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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.
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| PRELATE AT ARS CONVENTION Archbishop Oshagan attended the 93rd convention of the Armenian Relief Society (Eastern Region) that took last week in Philadelphia, where he offered the opening prayer for the charitable organization’s annual meeting. The meeting focused on assisting the Syrian Armenian community affected by the ongoing war. The delegates attending the convention donated close to $18,000 within a half-hour period. They also discussed various plans to quickly raise the funds that are desperately needed to help the Syrian Armenian community.
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|  | Archbishop Oshagan with the members of the central and regional executives of the Armenian Relief Society, and chairpersons of local chapters during the convention that convened in Philadelphia last week. | |
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| VICAR WILL VISIT TROY Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, will travel to Holy Cross Church in Troy, New York, this Sunday, July 28 where he will preside over the Divine Liturgy which will be celebrated by the parish priest Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian. His Grace will deliver the sermon.
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|  | Bishop Anoushavan (left) presented the Prelacy’s Queen Zabel Award to Mrs. Houry Boyamian on the occasion of her 25th anniversary as principal of St. Stephen’s School. Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian is on right. |
| GRADUATION CEREMONIES AT ST. STEPHEN SCHOOL On two consecutive days in June, St. Stephen Armenian Elementary School in Watertown, Massachusetts, held graduation ceremonies for 23 kindergarten students on June 14, and for 15 graduates of the St. Stephen Elementary School on June 15. On both days, the principal Mrs. Houry Boyamian focused on the school’s achievements and thanked the faculty, the administrative staff, the PTO, the parent volunteers, the school board and committees, Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian and the Board of Trustees of St. Stephen Church, as well as all the organizations and individuals that contributed to the advancement of the school. Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian presided over the Elementary Graduation and presented the Prelacy’s highest award, The Queen Zabel Award, to Mrs. Houry Boyamian on behalf of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, in recognition and appreciation of Mrs. Boyamian’s 25th anniversary as principal of the school. Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian expressed deep appreciation to Mrs. Boyamian for her dedicated service. Der Hayr noted that “During her tenure, the school not only grew; not only thrived; not only expanded, but also became the heart of our community, preparing future generations of servants and laborers to continue the important work of the Greater Boston Armenian community.”
Click here to read more about the graduation ceremonies and comments by Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian.
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|  | The 2013 Elementary School graduates of St. Stephen’s School. | |
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| ST. SARKIS (NY) CAMPERS DONATE The campers attending the summer camp organized by St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, learned all about the joy of giving to help those in need. Last week when the Prelate and Vicar visited the camp, they very proudly presented to Archbishop Oshagan the money they had raised to sponsor an orphan in Armenia through the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship Program ($225), and another sum of $442 for the Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief.
For the past two weeks, 65 campers were part of the 8th year of the popular St. Sarkis Summer Camp. The camp days were filled with fun and exciting activities that included Arts and Crafts, Dance, Music, Science and Enrichment. Campers celebrated Christmas in July and learned about the Gift of Giving. The children were truly proud and excited about the spirit of charity and their ability to help their brothers and sisters in need in Armenia and the Diaspora. Archbishop Oshagan thanked the campers and praised them for their true Christian spirit and brotherly love.
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|  | The campers and staff members with Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan, and Antranig Boudakian, who with his wife Marion are sponsors of the camp. | |  | Archbishop Oshagan interacts with some of the campers during his visit. | | | |
| ST.SARKIS GOLF TOURNAMENT St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, hosted its 38th annual Golf & Tennis Classic on Monday, July 22, at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville, Michigan. With perfect weather, 118 men and women enjoyed a day of golf. About 160 people attended the evening banquet that featured good food and drink as well as awards, raffles, door prizes and a live auction. This event has become a major source of funds for the church.
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|  | The golfers in the St. Sarkis annual golf outing. | |  | Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian with the committee that organized the Golf outing. | | | |
| BIBLE READINGS Bible readings for Sunday, July 28, Fourth Sunday of Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, are Isaiah 58:13-59:7; 1 Timothy 4:12-5:10; John 3:13-21. No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings
click here.
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| HOLY FATHERS ATHANASIUS AND CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA This Saturday, July 27, the Armenian Church commemorates the Holy Fathers Athanasius and Cyril of Alexandria. St. Athanasius is known as the “champion of orthodoxy,” and “father of orthodoxy.” He served as bishop of Alexandria for 45 years (17 in exile). He attended the Council of Nicaea where he was regarded as a theological expert. He is respected and revered in the Armenian Church. Cyril of Alexandria succeeded his uncle, Theophilus, as patriarch of Alexandria in 412. He was a brilliant theologian in the Alexandrian tradition, and like Athanasius, is highly regarded by the Armenian Church. He presided over the third ecumenical council (Ephesus). He wrote treatises clarifying the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation, commentaries on the Gospels of John and Luke, dogmatic theology, and many letters and sermons.
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| ST. VAHAN KOGHTNATZI Next Tuesday, July 30, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Vahan Koghtnatzi, son of Armenian nobility, who was taken (along with other children) into captivity to Damascus and given Islamic training. When they reached adulthood, the captured Armenian children were given permission to return home. Although Vahan had promised to return, he decided to remain in Armenia. However, his return was demanded and he was pursued. He fled from place to place, but finally surrendered and told his captives he wished to remain in Armenia and practice his own religion. He was imprisoned, tortured, and beheaded. It is believed that the sharagan (hymn) dedicated to St. Vahan was written (melody and lyrics) by his sister.
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| NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
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| MARTYRS MEMORIAL TO BE RENOVATED During a recent meeting held under the Presidency of His Holiness Aram I, it was decided to renovate old monuments of the Catholicosate dedicated to the Martyrs, and to erect new ones in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Genocide in 2015. A committee of architects has already begun the renovation work on the Martyrs Chapel, which was built in Antelias when the uprooted See from Cilicia settled there. Plans are also underway to restore the “Renaissance Monument” build in Bikfaya on the 50th anniversary of the Genocide that honors the martyrs and survivors. New structures are also underway in Bikfaya.
AMBASSADOR OF ARMENIA MEETS WITH CATHOLICOS Ashod Kotcharian, the ambassador of Armenia to Lebanon, met with His Holiness Aram I at his summer residence in Bikfaya. The ambassador and His Holiness discussed Armenia-Diaspora relations and the general situation in the region. The Ambassador also informed the Catholicos that Middle East Airlines has decided to offer direct flights to Yerevan twice a week. His Holiness welcomed the decision.
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| THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee
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| July 28, 1887: Birth of Heranush Arshagian Tuberculosis, the “romantic disease,” as it was regarded in the nineteenth century, had its own share of victims among Armenian poets from 1868 to 1924. Between those dates, several prominent names in Armenian literature, aged between 21 and 40, died due to that dreaded illness, including Megerdich Beshigtashlian (1828-1868), Bedros Tourian (1851-1872), Misak Medzarentz (1886-1908), Vahan Terian (1885-1920), Mateos Zarifian (1894-1924). Less prominent names were also among its victims. There was a young poet who joined that list, whose name still appears in some anthologies: Heranoush Arshagian. She was born on July 28, 1887, in the suburb of Beshiktash, in Constantinople. Her father Hagop Arshag died when she was three; he had been a prominent activist in the Armenian community. The young girl entered the Sisters’ School of Makrikoy, where she stayed for a year and half. Afterwards, she transferred to the Makruhian girls’ school in her birthplace. She was a very successful student and her teachers admired her essays. However, her studies were interrupted when the physicians advised that the only possible cure for the deadly disease was to spend time within a natural environment, far from the city, and to breathe the fresh air of a village. In 1902 Arshagian moved with her family to a farm outside Yedi-kule, another suburb of the Ottoman capital. It appears that she wrote her undated poems between 1903-1904, influenced by her imminent death and the beauty of nature that surrounded her. The sky is blue; the pretty eyes
Watch us with infinite blue.
Blue are all the sweet objects,
The infinite seas, the soft flowers,
The immaterial clouds, the enlightened soul
When comes out from its closet.
I have loved that color, faint or burning,
As it smiles constantly through the tones of white.
I have loved it as if it were incense,
As I love the fire-haired stars.
In the middle of the pages of a beloved book
I put a very humble, blue flower,
To make sure that whoever sees it one day
Will remember my sweet emotions with the flower She read a poem by another young poet, Hrand Nazariantz (1880-1962), entitled “A Sister,” in an issue of the journal “Puragn” (1904). The poet spoke about his dream of having a sister to share his thoughts. Arshagian send him a warm letter: “If you wish a sister, I need a brother; let’s find together what we don’t have . . .” They started to correspond The young poet, according to her friends, had written prolifically including a novel, several novellas, various poems in French, and some five dozen poems in Armenian. She passed away on March 27, 1905, a few months before her eighteenth birthday. Some of her writings were published in the journal “Dzaghig,” edited by writer Haiganoush Mark. Nazariantz published a book about her life and poetry in 1910, where he gathered 24 poems and some excerpts from her letters. This was, essentially, her literary testament.
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| August 4—Annual picnic of St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, at Camp Haiastan, 722 Summer Street, Franklin, Massachusetts 02038. Delicious food, music and more from 12 noon to 5 pm. For information, 617-924-7562, visit online at www.soorpstepanos.org or on Facebook. August 11—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Annual Picnic at Camp Haiastan from noon to 6 pm. Blessing of Madagh and Grapes will take place at 3:30 pm with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan presiding and with the participation of the pastors of the New England area churches. Enjoy delicious shish, losh, and chicken kebab dinners, Armenian pastry, and our famous choreg. Music by the Michael Gregian Ensemble. Our patrons may use the Lower Camp Pool, Basketball Courts, and Canoes from 1 to 4 pm. Activities for children. Come and enjoy a day with friends and family. August 11—Annual Church Picnic and Blessing of Grapes at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us for a fun-filled day and enjoy delicious food, music by DJ Shaheen, backgammon tournament, children’s activities and more. Begins at noon. Blessing of Grapes at 2:45 pm. Admission is free. For more information: htaacw@verizon.net or 508-852-2414. August 16, 17, 18—Armenian Fest and Blessing of the Grapes, All Saints Armenian Church, 1701 N. Greenwood, Glenview, Illinois. For information: 847-998-1989. August 18—Annual Picnic of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 12 noon on the church grounds, 315 Church Street, Whitinsville, immediately following the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian who will also officiate the Blessing of the Grapes ceremony with the participation of New England clergy. Delicious Armenian food, homemade baked goods. Listen and dance to traditional live Armenian music by the Mugrditchian Band. For information: 508-234-3677. August 18—St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Blessing of the Grapes and Family Fun Picnic, at Lakeshore Park, 601 South Lake Drive, Novi, Michigan. Food, music, dancing, magic show, volleyball, soccer, tavlou tournament, mountain biking, swimming. August 18—Sts. Vartanantz Church, New Jersey, Annual Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Parki, Wild Duck Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts and crafts and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more. September 5 to October 3—“A Brief Introduction to Modern Armenian Literature,” a series of five seminars presented on Thursdays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. Sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) and the Cathedral. Presented by Vartan Matiossian, Ph.D. September 7—Teachers’ Seminar sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) at the Prelacy offices, 138 E. 39th Street, New York City, from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Details will follow. September 8—Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts, 12:30 to 5:30 pm, featuring Armenian music by Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Joe Kouyoumjian, John Arzigian, along with Siroun Dance Group. Armenian food and pastries. For details www.saintgregory.org September 15—Book Presentation at Pashalian Hall, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York, of “One Church One Nation” by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian. September 21—St. Illuminator’s Cathedral’s “Huyser” Music Ensemble presents “The Sound of Freedom,” a celebration of independence, at the Frank Sinatra School of Arts, Tony Bennett Concert Hall, 35-12 35th Avenue, Astoria, New York, at 7:30 pm. Tickets $25—$35. For information: 212-689-5880. October 5—Symposium “Armenian Women as Artists and Mothers,” 2-6 pm, sponsored by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) at St. Illuminator Cathedral Pashalian Hall, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, in celebration of the Year of the Mother of the Armenian Family. Lecturers: Jennifer Manoukian (Columbia University), “Zabel Yessayan: Mother and Activist,”; Vartan Matiossian (ANEC), “Armen Ohanian: An Armenian Woman of the World,” and Melissa Bilal (Columbia University), “Lullabies and Tears: On Armenian Grandmothers and Granddaughters in Istanbul.” October 19—Armenian Friends of America presents “Hye Kef 5” featuring musicians Leon Janikian, Joe Kouyoumjian, Greg Takvorian, Ken Kalajian, Ron Raphaelian, and Jay Baronian, 7:30-12:30, Michael’s Function Hall, 12 Alpha Street, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Proceeds to benefit all Armenian churches in Merrimack Valley and New Hampshire. Tickets: $40 adults; $30 students; includes individually-served mezza platters. For information/reservations: John Arzigian 603-560-3826; Sandy Boroyan 978-251-8687; Scott Sahagian 617-699-3581; Peter Gulezian 978-375-1616. October 27—90th anniversary celebration of St. Gregory Church, Philadelphia, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, Prelate. Immediately after the Divine Liturgy at the church’s Founders Hall, 8701 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19128. November 15-16-17—Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
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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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