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| DEVASTATION IN THE PHILIPPINES; APPEAL FOR PRAYERS AND AID THIS SUNDAY I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
(Psalm 121:1-2)
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| The powerful typhoon that killed thousands of people and effectively obliterated the once thriving city of Tacloban and many coastal towns of the Philippine Islands has left an estimated eleven million people in need of immediate help. Many communities in the archipelago of more than 7,000 islands are cut off from outside communication and the full human toll of dead, injured, and homeless is not yet known. Archbishop Oshagan has instructed all parishes within the Eastern Prelacy to offer prayers for the souls of the victims and for the safety of the survivors during the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, November 17. Donations for relief efforts should be collected and remitted to the Prelacy immediately. All collected funds will be contributed to AmeriCares on behalf of the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America for immediate lifesaving aid to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan. Individual donations may also be sent directly to the Prelacy, 138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. Checks should be payable to “Armenian Apostolic Church of America.” Please indicate “Philippine Relief” in the memo area.
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| YEAR OF THE MOTHER OF THE ARMENIAN FAMILY Throughout the year of 2013 parishes under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia have been celebrating the “Year of the Mother of the Armenian Family.” The year-long celebration will culminate with a banquet this Sunday, November 17, at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows Park, New York. Reception is at 4 pm; dinner will follow at 5 pm.
49th ANNIVERSARY OF SOORP KHATCH CHURCH Soorp Khatch Church in Bethesda, Maryland, celebrated its 49th anniversary last Sunday. Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon. During the Liturgy His Eminence read a Pontifical Message from His Holiness Aram I, granting the parish’s pastor, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, the honor of wearing a Floral Phelonion (Dzakhga Pilon). Guests of honor at the anniversary celebration were Dr. Guiragos and Sossy Poochikian. Certificates of Merit from the Prelacy were awarded to Mrs. Irene Abrahamian and Mrs. Mirra Dersokian. The recipient of the “Der Hayr’s Award” was Mrs. Mary Altounjian, and Embassy Award recipients were Dr. Teny Abrahamian, Dr. Dertad Manguikian, and Mr. Hamo Sardarbegian. Recitations were offered by Sarkis Balkhian and music was provided by Leo Sarkissian Ensemble.
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|  | Archbishop Oshagan reads the pontifical message honoring the pastor, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian. | |  | The award recipients with the Prelate and Der Hayr. | | | |
| 55th ANNIVERSARY OF HOLY CROSS CHURCH CELEBRATED Last Sunday parishioners and friends of Holy Cross Church in Troy, New York, celebrated the 55th anniversary of their parish. Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General of the Prelacy, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon. Following church services, His Grace presided over the anniversary celebration. The parish presented awards to two dedicated members who have served the parish for many years, David Bournazian, currently a delegate to the National Representative Assembly, and Nadine Bournazian, currently a member of the Board of Trustees.
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|  | Parishioners gathered at the altar with Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, and Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian, Pastor of Holy Cross Church, following the Divine Liturgy. | |  | The 55th anniversary luncheon included honoring two dedicated parishioners, David Bournazian, a delegate to the National Representative Assembly and Nadine Bournazian, a member of the Board of Trustees seen here with Bishop Anoushavan, Der Bedros, and board members. | | | |
|  | The row of delegates representing the Holy See of Cilicia during a plenary session of the WCC Assembly. |
| WCC ASSEMBLY CONCLUDES; FIRST WOMAN AND AFRICANELECTED MODERATOR OF CENTRAL COMMITTE The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) that convened in Busan, Republic of Korea, concluded last week with the newly installed 150-member committee making history by electing Dr. Agnes Abuom of Nairobi, from the Anglican Church of Kenya, as the moderator of the highest WCC governing body. Dr. Abuom, elected unanimously, is the first woman and the first African moderator in the 65-year history of the WCC. During the two terms His Holiness Aram I served as moderator (1991 to 2006) of the WCC, he worked with Dr. Abuom, who is very knowledgeable about Armenian history. Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Ecumenical Officer of the Holy See of Cilicia, and Mrs. Teny Simonian were elected to serve as members of the Central Committee. Delegates representing the Catholicosate of Cilicia at the 10th Assembly were: Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian, Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Ms. Christine Arzoumanian, Dr. Nora Bayrakdarian-Kabakian, Ms. Nazeli Kandakarjian, Ms. Vanna Kitsinian, Ms. Teny Simonian, and Ms. Irma Vartanian Balian.
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| BIBLE STUDY ON ST. PAUL’S LETTER TO ROMANS The Bible study program on St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans continues every Thursday up to December 19, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. The Bible studies are being presented by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), and is sponsored by AREC and the Cathedral. New attendees are welcome to join the group. For information contact the Prelacy at 212-689-7810, arec@armenianprelacy.org, or the Cathedral at 212-689-5880, office@st.illuminators.org.
“COMMENTARY ON THE NICENE CREED”
PRESENTED LAST NIGHT AT PRELACY The Prelacy’s Vahakn and Hasmig Hovnanian reception hall was filled last night with faithful of the metro area who came to learn more about the recently published bilingual book, Commentary on the Nicene Creed. The book is based on a series of lectures given by Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian, of blessed memory, in Antelias. The lectures, which were originally published in Armenian, are now available in both English and Armenian, thanks to Deacon Shant Kazanjian who undertook the task of translating. Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, opened the evening by welcoming everyone and introducing Dn . Shant who spoke about the late Archbishop and his own journey of translating the work. The Creed (Havadamk) is the official declaration of the Christian faith, written and accepted by the Holy Fathers of the first two ecumenical councils—Nicea (325) and Constantinople (381). Dn. Shant described how he first embarked on translating this important work during his spare time and then set it aside, until a few years ago when he began to complete the project in earnest. Dn. Shant had the opportunity to spend time with Archbishop Zareh during the months he was in New York for medical treatment. He described that time as “a gift” filled with many lessons. Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian (1947-2004) was a member of the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. He was a prominent biblical scholar, translator, and specialist in Armenian liturgical music, as well as a composer of religious music. He wrote numerous books, articles, musical scores, and directed the Department of Christian Education at the Catholicosate from 1982-2004. After a period of questions, the guests enjoyed a reception with refreshments and fellowship, and the opportunity to purchase the new Havadamk book, as well as the many other books written by Archbishop Zareh that are available at the Prelacy Bookstore. The Commentary on the Nicene Creed was under the sponsorship of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral.
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|  | From left, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Deacon Shant Kazanjian, Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church (NJ), Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral (NY), and Badveli Haig Kherlopian, pastor of the Armenian Evangelical Church (NY). | |  | Bishop Anoushavan, Der Mesrob, and Dn. Shant. St. Illuminator’s Cathedral sponsored the printing of the Creed book. | |  | The audience listens intently. | | | |
| THOMAS SAMUELIAN’S “A COURSE IN MODERN WESTERN ARMENIAN’' REPRINTED Dr. Thomas Samuelian’s popular A Course in Modern Western Armenian: Exercises and Commentary recently sold out its second printing. The Armenian National Education Committee ordered a third reprint of this important manual, which has proved very helpful for Armenian learners over the past two decades, and is now available in a hardcover edition ($45). The new edition of the 852-page “Course,” as well as the second edition of Samuelian’s “Armenian Dictionary in Transliteration,” Armenian-English and English-Armenian ($15), are available from the Prelacy Bookstore. For information contact the Bookstore by email (books@armenianprelacy.org) or by phone (212-689-7810).
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| BIBLE READINGS Bible readings for Sunday, November 17, Tenth Sunday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, Eve of the Fast of Advent, are: Isaiah 25:9-26; Philippians 1:1-11; Luke 9:44-50. Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:1-11) For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings
click here.
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| PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF ADVENT This Sunday, November 17, is the Eve (Paregentan) of the Fast of Advent (Hisnag). This is a week-long fast (Monday to Friday) leading up to the first Sunday of Advent, which is next Sunday, November 24. Advent is the period that guides us up to the birth and baptism of Christ. It begins fifty days before January 6. Advent is intended to be a solemn and quiet time for prayer, reflection, and meditation in preparation for the mystery of the incarnation. Traditionally the entire fifty-day period of Advent was a period of fasting. Now there are three week-long fasts during Advent (along with the regular fasting days of Wednesday and Friday). The three week-long fasts are known as: The Fast of Advent (Hisnagats Bahk); The Fast of St. James (Sourp Hagopah Bahk); and the Fast of the Nativity (Dznuntyan Bahk).
PRESENTATION OF THE HOLY MOTHER TO THE TEMPLE Next Thursday, November 21, the Armenian Church commemorates the Presentation of the Holy Mother to the Temple (Undzayoum Sourp Asdvadzadzini), one of the eight feast days devoted to Mary in the Armenian Liturgical Calendar. This feast is always commemorated on November 21 in remembrance of the presentation of the Holy Mother to the Temple when she was three years old. She remained in the house of God for twelve years. At a time when education was generally denied to females, she studied with scholars, under the care of Zachariah, father of John the Baptist.
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|  | Hovhaness Atokanian, a first grade student who was killed. |
| FOUR YOUNG STUDENTS AND BUS DRIVER ARE KILLED IN ROCKET ATTACKS IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA On Monday, November 11, four young students at the Holy Translators Armenian School in Damascus, and a bus driver were killed in a rocket attack. The first and second grade students who were killed are: Hovhaness Atokanian, Mounir Sahhoum, Marshd Shahadeh, and Vinisia Mikho. Also killed was the bus driver, Roufid Khoury. The rockets struck at the end of the school day as students were preparing to go home. Eight others were wounded and taken to the hospital.
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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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| THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY (Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
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| Birth of Hagop Baronian
(November 19, 1843) Every society and every point in time needs critics. Critics may lash out at negative points, and they can hit very hard. However, they will hit even harder if they use satire as their weapon. This is why the late nineteenth century critics of Armenian society are not remembered today, but Hagop Baronian has become the most famous Armenian satirist writer of all time. He was born in Adrianople (nowadays Edirne, in Eastern Thrace) on November 19, 1843, in a family belonging to the poor class. After graduating from the local Arshaguniats School, he studied for a year at the Greek school of the town (1857-1858). Then he had to contribute to family living. He first worked two years at a pharmacy, and then entered a tobacco company as a bookkeeper. Self-teaching and continuous reading made up for his lack of formal education. He moved to Constantinople in 1863 and taught at the Scutari Lyceum, where one of his students was Bedros Turian, the future poet. He entered journalism in 1871 as editor-in-chief of the newspaper Yeprad, but soon took a position as editor of the newspaper Meghu, published by Harutiun Svajian, and turned it into a well-known satirical publication. Meghu ceased publication in 1874 and Svajian transferred the right of publication to Baronian, who renamed it Tadron. Becoming the publisher, Baronian gave a free ride to his lashing and educational wit to criticize the negative aspects of society. However, economic troubles ended the publication of Tadron in 1879. Baronian married Satenik Etmekjian in 1879 and they had two children, Zabel and Ashod. In the same year, he started to work for Minas Kapamajian’s Luys, as the editor of the comic section. His writing attracted a lot of attention, but Kapamajian did not appreciate him, and Baronian was forced to stop his contribution to Luys. He started to publish the monthly Khigar in 1884, and despite financial hurdles and short interruptions, managed to continue it until 1888. Some of his most important satirical works were published here. Between 1871 and 1888, he published more than 10,000 pages in the newspapers, although most of his works were published in book form posthumously. His most important works were the novel The Honorable Beggars, the collection of stories The Perils of Politeness, the satirical chronicles A Trip in the Neighborhoods of Constantinople and National Big Shots, and the comedies The Oriental Dentists and Brother Baghdasar. To make ends meet, Baronian became a teacher of accountancy at the Getronagan School of Galatia from 1888-1890. One of his students was the famous linguist Hrachia Ajarian. He died of tuberculosis on May 27, 1891, at the age of 48, leaving his widow and his young children penniless. Nevertheless, a compact crowd participated in his burial. His colleague Mateos Mamurian, another noted journalist, wrote: “How many people who loved education and the nation responded to the invitation formulated by the Armenian newspapers at the time of his illness...? As a matter of fact, what did we do for the poor man? What did the nation make collectively for its brave son? It made the burial and just decided to collect monies for his orphans. There was not a single official body or individual who would put a crown of flowers on the immortal Baronian, even though his works are his perennial crowns.” As supreme irony, Baronian was buried in the cemetery of Ortakeuy without a tombstone marking his grave, and the exact location was soon forgotten. Nevertheless, his works were widely published and read after his death; his plays have been frequently performed and even turned into movies (The Perils of Politeness and The Honorable Beggars were adapted into plays), and the comedy theater of Yerevan bears his name. Previous entries in “This Week in Armenian History” are on the Prelacy’s web site (www.armenianprelacy.org).
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| A SPECIAL “GIVE-AWAY” SALE FOR CROSSROAD READERS PURCHASE A COPY OF THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED HISTORICAL ATLAS OF ARMENIA This 110 page Atlas includes 30 maps, 174 photographs, and an accompanying CD with all of the maps. A great educational resource for everyone.
$40.00 plus shipping & handling
AND RECEIVE FREE:
Armenia in Ancient and Medieval Times
By Robert Bedrosian
A 94-page soft cover book suitable for students aged 9 to 13.
OR
The following five workbooks FREE.
1. Elements of Armenian Church Architecture;
2. The Land of the Armenians;
3. My Origins: Discovering and Recording Family History;
4. Khatchkars: Armenian Stone Crosses;
5. Medieval Armenian Costumes: Paper Cut-Outs to color and display.
To take advantage of this special offer, contact the Prelacy Bookstore by email (books@armenianprelacy.org) or telephone (212-689-7810).
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| October 24 to December 19—St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, an 8-week Bible study program beginning Thursday, October 24, and continuing on Thursdays up to December 19 (no session on Thanksgiving, November 28). Sessions will be presented by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). Sessions will take place at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, 7:15-8:00 pm, Presentation; 8:00-8:45 pm, Q/A & Discussion. Registration is required. Register at www.armenianprelacy.org or contact the Prelacy 212-689-7810, or the Cathedral at 212-689-5880. November 15-16-17—Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. November 16—Public Relations seminar for New England parishes, directed by Tom Vartabedian, at St. Stephen Church, Watertown, Massachusetts, beginning at 10 am. Speakers include: Stephen Kurkjian, three-time Pulitzer Prize winning journalist from the Boston Globe, and Khatchig Mouradian, editor of The Armenian Weekly. November 16 & 17—Annual ART IN FALL Exhibition featuring national and international Armenian artists, Hovnanian School, 817 River Road, New Milford, New Jersey. Fine art including oils, mixed media, photography, and sculpture in classic, modern, and contemporary styles by 27 artists. Opening Reception, Saturday, 7 to 10 pm. Cocktails and Hors D’oeuvres, $30 donation. Sunday, 1 to 4 pm, Refreshments, $15 donation. November 17—Banquet and Program celebrating the “Year of the Armenian Mother,” organized by the Eastern Prelacy, at Terrace in the Park, Flushing Meadows Park, New York. November 22 & 23—Fall Food Festival at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts. Join us on Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm and Saturday from noon to 4 pm for shish, losh, chicken kebob, or kheyma dinners. Country Store and Bake Table. Stock up on katah, choreg, manti, porov kufta, simit, and much more. November 24—Special program following the Divine Liturgy presented by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian commemorating the passing of Catholicos Zareh I (50th) and Catholicos Khoren I (30th) will take place at St. Stephen’s Church, 38 Elton Avenue, Watertown, Massachusetts. November 24—Ladies Guild Annual Bazaar, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. November 24—Thanksgiving Luncheon and Cultural Program, organized by the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, in John Pashalian Hall immediately following church services. Poetry recitation by Seta Balmanoukian; musical performance by Maral Tutunjian (piano) and Meghry Tutunjian (flute). December 6—Anniversary celebration by Lowell “Aharonian” Gomideh, 6:30 pm, St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts; dinner and program honoring 50-year members Steve Dulgarian and Joe Dagdigian; remembering the 25th anniversary of the earthquake in Armenia; soloist Nina Hovsepian, accompanied by Mary Barooshian. Donation: $20 adults; $10 students. December 7—Annual Church Bazaar of St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, will take place at Christian Reform Church, 25 Cross Street, Whitinsville. For information: 508-234-3677. December 7—Annual Holiday Bake Sale, St. Paul Church, 645 S. Lewis Avenue, Waukegan, Illinois, 9 am to 3 pm. Enjoy authentic Armenian & American pastries and plan to stay for lunch at St. Paul Café. For information or pre-orders, 847-244-4573. December 7—ARS New York Erebouni chapter presents dinner & dancing honoring the Mother of the Armenian Family, St. Sarkis Church, Main Hall, 38-65 234th Street, Douglaston, New York, 8 pm. Featuring Steve Karageozian and his Band. Full mezze and dinner. Donation $60 adults; $20 children age 5 to 12; under age 5 free. For tickets and reservations: Nayda, 516-739-0805 or Vicky 516-365-0971. December 8—Luncheon Fundraiser to benefit the Armenian community in Syria hosted by the ARS New York Mayr Chapter, 2 pm at Almayass Restaurant, 24 E. 21st Street, New York City. Donation: $75; children under 12, $25. Includes full lunch, wine, and soft drinks. All proceeds will benefit Syrian-Armenian relief efforts. Seating is limited. For reservations: Anais (718-392-6982) or Houri (917-690-3060). December 15—Simply Christmas Concert, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. February 1, 2014—Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York. February 24-26, 2014—Annual Clergy Ghevontiantz Gathering hosted by Holy Cross Church, 255 Spring Avenue, Troy, New York. March 28, 2014—Musical Armenia Concert presented by Eastern Prelacy and Prelacy Ladies Guild, at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, 8 pm. June 1, 2014—Ladies Guild Annual Brunch, St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.
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| Web pages of the parishes can be accessed through the Prelacy’s web site. To ensure the timely arrival of Crossroads in your electronic mailbox, add email@armenianprelacy.org to your address book. Items in Crossroads can be reproduced without permission. Please credit Crossroads as the source. Parishes of the Eastern Prelacy are invited to send information about their major events to be included in the calendar. Send to: info@armenianprelacy.org
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