May 23, 2013
PRELATE CALLS FOR PRAYERS AND AID FOR TORNADO VICTIMS
Archbishop Oshagan has instructed parishes of the Eastern Prelacy to offer prayers for the victims and survivors of the tornado that flattened a twenty-mile area in Oklahoma. The massive storm destroyed homes, businesses, and schools on Monday. Besides the tragic loss of life, including many children in a school in the direct path of the storm, many families have lost their homes, cars, and all of their worldly possessions.
His Eminence has asked our parishes to offer special prayers for those who died and those who survived during the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, May 26, and to pass a special offering plate for donations to help the survivors. Donations will be forwarded to the American Red Cross on behalf of the parishes of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Church.
FLAG BLESSING AND PRAYERS FOR THE REPUBLIC
WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SUNDAY, MAY 26
Prelacy parishes will offer prayers and bless the Armenian tricolor flag on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the first Armenian Republic, and the 22nd anniversary of the current Republic of Armenia, on Sunday, May 26. Requiem services will be offered for the souls of the fallen heroes of Sardarabad, Bashabaran, Gharakilise, and the martyrs in the freedom of Artsakh.
“With holy heart and firm faith let us stand up together in prayer and glorify the Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us thank him for he gave a visit with his mercy to the Armenian nation and the holy Armenian Church, saving them from all the tribulations of our homeland by the re-establishment therein of the throne of our sovereignty.
Therefore, let us supplicate wholeheartedly that he may preserve the Republic of our nation, and shine forth his Holy Church; that he may increase the wisdom and ability of the leaders of our nation and all laborers for the edification of our homeland; that he may assist all our generals, armies and the soldiers who willingly offered their persons as sacrifice to the altar of the salvation of our nation, in the wars against the enemies; that he may strengthen us in our pursuit of love and good works; that the Almighty God may revive us and have mercy upon us.”
(From the “Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia,” prepared in 1920 by Archbishop Torkom Koushagian)
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES
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| Delegates to the 2013 National Representative Assembly hosted by Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland |
The National Representative Assembly of the Eastern Prelacy, hosted by Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, concluded on Saturday, May 18. For press release, photos, video of message of His Holiness Aram I, honorees including Yeretzgin Lucy Daghlian as Mother of the Year, as well as other information about the Assembly click here.
PRELATE AND VICAR ATTEND LUNCHEON
IN HONOR OF METROPOLITAN TIKHON
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushavan attended a prayer service and luncheon in honor of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon on his enthronement as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. The luncheon, which was hosted by His Grace, Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, took place Monday, May 20, at the Bishop’s residence in Muttontown, New York.
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From left, Metropolitan Tikhon, Metropolitan Zachariah, Bishop David, Archbishop Oshagan, Bishop Anoushavan.
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BISHOP ANOUSHAVAN IN TORONTO
Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Prelacy, is in Canada where he will deliver a lecture at St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Toronto, on the 50th anniversary of the passing of His Holiness Catholicos Zareh I, the 30th anniversary of the passing of Catholicos Khoren I, and the 55th anniversary of the Prelacy.
On Friday evening, His Grace will attend a celebration marking the 45th anniversary of the ordination of Archbishop Khajag Hagopian, Prelate of Canada.
DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM
St. Gregory of Datev Institute will hold its 27th annual Summer Program for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 30 – July 7, 2013. The Program is sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). For registration and information, please contact the AREC office at 212-689-7810 or at arec@armenianprelacy.org or click here.
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, May 26, First Sunday after Pentecost, are: 1 Kings 18:29-46; 2 Kings 2:1-15; James 5:16-20; Luke 4:25-30.
Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:16-20)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here.
REMEMBRANCE OF THE PROPHET ELIJAH
This Sunday, May 26, the Armenian Church commemorates Elijah, the Messianic prophet of the Old Testament recorded in 1 and 2 Kings. Elijah was the greatest prophet in the Old Testament and therefore his feast day falls on a Sunday. He appeared along with Moses at the Transfiguration as the prophet of life and the new covenant; Moses was representative of the old covenant. The Armenian Church (like all the Eastern churches) holds Elijah in the highest esteem. Most importantly, Elijah did not experience death, but was taken to heaven, like the Holy Mother of God. He is mentioned in the Armenian hymn Ee Verin, sung during the Requiem Service.
“Receive us in Jerusalem above, in the dwellings of the angels, in Eden, the paradise where Enoch and Elijah live worthily resplendent in dove-like purity and in old age. O merciful Lord, have mercy upon the souls of ours who have fallen asleep.”
(From the Armenian hymn Ee Verin Yerousaghem (Receive us in Jerusalem above), sung during the Requiem Service.)
SAINTS HRIPSIME AND GAYANE AND THEIR COMPANIONS
This Monday and Tuesday, May 27 and 28, the Armenian Church commemorates the virgin saints Hripsime and Gayane and their companions. Thirty-three nuns, led by Gayane, left Rome and sought refuge in Armenia hoping to escape the Roman Emperor who desired one of the nuns, the beautiful Hripsime. In Armenia, King Dertad became captivated by Hripsime’s beauty and sought to wed her. She refused. Enraged, the king had Hripsime (and the other nuns) imprisoned and tortured to death.
When Gregory was released from his imprisonment in the deep pit (Khor Virab) he built chapels over the relics of the nuns, which Catholicos Sahag Bartev later renovated. During the 7th century, churches were built over both sites. The church dedicated to Saint Hripsime, built by Catholicos Gomidas, is considered to be an architectural masterpiece and influenced the future course of Armenian architecture. Catholicos Gomidas also wrote a sharagan (hymn) in their memory—the well-known Antsink Nviryalk (Dedicated Beings).
The two churches, as well as a third (Shoghakat) are in the city of Etchmiadzin (Vagharshapat), not far from the complex of buildings that comprise the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
VILLAGE OF “NEW CILICIA” IN ARTZAKH INAUGURATED
A delegation representing the Catholicosate of Cilicia attended the inauguration of the renovated intermediary school and 32 new homes in the village of Nor Giligia (New Cilicia) in Artzakh last week. The repopulation of this village is a joint project between the government of Artzkah and the Holy See of Cilicia, and all of the dioceses under Cilician jurisdiction.
The seven-member delegation included Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian (Prelate of Iran), Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian (Prelate of Western United States), Bishop Papken Charian (Prelate of Isfahan), and members of the National Council of the Catholicosate, Ara Demirdjian and Vahe Yakoubian, Yervant Papakhanian (Diocese of Tehran), and Khatchik Dedeyan (Chancellor of the Catholicosate).
Upon arriving in Artzakh the delegation met with the President of the Republic of Artzakih, Pago Sahakian, who expressed thanks and appreciation to Catholicos Aram and the Holy See for their support of Nor Giligia.
The delegation traveled to Nor Giligia accompanied by the Prime Minister, Ara Haroutunian. The mayor, director of the school, and residents welcomed the visitors. Following the inauguration of the renovated school, the delegation presented a Letter of Blessing from the Catholicos. In his letter Catholicos Aram wrote, “Karabakh regained its independence because of the sacrifice of our people. Sustaining this young Republic is a major responsibility and requires careful planning. The current projects of the Holy See of Cilicia reflect its commitment to strengthening Karabakh.”
The delegation announced that the Holy See of Cilcia is continuing its cooperation with the government in the construction of a kindergarten, health clinic, social center, and church.
Each of the prelacies under the jurisdiction of the Cilician See has agreed to undertake a portion of the financial responsibilities for the Nor Giligia project. For this initial phase, the Eastern Prelacy is sponsoring the construction of four new homes at an approximate cost of $35,000 per house.
To see a video of the inauguration of the renovated school click here. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHRISTIANS IN MIDDLE EAST
An International Conference on “Christian Presence and Witness in the Middle East,” opened today in Beirut, organized by the World Council of Churches and the Middle East Council of Churches.
A message by His Holiness Aram I to the participants from Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East, was read by Very Rev. Fr. Masis Choboyan. His Holiness welcomed the participants noting, “You have come from different parts of the world to reflect with us on the events in the region and its challenges these represent to us.”
His Holiness spoke about the deep Christian roots in the Middle East and said that despite current difficulties and challenges, the churches are holding on to hope and will continue their Christian witness inspired by faith, strengthened by hope, and enabled by love. “As Christians we shall fulfill our duties and responsibilities and at the same time we shall remain attached to our religious and national rights as citizens and as communities.”
ST. ILLUMINATOR’S SATURDAY SCHOOL PRESENTS
END OF YEAR RECITAL
The St. Illuminator’s Armenian Saturday School culminated its activities with a recital prepared and presented by the teachers and students, last Sunday, May 19. The performance was dedicated to the “Year of the Armenian Mother” and students recited poems and sang songs dedicated to mothers, and to St. Mesrob Mashdotz, the founder of the Armenian alphabet.
The stage was designed by artist Eliz Alahverdian, depicting a mothering sun shining down on its flowers. The event concluded with a rendition of Giligia on the trumpet played by student Bedig Wannessian. Students then presented Mother’s day cards they made in school to their mothers.
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| Students of the St. Illuminator’s Saturday Armenian School with their teachers and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of the Cathedral. |
SCIENCE FAIR AT ST. STEPHEN’S DAY SCHOOL
The St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School’s Annual Science Fair in April became an All day Stem Expo, thanks to the school’s STEM Initiative. In 2011, a four year grant from the Gelfand Family Charitable Trust helped the school establish the STEM initiative. Its mission is to increase the focus and emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) throughout the school, in order to create and support a deep and sustainable culture of inquiry-based teaching and learning that excites and inspires the students.
The STEM EXPO was planned by the STEM Team comprised of Principal Houry Boyamian, Dr. Sevan Ficici, and Kimberly Kamborian and supported by the teachers and the STEM Parent Group.
The STEM EXPO ended with an open viewing of students’ science fair projects about Cleaning an Oil Spill, Engineering Simple Machines to create a factory, Generating Electricity, Plant Growth, and more.
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| Students of St. Stephen’s Elementary School inside a huge inflatable whale, learning about the structure and the interior organs of whales. |
MOTHERS DAY PROGRAM IN DEARBORN
INAUGURATES PRAYER BOOK
The Board of Trustees of St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, organized a special Mothers’ Day program following the Divine Liturgy on May 12. All mothers received a flower from the Board. During the fellowship hour Sebouh Sarkisian welcomed everyone on behalf of the Board and Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian. Students of the Sunday School distributed gifts—a special prayer book for mothers that the students had prepared.
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| Sunday School students distribute the special prayer book, “Angelic Prayers of Love,” that was written and compiled by the students. |
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| The cover of the prayer book. |
SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN DIVINE LITURGY
Sunday School students of St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, participated in the Divine Liturgy and following the church services they presented their year-end program in the church’s Lillian Arakelian Hall. The number of students this year, from Pre-K to 10th grades, is now 71 students, with ten teachers led by the superintendent Diane Chengelian. The students presented a performance about the life of Gregory the Illuminator and King Drtad, sang songs, recited the Havadamk. The school had one graduate this year, Alexandra Krikorian.
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Sunday School students participating in the Divine Liturgy at St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn.
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Birth of Siranoush (May 25, 1857)
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Siranoush is regarded as the most famous actress in the history of Armenian theater. She was a brilliant interpreter of tragedies and operettas. She was a daring, proud, and persistent woman in real life, but she knew how to be delicate and emotional on the stage. Her theatrical fame perhaps helped the name Siranoush (a combination of the words ser “love” and anoush “sweet”) become a common one among Armenian women born in the twentieth century.
She was born Merobe Kantarjian in Constantinople. She was one of four cousins who became actresses. Azniv Hrachia (1853-1920) and Siranoush had a long and very fecund life, but Asdghik (1852-1884), Siranoush’ s sister, and Marie Nevart (1853-1885) died very early. At a time when few women dared to go on the stage, and men still played female roles, Siranoush entered the world of theater at the age of eight performing for Tovmas Fasulajian’s group. She appeared once again in 1867 with Bedros Maghakian’s group, and finally made her professional debut at the age of 16 with the same group in the play “Pierre of Arezzo.” She studied singing with Dikran Chuhajian, the famous opera composer, and later with Italian musicologist Carlo Nicosias, to whom she was briefly married from 883 and 1887. In 1875 she joined Hagop Vartovian’s group, where she interpreted various operettas. She played in Tiflis from 1879-1881 and 1891-1892.
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She was the first and most celebrated Ophelia in Armenian theater, as she played that role opposing an equally famous Hamlet, Bedros Atamian (1849-1891), in the first performance of William Shakespeare’s play on November 20, 1881 in Tiflis. She was also equally celebrated as the first Armenian actress who played the role of Hamlet—the same as French world-famous actress Sarah Bernhardt and others before her—in 1901, again in Tiflis. Her Hamlet was so convincing, that only her voice of coloratura soprano reminded the audience that a woman was talking about the eternal dilemma of being or not being.
She acted for long periods of time in Constantinople, with frequent presentations in Greece, Bulgaria, and Egypt, with different groups, as well as her own group. In 1897 she returned to the Caucasus and played for a long time in Baku, which was the main center of Armenian theater between 1897 and 1901. She also played in many places in the Caucasus, from Yerevan to Nakhichevan-on-Don (Rostov), and Central Asia. The best
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Armenian actors from Tiflis, headed by two luminaries like Hovhannes Abelian and Siranoush, performed in Moscow and St. Petersburg in 1912, where Siranush was compared to world famous Italian actress Eleonora Duse.
Siranoush performed some 300 roles. Among the most famous, besides Ophelia and Hamlet, were Marguerite Gautier (Alexander Dumas Jr.’s The Lady of the Camellias), Teresa (Luigi Camoletti’s Sister Therese), Ruzan (Muratsan’s Ruzan), Jeanne d’Arc and Mary Steward (Friedrich Schiller’s Joan d’Arc), Medea (Alexei Suvorin’s and Viktor Burenin’s Medea), Portia (Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice), Princess (Levon Shant’s The Ancient Gods), Margarit (Gabriel Sundukian’s Spouses), etc.Some of her roles, such as Ophelia, Marguerite Gautier, Medea, and others, became masterpieces of Armenian acting. Her sensitive and deeply felt performing was most appreciated by her contemporaries.
Siranoush toured Iran between 1918 and 1921, and returned to the Caucasus, where she gave her last performance in 1922. Afterwards, she left for Constantinople to join her daughter, who lived there. She finally settled in Cairo (Egypt), where she performed her signature role of Marguerite Gautier in 1932, at the age of 75. She died on June 10, 1932 on her way home from the theater. She is buried in the Armenian cemetery of Cairo.
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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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How Did We End With 38 Letters?
It is common knowledge that Mesrop Mashtots invented the Armenian alphabet with 36 letters in the fifth century. The last of them was ք (k’). However, language evolved and made necessary to introduce two new letters; today, the Armenian alphabet has 38 letters. The first 36 letters also had a numeric value, still in use today, while the late newcomers did not have any such value.
O, օ (o, name “o”)
It is assumed that, in the fifth century, Armenians pronounced the diphthong աւ (aw) close to Spanish au (causa)or German au (sauerkraut), whereas the letter ո (currently vo)transcribed the sound represented by Greek omega (ω). Thus, the Greek name of Apostle Paul, Παῦλος (Paulos), became Պաւղոս (Paułos) in Armenian.
The eleventh century became a sort of watershed in the Armenian language. Krapar (Classical Armenian) ceased to be spoken and was confined to the realm of written language until its final demise for almost all purposes in the late nineteenth century.
Also about that time, the diphthong աւ started to be pronounced օ, similar to the English language (audit > ɔːdit). Such pronunciation was for “closed” syllables that ended with a consonant, for instance աւր (awr “day”), which continued to be written in the same way, but it was pronounced օր (or). To mark the difference in sound, they used conventional signs such as ^, ∞, or o over the diphthong աւ. The earliest transcription of the new sound with o appears to be the word փափագանօք (p’ap’aganok’ “with wishes”’), dated 1046.
The transition lasted around a century. In the meantime, the Armenian ո had adopted the sound vo at the beginning of words and ղhad become gh (like the r in Parisian French), instead of its past l-like sound. In the late twelfth or early thirteenth century, scribe Aristakes produced a work called «Գրչութեան արուեստ» (Art of Writing). The letter o entered officially the Armenian alphabet in the last chapter of this book, which became the oldest spelling dictionary of the language. It has been suggested that the letter was either derived from the Latin o or, which seems more plausible, patterned after the Greek omicron (ο), which was the actual source of the Latin letter.
Following these developments, a proper name likeՊաւղոս started to be pronounced and spelledՊօղոս(Poghos, Western Armenian Boghos), and all closed syllables with the diphthong աւ changed their spelling. For instance:
Classical Armenian
հաւտ(hawt)
կարաւտ(karawt)
տաւն(tawn) |
Modern Armenian (Western Armenian phonetics)
հօտ (hod “flock”)
կարօտ(garod “longing”)
տօն (don “feast”)
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There was one exception to this rule: աղաւնի (*aɫawni, Modern Armenian aghavni “dove, pigeon”). It is assumed that the word was pronounced *aɫawəni, with the ը (schwa) following աւ, and that’s why it did not become աղօնի (aghoni).
Ֆ, ֆ (f, name “fe”)
The case of ֆ was different. The Armenian language did not have a sound f in the fifth century. Mesrop Mashtots, thus, used Armenian փ, an aspirated p, to render the Greek letter φ (phi), like Greek φιλόσοφος > Armenian փիլիսոփայ (p’ilisop’ay, Western Armenian pilisopa), which is the English philosopher. In this way, all foreign words transcribed into Armenian with the sound f rendered the latter as փ. Medieval Armenian historians and chroniclers, for instance, used փռանկ(p’rank)to name Europeans in general, which was the transcription of frank (name of the Germanic people that originated the term France).
The letter ֆ appeared for the first time in the eleventh century: patterned after the Greek φ, it was recorded in the proper name Մուֆարզին(Mufarzin, an Arab military post in southern Armenia) in 1037. It started to be widely utilized in the Late Middle Ages, apparently to transliterate loanwords from European languages.
However, Middle Armenian, a form of colloquial Armenian particularly used in Cilicia at the time both in speaking and in writing, has shown that the loss of the vowel coming immediately after an intervocalic ւ (v) turned the pronunciation of the latter into ֆ (for instance, հաւասար[havasar]>հաւսար[havsar]>հաֆսար[hafsar] “equal”) and, thus, created the possibility to loan words with the sound f. After observing this phenomenon, famous linguist Hrachia Adjarian (1876-1953) has pointed out that the sound f was based on Armenian and not European phonology.
In any case, the sound also appeared in proper names: one of the most famous poets of Medieval Armenia was Frik (Ֆրիկ, ca. 1230-1310).
MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY
This Monday, May 27, is Memorial Day—a day of remembrance for those who died in service to the United States of America. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John A. Logan, national commander of the Grand Army, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. Originally known as Decoration Day it was for the soldiers who died during the Civil War. After World War I it became a holiday to honor all men and women who died in service. It is now a federal holiday in every state on the last Monday in May.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
From “For the Fallen,” by Laurence Binyon (September 1914)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 2 to June 30—“History of Armenia: Past, Present, Future,” a series of eight 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 Cathedral and the UN Armenian Mission. Facilitator: Artur Martirosyan, Ph.D.
June 1—Hovnanian School Board of Trustees is hosting “An Evening of Fine Art and Entertainment” at the home of Mr. Andreas Roubian, Saddle River, New Jersey, a renowned art collector. Funds raised will benefit the Hovnanian School Education Fund. $500 per person. For information: Meline Toufayan, 201-236-2276 or the school’s web site (www.hovnanianschool.org).
June 2—Strawberry Festival & Sunday Brunch, hosted by the Ladies Guild of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. A delicious array of American and Armenian dishes. Donation: $15. For information contact the church office, 718-224-2275.
June 7—Concert dedicated to the 300th Jubilee of Sayat Nova featuring Elie Berberian (Canada) and his band performing songs by Sayat Nova and other favorite minstrels, 8 pm, at the Armenian Center, 69-23 47th Avenue, Woodside, New York 11377. Donation: $25, includes post-concert reception. For tickets: gradaranik@gmail.com or 212-689-5880.
July 7—St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, Outdoor Family Event, following church services on the Feast of Transfiguration, Vartivar. Everyone, especially the youth, is invited to join in water games on the lawn next to the church.
June 9—Father’s Day Dinner and Comedy, sponsored by Armenian Compatriotic Union of Ourfa, featuring renowned comedian Vahe Berberian with a new repertoire, with the participation of violinist Souren Kahvedjian, Ya Hala Restaurant, 45 Main Street, Wallington, New Jersey. Adults $60; children under ten $30. Proceeds to Syrian Armenian Relief Fund. For information: (732) 970-5207.
June 9—St. Sarkis Church and Douglaston School of Music and Art present “Aram Khatchaturian—110th Anniversary Concert,” by faculty members and students of Douglaston School of Music and Art, 1:30 pm, Chaderjian Hall, St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York. Donation: $10.
June 13—St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts, 4th annual Cigar Night & Dinner in Blessed Memory of Rev. Fr. Vartan Kassabian. Surf & Turf dinner, open bar, cigars, live & silent auction, raffles. Tickets must be purchased in advance by sending a check for $150 payable to St. Gregory’s Mens Club, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts 01845, or contact Greg Minasian at gminasian@verizon.net, or 978-470-3075.
June 24—Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts, 10th Annual Golf Outing at Sterling National Country Club, Sterling, Massachusetts. Join us for a great day of golf including golf, cart, breakfast, prizes, gifts, and dinner for $140 per golfer. Tee off at 9 am. Shotgun start and scramble format. For information contact Rich Tashjian at richtashjian@gmail.com or 978-422-7600.
June 30-July 7—27th Annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute, at St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Cou8ncil (AREC). For information contact the AREC office3 by email (arec@armenianprelacy.org) or phone (212-689-7810).
July 4-11—4th Annual Summer Camp for Orphans will take place in Dzaghgztazor, Armenia, sponsored by the Eastern Prelacy. Orphans ages 13 to 16 who are enrolled in the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship program are eligible to attend to learn about the Armenian Church and history. The week long program includes Bible study and prayers and meditation combined with summer fun activities and fellowship with other campers. For more information contact Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian by email (aram2@charter.net) or by phone (508-865-2454).
July 8-19—8th Annual Summer Camp program at St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
July 13—“A Hye Summer Night VII” Dinner Dance sponsored by Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church and Armenian Relief Society “Ani” Chapter of Providence, Rhode Island, at the Providence Marriott Hotel, One Orms Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02904, 6 pm to 1 am. Featuring: Joe Kouyoumjian (oud), Brian Ansbigian (oud), David Ansbigian (oud), Leon Janikian (clarinet), Ken Kalajian (guitar), Jason Naroian (dumbeg), Armen Janigian (Daf). For tickets ($50 per person) and information: Joyce Bagdasarian (401-434-4467); Joyce Yeremian (401-354-8770).
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.
September 15—Book Presentation at Pashalian Hall, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York, of “One Church One Nation” by Hrair Hawk Khatcherian.
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.
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 
