Tweet
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/
July 24, 2014
The Armenian Prelacy =99¦ 138 East 39th Street =99¦ New York, NY
10016
tel: 212-689-7810 =99¦ Fax: 212-689-7168 =99¦ Email:
[email protected]
COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL
PLANNED IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL
The following announcement was released to the press by the National
Centennial Committee to Commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
Leaders of the Armenian Church in the United States have joined to
plan a special remembrance of the Armenian Genocide next
year. Commemorating the passage of 100 years since the start of the
first genocide of the 20th century, a schedule of events including an
ecumenical prayer service at the National Cathedral, a memorial
concert, public exhibitions and a Pontifical Divine Liturgy will take
place from May 7 to 10, 2015, in Washington, DC.
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, will both journey to the United States to lead and
participate in the commemorative events.
A National Centennial Committee has been formed under the auspices of
the Diocese and the Prelacy to oversee and guide the commemorative
activities. The Committee, chaired by Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Boston-based
entrepreneur and philanthropist, includes leaders from Armenian
religious, political, and civic organizations from across the United
States. The Committee includes Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of
the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America; Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church of North America; Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America;
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, and Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian, Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America.
`We are organizing these events in the nation's capital in
order to involve the country's political leaders, raise awareness in
the non-Armenian community, and honor countries and individuals that
have helped Armenians during and after the Genocide,' said committee
chair Dr. Afeyan. `We are honored that Catholicos Karekin II and
Catholicos Aram I will be among us, blessing the occasion, as together
we stand up for the Armenian presence in America and in the world,' he
added.
The National Centennial Committee has met several times and is working
together with Washington D.C.-based sub-committees to plan the various
events and activities. The Committee is working closely with the
Central Commemorative Committees for the United States and Armenia to
coordinate the activities.
TEACHERS' SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY ANEC
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) will sponsor a
teachers' seminar to be held on August 23, at the Prelacy headquarters
in New
York, from 10 am-4 pm. All schools and teachers are invited to
participate. The program will have the following lectures:
Sossi Essajanian: `Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood
Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher';
Anahid Garmiryan: `To Be or Not to Be a Teacher: the Challenges of
Bilingualism'
For more information, please email ANEC at [email protected] or
call (212) 689-7231/7810.
SIAMANTO ACADEMY WILL RESUME ITS ACTIVITIES
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), jointly sponsored by
the
Prelacy and the Armenian Relief Society, sponsored for many years the
Siamanto Academy for young adults. After a recent hiatus, the Academy
is ready to resume its activities. The Academy offers courses on
Armenian history, culture, and contemporary issues. Classes will take
place on a monthly basis, every second Saturday, beginning in
September at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian
Apostolic Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), from 2 pm-5 pm. For
additional information, please contact ANEC at
[email protected].
Bishop Anoushavan prepares to honor Chris Bohjalian's newest book with
a `wine blessing.'
LATEST BOHJALIAN BOOK FETED
The latest novel by Chris Bohjalian, Close Your Eyes. Hold Hands, was
introduced at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, on
Sunday, July
13. The book was honored with the traditional `Kinetzon,' by Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy.
Bohjalian's works have been critically acclaimed, and a number of his
novels were adapted for television and Hollywood. His 2012 The
Sandcastle Girls about the Armenian Genocide was on the New York Times
best seller list for a number of weeks.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, July 27, Feast of the Transfiguration of
Our Lord Jesus Christ, (Aylakerputiunm / Vartavar) are Wisdom
7:25-8:4; Zechariah
14:16-21; 1 John 1:1-7; Matthew 16:13-17:13.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them
up a
high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and
his
face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling
white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with
him. Then Peter said to Jesus, `Lord, it is good for us to be here; if
you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for
Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, suddenly a
bright cloud over-shadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said,
`This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to
him!' When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were
overcome by fear. But Jesus came
and touched them, saying, `Get up and do not be afraid.' And when they
looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, `Tell no
one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from
the dead.' And the disciples asked him, `Why then, do the scribes say
that Elijah must come first?' He replied, `Elijah is
indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah
has already come, and they do not recognize him, but they did to him
whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at
their hands.' Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to
them about John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:1-13)
For a listing of the coming week's Bible readings click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/4vs2e/4f4cee/04ctib).
THE OLD ARK OF THE COVENANT AND
FEAST OF THE NEW HOLY CHURCH
This Saturday, July 26, the Armenian Church commemorates the Old Ark
of the Covenant and the Feast of the New Holy Church. This combined
commemoration takes place on the Saturday prior to the Feast of the
Transfiguration. Celebrating the old and the new shows the perpetuity
of the church. God revealed Himself to humankind gradually through
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and the prophets. The church existed from
the beginning, and that is why the Old
Testament is accepted as part of the Holy Scriptures and recognized as
a preamble to the New Testament. The hymn designated for this day
proclaims:
`Who from the beginning established your church with wisdom, O, Father
of Wisdom, who revealed to Moses upon Sinai.'
FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION
This Sunday, July 27, the Armenian Church observes one of its five
major feasts, the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus
Christ (Aylakerputiunm / Vartavar). This Feast is observed fourteen
weeks after Easter, and therefore can fall between June 28 and August
1. It commemorates an episode
in the New Testament recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Peter. (See
today's Bible reading for the text from the Gospel according to
St. Matthew).
The Transfiguration took place on the `holy mountain' (believed to be
Mt. Tabor) where Jesus went with John, James and Peter to pray.
As He was praying, `His face shone like the sun and His garments
became white as light.' The Patriarch Moses and Prophet Elijah
appeared at His side. It was at this moment that His appearance was
`transfigured' revealing himself as God to His disciples as a voice
from above said, `This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
Listen to him.'
The pre-Christian festival, Vartavar (Festival of Roses), was joined
with this new Christian holiday. Armenians would decorate the temple
of the goddess of Asdghig (goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and
water) with roses, release doves, and engage in water games on this
pre-Christian holiday. St.
Gregory the Illuminator combined Vartavar with Transfiguration. The
fifth century historian Yeghishe wrote the prayer that is recited in
church on this feast: `O Lord, bless the harvest of this year and
defend from all the perils, and may Your right hand, O Lord, protect
us for the whole year.'
Vartavar became a traditional day of pilgrimage to churches named in
honor
of St. John the Baptist. The most popular destination was the
Monastery of
Sourp Garabed of Moush, founded by Gregory the Illuminator in the
province
of Taron near Moush. (Garabed means Forerunner, referring to John the
Baptist). The monastery was large and expansive and built like a
fortress in the mountains. More than one thousand pilgrims could be
accommodated. After 1915 the complex ceased to exist. The monastery
was destroyed by the Turkish
army, and the ravages of time, weather and scavengers completed its
destruction. The once large and thriving Armenian monastery is now a
mass of stone and rubble.
This Sunday is the name day for those named Vartkes, Vartavar, Vart,
Vartouhi, Alvart, Sirvart, Nevart, Lousvart, Baidzar, Vartanoush,
Vartiter, Varvar.
MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
The Monday after each of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church
is a
Memorial Day, Remembrance of the Dead.
NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
KHATCHIK BABIKIAN FOUNDATION
His Holiness Aram I presided over the 2014 Khatchik Babikian
Graduation in
Armenian Studies and Distribution of Inter-School competition awards
on Sunday, July 6, following the Holy Liturgy. The ceremony recognized
the winners of the inter-school competition in Armenian language and
culture and the
graduates of the two-year intensive course in Western Armenian
language and culture.
Sarkis Guiragosian, Director of the Department of Armenian Studies of
the Catholicosate, welcomed everyone and spoke ab9out the unique
contribution of these two activities of the Khatchik Babikian
Foundation for the Armenian
community ihn Lebanon and the Diaspora. Silva Bakarian-Karaoghlanian
thanked His Holiness on behalf of the graduates and award winners.
After the distribution of diplomas and awards, His Holiness addressed
the audience. He congratulated the students and thanked the families,
directors, and teachers for their commitment to safeguarding the
western Armenian language and culture. `The message of this gathering
today is clear: the Armenian school is alive and will continue its
difficult task of sustaining western Armenian, while responding to its
linguistic changes. In this way it remains the relevant means of
transmitting our spiritual, cultural, and historical heritage and
documenting of our new experiences,' His Holiness said.
CATHOLICOS MEETS GUESTS
During the past week Catholicos Aram met with several religious and
political leaders at his summer residence in Bikfaya, including the
following:
Jean-Louis Kordahi, a former member of the Lebanese government, who
discussed projects related to the property of the Catholicosate in
Byblos and issues linked to the postponement of presidential elections
in Lebanon.
Archbishop Rafael Minassian, Prelate of the Armenian Catholic Church,
who informed His Holiness of the activities of his church in Armenia,
as well as their planned conference on `Christian Communication in
Armenia: Organization and Networking.' The Archbishop invited His
Holiness to send his representative to the conference.
Matthias Wilkes, governor of Bergstrasse, Germany, and Dr. Steven
Brian Fera, Honorary Ambassador of Germany to Armenia, visited His
Holiness to discuss issues related to the commemorations of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
Self Portrait, 1874
Birth of Ivan Aivazovsky
(July 29, 1817)
Ivan Aivazovsky is considered one of the greatest marine painters in
history. Famous Russian story writer Anton Chekhov popularized the
winger word
`worthy of Aivazovsky's brush,' used for `describing something
ineffably lovely."
Aivazovsky was born Hovhannes Aivazian on July 29, 1817, in Feodosia,
a port on the Black Sea in Crimea. He received parochial education at
the local
St. Sargis Armenian Church and was taught drawing by a local
architect. He
attended the Russian gymnasium of Simferopol from 1830-1833 and then
studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts from 1833-1837, graduating
with gold medal two years in advance.
The promising painter was sent by the Academy in 1840 to study in
Europe. He first traveled to Venice, where his brother Gabriel was a
member of the Mekhitarist Congregation (he would leave the
congregation and return to the
Armenian Apostolic Church in the 1850s). Aivazovsky studied Armenian
manuscripts and became familiar with Armenian art. After a four year
sojourn in Italy and France, with visits to half a dozen European
countries and prolific exhibitions, he returned to Russia in 1844.
Upon his return, he was appointed academician of the Imperial Academy
of Arts, from where he had graduated seven years before, and appointed
the official artist of the Russian Navy. After traveling to the Aegean
Sea and Constantinople in 1845, he settled in his hometown,
Feodosia. The Academy gave him a title of professor of seascape
painting in 1847, while the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and
Sciences elected him a member in the same year.
He married English governess Julia Graves in 1848 and had four
daughters. They separated in 1860 and divorced in 1877 with permission
from the Armenian Church, since Graves was a Lutheran.
Aivazovsky would receive many honors throughout his life: first
non-French
artist to receive the Legion d'Honneur in France (1857), Order of the
Medjidie (Ottoman Empire, 1857), honorary member of the Moscow Art
Society (1857), Order of the Redeemer (Greece, 1859), Order of
St. Vladimir (Russia, 1865), Order of Osmanieh (Ottoman Empire, 1874),
member of the Academy of Arts of Florence (Italy, 1876), honorary
member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Stuttgart (Germany, 1878),
and others. He held fifty-five solo exhibitions over the course of his
career in the Russian Empire, Europe,
and the United States (New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, 1893),
and participated in many collective exhibitions. He was one of the
most prolific artists of his time: he created around 6,000 paintings
during his almost sixty-year career. The vast majority of his works
are seascapes, but he often
depicted battle scenes, Armenian themes, and portraiture. He never
painted
his pictures from nature, but from memory. His artistic memory was
legendary. The Ninth Wave
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/4vs2e/4f4cee/gxdtib) (1850, State Russian
Museum, St. Petersburg) is generally considered his masterpiece.
American Shipping off the Rock of Gibraltar, 1873
Aivazovsky visited Russian Armenia for the first time in 1868. The
next year, he participated in the opening ceremony of the Suez Canal
in Egypt, and
became the first artist to paint the Canal. He continued his travels
abroad during the next three decades, including a trip to the United
States in 1892. In 1880, he opened an art gallery in his Feodosia
house, which became the third museum in the Russian Empire, after the
Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg and the Tretyakov Gallery of
Moscow. Two years later, he remarried to a young Armenian widow, Anna
Burnazian. He said that he `became closer to [his] nation' by marrying
her. His career across the civil ranks of Russian government reached
its highest position in 1896 when, at the age of 79, he was promoted
to the rank of full privy councillor.
Aivazovsky was deeply affected by the Hamidian massacres of 1894 and
1896.
He painted a number of works on the subject. More symbolically, he
threw the medals given to him by the Ottoman Sultan into the sea and
told the Turkish consul in Feodosia: "Tell your bloodthirsty master
that I've thrown away all the medals given to me, here are their
ribbons, send it to him and if
he wants, he can throw them into the seas painted by me." He spent his
last years in his hometown, to which he contributed many efforts to
its improvement.
Aivazovsky passed away on May 2, 1900, in Feodosia and was buried in
the courtyard of the St. Sargis Church. A quote in Classical Armenian
from Movses Khorenatsi's History of Armenia is engraved on his
tombstone: =80=9CBorn as a mortal, left an immortal memory of himself.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
The Prelacy Bookstore has an extensive collection of books (in
Armenian and English) about the Genocide including histories,
historical novels, memoirs, eye witness testimonies, essays, and
poetry. From now through next April we will feature one or two books
each week from the Bookstore's collection.
A new release:
The Grandchildren
The Hidden Legacy of `Lost' Armenians in Turkey
By Ayse Gul Altinay and Fethiye Cetin
Foreword by Gerard Libaridian
Translated by Maureen Freely
The Grandchildren is a collection of testimonies by grandchildren and
great-grandchildren of Turkey's `forgotten Armenians'=80'the orphans
adopted and Islamized by Muslims after the Armenian Genocide. One of
the authors, Fethiye Cetin, wrote an earlier memoir titled My
Grandmother that disclosed her grandmother's true Armenian heritage
resulted in wide interest in Islamized Armenians that prompted this
newly released book.
215 pages, hardcover, $49.95 plus shipping & handling
Õ=8AÕ¡Õ¿Õ´Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ Õ=80Õ¡Õ¬Õ§ÕºÕ« Õ°Õ¡ÕµÕ¸Ö=81, Õ°Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=80
Ô±.
Ô±Ö=80Õ¿Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¦Õ¤ Õ¡Ö=80Ö=84. Õ=8DÕ«Ö=82Ö=80Õ´Õ§Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶
Õ=80Õ¡Õ¬Õ§Õº, `Ô¿Õ«Õ¬Õ«Õ¯Õ«Õ¡' Õ°Ö=80Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¹Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸ Ö=82Õ¶,
2002
1940Õ«Õ¶ Õ¬Õ¸ÕµÕ½ Õ¿Õ¥Õ½Õ¡Õ®Õ=9D Õ=80Õ¡Õ¬Õ§ÕºÕ« Õ¥Ö=80Õ¢Õ¥Õ´Õ¶Õ«
Õ¡Õ¼Õ¡Õ»Õ¶Õ¸Ö=80Õ¤ Ô±Ö=80Õ¿Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¦Õ¤
Õ¡Ö=80Ö=84. Õ=8DÕ«Ö=82Ö=80Õ´Õ§Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶Õ« Õ¡Õ·Õ-Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶
Õ¾Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ¿ÕºÕ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¶ Õ§Ö=89 Ô±Õ¼Õ¡Õ»Õ«Õ¶ Õ°Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=80Õ¨
Õ¬Õ¡ÕµÕ¶Õ¡Õ®Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¬ Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Õ¡ÕµÕ¡Ö=81Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ ¶ Õ§
Õ=8DÕ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ¸Õµ Õ¢Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶, Ö=84Õ¡Õ²Õ¡Ö=84Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82
Õ¿Õ¶Õ¿Õ¥Õ½Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¡Õ·Õ-Õ¡Ö=80Õ°Õ¡Õ£Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ ¶, Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ÕºÕ§Õ½
Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Ö=80Õ« ÕºÕ¡Õ¿Õ´Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶Õ=9D Õ½Õ¯Õ«Õ¦Õ¢Õ§Õ¶
Õ´Õ«Õ¶Õ¹Õ¥Ö=82 Ö=85Õ½Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¿Õ«Ö=80Õ¡ÕºÕ¥Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡ Õ¶
Õ°Õ¡Õ½Õ¿Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¨Ö=89
Ô³Õ«Õ¶Õ=9D 20 Õ¿Õ¸Õ¬Õ¡Ö=80 (Õ¬Õ¡Õ©Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¦Õ´)
SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crises in Syria, including the recent upheaval in Kessab, require
our financial assistance Please keep this community in your prayers,
your hearts, and your pocketbooks.
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
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/4vs2e/4f4cee/wpetib) AND SELECT SYRIAN
ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU. OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR
DONATION TO:
Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief
Thank you for your help
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July 26-St. Stephen's Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies Guild
Cooking Class, `Short Cuts to Armenian Cooking,'
11 am, Boereg. $15 for each class; $40 for three classes.
August 3-St. Stephen's Church of Greater Boston, Annual Picnic at Camp
Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. Lunch beginning at 12 noon,
includes delicious shish kebab and refreshments. Blessing of Madagh at
3 pm. Live Armenian music.
August 3-Annual Shish-Kebob Picnic and Grape Blessing, St. Paul
Church, 645 South Lewis Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois, 12 noon to 4
pm. Armenian
dinners and pastries available; dine in or takeout available. For
information and/or pre-order requests, 847-244-4573.
August 4-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual
Golf Tournament.
August 10-Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
Annual Picnic at Camp Haiastan, 12 noon to 6 pm. Under the auspices of
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Games and the Bouncing
Bubble for children. Delicious shish, losh and chicken kebab
dinners. Choreg and Armenian pastries. Live music by Michael Gregian
and Ensemble. Madagh and Blessing of the Grapes at 3:300 m with
participation of New England clergy. For information: 401-831-6399.
August 10-Annual Church Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, Holy
Trinity Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us
for a fun
filled day and enjoy our delicious food, music by DJ Shaheen,
backgammon tournament, children's activities. Begins at
noon. Admission is free. For information [email protected] or
508-852-2414.
August 15-17-Armenian Fest / Blessing of Grapes, All Saints Church,
Glenview, Illinois.
August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual
Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes.
August 17-St. Sarkis Church (Dearborn) Grape Blessing Family Fun
Picnic at Kensington Park, Kensington, Michigan. Good food, music,
biking, soccer, dancing, magician, swimming, playscape, kids games,
door prizes, face painting, tavloo tournament and more.
August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Park,
Wild Duck Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts
and
crafts, and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more.
August 23-Teachers' seminar sponsored by the Armenian Education
Committee (ANEC), at the Prelacy offices in New York, 10 am to 4
pm. All schools and teachers are invited to participate. Lecturers:
Sossi Essajanian, `Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood
Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher' and
Anahid Garmiryan, `To Be or Not to be a Teacher: The Challenges of
Bilingualism.' For information: [email protected] or
212-689-7810.
September 7-Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley,
158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts, featuring musicians
Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Johnny Berberian, and John Arzigian;
presentation by Siroun Dance Ensemble of Central Massachusetts. 12:30
to 5:30 pm, church
grounds. Shish, losh, and chicken kebab dinners, veggie plates,
Armenian pastries, family games and activities.
September 7-St. Stephen's Church of New Britain and Hartford,
Connecticut, Annual Church Picnic after Sunday services will take
place
at The Quartette Club, 225 Wooster Street, New Britain. Armenian
music, dancing, and food.
September 7-Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York, Annual Armenian Picnic,
12pm to 4 pm. Shish Kebob dinner, Lahmajoun for sale, Armenian
pastries, live music. For info: [email protected].
September 14-St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New
York, Annual Picnic on the church grounds following church
services. Admission is free. Enjoy excellent kebabs and
salads. Terrific entertainment for everyone and special activities for
children in the `KidZone.' Music, food, and friends...a wonderful
afternoon. For information 718-224-2275.
September 18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 12th
Annual Golf Classic, River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New
Jersey. Rain or Shine. 11 am registration and Grilled Lunch Buffet; 1
pm Tee Off. Format: Shotgun Scramble (All player levels welcome). Golf
Outing Reservation: $195; limited to first 128 paid golf
reservations. Reservation includes: Grilled lunch buffet, dinner
banquet, golf, cart, and range balls. Contests and
Prizes. Sponsorships available. For information: 201-943-2950.
September 21-Ladies Guild of St. Stephen's Church of New Britain and
Hartford, Connecticut, will host a Tea party at noon in the church
hall, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Brought back by
popular demand. Guest speaker from the Bigelow Tea Company. Goodie
bags for all. Raffle prize is being provided by Armeny Custom Jewelry
Design.
September 21-St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, `Designer Bag Bingo'
luncheon in Founders' Hall at 2 pm. Fifteen lucky
winners of designer bags, including top labels, Gucci, Prada, Fendi,
Laboutin, Judith Leiber, Chanel, and others. Join us for a fun game of
Bingo, Chinese auction, and enjoy the lavish Chanel inspired theme and
décor, along with champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts. Ticket
sales limited. For reservations and information: Cissy DerHagopian
856-313-6848; Donna Walter 484-354-0388.
October 3-St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday
School Dinner Dance Gala.
October 19-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will ordain sub-deacon Ara Stepanian
during the Divine Liturgy and preside over the parish's 57th Annual
Banquet.
November 7 & 8-St. Stephen's Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 58th
Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts. Meals served from
11:30 am to 8:30 pm (take out is available). Enjoy delicious meals,
Armenian pastries, gourmet items, arts and crafts, books, raffles,
attic treasures. For information: 617-924-7562.
November 21, 22, 23-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar, Food Festival, and Hantes. Mezze and Kebab dinners
(chicken, shish, luleh); dessert table and trays of home-made
delicacies; Boutique
Booths; Chinese Auction; Supervised Game Room for children;
Pre-packaged Monte, Sou Buereg, Kufteh, and Lehmejun; Take-out
available; Live Music for dancing and listening. Traditional Kavourma
dinner on Sunday served immediately after church service. For
information: 201-943-2950.
December 7-Ladies Guild of St. Stephen's Church of New Britain and
Hartford, Connecticut, will host a Wine Tasting Party at noon in the
church hall, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain. A wine talk and tasting
will be provided by Taylor Brooke Winery, Woodstock, Connecticut,
owned by Linda Varjabedian Auger.
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]
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/
July 24, 2014
The Armenian Prelacy =99¦ 138 East 39th Street =99¦ New York, NY
10016
tel: 212-689-7810 =99¦ Fax: 212-689-7168 =99¦ Email:
[email protected]
COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL
PLANNED IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL
The following announcement was released to the press by the National
Centennial Committee to Commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
Leaders of the Armenian Church in the United States have joined to
plan a special remembrance of the Armenian Genocide next
year. Commemorating the passage of 100 years since the start of the
first genocide of the 20th century, a schedule of events including an
ecumenical prayer service at the National Cathedral, a memorial
concert, public exhibitions and a Pontifical Divine Liturgy will take
place from May 7 to 10, 2015, in Washington, DC.
His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of
Cilicia, will both journey to the United States to lead and
participate in the commemorative events.
A National Centennial Committee has been formed under the auspices of
the Diocese and the Prelacy to oversee and guide the commemorative
activities. The Committee, chaired by Dr. Noubar Afeyan, Boston-based
entrepreneur and philanthropist, includes leaders from Armenian
religious, political, and civic organizations from across the United
States. The Committee includes Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of
the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America; Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church of North America; Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the
Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America;
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, and Archbishop Vicken
Aykazian, Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America.
`We are organizing these events in the nation's capital in
order to involve the country's political leaders, raise awareness in
the non-Armenian community, and honor countries and individuals that
have helped Armenians during and after the Genocide,' said committee
chair Dr. Afeyan. `We are honored that Catholicos Karekin II and
Catholicos Aram I will be among us, blessing the occasion, as together
we stand up for the Armenian presence in America and in the world,' he
added.
The National Centennial Committee has met several times and is working
together with Washington D.C.-based sub-committees to plan the various
events and activities. The Committee is working closely with the
Central Commemorative Committees for the United States and Armenia to
coordinate the activities.
TEACHERS' SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY ANEC
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) will sponsor a
teachers' seminar to be held on August 23, at the Prelacy headquarters
in New
York, from 10 am-4 pm. All schools and teachers are invited to
participate. The program will have the following lectures:
Sossi Essajanian: `Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood
Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher';
Anahid Garmiryan: `To Be or Not to Be a Teacher: the Challenges of
Bilingualism'
For more information, please email ANEC at [email protected] or
call (212) 689-7231/7810.
SIAMANTO ACADEMY WILL RESUME ITS ACTIVITIES
The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), jointly sponsored by
the
Prelacy and the Armenian Relief Society, sponsored for many years the
Siamanto Academy for young adults. After a recent hiatus, the Academy
is ready to resume its activities. The Academy offers courses on
Armenian history, culture, and contemporary issues. Classes will take
place on a monthly basis, every second Saturday, beginning in
September at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian
Apostolic Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), from 2 pm-5 pm. For
additional information, please contact ANEC at
[email protected].
Bishop Anoushavan prepares to honor Chris Bohjalian's newest book with
a `wine blessing.'
LATEST BOHJALIAN BOOK FETED
The latest novel by Chris Bohjalian, Close Your Eyes. Hold Hands, was
introduced at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, on
Sunday, July
13. The book was honored with the traditional `Kinetzon,' by Bishop
Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy.
Bohjalian's works have been critically acclaimed, and a number of his
novels were adapted for television and Hollywood. His 2012 The
Sandcastle Girls about the Armenian Genocide was on the New York Times
best seller list for a number of weeks.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, July 27, Feast of the Transfiguration of
Our Lord Jesus Christ, (Aylakerputiunm / Vartavar) are Wisdom
7:25-8:4; Zechariah
14:16-21; 1 John 1:1-7; Matthew 16:13-17:13.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them
up a
high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and
his
face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling
white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with
him. Then Peter said to Jesus, `Lord, it is good for us to be here; if
you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for
Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, suddenly a
bright cloud over-shadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said,
`This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to
him!' When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were
overcome by fear. But Jesus came
and touched them, saying, `Get up and do not be afraid.' And when they
looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, `Tell no
one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from
the dead.' And the disciples asked him, `Why then, do the scribes say
that Elijah must come first?' He replied, `Elijah is
indeed coming and will restore all things; but I tell you that Elijah
has already come, and they do not recognize him, but they did to him
whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at
their hands.' Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to
them about John the Baptist. (Matthew 17:1-13)
For a listing of the coming week's Bible readings click here
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/4vs2e/4f4cee/04ctib).
THE OLD ARK OF THE COVENANT AND
FEAST OF THE NEW HOLY CHURCH
This Saturday, July 26, the Armenian Church commemorates the Old Ark
of the Covenant and the Feast of the New Holy Church. This combined
commemoration takes place on the Saturday prior to the Feast of the
Transfiguration. Celebrating the old and the new shows the perpetuity
of the church. God revealed Himself to humankind gradually through
Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and the prophets. The church existed from
the beginning, and that is why the Old
Testament is accepted as part of the Holy Scriptures and recognized as
a preamble to the New Testament. The hymn designated for this day
proclaims:
`Who from the beginning established your church with wisdom, O, Father
of Wisdom, who revealed to Moses upon Sinai.'
FEAST OF TRANSFIGURATION
This Sunday, July 27, the Armenian Church observes one of its five
major feasts, the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus
Christ (Aylakerputiunm / Vartavar). This Feast is observed fourteen
weeks after Easter, and therefore can fall between June 28 and August
1. It commemorates an episode
in the New Testament recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Peter. (See
today's Bible reading for the text from the Gospel according to
St. Matthew).
The Transfiguration took place on the `holy mountain' (believed to be
Mt. Tabor) where Jesus went with John, James and Peter to pray.
As He was praying, `His face shone like the sun and His garments
became white as light.' The Patriarch Moses and Prophet Elijah
appeared at His side. It was at this moment that His appearance was
`transfigured' revealing himself as God to His disciples as a voice
from above said, `This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
Listen to him.'
The pre-Christian festival, Vartavar (Festival of Roses), was joined
with this new Christian holiday. Armenians would decorate the temple
of the goddess of Asdghig (goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and
water) with roses, release doves, and engage in water games on this
pre-Christian holiday. St.
Gregory the Illuminator combined Vartavar with Transfiguration. The
fifth century historian Yeghishe wrote the prayer that is recited in
church on this feast: `O Lord, bless the harvest of this year and
defend from all the perils, and may Your right hand, O Lord, protect
us for the whole year.'
Vartavar became a traditional day of pilgrimage to churches named in
honor
of St. John the Baptist. The most popular destination was the
Monastery of
Sourp Garabed of Moush, founded by Gregory the Illuminator in the
province
of Taron near Moush. (Garabed means Forerunner, referring to John the
Baptist). The monastery was large and expansive and built like a
fortress in the mountains. More than one thousand pilgrims could be
accommodated. After 1915 the complex ceased to exist. The monastery
was destroyed by the Turkish
army, and the ravages of time, weather and scavengers completed its
destruction. The once large and thriving Armenian monastery is now a
mass of stone and rubble.
This Sunday is the name day for those named Vartkes, Vartavar, Vart,
Vartouhi, Alvart, Sirvart, Nevart, Lousvart, Baidzar, Vartanoush,
Vartiter, Varvar.
MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
The Monday after each of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church
is a
Memorial Day, Remembrance of the Dead.
NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
KHATCHIK BABIKIAN FOUNDATION
His Holiness Aram I presided over the 2014 Khatchik Babikian
Graduation in
Armenian Studies and Distribution of Inter-School competition awards
on Sunday, July 6, following the Holy Liturgy. The ceremony recognized
the winners of the inter-school competition in Armenian language and
culture and the
graduates of the two-year intensive course in Western Armenian
language and culture.
Sarkis Guiragosian, Director of the Department of Armenian Studies of
the Catholicosate, welcomed everyone and spoke ab9out the unique
contribution of these two activities of the Khatchik Babikian
Foundation for the Armenian
community ihn Lebanon and the Diaspora. Silva Bakarian-Karaoghlanian
thanked His Holiness on behalf of the graduates and award winners.
After the distribution of diplomas and awards, His Holiness addressed
the audience. He congratulated the students and thanked the families,
directors, and teachers for their commitment to safeguarding the
western Armenian language and culture. `The message of this gathering
today is clear: the Armenian school is alive and will continue its
difficult task of sustaining western Armenian, while responding to its
linguistic changes. In this way it remains the relevant means of
transmitting our spiritual, cultural, and historical heritage and
documenting of our new experiences,' His Holiness said.
CATHOLICOS MEETS GUESTS
During the past week Catholicos Aram met with several religious and
political leaders at his summer residence in Bikfaya, including the
following:
Jean-Louis Kordahi, a former member of the Lebanese government, who
discussed projects related to the property of the Catholicosate in
Byblos and issues linked to the postponement of presidential elections
in Lebanon.
Archbishop Rafael Minassian, Prelate of the Armenian Catholic Church,
who informed His Holiness of the activities of his church in Armenia,
as well as their planned conference on `Christian Communication in
Armenia: Organization and Networking.' The Archbishop invited His
Holiness to send his representative to the conference.
Matthias Wilkes, governor of Bergstrasse, Germany, and Dr. Steven
Brian Fera, Honorary Ambassador of Germany to Armenia, visited His
Holiness to discuss issues related to the commemorations of the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
Self Portrait, 1874
Birth of Ivan Aivazovsky
(July 29, 1817)
Ivan Aivazovsky is considered one of the greatest marine painters in
history. Famous Russian story writer Anton Chekhov popularized the
winger word
`worthy of Aivazovsky's brush,' used for `describing something
ineffably lovely."
Aivazovsky was born Hovhannes Aivazian on July 29, 1817, in Feodosia,
a port on the Black Sea in Crimea. He received parochial education at
the local
St. Sargis Armenian Church and was taught drawing by a local
architect. He
attended the Russian gymnasium of Simferopol from 1830-1833 and then
studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts from 1833-1837, graduating
with gold medal two years in advance.
The promising painter was sent by the Academy in 1840 to study in
Europe. He first traveled to Venice, where his brother Gabriel was a
member of the Mekhitarist Congregation (he would leave the
congregation and return to the
Armenian Apostolic Church in the 1850s). Aivazovsky studied Armenian
manuscripts and became familiar with Armenian art. After a four year
sojourn in Italy and France, with visits to half a dozen European
countries and prolific exhibitions, he returned to Russia in 1844.
Upon his return, he was appointed academician of the Imperial Academy
of Arts, from where he had graduated seven years before, and appointed
the official artist of the Russian Navy. After traveling to the Aegean
Sea and Constantinople in 1845, he settled in his hometown,
Feodosia. The Academy gave him a title of professor of seascape
painting in 1847, while the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and
Sciences elected him a member in the same year.
He married English governess Julia Graves in 1848 and had four
daughters. They separated in 1860 and divorced in 1877 with permission
from the Armenian Church, since Graves was a Lutheran.
Aivazovsky would receive many honors throughout his life: first
non-French
artist to receive the Legion d'Honneur in France (1857), Order of the
Medjidie (Ottoman Empire, 1857), honorary member of the Moscow Art
Society (1857), Order of the Redeemer (Greece, 1859), Order of
St. Vladimir (Russia, 1865), Order of Osmanieh (Ottoman Empire, 1874),
member of the Academy of Arts of Florence (Italy, 1876), honorary
member of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of Stuttgart (Germany, 1878),
and others. He held fifty-five solo exhibitions over the course of his
career in the Russian Empire, Europe,
and the United States (New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, 1893),
and participated in many collective exhibitions. He was one of the
most prolific artists of his time: he created around 6,000 paintings
during his almost sixty-year career. The vast majority of his works
are seascapes, but he often
depicted battle scenes, Armenian themes, and portraiture. He never
painted
his pictures from nature, but from memory. His artistic memory was
legendary. The Ninth Wave
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/4vs2e/4f4cee/gxdtib) (1850, State Russian
Museum, St. Petersburg) is generally considered his masterpiece.
American Shipping off the Rock of Gibraltar, 1873
Aivazovsky visited Russian Armenia for the first time in 1868. The
next year, he participated in the opening ceremony of the Suez Canal
in Egypt, and
became the first artist to paint the Canal. He continued his travels
abroad during the next three decades, including a trip to the United
States in 1892. In 1880, he opened an art gallery in his Feodosia
house, which became the third museum in the Russian Empire, after the
Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg and the Tretyakov Gallery of
Moscow. Two years later, he remarried to a young Armenian widow, Anna
Burnazian. He said that he `became closer to [his] nation' by marrying
her. His career across the civil ranks of Russian government reached
its highest position in 1896 when, at the age of 79, he was promoted
to the rank of full privy councillor.
Aivazovsky was deeply affected by the Hamidian massacres of 1894 and
1896.
He painted a number of works on the subject. More symbolically, he
threw the medals given to him by the Ottoman Sultan into the sea and
told the Turkish consul in Feodosia: "Tell your bloodthirsty master
that I've thrown away all the medals given to me, here are their
ribbons, send it to him and if
he wants, he can throw them into the seas painted by me." He spent his
last years in his hometown, to which he contributed many efforts to
its improvement.
Aivazovsky passed away on May 2, 1900, in Feodosia and was buried in
the courtyard of the St. Sargis Church. A quote in Classical Armenian
from Movses Khorenatsi's History of Armenia is engraved on his
tombstone: =80=9CBorn as a mortal, left an immortal memory of himself.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE
The Prelacy Bookstore has an extensive collection of books (in
Armenian and English) about the Genocide including histories,
historical novels, memoirs, eye witness testimonies, essays, and
poetry. From now through next April we will feature one or two books
each week from the Bookstore's collection.
A new release:
The Grandchildren
The Hidden Legacy of `Lost' Armenians in Turkey
By Ayse Gul Altinay and Fethiye Cetin
Foreword by Gerard Libaridian
Translated by Maureen Freely
The Grandchildren is a collection of testimonies by grandchildren and
great-grandchildren of Turkey's `forgotten Armenians'=80'the orphans
adopted and Islamized by Muslims after the Armenian Genocide. One of
the authors, Fethiye Cetin, wrote an earlier memoir titled My
Grandmother that disclosed her grandmother's true Armenian heritage
resulted in wide interest in Islamized Armenians that prompted this
newly released book.
215 pages, hardcover, $49.95 plus shipping & handling
Õ=8AÕ¡Õ¿Õ´Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ«Ö=82Õ¶ Õ=80Õ¡Õ¬Õ§ÕºÕ« Õ°Õ¡ÕµÕ¸Ö=81, Õ°Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=80
Ô±.
Ô±Ö=80Õ¿Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¦Õ¤ Õ¡Ö=80Ö=84. Õ=8DÕ«Ö=82Ö=80Õ´Õ§Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶
Õ=80Õ¡Õ¬Õ§Õº, `Ô¿Õ«Õ¬Õ«Õ¯Õ«Õ¡' Õ°Ö=80Õ¡Õ¿Õ¡Ö=80Õ¡Õ¯Õ¹Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸ Ö=82Õ¶,
2002
1940Õ«Õ¶ Õ¬Õ¸ÕµÕ½ Õ¿Õ¥Õ½Õ¡Õ®Õ=9D Õ=80Õ¡Õ¬Õ§ÕºÕ« Õ¥Ö=80Õ¢Õ¥Õ´Õ¶Õ«
Õ¡Õ¼Õ¡Õ»Õ¶Õ¸Ö=80Õ¤ Ô±Ö=80Õ¿Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¦Õ¤
Õ¡Ö=80Ö=84. Õ=8DÕ«Ö=82Ö=80Õ´Õ§Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶Õ« Õ¡Õ·Õ-Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶
Õ¾Õ¥Ö=80Õ¡Õ¿ÕºÕ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¶ Õ§Ö=89 Ô±Õ¼Õ¡Õ»Õ«Õ¶ Õ°Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=80Õ¨
Õ¬Õ¡ÕµÕ¶Õ¡Õ®Õ¡Ö=82Õ¡Õ¬ Õ¶Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Õ¡ÕµÕ¡Ö=81Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ ¶ Õ§
Õ=8DÕ¸Ö=82Ö=80Õ«Õ¸Õµ Õ¢Õ¶Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶, Ö=84Õ¡Õ²Õ¡Ö=84Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¸Ö=82
Õ¿Õ¶Õ¿Õ¥Õ½Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¡Õ·Õ-Õ¡Ö=80Õ°Õ¡Õ£Ö=80Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ ¶, Õ«Õ¶Õ¹ÕºÕ§Õ½
Õ¥Ö=82 Õ¥Ö=80Õ¯Ö=80Õ« ÕºÕ¡Õ¿Õ´Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶Õ=9D Õ½Õ¯Õ«Õ¦Õ¢Õ§Õ¶
Õ´Õ«Õ¶Õ¹Õ¥Ö=82 Ö=85Õ½Õ´Õ¡Õ¶Õ¥Õ¡Õ¶ Õ¿Õ«Ö=80Õ¡ÕºÕ¥Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ©Õ¥Õ¡ Õ¶
Õ°Õ¡Õ½Õ¿Õ¡Õ¿Õ¸Ö=82Õ´Õ¨Ö=89
Ô³Õ«Õ¶Õ=9D 20 Õ¿Õ¸Õ¬Õ¡Ö=80 (Õ¬Õ¡Õ©Õ¡Õ¯Õ¡Õ¦Õ´)
SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crises in Syria, including the recent upheaval in Kessab, require
our financial assistance Please keep this community in your prayers,
your hearts, and your pocketbooks.
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
(https://t.e2ma.net/click/4vs2e/4f4cee/wpetib) AND SELECT SYRIAN
ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU. OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR
DONATION TO:
Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief
Thank you for your help
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July 26-St. Stephen's Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies Guild
Cooking Class, `Short Cuts to Armenian Cooking,'
11 am, Boereg. $15 for each class; $40 for three classes.
August 3-St. Stephen's Church of Greater Boston, Annual Picnic at Camp
Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. Lunch beginning at 12 noon,
includes delicious shish kebab and refreshments. Blessing of Madagh at
3 pm. Live Armenian music.
August 3-Annual Shish-Kebob Picnic and Grape Blessing, St. Paul
Church, 645 South Lewis Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois, 12 noon to 4
pm. Armenian
dinners and pastries available; dine in or takeout available. For
information and/or pre-order requests, 847-244-4573.
August 4-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual
Golf Tournament.
August 10-Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
Annual Picnic at Camp Haiastan, 12 noon to 6 pm. Under the auspices of
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Games and the Bouncing
Bubble for children. Delicious shish, losh and chicken kebab
dinners. Choreg and Armenian pastries. Live music by Michael Gregian
and Ensemble. Madagh and Blessing of the Grapes at 3:300 m with
participation of New England clergy. For information: 401-831-6399.
August 10-Annual Church Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, Holy
Trinity Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us
for a fun
filled day and enjoy our delicious food, music by DJ Shaheen,
backgammon tournament, children's activities. Begins at
noon. Admission is free. For information [email protected] or
508-852-2414.
August 15-17-Armenian Fest / Blessing of Grapes, All Saints Church,
Glenview, Illinois.
August 17-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual
Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes.
August 17-St. Sarkis Church (Dearborn) Grape Blessing Family Fun
Picnic at Kensington Park, Kensington, Michigan. Good food, music,
biking, soccer, dancing, magician, swimming, playscape, kids games,
door prizes, face painting, tavloo tournament and more.
August 17-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual
Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Park,
Wild Duck Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts
and
crafts, and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more.
August 23-Teachers' seminar sponsored by the Armenian Education
Committee (ANEC), at the Prelacy offices in New York, 10 am to 4
pm. All schools and teachers are invited to participate. Lecturers:
Sossi Essajanian, `Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood
Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher' and
Anahid Garmiryan, `To Be or Not to be a Teacher: The Challenges of
Bilingualism.' For information: [email protected] or
212-689-7810.
September 7-Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley,
158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts, featuring musicians
Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Johnny Berberian, and John Arzigian;
presentation by Siroun Dance Ensemble of Central Massachusetts. 12:30
to 5:30 pm, church
grounds. Shish, losh, and chicken kebab dinners, veggie plates,
Armenian pastries, family games and activities.
September 7-St. Stephen's Church of New Britain and Hartford,
Connecticut, Annual Church Picnic after Sunday services will take
place
at The Quartette Club, 225 Wooster Street, New Britain. Armenian
music, dancing, and food.
September 7-Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York, Annual Armenian Picnic,
12pm to 4 pm. Shish Kebob dinner, Lahmajoun for sale, Armenian
pastries, live music. For info: [email protected].
September 14-St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New
York, Annual Picnic on the church grounds following church
services. Admission is free. Enjoy excellent kebabs and
salads. Terrific entertainment for everyone and special activities for
children in the `KidZone.' Music, food, and friends...a wonderful
afternoon. For information 718-224-2275.
September 18-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 12th
Annual Golf Classic, River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New
Jersey. Rain or Shine. 11 am registration and Grilled Lunch Buffet; 1
pm Tee Off. Format: Shotgun Scramble (All player levels welcome). Golf
Outing Reservation: $195; limited to first 128 paid golf
reservations. Reservation includes: Grilled lunch buffet, dinner
banquet, golf, cart, and range balls. Contests and
Prizes. Sponsorships available. For information: 201-943-2950.
September 21-Ladies Guild of St. Stephen's Church of New Britain and
Hartford, Connecticut, will host a Tea party at noon in the church
hall, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Brought back by
popular demand. Guest speaker from the Bigelow Tea Company. Goodie
bags for all. Raffle prize is being provided by Armeny Custom Jewelry
Design.
September 21-St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, `Designer Bag Bingo'
luncheon in Founders' Hall at 2 pm. Fifteen lucky
winners of designer bags, including top labels, Gucci, Prada, Fendi,
Laboutin, Judith Leiber, Chanel, and others. Join us for a fun game of
Bingo, Chinese auction, and enjoy the lavish Chanel inspired theme and
décor, along with champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and desserts. Ticket
sales limited. For reservations and information: Cissy DerHagopian
856-313-6848; Donna Walter 484-354-0388.
October 3-St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday
School Dinner Dance Gala.
October 19-St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will ordain sub-deacon Ara Stepanian
during the Divine Liturgy and preside over the parish's 57th Annual
Banquet.
November 7 & 8-St. Stephen's Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 58th
Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at Armenian Cultural & Educational
Center, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts. Meals served from
11:30 am to 8:30 pm (take out is available). Enjoy delicious meals,
Armenian pastries, gourmet items, arts and crafts, books, raffles,
attic treasures. For information: 617-924-7562.
November 21, 22, 23-Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey,
Annual Bazaar, Food Festival, and Hantes. Mezze and Kebab dinners
(chicken, shish, luleh); dessert table and trays of home-made
delicacies; Boutique
Booths; Chinese Auction; Supervised Game Room for children;
Pre-packaged Monte, Sou Buereg, Kufteh, and Lehmejun; Take-out
available; Live Music for dancing and listening. Traditional Kavourma
dinner on Sunday served immediately after church service. For
information: 201-943-2950.
December 7-Ladies Guild of St. Stephen's Church of New Britain and
Hartford, Connecticut, will host a Wine Tasting Party at noon in the
church hall, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain. A wine talk and tasting
will be provided by Taylor Brooke Winery, Woodstock, Connecticut,
owned by Linda Varjabedian Auger.
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]