FEBRUARY 7 , 2008
ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN RETURNS FROM THEOLOGICAL DIALOGUE Archbishop Oshagan, is expected to return to the United States today, following the fifth meeting of the international joint commission for theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches which convened at St. Ephrem Syrian Orthodox Monastery in Maarrat Saydnaya, near Damascus, Syria. The meeting took place at this historic monastery at the invitation of His Holiness Patriarch Ignatius Zakka I Iwas of the Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch and All the East. The meeting was chaired jointly by His Eminence Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and His Eminence Metropolitan Bishoy of Darniette, General Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Joining delegates from the Catholic Church were representatives of the following Oriental Orthodox Churches: the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Armenian Apostolic Church (Catholicate of All Armenians), the Armenian Apostolic Church (Holy See of Cilicia), and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Representatives of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Eritrean Orthodox Church were unable to attend. Representing the Holy See of Cilicia was Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan (Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy in the United States), and Bishop Nareg Alemezian (Ecumenical officer). The Catholicate of All Armenians was represented by Archbishop Mesrob Krikorian (Primate of Vienna and Patriarchal Delegate for Central Europe and Scandinavia) and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian (Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the United States). The sixth meeting of the International Commission will be hosted by the Catholic Church in Rome, January 25-31, 2009.
EASTERN PRELACY CLERGY GATHER AT ST. STEPHEN CHURCH IN CONNECTICUT Each year on the occasion of the Feast of St. Ghevont, the clergy gather for a conference where they explore mutual concerns and share in a rejuvenating time of renewal and fellowship. This year’s conference was hosted by the St. Stephen parish of New Britain, Connecticut, for the first time in that parish’s long history. St. Stephen’s is the oldest of the Prelacy parishes. St. Stephen’s recently celebrated its 82nd anniversary. A good part of the conclave was devoted to Christian Education and the challenges that modern society
faces in transmitting the teachings of our Lord to the faithful and especially in the implementation of effective teaching in our Sunday schools. Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, presented a paper on pre-marital counseling. Ms. Adrienne Dodakian, a local parishioner, presented a paper on Suicide. Throughout the two-day gathering various members of the clergy offered meditations and led prayer services. The pastor of St. Stephen’s Church, Archpriest Fr. Krikoris Keshishian, was honored on the 30th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Fr. Krikoris has served St. Stephen’s for the past thirteen years. PRELACY PARISHES PRESENT CATHOLICOS’ MESSAGE ON YEAR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has designated the year 2008 as the “Year of Christian Education.” His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, asked all parishes within the Eastern Prelacy to read the Pontiff’s message last Sunday, February 3. To read His Holiness’ message in Armenian click here. To read His Holiness’ message in English click here. DIALOGUE WITH THE YOUTH His Holiness Aram I last week issued his 11th in a series of dialogues with the youth. His latest message is entitled, “How to Interact with Globalization.” The Catholicos begins his message by emphasizing the relevance and importance of such dialogues: “I consider my sharing of perspectives and concerns with our youth on special occasions and in respect to important and timely issues to be a vital dimension of my pontifical ministry. I believe that we much engage our youth in responsible dialogue with our church, with our community and the world at large. It is my deep conviction that our youth must not only listen but also talk, not only take but also give, not only wait but also act, not only follow but also lead in all spheres and at all levels of our common life.” The Pontiff describes the challenges posed by a globalized world, which he says, “destroys all cultural norms and patterns and promotes a mono-culture, its own culture; we as Armenians must stick firmly to our centuries-old cultural values and traditions, paradigms and norms. But how? In fact, being directly exposed to the forces and values of the culture of globalization, on the one hand, and affirming our own culture, on the other hand, is not easy. Indeed, a globalized Armenianess is arising with globalization. Armenian diaspora is a global reality; it has also its contextual expressions. How to engage in creative dialogue these two dimensions which affect the way we perceive and articulate our identity. This requires strategy and vision. We face this challenge daily and existentially.” His Holiness goes on to expound on the challenges and his perspectives for solutions. To read the entire message click here. VICAR WILL ATTEND CONFERENCE TOMORROW Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, will attend a world conference tomorrow, February 8, of Religions for Peace, which will take place in New York City. The conference will honor William F. Vendley who has served as Secretary General of the international organization since 1994. Religions for Peace is the world’s largest multi-religious organization solely dedicated to promoting collaboration among the world’s religious communities among the world’s religious communities around their deeply held and widely shared concerns.
AREC DIRECTOR WILL LEAD SEMINAR IN NEW JERSEY On Sunday, February 10, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), will visit the Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, where he will conduct a seminar for the Sunday School teachers from 2:00-6:00pm. The theme of the seminar is Understanding the Sacraments of Christian Initiation according to the tradition of the Armenian Orthodox Church: Baptism-Chrismation-Eucharist. Dn. Shant will also visit the Sunday School classes and teach the 7-10 grade students. Sts. Vartanantz Sunday School has 145 students and 24 teachers, assistant teachers and staff members.
Teachers from St. Illuminator’s Cathedral will also attend the seminar.	Dn. Shant with the Sunday school junior-senior high students and their teachers and director.
On Sunday, January 27, Dn. Shant conducted a seminar for the Sunday School teachers of St. Sarkis Church in Dearborn, Michigan, on Prayer, Personal and Communal. He also had an engaging discussion Sunday morning with the junior-senior high Sunday School students about Great Lent in the Armenian Church. Those parishes and Sunday Schools who wish to hold a seminar should contact the AREC office at arec@armenianprelacy.org.
PRELACY LENTEN LECTURE SERIES BEGINS The first of the six-part Prelacy Lenten program started last night at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, with a Husgoom Service and a lecture by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy. About fifty people from the NY-NJ area participated, including Rev. Father Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church (Douglaston, New York), and Rev. Father Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, as well as a number of deacons and Sunday School teachers/directors. Der Mesrob welcomed everyone. Before introducing
His Grace, Der Hayr spoke about the theme for the program saying, “as you know His Holiness Aram I, the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has designated this year as the year of Christian Education. It is for that reason, the Lenten lectures will reflect on various aspects and dimensions of Armenian Christian education.” Anoushavan Srpazan gave an overall picture of Christian Education in the Armenian Church. He highlighted that Christian education has always had a vital role in the life of the Armenian people and that, contrary to popular belief, it’s not a foreign concept for us Armenians. He substantiated this claim with ample examples from the history of the Armenian Church and people, starting with the catechetical instructions of our Holy Father St. Gregory the Illuminator, who preached the gospel and taught the basic tenets of Christianity for 66 days before their mass baptism into Christ the Lord. After giving several other examples from history, he came to our recent times and underscored how the Catholicosate of Cilicia, in 1930, through an encyclical from His Holiness Catholicos Sahag, officially established the ministry of Sunday Schools in the Armenian Apostolic Church. He also discussed how the Armenian Church today is giving great importance to Christian education through its Sunday school programs, St. Gregory of Datev Institute and other youth oriented programs, as well as establishing Bible studies and adult education programs in parishes. After the presentation, the participants enjoyed a nice fellowship and Lenten foods prepared by the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG) and St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild. Next Wednesday, Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York, will reflect on the Bible and Christian Education. The Program is sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), St. Illuminator’s Cathedral Ladies Guild and the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). For more information about the forthcoming lectures click here. ORDINATION OF DN. NISHAN BALJIAN ON FEBRUARY 16 and 17 Archbishop Oshagan has announced that Deacon Nishan Baljian will be ordained to the Holy Order of the Priesthood on Sunday, February 17, at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown, Massachusetts, where Dn. Nishan’s father, Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian is pastor, and a parish that the candidate attended and served for many years. The Service of Calling will take place Saturday evening, February 16. His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian is the candidate’s spiritual sponsor and Col. George Rustigian, USAF (Ret.) is his Godfather. On Sunday, February 17, with Archbishop Oshagan officiating, Dn. Nishan will be ordained and given a new name. Following the Service of Calling on Saturday evening there will be a reception in St. Stephen Church hall for all participants. A banquet will follow the Liturgy and Ordination on Sunday in honor of the newly ordained priest. Reservations are required. Contact the church office at 617-924-7562 or Josh Tevekelian at 617-926-9169. To read more about Dn. Nishan Baljian click here. MUSICAL ARMENIA 25 The 25th Musical Armenia concert will take place on Sunday, March 2, at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York. Featured artists are Aleksandr Nazaryan, violist; and Karen Tchougourian, pianist. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased from the Carnegie Box Office, 212-247-7800, or the Prelacy office, 212-689-7810. For information about the concert click here. BLESSING OF MURON The Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia announced that His Holiness Catholicos Aram I will consecrate the Holy Muron (Holy Oil) 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, thus creating an unbroken chain with the past. The preparation of the Holy Muron is a long process and each stage is accompanied with special prayers. Prior to its blessing, the Muron remains for forty days on the altar of the Cathedral. The Muron Blessing is expected to attract a large number of pilgrims from various parts of the world. During this same period the World General Assembly of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia will convene in Antelias beginning on June 3 through to June 5. INTERNATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING 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.
VICAR IN PROVIDENCE Last weekend the Vicar General, Bishop Anoushavan, was in Providence, Rhode Island, where on Sunday he celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Sts. Vartanantz Church on the occasion of Vartanantz. Following the services, the Ladies Guild served a luncheon and the Mourad Armenian School students presented a program. On Saturday evening, the Vicar attended the Varantian dinner hosted by the Providence chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation. (see photo).
DAILY BIBLE READINGS Bible readings for today, February 7, is: Romans 6:3-14 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin exercise dominion in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. No longer present your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:3-14) For listing of the week’s Bible readings click here. ST. THEODORE THE WARRIOR This Saturday, February 9, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Theodore the Warrior. Theodore was a soldier in the Roman army during the reign of Emperor Licinius and noted for his exceptional bravery. His parents were devout Christians and he was educated in the Christian faith. The traditional story relates that Theodore armed himself with a sword and a prayer to the Lord, and killed a serpent that was terrorizing people and animals. In appreciation of his bravery he was elevated to the rank of Captain. The Roman emperor began a campaign against the Christians with the intention of eradicating the new faith. When it became known that Theodore was a Christian the military tribunal, taking into consideration his brave service, found him to be a good soldier who made a mistake and was given the opportunity to renounce his Christian faith. He refused and eventually was martyred in 319 A.D. in Heraclea, Thrace. SUNDAY OF THE EXPULSION As of Monday, we entered the period of Great Lent (Medz Bahk) and the Church has taken on a mournful and penitential manifestation. The altar is closed with a black curtain, symbolic of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Holy Communion is not offered during the liturgical service. It is a period of reflection in our spiritual journey toward Easter. Each of the Sundays during Lent has a theme. This Sunday, February 10, is the Sunday of the Expulsion (Artaksman Kiraki). The message for the Sunday of the Expulsion is a continuation of the theme of last Sunday’s Paregentan, namely, Adam and Eve’s fall and banishment from Paradise because of their disobedience. “Of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die,” (Genesis 2:17). With their expulsion from Paradise, humankind was thus condemned to experience death, pain and sorrow. The hymns sung on the first two Sundays of Lent remind us of the expulsion, and give sinners the good tidings that they may render themselves worthy through repentance. ABRAHAM LINCOLN: THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD Next Tuesday, February 12, is the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. Most historians consider Lincoln to be our greatest president and increasingly he is considered to be one of the greatest writers amongst all of our leaders. In a recent book (2006) Lincoln’s Sword: The Presidency and Power of Words, the author Douglas L. Wilson notes, “His pen, to alter the proverb, became his sword, arguably the most powerful weapon of his presidency.” Lincoln realized that good writing could shape public opinion and he spent a lot of time writing and rewriting using truth and clarity as his goals. Contrary to modern times, Lincoln had no speech writers. He was his own speech writer. A MINI SERMON FOR LENT Great Lent is a time I look forward to as a means to search and reflect upon my own personal spiritual well-being and a time to make an honest effort to grow closer to our Lord Jesus Christ and to listen to the voice of God in my everyday life. This year one of the pressing questions that has been dwelling in my thoughts is how I would answer the following question: If being a Christian were a crime would I be found guilty? This is a very difficult question to answer for most of us and food for thought during this time of Great Lent which is a time of repentance and reconciliation with not only our neighbors and family but above all with God. St. Paul reminds us time and time again that the answer can be found only if we really search for it within ourselves. Great Lent is a wonderful opportunity to look into yourself and make a serious examination of where you stand in terms of your Christian faith and devotion to what you proclaim to believe. Do you love your neighbor as yourself? Can you forgive another human being? Do you have mercy and compassion for those who do not have anything? Do you expect to be forgiven without first having forgiven others? Do you take your faith as a Christian seriously or is it a convenience? During Great Lent our Sunday Gospel readings are taken from St. Luke and the prayers and chants of our Lenten Compline Services are a constant reminder of our humanity and how much we truly need to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness during this time of examination and soul searching as we seek to answer the question, “If being Christian were a crime would I be found guilty?” Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian Pastor, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Merrimack Valley North Andover, Massachusetts SUPER BOWL AND SUPER PRAYER Some of our readers wondered why Crossroads made no mention of the Super Bowl in last week’s issue, since we often inject items of current popular interest. Truthfully, we forgot. But it is never too late, and this little item came to our attention from the Religion News Service, from an article written by Kevin Manahan: “As Eli Manning drove the Giants to a championship-winning touchdown in the final minute of Super Bowl XLII, team president John Mara reached into his shirt pocket and ran his fingers over a small religious medal. ‘I had a little medal this nun sent me,’ he said. ‘She sent me a great letter a couple of days ago with this medal of the Blessed Virgin, and she said, ‘I guarantee you this will bring you luck.’ Tracked down in New Orleans, Sister Kathleen Finnerty told the story behind the Our Lady of Prompt Succor medal she had sent. Turns out, Sister Finnerty’s order, the Usuline Sisters, are fanatical football fans with a soft spot for the Manning quarterbacks, who were reared there. ‘Some of the sisters down here are 80 to 90 years old, and they are football addicts,’ Sister Finnerty said. ‘So when the Giants made the Super Bowl, one of them said to me, ‘We can’t let Eli down. We have to get Our Lady in on this.’ “ The rest, as they say, is history!
FROM THE BOOKSTORE FOR LENT Here are some suggestions from the Bookstore for the Lenten season: AVAK SHAPAT (HOLY WEEK), by Archbishop Shnork Kaloustian. This book, in Armenian, takes you through Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday through to Easter Sunday, in detail and with biblical references. $7.00, plus shipping and handling. INHERITING PARADISE:MEDITATIONS ON GARDENING, By Vigen Guroian $9.00, plus shipping and handling. THE FRAGRANCE OF GOD, by Vigen Guroian $15.00, plus shipping and handling. Both of these books by Vigen Guroian make good Lenten reading. They both remind us of the beauty of creation, and give the reader pause for meditation. THE 40 DAYS OF LENT: Selected recipes by Alice Antreassian This is a second edition of a classic book by Alice Antreassian, filled not only with dozens of recipes for the Lenten season, but a wonderful commentary on the Armenian traditions during this holy season. $15.00, plus shipping and handling. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER ITEMS AT THE BOOKSTORE VISIT THE PRELACY’S WEB SITE (WWW.ARMENIANPRELACY.ORG) OR CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY EMAIL (BOOKS@ARMENIANPRELACY.ORG) OR BY TELEPHONE (212-689-7810)
Calendar of Events
February 10—Seminar for Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey) Sunday School teachers and staff, conducted by Deacon Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). Theme: Understanding the sacraments of Christian initiation according to the tradition of the Armenian Orthodox Church: Baptism-Chrismation-Eucharist. February 10—Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, Annual Membership Meeting. Snow date: February 24. February 10—Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church, Bethesda, Maryland, Annual Membership Meeting at 1 p.m. following church services. Snow date: February 17. February 10—First lecture of a series presented by Education Committee of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, 1:15 pm. With participation of Samvel Jeshmaridian, PhD and Elize Kiregian, M.A. Information: Church office 718-224-2275 or Dr. Arthur H. Kubikian 718-786-3842. February 16 and 17—Ordination of Deacon Nishan Baljian to the Holy Order of the Priesthood, by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, at St. Stephen’s Armenian Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. The Service of Calling to the Priesthood will take place Saturday evening, February 16, at 6 pm. The ordination and anointment will take place Sunday, February 17, during the Divine Liturgy beginning at 10 a.m. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian will serve as Dn. Nishan’s Religious Sponsor and Col. George Rustigian will serve as his Godfather. For more information contact the church office, 617-924-7562 or Josh Tevekelian at 617-926-9169. February 23—Seminar on the Orthodox understanding of the Book of Revelation, sponsored by the Christian Education Council of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Featured speaker Father Paul Tarazi, Professor of Old Testament at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. Program begins at 8 am with breakfast and concludes at 12:30 with lunch. For information 215-482-9200. February 23—Midwest Regional Conference with Board of Trustees and NRA delegates hosted by All Saints Church, Glenview, Illinois. February 24—Annual Membership meeting, St. Gregory Church (North Andover, Massachusetts). February 24—Mid-Lenten Luncheon and Special Program, hosted by Ladies’ Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City. For reservations/information: 212-689-5880. March 2—Musical Armenia, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City, featuring Aleksandr Nazaryan, violist, and Karen Tchougourian, pianist. March 2—Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, annual membership meeting following church services. March 8—New England Regional Conference with Board of Trustees and NRA delegates hosted by St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts. March 30—Second lecture of a series presented by St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, 1:15 pm. With participation of Samvel Jeshmaridian, PhD and Elize Kiregian, M.A. Information: church office 718-224-2275 or Dr. Arthur H. Kubikian 718-786-3842. April 20—Third lecture of a series presented by St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, 1:15 pm. With participation of Samvel Jeshmaridian, PhD and Elize Kiregian, M.A. Information: church office 718-224-2275 or Dr. Arthur H. Kubikian 718-786-3842. May 5—Mothers’ Day Luncheon, sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild, St. Regis, New York City. Reception at 11:30 followed by luncheon. May 8-10—National Representative Assembly of the Eastern Prelacy, hosted by St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. June 3-5—World General Assembly of the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia will convene in Antelias, Lebanon. 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. July 19—“A Hye Summer Night 3,” dance hosted by Ladies’ Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church and ARS Ani Chapter, Providence, Rhode Island. For details 401-434-4467. 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.
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