT ST. STEPHENS (CT) THIS
    SUNDAY
    Bishop Anoushavan will preside over the Divine Liturgy and deliver the
    sermon at St.
    Stephens Church, New Britain, Connecticut, this Sunday, July 19, on
    the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Transfiguration.

    SAVE THE DATE FOR REOPENING OF ST. ILLUMINATORS
    CATHEDRAL
    St. Illuminators Cathedral, which has been undergoing a major
    renovation, is
    preparing for a blessed re-opening on the weekend of September 19 and
    20. On Saturday, September 19, His Eminence will re-consecrate the
    Cathedrals altar, and on Sunday, September 20, he will celebrate the
    Divine Liturgy and deliver the
    sermon.
    The Cathedrals infrastructure was in serious disrepair. As the
    renovation progressed the
    overall condition of the Cathedral was found to be worse than
    originally believed. The renovation has included renewal of all
    utilities, and major
    renovation of the sanctuary, offices, hall, and rest rooms.


    DATEVATSI IMPRESSIONS2009
    For
    the next few weeks we will be publishing some impressions from
    students who attended the Datev Summer Institute this year. Here are
    two for this
    week:

    At first, I didnt want to go to Datev, but then I
    changed my mind and decided to give Datev a chance. Im glad I did
    because I had tons of fun. One of the teachers told us that Datev
    isnt just a regular camp, its a camp for Armenian Christian youth, and
    I think that is true. Youll learn many new things here
    and youll have fun and make lots of new friends. Youll love it! Im
    glad I came here. This was a great first year at
    Datev.
    Knar Marashian (1st year student)

    I was extremely excited to come back for my 2nd year at
    Datev. After learning so much my first year, I was looking forward
    even more. Going to classes, having free time, and attending both
    morning and
    evening services allows us to balance our days. We are able to have
    fun and make new friends, while learning about our faith and Armenian
    culture. I
    would never trade my experiences at Datev for anything. I look forward
    to my future years here and plan to return after my four years are
    completed as
    a post-grad student.
    Erica Mengouchian (2nd year student)



    2009 PRELACY LINKED IN WEEKEND
    The 2009
    Prelacy LINKED IN weekend for young adults will take place September
    25-27, at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard, Charlton,
    Massachusetts.
    For more information click
    here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/2215293221/2016284/75532100/2 4882/goto:http://www.armenianprelacy.org/linkedin0 9.htm
    ).

    ST. SARKIS (NY) SUMMER CAMP CONCLUDES
    TOMORROW
    The fourth annual summer camp at St. Sarkis Church (Douglaston, New
    York) culminates
    tomorrow, July 17. This year the camp had 56 registered campers, four
    counselors in training, and 10 volunteer teachers and trainers along
    with a
    staff cook who prepared tasty and nutritious meals for everyone.
    Classes included religion, hymns, music, and
    arts and crafts. The students went on a field trip to a local
    environmental center and another trip for
    golfing.
    Tomorrow the campers will present a talent show, where their newly
    honed skills in singing and
    dancing will be displayed to their parents. St. Sarkis Church thanks
    Mr. and Mrs. Antranik and Marion Boudakian for sponsoring this camping
    season.

    YEAR OF THE YOUTH
    His Holiness Aram I,
    Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has designated the year 2009
    as the Year of The Youth.
    ).

    NATIONAL LIBRARY OF ARMENIA PRAISES
    CILICIAN SEES PUBLICATION
    PROJECT
    The Armenian Writers Association and the National Library in Yerevan
    jointly
    organized a reception for the 68th Kevork Melidentsi award-winning
    book published by the Catholicate of the Holy See of Cilicia. The
    reception for
    Orhnerkoutiun Medzazkanch (Glorious Blessings) took place at the
    National Library. The Director of the Library praised the Catholicate
    and
    especially His Holiness Aram I for publishing treasures of Armenian
    literature. He also praised the Catholicos for contributing to the
    thinking of our
    time through his writings, saying, In addition to the seventy volumes
    of literary treasures that the National Library has received, we just
    added two more books to our collection written by Catholicos Aram, For
    a Church Beyond its Walls and Pour un
    Monde Transfore.

    DAILY BIBLE READINGS
    Bible readings for
    today, Thursday, July 16, are: Romans 15:30-16:16; Matthew 15:29-38.
    After Jesus had left that
    place, he passed along the Sea of Galilee, and he went up the
    mountain, where he sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing with
    them the lame, the
    maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. They put them at his
    feet, and he cured them, so that the crowd was amazed when they saw
    the mute
    speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind
    seeing. And they praised the God of
    Israel.
    Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, I have compassion
    for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and
    have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for
    they might
    faint on the way. The disciples said to him, Where are we to get
    enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd? Jesus
    asked them, How many loaves have you? They said, Seven, and a few
    small fish. Then ordering the crowd to sit down on
    the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving
    thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples
    gave them
    to the crowds. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up
    the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Those who had eaten
    were four
    thousand men, besides women and children. After sending away the
    crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan. (Mt.
    15:29-38)
    For listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click
    here (http://www.armenianprelacy.org/DBR2009-7.pdf).

    F EAST OF TRANSFIGURATION
    This Sunday, July
    19, the Armenian Church celebrates one of her five Tabernacle Feast
    days, Transfiguration (Aylakerputiunm / Vartavar). The Feast of
    Transfiguration is
    marked fourteen weeks after Easter, and therefore can fall between
    June 28 and August 1. It commemorates an episode in the New Testament
    recorded by
    Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Peter.
    The Transfiguration took place on the holy mountain (believed
    to be Mt. Tabor) where Jesus had gone with Peter, James, and John to
    pray. As He was praying, His face shone like the sun and His garments
    became white as light. The Patriarch Moses and Prophet Elijah appeared
    at His side (Mt. 17:1-8). It was at this moment that His appearance
    was
    transfigured revealing Himself as God to His disciples as a voice from
    above said, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well
    pleased. Listen to him.
    As in other instances, a pagan feast was joined with the new Christian
    holiday. In this case Vartavar when Armenians would decorate the
    temple of the goddess of Asdghig with roses, doves would be released,
    and people
    would engage in water games, was combined with the Feast of the
    Transfiguration. Asdghig was the goddess of love, beauty, fertility,
    and
    water.
    According to tradition, the fifth century historian Yeghishe wrote the
    prayer that is read in the
    church on this feast day: O Lord, bless the harvest of this year and
    defend from all the perils, and may Your right hand, O Lord, protect
    us
    for the whole year.
    Vartavar was a traditional day of pilgrimage to churches named in
    honor of John
    the Baptist. The most popular destination for pilgrims was the
    Monastery of Sourp Garabed of Moush, whose main church was named
    St. John the Baptist.
    In 1998 a group of pilgrims was able to visit this site for the first
    time in many decades. With tears flowing, Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian,
    of blessed
    memory, conducted a Requiem Service amidst the ruins of this once
    thriving Armenian monastery.
    This Sunday is
    the name day for those named Vartkes, Vartavar, Vart, Vartouhi,
    Alvart, Zevart, Lousvart, Nevart, Baidzar, Vartanoush, Vartiter,
    Varvar.

    MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
    In the Armenian
    tradition, the day after each of the five major feast days is
    designated as Memorial Day, or Remembrance of the Dead. The faithful
    visit the
    cemeteries to venerate their departed loved ones. They are not dead
    who live in the hearts they leave behind.

    Lord, today you showed on the mountain to your
    disciples the inexpressible mystery of the Holy Trinity; O God of our
    fathers.
    Lord,
    in trembling amazement the apostles saw today your transfiguration and
    offered to make for you a tabernacle, O God of our
    fathers.
    A bright cloud overshadowed them and from heaven they heard the voice
    of
    the Father, who declared, This is my beloved Son, O God of our
    fathers.
    Bless the Lord, O all the works of the Lord, bless and exalt him
    forever.
    Praise the radiant light which appeared on Mount Tabor and exalt him
    forever.
    Bless the appearing of the divinity revealed to the disciples and
    exalt him
    forever.
    (From the Canon for the First Day of Transfiguration according to the
    Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Apostolic
    Orthodox Church)


    CALENDAR OF EVENTS

    July 18Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
    Island, Ladies Guild/ARS Chapter present a Hye Summer Night 4 Dance at
    The Annunciation Greek Church, Cranston, Rhode Island. For information
    401-434-4467.

    July 22Gathering of North American youth in Los
    Angeles, organized by the Western Prelacy with the participation of
    the Eastern and Canadian Prelacies.

    August 2Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode
    Island, Annual Picnic and Blessing of Madagh and Grapes at Camp
    Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, 12 noon to 6 pm, rain or
    shine. Music by John
    Berberian and Ensemble.

    August 8National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG)
    religious seminary hosted by the Ladies Guild of St. Gregory Churchy
    of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. For information:
    [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or 781-762-4253.

    August 9St. Stephens Church, Watertown,
    Massachusetts, annual picnic and blessing of madagh and grapes at Camp
    Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. Starts at 12 noon, rain or
    shine. Live
    music.

    August 9Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
    annual picnic and blessing of the grapes.

    August 9Annual Blessing of the Grapes picnic by Holy
    Cross Armenian Church, 101 Spring Avenue, Troy, New York, noon to 4
    pm, on the church grounds. Full course kebab dinner, Armenian pastries
    and
    lehmajune will be available.

    August 16Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New
    Jersey, annual picnic and Blessing of the Grapes.

    August 16St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
    Massachusetts, picnic and Blessing of the Grapes.

    August 16St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Assumption
    of the Holy Mother of God, Grape Blessing picnic. For information:
    215-482-9200.

    September 13Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church,
    Worcester, Massachusetts, 75th anniversary Holy Mass and banquet,
    under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan.

    September 12St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia; opening
    of Haigazian Armenian School.

    September 13St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia; opening
    of Sunday School.

    September 13Annual picnic of St. Stephens
    Armenian Church of New Britain and Hartford at the Quartette Club, 225
    Wooster Street, New Britain, Connecticut, beginning at noon, rain or
    shine.
    Live music. Armenian food. Free admission.

    September 19-20Re-consecration of the altar and the
    newly renovated St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City on
    Saturday. Episcopal Divine Liturgy and Madagh on Sunday.

    September 20St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Lobster
    Fest. For information: 215-482-9200.

    September 21St. Stephens (Watertown, MA)
    Armenian School/ACEC 14th annual Golf Outing at Framingham Country
    Club. $170 includes golf, lunch, dinner, and contests. For information
    contact
    Astor at 781-326-5764.

    September 25-26-27Prelacy Linked In, gathering of the
    youth. For details click
    here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/2215293221/2016284/75532100/2 4882/goto:http://www.armenianprelacy.org/linkedin0 9.htm
    ).

    September 28St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Golf
    Outing at Talamore Country Club, Ambler, Pennsylvania. For
    information: 215-482-9200.

    October 1Sts. Vartanantz Church (New Jersey), presents 7th annual Golf
    Outing at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. $175
    includes lunch, dinner, golf and contests. Come out and enjoy a great
    day and support the church. For information contact Mark,
    201-483-3200.

    October 17National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG)
    annual conference at the Prelacy offices in New York City. Details
    will follow.

    October 18St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia,
    Intercommunal Cultural Celebration at Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham,
    PA.

    November 1St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Sunday
    School Halloween Party.

    November 6-7St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Food
    Festival.

    December 20St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Sunday
    School Christmas Pageant.

    December 31St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Seroonian
    Community Center New Years Eve celebration.

    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])
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