Tweet
October 8, 2009
MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE THIS SATURDAY IN NEW JERSEY
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Mid-Atlantic regional
conference which will take place this Saturday, October 10, at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
The conference will begin at 10 am and continue through to 5 pm.
Hagop Khatchadourian, chairman of the Prelacy's Executive Council,
will provide a brief overview at the beginning and lead any unforeseen
questions at the end. Panel discussions will be led by Raffi Ourlian,
Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, John Daghlian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and
Harout Misserlian.
PRELATE WILL PRESIDE OVER 84TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRITAIN PARISH
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Connecticut on Sunday where he will
preside over the 84th anniversary of St. Stephen Church of New
Britain/Hartford. The Prelate will celebrate the Divine Liturgy,
deliver the sermon, and preside over the anniversary banquet, which
will take place at Indian Hill Country Club in Newington, Connecticut.
VICAR IS ATTENDING WCC MEETINGS IN GREECE
Bishop Anoushavan is in Greece, where he is attending the World
Council of Church's Faith & Order Plenary Commission, "Called to be
the One Church," at the Orthodox Academy of Crete. As the
representative of the Oriental Orthodox Church he is chairing the 9th
session on "Tradition and Traditions." The meetings began October 6
and will continue until October 14.
75th ANNIVERSARY OF SPRINGFIELD/INDIAN ORCHARD PARISH
On September 27, Archbishop Oshagan presided over the 75th anniversary
of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Springfield/Indian Orchard.
NALG SEMINAR NEXT SATURDAY
The National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) will sponsor a
seminar on Saturday, October 17, at the Prelacy offices, 138 E. 39th
Street, New York City.
The seminar will begin at 9:30 am and will include a report of NALG
activities and reports from individual Ladies Guilds. Archbishop
Oshagan will open the conference with a prayer and his message to the
NALG. Discussions will focus on by-laws updates and recommended
changes, the role of the Guilds, and how the Guilds can be
strengthened. The seminar will begin at 9:30 and end early afternoon,
with a lunch break at noon.
IN MEMORIAM: YN. PATRICIA SARKISIAN DAGLEY
We note with sadness the passing of Yeretzgin Patricia Sarkisian
Dagley last Thursday after a three-year battle with cancer. She was 50
years old. Yeretzgin was the wife of the late Rev. Fr. Haroutiun
Dagley who at the time of his death in 2002 was the pastor of St.
Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in Richmond Heights, Ohio. Yn. leaves
behind two children, daughter Sona (age 15) and son Sarkis (age 11).
We extend heartfelt condolences to her children, her mother Zarry
Sarkisian, her siblings Sharon Sarkisian Dardarian and George
Sarkisian, and to her brother-in-law Dn. Nishan and Mrs. Carolyn
Dagley. Dn. Nishan, who serves on the altar of St. Gregory Church of
Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, is the brother of the
late Der Haroutiun.
May she rest in eternal peace.
BOOK READING & SIGNING AT ST. SARKIS (NEW YORK)
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, is presenting a book reading
and signing this Sunday immediately following church services. The
book to be presented is Michael Bobelian's Children of Armenia: A
Forgotten Genocide and the Century-Long Struggle for Justice. For
information contact the church at 718-224-2275.
ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT VISITS CATHOLICOS ARAM I
During his visit to Lebanon, H.E. Serge Sarkissian met privately with
His Holiness Aram I on two occasions. At these meetings the President
explained the reasons for the Armenia-Turkey agreement, and briefed
His Holiness on conversations with the representatives of Armenian
Diaspora communities.
His Holiness reminded the President of his own recent statement
regarding his position on this matter and appreciated the President's
initiative to brief the Diaspora on the decision of the Armenian
government. His Holiness said, "Armenians in the Diaspora will not
compromise on issues of Genocide and compensation. The memorial chapel
in Antelias with the remains of one and a half million innocent men,
women and children, the victims of organized genocide by the Ottoman
Turkish government, is a constant reminder of our obligation to demand
justice and the recognition of the Genocide. As Catholicos of the Holy
See of Cilicia, I will honor the memory of the martyrs by continuing
to demand justice. The government of Armenia should continue to remind
Turkey and the international community that the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide is a must and not a matter of negotiation."
The President told the Catholicos that the issue of recognition of the
Armenian Genocide belonged to all Armenians and therefore, he
understood the anger of the Diaspora. However, he said, the
economic-political terms of the agreement were important for Armenia.
Before leaving His Holiness' residence the President reconfirmed his
commitment to the cause of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
and ended his visit to Antelias by placing a wreath at the Chapel of
the Martyrs.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN PARTICIPATES IN MEETING WITH ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT
Archbishop Oshagan was one of the participants at a meeting that took
place on Saturday, October 3 of community leaders with the President
of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan. The Prelate expressed his thoughts about
the Armenia-Turkey Protocols. Oshagan Srpazan raised two specific
issues. First the Pan-Armenian issue, because the Protocols concern
the entire Armenian people. "All Armenians are concerned about what
the future will bring and are following closely events in Armenia and
the Diaspora. It troubles me that these internal positions are causing
divisions, which brings me to the second issue which is local. This
issue can cause internal divisions among us." Furthermore, the Prelate
said there is no doubt that the Genocide is a fundamental issue for
all Armenians. "All the opinions we hear today are justified, but
there are also psychological factors. Our history has taught us that
in our political and diplomatic relationships sometimes we may
fail. This is the first official document signed between Armenia and
Turkey. We have to think again and be very careful before signing such
a document."
PRELATE WILL ATTEND OPENING OF GORKY RETROSPECTIVE AT PHILADELPHIA
MUSEUM
Archbishop Oshagan will attend a gala reception in celebration of the
opening of the Arshile Gorky retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum
of Art next Thursday evening, October 15. Prior to the reception the
invitees will have the opportunity to a preview of the exhibit which
is a major traveling retrospective celebrating the extraordinary life
and work of Arshile Gorky (1904-1948).
The first comprehensive survey of the work of this artist in nearly
three decades, Arshile Gorky: A Retrospective will open to the public
on October 21 and continue until January 10, 2010. The exhibition will
then travel to the Tate Modern, London (Spring 2010) and The Museum of
Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (Summer 2010).
Born Vosdanig Adoian around 1904 in an Armenian village near Lake Van,
Arshile Gorky witnessed as a young boy the genocide of the Armenians
by Ottoman Turkey. He eventually came to the United States with his
sister and settled in New York where he studied at the Grand Central
School of Art. He met and became friends with many of the city's
emerging avant-garde artists, and he became an influential figure in
the movement toward abstraction that transformed American
art. Although Gorky's life was tragically cut short, and in spite of
the loss of many paintings due to a fire in his studio, he left an
impressive body of work that secured his reputation as the last of the
great Surrealists.
The Philadelphia Museum, one of the largest museums in the United
States, is located in center city at 26th Street and the Benjamin
Franklin Parkway.
PETER BALAKIAN TO SPEAK TONIGHT IN NEW JERSEY
Noted author and renowned professor, Peter Balakian, who has written
extensively about the Armenian experience, will speak tonight at
Bergen Community College at 6 pm. Professor Balakian was invited by
the college's Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Center and the Center
for the Study of Intercultural Understanding. His address will take
place in the Moses Family Meeting and Training Center (Technology
Education Center, Room 128) at the College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus,
New Jersey. For information/reservations 201-447-9232.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, October 8, are: Proverbs 4:2-27;
Jeremiah 15:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:1-17; Matthew 9:35-10:1.
My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do
not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For
they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their
flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the
springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious
talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze
be straight before you. Keep straight the path of your feet, and all
your ways will be sure. Do not serve to the right or to the left; turn
our foot away from evil. (Proverbs 4:2-27).
For listing of this week's Bible readings click here (
http://e2ma.net/go/2466893723/2246070/85078904/2 4882/goto:http://www.armenianprelacy.org/images/pr elacy/PDF/dbr2009-10.pdf
).
FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS
This Saturday, October 10, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast
of the Holy Translators, one of our most popular feast days. There
are, in fact, two such commemorations in our liturgical calendar. One
is on the Thursday following the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, which
can occur in June or July, and on the second Saturday of October.
The October commemoration focuses on the creation of the Armenian
alphabet (406) and on the accomplishments of the Holy Translators.
Mesrob Mashtots, the founder of the alphabet, and Catholicos Sahak,
together with some of their students, translated the Bible. Schools
were opened and the works of world-renowned scholars were
translated. Their work gave the Armenian Church a distinct national
identity.
In modern times the entire month of October has been designated as a
"Month of Culture." Armenians throughout the Diaspora and Armenia mark
this with cultural events not only in remembrance of the past, but in
celebration of modern-day scholars, theologians, and translators.
Specifically remembered this Saturday, along with Mesrob are:
Yeghishe, a renowned student of Sahag and Mesrob, who served as
secretary to Vartan Mamigonian and wrote the great history of the
Vartanantz wars; Movses of Khoren, also a student of Sahag and Mesrob,
is revered as the father of Armenian history; David the Invincible was
a student of Movses. He received most of his education in Athens,
where he was given the title "Invincible" because of his brilliance in
philosophy; Gregory of Narek, who is considered the greatest poet of
the Armenian nation and its first and greatest mystic; and Nerses
Shnorhali, a great writer, musician, theologian, and ecumenist.
O God, through the holy teacher you bestowed on us of the north divine
and heavenly gifts, through his prayers have mercy on us.
O God, you bestowed on the sons of Torgom the divinely-inspired books
in letters revealed to Saint Mesrop in a vision; through his prayers
have mercy on us.
O God, you generously spread your heavenly knowledge and spiritual
wisdom in the churches of the Armenians by the holy translators, by
their prayers have mercy on us. (Canon for the Holy Translators from
the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church)
ON LINE COURSE IN ARMENIAN IS INAUGURATED
As noted above October is a special month for Armenians. On the second
Sunday in October we celebrate the memory of the Translators of the
Holy Bible and other works. And although culture is an everyday
activity, during the month of October Armenian communities around the
world make a special effort to honor the memory of the Holy
Translators through various educational and cultural events.
Starting Monday, October 12, the Prelacy is making available an
on-line course in modern Western Armenian. The course was developed by
Dr. Thomas J. Samuelian with partial funding from the Prelacy. It is
accessible through the Prelacy's web page. Anyone wanting to learn
Armenian can have access to it.
Also available are Dr. Samuelian's pioneering text books: A Course in
Modern Western Armenian, (which comes with its companion book,
Dictionary and Linguistic Notes); and his popular Armenian Dictionary
in Transliteration. The books are available at the Prelacy Bookstore.
MONDAY IS COLUMBUS DAY
This Monday, October 12, is Columbus Day, a holiday celebrated in many
countries in the Americas, commemorating the date of Christopher
Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. A sailor on the Pinta
sighted land early in the morning of October 12, 1492, and a new era
of European exploration and expansion began. The next day the ninety
crew members of Columbus's three-ship sleet (Nina, Pinta, and Santa
Maria) landed on the Bahamian island of Guanahan, ending a voyage that
began ten weeks earlier from Palos, Spain.
President Franklin Roosevelt first proclaimed October 12 a national
federal holiday in 1937. Since 1971, during that era when the dates of
holidays were moved (in the U.S.) to create long weekends, Columbus
Day has been commemorated on the second Monday in October, which this
year happens to fall on October 12. FROM THE BOOKSTORE.... JUST
ARRIVED
ARMENIAN MINIATURES: FROM THE MATENADARAN COLLECTION
Published this year, this beautiful oversize book is full of
information and color reproductions. All of the text is in English.
There is a comprehensive introduction by Lilit Zakarian and other
articles on Early Armenian Miniatures; Miniatures of Armenia Major;
Miniatures of Communities Abroad. 304 pages, with 232 color
reproductions. $80.00 plus shipping and handling.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY EMAIL AT [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) OR BY TELEPHONE AT 212-689-7810.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 10--Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Pastors, Boards of
Trustees, and NRA delegates at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
October 11--84th anniversary banquet of St. Stephen's Church, New
Britain/Hartford, Connecticut at Indian Hill Country Club, 111 Golf Street, Newington, Connecticut, at 12:30 pm. For information contact the
church office at 860-229-8322.
October 15-18--Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Food Festival
and Bazaar.
October 16-17--Annual Fall Fair Bazaar, St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall, 10 am to 8 pm.
October 17--National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) annual
conference at the Prelacy offices in New York City. Details will follow.
October 18--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Intercommunal Cultural
Celebration at Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, PA.
November 1--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Sunday School Halloween
Party.
November 6--"On the Road," by Levon Shant, presented The Theater Group
of Hamazkayin, New York, directed by Dr. Herand Markarian. Sponsored by the Armenian Relief Society Mayr Chapter, this performance is a benefit for
St. Illuminator's Armenian Day School. Performance begins at 8:35 pm at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Ave., Woodside, New York. For tickets ($25)
contact Sonia at 718-961-9550 or Alice at 516-676-6167.
November 6-7--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Food
Festival.
November 6-7--St. Stephen's Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 53rd
annual bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at the ACEC, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown. Delicious lamb, losh and chicken kebab, kheyma, kufta and yalanchi. Meals
served from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm. Armenian pastries, gourmet foods, arts & crafts, auction, raffles, and more.
November 7--Christmas Holiday Craft Fair, St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall, 10 am to 4 pm.
November 7 & 8--Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
largest Armenian Fest in New England. Saturday from 12 noon to 10 pm. Sunday 12 noon to 8 pm. Rhodes-on-the-Pawtucket, 60 Rhodes Place (off Broad
Street), Cranston, Rhode Island. Kebobs and kufta dinners, pastry, raffles and more. Performance by the Armenian school dance group. Live Armenian
music * dancing. For information, 401-831-6399.
November 14--Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 45th anniversary
celebration.
November 20-21--Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Fest 2009, Friday, November 20, 5 pm to 8 pm; Saturday, November 21, 10 am to 5 pm. Armenian delicacies and dinners. For information
508-852-2414.
November 20, 21, 22--Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey)
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. Saturday night dancing with "Onnik Dinkjian"; Sunday traditional kavourma dinner.
December 5--Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
annual bazaar. Come one, come all.
December 20--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Sunday School Christmas
Pageant.
December 31--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Seroonian Community
Center New Year's Eve celebration.
December 31--Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), New
Year's Eve Dinner-Dance. Details to follow.
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] (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])
MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE THIS SATURDAY IN NEW JERSEY
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Mid-Atlantic regional
conference which will take place this Saturday, October 10, at
Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
The conference will begin at 10 am and continue through to 5 pm.
Hagop Khatchadourian, chairman of the Prelacy's Executive Council,
will provide a brief overview at the beginning and lead any unforeseen
questions at the end. Panel discussions will be led by Raffi Ourlian,
Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, John Daghlian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and
Harout Misserlian.
PRELATE WILL PRESIDE OVER 84TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEW BRITAIN PARISH
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Connecticut on Sunday where he will
preside over the 84th anniversary of St. Stephen Church of New
Britain/Hartford. The Prelate will celebrate the Divine Liturgy,
deliver the sermon, and preside over the anniversary banquet, which
will take place at Indian Hill Country Club in Newington, Connecticut.
VICAR IS ATTENDING WCC MEETINGS IN GREECE
Bishop Anoushavan is in Greece, where he is attending the World
Council of Church's Faith & Order Plenary Commission, "Called to be
the One Church," at the Orthodox Academy of Crete. As the
representative of the Oriental Orthodox Church he is chairing the 9th
session on "Tradition and Traditions." The meetings began October 6
and will continue until October 14.
75th ANNIVERSARY OF SPRINGFIELD/INDIAN ORCHARD PARISH
On September 27, Archbishop Oshagan presided over the 75th anniversary
of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Springfield/Indian Orchard.
NALG SEMINAR NEXT SATURDAY
The National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) will sponsor a
seminar on Saturday, October 17, at the Prelacy offices, 138 E. 39th
Street, New York City.
The seminar will begin at 9:30 am and will include a report of NALG
activities and reports from individual Ladies Guilds. Archbishop
Oshagan will open the conference with a prayer and his message to the
NALG. Discussions will focus on by-laws updates and recommended
changes, the role of the Guilds, and how the Guilds can be
strengthened. The seminar will begin at 9:30 and end early afternoon,
with a lunch break at noon.
IN MEMORIAM: YN. PATRICIA SARKISIAN DAGLEY
We note with sadness the passing of Yeretzgin Patricia Sarkisian
Dagley last Thursday after a three-year battle with cancer. She was 50
years old. Yeretzgin was the wife of the late Rev. Fr. Haroutiun
Dagley who at the time of his death in 2002 was the pastor of St.
Gregory of Narek Armenian Church in Richmond Heights, Ohio. Yn. leaves
behind two children, daughter Sona (age 15) and son Sarkis (age 11).
We extend heartfelt condolences to her children, her mother Zarry
Sarkisian, her siblings Sharon Sarkisian Dardarian and George
Sarkisian, and to her brother-in-law Dn. Nishan and Mrs. Carolyn
Dagley. Dn. Nishan, who serves on the altar of St. Gregory Church of
Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, is the brother of the
late Der Haroutiun.
May she rest in eternal peace.
BOOK READING & SIGNING AT ST. SARKIS (NEW YORK)
St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, is presenting a book reading
and signing this Sunday immediately following church services. The
book to be presented is Michael Bobelian's Children of Armenia: A
Forgotten Genocide and the Century-Long Struggle for Justice. For
information contact the church at 718-224-2275.
ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT VISITS CATHOLICOS ARAM I
During his visit to Lebanon, H.E. Serge Sarkissian met privately with
His Holiness Aram I on two occasions. At these meetings the President
explained the reasons for the Armenia-Turkey agreement, and briefed
His Holiness on conversations with the representatives of Armenian
Diaspora communities.
His Holiness reminded the President of his own recent statement
regarding his position on this matter and appreciated the President's
initiative to brief the Diaspora on the decision of the Armenian
government. His Holiness said, "Armenians in the Diaspora will not
compromise on issues of Genocide and compensation. The memorial chapel
in Antelias with the remains of one and a half million innocent men,
women and children, the victims of organized genocide by the Ottoman
Turkish government, is a constant reminder of our obligation to demand
justice and the recognition of the Genocide. As Catholicos of the Holy
See of Cilicia, I will honor the memory of the martyrs by continuing
to demand justice. The government of Armenia should continue to remind
Turkey and the international community that the recognition of the
Armenian Genocide is a must and not a matter of negotiation."
The President told the Catholicos that the issue of recognition of the
Armenian Genocide belonged to all Armenians and therefore, he
understood the anger of the Diaspora. However, he said, the
economic-political terms of the agreement were important for Armenia.
Before leaving His Holiness' residence the President reconfirmed his
commitment to the cause of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
and ended his visit to Antelias by placing a wreath at the Chapel of
the Martyrs.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN PARTICIPATES IN MEETING WITH ARMENIA'S PRESIDENT
Archbishop Oshagan was one of the participants at a meeting that took
place on Saturday, October 3 of community leaders with the President
of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan. The Prelate expressed his thoughts about
the Armenia-Turkey Protocols. Oshagan Srpazan raised two specific
issues. First the Pan-Armenian issue, because the Protocols concern
the entire Armenian people. "All Armenians are concerned about what
the future will bring and are following closely events in Armenia and
the Diaspora. It troubles me that these internal positions are causing
divisions, which brings me to the second issue which is local. This
issue can cause internal divisions among us." Furthermore, the Prelate
said there is no doubt that the Genocide is a fundamental issue for
all Armenians. "All the opinions we hear today are justified, but
there are also psychological factors. Our history has taught us that
in our political and diplomatic relationships sometimes we may
fail. This is the first official document signed between Armenia and
Turkey. We have to think again and be very careful before signing such
a document."
PRELATE WILL ATTEND OPENING OF GORKY RETROSPECTIVE AT PHILADELPHIA
MUSEUM
Archbishop Oshagan will attend a gala reception in celebration of the
opening of the Arshile Gorky retrospective at the Philadelphia Museum
of Art next Thursday evening, October 15. Prior to the reception the
invitees will have the opportunity to a preview of the exhibit which
is a major traveling retrospective celebrating the extraordinary life
and work of Arshile Gorky (1904-1948).
The first comprehensive survey of the work of this artist in nearly
three decades, Arshile Gorky: A Retrospective will open to the public
on October 21 and continue until January 10, 2010. The exhibition will
then travel to the Tate Modern, London (Spring 2010) and The Museum of
Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (Summer 2010).
Born Vosdanig Adoian around 1904 in an Armenian village near Lake Van,
Arshile Gorky witnessed as a young boy the genocide of the Armenians
by Ottoman Turkey. He eventually came to the United States with his
sister and settled in New York where he studied at the Grand Central
School of Art. He met and became friends with many of the city's
emerging avant-garde artists, and he became an influential figure in
the movement toward abstraction that transformed American
art. Although Gorky's life was tragically cut short, and in spite of
the loss of many paintings due to a fire in his studio, he left an
impressive body of work that secured his reputation as the last of the
great Surrealists.
The Philadelphia Museum, one of the largest museums in the United
States, is located in center city at 26th Street and the Benjamin
Franklin Parkway.
PETER BALAKIAN TO SPEAK TONIGHT IN NEW JERSEY
Noted author and renowned professor, Peter Balakian, who has written
extensively about the Armenian experience, will speak tonight at
Bergen Community College at 6 pm. Professor Balakian was invited by
the college's Peace, Justice and Reconciliation Center and the Center
for the Study of Intercultural Understanding. His address will take
place in the Moses Family Meeting and Training Center (Technology
Education Center, Room 128) at the College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus,
New Jersey. For information/reservations 201-447-9232.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, Thursday, October 8, are: Proverbs 4:2-27;
Jeremiah 15:19-20; 1 Corinthians 12:1-17; Matthew 9:35-10:1.
My child, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do
not let them escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For
they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their
flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the
springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious
talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze
be straight before you. Keep straight the path of your feet, and all
your ways will be sure. Do not serve to the right or to the left; turn
our foot away from evil. (Proverbs 4:2-27).
For listing of this week's Bible readings click here (
http://e2ma.net/go/2466893723/2246070/85078904/2 4882/goto:http://www.armenianprelacy.org/images/pr elacy/PDF/dbr2009-10.pdf
).
FEAST OF THE HOLY TRANSLATORS
This Saturday, October 10, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast
of the Holy Translators, one of our most popular feast days. There
are, in fact, two such commemorations in our liturgical calendar. One
is on the Thursday following the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, which
can occur in June or July, and on the second Saturday of October.
The October commemoration focuses on the creation of the Armenian
alphabet (406) and on the accomplishments of the Holy Translators.
Mesrob Mashtots, the founder of the alphabet, and Catholicos Sahak,
together with some of their students, translated the Bible. Schools
were opened and the works of world-renowned scholars were
translated. Their work gave the Armenian Church a distinct national
identity.
In modern times the entire month of October has been designated as a
"Month of Culture." Armenians throughout the Diaspora and Armenia mark
this with cultural events not only in remembrance of the past, but in
celebration of modern-day scholars, theologians, and translators.
Specifically remembered this Saturday, along with Mesrob are:
Yeghishe, a renowned student of Sahag and Mesrob, who served as
secretary to Vartan Mamigonian and wrote the great history of the
Vartanantz wars; Movses of Khoren, also a student of Sahag and Mesrob,
is revered as the father of Armenian history; David the Invincible was
a student of Movses. He received most of his education in Athens,
where he was given the title "Invincible" because of his brilliance in
philosophy; Gregory of Narek, who is considered the greatest poet of
the Armenian nation and its first and greatest mystic; and Nerses
Shnorhali, a great writer, musician, theologian, and ecumenist.
O God, through the holy teacher you bestowed on us of the north divine
and heavenly gifts, through his prayers have mercy on us.
O God, you bestowed on the sons of Torgom the divinely-inspired books
in letters revealed to Saint Mesrop in a vision; through his prayers
have mercy on us.
O God, you generously spread your heavenly knowledge and spiritual
wisdom in the churches of the Armenians by the holy translators, by
their prayers have mercy on us. (Canon for the Holy Translators from
the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church)
ON LINE COURSE IN ARMENIAN IS INAUGURATED
As noted above October is a special month for Armenians. On the second
Sunday in October we celebrate the memory of the Translators of the
Holy Bible and other works. And although culture is an everyday
activity, during the month of October Armenian communities around the
world make a special effort to honor the memory of the Holy
Translators through various educational and cultural events.
Starting Monday, October 12, the Prelacy is making available an
on-line course in modern Western Armenian. The course was developed by
Dr. Thomas J. Samuelian with partial funding from the Prelacy. It is
accessible through the Prelacy's web page. Anyone wanting to learn
Armenian can have access to it.
Also available are Dr. Samuelian's pioneering text books: A Course in
Modern Western Armenian, (which comes with its companion book,
Dictionary and Linguistic Notes); and his popular Armenian Dictionary
in Transliteration. The books are available at the Prelacy Bookstore.
MONDAY IS COLUMBUS DAY
This Monday, October 12, is Columbus Day, a holiday celebrated in many
countries in the Americas, commemorating the date of Christopher
Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. A sailor on the Pinta
sighted land early in the morning of October 12, 1492, and a new era
of European exploration and expansion began. The next day the ninety
crew members of Columbus's three-ship sleet (Nina, Pinta, and Santa
Maria) landed on the Bahamian island of Guanahan, ending a voyage that
began ten weeks earlier from Palos, Spain.
President Franklin Roosevelt first proclaimed October 12 a national
federal holiday in 1937. Since 1971, during that era when the dates of
holidays were moved (in the U.S.) to create long weekends, Columbus
Day has been commemorated on the second Monday in October, which this
year happens to fall on October 12. FROM THE BOOKSTORE.... JUST
ARRIVED
ARMENIAN MINIATURES: FROM THE MATENADARAN COLLECTION
Published this year, this beautiful oversize book is full of
information and color reproductions. All of the text is in English.
There is a comprehensive introduction by Lilit Zakarian and other
articles on Early Armenian Miniatures; Miniatures of Armenia Major;
Miniatures of Communities Abroad. 304 pages, with 232 color
reproductions. $80.00 plus shipping and handling.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY EMAIL AT [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) OR BY TELEPHONE AT 212-689-7810.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 10--Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Pastors, Boards of
Trustees, and NRA delegates at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
October 11--84th anniversary banquet of St. Stephen's Church, New
Britain/Hartford, Connecticut at Indian Hill Country Club, 111 Golf Street, Newington, Connecticut, at 12:30 pm. For information contact the
church office at 860-229-8322.
October 15-18--Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Food Festival
and Bazaar.
October 16-17--Annual Fall Fair Bazaar, St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall, 10 am to 8 pm.
October 17--National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) annual
conference at the Prelacy offices in New York City. Details will follow.
October 18--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Intercommunal Cultural
Celebration at Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, PA.
November 1--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Sunday School Halloween
Party.
November 6--"On the Road," by Levon Shant, presented The Theater Group
of Hamazkayin, New York, directed by Dr. Herand Markarian. Sponsored by the Armenian Relief Society Mayr Chapter, this performance is a benefit for
St. Illuminator's Armenian Day School. Performance begins at 8:35 pm at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Ave., Woodside, New York. For tickets ($25)
contact Sonia at 718-961-9550 or Alice at 516-676-6167.
November 6-7--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Food
Festival.
November 6-7--St. Stephen's Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 53rd
annual bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at the ACEC, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown. Delicious lamb, losh and chicken kebab, kheyma, kufta and yalanchi. Meals
served from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm. Armenian pastries, gourmet foods, arts & crafts, auction, raffles, and more.
November 7--Christmas Holiday Craft Fair, St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts, Jaffarian Hall, 10 am to 4 pm.
November 7 & 8--Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
largest Armenian Fest in New England. Saturday from 12 noon to 10 pm. Sunday 12 noon to 8 pm. Rhodes-on-the-Pawtucket, 60 Rhodes Place (off Broad
Street), Cranston, Rhode Island. Kebobs and kufta dinners, pastry, raffles and more. Performance by the Armenian school dance group. Live Armenian
music * dancing. For information, 401-831-6399.
November 14--Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 45th anniversary
celebration.
November 20-21--Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Fall Fest 2009, Friday, November 20, 5 pm to 8 pm; Saturday, November 21, 10 am to 5 pm. Armenian delicacies and dinners. For information
508-852-2414.
November 20, 21, 22--Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey)
Annual Bazaar and Food Festival. Saturday night dancing with "Onnik Dinkjian"; Sunday traditional kavourma dinner.
December 5--Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
annual bazaar. Come one, come all.
December 20--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia. Sunday School Christmas
Pageant.
December 31--St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Seroonian Community
Center New Year's Eve celebration.
December 31--Sts. Vartanantz Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), New
Year's Eve Dinner-Dance. Details to follow.
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] (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])