PRELATE IN NEW JERSEY THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, February 11, Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine
Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey. In the afternoon
he will attend an event to be held at the Rockleigh Country Club in honor
of Vahan Hovhanesian, the Vice Speaker of the Armenian Parliament and
member of the ARF Bureau.
PRELACY LENTEN LECTURES WILL BEGIN FEBRUARY 21
The 2007 Prelacy Lenten program will feature six lectures on the seven
vices and seven virtues. The annual Lenten series is sponsored by the
Prelacy Ladies Guild, the St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild, and the
Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). The first lecture will take
place Wednesday, February 21 and continue for the next five Wednesdays
during Lent. All of the programs will take place at St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, with the following general
schedule: Lenten Service at 7:30 pm; Lecture at 8 pm, followed by questions
and answers, and Fellowship. For a complete schedule of lectures click
here.
PRELACY CLERGY HEADING WEST
Next week the clergy serving the Eastern Prelacy will travel to California
where they will join the clergy of the Western and Canadian Prelacy for
the annual clergy conference on the occasion of the Ghevontiantz commemoration.
During the three-day gathering lectures will be presented on this year’s
theme, “The Zeal of Clergymen Toward Their Mission.” Joint
projects in the preparation and publication of Christian education and
texts and Sunday school curricula are also prime considerations during
the gathering.
The Feast of the Ghevontiantz (Leondius) is celebrated each year preceding
the Vartanantz Feast. The collective name is in honor of brave clergymen
who preached and fought against tyranny before, during and after the war
of Vartanantz. It is named after Ghevond Yerets (Leondius the Cleric),
who fought in the front lines with Vartan at Avarayr. The Feast has now
become a time of renewal, reflection, and fellowship for the clergy.
According to the historians Yeghishe and Ghazar Parpetsi, the clergy who
are collectively known as the Ghevontian Saints include: Catholicos Hovsep
Hoghotsmetsi (also known as Vayorstzoretsi), Bishop Sahak Rushtouni, Bishop
Tatik of Aghbak, the priests Ghevont, Arshen, Manuel, Abraham, Khoren,
and deacons Kachach and Abraham.
Ghevont holds a special place because of his close collaboration with
Vartan Mamigonian and because of the inspiring message he gave to the
troops prior to the Battle of Avarayr.
REQUIEM SERVICE FOR PRIESTS WHO SERVED THE PRELACY
In conjunction with the upcoming Ghevontiantz commemoration, all Prelacy
churches will observe a special requiem service this Sunday, February
11, in memory of all the deceased clergy who served the Eastern Prelacy.
We remember and honor: H.H. Catholicos Karekin I, Supreme Patriarch of
All Armenians, Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian, Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian,
V. Rev. Fr. Vaghinag Sisagian, V. Rev. Fr. Ghevont Martougesian, V. Rev.
Fr. Nishan Papazian, V. Rev. Fr. Barour Ekmekjian, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Amrigian,
Rev. Fr. Arsen Varjabedian, Rev. Fr. Mateos Mannigian, Rev. Fr. Bedros
Mamprelian, Rev. Fr. Stepanos Garabedian, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Hovanesian,
Rev. Fr. Houssig Naghnikian, Rev. Fr. Adom Melikian, Rev. Fr. Yeghishe
Kasbarian, Rev. Fr. Ghevont Khosrovian, Rev. Fr. Bedros Kasarjian, Rev.
Fr. Sahag Balian, Rev. Fr. Ghevont Papazian, Rev. Fr. Papken Kasbarian,
Rev. Fr. Sahag Yeghiayan, Rev. Fr. Nerses Shahinian, Rev. Fr. Bsag Sarkisian,
Rev. Fr. Yeghishe Mkitarian, Rev. Fr. Souren Papakhian, Rev. Fr. Arsen
Simeoniantz, Rev. Fr. Movses Der Stepanian, Rev. Fr. Mampre Biberian,
Rev. Fr. Khachadour Giragossian, Rev. Fr. Yervant Yeretzian, Rev. Fr.
Gomidas Der Torosian, Rev. Fr. Movses Shrikian, Rev. Fr. Dikran Khoyan,
Rev. Fr. Smpad Der Mksian, Rev. Fr. Vahan Kazarian, Rev. Fr. Ashod Kochian,
Rev. Fr. Arshavir Sevdalian, Rev. Fr. Kourken Yaralian, Rev. Fr. Arsen
Hagopian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Antreasian, Rev. Fr. Sahag Andekian, Rev. Fr.
Hmayag Minoyan, Rev. Fr. Asoghik Kiledjian, Rev. Fr. Varant Bedrosian,
Rev. Fr. Sahag Vertenesian.
2007 DATEV INSTITUTE SUMMER PROGRAM
The 21st annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Christian summer studies
program will take place July 1 to 8 in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For details
click here.
“GLOBAL WARMING CONSTITUTES A GLOBAL WARNING”
SAYS CATHOLICOS ARAM I
Referring to the report issued by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,
His Holiness Aram I welcomed the scientists’ frank statement that
“global warming is real and that humans are mostly to blame for
it.” His Holiness has long held the position that the ecological
crisis is integral to the ecumenical agenda. As far back as 1994, speaking
as the Moderator of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches,
His Holiness raised this global concern saying that “unlimited exploitation
of earth’s limited resources has jeopardized the eco-life support
systems.”
According to His Holiness, the ecological crisis, in all its aspects,
dimensions and manifestations, including global warming, “is essentially
a theological-ethical issue, related to humanity’s role in the creation.”
Catholicos Aram salutes the growing awareness and depoliticization of
the crisis and the call for a new environmental policy, and he points
out that “political, ecological, economic and scientific prescriptions
will fall short unless they are solidly supported by a theological-ethical
perspective and vision.”
ST. SAHAK BARTEV
This Saturday, February 10, the Armenian Church remembers Catholicos Sahak
(Isaac) Bartev. He was the son of St. Nerses the Great and was a descendant
of St. Gregory the Illuminator. He was a very learned and educated individual
and was instrumental in the invention of the Armenian alphabet with Mesrob
Mashtots. He spearheaded the translation work that followed the invention
of the alphabet that ushered in Armenia’s golden age of literature.
He was an ardent believer in education and ecclesiastical discipline and
canon law.
FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF CHRIST
This Wednesday, February 14, is the feast of the Presentation of Christ
to the Temple on the 40th day after His birth. In Armenian it is called
“Tyarnundarach,” (which literally means “going
forward” (undarach) “to meet the Lord” (Tyarn).
In English it is known as “Candlemas.” Forty days after the
birth of Christ, Mary obeyed Mosaic Law and presented her son to the temple
(Numbers 18:15). She was purified by the prayer of Simeon the Just in
the presence of Anna the Prophet (Luke 2:22-40). This was the first introduction
of Christ into the house of God.
There are many Armenian pre-Christian traditions that have become associated
with this feast, including one of the most popular of building a bonfire
during the eve of the holiday where young people (especially newly married
couples) gather around the fire and the men leap over the flames. The
bonfire is started with a flame from the church. The light is symbolic
of Christ who is the light of our lives.
TRUSTEES OF PASHALIAN FUND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Pashalian Family Education Fund, administered by the Eastern Prelacy,
is dedicated to promoting and supporting the study of Armenian language,
history, culture and religion. Each year, the Fund distributes its earned
proceeds in the form of grants to Armenian schools and educational programs
in the United States and Canada. The trustees of the Fund are now accepting
requests for consideration of grants awarded for 2007. For information
about the application procedure contact the Eastern Prelacy at email@armenianprelacy.org
(attention: Iris Papazian).
The Pashalian Fund was established in 1992 in memory of John Pashalian,
who died in an accident in 1973.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE…
Without doubt, the invention of the Armenian alphabet constituted a turning
point in Armenian life, as described by Ghazar Parbetsi in his History
of the Armenians: “…then schools were immediately established
for the instruction of the flock. The ranks of scribes were increased,
and they emulated each other. The services of the holy church were embellished.
Crowds of men and women in the congregation were stimulated at the festivals
of the Saviour and the commemorations of the martyrs. Old and young, succoured
and filled with spiritual profit, ran joyfully from participation in the
great mystery back to each one’s house, singing psalms and antiphons
everywhere, in the squares and streets and at home. The churches were
rendered glorious; the martyria of the saints received luster, continually
embellished by vows and gifts. Torrents were continuously flowing from
the commentators, who explained the secrets of the prophets and placed
before all the people tables loaded with spiritual dishes, which when
tasted by wisdom-seeking men became sweet in their palates, according
to the saying of the psalmist: ‘Words of teaching are [sweeter]
than honeycomb.’ And to sum up in the words of the holy prophet
Isaiah: This land of Armenia was filled with the knowledge of the Lord
through the spiritual labours of the holy patriarch Sahak, like many waters
that cover the seas.”
(translation by Robert Thomson, The History of Lazar P’arepadci,
Scholars Press, Atlanta, GA).
40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINATION OF
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN CHOLOYAN
The 40th anniversary of the ordination of our Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, will take place in three different regions as follows:
May 5—In the New England area in Providence, Rhode Island.
May 12—In the Mid-Atlantic area in Teaneck, New Jersey.
May 18—In the Mid-West in Dearborn, Michigan, during the National
Representative Assembly.
Watch for details.
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, February 8, are: Proverbs 24:1-12; Jeremiah
30:18-22; 2 Timothy 2:10-12; Matthew 5:1-12.
“Thus says the Lord: Behold, I will restore the fortunes
of the tents of Jacob, and have compassion on his dwellings; the city
shall be rebuilt upon its mound, and the palace shall stand where it used
to be. Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving, and the voices of
those who make merry. I will multiply them, and they shall not be few;
I will make them honored, and they shall not be small, Their children
shall be as they were of old, and their congregation shall be established
before me; and I will punish all who oppress them. Their prince shall
be one of themselves, their rulers shall come forth from their midst;
I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare
of himself to approach me? says the Lord. And you shall be my people and
I will be your God.” Jeremiah 30:18-22
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
here.
BIRTHDAY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Monday, February 12, is the birthday of the 16th president if the United
States, Abraham Lincoln, considered the greatest president. On March 4,
1865, as the Civil War was coming to an end with the Union assured of
victory, a tired president delivered his second inaugural address. His
words exhibited neither exuberance nor triumph; his address was more like
an inspiring sermon. Lincoln’s second inaugural address is now considered
to be the most memorable inaugural address and together with his Gettysburg
Address remains amongst the greatest words ever delivered.
In this battle both sides—North and South—read the same
Bible and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other.
It may seem strange to us that any men should dare to ask a just God’s
assistance, while wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s
faces. But let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both
could not be answered; those of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty
has His own purposes. If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one
of those offences which in the providence of God, He now will to remove;
and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe
due to those by whom the offence came, shall we discern therein any departure
from those divine attributes of justice which the believers in a Living
God have always ascribed to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray,
that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet if God wills
that it continue until all the wealth piled up by the slaves’ two
hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every
drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid for by another drawn with
the sword, still it must be said, as it was said 3,000 years ago, so still
it must be said, that the judgments of the Lord are true and they are
righteous altogether.
With malice toward none—with charity for all—with firmness
in the right, as God gives us to see the right—let us strive on
to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds, to
care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his
orphan, and to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting
peace among ourselves and with all nations.
Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1865
Forty-one days later, on April 14, 1865, Lincoln was assassinated.
