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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CILICIAN BROTHERHOOD The General Assembly of the Cilician Brotherhood convened this morning in Antelias, Lebanon, under the presidency of His Holiness Aram I. Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan traveled to Lebanon last week to participate in the General Assembly. The Assembly will examine the work and programs of the Brotherhood in fulfillment of its mission. During the Assembly the participants will also ratify the Brotherhood’s bylaws that have undergone some amendments. The main focus of the Assembly will be to study, through lectures and critiques, the collective memory of our people during the last one hundred years, especially the noteworthy events from the Genocide to the present time. At the conclusion of the three-day Assembly a report will be issued. On Tuesday, April 1, Catholicos Aram and the Central Executive Council of the Catholicosate met with all of the diocesan prelates who had come to Antelias to attend the General Assembly.
ELECTION OF PATRIARCH OF ANTIOCH AND ALL THE EAST His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim, the Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church for the Eastern United States, with its Cathedral and offices in Teaneck, New Jersey, was elected Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, on Monday, March 31, in Lebanon. He was named Moran Mor Ignatius Ephrem II. His Holiness Aram I visited the newly elected Patriarch to offer his congratulations. The two church leaders have been close friends for many years. They pledged to continue to work together closely, especially in the Middle East. The Catholicos was accompanied by Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Prelate of Tehran; Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate; Bishop Shahe Panossian, Prelate of Lebanon; and Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of Syria.
KESSAB UPDATE The crisis in Kessab is continuing with some reports indicating that the Syrian army is trying to retake the town that was seized by terrorists who crossed into Syria from Turkey. Most of the Armenian residents of Kessab have been taken to the coastal town of Latakia where they are being housed in the Armenian church and school. Last week Jeffrey Feltman, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, called His Holiness Aram I from New York asking for his assessment of the situation. Mr. Feltman told the Catholicos that the UN was extremely concerned about the security situation in Kessab. He also told His Holiness that he has been in contact with the Arab League Special Envoy, Lakhtar Ibrahimi, and the Ambassadors of Armenia and Turkey at the UN in New York. After describing the situation in Kessab and the role of Turkey, His Holiness Aram I proposed that the Kessab region be declared a demilitarized zone. The UN Under-Secretary promised to follow up and discuss this with Ibrahimi. Marie Harf, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department issued the following statement: “We are deeply troubled by recent fighting and violence that is endangering the Armenian community in Kessab, Syria, and has forced many to flee. All civilians, as well as their places of worship, must be protected. We have long had concerns about the threat posed by violent extremists and this latest threat to the Armenian community in Syria only underscores this further.” The government of Armenia has called on the United Nations to protect Kessab and accused Turkey of allowing Jihadists cross their border to attack Kessab. Located in the northwestern corner of Syria near the Turkish border, Kessab had remained peaceful during the three-year-old Syrian war. In fact the Armenian population had increased recently because many Armenians from devastated areas of Syria, especially Aleppo and environs, relocated to Kessab for safe-haven.
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An international social media campaign (#SaveKessab) has put a huge spotlight on the Kessab tragedy. Pop stars Kim Kardashian and Cher, with many millions of followers on Twitter have added their voices to the media campaign. His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, is monitoring the situation closely, allocating much-needed funds to the emergency committee that is providing help to the refugees. Various Armenian organizations are collecting money and you can send your donation to whichever you wish. Checks sent to the Prelacy should be payable to “Armenian Apostolic Church of America,” and mailed to 138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. Please indicate “Kessab” in the memo area. Or, if you wish, you can make a donation on line right now by following the link below.
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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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| IN MEMORIAM His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I His Holiness Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, the Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Church, entered into eternal rest on March 21, at the age of 80. Upon receiving the news of the passing of the Patriarch, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, spoke with Archbishop George Saliba, Secretary of the Holy Synod, to offer his condolences. Catholicos Aram expressed the hope that the historical ties between the two churches, rekindled by the late Patriarch, would continue. The late Patriarch was enthroned in 1980. At the time of his enthronement he was the archbishop of Baghdad and Basra. Before that he served as the metropolitan bishop of Mosul, Iraq. He was an active participant in the Ecumenical Movement and served in leadership positions at the World Council of Churches, and was an observer at the Second Vatican Council. He was also a scholar and prolific author, having written numerous texts on church doctrine and monastic life.
IN MEMORIAM Metropolitan Philip Saliba Archbishop Oshagan expressed his condolences following the death of Metropolitan Philip Saliba, leader of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese in North America, who entered his eternal rest on March 19. He was 83 years old. Metropolitan Philip was elected to lead the North American Archdiocese in 1966. During his long tenure, the Archdiocese achieved tremendous growth in its service and mission. In his letter of condolence, Archbishop Oshagan described the Metropolitan’s sudden passing as “a great loss for the Antiochian Orthodox Church and for all of Christendom.” In an historic event in 2003, under his leadership, the Archdiocese of North America requested, and was granted by the Holy Synod of Antioch the status of a self-ruling archdiocese. Archbishop Oshagan expressed regret that he would be unable to attend the funeral service personally because of his imminent departure for the Holy See of Cilicia in Lebanon. Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Church in Douglaston, New York, represented the Prelate at the funeral services last Saturday, at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Brooklyn.
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|  | Deacon ShantKazanjian continued the study of the Nicene Creed that has been the main focusof the 2014 Lenten Lectures. |
| PRELACY LENTEN PROGRAM CONTINUES The fifth of a six-part Prelacy Lenten Program took place last night at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of AREC, spoke on the third major section of the Nicene Creed—“We believe in the Holy Spirit…” To view Dn. Shant’s presentation, please click… Next Wednesday, April 9, the final lecture in the series will focus on the last section of the Nicene Creed—“We believe in one, universal, and apostolic Holy Church” and it will be presented by Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator church of Philadelphia. The Lenten Program is sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), and the Ladies’ Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral. For details about the upcoming Lenten program please
click here.
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MUSICAL ARMENIA ENCHANTS AND DELIGHTS The Musical Armenia audience last Friday evening was captivated with a truly brilliant concert that featured clarinetist Narek Arutyunian and Friends. Descriptive comments by concert-goers included the following, “fine musicianship,” “different and so entertaining,” “superb performance,” “A pleasant departure from the usual.” A full critique of the concert will be in next week’s issue of Crossroads.
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|  | The featured artist, clarinetist NarekArutyunian. | |  | Narek Arutyunian and Friends: Hahnsol Kim onviolin and Yun-Chin Zhou on piano. | |  | The artists with the Musical Armenia organizingcommittee. | | | |
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SAVE THE DATES FOR NRA The 2014 National Representative Assembly (NRA), along with the Clergy Conference, and the Conference of the National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG), will take place May 13-17, hosted by St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan. Delegates and guests will find more information here.
DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM FOR YOUTH St. Gregory of Datev Institute will hold its 28th annual summer program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 29 to July 6, 2014. The program is sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC).
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BOOK PRESENTATION AT ST. GREGORY CHURCH (Philadelphia) On Friday, March 28, as part of the Lenten Program at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church of Philadelphia, a book presentation was held—Commentary on the Nicene Creed by Archbishop Aznavorian, of blessed memory, which was published recently by the Armenian Prelacy. Dn. Shant Kazanjian, director of AREC, who translated the book, made the presentation. The bilingual Commentary on the Nicene Creed is available at the Prelacy’s bookstore (books@armenianprelacy.org, 212-689-7810).
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BIBLE READINGS Bible readings for Sunday, April 6, Sixth Sunday of Lent, Advent, are: Isaiah 66:1-24; Colossians 2:8-3:17; Matthew 22:34-23:39. When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest? He said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he? They said to him, The son of David. He said to them, How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet? If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son? No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions. Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father, the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 22:34-23:12) For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings
click here.
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| SUNDAY OF ADVENT This Sunday, April 6, is the sixth and final Sunday of Great Lent, known as Sunday of Advent (Galstyan Kiraki). On Advent Sunday we are asked to ponder the mystery of the first coming of Christ and especially his second coming which is a fundamental tenet of our Christian faith, and which is mentioned in the prayers read this Sunday. Christ came to the world for the salvation of humankind. We are told to be ready at all times because He will come again for the judgment of sinners, and when the righteous will become worthy of entering the Kingdom of God. “Then people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send out his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” (Mark 13:26-27) Advent Sunday has its own special hymn, which proclaims that the apostles knew the mystery of the advent of Christ. The story of the expulsion from paradise is repeated and an appeal is made to Christ to ask the Heavenly Father to establish peace on earth. Sunday of Advent is in preparation of the following Sunday, Palm Sunday, which is the celebration of the glorious entry of our Lord into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week. The terrible manifestation of your glory which will be in your second coming David foresaw and announced beforehand by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, God will come openly, fire will burn before him. Then, O Jesus, spare us, have compassion, O Christ, and have mercy. Mother of God unwedded, bride of heaven on earth, when in the sight of light you sit at the right hand of your only-begotten beseech him for us to deliver us from the awful flame, to number us with the righteous that we also may sing glory with the heavenly ones. (Canon for the Sixth Sunday of Great Lent from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)
ST. GREGORY’S COMMITMENT TO THE PIT During Great Lent, saint days are commemorated only on Saturdays. During the remainder of the year saints can be honored on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. This Saturday, April 5, the Armenian Church celebrates one of the three days in its liturgical calendar devoted to St. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of the Armenian Church. The three days are: Entrance into the Pit; Emergence from the Pit; and Discovery of his remains. This Saturday is the commemoration of his commitment to the Deep Pit (Khor Virab).
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|  | Inside the pit where St. Gregory was imprisoned, now below Khor Virap Monastery in the Ararat provence of Armenia. | |
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Gregory maintained his faith and refused to renounce Christ. As a result he endured many tortures and his final punishment was banishment into a deep pit where he remained for a period of thirteen or more years. Miraculously he survived, thanks to his faith and according to tradition a woman (identity unknown) who lowered food and water into the pit. The Monastery of Khor Virab is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims who visit Armenia. The monastery was built on the exact location where St. Gregory was imprisoned. The pit is accessible and it is possible for visitors to climb down the ladder (27 steep steps) into the pit. The church, named Sourp Astvatsatsin, dates to the 17th century. The area is one of the most beautiful in Armenia and provides stunning views of Ararat. The area surrounding Khor Virab is the site of the ancient Armenian capital, Artashat, founded by King Artashes I about 180 BC. Come, let us exalt on this day the spreader of the spiritual light to us who sat in darkness, the holy patriarch Gregory. Come, you children instructed by him, exalt on this day the distributor to the sons of Torgom of the undefiled gifts of the Holy Spirit who gave us a new birth as sons of the light. Come, you children instructed by him, exalt on this day the interpreter of the divine word in the land of Armenia. On this day the Church and her children sing with the angels, on this day of memory of the enlightener ascribing glory to God in the highest. (Canon to St. Gregory the Illuminator, Commitment to the Pit, from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)
FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION This Monday, April 7, is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. This feast day is always commemorated on April 7, nine months before the birth of Christ. The Feast celebrates the announcement made by the archangel Gabriel to Mary that she would bear the Son of God, as foretold by the Prophet Isaiah (7:1) and as related in the Gospel of Luke (chapter 1). Rejoice Mary, holy Mother of God, for the Lord has come suddenly into your purified temple; we bless and magnify you. Rejoice closed door through whom no one has passed except the Lord God of Israel; we bless and magnify you. Rejoice sealed fountain of the living water giving to you thirsting nature as drink; we bless and magnify you. (Canon for the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)
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|  | Annunciation, Henry O. Tanner, 1898 | |
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| NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
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PILGRIMAGE DAY IN ANTELIAS This Sunday, April 6, is a day of pilgrimage at the Holy See of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, in honor of the Armenian Church’s patron saint, St. Gregory the Illuminator. Thousands of pilgrims come to the Catholicosate for the Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, and the impressive procession of the relics of St. Gregory housed in a golden arm.
SPECIAL MEETING OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL A special meeting of the Executive Council of the Catholicosate took place following the assault on Kessab to discuss the situation and mobilize to help the displaced Armenian population. At the conclusion of the meeting, His Holiness Aram I announced that all Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora have pledged to help the Kessab population. The Council affirmed that Armenians worldwide should not remain silent and must draw the attention of the international community to this new genocidal act of Turkey. The Catholicos also announced that for the second time he was sending funds to the emergency committee of the community in Latakia with a group of priests who will also tend to the spiritual needs of the people now living in the church and school compound in Latakia.
CATHOLICOS ARAM REAFFIRMS UNITY IN FAITH AND SOLIDARITY Last Wednesday His Holiness Catholicos Aram, accompanied by clergy and seminary students, attended the Lenten Sunrise Service (Arevakal) at St. Nishan Cathedral in Beirut upon the invitation of the Prelate of Lebanon, Bishop Shahe Panossian and the church council. The Catholicos addressed the faithful, quoting the Biblical text spoken by Jesus, “Don’t be afraid, only believe,” (Luke 8:50). He then said that Jesus not only spoke of the power of faith but also demonstrated it through his life from Bethlehem to Golgotha. “Through the centuries, our people have survived persecutions and difficulties, yet always rebuilt our church and homeland. We lost one-and-a-half million people during the Genocide and we resurrected.” Speaking about the Armenian community in Syria and the recently displaced people of Kessab, he said, “Irrespective of all difficulties, our people remain attached to their country. Ideologies and political systems of governances are temporary. People and their land are permanent. The Catholicosate of Cilicia will respond to the needs of our displaced people of Kessab in the same way that it has protected the survivors of the Genocide since 1915.”
POPE TAWADROS VISITS CATHOLICOS ARAM His Holiness Aram I received His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church, who was accompanied by a delegation of bishops and laity. The delegation was escorted to the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator by the Catholicos and clergy, for canonical prayers. Following the prayer service a reception took place in the main reception hall of the residence (Veharan) where Catholicos Aram welcomed the guests, spoke of the close relationship between the two churches and the centuries-long unity in their faith that has held them together. The Catholicos stated that those old links must be translated into strong cooperation at all levels of the life of their people. He also spoke about the current difficulties of the Coptic Christians in Egypt and emphasized the need to strengthen Christian unity in the region. Patriarch Tawadros expressed his dearest hope that they continue the close and warm cooperation that existed between Pope Shenoda II and His Holiness Aram I, and expressed his commitment to further strengthen the relationship between the two churches.
VISIT OF CARDINAL KOCH Cardinal Kurt Koch, accompanied by his staff and the Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Gabriele Giordano Caccia, visited His Holiness Aram I last Saturday. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, the Ecumenical Officer of the Catholicosate, was also present at the meeting. The Cardinal and His Holiness covered a wide range of issues, including the ecumenical movement and the Roman Catholic Church, the activities of the Middle East Council of Churches, bilateral dialogues, problems and concerns related to the life of the two churches and interfaith matters. They also discussed the centuries-old relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Catholicosate of Cilicia. Catholicos Aram proposed that current relations between the two churches be further strengthened on international and regional levels. The meeting ended with an update on the situation in Lebanon and the forthcoming presidential elections.
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| THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY (Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
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Death of Vahan Tekeyan
(April 4, 1945) Poet and public figure, Vahan Tekeyan belonged to the surviving generation of the Armenian Genocide and during the last three decades of his life he influenced an entire generation. Tekeyan was born in Constantinople on January 21, 1878. He was the youngest of five children, fourteen years younger than his closest brother. His father passed away when he was eleven. He attended Nersesian, Berberian, and Getronagan schools, but did not finish his secondary schooling and was self-taught for the most part. He went to work with an insurance firm as a secretary at the age of sixteen. Two years later, in 1896, he was transferred to Liverpool, England, just before the massacres of Armenians in Constantinople ordered by Sultan Abdul Hamid II. In 1897 he was sent to Marseilles, where he stayed for four years, and then to Hamburg (Germany). In 1901 he published his first volume of poetry, Burdens, in Paris. In 1904 he was in Egypt and the following year he began publishing the literary monthly Shirag with Mikayel Gurjian (1878-1965). After the restoration of the Ottoman Constitution in 1908, Tekeyan returned to Constantinople and resumed publication of Shirag for a short while. He was elected a member of the National Church Council. In 1911 he visited Armenia for the first time for the election of Catholicos of All Armenians Gevorg V Sureniants. He published his second book, Miraculous Rebirth, in 1914, which was received with unanimous praise. It was on the eve of World War I, and Tekeyan would escape the fate of Armenian intellectuals during the genocide by chance. He was sent to Jerusalem to settle a church dispute as a representative of the Armenian National Assembly. At the outbreak of the war, he went to Cairo and followed the developments from there. Tekeyan had been originally a member of the Social Democrat Hunchakian Party, and after its split in 1896 he entered the Reorganized Hunchakian Party. He went back to Yerevan in 1919 to lead negotiations on behalf of the Armenian National Delegation headed by Boghos Nubar Pasha with representatives of the Republic of Armenia. Then he participated in the Armenian Congress held in Paris in the same year. He published his third book in 1919 (From Midnight to Dawn). The next year he returned to Constantinople after an absence of six years. In 1921 he was instrumental in the fusion of four parties that gave origin to the Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar Azadagan). Tekeyan became the editor of its organ, Joghovurti Tzayne, and in 1922, together with four other noted intellectuals (Gostan Zarian, Hagop Oshagan, Shahan Berberian, and Kegham Kavafian), founded the short-lived literary monthly Partzravank. From 1921-1922 he was also principal of Getronagan School. After the occupation of Constantinople by Kemalist forces, Tekeyan left the city, and went to Bulgaria, Greece, Egypt, and Syria to supervise Armenian refugee and orphan care. He was particularly helpful to one of those orphans, future Armenian American writer Leon Surmelian (1906-1998), and encouraged and collected his Armenian poetry, which he published in a book in 1924, Joyful Light. From 1926-1932 he became editor of Arev, his party’s publication in Cairo. He moved to Paris, where he published his fourth collection of poetry, Love (1933). After a stint at the Melkonian Educational Institution in 1935-1936, he became the founding editor of the daily Zartonk of Beirut in 1937. Then he returned to Cairo to resume editorship of Arev. He published his last two books in 1943 (Song of Armenia) and 1944 (Odes). His poetry, be it lyrical, patriotic, or philosophical, would always reflect the sobriety of its author. By the time of his death, some of his poems had become classics, and had earned him the title of “Prince of Armenian poetry.” His literary style had already created a numerous following, which would be active for several decades after him. After a long life of service, Tekeyan died in Cairo on April 4, 1945. The Tekeyan Cultural Association, founded in 1947, bears his name.
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99th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION AT TIMES SQUARE The 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide will once again be marked at a gathering at Times Square, 43rd Street and Broadway, New York City—the crossroads of the world. The gathering will take place Sunday, April 27, from 2 to 4 pm. The event is sponsored by the Knights & Daughters of Vartan and co-sponsored by AGBU, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National Committee of America, ADL-Ramgavars, and Armenian Council of America, and with the participation of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, Armenian Missionary Association of America, Armenian Catholic Eparchy for U.S. and Canada, Mid-Atlantic ACYOA, AYF-YOARF, Armenian Youth Organizations, and University Armenian Clubs. Free bus transportation to & from Times Square from New York and New Jersey is available. For information go to kofv.org and click on April 24..
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TAKE A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE… Those of you who are old enough to remember when the area known officially as Murray Hill in Manhattan was unofficially called “Little Armenia,” will enjoy this article that was called to our attention by Professor Hratch Zadoian that appeared in The Armenite. Even those not old enough will enjoy this bit of nostalgic history. The article recalls some of the Armenian sites in the area such as St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, the oldest Armenian Church in New York (1915); Kehayan’s Imported Food Store, Tashjian’s music store, Kalustyan’s Specialty Food Store. The Murray Hill area (now referred to as “Curry Hill” by some because of the large Indian population) is also home to St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral since 1968, and the Armenian Evangelical Church since 1923. To read the article
click here.
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| 2014 Prelacy Lenten Program, on Wednesdays, at St. Illuminator’s Armenian Apostolic Cathedral (New York City), Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), and the St. Illuminator’s Cathedral Ladies Guild. For information, please contact the Prelacy office at 212.689.7810, or arec@armenianprelacy.org or the Church office at 212-689-5880 or
office@stilluminators.org. April 4—St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, “Saints & Sainthood,” lecture by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor St. Illuminator’s Cathedral. April 5—Sunday School Teachers’ Seminar – New England region, at St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). Theme: The Nicene Creed. April 6—The Cultural Committee of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, is hosting a bilingual lecture by Dr. Ara Caprielian on the “Trials of Young Turks in Turkey (1919-1921 and 1926),” following churchy services at approximately 1:30 pm. Free admission. This lecture is part of a series of events leading to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. April 6—Walk Armenia sponsored by the Armenian Relief Society of Eastern United States, organized y the New York Mayr and Erebuni chapters. Walk with us to raise funds for Bared Maronian’s new documentary, “Women of 1915.” Registration at noon at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 E. 27th Street, New York City. Participation fee $25. For information:
nvoskerijian@gmail.com or
anahide@aol.com.
April 11—St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, A Reflection on the Commentary of Badarak of Hovhanes Arjishetsi, by His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Ph.D. Fellowship hour by Ladies Guild. April 19—St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Easter Eve Day, Holy Communion & Breakfast for the children. April 19—St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Easter Eve Dinner, 8 pm, salmon dinner with all the trimmings and evening of fellowship. $30 per person. For reservations and information: 718-224-2275. April 24—“Walk to Honor our Martyrs,” organized by the New York ARF and the ANC of New York, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. Badarak and Hokehankist, 10:30 am to 12 noon. Walk begins 12:30 pm from the Cathedral. For information:
office@stilluminators.org or 212-689-5880. April 26—Armenian Relief Society, Agnouni, Bergen, Shake, and Spitak New Jersey chapters, present Emmy award winner, Bared Maronian, in his new documentary film, “Women of 1915,” 7:30 pm, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Donation $50 (light meal will be served). For information: Arpi Misserlian 973-907-2898; Talin Daghlian 201-446-2316. April 26—Armenian Genocide Walk in Philadelphia. Registration 12 noon at Independence Visitor Center (Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets). Walk begins at 1 pm, followed by program at 2 pm. Featured speakers: George Aghjayan, “Why Western Armenia”; Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach, representative of the 17th District. Free bus transportation from St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Church and St. Gregory Church. For information:
armeniangenocidewalk@gmail.com and
www.armeniangenocidewalk.com. April 27—Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley observance, 3 pm, North Andover High School, 430 Osgood St., Arev Armenian Folk Ensemble performing; joint requiem service by MV Armenian churches; reception to follow; complimentary admission. April 27—Annual Times Square Gathering, in commemoration of the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Sponsored by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan with the support and participation of all churches and organizations. Free bus transportation from area Armenian churches, and other locations. May 1—Avak luncheon at noon, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts. Speaker: Tom Vartabedian, “A 50-Year Retrospective into Armenian American Journalism,” with stores and photos. May 9—Armenian Relief Society Mayr Chapter of New York presents “A Mother’s Day Dinner Dance,” featuring the Akhtamar Dance Ensemble and music by Khajag, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, New York. Adults $40; children (under 10) $15. For reservations: Anais, 718-392-6982 or Anahid 718-263-9325. May 10—Unveiling of new genocide memorial by Lowell City Hall, sponsored by the Armenian Genocide Monument Committee of Merrimack Valley, 10 am, downtown procession, followed by program at City Hall and reception in St. Ann’s Church at noon. Musical interlude by soloist Sevan Dulgarian. Sheriff Peter Koutoujian, MC. May 21—Benefit for Boston’s Armenian Heritage Park, “Chefs Party for Our Park!” Royal Sonesta Hotel, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 6:30 pm, with participation of more than 15 of Boston’s top chefs. Go to
www.ArmenianHeritagePark.org for information. May 13-17—Clergy Conference and National Representative Assembly, and Annual Conference of the National Association of Ladies’ Guilds (NALG) of the Eastern Prelacy, hosted by St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan. May 18—St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday school year-end hantes, 4 pm. May 24—96th anniversary of Armenian independence sponsored by Lowell “Aharonian” ARF, 6 pm, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts. Dinner, entertainment, and speaker, Baku pogrom survivor Anna Turcotte, author of “Nowhere, A story of Exile.” Admission: $20 adults; $10 students. May 31—The Armenian Bar Association presents a panel discussion about “Ongoing Legal Efforts and Challenges to Preserve Armenian Antiquities and Cultural Property,” at Association of the Bar of the City of New York, 42 West 44th Street, New York City (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Free admission. For information: Denise Darmanian
nyfed@aol.com or 917-848-0968. June 1—Ladies Guild Annual Brunch, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. June 1—St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Toronto Children’s Choir concert in the church sanctuary. June 29 – July 6, 2014: St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). For information, contact the AREC office at 212.689.7810 or at
arec@armenianprelacy.org. October 3—St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday School Dinner Dance Gala.
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Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site. 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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