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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/
October 25, 2012
DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE (http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/kwj4v) AND
SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN LEADS CELEBRATION OF
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. SARKIS CHURCH (DEARBORN)
Archbishop Oshagan joined with parishioners and community members in
celebration of the 50th anniversary celebration of St. Sarkis Church
in Dearborn, Michigan, and the 80th anniversary of the Armenian
community in Detroit, last Sunday.
The celebration was even more special with the land blessing of a
recently purchased land in Novi, Michigan, which will be the site of a
new complex of buildings including the St. Sarkis Church.
The Prelate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon
that centered on the theme of `building the Lord's Temple.' Assisting
at the altar was Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, pastor of St. Sarkis.
The land blessing took place in the afternoon, prior to a gala banquet
and celebration at Laurel Manor in Livonia, attended by parishioners,
community members, and dignitaries.
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow joined community members for the land
blessing. `I was honored to join church leaders and members of the
Armenian American community for this land blessing ceremony,' said
Senator Stabenow. `Novi will be a wonderful new home for the community
center's important educational and cultural events that are part of
Michigan's rich and diverse cultural heritage.'
The Prelate presented Certificates of Merit to Sharon Brogli, Maureen
Toukhanian, Laurie Dakesian, Seran Tcholakian, Simone Topouzian, and
Tommy Gerjekian, for their tireless work on behalf of the church and
community.
The gala concluded with an anniversary cake with fifty candles, each
sponsored by individuals, celebrating the fifty years of St. Sarkis
Church, and in anticipation of a bright future fulfilling the mission
of the Church.
To read more about the events and more photos click here
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/0ok4v).
Archbishop Oshagan and Rev. Father Hrant with U.S. Senator Debbie
Stabenow
at the land blessing.
St. Sarkis parishioners and friends gathered for the blessing of the
land.
The anniversary cake with fifty candles and sponsors.
BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN WILL ORDAIN ACOLYTES
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Stephen's Church in New Britain,
Connecticut, this Sunday, October 28. His Grace will ordain four new
acolytes, Patrick Follo, Vahe Hovhannisyan, Hagop Melkonyan, and
Andranik Melkonyan.
Bishop Anoushavan will preside at the parish's anniversary
banquet that will take place on Sunday after church services.
GRAND OPENING CEREMONY FOR ST. STEPHEN'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Archbishop Oshagan presided over the Grand Opening Ceremony of the
recently completed building project of St. Stephen's Armenian
Elementary School in Watertown, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 14.
The event provided an opportunity for the School to thank all the
volunteers, partners, and donors who generously gave their time and
financial support to make the project a reality. The new addition
includes a new 6,000+ sq. ft., two-story structure encompassing new
classrooms, a learning center, and indoor and outdoor recreation
areas.
Notably, the project was funded completely by donations, which allowed
the School to fully cover the cost of the project without the need to
use its endowment fund or incur any debt to finance the construction
project.
To read more about this event and more photos click here
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/ghl4v).
Dignitaries at the ribbon cutting, left to right, Archpriest
Fr. Antranig Baljian, Jeffrey Bilezikian, Noubar Afeyan, Houry
Boyamian, Anna Afeyan, Dr. Robert Mirak, Archbishop Oshagan, Aurelian
& Anahid Mardiros, Avak Kahvejian, Sarkis Ourfalian.
Noubar and Anna Afeyan cut the ribbon. From left to right: Principal
Houri
Boyamian, Anna Afeyan, Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian, Noubar Afeyan,
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Avak Kahvejian, Sarkis Ourfalian.
A view of the public at the grand opening.
EXPLORE THE EUCHARIST
Deacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Prelacy's Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), will present a four-session program,
=80=9CExploring the Eucharist: Living our Baptismal Identity,'
beginning November 28 and continuing to December 19. The sessions will
take place at St. Illuminator's Cathedral, New York. For details and
registration click here (http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/w9l4v).
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, October 28, Seventh Sunday of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Discovery of the Holy Cross, are: Wisdom
14:1-8; Isaiah 33:22-34; 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; Matthew 24:27-36.
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For
it is written, `I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the
discernment of the discerning I will thwart.' Where is the one who is
wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of his age? Has not
God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of
God, the world did not
know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our
proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and
Greeks desire
wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews
and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both
Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 18-24).
For a listing of the coming week's Bible readings click here
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/c2m4v).
TWELVE HOLY TEACHERS OF THE CHURCH
This Saturday, October 27, the Armenian Church remembers the Twelve
Holy Teachers (Doctors) of the Church, namely: Hierotheus of Athens,
Dionysius the Areopagite, Sylvester of Rome, Athanasius of Alexandria,
Cyril of Jerusalem, Ephrem the Syrian, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of
Nyssa, Gregory the Theologian, Epiphanius of Cyprus, John Chrysostom,
and Cyril of Alexandria.
FEAST OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, October 28, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast
of the Discovery of the Holy Cross (Giut Khatchi). Empress Helena,
mother of Constantine and a devout Christian, wanted to find the True
Cross. She went to Golgotha (Calvary), which had become an obscure and
neglected place.
According to some chronicles, it was an informed Jew named Juda who
pointed out the location. After excavation at the site, three wooden
crosses were
found. In order to identify the True Cross, the three crosses were
successively placed on the body of a youth who had just died. When one
of the crosses was placed on him, the young man came back to
life. This was determined
to be the True Cross. The commemoration of this event take place on
the Sunday closest to October 26, and can vary from October 23 to 29.
Christ's exact burial site was also located, and the Church
of the Holy Sepulcher was built on that spot in 335. The church was
destroyed by fire in 614 when the Persians invaded Jerusalem; it was
subsequently
rebuilt. The current dome dates back to 1870. Three denominations
(Armenian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox) administer
and maintain the church and surrounding grounds, unfortunately not
always harmoniously. Agreements strictly regulate times and places of
worship for each denomination. Ironically, for centuries a Muslim
family has been the custodian of the
keys to the church, which is within the walled Old City of Jerusalem.
HIS HOLINESS SENDS MESSAGE TO PAN-ARMENIAN CONGRESS
In response to an invitation extended to His Holiness Aram I, to
address the Pan-Armenian Congress in Yerevan, the Catholicos sent a
personal message to the President of the Congress, Mr. Ara
Abrahamian. His Holiness identified the following urgent issues that
should be on the agenda of the conference: The Anniversary of the
Genocide; the resolution of the problem of Karabagh; safeguarding the
Armenian identity in the Diaspora; and the economic sustainability of
Armenia.
`Our ancestors overcame their difficulties through their faith, vision
and commitment to unity. Both in Armenia and the Diaspora we should
remember their legacy and work together to build a brighter future for
our nation,' the Catholicos said in his message.
HIS HOLINESS RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVES
Last week Metropolitan George Saliba of Mount Lebanon, and
Fr. Dr. K.M. George met with Catholicos Aram at his residence in
Antelias. Attending the meeting was the Catholicate's Ecumenical
Officer, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian.
After expressing the greetings of their respective Patriarchs, the
representatives discussed ecumenical relations in general. The
Catholicos said that irrespective of internal differences, all
Orthodox churches must work together to overcome external
difficulties.
CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE
Pope Benedict XVI presided over the Synod of Bishops on the New
Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. In
response to the
invitation to the Holy See of Cilicia, His Holiness sent an observer,
Very
Rev. Fr. Massis Zobouyan, who read His Holiness's message to the
Synod.
The Catholicos stated that evangelization as the inculcation of moral
and spiritual values, first among church people and then among those
outside the church, is the mission and vocation of the
Church. Fulfilling this
vocation today is the challenge for all churches, and in the face of
globalization and the negative forces at work in all societies,
churches should find relevant ways to transmit the Christian faith.
Death of Aghpiur Serop (November 1, 1899)
Aghpiur Serop is today remembered as one of the noted names in the
first generation of Armenian freedom fighters, in the last decade of
the nineteenth century.
His real name was Serop Vartanian. He was born in the village of
Sokhort, in the district of Khlat (province of Bitlis), in 1864. His
brothers were prosperous villagers; one of them was the head of the
village.
In the 1880s, the deteriorating situation of the Ottoman Empire during
the reign of Abdul Hamid and the rise of political awareness in the
Armenian provinces had created the urge for self-defense against the
violence
and exploitation exerted by Turks and Kurds. The legend of the
Armenian fedayees (the freedom fighters) would be born at this
time. On September 3, 1901, Tumanski, Russian deputy consul of Van,
would write to the Russian ambassador in Constantinople: `The fedayees
are really people who have
lost their patience. They have sworn to take revenge, somehow, from
their oppressors.'
Serop was a hunter. In 1885 he married seventeen-year-old Sose, one
of the beautiful girls of the village. One day he engaged in a fight
with two Kurds who tried to take his gun. Serop killed one of his
attackers and made the other flee. His uncle helped him escape the
vengeance of the Kurds. He went to Constantinople to live with another
uncle. There he entered the ranks of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation. The police of the capital
was informed that he was a wanted person in Khlat and Serop was forced
to escape to Romania in 1892. He settled in the city of Sulina and
opened a coffee shop; however, in 1893 a cholera epidemic compelled
him to go out of business and move to the Caucasus. For the next two
years, he lived in between the Caucasus and Western Armenia.
After the beginning of the massacres of 1895, he returned to Khlat
heading a group of 27 fighters and organized the self-defense of the
Armenian villages. The
people baptized Serop with the nickname aghpiur (`source'), meaning
`the one who gives life.' His military actions had actually instilled
new spirit in the population and taught the importance
of armed defense against injustice.
Many fedayees who fought in his group, such as Mushegh of Bitlis,
Balabekh Garabed and others, later became battalion commanders. The
future General Antranig also became a member of his group.
In 1896 he organized new groups of self-defense and distributed them
in the villages; he also obtained weapons from the Caucasus. He fought
throughout the province of Bitlis in 1897. He wrote one of the heroic
pages of the history of the fedayee movement on October 20,
1898. During the combat of Babshen, which lasted until late night,
Serop's group of 17 inflicted heavy losses to an entire Turkish
battalion.
The Ottoman government put a price to the life of Serop. He left Khlat
and found refuge in the mountains of Sassoun. His wife Sose and his
two sons, age 12 and 2, joined him. On November 1, 1899, Serop and his
comrades were surrounded in the village of Gelieguzan. An Armenian
traitor poisoned Serop, and despite a desperate fight, most of the
Armenian fedayees were
killed. Serop, paralyzed and unable to fight, was beheaded by the
Turks. Two of his brothers and his elder son Hagop were killed in the
fight, while his little brother Samson was saved by Serop's
sister-in-law.
Serop's head was paraded by the Turks around the city of Bitlis, and
afterwards it was delivered to the Armenians, who buried it in the
church of Surp Garmrak. His wife Sose had fought until she was taken
prisoner. However, Turkish commander Ali, who admired her bravery, had
her grave injuries cured and was later liberated. The Armenian
traitor, Ave, was killed by the fedayees a few months later.
Sose, called Mayrig (`little mother') by the people, moved to Van
after the revolt of Sassoun in 1904 and later to the Caucasus. She
finally settled in Alexandria (Egypt) in 1920, where she passed away
in 1953. Her remains were moved to Yerevan in 1998 and reburied in the
military cemetery of Yerablur.
Aghpiur Serop had become a living legend. Many songs and poems were
written about him and his wife. Avetik Isahakian, then a 24-year-old
young poet, in 1899 wrote his poem `To the memory of Serop,' whose
first stanza says:
Mount Nemrut has a thousand sources,
All of them go down the plain of Moush,
Only the source of Serop's heart
Goes into the heart of the poor people.
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/sun4v)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 27-Annual Fall Fair, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley,
North Andover, Massachusetts, 10 am to 7 pm in Jaffarian Hall, 158
Main Street. Choice of shish, losh or chicken kebab; Kheyma Plate made
to order;
Salad & Vegetarian Plate available. Eat in or take out. Also Country
Store, Armenian Pastries, Armenian Gifts, Raffles, White Elephant. For
information: 978-685-5038
October 28-Fundraising to benefit the Armenian community in Syria,
sponsored by the Mayr chapter of the Armenian Relief Society, 2:30 pm,
Byblos Restaurant, 80 Madison Avenue (at 28th Street), New
York. Donation: $75; children under 12, $30, includes full lunch, wine
and soft drinks. For reservations: Anais 718-392-6982 or Anahid
718-478-6249.
October 28-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Benefactor's
remembrance and auxiliary bodies appreciation day. Special requiem
service for all benefactors of the church and especially for Hovsep
and Suzanne Hagopian followed by a memorial luncheon
(hokejash). Benefactor's day will be combined with Auxiliary
Appreciation Day to express gratitude to all St. Sarkis Church
Auxiliary members.
November 2-4-Ladies' Guild of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia,
presents annual Food Festival featuring delicious shish kebab,
souboreg, and madzoonov kufte, as well as other traditional Armenian
delicacies. Visit our Country Store for ready-made items to take
home. Desserts, vendors, raffles and children's entertainment on
Friday and Saturday evenings. Hours: Friday, 5 pm to 8 pm; Saturday, 4
pm to 8 pm; Sunday, 12:30 pm
to 2 pm.
November 2-3-St. Stephen's Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 56th
Annual Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at the Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center. Meals served from 11:30 am to 9 pm (take out
available). Delicious food, Armenian Pastries, Gourmet items, Arts and
Crafts, Books, Raffles, Attic Treasures. For information:
617-924-7562.
November 3-4-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Annual Bazaar.
Saturday: 2-11pm; Sunday: 12:30 to 3 pm, Lillian Arakelian
Hall. Armenian delicacies and sweet table, Armenian Store, Exclusive
Shops, Attic Treasures, Raffle, and much more. Live Armenian music
Saturday evening by Ara Topouzian Ensemble.
November 10-Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of
New Jersey and Vanush Khanamiryan Dance Academy of New York, present
Inga
& Anush with performances by Hamazkayin Nayiri Dance Ensemble of New
Jersey, Hamazkayin Meghri Dance Ensemble of Pennsylvania, and Vanush
Khanamiryan
Dance Academy of New York and Connecticut. Felician College, 262 South
Main Street, Lodi, New Jersey, 5 pm. For reservations ($35 - $70) and
information: 201-739-9557, 201-684-1509, or
www.itsmyseat.com/hamazkayiner
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/8mo4v).
November 11-Armenian Orthodox Ministries-a special gathering for
worship and fellowship for young adults. Pray together and bond
together in an Armenian-Christian environment. St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, 3 pm. Free admission.
November 10-11-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
Armenian Fest 2012 at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston,
Rhode Island. Largest indoor festival in Rhode Island. Delicious shish
and losh kebob, chicken and kufta dinners and Armenian pastry
available all day. Live
dance music. The Mourad Armenian School Dance Group will perform on
Saturday and Sunday at 5 pm. Hourly raffles, silent auction, country
store, children's corner, gift baskets, arts and crafts. Main raffle
prize worth $2,500. Fun for all ages. Free admission and parking. For
information, church office 401-831-6399; or Joyce Yeremian at
[email protected] or 401-354-8770.
November 10-11-Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator's Cathedral
will host Flea Market and Bazaar, 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday and 9 am
to 4 pm on Sunday. Featuring food, activities for children, raffles,
vendors (Armenian books and gift items, toys, shoes) and much
more. Admission is free.
For information: 212-689-5880 or email [email protected].
November 11-Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of
Boston and Vanush Khanamiryan Dance Academy proudly present Inga &
Anush with performance by Erebouni Dance Ensemble of Hamazkayin
Boston. Shaw Auditorium, Watertown High School, Watertown,
Massachusetts, 5 pm. For reservations ($35 - $45) and information:
617-331-0426 or www.itsmyseat.com/hamazkayiner
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/ofp4v).
November 16-17-Fall Food Festival at Holy Trinity Church, 635 Grove
Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us on Friday from 5 pm to 9 pm
and
Saturday from noon to 4 pm for shish kebab, losh kebab, chicken kebab,
or kheyma dinners. Visit our country store and bake table. Stock up on
katah, choreg, manti, porov kufte, simit, and much more.
November 16-18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Bazaar and Food Festival. Live entertainment Friday and Saturday,
Children's Activities, Vendors. Homemade Manti, Kufte, Sou Buereg,
Choreg, and more. Traditional Kavourma dinner on Sunday. Extensive
Mezze and desert menu for your Thanksgiving table available for
take-out.
November 18-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, 50th Golden
Jubilee Celebration Banquet, under the auspices of His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate. Leonard's of Great Neck, 555
Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, New York, at 4 pm. Donation $100 per
person. For information and reservations: 718-224-2275.
December 9-Simply Christmas 2012. A Holiday Concert following Church
Services at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, under the
auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate. A
Christmas celebration with Hasmik Mekhanejian, Mezzo-Soprano; Solange
Merdinian, Mezzo-Soprano; Sami Merdinian, Violin; Sofya Melikian,
Piano. Free admission. Reception following concert.
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] 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: Baghdasarian
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/
October 25, 2012
DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE (http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/kwj4v) AND
SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN LEADS CELEBRATION OF
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. SARKIS CHURCH (DEARBORN)
Archbishop Oshagan joined with parishioners and community members in
celebration of the 50th anniversary celebration of St. Sarkis Church
in Dearborn, Michigan, and the 80th anniversary of the Armenian
community in Detroit, last Sunday.
The celebration was even more special with the land blessing of a
recently purchased land in Novi, Michigan, which will be the site of a
new complex of buildings including the St. Sarkis Church.
The Prelate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon
that centered on the theme of `building the Lord's Temple.' Assisting
at the altar was Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, pastor of St. Sarkis.
The land blessing took place in the afternoon, prior to a gala banquet
and celebration at Laurel Manor in Livonia, attended by parishioners,
community members, and dignitaries.
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow joined community members for the land
blessing. `I was honored to join church leaders and members of the
Armenian American community for this land blessing ceremony,' said
Senator Stabenow. `Novi will be a wonderful new home for the community
center's important educational and cultural events that are part of
Michigan's rich and diverse cultural heritage.'
The Prelate presented Certificates of Merit to Sharon Brogli, Maureen
Toukhanian, Laurie Dakesian, Seran Tcholakian, Simone Topouzian, and
Tommy Gerjekian, for their tireless work on behalf of the church and
community.
The gala concluded with an anniversary cake with fifty candles, each
sponsored by individuals, celebrating the fifty years of St. Sarkis
Church, and in anticipation of a bright future fulfilling the mission
of the Church.
To read more about the events and more photos click here
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/0ok4v).
Archbishop Oshagan and Rev. Father Hrant with U.S. Senator Debbie
Stabenow
at the land blessing.
St. Sarkis parishioners and friends gathered for the blessing of the
land.
The anniversary cake with fifty candles and sponsors.
BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN WILL ORDAIN ACOLYTES
Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, will celebrate the Divine
Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Stephen's Church in New Britain,
Connecticut, this Sunday, October 28. His Grace will ordain four new
acolytes, Patrick Follo, Vahe Hovhannisyan, Hagop Melkonyan, and
Andranik Melkonyan.
Bishop Anoushavan will preside at the parish's anniversary
banquet that will take place on Sunday after church services.
GRAND OPENING CEREMONY FOR ST. STEPHEN'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Archbishop Oshagan presided over the Grand Opening Ceremony of the
recently completed building project of St. Stephen's Armenian
Elementary School in Watertown, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 14.
The event provided an opportunity for the School to thank all the
volunteers, partners, and donors who generously gave their time and
financial support to make the project a reality. The new addition
includes a new 6,000+ sq. ft., two-story structure encompassing new
classrooms, a learning center, and indoor and outdoor recreation
areas.
Notably, the project was funded completely by donations, which allowed
the School to fully cover the cost of the project without the need to
use its endowment fund or incur any debt to finance the construction
project.
To read more about this event and more photos click here
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/ghl4v).
Dignitaries at the ribbon cutting, left to right, Archpriest
Fr. Antranig Baljian, Jeffrey Bilezikian, Noubar Afeyan, Houry
Boyamian, Anna Afeyan, Dr. Robert Mirak, Archbishop Oshagan, Aurelian
& Anahid Mardiros, Avak Kahvejian, Sarkis Ourfalian.
Noubar and Anna Afeyan cut the ribbon. From left to right: Principal
Houri
Boyamian, Anna Afeyan, Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian, Noubar Afeyan,
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Avak Kahvejian, Sarkis Ourfalian.
A view of the public at the grand opening.
EXPLORE THE EUCHARIST
Deacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Prelacy's Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC), will present a four-session program,
=80=9CExploring the Eucharist: Living our Baptismal Identity,'
beginning November 28 and continuing to December 19. The sessions will
take place at St. Illuminator's Cathedral, New York. For details and
registration click here (http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/w9l4v).
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, October 28, Seventh Sunday of the
Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Discovery of the Holy Cross, are: Wisdom
14:1-8; Isaiah 33:22-34; 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; Matthew 24:27-36.
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are
perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For
it is written, `I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the
discernment of the discerning I will thwart.' Where is the one who is
wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of his age? Has not
God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of
God, the world did not
know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our
proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and
Greeks desire
wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews
and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both
Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 18-24).
For a listing of the coming week's Bible readings click here
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/c2m4v).
TWELVE HOLY TEACHERS OF THE CHURCH
This Saturday, October 27, the Armenian Church remembers the Twelve
Holy Teachers (Doctors) of the Church, namely: Hierotheus of Athens,
Dionysius the Areopagite, Sylvester of Rome, Athanasius of Alexandria,
Cyril of Jerusalem, Ephrem the Syrian, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of
Nyssa, Gregory the Theologian, Epiphanius of Cyprus, John Chrysostom,
and Cyril of Alexandria.
FEAST OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS
This Sunday, October 28, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast
of the Discovery of the Holy Cross (Giut Khatchi). Empress Helena,
mother of Constantine and a devout Christian, wanted to find the True
Cross. She went to Golgotha (Calvary), which had become an obscure and
neglected place.
According to some chronicles, it was an informed Jew named Juda who
pointed out the location. After excavation at the site, three wooden
crosses were
found. In order to identify the True Cross, the three crosses were
successively placed on the body of a youth who had just died. When one
of the crosses was placed on him, the young man came back to
life. This was determined
to be the True Cross. The commemoration of this event take place on
the Sunday closest to October 26, and can vary from October 23 to 29.
Christ's exact burial site was also located, and the Church
of the Holy Sepulcher was built on that spot in 335. The church was
destroyed by fire in 614 when the Persians invaded Jerusalem; it was
subsequently
rebuilt. The current dome dates back to 1870. Three denominations
(Armenian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox) administer
and maintain the church and surrounding grounds, unfortunately not
always harmoniously. Agreements strictly regulate times and places of
worship for each denomination. Ironically, for centuries a Muslim
family has been the custodian of the
keys to the church, which is within the walled Old City of Jerusalem.
HIS HOLINESS SENDS MESSAGE TO PAN-ARMENIAN CONGRESS
In response to an invitation extended to His Holiness Aram I, to
address the Pan-Armenian Congress in Yerevan, the Catholicos sent a
personal message to the President of the Congress, Mr. Ara
Abrahamian. His Holiness identified the following urgent issues that
should be on the agenda of the conference: The Anniversary of the
Genocide; the resolution of the problem of Karabagh; safeguarding the
Armenian identity in the Diaspora; and the economic sustainability of
Armenia.
`Our ancestors overcame their difficulties through their faith, vision
and commitment to unity. Both in Armenia and the Diaspora we should
remember their legacy and work together to build a brighter future for
our nation,' the Catholicos said in his message.
HIS HOLINESS RECEIVES REPRESENTATIVES
Last week Metropolitan George Saliba of Mount Lebanon, and
Fr. Dr. K.M. George met with Catholicos Aram at his residence in
Antelias. Attending the meeting was the Catholicate's Ecumenical
Officer, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian.
After expressing the greetings of their respective Patriarchs, the
representatives discussed ecumenical relations in general. The
Catholicos said that irrespective of internal differences, all
Orthodox churches must work together to overcome external
difficulties.
CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE
Pope Benedict XVI presided over the Synod of Bishops on the New
Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. In
response to the
invitation to the Holy See of Cilicia, His Holiness sent an observer,
Very
Rev. Fr. Massis Zobouyan, who read His Holiness's message to the
Synod.
The Catholicos stated that evangelization as the inculcation of moral
and spiritual values, first among church people and then among those
outside the church, is the mission and vocation of the
Church. Fulfilling this
vocation today is the challenge for all churches, and in the face of
globalization and the negative forces at work in all societies,
churches should find relevant ways to transmit the Christian faith.
Death of Aghpiur Serop (November 1, 1899)
Aghpiur Serop is today remembered as one of the noted names in the
first generation of Armenian freedom fighters, in the last decade of
the nineteenth century.
His real name was Serop Vartanian. He was born in the village of
Sokhort, in the district of Khlat (province of Bitlis), in 1864. His
brothers were prosperous villagers; one of them was the head of the
village.
In the 1880s, the deteriorating situation of the Ottoman Empire during
the reign of Abdul Hamid and the rise of political awareness in the
Armenian provinces had created the urge for self-defense against the
violence
and exploitation exerted by Turks and Kurds. The legend of the
Armenian fedayees (the freedom fighters) would be born at this
time. On September 3, 1901, Tumanski, Russian deputy consul of Van,
would write to the Russian ambassador in Constantinople: `The fedayees
are really people who have
lost their patience. They have sworn to take revenge, somehow, from
their oppressors.'
Serop was a hunter. In 1885 he married seventeen-year-old Sose, one
of the beautiful girls of the village. One day he engaged in a fight
with two Kurds who tried to take his gun. Serop killed one of his
attackers and made the other flee. His uncle helped him escape the
vengeance of the Kurds. He went to Constantinople to live with another
uncle. There he entered the ranks of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation. The police of the capital
was informed that he was a wanted person in Khlat and Serop was forced
to escape to Romania in 1892. He settled in the city of Sulina and
opened a coffee shop; however, in 1893 a cholera epidemic compelled
him to go out of business and move to the Caucasus. For the next two
years, he lived in between the Caucasus and Western Armenia.
After the beginning of the massacres of 1895, he returned to Khlat
heading a group of 27 fighters and organized the self-defense of the
Armenian villages. The
people baptized Serop with the nickname aghpiur (`source'), meaning
`the one who gives life.' His military actions had actually instilled
new spirit in the population and taught the importance
of armed defense against injustice.
Many fedayees who fought in his group, such as Mushegh of Bitlis,
Balabekh Garabed and others, later became battalion commanders. The
future General Antranig also became a member of his group.
In 1896 he organized new groups of self-defense and distributed them
in the villages; he also obtained weapons from the Caucasus. He fought
throughout the province of Bitlis in 1897. He wrote one of the heroic
pages of the history of the fedayee movement on October 20,
1898. During the combat of Babshen, which lasted until late night,
Serop's group of 17 inflicted heavy losses to an entire Turkish
battalion.
The Ottoman government put a price to the life of Serop. He left Khlat
and found refuge in the mountains of Sassoun. His wife Sose and his
two sons, age 12 and 2, joined him. On November 1, 1899, Serop and his
comrades were surrounded in the village of Gelieguzan. An Armenian
traitor poisoned Serop, and despite a desperate fight, most of the
Armenian fedayees were
killed. Serop, paralyzed and unable to fight, was beheaded by the
Turks. Two of his brothers and his elder son Hagop were killed in the
fight, while his little brother Samson was saved by Serop's
sister-in-law.
Serop's head was paraded by the Turks around the city of Bitlis, and
afterwards it was delivered to the Armenians, who buried it in the
church of Surp Garmrak. His wife Sose had fought until she was taken
prisoner. However, Turkish commander Ali, who admired her bravery, had
her grave injuries cured and was later liberated. The Armenian
traitor, Ave, was killed by the fedayees a few months later.
Sose, called Mayrig (`little mother') by the people, moved to Van
after the revolt of Sassoun in 1904 and later to the Caucasus. She
finally settled in Alexandria (Egypt) in 1920, where she passed away
in 1953. Her remains were moved to Yerevan in 1998 and reburied in the
military cemetery of Yerablur.
Aghpiur Serop had become a living legend. Many songs and poems were
written about him and his wife. Avetik Isahakian, then a 24-year-old
young poet, in 1899 wrote his poem `To the memory of Serop,' whose
first stanza says:
Mount Nemrut has a thousand sources,
All of them go down the plain of Moush,
Only the source of Serop's heart
Goes into the heart of the poor people.
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/sun4v)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October 27-Annual Fall Fair, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley,
North Andover, Massachusetts, 10 am to 7 pm in Jaffarian Hall, 158
Main Street. Choice of shish, losh or chicken kebab; Kheyma Plate made
to order;
Salad & Vegetarian Plate available. Eat in or take out. Also Country
Store, Armenian Pastries, Armenian Gifts, Raffles, White Elephant. For
information: 978-685-5038
October 28-Fundraising to benefit the Armenian community in Syria,
sponsored by the Mayr chapter of the Armenian Relief Society, 2:30 pm,
Byblos Restaurant, 80 Madison Avenue (at 28th Street), New
York. Donation: $75; children under 12, $30, includes full lunch, wine
and soft drinks. For reservations: Anais 718-392-6982 or Anahid
718-478-6249.
October 28-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Benefactor's
remembrance and auxiliary bodies appreciation day. Special requiem
service for all benefactors of the church and especially for Hovsep
and Suzanne Hagopian followed by a memorial luncheon
(hokejash). Benefactor's day will be combined with Auxiliary
Appreciation Day to express gratitude to all St. Sarkis Church
Auxiliary members.
November 2-4-Ladies' Guild of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia,
presents annual Food Festival featuring delicious shish kebab,
souboreg, and madzoonov kufte, as well as other traditional Armenian
delicacies. Visit our Country Store for ready-made items to take
home. Desserts, vendors, raffles and children's entertainment on
Friday and Saturday evenings. Hours: Friday, 5 pm to 8 pm; Saturday, 4
pm to 8 pm; Sunday, 12:30 pm
to 2 pm.
November 2-3-St. Stephen's Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 56th
Annual Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at the Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center. Meals served from 11:30 am to 9 pm (take out
available). Delicious food, Armenian Pastries, Gourmet items, Arts and
Crafts, Books, Raffles, Attic Treasures. For information:
617-924-7562.
November 3-4-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Annual Bazaar.
Saturday: 2-11pm; Sunday: 12:30 to 3 pm, Lillian Arakelian
Hall. Armenian delicacies and sweet table, Armenian Store, Exclusive
Shops, Attic Treasures, Raffle, and much more. Live Armenian music
Saturday evening by Ara Topouzian Ensemble.
November 10-Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of
New Jersey and Vanush Khanamiryan Dance Academy of New York, present
Inga
& Anush with performances by Hamazkayin Nayiri Dance Ensemble of New
Jersey, Hamazkayin Meghri Dance Ensemble of Pennsylvania, and Vanush
Khanamiryan
Dance Academy of New York and Connecticut. Felician College, 262 South
Main Street, Lodi, New Jersey, 5 pm. For reservations ($35 - $70) and
information: 201-739-9557, 201-684-1509, or
www.itsmyseat.com/hamazkayiner
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/8mo4v).
November 11-Armenian Orthodox Ministries-a special gathering for
worship and fellowship for young adults. Pray together and bond
together in an Armenian-Christian environment. St. Sarkis Church,
Douglaston, New York, 3 pm. Free admission.
November 10-11-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
Armenian Fest 2012 at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston,
Rhode Island. Largest indoor festival in Rhode Island. Delicious shish
and losh kebob, chicken and kufta dinners and Armenian pastry
available all day. Live
dance music. The Mourad Armenian School Dance Group will perform on
Saturday and Sunday at 5 pm. Hourly raffles, silent auction, country
store, children's corner, gift baskets, arts and crafts. Main raffle
prize worth $2,500. Fun for all ages. Free admission and parking. For
information, church office 401-831-6399; or Joyce Yeremian at
[email protected] or 401-354-8770.
November 10-11-Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator's Cathedral
will host Flea Market and Bazaar, 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday and 9 am
to 4 pm on Sunday. Featuring food, activities for children, raffles,
vendors (Armenian books and gift items, toys, shoes) and much
more. Admission is free.
For information: 212-689-5880 or email [email protected].
November 11-Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of
Boston and Vanush Khanamiryan Dance Academy proudly present Inga &
Anush with performance by Erebouni Dance Ensemble of Hamazkayin
Boston. Shaw Auditorium, Watertown High School, Watertown,
Massachusetts, 5 pm. For reservations ($35 - $45) and information:
617-331-0426 or www.itsmyseat.com/hamazkayiner
(http://e2.ma/click/gd2uc/4f4cee/ofp4v).
November 16-17-Fall Food Festival at Holy Trinity Church, 635 Grove
Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us on Friday from 5 pm to 9 pm
and
Saturday from noon to 4 pm for shish kebab, losh kebab, chicken kebab,
or kheyma dinners. Visit our country store and bake table. Stock up on
katah, choreg, manti, porov kufte, simit, and much more.
November 16-18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Bazaar and Food Festival. Live entertainment Friday and Saturday,
Children's Activities, Vendors. Homemade Manti, Kufte, Sou Buereg,
Choreg, and more. Traditional Kavourma dinner on Sunday. Extensive
Mezze and desert menu for your Thanksgiving table available for
take-out.
November 18-St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, 50th Golden
Jubilee Celebration Banquet, under the auspices of His Eminence
Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate. Leonard's of Great Neck, 555
Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, New York, at 4 pm. Donation $100 per
person. For information and reservations: 718-224-2275.
December 9-Simply Christmas 2012. A Holiday Concert following Church
Services at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, under the
auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate. A
Christmas celebration with Hasmik Mekhanejian, Mezzo-Soprano; Solange
Merdinian, Mezzo-Soprano; Sami Merdinian, Violin; Sofya Melikian,
Piano. Free admission. Reception following concert.
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] 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: Baghdasarian