Crossroads E-Newsletter:07/06/06

JULY 6, 2006

ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE IN FULL SWING;
20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PLANNED THIS WEEKEND
Seventy participants are currently at the St. Gregory of Datev Institute Armenian Christian Studies Program, at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, enjoying a week long intensive program of studies as well as summer recreational activities. The teaching staff of the Institute, which is under the directorship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy, includes ten clergymen. Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the Prelacy, the Institute offers a unique opportunity for the youth to enrich their Armenian Christian faith in a wholesome and nurturing environment.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Datev Institute, this Saturday, July 8, a special seminar led by Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi and Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian will take place at the St. Mary of Providence Center. In the evening a 20th anniversary celebratory banquet will take place at the nearby Holiday Inn in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. The 2006 Datev program will conclude on Sunday, July 9, with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by the Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan at St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, followed by a farewell picnic on the church grounds.

For more information on Datev click here
PRELATE ATTENDS HMEM OLYMPIC GAMES
Archbishop Oshagan attended the HMEM Olympics, which took place in Washington, DC, over the July 4th weekend. His Eminence offered prayers and messages during the banquet on July 3 and the closing ceremonies on July 4. More than 800 athletes from the United States and Canada participated in the games. A large number of Armenian Americans from various parts of the United States and Canada traveled to Washington to view the games and attend the social events.

VICAR WILL ATTEND ECUMENICAL SEMINAR IN SWITZERLAND
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, will travel to Switzerland next week to attend an ecumenical seminar at Bossey, Switzerland. Also attending the seminar on behalf of the Eastern Prelacy and the Catholicosate of Cilicia is Ms. Nayiri Baljian, of Watertown, Massachusetts.

PRELATE WILL ATTEND ARS CONVENTION NEXT WEEK
Archbishop Oshagan will attend the regional annual convention of the Armenian Relief Society next Thursday, July 13, in Philadelphia. The Prelate will open the convention with a prayer and offer his message to the ARS, which since its founding in 1910 has been in the forefront of charitable and benevolent work.

NKR PRESIDENT THANKS CILICIAN CATHOLICOSATE
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, received a letter of thanks from Arkady Ghougassian, president of the Repuhblic of Nagorno Karabagh. The President told the Catholicos, “On behalf of the people of Nagorno Karabagh and myself I would like to express warm words of gratitude…for your contribution to the construction of a church in the capital of Karabagh, Sdepanagerd. Your initiative…is an invaluable contribution to guaranteeing the spiritual security of the people of Karabagh.”

His Holiness recently donated $100,000 on behalf of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, for the construction of a church in Sdepanagerd.

ARAM I RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
His Holiness Aram I received Dr. Aram Chobanian, President and Dean Emeritus of Boston University, in Antelias on June 27. Dr. Chobanian and His Holiness discussed issues related to the Armenian community in the United States, Armenian students at Boston University, and the Armenian American community’s contribution to the various walks of life in the United States.

Dr. Chobanian was invited to Lebanon as a guest of Haigazian University to address the University’s year-end ceremony. During his visit to Lebanon, Dr. Chobanian was presented with the St. Mresrob Mashdotz insignia by Bishop Kegham Khatchering, Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, on behalf of the Catholicos.

KING TIRIDATES, QUEEN ASHKHEN, PRINCESS KHOSROVITOUKHT
This Saturday, July 8, the Armenian Church celebrates King Tiridates (Drtad), Queen Ashkhen and Princess Khosrovitoukht. After torturing and condemning St. Gregory to the pit and because of his fatal treatment of the Hrisimeyan nuns, King Tiridates went insane and became inflicted with strange maladies. His wife, Ashkhen and sister, Khosrovitoukht—who it is believed had already accepted Christianity—convinced the King that only Gregory could cure him and sought his release. With the King’s recovery all three helped to spread Christianity throughout the land. In their later years, the Queen and Princess lived in the fortress of Garni and the King retired to St. Gregory’s final place of retreat, Mt. Sebouh.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

July 2-9—St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute. For details click here

July 22—Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, and Ani Chapter of Armenian Relief Society co-host gala dance at Greek Orthodox Annunciation Church. For information, 401-286-8107.

August 6—St. Stephen Church picnic at Camp Haiastan. For information 781-326-5764.

August 8—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual Golf Tournament, 11:30 am registration. Blackstone Valley Country Club, Sutton, MA. For details contact David, 508-234-3261.

August 13—Annual picnic, Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York.

August 13—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual picnic at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts.

August 20—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual Church Picnic, 12 noon on the church grounds. For details: 508-234-3677.

September 18—11th Annual ACEC/School golf outing at Stow Acres Country Club, Stow, Massachusetts. For information, 781-326-5764.

September 28—4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950.

October 22—Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration.

November 11-12—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual “Armenian Fest” at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island.

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@armenianprelacy.org 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: info@armenianprelacy.org

If you wish to receive future issues of the Crossroads E-Newsletter in your E-mail Inbox, send an e-mail message with your name and your full e-mail address to email@armenianprelacy.org and write "subscribe" in the subject line.

JULY 6, 2006
ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE IN FULL SWING; 20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PLANNED THIS WEEKEND Seventy participants are currently at the St. Gregory of Datev Institute Armenian Christian Studies Program, at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, enjoying a week long intensive program of studies as well as summer recreational activities. The teaching staff of the Institute, which is under the directorship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy, includes ten clergymen. Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) of the Prelacy, the Institute offers a unique opportunity for the youth to enrich their Armenian Christian faith in a wholesome and nurturing environment. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Datev Institute, this Saturday, July 8, a special seminar led by Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi and Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian will take place at the St. Mary of Providence Center. In the evening a 20th anniversary celebratory banquet will take place at the nearby Holiday Inn in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. The 2006 Datev program will conclude on Sunday, July 9, with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by the Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan at St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, followed by a farewell picnic on the church grounds. For more information on Datev click here PRELATE ATTENDS HMEM OLYMPIC GAMES Archbishop Oshagan attended the HMEM Olympics, which took place in Washington, DC, over the July 4th weekend. His Eminence offered prayers and messages during the banquet on July 3 and the closing ceremonies on July 4. More than 800 athletes from the United States and Canada participated in the games. A large number of Armenian Americans from various parts of the United States and Canada traveled to Washington to view the games and attend the social events. VICAR WILL ATTEND ECUMENICAL SEMINAR IN SWITZERLAND Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, will travel to Switzerland next week to attend an ecumenical seminar at Bossey, Switzerland. Also attending the seminar on behalf of the Eastern Prelacy and the Catholicosate of Cilicia is Ms. Nayiri Baljian, of Watertown, Massachusetts. PRELATE WILL ATTEND ARS CONVENTION NEXT WEEK Archbishop Oshagan will attend the regional annual convention of the Armenian Relief Society next Thursday, July 13, in Philadelphia. The Prelate will open the convention with a prayer and offer his message to the ARS, which since its founding in 1910 has been in the forefront of charitable and benevolent work. NKR PRESIDENT THANKS CILICIAN CATHOLICOSATE His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, received a letter of thanks from Arkady Ghougassian, president of the Repuhblic of Nagorno Karabagh. The President told the Catholicos, “On behalf of the people of Nagorno Karabagh and myself I would like to express warm words of gratitude…for your contribution to the construction of a church in the capital of Karabagh, Sdepanagerd. Your initiative…is an invaluable contribution to guaranteeing the spiritual security of the people of Karabagh.” His Holiness recently donated $100,000 on behalf of the Catholicosate of Cilicia, for the construction of a church in Sdepanagerd. ARAM I RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY His Holiness Aram I received Dr. Aram Chobanian, President and Dean Emeritus of Boston University, in Antelias on June 27. Dr. Chobanian and His Holiness discussed issues related to the Armenian community in the United States, Armenian students at Boston University, and the Armenian American community’s contribution to the various walks of life in the United States. Dr. Chobanian was invited to Lebanon as a guest of Haigazian University to address the University’s year-end ceremony. During his visit to Lebanon, Dr. Chobanian was presented with the St. Mresrob Mashdotz insignia by Bishop Kegham Khatchering, Primate of the Diocese of Lebanon, on behalf of the Catholicos. KING TIRIDATES, QUEEN ASHKHEN, PRINCESS KHOSROVITOUKHT This Saturday, July 8, the Armenian Church celebrates King Tiridates (Drtad), Queen Ashkhen and Princess Khosrovitoukht. After torturing and condemning St. Gregory to the pit and because of his fatal treatment of the Hrisimeyan nuns, King Tiridates went insane and became inflicted with strange maladies. His wife, Ashkhen and sister, Khosrovitoukht—who it is believed had already accepted Christianity—convinced the King that only Gregory could cure him and sought his release. With the King’s recovery all three helped to spread Christianity throughout the land. In their later years, the Queen and Princess lived in the fortress of Garni and the King retired to St. Gregory’s final place of retreat, Mt. Sebouh.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS July 2-9—St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute. For details click here July 22—Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, and Ani Chapter of Armenian Relief Society co-host gala dance at Greek Orthodox Annunciation Church. For information, 401-286-8107. August 6—St. Stephen Church picnic at Camp Haiastan. For information 781-326-5764. August 8—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual Golf Tournament, 11:30 am registration. Blackstone Valley Country Club, Sutton, MA. For details contact David, 508-234-3261. August 13—Annual picnic, Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York. August 13—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual picnic at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. August 20—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual Church Picnic, 12 noon on the church grounds. For details: 508-234-3677. September 18—11th Annual ACEC/School golf outing at Stow Acres Country Club, Stow, Massachusetts. For information, 781-326-5764. September 28—4th Annual Golf Outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Bergen Hills Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. For reservations and/or information: 201-943-2950. October 22—Holy Cross Church, Troy, NY, anniversary celebration. November 11-12—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual “Armenian Fest” at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island. 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@armenianprelacy.org 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: info@armenianprelacy.org

If you wish to receive future issues of the Crossroads E-Newsletter in your E-mail Inbox, send an e-mail message with your name and your full e-mail address to email@armenianprelacy.org and write "subscribe" in the subject line.