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Newsletter of the Eastern Diocese - 01/05/2012

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  • Newsletter of the Eastern Diocese - 01/05/2012

    PRESS RELEASE
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
    630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
    Tel: (212) 686-0710
    Fax: (212) 779-3558
    Web: http://www.armenianchurch.org/
    Email: [email protected]


    TOP STORY January 5,
    2012

    Mother of God

    _Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord_

    On Friday, January 6, the Armenian Church will celebrate the Feast of the
    Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In Armenian tradition, this
    feast day commemorates not only the birth of Christ, but also His baptism by
    John the Baptist. The latter is remembered through the `Blessing of Water'
    ceremony, which follows the Divine Liturgy on January 6.

    Today, on the eve of the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord,
    the Armenian Church will celebrate the _Jrakalouyts_ (lamp-lighting)
    service. At St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York, services will begin
    at 6:30 p.m. with Scripture readings by the Diocese's Khrimian Lyceum
    students. The Divine Liturgy will follow, celebrated by Archbishop Yeghishe
    Gizirian.

    On Friday, January 6, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will
    celebrate the Divine Liturgy, which will be preceded by a morning service,
    beginning at 9:30 a.m. The `Blessing of Water' will follow the Divine
    Liturgy. Dr. Raffy Hovanessian will serve as "godfather" of the Blessing of
    Water service.

    A Home Blessing service and Christmas reception will follow in Haik and
    Alice Kavookjian Auditorium. The Akh'tamar Dance Ensemble of the St. Thomas
    Church of Tenafly, NJ, will perform during the reception, which is free and
    open to the public.

    Concurrent with the Armenian Christmas observances, an art exhibit is on
    display in Guild Hall and Yerevan Hall of the cathedral complex. In
    "Armenian Christmas and the Legacy of Armenian Artists," curator Vicki
    Shoghag Hovanessian has assembled works by prominent Yerevan-based painters
    and by prolific American-Armenian artists. [4]Click here for more
    information about the exhibit.
    Links:
    4. http://armenianchurch.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=727aaae8ea56658ecf4a092d5&id=7aba631e21&e= 3aa2e2c3e9&utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email

    Armenian Christmas will also be observed at local parishes throughout the
    Eastern Diocese; [5]contact a parish close to you to learn their schedule of
    services.
    Links:
    5. http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/contact/parish-directory?utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email

    Click to read Archbishop Khajag Barsamian's 2012 Christmas Message in
    [6]English and [7]Armenian.
    Links:
    6. http://armenianchurch.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=727aaae8ea56658ecf4a092d5&id=c1a0361c96&e= 3aa2e2c3e9&utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email
    7. http://armenianchurch.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=727aaae8ea56658ecf4a092d5&id=eea29c89b1&e= 3aa2e2c3e9&utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email


    Armenian Church in Livingston, NY

    _Primate to Visit St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ_

    On Sunday, January 8, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Diocesan Primate, will
    preside over the Christmas celebration at St. Mary Church of Livingston, NJ.

    The Rev. Fr. Arakel Vardazarian, who is currently interning at St. Gregory
    the Enlightener Church of White Plains, NY, will celebrate the Divine
    Liturgy. Archbishop Barsamian will deliver the homily. The `Blessing of
    Water' will follow the Divine Liturgy.

    Later in the afternoon, Archbishop Barsamian and Fr. Vardazarian will
    conduct the Home Blessing service. A Sunday School pageant and luncheon will
    follow.

    Scripture of the Week

    Heb 1:1-12
    Mt 2:13-23

    Prayer of the Week

    With your peace, Christ our savior, which surpasses all understanding and
    speech, defend us and keep us fearless of all evil. Make us equal to your
    true worshipers, who worship you in spirit and in truth; for to the
    most-holy Trinity is befitting glory, dominion, and honor, now and always.
    Amen.

    Upcoming Saints & Feasts

    _5 January:_ Eve of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ

    _6 January:_ Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord Jesus Christ

    _7 January:_ Remembrance of the Dead

    CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

    Catholicos Karekin II
    His Holiness Karekin II conducts the Blessing of Water service (2011).

    _Christmas Message of His Holiness Karekin II _

    In his Christmas message, His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and
    Catholicos of All Armenians, calls on all members of the Armenian Church to
    renew their faith in Christ and to walk with Him on the path of
    righteousness.

    `Lord, may the graces of your Holy Birth illuminate the entire world, may
    the angelic tiding of peace resound in all corners of the earth, may
    goodwill and harmony accompany all nations and peoples, and may joy and
    happiness reign in all families,' the message says.

    `Let hatred, enmity, despair, indifference, bitterness, and sadness retreat
    before the light of your Holy Nativity, and may the whole world be enveloped
    with the love and hope you have gifted.'

    Click to read His Holiness's message in [8]English and [9]Armenian.
    Links:
    8. http://gallery.mailchimp.com/727aaae8ea56658ecf4a092d5/files/KarekinIIChristmasMessage2012Eng.pdf?utm_source=Ea stern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email
    9. http://gallery.mailchimp.com/727aaae8ea56658ecf4a092d5/files/KarekinIIChristmasMessage2012Arm.pdf?utm_source=Ea stern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email


    DIOCESAN NEWS

    Home Blessings in the Armenian Church

    _Christmas: A Season of Home Blessing _

    The home is a sacred place where family members maintain and share their
    values. It is also a place where they are charged with these values to live
    a peaceful and God-pleasing life.

    According to the traditions of the Armenian Church, God is asked to bestow
    His blessing on homes on the Feast of the Nativity and Theophany of our
    Lord. In this season, clergy visit the homes of parishioners and perform the
    Home Blessing service.

    Parishioners are encouraged to contact their local pastor and request a Home
    Blessing service. To learn more about this tradition, and to download the
    service booklet, [10]click here.
    Links:
    10. http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/faith-and-worship/home-blessings?utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email


    Armenian Church Calendar 2012

    _Download the 2012 Oratsouyts (Liturgical Calendar)_

    The 2012 Oratsouyts (Liturgical Calendar) issued by the Mother See of Holy
    Etchmiadzin is now available as a PDF document. [11]Click here to download
    the Oratsouyts.
    Links:
    11. http://gallery.mailchimp.com/727aaae8ea56658ecf4a092d5/files/Oratsuyts2012.pdf?utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email

    The Armenian-language publication is a daily guide to scripture readings,
    hymns, and feast days of the Armenian Church. It has been continuously
    published by Holy Etchmiadzin for the past 146 years.

    The 2012 edition was prepared by Bishop Mikael Ajapahian, the Primate of the
    Diocese of Shirak in Armenia, and Bishop Artak Tigranian.


    Fund for Armenian Relief Christmas party
    Children at the Nubarashen #11 Special School in Yerevan enjoy a visit from
    Santa, thanks to the generosity of Michael and Marie Haratunian.

    _Haratunians Bring Christmas Joy to School in Armenia_

    Every year, thanks to the generosity of Michael and Marie Haratunian, a
    beautiful Christmas celebration is organized by the Fund for Armenian Relief
    for the children of the Nubarashen #11 Special School in Yerevan.

    `When we visited the school a few years ago, Marie and I decided to help
    these very special kids in any way we can,' said Michael Haratunian, a
    long-time FAR director, and one of the distinguished leaders of the
    American-Armenian community.

    `It is a place for handicapped children whose parents can no longer take
    care of them. The facility, like most of them, needs much improvement. It is
    located on the outskirts of Yerevan next to a dirty landfill where all of
    the city's garbage is dumped. We helped in small ways with improvements to
    the heating system, kitchen equipment, and recreation rooms. Our help is
    small and insignificant compared to the life these children and their
    families have to endure.'

    The celebration held at the school this week was organized in the true
    spirit of Christmas. The children's hearts were filled with joy and
    gratitude for their benefactors' kindness, love, and compassion. They all
    performed in a singing and dancing show, after which a Christmas dinner was
    held. Parents traveled from different regions of Armenia to witness the joy
    and happiness of their kids.


    Call for Christmas photos

    _Christmas Photo Album: A Call for Submissions_

    How do you celebrate Armenian Christmas in your hometown? Send us digital
    photos from your local Christmas church services and other celebrations, and
    we will feature them in our online album the week after Christmas.

    Please e-mail photos (with your name, city, and country) to
    [12][email protected] by Wednesday, January 11.
    Links:
    12. mailto:[email protected]

    We look forward to receiving submissions from the parishes of the Eastern
    Diocese, as well as from our readers in Armenian communities across the
    globe.


    PARISH NEWS

    Massachusetts Council of Churches

    _Parishes in Mass. to Host Ecumenical Delegations_

    On Armenian Christmas delegations of Protestant and Roman Catholic church
    leaders from the Massachusetts Council of Churches (MCC) will visit two
    parishes of the Eastern Diocese: Holy Translators Church of Framingham, MA,
    and St. James Church of Watertown, MA.

    The MCC's special visits, or `ecumenical pilgrimages,' give church leaders
    an opportunity to learn more about the liturgical rites of other Christian
    communities.

    "Three years ago, we began these 'ecumenical pilgrimages' in order to show
    the distinctive gifts of each of our churches,' said the Rev. Laura Everett,
    MCC executive director. `We trust that God will use these experiences to
    draw Christians closer to the unity Christ desires for His Church."

    The visit to Holy Translators Church will take place on Christmas Eve,
    January 5. The visit to St. James Church will follow on January 6, the Feast
    of the Nativity and Theophany of our Lord.
    [13]
    Click here to register for the pilgrimages, or visit the Massachusetts
    Council of Churches [14]website for more information. To contact the Rev.
    Laura Everett, e-mail [15][email protected].
    Links:
    13. http://www.eventbrite.com/org/1767704919?s=6437801&utm_source=Eastern+Diocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email
    14. http://www.masscouncilofchurches.org?utm_source=Eastern+D iocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email
    15. mailto:[email protected]


    _Upcoming Parish Events _

    _St. Leon Church | Fair Lawn, NJ_
    St. Leon Church of Fair Lawn, NJ, will host its 5th annual Christmas Dance
    on Saturday, January 7, from 7 p.m. to midnight, in the church's Community
    Center.

    The evening will feature the Michael Gostanian Ensemble. Tickets are $35 for
    adults; $20 for students (ages 10-22). [16]Click here to view a flyer for
    more information.
    Links:
    16. http://www.armenianchurch-ed.net/uploaded_files/tinymce/files/eventspdf/ChristmasDanceStLeon2012.pdf?utm_source=Eastern+Di ocese+E-Newsletter&utm_campaign=555a8cd0e0-December_8_201112_8_2011&utm_medium=email

    _Armenian Church of Southwest Florida _
    The first Divine Liturgy of 2012 will be celebrated at the Armenian Church
    of Southwest Florida by the Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar,
    on Sunday, January 15. The service will be held at St. Mary's Episcopal
    Church in Bonita Springs, FL, beginning at 1 p.m.

    A luleh kebab luncheon will follow services (advance reservations are
    required for the luncheon). For information, reservations, or to be placed
    on the church mailing list, contact Parish Council chair Carole Meghreblian
    at (239) 348-3804.

    YOUTH NEWS

    Chapter workshop

    _Register for the ACYOA Chapter Workshop _

    The ACYOA Central Council will sponsor its 4th annual Chapter Workshop at
    St. David Church of Boca Raton, FL, from January 13-15. The workshop will
    focus on the basics of being an ACYOA leader and working together to build a
    vibrant and successful organization.

    The Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Diocesan Vicar, will preside over the
    weekend's program. The Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, pastor of St. David
    Church, will serve as chaplain.

    The ACYOA Central Council strongly encourages all those who are currently in
    leadership positions in their respective chapters to attend the workshop.
    Representatives from parishes who lack organized chapters but have young
    people who are interested in establishing them are also welcome.

    Participants will stay at the Hilton in Deerfield Beach, FL. All workshop
    sessions will take place at St. David Church, which has graciously
    volunteered to host the program again this year. The registration fee is
    $175. For more information, or to register, contact Nancy Basmajian, ACYOA
    executive secretary, at [17][email protected].
    Links:
    17. mailto:[email protected]

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