Crossroads E-Newsletter:5/31/07

May 31, 2007

VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO FLORIDA
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy, will travel to Ocala, Florida, this weekend, to visit the parish of Holy Cross Armenian Church. Michael Hagopian, vice chairman of the Prelacy Executive Council, will accompany the Vicar.

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.

IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE…
To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click here.
To read the message of His Holiness in English click here.

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has designated 2007 as the Year of the Armenian Language. In celebration of this year-long tribute, each week we will offer an interesting tidbit about the Armenian language and literature:

Hagop Baronian (1843-91) and Yervant Odian (1869-1926) were the greatest satirists in modern Armenian literature.

Baronian’s satire attacked everyone—writers, journalists, politicians, academics, clergymen, lay leaders of the church, etc. He possessed very perceptive observation skills and an acerbic pen that exposed incompetence, hypocrisy, and immorality. His writings were very popular—read by many, but paid for by few!

Odian was a prolific writer whose satire, humorous rather than scornful, reduced his targets into caricatures. His greatest work is the Comrade Panchounie trilogy that relates the hilarious activities of a Marxist field worker. Mostly his writings highlight the absolute absurdity of persons and situations.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, May 31, are: Romans 2:12-24; Matthew 8:28-34.

All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all. But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relations to God and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, that reach others, will you not teach yourself? What you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. Matthew 8: 28-31

For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click here.

THE PROPHET ELIJAH
This Sunday, June 3, the Armenian Church commemorates the prophet Elijah, the great prophet of the Old Testament as recorded in I and II Kings. Elijah is commemorated on a Sunday because he is considered to be the greatest among the prophets, he appeared at the Transfiguration as the prophet of life and the new covenant. Elijah did not experience death as we know it, but was taken to heaven, and like the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos) was enumerated among the heavenly. In the hymn Ee Verin, Elijah is described in a resplendent fashion living in old age. He is a beloved and cherished prophet of the Armenian Church (and all the Eastern churches) and held in high esteem.

SAINTS HRIPSIMEH AND COMPANIONS;
SAINTS GAYANE AND COMPANIONS
This Monday and Tuesday, June 4 and 5, the Armenian Church remembers the virgin saints Hripsimeh and Gayane and their companions. Thirty-three nuns, led by Gayaneh, left Rome and sought refuge in Armenia hoping to escape the Roman Emperor who desired one of the nuns, beautiful Hripsimeh. In Armenia, King Drtad, was equally captivated by Hripsimeh’s beauty, and sought to wed her. She refused. Enraged, the King had Hripsimeh (and the others) tortured to death.

St. Gregory had chapels built over the relics of the nuns, and later Catholicos Sahag Barthev rebuilt the chapels. During the 7th century Catholicos Gomidas had two beautiful cathedrals built. The Cathedral of St. Hripsimeh is considered to be a masterpiece of architecture. Catholicos Gomidas also wrote a sharagan (hymn) in their memory, “Antsink Nviryalk.”

PBS IN PHILADELPHIA AREA WILL AIR DOCUMENTARY
ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
WHYY-TV, the Public Broadcasting Station in the greater Philadelphia area, is celebrating the diverse community of its area during its June membership drive. On Tuesday, June 5, at 7:30, it will show the documentary of the Armenian Genocide produced by Andrew Goldberg, which has been shown widely on PBS throughout the country. Mr. Goldberg will be in the WHYY studio discussing the documentary during the pledge breaks. The documentary was filed in six countries, the United States, France, Germany, Belgium, Turkey and Syria. Mr. Goldberg captured stories and discussions with Kurdish and Turkish citizens in Turkey who speak openly about the stories shared with them by their parents and grandparents.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

June 3—“To Your Health”—a healthy and wellness program at St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York, at 1:15 pm. Presentations by: Carlo Bayrakdarian, M.D, “A Trip on Memory Lane”; Nyree Demirdjian-Boyadjian, R.Ph, “Drug Interactions; Aurora Dogaru, M.D., “Anxiety and Depression; Daniel N. Kubikian, D.M.D., “Dental Implants and Esthetics”; Edmond Sarkissian, M.D., “Diabetes Complications”; Alina Stanciu, M.D., “The Latest in Eye Care”; Janet Vanessian, P.A., “The Yearly Physical Exam.” For information: 718-224-2275.

June 10—17th anniversary of the new St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, under the auspices of the Prelate Archbishop Oshagan. His Eminence will ordain the following altar servers as acolytes: Gerard Barikian, Shont Voskerichian, James Mengouchian, Daniel Megerian, Christapor Megherian, Peter Boyadjian and Sarkis Nersessian. Banquet and artistic program following church services. For information: 718-224-2275.

July 1-8—St. Gregory of Datev Institute, 21st annual summer Christian studies program for junior and senior high school students, at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For information click here.

July 7—St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, gathering at the home of the parish priest, Rev. Father Bedros Shetilian.

July 9 to July 20—St. Sarkis Church Summer Camp, Douglaston, New York, for ages 5 to 12. Prayers and hymns, Armenian classes, introduction to the bible, arts and crafts, sports, and much more. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 pm. Lunch and snack will be served. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. Enrollment limited to 30 students. Registration deadline June 5. Minimum donation $75. For information, 718-224-2275.

July 21—Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild, Providence, Rhode Island, and ARS Ani Chapter present “A Hye Summer Night 2.” For information 401-286-8107.

August 7—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf tournament at Blackstone Country Club.

August 19—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual church picnic.

September 9—Annual picnic of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley at American Legion Grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

September 27—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 5th Annual Golf Outing at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and tee time at 1 p.m. For information, 201-943-2950.

September 29—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley.

November 4—37th anniversary of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley and ordination of Nishan Dagley to the office of acolyte and stole bearer. Presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy.

December 1—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual church bazaar.

December 9—St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.

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.

May 31, 2007
VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO FLORIDA Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy, will travel to Ocala, Florida, this weekend, to visit the parish of Holy Cross Armenian Church. Michael Hagopian, vice chairman of the Prelacy Executive Council, will accompany the Vicar. 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. IN CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE… To read the message of His Holiness in Armenian click here. To read the message of His Holiness in English click here. His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has designated 2007 as the Year of the Armenian Language. In celebration of this year-long tribute, each week we will offer an interesting tidbit about the Armenian language and literature: Hagop Baronian (1843-91) and Yervant Odian (1869-1926) were the greatest satirists in modern Armenian literature. Baronian’s satire attacked everyone—writers, journalists, politicians, academics, clergymen, lay leaders of the church, etc. He possessed very perceptive observation skills and an acerbic pen that exposed incompetence, hypocrisy, and immorality. His writings were very popular—read by many, but paid for by few! Odian was a prolific writer whose satire, humorous rather than scornful, reduced his targets into caricatures. His greatest work is the Comrade Panchounie trilogy that relates the hilarious activities of a Marxist field worker. Mostly his writings highlight the absolute absurdity of persons and situations. DAILY BIBLE READINGS Bible readings for today, May 31, are: Romans 2:12-24; Matthew 8:28-34. All who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles, who do not possess the law, do instinctively what the law requires, these, though not having the law, are a law to themselves. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, to which their own conscience also bears witness; and their conflicting thoughts will accuse or perhaps excuse them on the day when, according to my gospel, God, through Jesus Christ, will judge the secret thoughts of all. But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relations to God and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, that reach others, will you not teach yourself? What you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you. Matthew 8: 28-31 For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click here. THE PROPHET ELIJAH This Sunday, June 3, the Armenian Church commemorates the prophet Elijah, the great prophet of the Old Testament as recorded in I and II Kings. Elijah is commemorated on a Sunday because he is considered to be the greatest among the prophets, he appeared at the Transfiguration as the prophet of life and the new covenant. Elijah did not experience death as we know it, but was taken to heaven, and like the Holy Mother of God (Theotokos) was enumerated among the heavenly. In the hymn Ee Verin, Elijah is described in a resplendent fashion living in old age. He is a beloved and cherished prophet of the Armenian Church (and all the Eastern churches) and held in high esteem. SAINTS HRIPSIMEH AND COMPANIONS; SAINTS GAYANE AND COMPANIONS This Monday and Tuesday, June 4 and 5, the Armenian Church remembers the virgin saints Hripsimeh and Gayane and their companions. Thirty-three nuns, led by Gayaneh, left Rome and sought refuge in Armenia hoping to escape the Roman Emperor who desired one of the nuns, beautiful Hripsimeh. In Armenia, King Drtad, was equally captivated by Hripsimeh’s beauty, and sought to wed her. She refused. Enraged, the King had Hripsimeh (and the others) tortured to death. St. Gregory had chapels built over the relics of the nuns, and later Catholicos Sahag Barthev rebuilt the chapels. During the 7th century Catholicos Gomidas had two beautiful cathedrals built. The Cathedral of St. Hripsimeh is considered to be a masterpiece of architecture. Catholicos Gomidas also wrote a sharagan (hymn) in their memory, “Antsink Nviryalk.” PBS IN PHILADELPHIA AREA WILL AIR DOCUMENTARY ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WHYY-TV, the Public Broadcasting Station in the greater Philadelphia area, is celebrating the diverse community of its area during its June membership drive. On Tuesday, June 5, at 7:30, it will show the documentary of the Armenian Genocide produced by Andrew Goldberg, which has been shown widely on PBS throughout the country. Mr. Goldberg will be in the WHYY studio discussing the documentary during the pledge breaks. The documentary was filed in six countries, the United States, France, Germany, Belgium, Turkey and Syria. Mr. Goldberg captured stories and discussions with Kurdish and Turkish citizens in Turkey who speak openly about the stories shared with them by their parents and grandparents.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS June 3—“To Your Health”—a healthy and wellness program at St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York, at 1:15 pm. Presentations by: Carlo Bayrakdarian, M.D, “A Trip on Memory Lane”; Nyree Demirdjian-Boyadjian, R.Ph, “Drug Interactions; Aurora Dogaru, M.D., “Anxiety and Depression; Daniel N. Kubikian, D.M.D., “Dental Implants and Esthetics”; Edmond Sarkissian, M.D., “Diabetes Complications”; Alina Stanciu, M.D., “The Latest in Eye Care”; Janet Vanessian, P.A., “The Yearly Physical Exam.” For information: 718-224-2275. June 10—17th anniversary of the new St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, under the auspices of the Prelate Archbishop Oshagan. His Eminence will ordain the following altar servers as acolytes: Gerard Barikian, Shont Voskerichian, James Mengouchian, Daniel Megerian, Christapor Megherian, Peter Boyadjian and Sarkis Nersessian. Banquet and artistic program following church services. For information: 718-224-2275. July 1-8—St. Gregory of Datev Institute, 21st annual summer Christian studies program for junior and senior high school students, at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. For information click here. July 7—St. Gregory Church, Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, gathering at the home of the parish priest, Rev. Father Bedros Shetilian. July 9 to July 20—St. Sarkis Church Summer Camp, Douglaston, New York, for ages 5 to 12. Prayers and hymns, Armenian classes, introduction to the bible, arts and crafts, sports, and much more. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 3:00 pm. Lunch and snack will be served. Summer camp is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Antranig and Marion Boudakian. Enrollment limited to 30 students. Registration deadline June 5. Minimum donation $75. For information, 718-224-2275. July 21—Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies Guild, Providence, Rhode Island, and ARS Ani Chapter present “A Hye Summer Night 2.” For information 401-286-8107. August 7—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual golf tournament at Blackstone Country Club. August 19—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual church picnic. September 9—Annual picnic of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley at American Legion Grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts. September 27—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 5th Annual Golf Outing at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and tee time at 1 p.m. For information, 201-943-2950. September 29—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary banquet at Pleasant Valley. November 4—37th anniversary of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley and ordination of Nishan Dagley to the office of acolyte and stole bearer. Presided over by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy. December 1—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, annual church bazaar. December 9—St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 50th anniversary celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562.

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.