November 9, 2006
ARKADY GHUGASIAN AT PRELACY Arkady Ghugasian, President of the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh (Artsakh), visited the Prelacy office yesterday afternoon where he was welcomed by the Prelate and Vicar, Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan, and representatives of various organizations. The President was accompanied by Mrs. Ghugasian, Kevork Toroian, chairman of Armenia Fund USA, and several staff members. Archbishop Oshagan welcomed Mr. Ghugasian saying that it has become a pleasant tradition to welcome him each year at this time in anticipation of the Thanksgiving Telethon. His Eminence said that it is the duty of all Armenians to participate in the Telethon to the best of their ability. He emphasized the importance of supporting the people of Artsakh. President Ghugasian spoke about the tremendous improvements and changes that have already taken place in Artsakh. He spoke in particular about the vast improvement in the roads and noted that journeys that previously took hours now take only half an hour. He described this year’s project of the redevelopment of villages that have been ravaged by war. The goal is to provide all ofthe basic necessities and to create jobs so that the people do not leave the villages. Mr. Toroian reiterated the sentiments expressed by Archbishop Oshagan of the need for every Armenian to participate in the telethon. Every donation, large or small, is needed, he said. For information about the Telethon, including the broadcast schedule go to www.ArmeniaFundUSA.org. A reception, hosted by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, provided an opportunity for intimate discussions. YOUTH GATHERING WITH CATHOLICOS ARAM I “We need to listen more to our youth to know what they are thinking, to let them know that the Church needs them and they need the Church,” said Archbishop Oshagan recently as he described his enthusiasm for the upcoming gathering with the youth which will take place in Dearborn, Michigan, December 2 and 3. It was these same thoughts that prompted His Holiness to suggest that such a gathering be organized during his visit to the Midwest where he will be the keynote speaker at a conference on “Faith and Health” at Notre Dame University. The three Prelacies (Eastern, Western, and Canadian) joined together to organize the gathering. The theme selected by the young people for the gathering is Your Church. Your Future. Engage. The weekend activities will include speakers, film, music, worship—all with the goal of answering the questions on the mind of the youth while gaining a better understanding of the Church. For details about the youth gathering click here. REQUIEM SERVICE FOR ARCHBISHOP MESROB ASHJIAN Requiem services in memory of Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, former prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, will take place on Sunday, December 3, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral, will preside. Archbishop Ashjian died three years ago on December 2, 2003. PRELATE WILL ATTEND ARMENIA FUND USA RECEPTION Archbishop Oshagan will attend a reception hosted by Armenia Fund USA tomorrow evening, Friday, November 10, at the Harvard Club in honor of President Arkady Ghugasian. PRELATE WILL PARTICIPATE WITH NATIONAL CHURCH LEADERS Tomorrow, Friday, November 10, Archbishop Oshagan will attend a symposium of National Church Leaders at the Bible Society in New York City. PRELATE WILL VISIT WASHINGTON DC Archbishop Oshagan will visit the parish of Soorp Khatch Church, in the Washington DC suburbs of Bethesda, Maryland. His Eminence will attend the church’s anniversary celebration on Saturday and will officiate the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. VICAR AND AREC DIRECTOR OFF TO THE MIDWEST Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar, and Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council will head toward the Midwest tomorrow where they will lead the Midwest Datev program at the Colombiere Retreat and Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan. The program, based on the popular summer program, will include interactive presentations and instructions on faith-related topics, discussions of religious and current issues, Bible studies, short worship services, fellowship and recreational activities. On Sunday Bishop Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn, Michigan. Dn. Shant will visit the parish’s Sunday school classes. RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS WILL MEET THIS WEEKEND The Religious and Executive Council of the Prelacy will meet Friday and Saturday at the Prelacy offices in New York City. CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18 A few tickets are available for the children’s concert featuring the popular children’s entertainer, TALINE from California, on Saturday, November 18. The concert venue is Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City. For information call the Prelacy office 212-689-7810 or click here. BIBLE TRANSLATION RESUMES The translation of the Bible will continue with a four-day session in Montreal, Tuesday to Friday, November 14 to 17. The new translation team, led by Archbishop Oshagan, includes Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar, and Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of the Canadian Prelacy. This project, endorsed by the Bible Society, was pioneered by the late Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian and Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. The passing of Archbishop Zareh in 2004 temporarily halted the project and is now being continued, after consultation with His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. The translation of the New Testament was completed and the Old Testament translation was underway when Zareh Srpazan became ill. The books of the Old Testament that had already been completed include Genesis, Exodus, I and II Samuels, Psalms, Proverbs, Jonah, Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes and many passages from the major prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. During next week’s sessions the team will work on the prophetical books of Joel and Amos. TOM VARTABEDIAN ARTICLES ABOUT ARMENIA The October 12th issue of The Haverhill Gazette featured articles and photographs by popular journalist Tom Vartabedian about his recent trip to Armenia. Under the heading of “Forum” he wrote an article titled “I left my heart in Armenia,” which describes his sentiments after his first trip to Armenia along with others from the Merrimack Valley (Massachusetts). It is accompanied by a full page article with ten color photographs detailing the trip. ARCHANGELS MICHAEL AND GABRIEL This Saturday, November 11, we commemorate the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Archangel is a title given to an angel of high rank in the celestial hierarchy. Michael, meaning “Who is like God,” is the great prince of all angels and the leader of the celestial armies. He is considered to be the protector of Christians against the devil. Gabriel, meaning “Strength of God,” is one of God’s chief messengers. He was God’s messenger to Daniel to explain his vision (Dan. 8:16-26) and prophecy (Dan. 9:21-27). He also foretold the birth of John the Baptist, and was chosen to announce the forthcoming birth of Christ to Mary (Luke 1:11-21). VETERANS’ DAY This Saturday, November 11, is Veterans’ Day, once known as Armistice Day, the anniversary of the 1918 armistice that brought to an end the “Great War”—World War I. More than 10 million soldiers died by the time the armistice was declared on the eleventh hour or the eleventh day of the eleventh month, and an estimated 20 million were wounded, many maimed for life. In 1954 Armistice Day was renamed Veterans’ Day to honor all veterans. In 1968, during the era when holidays were moved to Mondays to create long weekends, Veterans Day was changed to the fourth Monday of October. There was such a great outcry of indignation because the significance of the number 11 was now totally lost, that in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional November 11th date.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS November 10-12—Mini Datev program for teens, ages 13 to 18. At Colombiere Retreat Conference Center in Clarkston, Michigan. November 11—Holy Cross Armenian Church, Troy, New York, Dinner and cultural program featuring Dr. Herand Markarian who will speak on “Hovhaness Tumanian, the great Armenian poet.” For information 518-274-1477. November 11—42nd Anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, in the church hall. November 11-12—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, annual “Armenian Fest” at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston, Rhode Island. November 12—Food Festival and Bazaar. St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, 1 to 5 pm. The newly published St. Sarkis Cookbook will be available. For information 718-224-2275. November 17 & 18—Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. November 18—Children’s Concert, “FALL COLORS”, sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City, featuring TALINE AND FRIENDS. November 18—“Christian Spirituality and the Armenian Apostolic Church,” a lecture by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, at St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York. November 19—Thanksgiving luncheon by Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, following the Divine Liturgy, under the auspices of Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor. For information: 212-689-5880. December 9—Men’s Club Steak Dinner, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. December 2-3—Gathering of the Youth with Catholicos Aram I, Hyatt Regency, Dearborn, Michigan. For details click here. December 3—Requiem service in memory of His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian on the third anniversary of his passing, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian will preside. December 10—52nd anniversary of St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, Granite City, Illinois. December 10—General Membership meeting and elections of auditing and nominating committees, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York. December 10—Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church, Troy, New York, Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy. December 13—Thanksgiving Luncheon with the local NYPD and Fire Fighters, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York. December 16—“A Celebration of Service” in honor of past chairmen and board of trustees members. Under auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. For information and reservations 718-224-2275. December 17—50th anniversary celebration of the ordination of Archpriest Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian, sponsored by the Prelacy Religious Council, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows, New York. Der Moushegh will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (221 E. 27th Street, New York City) on Sunday morning. December 24—Sunday School Christmas Pageant, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. December 31—New Year’s Eve Dinner-Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey and ARF Dro Gomideh, Parsippany Hilton, New Jersey. Featuring Arthur Apkarian and Armenia Band. For full information contact the church office 201-943-2950. December 31—New Year’s Eve Party, St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York. January 6—St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, first Episcopal Badarak in Philadelphia by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian. January 6—St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Christmas party and special program for Saturday and Sunday school students. January 28—Annual Membership Meeting, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, at 1 pm. February 4—St. Sarkis name day, celebrating the patron saint of the church and requiem service for Archpriest Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. February 11—General Membership meeting and elections, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. February 18—Poon Paregentan, Eve of Great Lent, International Cuisine Night, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. 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
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