APRIL 10, 2008

MRS. RAKEL DINK VISITS PRELACY

    Mrs. Rakel Dink and nephew visited the Prelacy offices on Monday, April 7. She was escorted by members of the New Jersey community, Pauline Dostoumian and Ovsanna Korogluyan. They were received by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar, on behalf of the Prelate, who was out of town.

PRELATE WILL TRAVEL TO NORTH ANDOVER

    Archbishop Oshagan will travel to North Andover, Massachusetts, to the parish of St. Gregory the Illuminator of Merrimack Valley, where he will preside over the Liturgy on Sunday, ordain acolytes, consecrate a painting, and preside over the church’s anniversary celebration.

VICAR WILL ATTEND GROUNDBREAKING IN PHILLY

    Bishop Anoushavan will celebrate the Liturgy and preside over the groundbreaking of Founders’ Hall at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia, this Sunday, April 13. A champagne reception will follow the groundbreaking.

    The parish’s expansion will provide new and larger Sunday school rooms, a more up-to-date kitchen, a new general purpose room, a new larger main hall, and storage space.

VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO ARMENIA NEXT WEEK

    Bishop Anoushavan will travel to Armenia next week where he will participate in the Committee for Canonizing the Armenian Saints, which will take place at Holy Etchmiadzin, April 15 to 18. Bishop Anoushavan will be representing the Catholicosate of Cilicia.

JOHN K. BARONIAN, 87

    John K. Baronian, a Knight of Cilicia, Prelacy Man of the Year in 2002, and a Pillar of the Prelacy, died on April 5, at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was 87 years old.

    Funeral services took place this morning, April 10, at St. Stephen Armenian Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, followed by interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford, Massachusetts.

    Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy, presided over the services today and offered the heartfelt condolences of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, who was en route to New York from an overseas trip.

    Mr. Baronian was a lifelong supporter of the Armenian Church and community, and was an active and passionate alumnus and advocate of Tufts University, where he served as Trustee for many years.

    Memorial gifts are being accepted for St. Stephen’s Church or St. Stephen’s Elementary School.

HELEN HAJINIAN, 100

    We note with sadness the passing of Miss Helen Hajinian. For many years Helen lived in a residence for professional women right across the street from the Prelacy on 39^th Street in Manhattan. She became a volunteer member of the Prelacy staff offering her services of typing and whatever else needed to be done for more than twenty years. She was soft-spoken but had a strong will. She was a “cracker-jack” proofreader, and even into her late 80s her sharp eyes and mind managed to catch errors that others missed. Several years ago, she relocated to the Armenian Home in Flushing, New York. During the time she spent at the Home, the area clergy and Prelacy staff members kept in touch with her, visiting whenever possible. She died this week at age 100. In 2001, during the Prelacy Ladies Guilds’ Mothers Day luncheon, Archbishop Oshagan honored Helen for her years of devoted service. At the time, she expressed her genuine surprise at being honored and said, “I received so much more than I gave.”

    Funeral services will take place tomorrow, Friday, April 11, at St. Vartan Cathedral, in New York City, at noon. Interment follows at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Flushing, New York.

BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN’S BOOK TO BE PRESENTED

    Archbishop Oshagan is hosting a book presentation and celebration of the recently published book, “Archbishop Nerses Labronaci: Commentary on the Wisdom of Solomon,” by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, on Friday, May 2, at 7 p.m., at St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York. The book, which will be introduced by Professor Peter Cowe of UCLA, arose from his doctoral dissertation. Bishop Anoushavan received his PhD from Columbia University in 2003 after successfully defending his doctoral dissertation and awarded the degree summa cum laude at the unanimous recommendation of the examining committee.

PLG MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON

    The Prelacy Ladies Guild’s popular Mothers Day Luncheon will take place on Monday, May 5, at The St. Regis, Fifth Avenue and 55^th Street, New York City. Reception is at 11:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon at 12:30. Mrs. Mary Mardoian will we honored as the Mother of the Year.

INTERNATIONAL INTERFAITH CONFERENCES AND DIALOGUE

    An international interfaith conference on migration will take place in the headquarters of the Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, next week. More than 100 delegates from around the world will participate. The conference is jointly organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). The opening session will feature remarks by Catholicos Aram I Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of WCC, as well as spiritual leaders of the Maronite, Orthodox, Sunni and Shite communities in Lebanon, and the Lebanese Minister of Culture.

    His Holiness will also take part in an international interfaith conference in Barcelona, Spain. He will be joined by V. Rev. Fr. Krikor Chiftjian, Communication’s Officer, and Mrs. Teni-Piri Simonian, Deputy Chair of the Catholicosate’s Ecumenical Committee.

    The third conference on dialogue between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Catholicosate of Cilicia will convene in Tehran. A delegation from the Catholicosate and the three dioceses in Iran—Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz—will participate along with Catholicos Aram I.

UNIQUE VOLUME ON THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE

    A new volume on Armenian Literature, Orhnerkoutyoun Medzaskanch, was published recently in Antelias as part of the “Kevork Melidintsi Literary Award,” that is administered by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. The 632 page book brings together works of Armenian literature, including prose and poetry. Edited by Sarkis Giragossian, this volume provides easy and convenient access to Armenian literature.

MAJOR RENOVATION OF ST. ILLUMINATOR CATHEDRAL BEGINS

    Major renovation of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City has begun. Starting this Sunday, April 6, until further notice, the Divine Liturgy will be offered on Sundays at 10:40 a.m. at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47^th Street, Woodside, New York. For information contact the church office at 212-689-5880.

PHOTO ART EXHIBIT OPENS TOMORROW

    A Photo Art Exhibit featuring the work of Levon Berberian will take place at the Prelacy April 11, 12, and 13. Jointly sponsored by the Prelacy and the New York Mayr Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society, the proceeds will benefit the ARS Centennial Fund. The opening reception will take place tomorrow, Friday, April 11 from 7 to 10 pm. The exhibition will also be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13 from 1 pm to 5 pm.

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY

    The Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly will be hosted by St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, May 8-10. Information for delegates, including hotel reservations, meal plans, and airport shuttle service are on the Prelacy web page. Additional information will be posted on a regular basis, so check the site often. In addition to the NRA, the National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) will be meeting and celebrating its 25^th anniversary; and a conference of Yeretzgeens will take place. To get to the NRA site click here.

PLEASE NOTE: THE DEADLINE FOR HOTEL RESERVATIONS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO APRIL 16. DELEGATES HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR INFORMATION PACKETS; PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS BEFORE APRIL 16 IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE SPECIAL RATE. INFORMATION IS ALSO ON THE PRELACY WEB SITE.

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.” 

    To read His Holiness’ message in Armenian click here.

    To read His Holiness’ message in English click here.

2008 DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM

    Plans are underway for the 22^nd annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program, for youth ages 13-18. Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the program will take place at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, June 29 to July 6, 2008. By popular demand, this year the Institute will extend the Summer Program by a weekend retreat (optional) June 27-29. For details 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.

    The Prelacy is organizing a pilgrimage to Antelias for the Muron blessing. For details click here.

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 from August 13 to 20, 2008, coinciding with the annual pilgrimage during the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God.

    Plans are underway for the Catholicosate, the Prelacy, and our Parishes to facilitate the travel of the young adults to the gathering by assisting with a portion of the travel expenses. For information contact your local parish.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

    Bible readings for today, Thursday, April 10 are: Luke 8:1-21; Acts 11:1-26; 1 Peter 3:10-22; John 4:24-42; Matthew 9:35-10:15; Mark 4:1-9.

    Again he began to teach beside the sea. Such a very large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat on the sea and sat there, while the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. He began to teach them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and it spring up quickly, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched; and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. Other seed fell into good soil and brought forth grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” And  he said, “Let anyone with ears to hear listen!” (Mark 4:1-9).

    For listing of the week’s Bible readings click here.

RED SUNDAY

    This Sunday, April 6, is the fourth Sunday of Easter, known as Red Sunday (Karmir Kiraki).  The name Red Sunday does not have an ecclesiastical origin, but rather it is similar to last week’s Green Sunday. The name Red Sunday is believed to refer to the burst of color that comes forth from the land after a barren winter. It is a celebration of nature, especially the rebirth after the Resurrection we celebrated a few weeks ago. The Gospel reading for this Sunday (John 5:19-30) emphasizes the life-giving word of Jesus.

FROM THE BOOKSTORE THIS WEEK…

    This week we call your attention for a number of posters (suitable for framing) available at the Prelacy Bookstore.

Armenian Genocide Educational Posters: 19 x 25, Set of 5 posters, $30.00.

St. Gayane; St. Hripsime; King Trdat: Each poster measures 21 x 14, $8.00 each.

Madonna Enthroned; The Baptism of King Trdat: Each measures 27 x 14, $8.00 each.

Khodakeratz Sourp Nshan, 25 x 18, $7.00 each.

Khrimian Hayrig; Madonna Enthroned with Saints & Apostles; Judas’ Regret: Each one measures 14 x 10, $4.00 each.

For shipping and handling charges call the Prelacy Bookstore, 212-689-7810.

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).

PLEASE CHECK YOUR ATTICS AND BASEMENTS….

    This year, as many of you know, we are marking a dual anniversary: the 110^th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Church in America by Catholicos Mgrditch (Khrimian Hairig), and the 50^th anniversary of the Prelacy under the Holy See of Cilicia. We are seeking any type of memorabilia and photographs, especially during the tenures of Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian (1958-1973) and Archbishop Karekin Sarkissian (1973-1977). Anything you have will be returned to you safe and sound after we scan them for use in a

forthcoming book. Please contact us by email at Info@armenianprelacy.org or by telephone 212-689-7810, Extension 23.

    A historic photo taken on May 9, 1969, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. Front row, left to right: Archbishop Hrant;  H.H. Vazken I, Catholicos of All Armenians; Bishop Gomidas. Back row, left to right: Yeghishe Melikian, Artoun Hadidian, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Tashjian, Rev. Fr. Datev Kaloustian, V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Bozabalian.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 11—Photo Art Exhibit featuring the work of Levon Berberian. Opening reception, 7 to 11 pm, at the Prelacy offices, New York City. Jointly sponsored by the Prelacy and the New York Mayr Chapter of the Armenian Relief Society. Proceeds will benefit the ARS Centennial Fund. The exhibition will also be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13, from 1 pm to 5 pm.

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.

April 27—Armenian Genocide Commemoration at Times Square, New York City, 2 pm. Sponsored by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan. Co-sponsored by the AGBU, Armenian Assembly of America, ANCA, ADL-RAG and S.D. Hunchagians. With the participation of the Diocese of the Armenian Church, Prelacy of the Armenian Church, AMAA, Armenian Presbyterian Church, Armenian Evangelical Church and Armenian Catholic Eparchy for U.S. and Canada, and Armenian youth organizations. Free bus transportation from Armenian churches in New York and New Jersey; Baruyr’s, 40^th & Queens Boulevard, and Hovnanian School, New Milford, New Jersey. For information: Sam: 516-352-2587; Leo: 201-746-0409; Ara: 973-759-7518; John: 718-631-2247.

May 2—Presentation of the recent publication of Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian’s Archbishop Nerses Lambronaci: Commentary on the Wisdom of Solomon, 7 pm, at St. Sarkis Church, 38-65  234^th St., Douglaston, New York.

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. Click here for details.

May 8 and 9—National Association of Ladies Guild (NALG) conference in conjunction with the National Representative Assembly, celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the NALG, will take place at St. Stephen 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. Click here for details.

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 3—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Blessing of the Grapes picnic. Camp Haiastan, Franklin, Massachusetts, noon to 6 pm, rain or shine.

August 15-17—International Gathering of Youth and Pilgrimage to Der Zor, organized by the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Details will follow.

September 25—Sixth annual golf outing hosted by Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, at River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. For information contact Richard Krikorian 201-784-2236 or church office 201-943-2950.

September 26-28—National Youth Conference at Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

September 29-30—Clergy conference at the Holy Virgin Mary Spiritual Vineyard, Charlton, Massachusetts.

October 25—Gala celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America under the jurisdiction of the Great House of Cilicia and the 110^th anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian Church of America. Marriott at Glenpointe, Teaneck, New Jersey. Details to follow.

Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site.

To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add email@armenianprelacy.org to your address book.

Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit Crossroads as the source.

Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to: info@armenianprelacy.org