| CHRISTMAS
SERVICES AT PRELACY CHURCHES
BRING OUT LARGE NUMBER OF THE FAITHFUL
Prelacy parishes report that a large number of parishioners attended Christmas
(Feast of the Theophany) services on Saturday, January 6. The following
day, Sunday, January 7, was equally well attended for regular Sunday Divine
Liturgy services and Memorial Day, which follows each of the five major
feasts of the Armenian Church.
In the tradition of the Armenian Church the Christmas celebrations continue
for eight days, from January 6 to January 13, in commemoration of the
following events: the Birth and Baptism, the killing of babes in Bethlehem,
Annunciation, Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, and the Naming of our Lord. |
PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO NEW ENGLAND THIS WEEKEND
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to New England this weekend where on Sunday
he will preside over services at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown,
Massachusetts.
CHRISTMAS
SERMON BY CATHOLICOS
On the occasion of Christmas on January 6, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos
of the Great House of Cilicia, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered
the sermon in the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator in Antelias,
Lebanon. His Holiness’s sermon focused on peace in the world and
reconciliation among people. He stressed that the incarnation of the Son
of God marked the start of reconciliation among people. The world was
plagued with hatred, injustice and war. “Jesus Christ came to replace
hatred with love and reconciliation,” he said.
In the presence of many government officials and a large number of the
faithful, His Holiness spoke at length about the current situation in
Lebanon. “Lebanon is again in conflict,” he said, “as
if the word ‘Lebanon’ has become a synonym for conflict. Reciprocal
threats and the hardening of approaches are leading the country towards
polarization and uncertainty…. We are destroying Lebanon. We are
driving the people towards hopelessness. Where are we as spiritual leaders?
Where are the government officials, where are the civil society, the political
and party leaders? … Lebanon is a democratic country and we should
hold on to this. We have the right to freely express our viewpoints, concerns
and protests, but with a responsible spirit, by respecting the other and
considering Lebanon’s interests above everything else.”
To read more excerpts from the Catholicos’ sermon click
here.
NEW
YORK TIMES ON ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS
An article in the New York Times on Saturday, January 6, written
by Peter Steinfels, offered some thoughts about the celebration of Christmas
on January 6. Entitled “At Armenian Churches, a Distinct Observance
Today,” Steinfels begins his article with this thought: “Today
the Armenian Church, one of the most ancient branches of Christianity,
celebrates the birth of Jesus. One wonders, admittedly a bit fancifully,
if there is a lesson in the Armenian practice for the many Christians
who desperately wish that the religious meaning of Jesus’ birth
could be rescued from angry culture wars and commercial frenzy.”
He goes on to give a good description of the Armenian celebration of the
birth and baptism. Steinfels quotes Very Rev. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian,
pastor of Holy Martyrs Church in Bayside, New York, who notes that the
Armenian Americans “maintain a clear mental distinction between
the American culture’s Christmas…and the Armenian Church’s
religious celebration of Christ’s birth on Theophany.”
To read the entire article click
here.
ANOTHER
ARTICLE OF INTEREST
The January 7th issue of the Los Angeles Times featured an article by
staff writer, Maura Reynolds, entitled “Armenian genocide question
hits home.” The article is about John Evans, former Ambassador to
Armenia who was recalled because of his use of the word genocide to describe
the events of 1915. Reynolds points out that now, two years after Evans’
remarks, “the issue is preparing to boil over again, setting up
a clash between the Democratic-controlled Congress and the Republican
White House.”
To read the entire article click
here.
ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE RESOLUTION TO BE INTRODUCED
Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone
Jr. (D-NJ), and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) will introduce an Armenian Genocide
resolution next week. Urge your representative to sign on as a cosponsor.
Go to the websites of the Armenian National Committee of America (www.anca.org)
and/or the Armenian Assembly (www.armenianassembly.org) for complete information
and directions.
ST.
GREGORY CHURCH OF NORTH ANDOVER
JOINS COMMUNITY COAT DRIVE
In the true spirit of Christmas, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley
in North Andover, Massachusetts, makes a special effort to be part of
the local community and help those in need. During the month of December
the church helped the Greater Lawrence Community Action Council in their
drive for outer wear. Parishioners donated 45 coats for men, women and
children
FEAST
OF THE NAMING OF OUR LORD
This Saturday, January 13, the Armenian Church commemorates the naming
(and circumcision) of our Lord Jesus Christ in accordance to the Hebrew
custom. The celebration of this event (see Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:30-32),
comes seven days after the Feast of Theophany.
BIRTH
OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
This Monday, January 15, the Armenian Church commemorates the birth of
St. John the Baptist (the Forerunner). He is an important figure in the
four Gospels of the New Testament and is identified with the start of
the ministry of our Lord. He was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, who
was a relative of the Virgin Mary. John was a prophet who came out of
the desert to proclaim the advent of the Kingdom of God and issued a call
to repentance. In modern terminology John preached justice, decency, and
human rights. He baptized those who repented and announced the coming
of the Lord: “I baptize you with water for repentance; but one who
is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his
sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire,” (Matthew
3:17).
MONDAY
IS MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
This Monday, January 15, the United States celebrates the life of Martin
Luther King, Jr. This year the holiday falls exactly on his birthday (January
15, 1929). The noted civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner,
who preached non-violence to achieve goals, was assassinated in 1968.
He was 39 years old.
PHOTOS
ON WEB PAGE
There are some photographs on the Prelacy web page from the visit of His
Holiness Aram I to the Midwest where he met with the youth, delivered
a keynote address at Notre Dame University, and received an award from
St. John University in Minnesota. Additional photographs will be added
to the site, so check regularly. To see the photographs click
here.
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IN CELEBRATION
OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE
St. Mesrob Mashdots, the creator of the Armenian alphabet, died in 439
A.D. He was buried in the village of Oshagan in the Aragatsotn region
of Armenia, under the altar of the local church. The present church (see
photo) was built in 1875 by order of Catholicos Gevorg IV. The bell tower
was added in 1884. The beloved saint’s tomb, under the high altar,
is a popular destination for pilgrims and travelers.
DAILY BIBLE
READINGS
Reading for today, Thursday, January 11, are I Thessalonians 4:12-17 and
John 11:1-46.
“...so that you may command the respect of outsiders, and be dependent
on nobody. But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those
who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through
Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” I
Thessalonians 4:12-17
For the entire week’s Bible readings click
here. |
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
January
14—Board of Trustees of St. Gregory Church, North Andover,
Massachusetts, will host a Town Hall informational meeting with church
members immediately following church services.
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.
February
25—Annual membership meeting, St. Gregory Church, North
Andover, Massachusetts.
March
18—Annual Membership Meeting, St. Stephen Church, New Britain,
Connecticut.
March
25—Musical Armenia 2007, Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall,
2 pm. Featured artists: Aleksandr Nazaryan (viola) and Serge Barseghian
(basso).
December
1—Save the date. 50th anniversary celebration of St. Stephen’s
Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. For information, (617) 924-7562.
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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