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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/
SYRIAN ARMENIANS IN NEED
The crisis in Syria continues to inflict great suffering on the
population. The situation in Aleppo, a heavily Armenian populated
city, is very serious. There is a shortage of basic needs including
food, fuel, medical services, and medications.
Please help us continue our humanitarian aid of food, water, and
medicine without interruption.
Make a donation to the Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief. Donations can
be made on-line (see below) or can be mailed to the Armenian Prelacy,
138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY
IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.
THE NEED IS REAL.
THE NEED IS GREAT.
DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE (http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/82w91) AND
SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.
The Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief is a joint effort of: Armenian
Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy); Armenian Catholic
Eparchy; Armenian
Evangelical Union of North America; Armenian Relief Society (Eastern
USA, Inc.); Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
PRELATE VISITS ST. GREGORY CHURCH IN NORTH ANDOVER
Archbishop Oshagan traveled to St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, on Monday, where he met with the parish's leaders and
Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, who has been called to serve as the parish's
new pastor.
Der Stephan, pastor of St. Gregory Church in Granite City, Illinois,
for the past five years, will celebrate his final Divine Liturgy in
Granite City
on Sunday, August 11. Following the Liturgy, the parish is hosting a
farewell luncheon and concert to express good wishes to Der Hayr,
Yeretzgin Alice, and their two sons, two-year old Nishan and
three-month old Hovhaness.
Der Stephan will celebrate his first Divine Liturgy as pastor of the
North
Andover parish on Sunday, August 25. The Prelate and Executive Council
extend their heartfelt best wishes to Der Hayr and his family.
To read a feature article by Tom Vartabedian click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/ovx91).
Archbishop Oshagan and Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian met with the
leadership of
the St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley in North Andover,
Massachusetts, on Monday, July 29.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO CAMP HAIASTAN IN MASSACHUSETTS
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Camp Haiastan in Franklin,
Massachusetts, this Sunday, August 4, where he will preside over the
Blessing of Grapes and Madagh at the annual St. Stephen's Church
(Watertown) picnic.
ANEC TEACHERS SEMINAR ON SEPTEMBER 7
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) is sponsoring a
seminar for teachers on Saturday, September 7, 2013, at the Prelacy
headquarters in Manhattan. All schools and teachers are invited to
participate. Several lectures and an open discussion are scheduled. To
view the program, click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/4ny91).
A REPORT ON THE 2013 ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE
Sixty-eight teenagers from 10 parishes, along with 20 clergymen and
lay leaders, gathered at the St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, for the 27th annual St. Gregory of Datev
Institute Summer Program, from June 30-July 7, 2013, under the
auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the Prelate of the
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
The following impressions echo the sentiments expressed by many
participants: `The balance of learning how to be a better Christian
and meeting new people is great' (Aleen Takvorian, 1st year student);
=80=9Cmeeting new Armenian teenagers, learning about my faith and my
Armenian
heritage means a lot to me. I love Datev and can't wait till I return
next year' (Maralle Arakelian, 2nd year student); `I am
blessed that I had the opportunity to join the Datev Institute' (Peter
Baghdadlian, 3rd year student); `Datev is something that I look
forward to every year' (Armand Charkhutian, 3rd year student).
This year's Datev Institute took place with the generous support of
Mr. and Mrs. Hagop and Ica Kouyoumdjian of Holmdel, New Jersey. Their
substantial donation made it possible to maintain the Institute's high
level of education in the Armenian Christian faith and heritage.
Sponsored by the Prelacy's Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC), the Summer Program offers a unique opportunity for youth ages
13-18 to enhance their knowledge of the Christian faith, as well as
better understand its distinctive expression in the Armenian Church
tradition through her
feasts, worship, and sacraments. Worship, discipleship,
friendship-these three elements, motto of the Institute, structure the
communal life of the program. The curriculum of the Institute is
designed to be completed
in four weeks (one week each summer). Those who complete the four-week
program have the option to return for postgraduate classes. The
classes for all five levels take place concurrently, about twenty-five
50-minute sessions
for each level.
Every day the students participated in morning and evening services,
attended 5 or 6 hours of lectures, Bible studies and open discussions,
and in the afternoon enjoyed recreational activities such as
volleyball, soccer, and
swimming.
To read the full report click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/kgz91).
The Institute was privileged to have three prominent scholars as guest
lecturers: Fr. Paul Tarazi, Professor of Biblical Studies and
Languages at St.
Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, S. Peter Cowe, Professor
of Armenian Studies at UCLA, and Siobhan Nash-Marshall, Professor of
Philosophy at Manhattanville College.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, August 4, Fifth Sunday of Transfiguration
of Our Lord Jesus Christ, are Isaiah 62:1-11; 2 Timothy 2:15-19; John
6:39-47.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a
worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of
truth. Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and
more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are
Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth by claiming
that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the
faith of some. But God's firm
foundation stands, bearing this inscription: `The Lord knows those
who are his,' and, `Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
turn away from wickedness.' (2 Timothy 2:15-19)
For a listing of the coming week's Bible readings click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/08z91).
ST. GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN
This Saturday, August 3, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Gregory
the Theologian, also known as Gregory of Nazianzus, who is considered
to be one
of the four great doctors of the church during the 4th century, along
with
Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and Athanasius the Great. He is
noted for being an accomplished and eloquent speaker. He is also known
as one of the Cappadocian Fathers, along with Basil the Great and
Gregory of Nyssa. Some of his sermons and poetry have survived,
largely due to his great-nephew,
Nichobulos, who preserved and edited his writings.
NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
GENOCIDE MEMORIAL MUSEUM AT BIRDS NEST HOME
His Holiness Aram I, along with five members of the construction
projects committee, met with the architects Raffi and Viken
Tarkhanian, and inspected the site and progress of Genocide Memorial
Museum at the Birds Nest Home for Orphans near Byblos, Lebanon.
The Bird's Nest Orphanage was established by Danish Missionaries,
through the initiatives of a young nurse, still in her early 20s,
Maria Jacobsen, who devoted her entire life to the Armenian
orphans. Thousands of orphaned Armenian children called her `Mama.'
The museum will
be in the old historic Birds Nest building and is expected to be
completed
by 2015. The museum will tell the story of the orphans and their
tragic history of survival. After Maria Jacobsen's death in 1960,
Danish missionaries kept the orphanage open. In 1970 the Bird's Nest
was transferred to the care of the Holy See of Cilicia. It continues
to care for needy children.
His Holiness once again requested that any historic artifacts relating
to the Birds Nest, be offered for display in the museum. These could
be items such as books, copybooks and other learning material; school
uniforms; photographs; diaries, letters, essay or poem written by the
students; handiwork
made by the children, or any other pertinent artifacts. Inquiries can
be made to the Birds Nest by phone (+961 (0) 9 540 867; fax (+961 (0)
9 540 027; or email ([email protected]).
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
Birth of Gurgen Mahari (August 1, 1903)
Modern Armenian literature had three major enemies: tuberculosis,
Turkish genocide, and Stalinist repression. The so-called `second
April 24' harvested the lives of many remarkable Armenian
intellectuals and public figures between 1936 and 1938, who were shot,
died in prison, or in exile. Many others suffered short or long years
in prison, labor camps, internal exile, and were fortunate enough to
survive until the death of the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin when they
returned.
Poet and novelist Gurgen Mahari (Ajemian) was born in Van. His father,
Krikor Ajemian, was an important member of the Armenagan Party (the
first Armenian political party, founded in Van in 1885). Mahari became
an orphan in 1907, when his father was shot by his brother-in-law, an
A.R.F. member, in a
confusing incident. In 1915, after the heroic self-defense of Van
during the genocide, the future writer migrated to Eastern Armenia
with his family.
They lost each other on the road of exile, and Mahari lived in
orphanages in Dilijan and Yerevan until he found his family again.
He published his first poems in the press during the first republic,
and later, in the Soviet period, he studied at Yerevan State
University. He published five collections of poetry and short stories
between 1924 and 1931, but his fame in the 1930s was cemented by the
first two books of his biographical trilogy, `Childhood' and
`Adolescence' (1930). Meanwhile, he had married and had a son. He
became a member of the Writers Union of Armenia in 1934.
The wave of repression unleashed in Armenia after the assassination of
Aghasi Khanjian in 1936 reached Mahari too. Trumped-up charges were
brought against him and he was condemned to a ten-year exile from
1936-1946 in Siberia. After returning to Yerevan, in 1948 he was
condemned, through new trumped-up charges, to life exile. In Siberia,
he met Lithuanian student Antonina
Povilaitite, who had also been condemned to life exile. They married
and lived with the hope of change. Stalin died in 1953, and Mahari and
his wife,
together with their newly-born daughter, managed to return to Yerevan
in 1954. Their daughter would die shortly thereafter, and they would
later have
a son.
After seventeen years of exile, the writer returned to his homeland in
bad
health, but with the inner strength to continue his writing. He became
one
of the leading voices in the literary life of Armenia during the 1950s
and
1960s. He published the third part of his trilogy, `On the Eve of
Youth' (1956), a volume of poetry in 1959 and a collection of short
stories, `The Voice of Silence' (1962), where he reflected
the Siberian years. Another Siberian memoir, `Barbed Wire in
Flower,' was first published posthumously in the weekly `Nayiri' of
Beirut (1971); it was published in Yerevan only in 1988. He received
the title of Emeritus Cultural Activist of Armenia in 1965.
Mahari published his most important book, the novel `Burning
Orchards,' in 1966 (there is a translation in English), an account of
Armenian life in Van before World War I, during the self-defense of
the city,
and afterwards. It created a lively controversy because of some of his
views, and he was forced to rewrite it; the second version was
published in 1979 in a curtailed form. The final edition was only
published in 2004, edited by Grigor Achemyan, Mahari's eldest son, who
has published several unpublished volumes and has prepared an edition
of unpublished works in thirteen volumes.
Gurgen Mahari passed away in Palanga (Lithuania), on June 17, 1969,
and was buried in Yerevan. He concluded one of his autobiographical
works with a characteristic paragraph: `[If] the terrible and
omnipotent Jehovah
entered this moment, sat in front of me, lit a cigarette and said:
`I'm giving you a second life; trace the path of your second life from
cradle to tomb, as you wish, and your wish will be accomplished
. . . How would you like to live?,' I would answer him, without
hesitation: `Exactly as I lived it.'
Note: Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History' can be read
on the Prelacy's web site (www.armenianprelacy.org).
ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
Two Is Company
When you say, `We have company tonight,' one of the implications might
be that one or more people are expected for dinner. (You're Armenian;
you can't just serve coffee!). In this context, since you are having
guests, you would express it in Armenian as `Ô±ÕµÕ½ Õ£Õ«Õ·Õ¥Ö=80
Õ°Õ«Ö=82Ö=80 Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ«Õ¶Ö=84' (Ays kisher hyoor oonink). Otherwise,
you would have used the word Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶
(ungerootyoon), and coined the phrase `Ô±ÕµÕ½ Õ£Õ«Õ·Õ¥Ö=80
Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ«Õ¶Ö=84», which sounds utterly
un-Armenian.
The funny thing is that, when you use the word `company' in English in
this context, you may be referring to the original meaning of the word
(the actual meaning shifted over time). `Company' has been said to
have its ultimate origin in the Late Latin word companio,
`bread-fellow,' from companis (com `with,'
panis `bread'; the Latin word entered English through Old French
compainie). So, in the end, tonight's company would necessarily mean
making dinner!
Now, it is even funnier that the Armenian word ungerootyoon implies,
etymologically, the exact same thing: `bread-fellowship.' Its root,
the frequently-used Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80 (unger), is actually
a compound word, Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤ (unt) + Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80 (ger), which etymologically
means `[those] who eat together'; over time, the word
Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80 (untger) lost the Õ¤ (t) letter and also changed its
meaning. This happened before the fifth century A.D., since the word
already appeared in the Armenian translation of the Bible in its
current form and meaning of `companion, friend.' (The word Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤ was
a very ubiquitous term in Classical Armenian: it
had more or less twenty different meanings, including `instead of,'
`with, `though,' `between,' `against,' `below.' It is a cognate
=80`has common origin-with the Greek anti `against' and the Latin ante
`before,' which we use widely in everyday English.) Today, unger means
a variety of things, according to its context: `companion,' `comrade,'
`friend,' `partner,' `mate.' The suffix -Õ¸Ö=82Õ°Õ« (oohi) adds the
feminine dimension to these words-for instance, Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ°Õ«
(ungeroohi `girlfriend')-while the suffixes -Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ (agan) and
-Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶ (ayin) bring the adjectives `comradely' or =80=9Cfriendly'
(Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶, ungeragan), as well as `social'
(Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶, ungerayin). If you attach the suffix
=80`Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ (ootyoon), you obtain the abovementioned word
Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ (ungerootyoon), which means
`companionship,' =80=9Ccamaraderie,' `friendship,' `partnership,' but
also `company' and `society.' There is a gallery of derived and
compound words formed with unger at its core.
But the enigma remains: How come both the Armenian Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80
(unger) and the English companion have the same original meaning? The
possible answer is again in the Latin language. Bread was an essential
staple in the diet of Roman soldiers, who apparently carried grain and
made their own bread. Famous French linguist Antoine Meillet
(1865-1936) suggested that companio went with Roman soldiers to
Armenia, where there were Roman military permanent garrisons during
some periods of the first and second centuries A.D., and became the
model for the formation of our word Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80. If this was the case
(this may have happened before
the invention of Armenian writing), ger `food' never meant
`bread,' but until today bread plays such a role in the Armenian diet,
that it is common to hear the expression Õ°Õ¡Ö=81 Õ¸Ö=82Õ¿Õ¥Õ¬ (hats
oodel, `to eat bread') with the meaning `to eat food,' instead of
Õ³Õ¡Õ· Õ¸Ö=82Õ¿Õ¥Õ¬ (jash oodel) or Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80
Õ¸Ö=82Õ¿Õ¥Õ¬ (geragoor oodel).
To view previous entries in this series, click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/g1091).
Avedis Zildjian III, in front of the factory of the family business in
1929, when it was moved to Quincy, Massachusetts. The business was
first established 390 years ago in the Ottoman Empire. (Photo from
Aramco World, September/October, 2012).
THE FAMED ZILDJIAN CYMBAL
This year marks the 390th anniversary of the establishment of the
Zildjian
Company, noted worldwide for its extraordinary cymbals. In the early
1600s, an Armenian metal-smith in the Ottoman Empire, named Avedis,
lived and worked in the sultan's palace. In the hey-day of the Ottoman
Mehter bands, Avedis developed a way to make bronze cymbals stronger,
thinner and with a great sound. The sultan was so impressed that he
gave him the title,
`Zildji' (cymbal-smith).
In 1623 he was released from government service and he established his
own
company making cymbals for bands and for the Greek and Armenian
churches. In 1929, his descendants moved the business to Massachusetts
where they continued the tradition of making the best cymbals,
utilizing the original secret method developed by Avedis nearly four
centuries ago. Even during the Great Depression the company thrived,
making cymbals for the popular era of jazz and swing. Today, Zildjian
remains the world's leading cymbal maker. It is also believed to be
the oldest family-owned and operated business with the 14th generation
of the original `Zildji' currently at the helm.
When the Beatles made their U.S. debut on the Ed Sullivan television
show in 1964, Ringo Starr played Zildjian cymbals. Orders for 90,000
cymbals were received as a result of that appearance.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 4-Annual picnic of St. Stephen's Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, at Camp Haiastan, 722 Summer Street, Franklin,
Massachusetts 02038. Delicious food, music and more from 12 noon to 5
pm. For information, 617-924-7562, visit online at
www.soorpstepanos.org or on Facebook.
August 11-Farewell luncheon and Program for Der Stephan and Yeretzgin
Alice Baljian and Family, following the Divine Liturgy. His Grace
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian will preside. A recital featuring Dan
Vizer, organist, will begin at 2 pm in the church. Please come and
wish Der Hayr and Yeretzgin well as they transition to their new
parish. For information: Lynne Hagopian (618) 452-0192; Sue Spataro
(618) 223-1502.
August 11-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Annual
Picnic at Camp Haiastan from noon to 6 pm. Blessing of Madagh and
Grapes will take place at 3:30 pm with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
presiding and with the participation of the pastors of the New England
area churches. Enjoy delicious shish, losh, and chicken kebab dinners,
Armenian pastry, and
our famous choreg. Music by the Michael Gregian Ensemble. Our patrons
may use the Lower Camp Pool, Basketball Courts, and Canoes from 1 to 4
pm. Activities for children. Come and enjoy a day with friends and
family.
August 11-Annual Church Picnic and Blessing of Grapes at Holy Trinity
Armenian Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us
for a fun-filled day and enjoy delicious food, music by DJ Shaheen,
backgammon tournament, children's activities and more. Begins at
noon. Blessing of Grapes at 2:45 pm. Admission is free. For more
information: [email protected] or 508-852-2414.
August 16, 17, 18-Armenian Fest and Blessing of the Grapes, All Saints
Armenian Church, 1701 N. Greenwood, Glenview, Illinois. For
information: 847-998-1989.
August 18-Annual Picnic of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, 12 noon on the church grounds, 315 Church Street,
Whitinsville, immediately following the Divine Liturgy celebrated by
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian who will also officiate the Blessing of
the Grapes ceremony with the participation of New England
clergy. Delicious Armenian food, homemade baked goods. Listen and
dance to traditional live Armenian music by the
Mugrditchian Band. For information: 508-234-3677.
August 18-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Blessing of the
Grapes and Family Fun Picnic, at Lakeshore Park, 601 South Lake Drive,
Novi,
Michigan. Food, music, dancing, magic show, volleyball, soccer, tavlou
tournament, mountain biking, swimming.
August 18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, New Jersey, Annual Picnic and
Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Parki, Wild Duck
Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts and
crafts and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more.
August 18-Assumption of the Holy Mother of God and Annual `Blessing of
the Grapes' picnic following the Divine Liturgy at St.
Gregory the Illuminator Church, Granite City, Illinois; 12 Noon-3:30
pm. Blessing of Grapes will take place at 11:45 am. Tasty shish kebab
and chicken kebab dinners will be sold. Armenian breads and pastries
along with other
delicacies will be for sale. Armenian dancing and activities for
children of all ages. Free admission.
September 5 to October 3-`A Brief Introduction to Modern Armenian
Literature,' a series of five seminars presented on Thursdays, 7 pm to
8:30 pm, at St. Illuminator's Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New
York City. Sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee
(ANEC) and the Cathedral. Presented by Vartan Matiossian, Ph.D.
September 7-Teachers' Seminar sponsored by the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC) at the Prelacy offices, 138 E. 39th Street,
New York City, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Details will follow.
September 8-Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts, 12:30 to 5:30 pm, featuring Armenian
music by
Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Joe Kouyoumjian, John Arzigian, along
with Siroun Dance Group. Armenian food and pastries. For details
www.saintgregory.org
September 15-Book Presentation at Pashalian Hall, St. Illuminator's
Cathedral, New York, of `One Church One Nation'
by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian.
September 21-St. Illuminator's Cathedral's =80=9CHuyser' Music
Ensemble presents `The Sound of Freedom,' a celebration of
independence, at the Frank Sinatra School of Arts, Tony Bennett
Concert Hall, 35-12 35th Avenue, Astoria, New York, at 7:30
pm. Tickets $25-$35. For information: 212-689-5880.
October 5-Symposium `Armenian Women as Artists and Mothers,' 2-6 pm,
sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) at
St. Illuminator Cathedral Pashalian Hall, 221 East 27th Street, New
York City, in celebration of the Year of the Mother of the Armenian
Family. Lecturers: Jennifer Manoukian (Columbia University), `Zabel
Yessayan: Mother and Activist,'; Vartan Matiossian (ANEC), `Armen
Ohanian: An Armenian Woman of the World,' and Melissa Bilal (Columbia
University), `Lullabies and Tears: On Armenian Grandmothers and
Granddaughters in Istanbul.'
October 19-Armenian Friends of America presents `Hye Kef 5' featuring
musicians Leon Janikian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken
Kalajian, Ron Raphaelian, and Jay Baronian, 7:30-12:30, Michael's
Function Hall, 12 Alpha Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Proceeds
to benefit all Armenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New
Hampshire. Tickets: $40 adults; $30 students; includes
individually-served mezza platters. For information/reservations: John
Arzigian 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan 978-251-8687; Scott Sahagian
617-699-3581; Peter Gulezian 978-375-1616.
October 27-90th anniversary celebration of St. Gregory Church,
Philadelphia, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
Prelate. Immediately after the Divine Liturgy at the church's Founders
Hall,
8701 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19128.
November 1 & 2-St. Stephen's Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 57th
Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm, at Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown. Delicious meals (take-out
available), Armenian pastries, Arts and Crafts, Books, Raffles, Attic
Treasures, Auctions, and more. For information: 617-924-7562.
November 15-16-17-Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen
Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
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/
SYRIAN ARMENIANS IN NEED
The crisis in Syria continues to inflict great suffering on the
population. The situation in Aleppo, a heavily Armenian populated
city, is very serious. There is a shortage of basic needs including
food, fuel, medical services, and medications.
Please help us continue our humanitarian aid of food, water, and
medicine without interruption.
Make a donation to the Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief. Donations can
be made on-line (see below) or can be mailed to the Armenian Prelacy,
138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY
IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.
THE NEED IS REAL.
THE NEED IS GREAT.
DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW CLICK HERE (http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/82w91) AND
SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.
The Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief is a joint effort of: Armenian
Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy); Armenian Catholic
Eparchy; Armenian
Evangelical Union of North America; Armenian Relief Society (Eastern
USA, Inc.); Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
PRELATE VISITS ST. GREGORY CHURCH IN NORTH ANDOVER
Archbishop Oshagan traveled to St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, on Monday, where he met with the parish's leaders and
Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, who has been called to serve as the parish's
new pastor.
Der Stephan, pastor of St. Gregory Church in Granite City, Illinois,
for the past five years, will celebrate his final Divine Liturgy in
Granite City
on Sunday, August 11. Following the Liturgy, the parish is hosting a
farewell luncheon and concert to express good wishes to Der Hayr,
Yeretzgin Alice, and their two sons, two-year old Nishan and
three-month old Hovhaness.
Der Stephan will celebrate his first Divine Liturgy as pastor of the
North
Andover parish on Sunday, August 25. The Prelate and Executive Council
extend their heartfelt best wishes to Der Hayr and his family.
To read a feature article by Tom Vartabedian click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/ovx91).
Archbishop Oshagan and Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian met with the
leadership of
the St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley in North Andover,
Massachusetts, on Monday, July 29.
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO CAMP HAIASTAN IN MASSACHUSETTS
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Camp Haiastan in Franklin,
Massachusetts, this Sunday, August 4, where he will preside over the
Blessing of Grapes and Madagh at the annual St. Stephen's Church
(Watertown) picnic.
ANEC TEACHERS SEMINAR ON SEPTEMBER 7
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) is sponsoring a
seminar for teachers on Saturday, September 7, 2013, at the Prelacy
headquarters in Manhattan. All schools and teachers are invited to
participate. Several lectures and an open discussion are scheduled. To
view the program, click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/4ny91).
A REPORT ON THE 2013 ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE
Sixty-eight teenagers from 10 parishes, along with 20 clergymen and
lay leaders, gathered at the St. Mary of Providence Center in
Elverson, Pennsylvania, for the 27th annual St. Gregory of Datev
Institute Summer Program, from June 30-July 7, 2013, under the
auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the Prelate of the
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.
The following impressions echo the sentiments expressed by many
participants: `The balance of learning how to be a better Christian
and meeting new people is great' (Aleen Takvorian, 1st year student);
=80=9Cmeeting new Armenian teenagers, learning about my faith and my
Armenian
heritage means a lot to me. I love Datev and can't wait till I return
next year' (Maralle Arakelian, 2nd year student); `I am
blessed that I had the opportunity to join the Datev Institute' (Peter
Baghdadlian, 3rd year student); `Datev is something that I look
forward to every year' (Armand Charkhutian, 3rd year student).
This year's Datev Institute took place with the generous support of
Mr. and Mrs. Hagop and Ica Kouyoumdjian of Holmdel, New Jersey. Their
substantial donation made it possible to maintain the Institute's high
level of education in the Armenian Christian faith and heritage.
Sponsored by the Prelacy's Armenian Religious Education Council
(AREC), the Summer Program offers a unique opportunity for youth ages
13-18 to enhance their knowledge of the Christian faith, as well as
better understand its distinctive expression in the Armenian Church
tradition through her
feasts, worship, and sacraments. Worship, discipleship,
friendship-these three elements, motto of the Institute, structure the
communal life of the program. The curriculum of the Institute is
designed to be completed
in four weeks (one week each summer). Those who complete the four-week
program have the option to return for postgraduate classes. The
classes for all five levels take place concurrently, about twenty-five
50-minute sessions
for each level.
Every day the students participated in morning and evening services,
attended 5 or 6 hours of lectures, Bible studies and open discussions,
and in the afternoon enjoyed recreational activities such as
volleyball, soccer, and
swimming.
To read the full report click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/kgz91).
The Institute was privileged to have three prominent scholars as guest
lecturers: Fr. Paul Tarazi, Professor of Biblical Studies and
Languages at St.
Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, S. Peter Cowe, Professor
of Armenian Studies at UCLA, and Siobhan Nash-Marshall, Professor of
Philosophy at Manhattanville College.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, August 4, Fifth Sunday of Transfiguration
of Our Lord Jesus Christ, are Isaiah 62:1-11; 2 Timothy 2:15-19; John
6:39-47.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a
worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of
truth. Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and
more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are
Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth by claiming
that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the
faith of some. But God's firm
foundation stands, bearing this inscription: `The Lord knows those
who are his,' and, `Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
turn away from wickedness.' (2 Timothy 2:15-19)
For a listing of the coming week's Bible readings click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/08z91).
ST. GREGORY THE THEOLOGIAN
This Saturday, August 3, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Gregory
the Theologian, also known as Gregory of Nazianzus, who is considered
to be one
of the four great doctors of the church during the 4th century, along
with
Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and Athanasius the Great. He is
noted for being an accomplished and eloquent speaker. He is also known
as one of the Cappadocian Fathers, along with Basil the Great and
Gregory of Nyssa. Some of his sermons and poetry have survived,
largely due to his great-nephew,
Nichobulos, who preserved and edited his writings.
NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
GENOCIDE MEMORIAL MUSEUM AT BIRDS NEST HOME
His Holiness Aram I, along with five members of the construction
projects committee, met with the architects Raffi and Viken
Tarkhanian, and inspected the site and progress of Genocide Memorial
Museum at the Birds Nest Home for Orphans near Byblos, Lebanon.
The Bird's Nest Orphanage was established by Danish Missionaries,
through the initiatives of a young nurse, still in her early 20s,
Maria Jacobsen, who devoted her entire life to the Armenian
orphans. Thousands of orphaned Armenian children called her `Mama.'
The museum will
be in the old historic Birds Nest building and is expected to be
completed
by 2015. The museum will tell the story of the orphans and their
tragic history of survival. After Maria Jacobsen's death in 1960,
Danish missionaries kept the orphanage open. In 1970 the Bird's Nest
was transferred to the care of the Holy See of Cilicia. It continues
to care for needy children.
His Holiness once again requested that any historic artifacts relating
to the Birds Nest, be offered for display in the museum. These could
be items such as books, copybooks and other learning material; school
uniforms; photographs; diaries, letters, essay or poem written by the
students; handiwork
made by the children, or any other pertinent artifacts. Inquiries can
be made to the Birds Nest by phone (+961 (0) 9 540 867; fax (+961 (0)
9 540 027; or email ([email protected]).
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
Birth of Gurgen Mahari (August 1, 1903)
Modern Armenian literature had three major enemies: tuberculosis,
Turkish genocide, and Stalinist repression. The so-called `second
April 24' harvested the lives of many remarkable Armenian
intellectuals and public figures between 1936 and 1938, who were shot,
died in prison, or in exile. Many others suffered short or long years
in prison, labor camps, internal exile, and were fortunate enough to
survive until the death of the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin when they
returned.
Poet and novelist Gurgen Mahari (Ajemian) was born in Van. His father,
Krikor Ajemian, was an important member of the Armenagan Party (the
first Armenian political party, founded in Van in 1885). Mahari became
an orphan in 1907, when his father was shot by his brother-in-law, an
A.R.F. member, in a
confusing incident. In 1915, after the heroic self-defense of Van
during the genocide, the future writer migrated to Eastern Armenia
with his family.
They lost each other on the road of exile, and Mahari lived in
orphanages in Dilijan and Yerevan until he found his family again.
He published his first poems in the press during the first republic,
and later, in the Soviet period, he studied at Yerevan State
University. He published five collections of poetry and short stories
between 1924 and 1931, but his fame in the 1930s was cemented by the
first two books of his biographical trilogy, `Childhood' and
`Adolescence' (1930). Meanwhile, he had married and had a son. He
became a member of the Writers Union of Armenia in 1934.
The wave of repression unleashed in Armenia after the assassination of
Aghasi Khanjian in 1936 reached Mahari too. Trumped-up charges were
brought against him and he was condemned to a ten-year exile from
1936-1946 in Siberia. After returning to Yerevan, in 1948 he was
condemned, through new trumped-up charges, to life exile. In Siberia,
he met Lithuanian student Antonina
Povilaitite, who had also been condemned to life exile. They married
and lived with the hope of change. Stalin died in 1953, and Mahari and
his wife,
together with their newly-born daughter, managed to return to Yerevan
in 1954. Their daughter would die shortly thereafter, and they would
later have
a son.
After seventeen years of exile, the writer returned to his homeland in
bad
health, but with the inner strength to continue his writing. He became
one
of the leading voices in the literary life of Armenia during the 1950s
and
1960s. He published the third part of his trilogy, `On the Eve of
Youth' (1956), a volume of poetry in 1959 and a collection of short
stories, `The Voice of Silence' (1962), where he reflected
the Siberian years. Another Siberian memoir, `Barbed Wire in
Flower,' was first published posthumously in the weekly `Nayiri' of
Beirut (1971); it was published in Yerevan only in 1988. He received
the title of Emeritus Cultural Activist of Armenia in 1965.
Mahari published his most important book, the novel `Burning
Orchards,' in 1966 (there is a translation in English), an account of
Armenian life in Van before World War I, during the self-defense of
the city,
and afterwards. It created a lively controversy because of some of his
views, and he was forced to rewrite it; the second version was
published in 1979 in a curtailed form. The final edition was only
published in 2004, edited by Grigor Achemyan, Mahari's eldest son, who
has published several unpublished volumes and has prepared an edition
of unpublished works in thirteen volumes.
Gurgen Mahari passed away in Palanga (Lithuania), on June 17, 1969,
and was buried in Yerevan. He concluded one of his autobiographical
works with a characteristic paragraph: `[If] the terrible and
omnipotent Jehovah
entered this moment, sat in front of me, lit a cigarette and said:
`I'm giving you a second life; trace the path of your second life from
cradle to tomb, as you wish, and your wish will be accomplished
. . . How would you like to live?,' I would answer him, without
hesitation: `Exactly as I lived it.'
Note: Previous entries in `This Week in Armenian History' can be read
on the Prelacy's web site (www.armenianprelacy.org).
ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
Two Is Company
When you say, `We have company tonight,' one of the implications might
be that one or more people are expected for dinner. (You're Armenian;
you can't just serve coffee!). In this context, since you are having
guests, you would express it in Armenian as `Ô±ÕµÕ½ Õ£Õ«Õ·Õ¥Ö=80
Õ°Õ«Ö=82Ö=80 Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ«Õ¶Ö=84' (Ays kisher hyoor oonink). Otherwise,
you would have used the word Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶
(ungerootyoon), and coined the phrase `Ô±ÕµÕ½ Õ£Õ«Õ·Õ¥Ö=80
Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82Õ¶Õ«Õ¶Ö=84», which sounds utterly
un-Armenian.
The funny thing is that, when you use the word `company' in English in
this context, you may be referring to the original meaning of the word
(the actual meaning shifted over time). `Company' has been said to
have its ultimate origin in the Late Latin word companio,
`bread-fellow,' from companis (com `with,'
panis `bread'; the Latin word entered English through Old French
compainie). So, in the end, tonight's company would necessarily mean
making dinner!
Now, it is even funnier that the Armenian word ungerootyoon implies,
etymologically, the exact same thing: `bread-fellowship.' Its root,
the frequently-used Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80 (unger), is actually
a compound word, Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤ (unt) + Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80 (ger), which etymologically
means `[those] who eat together'; over time, the word
Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80 (untger) lost the Õ¤ (t) letter and also changed its
meaning. This happened before the fifth century A.D., since the word
already appeared in the Armenian translation of the Bible in its
current form and meaning of `companion, friend.' (The word Õ¨Õ¶Õ¤ was
a very ubiquitous term in Classical Armenian: it
had more or less twenty different meanings, including `instead of,'
`with, `though,' `between,' `against,' `below.' It is a cognate
=80`has common origin-with the Greek anti `against' and the Latin ante
`before,' which we use widely in everyday English.) Today, unger means
a variety of things, according to its context: `companion,' `comrade,'
`friend,' `partner,' `mate.' The suffix -Õ¸Ö=82Õ°Õ« (oohi) adds the
feminine dimension to these words-for instance, Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ°Õ«
(ungeroohi `girlfriend')-while the suffixes -Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ (agan) and
-Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶ (ayin) bring the adjectives `comradely' or =80=9Cfriendly'
(Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶, ungeragan), as well as `social'
(Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡ÕµÕ«Õ¶, ungerayin). If you attach the suffix
=80`Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ (ootyoon), you obtain the abovementioned word
Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ (ungerootyoon), which means
`companionship,' =80=9Ccamaraderie,' `friendship,' `partnership,' but
also `company' and `society.' There is a gallery of derived and
compound words formed with unger at its core.
But the enigma remains: How come both the Armenian Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80
(unger) and the English companion have the same original meaning? The
possible answer is again in the Latin language. Bread was an essential
staple in the diet of Roman soldiers, who apparently carried grain and
made their own bread. Famous French linguist Antoine Meillet
(1865-1936) suggested that companio went with Roman soldiers to
Armenia, where there were Roman military permanent garrisons during
some periods of the first and second centuries A.D., and became the
model for the formation of our word Õ¨Õ¶Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80. If this was the case
(this may have happened before
the invention of Armenian writing), ger `food' never meant
`bread,' but until today bread plays such a role in the Armenian diet,
that it is common to hear the expression Õ°Õ¡Ö=81 Õ¸Ö=82Õ¿Õ¥Õ¬ (hats
oodel, `to eat bread') with the meaning `to eat food,' instead of
Õ³Õ¡Õ· Õ¸Ö=82Õ¿Õ¥Õ¬ (jash oodel) or Õ¯Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¸Ö=82Ö=80
Õ¸Ö=82Õ¿Õ¥Õ¬ (geragoor oodel).
To view previous entries in this series, click here
(http://e2.ma/click/4z3hd/4f4cee/g1091).
Avedis Zildjian III, in front of the factory of the family business in
1929, when it was moved to Quincy, Massachusetts. The business was
first established 390 years ago in the Ottoman Empire. (Photo from
Aramco World, September/October, 2012).
THE FAMED ZILDJIAN CYMBAL
This year marks the 390th anniversary of the establishment of the
Zildjian
Company, noted worldwide for its extraordinary cymbals. In the early
1600s, an Armenian metal-smith in the Ottoman Empire, named Avedis,
lived and worked in the sultan's palace. In the hey-day of the Ottoman
Mehter bands, Avedis developed a way to make bronze cymbals stronger,
thinner and with a great sound. The sultan was so impressed that he
gave him the title,
`Zildji' (cymbal-smith).
In 1623 he was released from government service and he established his
own
company making cymbals for bands and for the Greek and Armenian
churches. In 1929, his descendants moved the business to Massachusetts
where they continued the tradition of making the best cymbals,
utilizing the original secret method developed by Avedis nearly four
centuries ago. Even during the Great Depression the company thrived,
making cymbals for the popular era of jazz and swing. Today, Zildjian
remains the world's leading cymbal maker. It is also believed to be
the oldest family-owned and operated business with the 14th generation
of the original `Zildji' currently at the helm.
When the Beatles made their U.S. debut on the Ed Sullivan television
show in 1964, Ringo Starr played Zildjian cymbals. Orders for 90,000
cymbals were received as a result of that appearance.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
August 4-Annual picnic of St. Stephen's Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts, at Camp Haiastan, 722 Summer Street, Franklin,
Massachusetts 02038. Delicious food, music and more from 12 noon to 5
pm. For information, 617-924-7562, visit online at
www.soorpstepanos.org or on Facebook.
August 11-Farewell luncheon and Program for Der Stephan and Yeretzgin
Alice Baljian and Family, following the Divine Liturgy. His Grace
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian will preside. A recital featuring Dan
Vizer, organist, will begin at 2 pm in the church. Please come and
wish Der Hayr and Yeretzgin well as they transition to their new
parish. For information: Lynne Hagopian (618) 452-0192; Sue Spataro
(618) 223-1502.
August 11-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Annual
Picnic at Camp Haiastan from noon to 6 pm. Blessing of Madagh and
Grapes will take place at 3:30 pm with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan
presiding and with the participation of the pastors of the New England
area churches. Enjoy delicious shish, losh, and chicken kebab dinners,
Armenian pastry, and
our famous choreg. Music by the Michael Gregian Ensemble. Our patrons
may use the Lower Camp Pool, Basketball Courts, and Canoes from 1 to 4
pm. Activities for children. Come and enjoy a day with friends and
family.
August 11-Annual Church Picnic and Blessing of Grapes at Holy Trinity
Armenian Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us
for a fun-filled day and enjoy delicious food, music by DJ Shaheen,
backgammon tournament, children's activities and more. Begins at
noon. Blessing of Grapes at 2:45 pm. Admission is free. For more
information: [email protected] or 508-852-2414.
August 16, 17, 18-Armenian Fest and Blessing of the Grapes, All Saints
Armenian Church, 1701 N. Greenwood, Glenview, Illinois. For
information: 847-998-1989.
August 18-Annual Picnic of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville,
Massachusetts, 12 noon on the church grounds, 315 Church Street,
Whitinsville, immediately following the Divine Liturgy celebrated by
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian who will also officiate the Blessing of
the Grapes ceremony with the participation of New England
clergy. Delicious Armenian food, homemade baked goods. Listen and
dance to traditional live Armenian music by the
Mugrditchian Band. For information: 508-234-3677.
August 18-St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Blessing of the
Grapes and Family Fun Picnic, at Lakeshore Park, 601 South Lake Drive,
Novi,
Michigan. Food, music, dancing, magic show, volleyball, soccer, tavlou
tournament, mountain biking, swimming.
August 18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, New Jersey, Annual Picnic and
Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Parki, Wild Duck
Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts and
crafts and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more.
August 18-Assumption of the Holy Mother of God and Annual `Blessing of
the Grapes' picnic following the Divine Liturgy at St.
Gregory the Illuminator Church, Granite City, Illinois; 12 Noon-3:30
pm. Blessing of Grapes will take place at 11:45 am. Tasty shish kebab
and chicken kebab dinners will be sold. Armenian breads and pastries
along with other
delicacies will be for sale. Armenian dancing and activities for
children of all ages. Free admission.
September 5 to October 3-`A Brief Introduction to Modern Armenian
Literature,' a series of five seminars presented on Thursdays, 7 pm to
8:30 pm, at St. Illuminator's Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New
York City. Sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee
(ANEC) and the Cathedral. Presented by Vartan Matiossian, Ph.D.
September 7-Teachers' Seminar sponsored by the Armenian National
Education Committee (ANEC) at the Prelacy offices, 138 E. 39th Street,
New York City, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Details will follow.
September 8-Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street,
North Andover, Massachusetts, 12:30 to 5:30 pm, featuring Armenian
music by
Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Joe Kouyoumjian, John Arzigian, along
with Siroun Dance Group. Armenian food and pastries. For details
www.saintgregory.org
September 15-Book Presentation at Pashalian Hall, St. Illuminator's
Cathedral, New York, of `One Church One Nation'
by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian.
September 21-St. Illuminator's Cathedral's =80=9CHuyser' Music
Ensemble presents `The Sound of Freedom,' a celebration of
independence, at the Frank Sinatra School of Arts, Tony Bennett
Concert Hall, 35-12 35th Avenue, Astoria, New York, at 7:30
pm. Tickets $25-$35. For information: 212-689-5880.
October 5-Symposium `Armenian Women as Artists and Mothers,' 2-6 pm,
sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) at
St. Illuminator Cathedral Pashalian Hall, 221 East 27th Street, New
York City, in celebration of the Year of the Mother of the Armenian
Family. Lecturers: Jennifer Manoukian (Columbia University), `Zabel
Yessayan: Mother and Activist,'; Vartan Matiossian (ANEC), `Armen
Ohanian: An Armenian Woman of the World,' and Melissa Bilal (Columbia
University), `Lullabies and Tears: On Armenian Grandmothers and
Granddaughters in Istanbul.'
October 19-Armenian Friends of America presents `Hye Kef 5' featuring
musicians Leon Janikian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken
Kalajian, Ron Raphaelian, and Jay Baronian, 7:30-12:30, Michael's
Function Hall, 12 Alpha Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Proceeds
to benefit all Armenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New
Hampshire. Tickets: $40 adults; $30 students; includes
individually-served mezza platters. For information/reservations: John
Arzigian 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan 978-251-8687; Scott Sahagian
617-699-3581; Peter Gulezian 978-375-1616.
October 27-90th anniversary celebration of St. Gregory Church,
Philadelphia, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan,
Prelate. Immediately after the Divine Liturgy at the church's Founders
Hall,
8701 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19128.
November 1 & 2-St. Stephen's Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 57th
Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm, at Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown. Delicious meals (take-out
available), Armenian pastries, Arts and Crafts, Books, Raffles, Attic
Treasures, Auctions, and more. For information: 617-924-7562.
November 15-16-17-Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen
Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.