PRESIDENT
OF NAGORNO-KARABAKH
AT PRELACY RECEPTION THIS SUNDAY
The newly-elected president of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), Bako Sahakyan,
will be visiting Armenian communities in New York, New Jersey, Detroit and
Boston. This Sunday, November 11, at 5 pm, he will visit the Prelacy offices
where he will be welcomed with a reception attended by leaders and friends
of the Prelacy community. President Sahakyan is one of the pioneers of the
Artsakh Liberation Movement. He was elected president this year.
Karabakh was the northeastern province of historic Armenia. There are more
than 1,700 architectural monuments on the territory of the former Nagorno
Karabakh Autonomous Region alone: fortresses, monasteries, churches, chapels,
bridges, palaces and khatchkars, and more than 1,000 wall and tombstone
inscriptions in Armenian. PRELATE
WILL BE IN NEW JERSEY
Archbishop Oshagan will preside over the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, November
11, at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
VICAR WILL
BE IN NORTH ANDOVER
Bishop Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, November
11, at St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts,
where he will ordain Nishan Dagley to the office of acolyte and stole
bearer. The Vicar will preside over the parish’s 37th anniversary
luncheon and program following the church services.
PRESENTATION
BY VIGEN GUROIAN ON NOVEMBER 16
Don’t forget that next Friday, November 16, is the presentation
by Professor Vigen Guroian, inaugurating the new series of booklets on
contemporary ethical issues. The presentation will begin promptly at 7:30
pm at the Prelacy headquarters in New York. The series of seven booklets
are being written by Professor Guroian. The first booklet of the series,
“Homosexuality and Same Sex Union,” was recently published.
Dr. Guroian’s presentation will be followed by Q&A, discussion
and reception.
The various topics—all current issues of morality and ethics—are
explored with an Orthodox perspective. The series is a pioneering effort
not only for the Armenian Church, but for all of Orthodoxy.
Guroian, Professor of Theology at Loyola College in Maryland, is a well-known
and respected theologian. His prolific written works have been described
as “eloquent” and “substantive.” Many of his colleagues
have praised him for his “courageous and discerning vision,”
on contemporary, and often controversial, issues.
For information contact the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC)
at arec@armenianprelacy.org
or contact the Prelacy office at 212-689-7810. |
40TH
ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION OF
ARCHPRIEST FR. ARSHAG DAGHLIAN
The Prelacy’s Religious Council announced that the celebration of
the 40th anniversary of the ordination of Archpriest Fr. Arshag Daghlian
will take place next year. Originally scheduled for December 2, a new
date will be announced shortly.
CATHOLICOS
ARAM I MEETS WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, received
the Ambassador of the United States to Lebanon, Jeffrey Feltman, in his
office in Antelias on November 2. The Catholicos and the Ambassador discussed
the current situation in Lebanon with particular focus on the upcoming
presidential elections. His Holiness made the following statement to the
press after the meeting: “Naturally, the discussions between community,
government and political leaders these days revolve around the means to
bring Lebanon out of its current stalemate. In this context, we consider
the presidential elections to be essential. The individual to be elected
is not as important as his platform. Lebanon needs a presidential platform,
the basis of which lies on the preservation of unity and coexistence in
Lebanon, the strengthening of its independence, integrity and sovereignty,
as well as its role in the international community. All the sides in Lebanon
should declare their agreement on these basic principles, which form the
basis of Lebanon’s existence. Based on this collective decision,
they should elect an individual who has the faith, courage and commitment
to pursue this platform with full cooperation from all sides.”
ABC’S
EXTREME MAKEOVER FEATURING
J. S. HOVNANIAN WILL BE SHOWN THIS SUNDAY
The episode of the Extreme Makeover show which features a home
built by J.S. Hovnanian & Sons will be televised this Sunday, November
11, at 8 pm on ABC. The show is dedicated to Jirair Hovnanian, the founder
of the firm, who died shortly after his construction company completed
the house for Victor Marrero, a single father of five children. The challenge
was to complete the 2,800-square-foot home in 106 hours—a job that
normally would take about four months. The Hovnanian team completed the
job in 96 hours. Jirair Hovnanian was on hand throughout, supervising
the construction.
DAILY BIBLE
READINGS
Bible readings for today, November 8, are: Wisdom 6:22-26; Zechariah 12:6-10;
Hebrews 13:7-9; Matthew 4:23-25.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues
and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease
and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all
Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted
with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics,
and he cured them. And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis,
Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan. (Mt. 4:23-25)
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:
“Goriun’s work is the first history book ever written in Armenian,
after the invention of the Armenian alphabet (A.D. 406). The complete
title is: Badmoutiun Varouts yev Mahvan Arn Yeranelvouin Srpouin Mashdotsi
Vartabedi Mero Tarkmanchi, ee Goriun Vartabedeh Hashagerdeh Norin,
(The History on the Life and Death of the Blessed Man, Our Translator
Saint Mashdots Vartabed, by his Pupil Goriun Vartabed).
“We have insufficient knowledge about the life of Goriun. However,
he has written about himself in his book in four different places. First,
that he was ordered by Bishop Hovsep, the locum tenens of the
vacant catholicossal Holy See of Armenia, and also was encouraged by his
classmates to write on the life of his great teacher Mesrob. Second, that
‘I was fortunate to be the special pupil, although the youngest
one.’ Third, that he was with the group of ‘pupils of the
truth’ to teach and preach the gospel all around Armenia and in
neighboring countries. Last, that he was sent to study in Constantinople
with his spiritual brother Ghevont. There, together, they joined with
Yeznig, and after mastering the Greek language they translated much existing
patristic literature and returned to Armenia bringing with them, among
many other writings, an accurate Greek copy of the Septuagint text of
the Bible, and also copies of the church canons of the Councils of Nicea
and Ephesus.”
From Historiography of Fifth Century Armenia, by Archbishop Hrant
Khatchadourian, SIS Publications, 2006.
ARCHANGELS
MICHAEL AND GABRIEL
This Saturday, November 10, the Armenian Church commemorates the Archangels
Michael and Gabriel. Archangel is a title given to an angel of high rank
in the celestial hierarchy.
Michael, meaning “who is like God,” is the prince of all angels
and the leader of the celestial armies. He is considered to be the protector
of Christians against the devil.
Gabriel, meaning “strength of God,” is one of God’s
chief messengers. He was God’s messenger to Daniel to explain his
vision (Dan. 8:16-26) and prophecy (Dan. 9:21-27). He also foretold the
birth of John the Baptist and was chosen to announce the forthcoming birth
of Christ (Luke 1:11-21).
VETERANS DAY
Sunday, November 11, is Veterans Day. Originally known as Armistice Day,
the anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War I, it was renamed
Veterans’ Day in 1954 to honor all veterans. Let us remember and
pray for the safety of all of our service men and women. |
| 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.
November
11—St. Sarkis Ladies’ Guild, Douglaston, New York,
Holiday Bazaar and Food Fair, 1 pm to 5 pm. Numerous vendors with gift
items, delicious home cooked Armenian specialties, children’s entertainment.
For information 718-224-2275.
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
9—St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts,
50th anniversary dinner dance, Marriott Hotel, Burlington. For information,
(617) 924-7562.
December
9—Family Christmas Concert sponsored by St. Illuminator’s
Cathedral, featuring Maggie Tune (from California) and Gaghant Baba, 4:30
pm, at IS5 High School, 50-40 Jacobus Street, Elmhurst, New York. For
information contact cathedral office, 212-689-5880.
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. |