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| ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL TRAVEL TO CHICAGO;
PRESIDE OVER 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALL SAINTS CHURCH This weekend Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Illinois where on Sunday he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at All Saints Church in Glenview. He will be assisted on the altar by the parish’s priest Archpriest Fr. Zareh Sahakian. During the liturgy His Eminence will ordain seven acolytes to serve the altar. On Saturday evening His Eminence will preside over the 70th anniversary banquet in celebration of the parish’s founding that will take place in Shahnazarian Hall.
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|  | All Saints Armenian Apostolic Church in Glenview, Illinois. | |
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| BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN INTRODUCES NEW PASTOR OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH Last Sunday, Bishop Anoushavan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon at Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. During the Liturgy His Grace introduced the Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishyan, who is the newly appointed pastor of the Holy Trinity parish. The parish’s former pastor, Archpriest Fr. Khatchadour Boghossian, retired and he and Yeretzgin Marie are now living in France. Since his arrival to the United States in July, Father Sahag has been serving the Prelacy as an outreach priest. Hayr Sourp was born in Yerevan, Armenia, in 1983. He studied at the Armenian Theological Seminary in Antelias, Lebanon, for nine years and was ordained a celibate priest in 2006. He served the Catholicosate as the director of the archives, and a lecturer at the Seminary. Most recently he served as pastor to the Armenian community of Salonica, Greece.
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|  | Bishop Anoushavan presents the Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishyan to the faithful of Holy Trinity Church in Worcester. | |  | Bishop Anoushavan, Hayr Sahag, and Archpriest Fr. Vazken Bekiarian, are surrounded by parishioners of Holy Trinity Church. | | | |
| DUAL ANNIVERSARIES CELEBRATED IN PHILLY Under the banner extolling “Celebrating Ninety Years of Life Together,” St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, marked the 90th anniversary of the founding of the parish and the 46th anniversary at its current location. The day began with an Episcopal Divine Liturgy celebrated by the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, with the assistance of the parish’s shepherd Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian. In his sermon, the Prelate congratulated the parishioners on this milestone anniversary. He praised the dedication and great sacrifices made by the survivor generation to establish churches and schools, realizing that this was the only road for the survival of the nation. He also expressed his joy that the leadership of the Philadelphia community has passed down to the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of that first generation that established St. Gregory Church ninety years ago. A celebratory luncheon took place following the Liturgy in the parish’s three-year-old Founders Hall, where more than 330 people gathered in the packed hall. The luncheon had been “sold-out” for several weeks. The parish’s nine decades of existence was beautifully captured in a tasteful display of photographs grouped by decades in the entrance and hallways of Founders Hall. Certificates of Merit were presented to a number of members of the Ladies Guild, Men’s Club, and Choir. Receiving certificates were: Margaret Garabedian, Bearg Jehanian, Rose Jehanian, Sirvart Kaloustian, Kaloust Karakelian, Shnorhig Karakelian, Eugenie Manauelian, George Terhanian, and Doris Shamlian. A special award, “Mother of Philadelphia Parish” was presented to Sandra Selverian. Two high awards were presented on behalf of the Holy See of Cilicia and His Holiness Aram I. The Prince of Cilicia Insignia was bestowed upon Peter Vosbikian by Archbishop Oshagan. Introduced to the audience by Archpriest Nerses, Mr. Vosbikian was described as the youngest of the Vosbikian children born to Bedros and Vartanoush Vosbikian, who has continued the legacy of his parents in his devoted service to the Armenian Church, as well as to the Armenian Assembly, the Armenian Sisters Academy, and the community in general. Mr. Vosbikian accepted the award with humility and dedicated the prestigious award to the memory of his parents “and all their courageous Armenian brothers and sisters who made the difficult journey…. God bless them all and may we have the vision, the strength, and the perseverance, to carry forward their legacy,” he said. The Knight of Cilicia insignia was presented to Noubar Megerian, currently vice chairman of the Prelacy’s Executive Council and a delegate to the World General Assembly. Introduced by Karen Jehanian, Mr. Megerian was described as “a man of integrity, highly principled and always seeking to do the right thing. He is a great teacher, doer, thinker, and leader working in our community, Prelacy and beyond.” Mr. Megerian was praised for being a “skillful negotiator, problem solver, cheerleader, and bridge-builder visiting communities small and large to help them with their respective issues.” One of two top awards given by the Prelacy, “The Queen Zabel Award” was presented to Karen Jehanian in appreciation of her years of devoted service. Introduced by Iris Papazian, Ms. Jehanian was praised for her devotion to the Armenian Church and especially her service to the Prelacy. “Karen has followed in the footsteps of her mother and father and from an early age served this parish of St. Gregory the Illuminator. In 1998 she became the first—and still the only—woman to be elected to the Executive Council.” Her service to the Prelacy includes many innovative programs she introduced, major advancements in the Prelacy’s use of technology, and as vice-chair of the 2012 Pontifical Visit committee.
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|  | Archbishop Oshagan during the Divine Liturgy in Philadelphia. | |  | Prince of Cilicia honoree, Peter Vosbikian and his wife Irene with Archbishop Oshagan and Der Nerses. | |  | Knight of Cilicia honoree, Noubar Megerian and his wife Ani with Archbishop Oshagan and Der Nerses. | |  | Queen Zabel honoree, Karen Jehanian, with Archbishop Oshagan and Der Nerses. You can view many more photos
here. | | | |
| A HEARTWARMING PHILADELPHIA STORY When Archbishop Oshagan was in Philadelphia for the 90th anniversary celebration described above, he was greeted by two youngsters who eagerly handed him an envelope explaining that for their recent birthday celebrations they had requested that gifts be made to the Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief. Without even opening the envelope, Archbishop Oshagan asked them, “Do you know how much money there is in this envelope?” Admitting that they did not know exactly, the Prelate said, “I’ll tell you. There is a million dollars in this envelope.” The youngsters’ eyes widened with this news, and the Prelate continued, “There is a million dollars, because your hearts are in this envelope!” The birthday gifts that totaled $250 were in honor of the 8th birthday of Haig Shamlian and the 6th birthday of Nishan Shamlian, sons of Mr. & Mrs. Michael Shamlian of Radnor, Pennsylvania. In the spirit of these two young boys, please remember that the need in Syria is greater than ever.
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| PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT. THE NEED IS REAL.
THE NEED IS GREAT. DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
TO DONATE NOW
CLICK HERE AND SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU. The Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief is a joint effort of: Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Eastern Prelacy); Armenian Catholic Eparchy; Armenian Evangelical Union of North America; Armenian Relief Society (Eastern USA, Inc.); Armenian Revolutionary Federation. Thank you for your help.
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| NOVEMBER 17 EVENT IN HONOR OF MOTHERS Throughout the year of 2013 parishes under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia have been celebrating the “Year of the Mother of the Armenian Family.” With the end of the year approaching, the Prelacy is sponsoring an appropriate culmination with a banquet on Sunday, November 17, at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows Park, New York. Reception is at 4 pm; dinner will follow at 5 pm. Donation for the banquet is one hundred dollars. The program will include music and poetry devoted to motherhood. The program booklet will include articles, reflection s, and poetry devoted to mothers. In addition the booklet will include a section honoring the founding members and current and past members of the Prelacy Ladies Guild that has assumed the role of the “Mother of the Prelacy” since the Guild was established in 1974. The booklet will also list all of the individuals who have been honored as “Mother of the Year” by the Prelacy. For information or reservations contact the Prelacy by telephone (212-689-7810) or by email (email@armenianprelacy.org).
WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES 10TH ASSEMBLY BEGINS The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Busan, Republic of Korea, began yesterday and will continue through to November 8. The theme of the Assembly is “God of life, lead us to justice and peace.” The Assembly brings together Christians from around the world. There are 354 member churches in the WCC and nearly all are expected to participate. Representatives of the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia are: Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Ms. Christine Arzoumanian, Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian-Kabakian, Ms. Nazeli Kandakarjian, Ms. Vanna Kitsinian, Ms. Teny Simonian, and Ms. Irma Vartanian Balian. His Holiness Aram I was moderator of the WCC from 1991 to 2006.
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|  | The delegates representing the Holy See of Cilicia at the 10th Assembly of the WCC that is taking place in Busan, Korea. | |
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| ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER IN ARMENIA’S SIUNIK REGION
HIGHLIGHTED IN NEW DOCUMENTARY A newly completed documentary film entitled “Armenia’s Breaking Backbone” was screened at St. Illuminator Cathedral’s Pashalian Hall on Sunday, October 27. The one hour and ten minute film highlighted the environmental crisis taking place in Armenia’s Siunik region due to the mining of heavy metals. Three members of the Pan Armenian Environmental Front, Yeghia Nersessian, Anna Aghlamazyan and Levon Galstyan travelled to the United States from Armenia to screen the film and answer questions regarding the horrific impact of mining activities in Armenia. The film had been shown at various events in the Los Angeles and Washington DC areas before making its way to New York. After the screening of the film, a question and answer discussion took place between the activists and the audience who were visibly shocked by what they had seen in the film. The event was organized by the Pan Armenian Environmental Front, Armenian Human Rights Advocates, the Tufenkian Foundation, and the Los Angeles chapter of Renaissance Armenia.
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|  | Levon Galstyan, Yeghia Nersessian and Anna Aghlamazyan answer questions from the audience after the films screening. | |
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| BIBLE STUDY ON ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO ROMANS The eight-week Bible study program on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, began last Thursday and will continue on subsequent Thursdays up to December 19, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. The Bible studies are being presented by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), and is sponsored by AREC and the Cathedral. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral, opened the program with a prayer, welcomed everyone, and introduced Deacon Shant, who delved into the prologue of the letter to the Romans, discussing its basic and distinctive elements compared to the common practice in that culture. He concluded by highlighting the main thesis of the letter summed up in two very terse and dense verses: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous will live by faith’ ” (Romans 1:16-17). St. Paul will take the rest of the letter to argue and explicate this thesis statement. New attendees are welcome to join the group. For information contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810, arec@armenianprelacy.org, or the Cathedral at 212-689-5880, office@st.illuminators.org.
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|  | Studying St. Paul with Deacon Shant. | |
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| COMMENTARY ON THE NICENE CREED: A NEW
PRELACY PUBLICATION TO BE PRESENTED The Prelacy recently published Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian’s monumental “Commentary on the Nicene Creed,” in a bilingual English and Armenian edition. The English translation was prepared by Deacon Shant Kazanjian, executive director of the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). This important work is based on a series of lectures delivered by Archbishop Zareh, of blessed memory, and was published in Armenian in Aleppo in 2008. A presentation of this new bilingual edition will take place on Wednesday, November 13, at 7 pm, at the Prelacy offices, 138 E. 39th Street, New York City. This important work explains the Nicene Creed line by line, word by word, in accordance to the orthodox faith; it presents the beliefs of the Christian faith that are essential for every believer. Each theological and biblical term is carefully examined and compared. Admission is free. Please RSVP by email (email@armenianprelacy.org) or telephone at 212-689-7810. For more information
click here.
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| A REVIEW OF THE NEW CREED BOOK In a review of the Commentary on the Nicene Creed, Professor Michael B. Papazian notes the importance of the Creed in the life of the Christian faithful and writes, “We should therefore be extremely grateful for this book containing the commentary in Armenian by Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian followed by its translation into clear and accessible English by Deacon Shant Kazan ian. The reader will learn much here about the biblical sources of the creed’s teachings, the theological reasons and justifications for the different parts of the creed, and explanations of some of the differences between the version of the creed used by the Armenian Apostolic Church and those of other churches.”
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| IT’S THE SEASON OF FESTIVALS AND BAZAARS Whatever it is called—Bazaar, Food Festival, or Holiday Fair—it is that time of the year that our parishes present this annual event that accounts for a major part of the their income. St. Gregory Church of North Andover, Massachusetts, presented its Annual Fair on October 26 with lots of food and merchandise.
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|  | Christine Kourkoonian, left, chairwomen of the Board of Trustees, and Rita Sarkisian help customers at the ever-popular choreg table in North Andover. | |  | Ginny Shrestinian, left, and Rosalie Sasso watch over the “treasures” on the white elephant table.
Photos by Tom Vartabedian | | | |
| BIBLE READINGS Bible readings for Sunday, November 3, Eighth Sunday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, are: Isaiah 22:15-25; Ephesians 1:1-14; Luke 8:17-21. Paul, and apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful to Christ Jesus. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:1-14) For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings
click here.
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| ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM Today, Thursday, October 31, the Armenian Church commemorates and remembers St. John Chrysostom (Hovhan Voskeperan), a notable Christian bishop and preacher in Syria and Constantinople. He is famous for his eloquence—Chrysostom means “golden mouth.” The Orthodox Church honors him as a saint and one of the “three holy hierarchs” (along with Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian). He is also recognized and honored by the Catholic Church and the Church of England John converted to Christianity in 368 when he was barely 21 years old. He renounced a large inheritance and promising legal career and went to live in a mountain cave where he studied the Bible. He was later ordained a priest and soon his sermons were attracting huge audiences. He challenged wealthy Christians, whose generosity was confined to donating precious objects for display in churches. “The gift of a chalice may be extravagant in its generosity,” he said, “but a gift to the poor is an expression of love." His outspoken criticism was not appreciated by the hierarchy and he was sent into exile at various times. He had a profound influence on the doctrines and theology of the Armenian Church because he spent the final years of his exile in Armenia. Some of his important works have survived only in Armenian manuscripts. Muse of the deep and ineffable Divine Mysteries.
Wise Prefect and Great Doctor of the world,
Like the rock of the Church, you were faithful to the key to heaven.
From the beloved disciple, you received the gospel.
From the Holy Virgin Birthgiver you received your symbol of authority.
O Patriarch John, by the grace of the Holy Spirit you received wisdom.
(An Armenian Church ode dedicated to St. John Chrysostom)
FEAST OF ALL SAINTS This Saturday, November 2, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of All Saints, Old and New, Known and Unknown. The western churches celebrate All Saints Day on November 1. In the Armenian Church tradition the date is variable depending on the season of the Cross. It can occur in late October or in November. The commemoration is rooted in the belief that there are many saints who are not known to us. Therefore, on this day all saints are honored.
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| NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
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| US AMBASSADOR VISITS HIS HOLINESS Ambassador David Hale met with His Holiness Aram I at the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon, on October 22. They discussed the situation in Lebanon and the crisis in Syria. The Catholicos spoke to the Ambassador about the problems and difficulties of the Christians in the region, and shared his concerns regarding the future.
PUBLISHING REPRESENTATIVES VISIT CATHOLICOS A delegation of representatives of the publishing houses in Armenia accompanied by the Director of the office of the Ministry of Culture of Armenia, met with His Holiness Aram I on October 24. Also attending was the director of the Vahe Setian Printing House in Lebanon. His Holiness thanked the guests for the visit and expressed his appreciation of their efforts to maintain the publishing industry. He told the guests, “The cultural hegemony of ongoing globalization is taking over our spiritual values. We should all work together to cope with this situation and communicate our values through Armenian books.” The Catholicos also noted that Armenia-Diaspora relations should be strengthened to help our people identify as one nation with one culture.
HISTORY OF AYNTAB PUBLISHED The Catholicosate of Cilicia is continuing its goal of publishing histories of pre-Genocide Armenian towns in Turkey. The most recent volume, the fourth in the series, is about Ayntab. On the eve of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, His Holiness Catholicos Aram is supervising the series of history books, each one devoted to a town where Armenians had lived for centuries. The History of Ayntab is written by Dr. Kevork A. Sarafian. Originally printed in Los Angeles in 1953, the volume has been revised and edited by Jirair Tanielian. The book includes the history, geography, economy, and culture of the Armenians in Ayntab. Forthcoming books in the series include the histories of Hajin, Vasbouragan, Marash, Kermanik, and Gurun.
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| THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY (Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee [ANEC])
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| Birth of Shahamir Shahamirian - November 4, 1723 The so-called “group of Madras,” which developed its activities in the small Armenian community of that city of India, was one of the most interesting phenomena of Armenian history in the eighteenth century. One of its driving forces was a wealthy Armenian merchant, Shahamir Shahamirian. Shahamirian was born in Nor Jugha, the notable Armenian community established at the beginning of the seventeenth century as a suburb of Isfahan, the Persian capital. He migrated to Madras and made an important fortune in commercial activities. Influenced by the progressive ideas of a group of fellow Armenians who were engaged in a drive to liberate their homeland from foreign yoke, Shahamirian established the first Armenian printing house of Madras in 1771 on behalf of his young son Hakob (1745-1774). A year later, he published a book co-authored by Hakob and his teacher Movses Baghramian, one of the theoreticians of the group, entitled «Նոր տետրակ, որ կոչի Յորդորակ» (Nor tetrak, vor kochi Hordorak, namely, “New Fascicle Called Advice”). Hakob Shahamirian, a talented young man who died at the age of 29 in Malacca (Malaysia), seems to have authored much of the text of the most important book produced by the Madras group, «Որոգայթ փառաց» (Vorogayt parats, “Snare of Glory”), in 1773. The book was left unfinished, apparently, at his death, and meanwhile, his father published another pamphlet authored by Baghramian, «Նոր տետրակ, որ կոչի Նշաւակ» (Nor tetrak, vor kochi Nshavak, namely, “New Fascicle Called Target”) in 1783. This was the bylaws of self-government for the Armenians of Madrasղ Even though it has been said that Snare of Glory was published in 1773, it seems more likely, according to scholars, that the book was actually completed by Baghramian, Shahamir Shahamirian, and perhaps others, and published around 1788-1789. This book was a collection of laws, a Constitution of sorts (521 articles) intended for the future Armenian state to be created after liberation from foreign rule. According to its text, the highest legislative body, the Armenian House (Hayots tun), was bound to be formed by representatives of the people. At its turn, the Armenian House would form an executive body. To this aim, thirteen representatives would be elected, one of which would become nakharar (“minister,” with a rank equivalent to prime minister) by lottery, and the others would be his advisors. The nakharar would be the first executor of the laws and the commander in chief. Snare of Glory, which also established a judicial system and mandatory education for girls, was a project to create a constitutional democratic republic at a time when such an idea was still on the works in the West and had been only achieved in the newly-born United States of America. Some of its concepts have certain similitudes with the American Constitution, it has been observed. Shahamir Shahamirian tried to get in touch with the Georgian king Heraclius II (1744-1801) in order to achieve the liberation of the Southern Caucasus from Persian and Turkish domination through an Armeno-Georgian alliance. However, understanding that such an alliance was not enough, he later established contacts with the Russian courts, as well with other activists of Armenian liberation, such as Prince Hovsep Arghutian, Hovhannes Lazarian, and others. He passed away in 1797. Note: Previous entries in “This Week in Armenian History” are on the Prelacy’s web site (www.armenianprelacy.org).
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| DEMOLITION OF PENN STATION Fifty years ago this week, Pennsylvania Station, the monumental 1910 Beaux-Arts masterpiece of architects McKim, Mead, and White, was leveled and replaced with Madison Square Garden (the fourth of its various sites).
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| In an editorial on October 30, 1963, entitled “Farewell to Penn Station,” the New York Times wrote: “Any city gets what it admires, will pay for, and, ultimately, deserves. Even when we had Penn Station, we couldn’t afford to keep it clean. We want and deserve tin-can architecture in a tinhorn culture. And we will probably be judged not by the monuments we build but by those we have destroyed.” Although there was a great public outcry of indignation the demolition went ahead as scheduled. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan described the destruction of Penn Station as “the greatest act of civic vandalism in New York’s history.” At the time there were no federal, state, or municipal historic preservation laws. However, the public outcry led to New York City’s Landmarks Law, and the National Historic Preservation Act that a few years later with the leadership of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis saved Grand Central Terminal from a similar fate.
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS THIS WEEKEND
Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am this Sunday, November 3. Set your clocks BACK one hour to return to Standard Time.
AND DON’T FORGET: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5 IS ELECTION DAY.
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| October 24 to December 19—St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, an 8-week Bible study program beginning Thursday, October 24, and continuing on Thursdays up to December 19 (no session on Thanksgiving, November 28). Sessions will be presented by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). Sessions will take place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, 7:15-8:00 pm, Presentation; 8:00-8:45 pm, Q/A & Discussion. Registration is required. Register at www.armenianprelacy.org or contact the Prelacy 212-689-7810, or the Cathedral at 212-689-5880. November 2—70th Anniversary of All Saints Church, Glenview, Illinois. November 1 & 2—St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 57th Annual Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm, at Armenian Cultural & Educational Center (ACEC), 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown. Delicious meals (take-out available), Armenian pastries, gourmet, Harvest Store, Books, Raffles, Attic Treasures, Auctions, and more. For information: 617-924-7562 or on Facebook. November 2 & 3—Armenian Fest 2013, Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, presents its Armenian Food Festival at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Broad Street, Cranston. Featuring chicken, losh, and shish kebabs, and kufta dinners, Armenian delicacies, dancing to live music, arts and crafts, flea market, gift baskets, children’s corner, country store, jewelry, silent auction, hourly raffles, and grand prize, $2,000. Children’s dance group will perform on Saturday and Sunday at 5 pm. Armenian food and pastry are available all day. Saturday, noon to 9 pm; Sunday, noon to 8 pm. Free admission and parking. For information: 401-831-6399. November 7—Avak luncheon, noon, Jaffarian Hall, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts. Speaker, Dr. Edward Khantzian, clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, “Impressions of a Keynote Visit to Armenia.” November 10—Ladies Guild of St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, presents The Way We Were Ensemble of New York/New Jersey in their performance of “The Gamavors,” at 2 pm in the church hall. Coffee and reception with cast will follow performance. Tickets: $20 adults; $10 children under 12. For tickets: Mary Derderian, hyeguin@yahoo.com or 781-762-4253. November 10—Requiem and Memorial Service honoring Sos Sargsyan, renowned actor, playwright, and political activist, sponsored by Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society of New Jersey, at Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. For information: 908-866-6150. November 13—Book presentation and reception for “Commentary on the Nicene Creed” by Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian, of blessed memory. Bilingual edition of this important work will be presented under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan at the Prelacy offices, 138 East 39th Street, New York City. English translation was prepared by Deacon Shant Kazanjian. November 15-16-17—Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. November 16—Public Relations seminar for New England parishes, directed by Tom Vartabedian, at St. Stephen Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, beginning at 10 am. Speakers include: Stephen Kurkjian, three-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist from the Boston Globe, and Khatchig Mouradian, editor of The Armenian Weekly. November 16 & 17—Annual ART IN FALL Exhibition featuring national and international Armenian artists, Hovnanian School, 817 River Road, New Milford, New Jersey. Fine art including oils, mixed media, photography, and sculpture in classic, modern, and contemporary styles by 27 artists. Opening Reception, Saturday, 7 to 10 pm. Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres, $30 donation. Sunday, 1 to 4 pm, Refreshments, $15 donation. November 17—Banquet and Program celebrating the “Year of the Armenian Mother,” organized by the Eastern Prelacy, at Terrace in the Park, Flushing Meadows Park, New York. Watch for details. November 22 & 23—Fall Food Festival at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us on Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm and Saturday from noon to 4 pm for shish, losh, chicken kebob, or kheyma dinners. Country Store and Bake Table. Stock up on katah, choreg, manti, porov kufta, simit, and much more. November 24—Special program following the Divine Liturgy presented by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian commemorating the passing of Catholicos Zareh I (50th) and Catholicos Khoren I (30th) will take place at St. Stephen’s Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts. November 24—Ladies Guild Annual Bazaar, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. December 6—Anniversary celebration by Lowell “Aharonian” Gomideh, 6:30 pm, St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts; dinner and program honoring 50-year members Steve Dulgarian and Joe Dagdigian; remembering the 25th anniversary of the earthquake in Armenia; soloist Nina Hovsepian, accompanied by Mary Barooshian. Donation: $20 adults; $10 students. December 7—Annual Church Bazaar of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, will take place at Christian Reform Church, 25 Cross Street, Whitinsville. For information: 508-234-3677. December 7—Annual Holiday Bake Sale, St. Paul Church, 645 S. Lewis Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois, 9 am to 3 pm. Enjoy authentic Armenian & American pastries and plan to stay for lunch at St. Paul Café. For information or pre-orders, 847-244-4573. December 7—ARS New York Erebouni chapter presents dinner & dancing honoring the Mother of the Armenian Family, St. Sarkis Church, Main Hall, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. Featuring Steve Karageozian and his Band. Full mezze and dinner. Donation $60 adults; $20 children age 5 to 12; under age 5 free. For tickets and reservations: Nayda, 516-739-0805 or Vicky 516-365-0971. December 8—Luncheon Fundraiser to benefit the Armenian community in Syria hosted by the ARS New York Mayr Chapter, 2 pm at Almayass Restaurant, 24 E. 21st Street, New York City. Donation: $75; children under 12, $25. Includes full lunch, wine, and soft drinks. All proceeds will benefit Syrian-Armenian relief efforts. Seating is limited. For reservations: Anais (718-392-6982) or Houri (917-690-3060). December 15—Simply Christmas Concert, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. February 1—Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. February 24-26, 2014—Annual Clergy Ghevontiantz Gathering hosted by Holy Cross Church, 255 Spring Avenue, Troy, New York. March 28, 2014—Musical Armenia Concert presented by Eastern Prelacy and Prelacy Ladies Guild, at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, 8 pm. June 1—Ladies Guild Annual Brunch, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
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| 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
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