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NEW BOOK BY CATHOLICOS ARAM I
A new book by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia,
was recently issued by the Catholicosate. Entitled, For a Church Beyond
Its Walls, the 342 page book is receiving glowing reviews from many
religious leaders and theologians around the world. The book is a discussion
of issues related to the church’s mission, identity, inter-faith
dialogue, and difficulties facing contemporary societies. The Foreword
to the volume is written by Dr. Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the
World Council of Churches, who in describing the great contributions the
Catholicos has made to ecumenism writes: “As an Orthodox theologian,
you have contributed to a better understanding of the ecclesiological
challenges. As a scholar, you have made a profound intellectual contribution
to ecumenical discourse on contemporary issues through your writings and
in seminars and conferences. As a prelate and head of church, with an
acute sense of pastoral responsibility, you have opened new avenues for
inter-religious relations and dialogue. But we are all deeply aware that
you are not simply an Orthodox primate. You are an ‘Armenian’
Orthodox primate. This is what you have never forgotten, and you have
not allowed any of us to forget.”
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prolific and profound writer, this new book is His Holiness’s 12th
book in English. His writings in the Armenian language number several dozen.
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:
“The nation needed to deepen its Christian faith by absorbing it
into the fabric of national life. And it could do this only if it had
direct access to the source of the Christian faith—the Holy Scripture.
A Church without the Bible in the hands of her faithful could not stand
very long nor remain very firm in the midst of a pagan world. The Armenian
Church Fathers were deeply conscious of the urgent need for an Armenian
translation of the Bible. But at this time no written Armenian language
existed, and therefore there was no Armenian alphabet. Finally, at the
beginning of the fifth century, a Church divine, Saint Mesrop Mashtots,
succeeded in devising an alphabet adequate to all the subtleties of Armenian
pronunciation. The great work of translation followed, under the wise
guidance of Saint Sahak and Saint Mesrop. The translation was first made
from a Syriac version of the Bible. Later, between 430 and 440, it was
thoroughly revised on the basis of a text of the Greek Septuagint which
was brought from Constantinople by Armenian students. The Greek text was
considered more accurate and trustworthy than the Syriac version, and
the revision was such a radical one that the result was almost a new translation.”
The Bible in the Armenian Christian Tradition
by V. Rev. Fr. Karekin Sarkissian (1962)
DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for today, August 2, are: Proverbs 11:30-12:4; Hosea 12:6-9;
2 Corinthians 4:6-14; Luke 12:2-10.
But as for you, return to your God, hold fast to love and
justice; and wait continually for your God. A trader, in whose hands are
false balances, he loves to oppress. Ephraim has said, “Ah, I am
rich, I have gained wealth for myself; in all of my gain no offense has
been found in me that would be sin.” I am the Lord your God from
the land of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the days
of the appointed festival. (Hosea 12:6-9)
For listing of the entire week’s Bible readings click
here.
PILGRIMAGE TO MONASTERY OF ST. TADEH
The Monastery of St. Tadeh (Thaddeus) has played a unique role throughout
history in the Christianization of the Armenian nation. The feast of the
apostle Thaddeus and St. Santoukhd, which this year was on July 21, brings
spiritual renewal each year for thousands of pilgrims who go to the Monastery.
The Primates of the three dioceses in Iran, Archbishop Sebouh (Tehran),
Bishop Papken (Isfahan), and Bishop Neshan (Tabriz), led the pilgrimage.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, sent pontifical
blessings in a written message to the pilgrims gathered in the Monastery.
“Your pilgrimage to Saint Tadeh should become an occasion for spiritual
renewal. Let us not forget that through Christianity the lives of Armenians
thrived with spiritual values, and Christian values became intertwined
with Armenian traditions in our lives. Therefore, we expect that this
pilgrimage will also be an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen your
national belonging,” said His Holiness.
For the duration of this festival thousands of pilgrims live in tents
pitched on the monastery grounds. They attend services and other events
in remembrance of St. Thaddeus, one of two apostles who brought Christianity
to Armenia.
TWO HUNDRED HOLY FATHERS OF THE
ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OF EPHESUS
This Saturday, August 4, the Armenian Church remembers the 200 Holy Fathers
of the Council of Ephesus (431 AD). Ephesus, the third general council,
was convened upon the order of Emperor Theodosius II to settle the Nestorian
heresy. A large number of high-ranking church leaders attended, headed
by Patriarch Cyril of Alexandria. The principle decision of the Council
was the condemnation of Nestorius. The Council excommunicated Nestorius
and condemned his heresy, affirmed the Nicene Creed, approved the title
of Theotokos (God-bearer) for the Virgin Mary. The Armenian Church accepted
the canons and decisions of the Council and designated a day in the church
calendar on the Saturday of the Paregentan of the Assumption. The Armenian
Church recognizes the first three councils: Nicaea (325); Constantinople
(381); and Ephesus (431), with special days in the liturgical calendar
for all three.
Ephesus was the chief city of the Roman province of Asia at the crossroads
of the coastal route between Smyrna and Cyzicus. The Temple of Artemis
in the city was one of the great wonders of the ancient world. St. Paul
took Christianity to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19). He stayed there for two
years during his third missionary journey.
THIS WEEK AT THE BOOKSTORE. . .NOT JUST BOOKS!
We would like to remind you that besides books and gifts there are some
collectibles available at the Prelacy Bookstore. For instance, a book
of stamps from Nagorno-Karabakh, each stamp depicting a different scene
from the beautiful countryside, the architecture, or the churches and
monasteries. Also available is a set of six postcards with commemorative
stamps dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of Christian Armenia.
There are also some older stamps from Armenia: “Armenia in World
War II,” issued on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end
of the war, and stamps issued on the occasion of the 32nd chess Olympiad
in Yerevan (1996).
For information about these items contact the bookstore, by email at books@armenianprelacy.org
or by phone at 212-689-7810. For other books and gifts available at the
Prelacy Bookstore click here.
A MINI SERMON
In the Book of Deuteronomy it is written, “Love the Lord your God
with all of your heart and with all of your soul, and with all your might.
Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite
them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when
you are away, when you lie down and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy
6:5-7)
These words were written over 2,000 years ago and yet they resonate very
loudly and clearly in our own times. The attempt to remove God from our
daily lives continues, not only in our schools, colleges, and institutions,
but also in the electronic and print media.
The reality of our nation is that we pride ourselves on the separation
of church and state. It was never intended that the people should be separated
from God, yet at every turn we are inundated with the attempts of the
secularists to eradicate the very name of God from our everyday lives.
Each day our children are bombarded with the trash that permeates the
airwaves of television and the internet. St. Paul reminds us that each
one of us is an Evangelist and as Christians we have an obligation to
speak out. If we really want to do something about making the world we
live in a better place, then as followers of Jesus Christ we have to make
our voices heard. We cannot claim Christianity and sit idly by and perhaps
commit the greatest of all sins which is indifference and apathy. Remember
that the only person who can bring about change is you. As always the
choice is yours to make.
Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian
Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Church, North Andover, Massachusetts
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| CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
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. For information www.armenianchurchofwhit.org
or 508-234-3677.
August
12—Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, Divine
Liturgy and Blessing of the Grapes St. Illuminator’s Cathedral,
New York City. Luncheon, organized and prepared by the Cathedral’s
Ladies Guild, will follow the services. For information 212-689-5880.
August
12—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, annual
church picnic at Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts. For information
401-831-6399.
August
19—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
annual church picnic. For information www.armenianchurchofwhit.org
or 508-234-3677.
August
19—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Annual
church picnic and Blessing of the Grapes at Dunkerhook Park, Pavilion
D, Paramus, New Jersey. For information 201-943-2950.
September
9—Annual picnic of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley
at American Legion Grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
September
25—Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
4th annual golf outing at Juniper Hill Golf Course, Northboro, Massachusetts.
Registration at 8 am. Tee off at 9 am. $125 includes golf cart, dinner
and prizes. For information 508-852-2414.
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. For information www.armenianchurchofwhit.org
or 508-234-3677.
October
21—St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, Philadelphia, celebrating
the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, under
the auspices of the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan. For information www.saintgregory-philly.org
or 215-482-9200.
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.
November
10-11—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island,
annual “Armenian Fest,” at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston,
Rhode Island. For information 401-831-6399.
December
1—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
annual church bazaar. For information www.armenianchurchofwhit.org
or 508-234-3677.
December
9—St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts,
50th anniversary celebration. For information, (617) 924-7562. |
