FEBRUARY 14 , 2008
ORDINATION OF DN. NISHAN BALJIAN THIS WEEKEND Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan, the Prelate and Vicar respectively, will travel to New England this weekend for the ordination of Deacon Nishan Baljian. As announced earlier Deacon Nishan Baljian will be ordained to the Holy Order of the Priesthood this Sunday, February 17, at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church in Watertown, Massachusetts, where Dn. Nishan’s father, Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian is pastor. The Service of Calling will take place Saturday evening, February 16. Bishop Anoushavan is the candidate’s spiritual sponsor and Col. George Rustigian, USAF (Ret.) is his Godfather. On Sunday, 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. 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.
PRELACY LENTEN LECTURE SERIES CONTINUES The second of the six-part Prelacy Lenten program took place last night at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, with the participation of about fifty people. The 2008 Prelacy Lenten Program this year is focusing on Armenian Christian education. Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York, spoke about “The Bible and Christian Education.” Der Hayr highlighted the centrality of the Bible in the Christian formation of the Armenian people, be it in their personal piety or communal spirituality and worship. And he challenged the participants to commit time and energy to reading and studying the Bible. Next Wednesday, Rev. Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, and chairman of the Prelacy’s Relgious Council, will speak on “Christian Education and Moral Living.” The Lenten program is sponsored by the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), the St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild, and the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). For more information about the forthcoming lectures click here. Photos: Der Nareg speaking about the Bible and Christian Education. The youngest participant in the Husgoom service, Taline Lakissian, daughter of Rev. Fr. and Yn. Mesrob Lakissian.
AREC DIRECTOR CONDUCTS SEMINAR IN NEW JERSEY Last Sunday, February 10, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), visited Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, and conducted an interactive seminar for the Sunday school teachers and staff members on the Sacraments of Christian Initiation: Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist. After a brief introduction to the notion of Christian initiation, Dn. Shant walked the participants through the services of baptism-chrismation, commenting on the ritual acts and movements, the scriptural readings, and the text of the prayers. In doing so, he highlighted the conditions for baptism, the gifts and the effects of baptism, and the obligations that baptism entails. He also spoke to the students at large and taught the 7-10 grade students, focusing on our responsibilities as baptized Armenian Christians according to the Lenten Sunday Bible Readings.
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. PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD TO THE TEMPLE Today, February 14, is the Feast of the Presentation of our Lord to the Temple on the 40th day after his birth. In Armenian the feast is called Tyarnundarach, which literally means “going forward” (underach) to meet the Lord” (Tyarn). In English is known as Candlemas. Forty days after the birth of Christ, Mary obeyed Mosaic Law and presented her son to the temple (Numbers 18:15). She was purified by the prayer of Simeon the Just in the presence of Anna the Prophet (Luke 2:22-40). This was the first introduction of Christ into the house of God. There are many Armenian pre-Christian traditions that are associated with this feast, including one of the most popular of building a bonfire on the eve of the holiday where young people (especially newly married couples) gather and dance around the fire. The bonfire is started with a flame burning in the church. The light is symbolic of Christ who is the light of the world. ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM This Saturday, February 16, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Cyril (315-386) of Jerusalem, a doctor of the church. St. Cyril had a pleasant and conciliatory disposition, but unfortunately he lived at a time when bishops were embroiled in bitter controversies and were quick to condemn any attempts at compromises, labeling such attempts as treason. Sixteen years of his thirty-five years as a bishop were spent in exile. When a famine hit Jerusalem, he sold some of the possessions of the church to raise money for the poor people who were starving. He was condemned for selling church property and was banished. His best-known work that survived, “The Catechetical Lectures,” is believed to be one of the earliest systematic accounts of Christian theology. The lectures consist of an introductory lecture, followed by eighteen lectures on the Christian faith that were used during Lent for those preparing to be baptized on Easter, and five lectures on the sacraments to be used after Easter. The lectures have been translated into many languages, including English and Armenian, and are noted for their presentation of the Christian faith in a positive light and maintaining a balance between correct belief and holy action. SUNDAY OF THE PRODIGAL SON Our journey through Great Lent continues. This Sunday, February 17, is the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. The parable of the Prodigal Son is intended to show God’s fatherly love and eagerness to forgive those who repent. The well-known story describes an errant son whose absence causes pain to his father. When the son returns the father welcomes him with open arms and jubilation, to the distress of an older son who had remained faithful. But the father says, “It is fitting to make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” You can read the entire story of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 15, verses 11 to 32. DAILY BIBLE READINGS Today, February 14, is Presentation of the Lord (Tyarnundarach). Bible readings for today are: 1 Samuel 3:21-4:18; Proverbs 3:11-4:14; Jeremiah 2:31-3:16. Readings for the Presentation are: Isaiah 24:21-25:8; Acts 7:47-50; Galatians 4:1-7; Luke 2:41-52. Now every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety.” He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. (Luke 2:41-52). For listing of the week’s Bible readings click here.
FROM THE BOOKSTORE THIS WEEK… This week the Bookstore is featuring some “new old” books. These books were published in the 1960s and 1970s and were believed to be out-of-print. The publisher recently located a limited supply of the books and made them available to the Prelacy Bookstore. The First Genocide of the 20th Century, by James Nazer. This is a collector’s edition of the story of the Armenian genocide told in text and photographs. Some of the photos are rare. Oversize, hardcover, 160 pages. $25.00. Hovhannes Toumanian: A Selection of Stories, Lyrics, and Epic Poems: Hovhannes Toumanian was one of the greatest Armenian writers and excelled in the creation of epic poetry. This 192-page softcover book features English translations of some of his best known works. $10.00. Abrouvats Sarsourner (Living Fears), by Krikor Kaloustian. A collection of essays and poems, in Armenian, by the author about his life and family. $10.00. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THESE AND OTHER ITEMS AT THE BOOKSTORE CONTACT THE BOOKSTORE BY EMAIL (BOOKS@ARMENIANPRELACY.ORG) OR BY TELEPHONE (212-689-7810)
MONDAY IS PRESIDENTS’ DAY This Monday, February 18, is Presidents’ Day, a federal holiday in the United States. In 1968, legislation by Congress changed the dates of several federal holidays, including the birthday of George Washington, the first President of the United States. The holiday was shifted to the third Monday of February, to provide a three-day weekend. Known as Presidents’ Day, it celebrated the birthdays of Washington (Feb. 22) and Lincoln (Feb. 12), and to a lesser degree all other presidents. As is the case in nearly all attempts at “one size fits all,” the holiday now doesn’t celebrate much of anything, except perhaps shopping malls. REMEMBERING TOM LANTOS We join the many others who mourn the death of U.S. Representative Tom Lantos, from California, who died in Washington this week. He was the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the U.S. Congress. He was a constant and vocal champion of human rights. Under extreme pressure from many fronts, he refused to change his vote on the Armenian Genocide Congressional Resolution, saying that he could not go along with “genocide revisionism.”
Calendar of Events
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. February 29—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Lenten Dinner sponsored by the Ladies Guild immediately following Friday evening Lenten services. For information and reservations, 201-440-3018. 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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