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NEW YORK,
NY—The 40th anniversary of the ordination of Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of America, was celebrated by the community
at three separate celebratory banquets during the month of May
in Providence, Rhode Island, Teaneck, New Jersey and Dearborn,
Michigan.
At each of the events the keynote address was delivered by the
Honorable Sarkis Teshoian, who last year retired after serving
nearly 18 years on the bench. The last seven years of his service
was as District Court judge in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Jack Mardoian, Esq., the chairman of the Prelacy’s Executive
Council served as the master of ceremonies at all three events.
At each the Letter of Blessing from His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, was read and presented to the
Prelate by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General
of the Prelacy.
In his message, the Catholicos said: “We have known His
Eminence Archbishop Oshagan very well for 46 years. We knew
him during his days in the Seminary and his ordination. We knew
him starting from his service at the Catholicosate up to his
responsible service as Prelate first in Kuwait and the Gulf
States, and later in the Eastern United States. In truth, four
words can describe Oshagan Srpazan’s person and the work
that he has produced: industrious, meticulous, faithful and
service.”
His Holiness went on to elaborate upon each one of these attributes,
and ended his message with, “On this occasion, from the
Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia, we extend our pontifical
greetings to our dear Oshagan Srpazan, and express our high
commendation for his forty years of devoted service. We pray
that Almighty God will grant him a long life filled with heavenly
grace and goodness, and grant him continued bountiful service.
May you live forever in the Lord, be strengthened with the grace
of the Holy Spirit and be forever blessed.”
Rhode Island
The first of the three events took place in New England in Providence,
Rhode Island, on Saturday, May 5. The artistic program included
selections by sopranos Debbie Pjajian and Joanne Mouradjian.
A special “surprise” was the presentation of an
original composition by 12-year-old musical prodigy, Vahe Hovhanessyan,
written for and dedicated to Srpazan. Vahe’s presentation
was received with great appreciation and awe by His Eminence
and all in attendance.
The evening began with a cocktail hour that featured an array
of cheeses from around the world, fruits of the season, and
delicious Armenian mezze (appetizers) prepared by the ladies
of Sts. Vartanantz Church.
“This was an evening to be remembered as we celebrated
the life of Oshagan Srpazan, a dedicated leader and worthy servant
of God who lives by the Spirit and embodies love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,”
said Yn. Joanna Baghsarian, co-chair of the event.
New
Jersey
The second event took place in Teaneck, New Jersey, on May 12,
for the Mid Atlantic area. In his words of appreciation, Armenia’s
Ambassador to the United Nations, Armen Martirossian, revealed
that the Prelate was the “first compatriot” that
he met when he arrived in New York three years ago. “Our
friendship played a strong role in strengthening the relationship
between Armenia’s Mission to the United Nations and the
Prelacy. The Archbishop is a good diplomat and a dedicated leader
of our people in the United States. He is a great representative
of not only our church and our nation, but also in the ecumenical
movement where he has introduced our traditions, values and
culture.” The Ambassador paid tribute to the Prelate’s
family for motivating him to become a priest. “Your mother
in Lebanon, and your sister who is here tonight, are proud of
your many accomplishments. I am sure the soul of your late father
is also very proud. I am looking forward to a friendship of
many years.”
During the evening, mezzo soprano Hasmig Mekanejian, who earlier
had sung the American and Armenian national anthems, delighted
the guests with much loved Armenian songs. She was accompanied
on the piano by Diana Gulmezian.
Michigan
The third event took place in Dearborn, Michigan, on Friday
evening, May 18, during the National Representative Assembly
(NRA). Delegates, guests, and parishioners from the Midwest
gathered to honor the Prelate with a program that was similar
to the first two events. However, because this was during the
NRA, the program included the presentation of various awards
to members of the host parish, St. Sarkis Church, for their
dedicated service. Certificates of Merit were presented to Mr.
Kegam Tazian, Dr. Arthur Hamparian, Mrs. Rose Gerjekian, and
Mr. Narses Gedigian. The Prelacy Youth Leadership award was
presented to Ms. Meline Topouzian and Mr. Peter Crane. The Spirit
of Armenia award was presented posthumously to Michael Guido,
former mayor of Dearborn, Michigan.
Three
Different but Similar Events
At all three events, the Master of Ceremonies, Jack Mardoian,
welcomed the guests and extolled the known qualities of the
Prelate, including “wonderful leadership, outstanding
scholarship, great compassion, quiet humor, humility, and selfless
dedication to the Armenian Church and people. His forty years
of accomplishments is only the beginning of many things to come,”
Mr. Mardoian said. He described the Prelate as a true friend.
“Whether it’s sharing a discussion of world affairs,
a Phillies’ baseball game, or that special restaurant
in some quiet corner of the world, those who have Oshagan Srpazan
as a friend are truly blessed. As a scholar, Oshagan Srpazan
has become a preeminent voice in bringing the theology and teachings
of our church into the 21st century. His knowledge of languages
has led him in the ongoing work of bringing the word of God
to each of us through his translation, with Archbishop Zareh
of blessed memory, of the Bible into Western Armenian and in
the upcoming Badarak book which will be published later this
year. His unparalleled knowledge of Armenian history, theology,
music, and literature is reflected not only in his own writings
but in his work as an editor of the works of others… An
anniversary is an opportunity for many to pause and reflect
on that which they have achieved and accomplished during a period
of time. In Oshagan Srpazan’s case, the past forty years
only serve as a prelude to his future works and achievements
in the years to come.”
With his typical unassuming modesty, Archbishop Oshagan had
few requests. But, one that was honored by each community was
that there would be no “head table.” Instead he
preferred to be seated at a regular table amongst his flock
A beautiful 48-page booklet was distributed to all guests. The
booklets contained a detailed biography of Archbishop Oshagan,
photographs, and appropriate biblical quotes taken from the
new translation by the Prelate and the late Archbishop Zareh.
Keynote Address
Judge Sarkis Teshoian, in his keynote address, emphasized the
profound impact of the Prelate’s family—parents,
siblings, and cousins, in providing an indelible foundation.
“The moral compass with which Srpazan Hayr functions comes
from that very environment,” he said.
The Judge shared the many chapters in the life and leadership
of the Prelate, including his student days at the Theological
Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon, and at Princeton University where
he “absorbed and learned, then transformed his knowledge,
instilling these valuable lessons in the youth.” His work
continued as Pontificate Legate to the Gulf States and Kuwait
where he organized the communities, the church, and the schools.
“All this was the tip of the iceberg,” Mr. Teshoian
continued. “He has been a teacher and principal, organized
cultural symposiums and activities, created publications, recruited
clergy, courageously advocated national and human rights, and
provided for the orphans and the elderly.
One of the greatest achievements of the Prelate has been translating
the New Testament with Archbishop Zareh Aznavourian, of blessed
memory. “He is now fulfilling Archbishop Zareh’s
work of completing the translation of the Old Testament,”
Mr. Teshoian said.
“Srpazan Hayr is uncomfortable with this kind of celebration,
and only agreed to it with the decision that the proceeds would
be allocated for clergy recruitment and education and for publications.
He is our and the church’s emissary, as well as the emissary
of Christian churches. He is a traditionalist, visionary, and
a patriot who leads by example. He is a bridge between the past
and present to the future, a true servant of God,” Judge
Teshoian said.
The
Prelate
With the conclusion of Judge Teshoian’s eloquent presentation,
the audience rose and gave the honored Prelate a standing ovation.
In his remarks of appreciation the Prelate acknowledged that
“it is difficult to listen to those who speak about me.
I thank God for my life, and for some of His Grace to serve
our people.” Again emphasizing the monumental impact of
family influence, he stated, “Man is formed from his family
which instills in him respect, love, goodness and faith.”
He thanked his family and especially his Godfather (his maternal
uncle) who would visit several times a week and who “preached
unity to our family.”
Archbishop Oshagan also recalled his teachers who made a strong
impression on him from kindergarten all the way to the Seminary.
He paid special tribute to Archbishops Karekin Sarkissian, Mesrob
Ashjian, Zareh Aznavourian, and Catholicos Aram I, “for
all they have taught me, and for their wisdom.”
“No school can give the lessons that I have learned from
these wise leaders, and our people. I give thanks that I serve
you. You have strengthened me. My heart is always with my people,
my church, and my nation. You are my family. I pray for good
health so I can continue my work. Instead of congratulating
me, pray for me,” he said at the conclusion of his remarks.
Gift
of New Testament
At the conclusion of each of the evenings, guests were presented
with a beautiful hardbound copy of a new Armenian translation
of the New Testament, rendered by Srpazan and the late Archbishop
Zareh, bringing a memorable and significant close to three distinctive
occasions in honor of an exceptional leader. |
Archbishop
Oshagan kisses the Letter of Blessing from Catholicos Aram I,
after its reading by Bishop Anoushavan.
Judge
Sarkis Teshoian was the keynote speaker at all three events.
A
scene from the Mid Atlantic celebration.
A
scene from the New England celebration.
A
scene from the Midwest celebration. |
