| PRELATE
AND VICAR WILL BE IN PHILADELPHIA
This Sunday, October
21, Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan will travel to Philadelphia
where they will join the parishioners of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church
in honoring Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian on the 20th anniversary of his ordination
to the priesthood.
A luncheon, under
the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan, will take place immediately after
church services in honor of Der Nerses. The keynote address will be delivered
by Bishop Anoushavan. On this occasion, in appreciation of his years of
devoted service to the Armenian Church, Rev. Fr. Nerses will be bestowed
with the title of Avak Kahana (Archpriest).
PRELATE WILL
ATTEND COAF DINNER FRIDAY
Tomorrow evening,
Friday, October 19, Archbishop Oshagan will attend the 2007 “Save
a Generation” Awards Dinner sponsored by the Children of Armenia
Fund (COAF), at Cipriani in New York City. Daniel D. Sahakian and Henry
D. Sahakian will be honored for their support of educational programs
for children in Armenia. Sherry Lansing, Oscar-winner of the Humanitarian
Award in 2007, and former chairman of Paramount Pictures, will deliver
the keynote address.
VICAR WILL
ATTEND WCC BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Bishop Anoushavan,
Vicar of the Prelacy, and Ecumenical Officer in the United States for
the Catholicosate of Cilicia will attend the Board of Directors meeting
of the World Council of Churches—U.S., on Wednesday, October 24.
SAGA OF HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES RECOGNITION
OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
CONTINUES
With the Armenian
Genocide resolution out of committee, the next step is consideration by
the full House of Representatives. After intense lobbying from the White
House and the high-priced firms retained by Turkey, and various threats
about Turkey’s cooperation in the Iraq war, some representatives
have pulled away their support. It is very important for Armenian Americans
to continue their contacts with their representatives. For names and telephone
numbers go to the ANCA web page.
Meanwhile, the coverage
in the media has been phenomenal. Millions of dollars could not have bought
that kind of publicity. The latest is an article in Time Magazine by Samantha
Power. Entitled “The U.S. and Turkey: Honesty is the Best Policy,”
Ms. Power while acknowledging that Turkey has greater leverage today because
of the Iraq war, maintains that “a stable, fruitful, 21st century
relationship cannot be built on a lie.”
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS
A conference for Sunday
school teachers will take place October 26-28 at the Holy Virgin Mary
Spiritual Vineyard, a Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center in Charlton, Massachusetts.
The theme of the conference is “Prayer—Personal and Communal,”
and will feature presentations by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Rev. Fr.
Paul Tarazi, Ph.D., Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and Dr. Mary Olson. A modest
fee of $60 covers all expenses including lodging for two nights, five
meals and refreshments. For detailed information click
here.
NEW SERIES
OF BIBLE STUDY AT THE PRELACY
The new five-part
series of Bible studies (“from Jesus’ meals with sinners to
the Lord’s Supper”) began on Monday, October 16, and will
continue on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from 7:15 to 8:45
pm, at the Prelacy. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious
Education Council (AREC) is leading the sessions. For information and
registration, send email to arec@armenianprelacy.org
or telephone 212-689-7810. |
CATHOLICOS
ARAM I DELIVERS KEYNOTE ADDRESS
AT CONVENTION OF EUROPEAN
ARMENIANS
His Holiness Aram
I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, delivered the keynote address
at the 2nd Convention of European Armenians which took place in Brussels,
Belgium, beginning October 15 and concluding today October 18.
In an address delivered
in French, His Holiness outlined the characteristic features of Europe
as a continent which has the sense of history and tradition. He identified
the challenges facing Europe today.
“Europe is not
a continent based only on political and economic interests. Its identity,
unity and vision are deeply rooted in human values. These cultural, religious,
social and educational values constitute the solid basis of Europe,”
His Holiness said.
During his visit,
His Holiness met with Vartan Oskanian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Armenia, who was also in Brussels for the convention.
Following the convention
His Holiness will go to Geneva where he will participate in ecumenical
meetings and then to Naples, Italy, where he will deliver a lecture in
the international conference organized by Sant’Egidio.
DAILY BIBLE
READINGS
Bible readings for
today, October 18, are: Isaiah 33:2-6; Acts 17:16-34; 2 Thessalonians
1:1-12; Luke 10:1-7.
After this the Lord
appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every
town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The
harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord
of the harvest to send our laborers into his harvest. Go on your way.
See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no
purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. Whatever house
you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if anyone
is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but
if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking
whatever they provide, but the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move
about from house to house.”
Luke 10:1-7.
For listing of the
entire week’s Bible readings 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:
“The Armenian
Church emerged as another important force in the [literary] revival. The
notable activity in printing, translating and in education initiated and
carried on for decades by two enlightened Patriarchs of Constantinople,
Golod and Nalian, was followed by the founding by Mekhitar of Sebastia
of the Mekhitarist Congregation in Venice in 1717. And for well over a
century, the venerable monks produced a large variety of publications—religious
poetry, epic poems, translations of the major works of the Ancients into
classical Armenian, edited versions of Armenian classics as well as scholarly
works of history, grammar (in both vernacular and classical Armenian)
and dictionaries, notably the New Haigazian Dictionary by the Three Vartabeds.
By 1850, the Congregation had established its national and international
reputation. In 1843 they started the publication of an erudite Armenological
journal, Pazmaveb. At about the same time, a group of young rebel monks
who had run away from the monastery at Venice in 1773, had founded in
1811 another Mekhitarist Congregation in Vienna that was also devoted
to scholarly research, letters and education, producing major works in
grammar (Aidenian’s Critical Grammar of the Armenian Language,
1866) philology, history, and linguistics. The remarkable thing about
these monks was their ability to combine staunch patriotism, religious
fervor with a passionate love of letters. This last drew them close to
European literature, and very soon, they become ardent champions of romanticism,
of nationalism and of Catholicism, all in one!”
“A Brief Survey
of Armenian Literature,” by Vahe Oshagan, in Volume 13 of the Review
of National Literatures devoted to Armenia (1984).
HOLY EVANGELISTS
REMEMBERED
This Saturday, October
20, the Armenian Church remembers the Holy Evangelists—Matthew,
Mark, Luke and John—the authors of the four Gospels.
Matthew
is considered to be the patron of the Church’s mission. The Gospel
attributed to him closes with the command by Jesus to His disciples and
followers to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember,
I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Mark
is considered to have had significant influence on the advancement of
Christianity. Although the Gospel according to Mark is a narrative of
the life of Jesus, theologians consider it to be a handbook of discipleship.
The dominant message is that being a Christian is not only believing in
Jesus Christ, it is also living according to the example set by Jesus.
According to tradition, Mark was the first bishop of Alexandria. One of
the most magnificent cathedrals in the world is named after him in Venice.
Luke
is the author of the Third Gospel and the Book of Acts. He is considered
to be the patron of physicians and artists. The Gospel according to Luke
is greatly concerned with Jesus as “the healer of a broken world.”
Luke is also noted for his concern for the poor, the marginalized, women,
and social outcasts. His Gospel does not end with the Resurrection, but
rather continues to Pentecost and the eternal presence of Christ in the
world. According to tradition, he was one of the Seventy and was the unnamed
disciple of Emmaus.
John,
often called the “Beloved Disciple,” is the author of the
Fourth Gospel and the book of Revelation. Jesus entrusted his mother to
John’s care on the day of the Crucifixion. The best known verse
in his gospel is, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life,”
(John 3:16). According to tradition, John left Jerusalem after attending
the first council and went to Asia Minor and settled at Ephesus. He was
exiled to the island of Patmos where he wrote the Book of Revelation.
A MINI SERMON
Have you ever stopped to think about how seasonal our Christianity has
become? Lately it seems more obvious than ever before, around this time
of the year when it would appear that we become a little more spiritual
in our thoughts and general outlook on life.
Many have labeled
this “Seasonal Christianity,” but what is even more apparent
is that now we begin preparing for Christmas in September and October.
Of course we realize that this has happened because Christmas of late
has become associated with everything but Jesus Christ. Just the other
day I saw pumpkins hanging on a Christmas tree in one of our local department
stores. We have to ask ourselves when and where is this going to cease.
When are we going to come back to our senses and really take light of
the fact that none of this has anything to do with the meaning of the
holiday. Do we not realize that we have really gone too far?
The holiday consists
of two very important elements—spirit and meaning—and unfortunately
there are those who would like to eradicate even that which we once held
to be sacred and meaningful. I believe that as Christ wept for the Holy
City of Jerusalem, He does so once again and repeats what He said as He
sat upon the hill overlooking the city of peace, Jerusalem, O Jerusalem
how I sit and weep over you for your city is in ruins.
Perhaps we should
sit upon the hill and look down at our own cities and into our hearts
and souls.
Rev.
Fr. Vartan Kassabian
Pastor, St. Gregory
Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley
North Andover, Massachusetts |
| CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
September
27 to November 29—Christian
Education classes at Sourp Khatch Church in Bethesda, Maryland, 8 pm in
the church sanctuary. Topic: The Badarak. Classes held second and fourth
Thursdays of each month, except Thanksgiving week when classes will take
place Friday. Armenian and English. Prior attendance is not a requisite.
For information: 301-229-8742.
October
16 to December 18—“From Jesus’ meals with sinners
to the Lord’s Supper,” a five part Bible study at the Armenian
Prelacy will begin on October 16 and continue on the first and third Tuesday
of the month, from 7:15 to 8:45 pm. Conducted by Dn. Shant Kazanjian,
director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). For information
and registration, please send e-mail to arec@armenianprelacy.org
or call 212-689-4481.
October
18, 19, 20—Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Annual
Food Festival and Bazaar.
October
19 & 20—Annual fall fair/bazaar, St. Gregory Church
of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts, in newly renovated
Jaffarian Hall.
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.
October
26-28—National Conference for Christian Educators, a conference
for Sunday School teachers at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard,
a Coptic Orthodox Retreat Center, in Charlton, Massachusetts. Theme: “Prayer—Personal
and Communal.” Presentations by Rev. Fr. Paul Tarazi, Bishop Anoushavan
Tanielian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, and Dr. Mary Olson. For more information
click here.
October
28—St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, presents The
Way We Were group in their new musical “Hello Ellis Island!’
by Hourig Papazian-Sahagian. Immediately after Sunday services. Refreshments
served. For information 718-224-2275.
November
2-3—Golden Jubilee Annual Bazaar, St. Stephen Church, Watertown,
Massachusetts.
November
2-3-4—Sts. Vartanantz Annual Bazaar and Food Festival,
461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. For information 201-943-2950.
November
7—Soorp Khatch (Bethesda, Maryland) Senior Citizens second
reunion and Thanksgiving luncheon.
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
11—St. Stephen Church, Watertown, Massachussetts, 50th
anniversary commemorative concert, 4 pm., church hall.
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
11—Greater Worcester Armenian Chorale and Armenian Children’s
Chorus, 7th annual gala concert and dinner, Armenian Church of Our Saviour
Cultural Center. Advance tickets only. Barbara Baljian, 508-799-6972.
November
16—Introduction to the new series of booklets on Contemporary
Ethical Issues: An Armenian Orthodox Perspective, by Vigen Guroian. Professor
Guroian will speak about the series and the first booklet newly published,
“Homosexuality & Same-Sex Union.” 7:30 pm at the Prelacy
office in New York City. For information arec@armenianprelacy.org
or 212-689-7810.
November
16 & 17—Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Annual Bazaar. All are welcome. For information 508-852-2414.
November
17—Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, 43rd Anniversary
Banquet.
November
18—Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Divine Liturgy
celebrated by the Prelate Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan.
November
18—Thanksgiving luncheon, Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City, following the Divine Liturgy
at the Cathedral’s John Pashalian Hall. For information 212- 689-5880.
December
1—Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts,
annual church bazaar. For information www.armenianchurchofwhit.org
or 508-234-3677.
December
2—Celebration of the 40th anniversary of the ordination
of Rev. Archpriest Arshag Daghlian, sponsored by the Religious Council
of the Eastern Prelacy and the Pastor and Board of Trustees of St. Stephen’s
Armenian Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 5 p.m. For information 617-924-7562.
December
9—St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts,
50th anniversary dinner dance, Marriott Hotel, Burlington. For information,
(617) 924-7562.
December
23—St. Stephen’s Day Celebration, Watertown, Massachusetts.
The Golden Jubilee celebration will come to a close with a commemoration
of the church’s patron saint, the first deacon and martyr, St. Stephen.
December
31—New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance, Sts. Vartanantz Church,
Ridgefield, New Jersey, and ARF Dro Gomideh, The Sheraton Meadowlands,
E. Rutherford, New Jersey. For information 201-943-2950.
June
27 to July 6—St. Gregory of Datev Institute, Summer Christian
Studies Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center
in Elverson, Pennsylvania, organized by the Armenian Religious Education
Council. For more information click here.
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