November 16, 2006

ARMENIAN CHURCH 2006: YOUTH GATHERING WITH CATHOLICOS ARAM I Make your reservations and travel arrangements now as Armenian Church 2006: Your Church. Your Future. Engage, approaches. This event promises to be an unprecedented assembly of young adults ages 18 to 35 with His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. The two-day gathering is scheduled to take place Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3, in Dearborn, Michigan. The Program Committee has supplemented the schedule with exciting events that will add energy and power to the weekend. A pre-gathering discussion regarding the Armenian Church today will prelude the program on Saturday. This forum will give the attendees a chance to grapple with issues of concern related to the church. Hayr Meghrig Parikian of Toronto, Canada, will lead a contemplative choir performance allowing the participants to enjoy the talents of Armenian singers and the beauty of traditional Armenian hymns. Other portions of the schedule will include live speakers, film, music, and liturgy and will all be focused toward answering the questions: Where have we come from? Where are we going? How far can we go? Armenian Church 2006 will unofficially begin with a Hrashapar Service on Friday, December 1, 7 pm at St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn, Michigan. The main program will begin on Saturday, December 2, at 2 pm and conclude on Sunday, December 3 at 2 pm. The two-day gathering will also feature a concert by renowned Christian vocalist Salpi Keleshian. Armenian Church 2006 will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. A special hotel rate of $99 per night has been negotiated. A $40 registration fee will include dinner on Saturday evening as well as breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Details about the program as well as a registration form are available at www.armenianprelacy.org. 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. CHILDREN’S CONCERT ON NOVEMBER 18 A reminder that the children’s concert featuring the popular children’s entertainer, TALINE from California, is this Saturday, November 18 at Florence Gould Hall, Alliance Francaise, New York City. For information call the Prelacy office 212-689-7810 or click here. ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL ATTEND 50th ANNIVERSARY OF REV. FR. GORUN SHRIKIAN The 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Gorun Shrikian will be commemorated this Sunday, November 19, at St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan. The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will preside over the Divine Liturgy and the luncheon that will follow in honor of Der Gorun. The celebration is being sponsored by St. Sarkis Church and the Armenian Community Center. Der Gorun has served the Eastern Prelacy beginning in 1959 until his retirement in 1997. During his ministry he served two parishes: St. Gregory Church in Granite City, Illinois, from 1959 to 1964, and St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn, Michigan from 1964 until his retirement in 1997. Der Gorun received his PhD from Concordia Seminary in 1977, after presenting and successfully defending his dissertation, “Armenians under the Ottoman Empire and American Missions’ Influence in their Intellectual and Social Renaissance.” 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF REV. FR. MOUSHEGH DER KALOUSTIAN TO BE CELEBRATED ON DECEMBER 17 On Sunday, December 17, the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Moushegh Der Kaloustian will be commemorated at Terrace on the Park. Der Moushegh will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York, where he served as the priest for many years, prior to the luncheon commemoration. During this year, two other priests marked their 50th anniversary: Rev. Fr. Torkom Hagopian, whose golden anniversary was celebrated by St. Stephen Church in Watertown, Massachusetts in June and as mentioned above Rev. Fr. Gorun Shrikian’s anniversary which will be celebrated this Sunday. For reservations and/or information about the December 17th celebration of Der Moushegh’s 50th anniversary, contact the Prelacy, 212-689-7810. THE SPEAR OF CHRIST WILL BE FEATURED ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL “The Spear of Christ,” a one-hour documentary will be shown on the History Channel’s “Decoding the Past” series on Thursday, December 21, at 9 pm. (Please check your local listings). Filmed in four countries (including Armenia), the program follows the legend of one of histories most powerful relics on its 200-year journey. The spear that pierced the side of Christ while he was on the cross is believed to hold miraculous powers. Four artifacts exist which claim to be this holy spear: one in Vienna, one in Poland, one in the Vatican, and one in Armenia. The program examines each in an effort to determine which, if any, is the authentic Spear. The producer of the show, Ken Winikur, said his trip to Armenia was central to the success of the documentary. “Armenia is a beautiful country with a rich history. The story of its Holy Lance is virtually unknown to an American audience and we are excited to feature it in our program,” he said. ASIA-MIDDLE EAST INTERFAITH DIALOGUE TAKES PLACE IN ANTELIAS Religious leaders from Asia and the Middle East came together in Antelias, Lebanon, on November 12 to 14, at the invitation of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. His Holiness provided the vision and guidance for this meeting, which was convened so that religious leaders from these two regions could get to know each other and begin to develop greater understanding of each other’s religious traditions. In a joint message the leaders said: “Bridges of faith can provide hope and healing to wounded nations and pain-filled people, of which there are too many in our world today. During the dialogue, we heard serious concerns from both Asia and the Middle East regarding the world situation. We heard of the need to recommit ourselves to the spiritual core of our religious traditions so that people and societies may translate into daily life the spiritual and moral values cherished by our traditions. We also heard of the need for religion to provide us with the strength, vision and understanding for reconciliation among individuals and communities based on truth and justice. We heard of the need for an engaged spirituality, where the deeper meaning of our traditions, moral teachings and values can be experienced. And we heard of the need to foster a deep respect for the differences that give us our distinctive identities, while recognizing the universal values that bring us together as a human community.” THANKSGIVING DAY TELETHON We remind our readers to watch and participate in the annual Thanksgiving Day telethon which will benefit Armenia Fund USA’s great work in Armenia. For complete schedule go to www.armeniafundusa.org. PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF ADVENT This Sunday, November 19, is the Paregentan of the Fast of Advent. Counting backwards from January 6th, the beginning of Advent falls on November 18th or the closest Sunday. Advent is a period of anticipation and contrition in preparation for the great and joyous Feast of the Theophany (Nativity and Baptism of Our Lord). PRESENTATION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD Tuesday, November 21, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Presentation of the Holy Mother of God (Asdvadzadzin). According to tradition, Anna, who was childless for years, prayed in earnest that God grant her a child and promised she would dedicate the child to the holy Temple. God granted her a girl, who she named Mary, and faithful to her word, she presented her daughter to the Temple at the age of three. This is the event celebrated on November 21. Mary remained in the house of God for twelve years, until she was 15 years old, when she returned to her parents. She was in her teens when the Archangel Gabriel, sent by God, told her that she was blessed amongst women and would become the mother of the Son of God. The Armenian Church celebrates eight feasts of the Holy Mother of God: Her Nativity; Her Presentation to the Temple; The Annunciation; The Conception of Mary; The Purification; The Assumption; The Discovery of her Belt; The Discovery of the Box.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS November 17 & 18—Annual Bazaar, Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. November 17—St. Gregory Church. North Andover, Massachusetts, Monthly Family Night and Thanksgiving Dinner, 6 pm. 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 16—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Men’s Club and Ladies’ Guild Christmas Party and Dinner Dance, 7 pm, $40 per person. Reservations a must. For information: 201-943-4056 (Kiledjian); 201-461-4283 (Mirakian). 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 17—St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, Annual Membership Meeting. 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

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.