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/
May 10, 2012
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONVENES IN RHODE ISLAND
The National Representative Assembly (NRA) of the Eastern Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, convened this
morning. Hosting the Assembly is Sts. Vartanantz Church of Providence,
Rhode Island. The meetings are taking place at the Crowne Plaza in
Warwick, Rhode Island. The Clergy Conference met yesterday and today
the clergy joined the full Assembly. The Assembly will continue
through noon on Saturday, May 12.
The Assembly officially opened this morning at 11 am with an opening
prayer by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate. The first
session included reports from the credential committee, election of
nominating committee, election of the Assemblys co-chairs and
secretaries, and welcoming remarks by Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian,
pastor of the host parish and Mark E. Phillips, chairman of the board
of trustees of Sts. Vartanantz Church. Archbishop Oshagan will deliver
his keynote address tomorrow (Friday) morning.
The second session, which began after the lunch break, featured a
video message to the NRA from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Holy See of Cilicia. To view His Holiness message click here.
Pontifical Visit: A presentation about the upcoming Pontifical Visit
of His Holiness to the Eastern Prelacy in October was given by the
co-chairs of the National Steering Committee, Jack Mardoian and Karen
Jehanian during the second session this afternoon. During the month of
October His Holiness will visit every parish community in the Eastern
Prelacy. The co-chairs presented an overview of the itinerary as well
as the theme of the visit, the seminars, conferences, speeches,
Pontifical Liturgies, and banquets, and parish activities, national
and local communications program, and publications.
Tomorrow the co-chairs of the Pontifical Visit Steering Committee will
meet individually with the delegations of each region to go over
Vehapars local schedule and provide guidance to the parish
communities.
Theme of Pontifical Visit: Witness and Renewal: Taking the Church to
the People, has been selected with the Catholicoss participation and
guidance, as the theme of the pontifical visit. His Holiness has
requested that most of the activities being planned be with the people
in informal and intimate settings, rather than many formal
banquets. The theme will play a central role throughout the Pontifical
Visit with the aim of reaching specific goals before, during and after
the visit.
WITNESS AND RENEWAL:
TAKING THE CHURCH TO THE PEOPLE
Catholicos Aram I, recently offered the following statement about the
theme of his visit to the Eastern Prelacy, October 431, 2012:
I warmly welcome the Prelacys decision to make Witness and Renewal the
theme of my forthcoming pontifical visit to the parishes within the
jurisdiction of the Eastern Prelacy of the United States of America.
Witness and renewal are, indeed, at the heart of the churchs very
being as a community of faith and missionary reality. The church is a
witnessing community. It fulfills itself in time and space by
witnessing to the Gospel of Christ. At the end of His earthly
ministry, Jesus commissioned His disciples to take the Gospel to all
corners of the world. Hence, witness to Gods saving act in Jesus
constitutes the essence and the raison dtre of the church.
Renewal is a vital dimension of being church. The church is not a
static reality; it is in dynamic process of community building. It is
called to give substance, quality and vision to renewal through
critical self-assessment and in response to its environment. Any
effort of renewal related to the churchs liturgical, pastoral,
spiritual, missionary and institutional aspects, must generate inner
vitality and make the church relevant and credible. Otherwise renewal
will lose its very meaning and purpose.
Witness and renewal are interwoven; they must be taken as one whole
encompassing all features, dimensions and manifestations of the
church. Focusing on this holistic understanding, I would like to share
with you succinctly a few reflections concerning the Armenian Church.
1) From the very inception of our church, witness and renewal have
been taken very seriously. The missionary engagement, evangelistic
outreach, diakonal action and cultural activity have been the core of
our witness and renewal. The church has played a pivotal role in the
life of the Armenian people by responding to their needs and concerns
in constantly changing circumstances. The radically and rapidly
changing world and the growing impact of globalization on the life of
modern societies challenge the Armenian Church to consider most
seriously and in broader perspective the imperatives and implications
of witness and renewal within the context of its God-given vocation.
2) Because the church is a local reality, special attention must be
given to the parish. The parish is the full expression of the holy,
universal and apostolic church. In order to ensure an effective
witness and renewal for our church, we must reorganize parish life in
its various aspects and manifestations, reactivate pastoral and
diakonal functions, and revitalize its evangelistic outreach. In these
efforts we must consider the specificities of the environment in which
a parish is located. Further, as an integral part of the churchs
pastoral care the concerns and expectations of the parishioners need
to be properly addressed.
3) Spirituality is an essential feature of the churchs life and
witness as a praying, witnessing, confessing and serving
community. Spirituality must embrace all spheres of the churchs
life. Constant effort should be made to make the rich spirituality of
our church, which is deeply rooted in centuries-old traditions and
values, more relevant and responsive to modern times and
challenges. Our spirituality must both preserve and enhance our
distinctive Armenian-Christian identity and promote creative
interaction between the church and the youth.
4) Christ conveyed His message to the people by addressing the issues
and challenges of His time. Sustained by the power of the Gospel and
driven by the vision of the kingdom of God, the church should do the
same. As a witnessing community to the values, truths and principles
of the Gospel, the church cannot remain indifferent in the face of
moral, ethical and social issues that steer the life of modern
societies. Although the complex problems faced by our community and
the compelling questions being raised by our youth resist easy
solutions or answers, the church is called to consider these problems
and questions as an essential dimension of its pastoral vocation and
to provide spiritual and moral guidance.
How can we take the church to the people by making it a serving and
caring reality in the life of the community? How can we make the
people active members of the community of faith? These challenges
should become the driving force and purpose of the churchs witness and
renewal. It is my expectation that due consideration will be given to
these observations as you prepare the pontifical visitation program.
May God bless you all.
ARAM I
CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA
A NEW BIBLE STUDY PROGRAM AT ST. ILLUMINATORS CATHEDRAL
A four-part Bible study on St. Pauls Letter to the Philippians will be
presented at St. Illuminators Armenian Cathedral on four consecutive
Thursdays, May 17, 24, 31 and June 7, 2012, by Dn. Shant Kazanjian,
Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). The
sessions will begin at 7:15 pm with a presentation (45 minutes)
followed by Q&A and discussion (45 minutes). The program is free and
open to the public, but registration is required. The Church is
located at 221 East 27th Street (New York City).
For further information and registration, please contact the Cathedral
office at 212-689-5880 or the Prelacy office at 212-689-7810 or at
[email protected].
NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN NORTH ANDOVER
The new board of trustees for St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, with their pastor, Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian,
following services. Front row, from left: John Dagdigian (alternate),
Karen Aznoian, Sylvia Mahlebjian, Christine Kourkounian, Nancy
Vartabedian, and Alex Movsessian. Rear, from left: Joseph Almasian,
Vartkes Hovsepian, Der Karekin Bedourian, Dr. John Saryan, and Richard
Shahtanian. (photo by Tom Vartabedian)
SCHOOLS TAKE PART IN COMPETITION
The 43rd annual competition of Armenian Saturday and Day Schools in
New York/New Jersey took place on Saturday, May 5, at St. Illuminator
School in Woodside, New York. The competition is organized by the
literary committee of Hamazkayin of New York. Rev. Fr. Mesrob
Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminators Cathedral, guided the
competition.
Participating schools included: Holy Martyrs Day and Saturday schools;
St. Illuminators Day School; St. Sarkis Saturday School (Douglaston);
and Nareg Saturday School (New Jersey).
Certificates and gifts were given to all participants and additional
gifts were presented to those students who answered all questions
correctly.
THE WAY WE WERE ENSEMBLE PERFORMS IN NEW YORK
Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate, and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of
St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City, are surrounded by the
cast of The Way We Were Ensemble who performed their new musical
offering, The Hye LegionThe Gamavor last Sunday at the Cathedral.
Rev. Fr. Mesrob presents a plaque to Hourig Papazian-Sahagian,
director of the group, on behalf of the Cathedral, in appreciation of
her artistic accomplishments.
MARKARIAN PLAY RECEIVES HIGH PRAISE
Playwright Herand Markarians latest creation, Silence in a Circular
Rainbow has been receiving high praise from theatre-goers at the
sold-out premiere performance on May 4. Performances will continue
until May 20, at the Shell Theater (Times Square Arts Building). Many
of the performances are sold out. To purchase tickets ($18) go to
SmartTix.com or 212-868-4444.
BIBLE READINGS
Note: Beginning on the Sunday after Easter and continuing until
Pentecost (May 27), in addition to other readings, portions of the
four Gospels are read each day. Luke is read in the morning; John is
read at mid-day; Matthew is read at the beginning of the evening hour;
and Mark is read at the end of the evening hour.
Bible readings for Sunday, May 13, Fifth Sunday after Easter, are:
Acts 20:17-38; 1 John 3:2-6; John 9:39-10:10; (1) Luke 14:25-15:32;
(2) Acts 20:17-38; 1 John 3:2-6; John 9:39-10:10; (3) Matthew
16:13-17:13; (4) Mark 8:27-9:13.
Beloved, we are Gods children now; what we will be has not yet been
revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be
like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in
him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is
lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in
him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins
has either seen him or known him. (1 John 3:2-6)
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here.
FIRST ARMENIAN CHURCH IN ABU DHABI
His Holiness Aram I presided over the Holy Liturgy on May 4, at the
Greek Orthodox Church in Abu Dhabi temporarily offered to the Armenian
community. After the liturgy, His Holiness went to the location where
the first Armenian Church in Abu Dhabi will be built. Accompanying him
were Bishop Shahe Panossian, Catholicosal Vicar of the Diocese of
Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates; the Ambassador of Armenia to the
Gulf Region; the Honorary Ambassador of Armenia to Deir Zor, and
representatives of the Armenian communities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and
Qatar.
Following the tradition of the Armenian Church, Catholicos Aram
blessed the 16 stones of the 16 columns of the churchs foundation that
were carried by 16 benefactors and witnesses. His Holiness named the
church The Church of the Holy Martyrs in commemoration of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness thanked the Emir of
Abu Dhabi, the benefactors of the new church, and the members of the
community.
THIS SUNDAY IS MOTHERS DAY.
DONT FORGET TO CALL YOUR MOTHER!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 11Mothers Day Celebration, sponsored by the ARS Mayr Chapter of
New York, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, New
York, 8 pm. Music by DJ Tunes. Admission (includes full dinner): $40,
adults; $15, children under 12. For reservations: Anais 718-392-6982
or Anahid 718-263-9325.
May 9-12National 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. Check Prelacy web page
(www.armenianprelacy.org) for details
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.
May 19Cultural Evening organized by Hamazkayin Eastern USA with the
New Jersey and New York chapters, at St. Leon Church (Function Hall),
12-61 Saddle River Road, Fairlawn, New Jersey, reception and dinner;
Keynote address by Khatchig Mouradian, editor of the Armenian Weekly;
performances by the New Jersey Arekag Chorus and Nayiri Dance
Ensemble; presentation of awards; presentation of future
plans. Tickets: $50. Contact: Ms. Arous Isakhanian, 201-739-9557.
May 4 thru May 24Sixteen performances in May (including matinee
performances on Saturdays and Sundays) of Herand M. Markarians new
play commissioned by the New York State Theater Institute,
Silence. With award-winning actress Lorraine Serabian. This story of
love, loss, and relentless search by a women for her son after the
Armenian genocide of 1915, is directed by Kevin Thomson. Performances
at the Shell Theater in the Times Square Arts Building, 300 West 43rd
Street, New York City. Reserve tickets now ($18): SmartTix.com or
212-868-4444. For information: [email protected].
June 7Avak luncheon at noon, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts. Speakers: Dr. Ara & Milka Jeknavorian,
Reconnecting with Armenia after 38 Years, travelogue includes scenes
from Armenia, Moscow, and Dubai. Public invited.
June 14St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Mens
Club 3rd Annual Cigar Night & Dinner, in Blessed Memory of Fr. Vartan
Kassabian. Surf & Turf dinner, Open Bar, Cigars, Live & Silent
Auctions, Raffles. Tickets must be purchased in advance by sending a
check for $125 payable to St. Gregory Mens Club, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845, or contact Greg Minasian at
[email protected] or 978-470-3075.
June 18Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 9th Annual Golf
Outing at Sterling National Country Club, Sterling,
Massachusetts. Continental breakfast, golf, dinner, prizes and
gift. $140 per golfer. For information: Kap Kaprielian at
[email protected] or church office 508-852-2414.
June 24St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin, annual Madagh Picnic at
Jonsons Park, Racine.
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] 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]
From: A. Papazian
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/
May 10, 2012
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONVENES IN RHODE ISLAND
The National Representative Assembly (NRA) of the Eastern Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, convened this
morning. Hosting the Assembly is Sts. Vartanantz Church of Providence,
Rhode Island. The meetings are taking place at the Crowne Plaza in
Warwick, Rhode Island. The Clergy Conference met yesterday and today
the clergy joined the full Assembly. The Assembly will continue
through noon on Saturday, May 12.
The Assembly officially opened this morning at 11 am with an opening
prayer by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate. The first
session included reports from the credential committee, election of
nominating committee, election of the Assemblys co-chairs and
secretaries, and welcoming remarks by Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian,
pastor of the host parish and Mark E. Phillips, chairman of the board
of trustees of Sts. Vartanantz Church. Archbishop Oshagan will deliver
his keynote address tomorrow (Friday) morning.
The second session, which began after the lunch break, featured a
video message to the NRA from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the
Holy See of Cilicia. To view His Holiness message click here.
Pontifical Visit: A presentation about the upcoming Pontifical Visit
of His Holiness to the Eastern Prelacy in October was given by the
co-chairs of the National Steering Committee, Jack Mardoian and Karen
Jehanian during the second session this afternoon. During the month of
October His Holiness will visit every parish community in the Eastern
Prelacy. The co-chairs presented an overview of the itinerary as well
as the theme of the visit, the seminars, conferences, speeches,
Pontifical Liturgies, and banquets, and parish activities, national
and local communications program, and publications.
Tomorrow the co-chairs of the Pontifical Visit Steering Committee will
meet individually with the delegations of each region to go over
Vehapars local schedule and provide guidance to the parish
communities.
Theme of Pontifical Visit: Witness and Renewal: Taking the Church to
the People, has been selected with the Catholicoss participation and
guidance, as the theme of the pontifical visit. His Holiness has
requested that most of the activities being planned be with the people
in informal and intimate settings, rather than many formal
banquets. The theme will play a central role throughout the Pontifical
Visit with the aim of reaching specific goals before, during and after
the visit.
WITNESS AND RENEWAL:
TAKING THE CHURCH TO THE PEOPLE
Catholicos Aram I, recently offered the following statement about the
theme of his visit to the Eastern Prelacy, October 431, 2012:
I warmly welcome the Prelacys decision to make Witness and Renewal the
theme of my forthcoming pontifical visit to the parishes within the
jurisdiction of the Eastern Prelacy of the United States of America.
Witness and renewal are, indeed, at the heart of the churchs very
being as a community of faith and missionary reality. The church is a
witnessing community. It fulfills itself in time and space by
witnessing to the Gospel of Christ. At the end of His earthly
ministry, Jesus commissioned His disciples to take the Gospel to all
corners of the world. Hence, witness to Gods saving act in Jesus
constitutes the essence and the raison dtre of the church.
Renewal is a vital dimension of being church. The church is not a
static reality; it is in dynamic process of community building. It is
called to give substance, quality and vision to renewal through
critical self-assessment and in response to its environment. Any
effort of renewal related to the churchs liturgical, pastoral,
spiritual, missionary and institutional aspects, must generate inner
vitality and make the church relevant and credible. Otherwise renewal
will lose its very meaning and purpose.
Witness and renewal are interwoven; they must be taken as one whole
encompassing all features, dimensions and manifestations of the
church. Focusing on this holistic understanding, I would like to share
with you succinctly a few reflections concerning the Armenian Church.
1) From the very inception of our church, witness and renewal have
been taken very seriously. The missionary engagement, evangelistic
outreach, diakonal action and cultural activity have been the core of
our witness and renewal. The church has played a pivotal role in the
life of the Armenian people by responding to their needs and concerns
in constantly changing circumstances. The radically and rapidly
changing world and the growing impact of globalization on the life of
modern societies challenge the Armenian Church to consider most
seriously and in broader perspective the imperatives and implications
of witness and renewal within the context of its God-given vocation.
2) Because the church is a local reality, special attention must be
given to the parish. The parish is the full expression of the holy,
universal and apostolic church. In order to ensure an effective
witness and renewal for our church, we must reorganize parish life in
its various aspects and manifestations, reactivate pastoral and
diakonal functions, and revitalize its evangelistic outreach. In these
efforts we must consider the specificities of the environment in which
a parish is located. Further, as an integral part of the churchs
pastoral care the concerns and expectations of the parishioners need
to be properly addressed.
3) Spirituality is an essential feature of the churchs life and
witness as a praying, witnessing, confessing and serving
community. Spirituality must embrace all spheres of the churchs
life. Constant effort should be made to make the rich spirituality of
our church, which is deeply rooted in centuries-old traditions and
values, more relevant and responsive to modern times and
challenges. Our spirituality must both preserve and enhance our
distinctive Armenian-Christian identity and promote creative
interaction between the church and the youth.
4) Christ conveyed His message to the people by addressing the issues
and challenges of His time. Sustained by the power of the Gospel and
driven by the vision of the kingdom of God, the church should do the
same. As a witnessing community to the values, truths and principles
of the Gospel, the church cannot remain indifferent in the face of
moral, ethical and social issues that steer the life of modern
societies. Although the complex problems faced by our community and
the compelling questions being raised by our youth resist easy
solutions or answers, the church is called to consider these problems
and questions as an essential dimension of its pastoral vocation and
to provide spiritual and moral guidance.
How can we take the church to the people by making it a serving and
caring reality in the life of the community? How can we make the
people active members of the community of faith? These challenges
should become the driving force and purpose of the churchs witness and
renewal. It is my expectation that due consideration will be given to
these observations as you prepare the pontifical visitation program.
May God bless you all.
ARAM I
CATHOLICOS OF CILICIA
A NEW BIBLE STUDY PROGRAM AT ST. ILLUMINATORS CATHEDRAL
A four-part Bible study on St. Pauls Letter to the Philippians will be
presented at St. Illuminators Armenian Cathedral on four consecutive
Thursdays, May 17, 24, 31 and June 7, 2012, by Dn. Shant Kazanjian,
Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). The
sessions will begin at 7:15 pm with a presentation (45 minutes)
followed by Q&A and discussion (45 minutes). The program is free and
open to the public, but registration is required. The Church is
located at 221 East 27th Street (New York City).
For further information and registration, please contact the Cathedral
office at 212-689-5880 or the Prelacy office at 212-689-7810 or at
[email protected].
NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN NORTH ANDOVER
The new board of trustees for St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, with their pastor, Rev. Fr. Karekin Bedourian,
following services. Front row, from left: John Dagdigian (alternate),
Karen Aznoian, Sylvia Mahlebjian, Christine Kourkounian, Nancy
Vartabedian, and Alex Movsessian. Rear, from left: Joseph Almasian,
Vartkes Hovsepian, Der Karekin Bedourian, Dr. John Saryan, and Richard
Shahtanian. (photo by Tom Vartabedian)
SCHOOLS TAKE PART IN COMPETITION
The 43rd annual competition of Armenian Saturday and Day Schools in
New York/New Jersey took place on Saturday, May 5, at St. Illuminator
School in Woodside, New York. The competition is organized by the
literary committee of Hamazkayin of New York. Rev. Fr. Mesrob
Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminators Cathedral, guided the
competition.
Participating schools included: Holy Martyrs Day and Saturday schools;
St. Illuminators Day School; St. Sarkis Saturday School (Douglaston);
and Nareg Saturday School (New Jersey).
Certificates and gifts were given to all participants and additional
gifts were presented to those students who answered all questions
correctly.
THE WAY WE WERE ENSEMBLE PERFORMS IN NEW YORK
Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate, and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of
St. Illuminators Cathedral in New York City, are surrounded by the
cast of The Way We Were Ensemble who performed their new musical
offering, The Hye LegionThe Gamavor last Sunday at the Cathedral.
Rev. Fr. Mesrob presents a plaque to Hourig Papazian-Sahagian,
director of the group, on behalf of the Cathedral, in appreciation of
her artistic accomplishments.
MARKARIAN PLAY RECEIVES HIGH PRAISE
Playwright Herand Markarians latest creation, Silence in a Circular
Rainbow has been receiving high praise from theatre-goers at the
sold-out premiere performance on May 4. Performances will continue
until May 20, at the Shell Theater (Times Square Arts Building). Many
of the performances are sold out. To purchase tickets ($18) go to
SmartTix.com or 212-868-4444.
BIBLE READINGS
Note: Beginning on the Sunday after Easter and continuing until
Pentecost (May 27), in addition to other readings, portions of the
four Gospels are read each day. Luke is read in the morning; John is
read at mid-day; Matthew is read at the beginning of the evening hour;
and Mark is read at the end of the evening hour.
Bible readings for Sunday, May 13, Fifth Sunday after Easter, are:
Acts 20:17-38; 1 John 3:2-6; John 9:39-10:10; (1) Luke 14:25-15:32;
(2) Acts 20:17-38; 1 John 3:2-6; John 9:39-10:10; (3) Matthew
16:13-17:13; (4) Mark 8:27-9:13.
Beloved, we are Gods children now; what we will be has not yet been
revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be
like him, for we will see him as he is. And all who have this hope in
him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is
lawlessness. You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in
him there is no sin. No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins
has either seen him or known him. (1 John 3:2-6)
For a listing of the coming weeks Bible readings click here.
FIRST ARMENIAN CHURCH IN ABU DHABI
His Holiness Aram I presided over the Holy Liturgy on May 4, at the
Greek Orthodox Church in Abu Dhabi temporarily offered to the Armenian
community. After the liturgy, His Holiness went to the location where
the first Armenian Church in Abu Dhabi will be built. Accompanying him
were Bishop Shahe Panossian, Catholicosal Vicar of the Diocese of
Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates; the Ambassador of Armenia to the
Gulf Region; the Honorary Ambassador of Armenia to Deir Zor, and
representatives of the Armenian communities in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and
Qatar.
Following the tradition of the Armenian Church, Catholicos Aram
blessed the 16 stones of the 16 columns of the churchs foundation that
were carried by 16 benefactors and witnesses. His Holiness named the
church The Church of the Holy Martyrs in commemoration of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. His Holiness thanked the Emir of
Abu Dhabi, the benefactors of the new church, and the members of the
community.
THIS SUNDAY IS MOTHERS DAY.
DONT FORGET TO CALL YOUR MOTHER!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 11Mothers Day Celebration, sponsored by the ARS Mayr Chapter of
New York, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, New
York, 8 pm. Music by DJ Tunes. Admission (includes full dinner): $40,
adults; $15, children under 12. For reservations: Anais 718-392-6982
or Anahid 718-263-9325.
May 9-12National 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. Check Prelacy web page
(www.armenianprelacy.org) for details
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.
May 19Cultural Evening organized by Hamazkayin Eastern USA with the
New Jersey and New York chapters, at St. Leon Church (Function Hall),
12-61 Saddle River Road, Fairlawn, New Jersey, reception and dinner;
Keynote address by Khatchig Mouradian, editor of the Armenian Weekly;
performances by the New Jersey Arekag Chorus and Nayiri Dance
Ensemble; presentation of awards; presentation of future
plans. Tickets: $50. Contact: Ms. Arous Isakhanian, 201-739-9557.
May 4 thru May 24Sixteen performances in May (including matinee
performances on Saturdays and Sundays) of Herand M. Markarians new
play commissioned by the New York State Theater Institute,
Silence. With award-winning actress Lorraine Serabian. This story of
love, loss, and relentless search by a women for her son after the
Armenian genocide of 1915, is directed by Kevin Thomson. Performances
at the Shell Theater in the Times Square Arts Building, 300 West 43rd
Street, New York City. Reserve tickets now ($18): SmartTix.com or
212-868-4444. For information: [email protected].
June 7Avak luncheon at noon, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts. Speakers: Dr. Ara & Milka Jeknavorian,
Reconnecting with Armenia after 38 Years, travelogue includes scenes
from Armenia, Moscow, and Dubai. Public invited.
June 14St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Mens
Club 3rd Annual Cigar Night & Dinner, in Blessed Memory of Fr. Vartan
Kassabian. Surf & Turf dinner, Open Bar, Cigars, Live & Silent
Auctions, Raffles. Tickets must be purchased in advance by sending a
check for $125 payable to St. Gregory Mens Club, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts 01845, or contact Greg Minasian at
[email protected] or 978-470-3075.
June 18Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 9th Annual Golf
Outing at Sterling National Country Club, Sterling,
Massachusetts. Continental breakfast, golf, dinner, prizes and
gift. $140 per golfer. For information: Kap Kaprielian at
[email protected] or church office 508-852-2414.
June 24St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin, annual Madagh Picnic at
Jonsons Park, Racine.
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] 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]
From: A. Papazian