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Crossroads E-Newsletter - December 29, 2011

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  • Crossroads E-Newsletter - December 29, 2011

    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.armenianprelacy.org/


    December 29, 2011

    HAPPY NEW YEAR

    The New Year, 2012, begins this weekend, with New Years Eve on
    Saturday and New Years Day on Sunday.

    In the Armenian tradition, the New Year is a time to set aside feuds
    and misunderstandings and start anew. On New Years Day Armenian
    families are prepared to entertain impromptu guests with a table
    filled with an assortment of sweets, nuts, and dried and fresh
    fruit. The exchange of gifts is associated with the New Year rather
    than Christmas. Homes are decorated and the Santa Claus figure known
    as Gaghant Baba makes the rounds on New Years Eve distributing gifts
    to children.

    WATCH FOR A SPECIAL ISSUE OF CROSSROADS FOR THE NEW YEAR

    AND THE NATIVITY NEXT WEEK

    SPECIAL DAY FOR DEACONS AT ST. SARKIS

    (Photo): Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, presided over the
    Divine Liturgy last Sunday celebrated by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian at
    St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York. They are shown here with
    the deacons, altar servers and choir members. As is customary, on the
    Feast of St. Stephen, the first deacon and proto-martyr, the deacons
    serving the altar wore crowns in honor of this special day.

    ST. ILLUMINATORS DAY SCHOOL COLLECTS BOOKS

    The PTO of St. Illuminators Day School in Woodside, New York,
    organized a book drive to benefit the Children of Armenia Fund
    (COAF). English-language books are in short supply and thanks to the
    PTO, students, and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, books were collected and
    will be sent to the COAF schools.

    Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminators Cathedral, with
    some students at St. Illuminators Day School, display some of the
    books collected for COAF schools in Armenia.

    (
    http://e2ma.net/go/11547010717/4124433/112663766/24882/goto:http://armenianeducation.blogspot.com/
    )

    BIBLE READINGS

    Bible readings for Sunday, January 1, Sixth Sunday of Advent, Third
    day of the Fast of the Nativity, are: Isaiah 51:15-52:3; Hebrews
    13:18-25; Luke 22:24-30.

    A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be
    regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, The kings of the
    Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are
    called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you
    must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For
    who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is
    it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

    You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you,
    just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat
    and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones
    judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:14-30).

    For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/11547010717/4124433/112663767/24882/goto:http://www.armenianprelacy.org/images/prelacy/PDF/2012dbr-01.pdf
    ).

    HOLY APOSTLES JAMES AND JOHN THE EVANGELIST: SONS OF THUNDER

    Today, Thursday, December 29, the Armenian Church remembers the
    apostles James and John (Mark 10:35-41), called the Sons of Thunder by
    Jesus because of their passionate and quick-natured character. James
    was a Galilean fisherman, who was called along with his brother John
    to be two of the twelve apostles. They, together with Peter, formed
    the inner core among the twelve who were present at the raising of the
    daughter of Jarius, the Transfiguration, and the agony of Gethsemane.

    James is sometimes referred to as James the Greater to differentiate
    from the younger apostle also named James. James was the first of the
    apostles to be martyred by order of Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:1-2). He is
    considered to be the patron saint of Spain and according to tradition
    his body was brought from Jerusalem to Spain to Santiago de
    Compostela, which became, and remains, a popular destination for
    pilgrims.

    John is often called The Divine. It was to John that Jesus on the
    cross entrusted the care of his mother. Paul names Peter, John, and
    James as the pillars of the church (Galatians 2:9).

    PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF THE NATIVITY

    Today is the Paregentan of the Fast of the Nativity, the third and
    final fasting period during Advent. A seven-day fasting period begins
    tomorrow leading us to the birth of our Lord and Savior next Friday,
    January 6.

    HOLY FATHERS BASIL, GREGORY OF NYSSA. SYLVESTER OF ROME, AND

    EPHRAEM THE SYRIAN


    This Saturday, December 31, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy
    Fathers Basil, Gregory of Nyssa, Sylvester of Rome, and Ephraem the
    Syrian.

    St. Basil, called the Great, was an intellectual and exceptional
    leader who helped spread Christianity. At the age of 26 he gave up his
    wealth and became a monk, and dedicated his life in service to the
    people, which he did by establishing hospitals, hostels, and public
    kitchens to feed the needy. He was a talented writer and many of his
    prayers are still used in the Armenian Church and other eastern
    churches. At a time when a solitary life of a hermit was considered to
    be spiritual, he instead urged monastic communities believing that no
    one is totally self-sufficient.

    St. Gregory of Nyssa was the younger brother of Basil, and friend of
    Gregory of Nazianzus. He was educated in Athens and influenced by the
    writings of Origen and Plato. He was a professor of Rhetoric, but
    became disillusioned with his life as a teacher and became a
    priest. He served as Bishop of Nyssa and Archbishop of Sebastia.

    St. Sylvester served as the Bishop of Rome during the era of
    Constantine for more than twenty years. During the time of his
    service many great churches were built. He took part in the
    negotiations concerning Arianism at the Council of Nicaea.

    St. Ephraem the Syrian lived in Mesopotamia (Syria) during his entire
    life. He was baptized at age 18 and he served under St. James of
    Nisibis. He is credited for introducing hymns in public worship
    services. He visited St. Basil at Caesarea and upon his return he
    helped counter the famine during the winter of 372-73 by distributing
    food and money to the poor and needy. He was a prolific writer and his
    work, written in Syriac, was immediately translated into Greek,
    Armenian, and Latin.

    JOHN SARYAN SELECTED AS TOP DOCTOR

    Congratulations to Dr. John Saryan, a deacon of the Armenian Church
    serving St. Gregory Church in North Andover, Massachusetts, on his
    recent selection by Boston Magazine as one of the top doctors in his
    field in the Greater Boston area. Dr. Saryan is the department chair
    of allergy and immunology at the famed Lahey Clinic.
    Dr. Saryan and his family are devoted members of the Armenian
    American community. He describes the Church as a place I go for
    peace. Every time I put on that stole, its where I belong.
    To read Tom Vartabedians article about Top Doc click here (
    http://e2ma.net/go/11547010717/4124433/112663768/24882/goto:http://www.armenianprelacy.org/index.php/news/press-releases/206-pr122911
    ).

    2012 LITURGICAL CALENDAR POSTER

    A new item is available at the Prelacya colorful 2012 Liturgical
    Calendar Poster of the Armenian Apostolic Church, 27 x 27 inches, for
    $5.00 plus shipping and handling. At a glance, one can see the cycle
    of feasts and fasts and seasons of the Armenian Church year, which
    begins on January 6, 2012, and ends on January 5, 2013. It belongs in
    every classroom as well as on Church bulletin boards.

    To order, please contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810 or at
    [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).

    FROM THE BOOKSTORE THIS WEEK. . .

    NOW AVAILABLE AT THE BOOKSTORE:
    FOUR DVDs BY THE POPULAR CHILDRENS ENTERTAINER, MAGGIE.
    Your children will be captivated and entertained by these
    presentations.


    TATIGNER: ARMENIAN CHILDRENS SONGS
    LIVE IN CONCERT: ARMENIAN CHILDRENS SONGS


    THE ROAD TO SCHOOL (Tbrotzi Jampan)
    MAGGIE AND SANTA (Mageen yev Gaghant Baban)

    Each DVD is $20.00, plus shipping and handling.

    TO ORDER CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY EMAIL ([email protected]
    (mailto:[email protected])) OR BY TELEPHONE (212-689-7810).


    (
    http://e2ma.net/go/11547010717/4124433/112663769/24882/goto:http://bookstore.armenianprelacy.org/bookstore/books.htm
    )

    A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW BEGINNING

    As we welcome the New Year, somewhere from the recesses of our poetic
    memory we recall the sentiment, if not the exact words, of T.S. Eliot:
    Last years words belong to last years language; next years words await
    another voice; and every end is a new beginning.


    CALENDAR OF EVENTS

    December 31New Years Gala, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley,
    North Andover, Massachusetts, Wyndham Hotel, Andover, 8:30 pm. $75 per
    person includes mezze and the famous Midnight Soujouk & Eggs Full
    Breakfast Buffet and Desserts. Music by Richard Berberian, Mal
    Barsamian, Bruce Girgarjian, and Ron Tutunjian. For
    information/reservations contact church office, 978-685-5038.

    January 14Huyser Musical Ensemble of St. Illuminators Cathedral, New
    York, presents Heartbeat of our Land, under auspices of
    H.E. Archbishop Oshagan, 7:30 pm at Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th
    Street (between Madison and Park Avenues), New York City. Special
    appearance by AGBU Antranig Armenian Dance Ensemble. For
    information/tickets contact the Cathedrals office,
    212-689-5880. Tickets also available on line at www.ticketmaster.com (
    http://e2ma.net/go/11547010717/4124433/112663771/24882/goto:http://www.ticketmaster.com
    ).

    February 13-16Ghevontiantz Clergy Gathering, Eastern and Canadian
    Prelacies, hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

    March 25Celebration of the 40th anniversary of Bishop Anoushavan
    Tanielians ordination to the priesthood. Save the date.

    May 9-12, 2012National Representative Assembly of Eastern Prelacy,
    hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island. Clergy
    conference on May 9; full delegation May 10 to 12. Accommodations at
    Crowne Plaza Hotel, Warwick, Rhode Island. Details will be forthcoming
    to parishes and delegates.

    May 11-12National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG), 30th
    anniversary celebration and annual conference in conjunction with the
    National Representative Assembly, Crowne Plaza, Warwick, Rhode
    Island. For information: Mary Derderian 781-762-4253.

    July 14Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild and ARS Ani Chapter,
    Providence, Rhode Island, A Hye Summer Night VI dance, featuring
    Hachig Kazarian, Richard Hagopian, Kenneth Kalajian, Jason Naroian, 8
    pm to 1 am; $35 adults; $15 children 16 and under. At the Annunciation
    Greek Orthodox Church, 175 Oaklawn Avenue, Cranston, Rhode
    Island. Mezza will be served. Limited seating. For tickets and
    information: 401-434-4467 (Joyce Bagdasarian); 401-354-8770 (Joyce
    Yeremian).

    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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