ANTI-DEFAMATION
LEAGUE ACKNOWLEDGES GENOCIDE
A front-page article written by Keith O’Brien in yesterday’s
Boston Globe, describes how “the national director [Abraham Foxman]
of the Anti-Defamation League bowed to pressure from both Jewish and Armenian
American communities and officially acknowledged the genocide of Armenians
at the hands of Ottoman Turkey more than 90 years ago.”
O’Brien explains how the debate began locally weeks ago in Watertown,
home to more than 8,000 Armenian Americans. Some residents there, he said,
became upset when they learned that the ADL, which had long refused to
acknowledge the genocide, was the sponsor of the town’s anti-bigotry
program, No Place For Hate. The Watertown Town Council voted to pull out
of the program. Other towns followed.
The Boston Globe has been filled with stories, editorials, op-ed columns,
and letters during the past few weeks on this matter.
Although the national ADL has changed its policy in recognizing the genocide,
it remains against the passing of the congressional resolution on the
Armenian Genocide, using the same rhetoric used by the Turkish government
that this is best left to historians, implying that the Armenian genocide
is debatable. The New England regional director, Andrew Tarsy, was fired
by Foxman earlier because of Tarsy’s public support of the genocide
resolution. His firing prompted the resignation of at least two board
members and a general outcry of outrage. There is speculation that he
will be reinstated.
To read the entire Boston Globe article by Keith O’Brien click
here.
To read “Truth and The Armenian Genocide” by Jeff Jacoby click
here.
DIVINE LITURGY
DURING OLYMPICS WEEKEND
The 74th annual Olympics of the Armenian Youth Federation is being sponsored
by the New Jersey Arsen chapter. On Sunday, September 2, Badarak will
be celebrated at the Sheraton Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey,
the headquarters of the Olympics. The Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, will
preside and the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, will officiate. All are invited
to attend. Choir members are encouraged to join the ad hoc choir.
For information about the weekend events and directions go to www.ayfolympics.org
CATHOLICOS
ARAM I MEETS WITH PATRIARCH SFEIR
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, met with
Patriarch Sfeir (Maronite Catholic Church) on August 17. In a subsequent
statement to the press, Catholicos Aram said: “On the basic challenges
confronting Lebanon, Patriarch Sfeir’s and our viewpoints are similar.
We support His Beatitude and find it important for all the spiritual leaders
to work together to bring Lebanon out of its current uncertain situation.”
Speaking about the presidential election, he said: “All efforts
must be exerted to elect a new president within the time-period specified
by the constitution. The new president should be elected in Lebanon, by
the Lebanese and by consensus of all sides. The new president should be
someone who builds bridges of mutual understanding and trust between the
different sides, someone who works for the integrity, sovereignty and
independence of Lebanon.”
His Holiness stressed the role of the church, noting that the church “is
the voice of truth, the apostle of justice and peace, the will of the
people, the promoter of moral values, the preacher of love and unity.”
The Catholicos called on everyone “to transcend temporary interests,
stay away from the valueless political culture dominant in the country,
gather around Lebanon’s basic values and priorities, and work together
for strengthening the unity, sovereignty and integrity of Lebanon.”
ASSOCIATION
OF MUSLIM CLERICS
VISIT CATHOLICOS ARAM I
A senior delegation of Muslim clerics representing the Association of
Muslim Clerics of Lebanon visited His Holiness Aram I on August 20. The
representative of the Armenian community in the Christian-Muslim Dialogue
Committee, Dr. Jean Salmanian, also attended the meeting.
The delegation expressed its support to the Armenian Pontiff, particularly
in light of his recently expressed national positions and the importance
he places on Christian-Muslim dialogue.
The Catholicos said: “We respect all our friends who support Lebanon
be they Arab Christians, Muslims or from the Western world. However, the
interests of Lebanon remain a priority for us. We do not have the right
to sacrifice Lebanon’s principal interests for the sake of our friendship
or other forms of attachments. Lebanon is home for all of us and as the
children of those in charge of it, we have the obligation to strengthen
our common home, its internal unity, sovereignty and independence.”
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:
Armenian literature developed with the creation of the Armenian alphabet,
beginning with the translation of the Bible. The first texts to be translated
were the writing of the great Greek philosophers, politicians and theologians.
Being able to read these works gave the Armenians a more universal outlook.
Ironically, many works in Classical Greek, Latin and other languages are
available today only in their Armenian translations, the originals being
lost.
Modern Armenian literature began in the nineteenth century with the writings
of Khatchatour Abovian (1804-1848), who was the first author to write
in modern Armenian rather than classical Armenian. His most famous work
is The Wounds of Armenia.
Another great writer at this time was Raffi (Hagop Melik-Hakopian, 1837-1888),
the grand romanticist of Armenian literature. He began as a poet but turned
to patriotic and historic novels after traveling through Turkish Armenia
and seeing the condition of the Armenians.
The literary tradition continued when Armenia came under communist rule
with writers and poets like Hovhaness Toumanian and Yeghishe Charentz
in the 1920s and 30s. In the late 1960s a new generation of writers like
Barouyr Sevag, Kevork Emin, and Hovaness Shiraz began a new era of Armenian
literature.
DAILY BIBLE
READINGS
Bible readings for today, August 23, are: Jeremiah 1:1-10; 38:1-13; 2 Peter
2:9-22; Matthew 2:16-18.
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated,
and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were
two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the
wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice
was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentations,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.” (Matthew
2:16-18)
For listing of the
entire week’s Bible readings click
here.
“I HAVE
A DREAM…”
Next Tuesday is the 44th anniversary of the peaceful civil rights march
on Washington where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his electrifying
“I Have a Dream” speech.
On August 28, 1963, more than a quarter of a million people gathered on
the mall between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It
was a day of speeches and performances by entertainers like Harry Belafonte,
Sidney Poitier, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan. As the sun set and evening approached
the keynote speaker standing on the steps in front of the Lincoln Memorial
began his speech to those assembled and to the tens of millions watching
on television. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., sensing the response and mood
of the crowd, at one point set aside his prepared text and extemporaneously
delivered a soul-stirring speech filled with biblical and patriotic imagery
and uplifting optimism. The speech immediately became known as the “I
have a dream” speech and today is considered to be one of the most
stirring and memorable orations of the twentieth century. One year later
the Civil Rights Act was passed, and Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize—at age 35 the youngest recipient.
If you would like to read the “I Have a Dream” speech click
here.
(A video of the speech is on YouTube.)
|
| CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
September
9—Annual picnic of St. Gregory
Church of Merrimack Valley at American Legion Grounds in Haverhill, Massachusetts.
September
9—St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, annual
picnic at Quartette Club grounds, New Britain.
September
9—St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New
York. Annual picnic on the church grounds following church services. For
information 718-224-2275.
September
15—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, “The
Moon*The Stars*and All that Jazz.” An evening of music and mezze
under the stars, presented by the Ladies Guild. For information 845-735-8713
or 201-445-6867.
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
7—St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, 82nd Anniversary
banquet, Marriott Hotel, Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
October
7—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, “Hello
Ellis Island,” the latest production of The Way We Were Troupe,
hosted by the Ladies Guild, 1 pm. Lunch served. For information 201-943-2950.
October
18, 19, 20, 21—Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland,
Annual Food Festival and Bazaar.
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
11—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.
November
17—Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 43rd Anniversary
Banquet.
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. |
