ST.
STEPHEN’S GOLDEN JUBILEEE YEAR
COMES TO A CLOSE WITH COMMEMORATION
St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, has been celebrating
its 50th anniversary during the entire year with many celebratory and
educational events. The Golden Jubilee will come to an end this Sunday,
December 23, with a special commemoration in honor of the parish’s
patron saint, St. Stephen the first deacon and proto-martyr. Congratulations
to the parishioners of St. Stephen’s, and their pastor Archpriest
Antranig Baljian, on an impressive year-long celebration of this milestone
anniversary.
CATHOLICOSATE
OF CILICIA PARTICIPATES IN GENEVA MEETINGS
Two international conferences took place in the Geneva headquarters of
the World Council of Churches (WCC) in December. Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian,
Primate of the Diocese of Tehran, represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia
and Archbishop Avak Asadourian, Primate of the Diocese of Iraq, represented
the Catholicosate of All Armenians in Holy Etchmiadzin.
The first conference was dedicated to the protection of human rights and
integrity. About 40 representatives from various countries participated.
Archbishop Sebouh delivered a lecture on the status of Christians in Iran
throughout history. He described the centuries-old presence of Armenians
in Iran and their constructive participation in the life of the country.
The second conference was dedicated to Christian-Muslim dialogue. Dr.
Samuel Kobia, the General Secretary of the WCC, delivered the opening
remarks.
VEHARAN RENOVATED
The first comprehensive renovation of the Veharan (residence and ceremonial
offices) of the Catholicosate of Cilicia since it was constructed several
decades ago was completed last week. The renovation was made possible
through a generous donation by Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Chemberdjian.
Renovations are also planned in the near future for Saint Asdvadzadzin
Monastery in Bikfaya and the Birds’ Nest Orphanage in Jbeil-Byblos.
BLESSING OF
MURON IN 2008
The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia announced that His Holiness
Catholicos Aram I will consecrate the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) next year
on June 7, 2008. The Holy Muron, symbol of the grace of the Holy Spirit,
is traditionally blessed every seven years. Only the Catholicos can consecrate
the oil which is then distributed to the various dioceses for distribution
to the parishes. The oil consists of 48 different herbs, flowers, and
oils which are combined in a special vessel and mixed with some of the
old Muron, creating an unbroken chain with the past.
The Muron Blessing is expected to attract a large number of pilgrims from
various parts of the world. More details will be forthcoming.
INTERNATIONAL
YOUTH GATHERING IN AUGUST 2008
An International Gathering of Youth is being organized by the Holy See
of Cilicia. His Holiness Aram I is inviting the youth, 18 years and older,
to attend this gathering which will include a one-week pilgrimage to Der
Zor. Details will follow.
FIFTH SUNDAY
OF ADVENT
This Sunday, December 23, is the fifth Sunday of Advent. The readings
for this Sunday are Isaiah 40:18-31; Hebrews 4:16-5:10; Luke 18:9-14.
DAILY BIBLE
READINGS
Bible readings for today, December 20, are: Wisdom 3:1-8; Jeremiah 30:18-22;
1 Peter 4:12-19; John 15:17-25.
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and
no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed
to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their
going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though
in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality.
Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because
God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace
he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them
In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like
sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord will rein over them forever. (Wisdom of Solomon
3:1-8).
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.
The year 2007 is coming to an end and with it the Year of the Armenian
Language will come to a close. For the remaining issues of Crossroads
during 2007 we will quote excerpts from the pontifical message issued
by Catholicos Aram on January 1, 2007.
“…faith and language have been present in our history with
an inseparable association. After all, was it not largely by way of the
Armenian language that the Christian faith expressed itself with an Armenian
imprint in the lives of the Armenian people? Was it not by way of the
Armenian language that the most important works of Christian thought were
written or translated? The Armenian language Armenianized the Christian
faith, giving it an Armenian spirit and personality. Furthermore, it was
by way of the Christian faith that the Armenian language, in a certain
sense, became sanctified, becoming the most authentic voice, the most
vigilant guardian, and the most powerful defender of the Armenian faith.”
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Great House of Cilicia
DAVID THE
PROPHET KING; HOLY APOSTLE JAMES
This Saturday, December 22, the Armenian Church commemorates David the
Prophet-King and James the Brother of our Lord.
David was the youngest of eight brothers and was brought up to be a shepherd
where he learned courage, tenderness and caring. David became the second
King of Israel. In Scripture the name is his alone which indicates the
unique place he had as an ancestor and forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the New Testament there are more than 50 references to David, including
the title given to Jesus—Son of David. David was a poet and some
of the Psalms were written by him.
James, called the Brother of our Lord possibly because of his close relationship
with Christ, was granted a special appearance of the Lord after the Resurrection.
He is believed to have been a first cousin of the Lord, or as some biblical
scholars have speculated a son of Joseph. Following the Resurrection and
Ascension, while the other Apostles scattered all over the world, James
remained in Jerusalem where he served as the Bishop, and became a leading
advocate for the early church. Several years ago an ossuary with the inscription
“James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus” came to light. Since
then the owner of this ossuary has been charged with fraud and forgery.
The question of whether or not the ossuary did at one time contain the
bones of St. James is still being debated.
ST. STEPHEN
THE FIRST DEACON AND PROTO-MARTYR
This Tuesday, December 25, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Stephen
the First Deacon and Proto-Martyr. After Christ’s Ascension, the
apostles went about spreading the Word of the new faith. It soon became
apparent that more people were needed to serve the growing community.
A selection of seven worthy individuals were called upon to serve the
holy altar, and called deacons (sarkavag). The most noteworthy
of the original seven deacons was Stephen—“…a man full
of faith and the Holy Spirit,” (Acts 6:5). The Feast of St. Stephen
is a popular and important commemoration in the Armenian Church. It is
also a day of honor for all deacons of the church. St. Stephen became
the first martyr for his faith and is therefore often called “proto-martyr.”
The only first hand source of information on the life and death of St.
Stephen is in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:8-8:2)
WINTER SOLSTICE
Saturday, December 22, is the winter solstice, hence the first day of
winter, the shortest day of the year, the longest night. In this season
of advent think about light shining in darkness; about the light of the
world.
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AT
THE BOOKSTORE…
This week the bookstore has just received some new editions of books originally
printed years ago and now out of print:
The two-volume, Armenian
People from Ancient to Modern Times, edited by Richard G.
Hovannisian is a valuable reference tool, yet eminently readable, and
has been reprinted recently in paperback. The first volume is sub-titled,
“The Dynastic Periods: from Antiquity to the Fourteenth Century;”
the second volume is sub-titled, “Foreign Dominion to Statehood:
The Fifteenth Century to the Twentieth Century.” Each of the sections
is written by specialists, and while the final result of such an attempt
could have been disastrous in style, the editor has done a superb job
of bringing it all together. Volume I is $31.95; Volume II is $34.95,
plus shipping and handling.
The Armenian
Genocide: News Accounts from the American Press, 1915-1922,
compiled and edited by Richard Diran Kloian. This is a new edition of
a book that first appeared some years back. It is a compelling account
of the deportation and massacre of the Armenians of the Ottoman Empire
between 1915 and 1922. It includes hundreds of news articles from the
New York Times and other newspapers and journals, accounts by
German, Turkish, Italian and Danish eyewitnesses, stories by survivors,
historical documents, and much more. $35.00, plus shipping and handling.
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CHRISTMAS—DECEMBER
25 OR JANUARY 6?
Next Tuesday, December 25, most of the Christian world will celebrate
the birth of Christ.
For most Armenian Americans the answer to the question “December
25 or January 6” is simply, “Both!” In fact, we grew
up with our parents telling us how lucky we were to be Armenian and have
two Christmases.
Originally all of Christendom celebrated the birth, baptism, and visit
of the Magi on January 6. For a variety of reasons, Rome officially adopted
December 25 in the year 336, and this date gradually became popular and
was officially adopted at the Council of Chalcedon (451)—a Council
that the Armenians did not attend nor accept. And so the Armenian Church
has remained faithful to the original date of January 6.
Of course, the actual date of Jesus’ birth is a mystery. Recent
scholarship even suggests it occurred in the spring. The older we get
the more we appreciate the wisdom of our parents who encouraged us to
celebrate both dates. December 25 became a more commercial type of celebration,
while January 6 remained very religious, very Armenian, very introspective.
Is it any wonder that last year Peter Steinfels, one of the religion reporters
for the New York Times devoted an entire article about Armenian
Christmas with the suggestion that “there is a lesson in the Armenian
practice for many Christians who desperately wish that the religious meaning
of Jesus’ birth could be rescued from angry culture wars and commercial
frenzy.”
“A wonderful
and great mystery is revealed on this day; the shepherds sing with the
angels who announce the good news to the world.
“A new King is born in the city of Bethlehem; O you people, bless
him, for he became flesh for our sake.
“He whom heaven and earth cannot contain is wrapped in swaddling
clothes, without being separated from the Father, he rested in the holy
manger.”
Hymn of Censing for the Nativity from the Armenian Liturgy
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| CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
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.
February
10—Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts,
Annual Membership Meeting. Snow date: February 24.
February
24—Annual Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church (North
Andover, Massachusetts).
March
2—Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall,
New York City, featuring Aleksandr Nazaryan on viola and Karen Tchougourian
on piano.
June
7—Blessing of Holy Muron in Antelias, Lebanon. Details
will follow.
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.
August
15-17—International Gathering of Youth and Pilgrimage to
Der Zor, organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Details will follow.
October
25—Gala celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prelacy
of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of
the Great House of Cilicia and the 110th anniversary of the establishment
of the Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New
Jersey. Details to follow. |
