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| PRELATE AT THE CATHEDRAL ON SUNDAY Archbishop Oshagan will officiate this Sunday at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City on the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God and the traditional Blessing of the Grapes.
VICAR WILL TRAVEL TO WHITINSVILLE Bishop Anoushavan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts this Sunday. His Grace will also officiate the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony and preside over the parish’s annual picnic that will follow.
LIVE TELEVISION BROADCAST FROM BIKFAYA On the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption there will be a live broadcast via satellite by the Noursat Broadcast network of the Holy Liturgy presided over by His Holiness Aram I, on Saturday, August 16. In the New York metropolitan area the broadcast will begin at 12 noon. To watch the ceremonies online, save this issue of Crossroads and click http://www.noursat.tv/en/receive-us.php?chid=2 to take you to the live broadcast.
PRELATE OF GREECE VISITS Bishop Khoren Doghramajian, Prelate of Greece visited the Prelacy office this week where he met with Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan.
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|  | Bishop Khoren with Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, and Hayr Zareh. | |
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VICAR WILL DELIVER INVOCATION AT ARS CONVENTION Bishop Anoushavan delivered the invocation today at the opening session of the Armenian Relief Society’s 2014 convention that is taking place in Arlington, Massachusetts. The Vicar will also attend the convention’s banquet tomorrow evening and offer the opening prayer.
BLESSING OF GRAPES AND ANNUAL PICNIC Last Sunday Archbishop Oshagan presided over the Blessing of Grapes ceremony and the offering of Madagh by Sts. Vartanantz Church of Providence, Rhode Island, during the parish’s annual picnic at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Massachusetts.
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|  | Archbishop Oshagan presides over the services assisted by Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz, and Rev. Fr. Torkom Chorbajian, a recently ordained Der Hayr who is completing a period of apprenticeship at St. Stephen’s Church in Watertown. | |
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TEACHERS’ SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY ANEC The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) will sponsor a teachers’ seminar to be held on August 23, at the Prelacy headquarters in New York, from 10 am-4 pm. All schools and teachers are invited to participate. The program will have the following lectures: Sossi Essajanian: “Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher”; Anahid Garmiryan: “To Be or Not to Be a Teacher: the Challenges of Bilingualism” For more information, please email ANEC at anec@armenianprelacy.org or call (212) 689-7231/7810
SIAMANTO ACADEMY WILL RESUME ITS ACTIVITIES The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), jointly sponsored by the Prelacy and the Armenian Relief Society, sponsored for many years the Siamanto Academy for young adults. After a recent hiatus, the Academy is ready to resume its activities. The Academy offers courses on Armenian history, culture, and contemporary issues. Classes will take place on a monthly basis, every second Saturday, beginning in September at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), from 2 pm-5 pm. For additional information, please contact ANEC at anec@armenianprelacy.org.
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BIBLE READINGS Bible readings for Sunday, August 17, Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, Song of Songs 4:9-15; 8:14; Isaiah 7:10-16; Galatians 3:29-4:7; Luke 2:1-7. Lections for blessing of grapes: Proverbs 3:9-10; Isaiah 65:8-10; Hebrews 6:16-7:7; John 15:1-8. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.” (John 15:1-8) For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here.
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| FEAST OF SHOGHAKAT OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN This Saturday, August 16, is the Feast of Shoghakat of Holy Etchmiadzin that is always observed on the Saturday prior to the Feast of the Assumption. Shoghakat refers to the vision of St. Gregory and the rays of light when God chose the site for the Mother Cathedral. The feast is celebrated at the time of Assumption because the Cathedral in Etchmiadzin is named in honor of the Holy Mother, although through the years it became known as Etchmiadzin and Shoghakat refers to the three nearby churches of St. Gayaneh, St. Hripsimeh, and St. Shoghakat.
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD The Blessed Virgin Mary holds a high place in the Armenian Church, next to Christ. We begin our Divine Liturgy with these words, “Through the intercession of the holy Mother of God, O Lord, receive our supplications and save us.” In every Armenian Church the painting on the main altar is of Mary, holding the infant Savior. The Gospels teach us that Mary was blessed and called by God to fulfill God’s divine plan of salvation. Mary has a primary place of honor because through her and by the Holy Spirit God became incarnate, became human. This Sunday, August 18, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption (Verapokoum) of the Holy Mother of God, the fourth of the five major feast days in our Liturgical Calendar, and the Blessing of the Grapes. Verapokoum in classical Armenian means “transport up.” According to tradition, when the Holy Mother died she was buried by the apostles. Bartholomew who was not present at her funeral wanted to visit her grave. When the gravestone was lifted they were surprised to find that her body had disappeared. It was believed that Christ had come and taken his mother to the Heavenly Kingdom. Based on this event, the Church Fathers established the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is one of the five tabernacle feast days in the Armenian Church’s liturgical calendar. The feast is preceded by a week (five days) of fasting and followed by a memorial day. Because Bartholomew was very fond of the Holy Mother, the apostle John gave him an image of her (which she had given to John). Bartholomew took this image with him to Armenia to Darbnots Kar in the province of Antsev, Vaspourakan (Western Armenia) where a convent for nuns, Hogyats Vank (Monastery of the Spirits), was built and where the icon was kept. Most depictions of Bartholomew show him holding this icon.
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|  | Assumption of the Virgin, Francesco Botticini, 1475 - 1476 | |
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The concept of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is old as evidenced in sacred prose and poetry dedicated to the Holy Mother. However, it did not become a basic doctrine of the church until the ninth century and it was in the twelfth century that the feast was called “The Assumption.” This Sunday is the name day for those named Mariam, Maro, Mary, Mari, Mayrenie, Maroush, Serpouhi, Dirouhi, Takouhi, Lousig, Lousnag, Arousiag, Arpine, Markarid, Nazig, Azniv, Seta, Verzhin, and Arshalouys.
BLESSING OF THE GRAPES The Blessing of the Grapes takes place on the Feast of the Assumption, although there is no connection between the two holidays. This ceremony is rooted in the Biblical tradition as commanded by God to the Israelites, through Moses, to donate the “first bearing of all their fruits, on the Tabernacle in order that with this first offering all fruits would receive Your blessing…” The hymn Park Sourp Khatchet (Glory to Your Sacred Cross) is sung; Biblical passages are recited, followed by a prayer composed by Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali specifically for this occasion. After the prayer, the grapes are blessed three times with the words Orhnestsee Bahbanestsee and then the blessed grapes are distributed to the faithful, many of whom have refrained from eating grapes through the year until after this blessing. Certainly we can say that the Blessing of the Grapes is a celebration of the fruitfulness of the earth. Grapes are one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Noah planted a vineyard immediately after disembarking from the Ark (Genesis, Chapter 9) in Nakhichevan, Armenia. And, of course, the wine of the Divine Liturgy comes from grapes. Bless, O Lord, the grape plants and vineyards from which these grapes are taken and presented to the holy church, and make them bountiful and fruitful; let them be like good and fertile land, protect the vineyard from all kinds of misfortune and destruction which come from above because of our sins, from hail, from cold, from hot winds, and from destructive insects, so that we may enjoy that which You have created in this world for our enjoyment and for Your glory, and grant that we may be worthy to eat and drink with You from the bounty of Your most fruitful vine at the table of Your Father’s Kingdom, according to the just promise which You made, to the honor and glory of Your coexisting Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the most Holy Spirit to whom is due glory, power, and honor, now and forever. Amen. (From the prayer written by Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali for the Blessing of the Grapes)
REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD (MEMORIAL DAY) Monday, August 18, is Memorial Day (Merelotz). In accordance with the tradition of the Armenian Church, the day after each of the five tabernacle feasts is designated as a Memorial Day, a day of remembrance of the dead. Traditionally, on Merelotz the Divine Liturgy is celebrated with a requiem service for all souls and for those specifically requested. Following the service the clergy and faithful go to the cemetery where the graves of loved ones are blessed.
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| NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
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| COPTIC AND SYRIAC ORTHODOX PATRIARCHS MEET WITH CATHOLICOS His Holiness Aram I met last week with Metropolitan Bishoy of Damiette, Coptic Orthodox Church, and Metropolitan George Saliba of Mount Lebanon, Syriac Orthodox Church, at the Catholicos’s summer residence in Bikfaya, Lebanon. Also participating in the meeting were Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Pontifical Vicar to the Diocese of Cyprus, and V. Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirossian, the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate. The meeting focused on the current situation in the Middle East, particularly the situation of Christians in Iraq and cooperation between the three ancient churches. They also discussed issues arising from the theological discussions of the Oriental Orthodox family with other churches.
CATHOLICOS MEETS WITH DIALOGUE COMMISSION LEADERS His Holiness Aram I met with officers of the “Anglican Communion—Oriental Orthodox Dialogue International Commission,” last week at the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon. Participating in the meeting were: Co-Presidents Archbishop Geoffrey Rowell and Metropolitan Bishoy, and co-secretaries Archbishop Nareg Alemezian and Rev. Canon Dr. Alyson Barnett-Cowan, and the Catholicosate’s ecumenical officer V. Rev. Fr. Housig Mardirossian. The co-presidents of the Commission briefed His Holiness on the outcome of their two-day meeting and discussed the immediate priorities. The Catholicos welcomed their comments and conclusions and proposed that in view of the historical ties between the Anglican and Oriental Orthodox Churches, it was important to discuss, along with Christology and ecclesiology, moral and ethical issues that are creating divisions within the churches and the ecumenical movement.
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| THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
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Occupation of the Ottoman Bank (August 14, 1896) The occupation of the Ottoman Bank of Constantinople, organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation in 1896, was an audacious attempt to attract the attention of the European great powers towards the Armenian Question. Europe was the guarantor of article 61 of the Treaty of Berlin (1878), which obligated the Ottoman Empire to carry out reforms to improve the situation of Armenians living in their historical territories. The May 1895 plan presented by the European powers to Sultan Abdul Hamid II was never executed. Instead, Abdul Hamid perpetrated a massacre of its Armenian subjects with an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 victims in 1895-1896.
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|  | The headquarters of the Imperial Ottoman Bank in Istanbul, 1896. | |
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The Central Committee of the A.R.F. in Constantinople organized the strike against the bank, which was a joint venture of Ottoman, British, and French capitals, in order to have the reforms executed. The action was also intended to show the sultan that Armenians were not ready to give up on their rights.
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 | Armen Garo (Karekin Pastermadjian) |
| The preparations to occupy the bank started in February 1896. The idea had been conceived by 23-year old Papken Siuni (Bedros Parian), who would lead the operation. Hrach (Haig) Tiryakian, 25-years old, was his lieutenant, and Armen Garo (Karekin Pastermadjian), also 23, would take care of maintaining order in the bank and among the staff. Armen Garo wrote in his memoirs: “We transported close to 400 empty bombs during eight days from our secret foundry in Scutari to our workshop of Pera, in the house of Miss Iskouhi. After filling those bombs there, we transported them to various neighborhoods of Constantinople. We were only 10-15 trustworthy comrades to all this, teachers and students, twenty- to twenty-five-year-old young people, including three young ladies." After several changes of date, the operation was finally carried on August 14. At noon, a discharge of guns and the thunder of bombs started the occupation. The group of militants included 28 people. The attacking group killed the guards, although four Armenians were also slain and another five were wounded. A very important loss was that of the head of the operation, Papken Siuni, who was wounded and the bombs on his body exploded when he fell.
Armen Garo took the command of the group and the fight started between the occupiers and the Ottoman forces. Meanwhile, a Turkish mob had started to kill innocent Armenians throughout the city. The A.R.F. militants sent a note with their demands to the European embassies: a) 1. To stop the massacre of innocent Armenians; b) To stop the attack against the bank, otherwise the building would be blown; c) To give written guarantees about the reforms to be carried in the Armenian provinces; d) To liberate all Armenian political prisoners. At 1 a.m., Russian consul Maximov arrived in the bank and proposed to evacuate it, guaranteeing safe passage for Armen Garo and his companions. The young Armenian answered Maximov: “Mr. Ambassador, we didn’t enter here so you take the trouble of saving us from here...” He meant that he had clear demands, which they expected to be accomplished by the diplomatic representatives and the Sultan. Maximov answered back that the massacre and the attack had stopped; the ambassadors promised to do their best to ensure the reforms and he promised to have the jailed Armenians freed. After long negotiations, the revolutionaries agreed to leave the bank, receiving guarantees about their demands. After 14 hours of occupation, the seventeen surviving revolutionaries came out of the bank at daybreak. To Maximov’s question of why the others were not coming out, Armen Garo answered that there was no one else; the Turks had convinced Maximov that 200 Armenians had occupied the building. The group, still armed, passed through the Turkish troops, led by Maximov, and was taken to the French ship “Gironde.” The young Armenians were disarmed and taken to Marseilles, where they stayed 17 days in prison. Afterwards, Armen Garo and Hrach were sent to Switzerland, while the French government promised to send the others to New York. The remaining fifteen revolutionaries were sent to America; however, their destination was South America. They were dispatched to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they stayed until November 1896, when they were able to catch a British ship that took them to London. The takeover of the Ottoman Bank, with its extraordinary circumstances, was widely reported in the international press. However, the act did not have any positive consequence, since the reforms were not implemented and Armenians would continue to be in dire straits under Ottoman rule. Nevertheless, the action reinforced the determination of the Armenian revolutionaries to continue their struggle in order to achieve political and social freedom for their people. Previous entries in “This Week in Armenian History” can be read on the Prelacy’s web site (www.armenianprelacy.org).
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|  | The surviving members of the Ottoman Bank takeover after arriving in Marseilles, France | |
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| SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crises in Syria, including the recent upheaval in Kessab, require our financial assistance. Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your pocketbooks.
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. OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR DONATION TO:
Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief Thank you for your help
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| ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
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| The Circus Is Not New You may know nothing about the origin of English words, but when you hear the word circus, you will probably bet your money on a Latin origin, since the circus, as a spectacle, was invented in Rome. You are dead right, indeed. English and German circus is a straightforward derivation from the Latin circus “ring, circular line,” a name applied by Romans to arenas for performances and contests, and courses for racing. The Armenian language has derived very few words from Latin, because, despite the long political interaction between the Roman Empire and the Armenian kingdom, there was very little Roman cultural and linguistic influence over Armenia. For this reason, English circus and Armenian կրկէս (grges, in Western Armenian pronunciation; krkes, in Classical/Eastern Armenian) mean the same, but have different origins. In the Armenian case, the source is the Greek word κίρκος (kirkos), “a circle, a ring,” which in the time of Homer and his Iliad was spelled κρίκος (krikos). The Armenian word was already attested in the fifth century. In any case, once again, if the parents of circus and grges are different, their grandparent is the same. The Proto-Indo-European language (the “mother” of the family language to which Armenian, English, Greek, and Latin belong) had a root that meant “to turn, to bend” (*(s)ker). That root, at its turn, originated another one, *kirk, and this is how we have certain words in English, such as “circle” and “cycle,” that also come via Latin, from the same idea of “ring” or “circle.” By the way, the Yerevan Circus has existed since the 1930s. The building was privatized in 2005 and demolished in 2012. A new building is under construction and it is scheduled to be finished next year. Thus, the next time you go to Yerevan you will hopefully be able to see, and perhaps to enter, the new grges.
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The Prelacy Bookstore has an extensive collection of books (in Armenian and English) about the Genocide including histories, historical novels, memoirs, eye witness testimonies, essays, and poetry. From now through next April we will feature one or two books each week from the Bookstore’s collection.
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| The Fatal Night: An Eyewitness Account of the Extermination of Armenian Intellectuals in 1915
By Mikayel Shamtanchian
Translated by Ishkhan Jinbashian Mikayel Shamtanchian (1874-1926) was one of the hundreds of intellectuals arrested in the “fatal night” of April 23-24, 1915, that began the Armenian Genocide. He was able to escape from Cankiri, one of the main deportation hubs for intellectuals, and live in an area of Smyrna (Izmir) where the Armenian population had not been deported. He returned to Constantinople after the end of the war and in 1919 published his account, which is an important source on the program of extermination. Softcover, $12, plus shipping & handling
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Վաւերագրեր Հայ Եկեղեցու պատմութեան, գիրք ԺԵ. Մաղաքիա արքեպիսկոպոս Օրմանեան Կոստանդնուպոլսի պատրիարք (1896-1908)
Սանդրօ Բեհբուդեան (կազմող)
Երեւան, «Մուղնի» հրատարակչութիւն, 2007 Վաւերաթուղթերու այս շարքը կը ներկայացնէ Օսմանեան կայսրութեան հայոց պատմութեան փոթորկալից շրջան մը՝ Մաղաքիա արք. Օրմանեանի պատրիարքութիւնը, որ զուգադիպած է Ապտիւլ Համիտի արիւնոտ բռնակալութեան վերջին 12 տարիներուն եւ բաւական վէճերու տեղի տուած է թէ՛ այդ ժամանակ եւ թէ՛ հետագային։ Գին՝ 35 տոլար (լաթակազմ) To order these or other books contact the Prelacy bookstore by email (books@armenianprelacy.org) or by telephone (212-689-7810.
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915: AN OVERVIEW An article titled “Armenian Genocide of 1915: An Overview,” written by John Kifner, was published by the New York Times on August 11. To read click here.
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| August 15-17—Armenian Fest / Blessing of Grapes, All Saints Church, 1701 N. Greenwood Road, Glenview, Illinois. Armenian food, desserts, beer and wine, dancing, activities for kids, raffle. Life music Friday, Saturday, & Sunday. Mr. Ash’s magic show Saturday. Friday 6 pm to 10 pm happy hour; Saturday 5 pm-11pm; Sunday 1pm to 7 pm. Blessing of the Grapes on Sunday at 4:30 pm. Free admission. Please note: Senator Mark Kirk and Congressman Bob Dold will attend the Fest on Sunday, August 17. August 17—Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God Divine Liturgy and Blessing of the Grapes, officiated by the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. August 17—St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes. August 17—St. Sarkis Church (Dearborn) Grape Blessing Family Fun Picnic at Kensington Park, Kensington, Michigan. Good food, music, biking, soccer, dancing, magician, swimming, playscape, kids games, door prizes, face painting, tavloo tournament and more. August 17—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Park, Wild Duck Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts and crafts, and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more. August 17—Feast of Assumption, Blessing of Grapes, and Madagh, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland. August 23—Teachers’ seminar sponsored by the Armenian Education Committee (ANEC), at the Prelacy offices in New York, 10 am to 4 pm. All schools and teachers are invited to participate. Lecturers: Sossi Essajanian, “Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher” and Anahid Garmiryan, “To Be or Not to be a Teacher: The Challenges of Bilingualism.” For information: anec@armenianprelacy.org or 212-689-7810. August 30—Concert, “Baroque & Before,” featuring Lucine Musaelian and Joyce Chen, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City, at 5 pm. September 7—Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts, featuring musicians Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Johnny Berberian, and John Arzigian; presentation by Siroun Dance Ensemble of Central Massachusetts. 12:30 to 5:30 pm, church grounds. Shish, losh, and chicken kebab dinners, veggie plates, Armenian pastries, family games and activities. September 7—St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain and Hartford, Connecticut, Annual Church Picnic after Sunday services will take place at The Quartette Club, 225 Wooster Street, New Britain. Armenian music, dancing, and food. September 7—Holy Cross Church, Troy, New York, Annual Armenian Picnic, 12pm to 4 pm. Shish Kebob dinner, Lahmajoun for sale, Armenian pastries, live music. For info: skarageozian@gmail.com. September 7—Lecture “Mkhitar Heratsi,” by Dr. Gregory Kazanjian, at 1 pm, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. Organized by Cathedral and Hamazkayin of New York. September 20—Charles Aznavour “Farewell Concert” at The Theater, Madison Square Garden. Only area appearance. Tickets: THEATERATMSG.COM or 866-858-0008. September 12—St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin, 2nd Annual “Taste of the Mediterranean” Wine Tasting Fundraiser, 4 to 6 pm at Uncork in downtown Racine. Event will again feature 6 wines for tasting, a “mezze” table, silent auction items, and 50/50 raffle. Cost of the event is $20 per person or $35 per couple. Last year’s even was a sell-out, so get your tickets early. For tickets and/or information contact Mary M. Olson by email (mmsolson@sgbcglobal.net). September 18, 19, 20—2014 Fall Food Festival, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland. September 14—St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York, Annual Picnic on the church grounds following church services. Admission is free. Enjoy excellent kebabs and salads. Terrific entertainment for everyone and special activities for children in the “KidZone.” Music, food, and friends…a wonderful afternoon. For information 718-224-2275. September 18—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 12th Annual Golf Classic, River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. Rain or Shine. 11 am registration and Grilled Lunch Buffet; 1 pm Tee Off. Format: Shotgun Scramble (All player levels welcome). Golf Outing Reservation: $195; limited to first 128 paid golf reservations. Reservation includes: Grilled lunch buffet, dinner banquet, golf, cart, and range balls. Contests and Prizes. Sponsorships available. For information: 201-943-2950. September 21—Ladies Guild of St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain and Hartford, Connecticut, will host a Tea party at noon in the church hall, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Brought back by popular demand. Guest speaker from the Bigelow Tea Company. Goodie bags for all. Raffle prize is being provided by Armeny Custom Jewelry Design. September 21—St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, “Designer Bag Bingo” luncheon in Founders’ Hall at 2 pm. Fifteen lucky winners of designer bags, including top labels, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Laboutin, Judith Leiber, Chanel, and others. Join us for a fun game of Bingo, Chinese auction, and enjoy the lavish Chanel inspired theme and décor, along with champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts. Ticket sales limited. For reservations and information: Cissy DerHagopian 856-313-6848; Donna Walter 484-354-0388. October 3—St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday School Dinner Dance Gala. October 4—Ordination to the Priesthood of Deacon Diran Khosrofian and Deacon Harold Nazarian, at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan. October 11—Armenian Friends of America presents Kef 5, 7:30-12:30, Michael’s Function Hall, 12 Alpha Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Tickets $50; students 21 and under, $40. Proceeds will benefit Armenian churches of Merrimack Valley. Individually served mezza platters and pastries; musicians, Mal Barsamian (clarinet), John Berberian (oud), Bob Raphaelian (violin), Bruce Jigarjian (guitar), Jason Naroian (dumbeg & vocals). Advance ticket sales only. John Arzigian, 603-560-3826; Lucy Sirmaian, 978-683-9121; Peter Gulezian, 978-375-1616, Sandy Boroyan, 978-251-8687. October 19—St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will ordain sub-deacon Ara Stepanian during the Divine Liturgy and preside over the parish’s 57th Annual Banquet. October 12-15—Prelacy Clergy Gathering for Reflection and Renewal at St. Mary of Providence Retreat Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania. November 7 & 8—St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, 58th Armenian Bazaar, 10 am to 9:30 pm at Armenian Cultural & Educational Center, 47 Nichols Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts. Meals served from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm (take out is available). Enjoy delicious meals, Armenian pastries, gourmet items, arts and crafts, books, raffles, attic treasures. For information: 617-924-7562. November 21, 22, 23—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual Bazaar, Food Festival, and Hantes. Mezze and Kebab dinners (chicken, shish, luleh); dessert table and trays of home-made delicacies; Boutique Booths; Chinese Auction; Supervised Game Room for children; Pre-packaged Monte, Sou Buereg, Kufteh, and Lehmejun; Take-out available; Live Music for dancing and listening. Traditional Kavourma dinner on Sunday served immediately after church service. For information: 201-943-2950 December 6—Armenian Winter Dessert Festival, Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland December 7—Ladies Guild of St. Stephen’s Church of New Britain and Hartford, Connecticut, will host a Wine Tasting Party at noon in the church hall, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain. A wine talk and tasting will be provided by Taylor Brooke Winery, Woodstock, Connecticut, owned by Linda Varjabedian Auger. February 9-11, 2015—Ghevontiantz gathering of clergy serving the Eastern Prelacy. October 5-9, 2015—Clergy gathering of Eastern, Western, and Canadian Prelacies.
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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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