|
|
|
| In Memoriam Archbishop Ardavazt Terterian 1930—2013
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia, announced the passing of His Eminence Archbishop Ardavazt Terterian today, Thursday, July 18, in Antelias. Archbishop Ardavazt was the senior member of the Brotherhood of the Cilician See. Extreme Unction and Funeral Services will take place Saturday morning, July 20, at the Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator, in Antelias, Lebanon, with His Holiness Catholicos Aram presiding. The late Archbishop remains will be placed in the Holy See’s Zarehian Mausoleum.
Archbishop Ardavazt served the Catholicosate of Cilicia as a devoted member of the Brotherhood for more than 60 years. He served as the Dean of the Seminary from 1970 to 1977, and Patriarchal Vicar during the pontificate of Karekin II. He also served as locum tenens in 1995, prior to the election and consecration of Aram I.
He was born in Kessab in the village of Chakhaljekh. He entered the Seminary of the Cilician See in 1946 at the same time as another Kessabsi, Nishan Sarkissian, who went on to become Catholicos Karekin II of Cilicia and Catholicos Karekin I of Etchmiadzin. The two classmates remained lifelong friends.
Archbishop Oshagan has directed all Prelacy parishes to offer a Requiem Service for the repose of the soul of the late Archbishop this Sunday, July 21, following the Divine Liturgy.
May he rest in peace in the grace of our Lord whom he served faithfully.
| |
|  | The Episcopal Consecration of Bishop Ardavazt Terterian (left) and Karekin Sarkissian in 1964 | |
| | |
|
DEVASTATION IN ALEPPO CONTINUES
| |
|
The Armenian community in Syria, like other Christian and minority groups, has been caught in the fighting between the government and opposition forces. There is a serious shortage of food, water and fuel, especially in Aleppo where many Armenians live. The Armenians in Aleppo and other areas have increasingly been targets of attacks and kidnappings.
Yesterday the U.S. State Department held a briefing on Syria to discuss urgent humanitarian issues by the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development. Participating in the meeting were representatives of Armenian American religious and charitable organizations.
| |
|
The Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief is preparing to send a second mass mailing appeal to raise additional funds. More than $300,000 has already been allocated to the united fund in Syria that provides assistance to all Armenians.
If you prefer you may make your secure on-line donation now by clicking on the link below. 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.
| |
|
PRELATE ATTENDING ARS CONVENTION
Archbishop Oshagan is attending the annual convention of the Armenian Relief Society (Eastern USA, Inc.), which is taking place in Philadelphia. His Eminence will offer the opening prayer and address the charitable organization.
| |
|
PRELATE WILL BE IN BOSTON SUNDAY
Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Boston, where on Sunday he will preside over the Divine Liturgy at St. Stephen Church in Watertown. Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian will celebrate the Liturgy and deliver the sermon.
| |
|
REV. FR. MESROB LAKISSIAN ATTENDS WAKE SERVICE FOR COUNCILMAN WALTER McCAFFREY
Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City, attended the wake service for former Queens Councilman Walter McCaffrey, on July 14 at Edward Lynch Funeral Home in Sunnyside, Queens. Councilman McCaffrey was 64 years old.
He was first elected in 1985 and served for four terms representing the neighborhoods of Woodside, Long Island City, and Sunnyside for 16 years. The introduction of term limits prevented him from seeking reelection and he chose to serve the city as a consultant and advocate. Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered all flags to be lowered to half-staff for one week in honor of the popular Councilman.
Der Mesrob noted that “Mr. McCaffrey was a good friend of the Armenian people. The Armenian community of New York will always remember him for his principled stance on the Armenian Genocide.” The Councilman was instrumental in organizing annual April 24th commemorations at New York’s City Hall.
| |
|
SUMMER CAMP IN ARMENIA IN FOURTH YEAR
For the fourth year, Archpriest Aram Stepanian, pastor of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, and chairman of the Prelacy’s Religious Council, directed a Summer Camp in Armenia for the children in the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship Program. The camp is sponsored by the Prelacy’s Yerevan office of St. Nerses the Great Charitable Fund. This year 45 children attended the camp at Dzaghgatzor, Armenia, for a fun-filled week while learning about the teachings of the Armenian Church and the history and saints of the church.
| |
|  |
The children gatherin front of the Prelacy’s charitable office in Yerevan and wait for the busthat will take them to the camp grounds. | |  | They arrive at Dzaghgatzor to begin their camping experience. | |  |
In-between classes,sports, and field trips, the campers enjoyed an ice cream break, a gift fromMary Aslanian, a parishioner at St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York. Herethe children express their appreciation to Mary and hold up their ice creamcones. | |  |
Field trips to important sites are enjoyable and educational. | | | |
|
DATEV IMPRESSIONS AND PHOTOS
Every year the Datev students offer some impressions of their experiences at the St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute. Here are a few offerings:
“Datev has made my belief in God so much greater. I enjoy going to the chapel every day to be with God. I enjoy being with my friends and making new ones. I hope in the future I can come back and be part of the staff. I will never forget the fun times at Datev.” - Aram Kouyoumdjian (4th Year)
“Datev is something that I look forward to every year and I wouldn’t spend a week of my summer any other way!” - Armand Charkhutian (3rd Year)
“Datev is a fun and well organized educational program for learning about God. I will always remember it and use what I learn at the Institute throughout my life." - Shaunt Doghramadjian (4th Year)
“Datev is a wonderful institution that has guided me to three very important elements in life—friendship, education, and spirituality. The friends I make at Datev will last forever! I am blessed that I had the opportunity to join the Datev institution." - Peter Baghdadlian (3rd Year)
“Datev is the best part of the summer for me. Meeting new Armenian teenagers, learning about my faith and my Armenian heritage means a lot to me. I love Datev and can’t wait till I return next year!" - Maralle Arakelian (2nd Year)
“At first I wasn’t expecting it to be this fund! The balance of learning how to be a better Christian and meeting new people is great!” - Aleen Takvorian (1st Year)
“It’s a great way to make new friends! It’s really fun and is a great experience!" - Sophia Krikorian (1st Year)
“I think that Datev accomplishes its goal well by acquainting us with other Armenians in the community, teaching us about our church and informing us of our Armenian history. I also think that it is easy to fit in and a friendly environment to meet and make new friends with other Armenians.” - Armen Eghian (1st Year)
“My favorite part of Datev program is when we go to the chapel for evening service. After a long day it’s a good way for everyone to relax before going to sleep. I especially love when we sing Der Voghormia." - Deborah Agopian (2nd Year)
| |
|
BIBLE READINGS
Bible readings for Sunday, July 21, Third Sunday of Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ, are Isaiah 5:1-10; 1 Corinthians 6:18-7:11; Matthew 19:3-12.
Let me sing for my beloved my love-song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; he expected it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.
And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem and people of Judah, judge between me and my vineyard. What more was there to do for my vineyard that I had not done in it? When I expected it to yield grapes, why did it yield wild grapes?
And now I tell you what I will do to my vineyard. I will remove its hedge, and it shall be devoured; I will break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. I will make it a waste; it shall not be pruned or hoed, and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns; I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.
For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his pleasant planting; he expected justice, but saw bloodshed; righteousness, but heard a cry!
Ah, you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is room for no one but you, and you are left to live alone in the midst of the land! The Lord of hosts has sworn in my hearing: Surely many houses shall be desolate, large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant. For ten acres of vineyard shall yield but one bath, and a homer of seed shall yield a mere ephah. (Isaiah 5:1-10)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings
click here.
| |
|
SONS AND GRANDSONS OF ST. GREGORY
This Saturday, July 20, the Armenian Church commemorates the sons and grandsons of St. Gregory the Illuminator, namely, Sts. Aristakes, Vrtanes, Housik, Grigoris, and Daniel (who was not related, but was a distinguished and favorite student of St. Gregory). All of them continued the work of St. Gregory, preaching the word of Christ to pagans at great personal peril.
Gregory had two sons, Aristakes and Vrtanes. Aristakes, the younger son, succeeded Gregory as Catholicos and was martyred around 333 AD. Aristakes represented the Armenian Church at the first ecumenical council at Nicaea in 325. It was at this council that the Nicene Creed, recited to this day during the Divine Liturgy, was written and adopted. Vrtanes, at this time over 70 years old, was called upon to become catholicos and served for eight years until his death. Vrtanes had two sons, Grigoris and Housig. Grigoris preached in the northern provinces of Armenia (present day Georgia) where he was martyred in 347. Daniel, who as noted above was not related to Gregory, is included with the sons and grandsons. He was chosen to succeed Housig as catholicos, but never actually served as he too was martyred on year later in 348.
Saint Aristakes, through you the confession of divine faith of the holy fathers spread light through all Armenia; always intercede for our souls.
Chosen watchful shepherd of Christ’s reasonable flock, good offshoot from the father and illuminator, master Vertanes, always intercede for our souls.
Praised among witnesses, equal to your great father, you courageously crushed the depiction of the lawless, lord Saint Housik, always intercede for our souls.
According to your pure virginity numbered with the bodiless, true high priest, witness of Christ, Saint Gregory, always intercede for our souls.
By asceticism you were on earth equal to the celestials; for the Lord’s name you accepted death and denounced the king, Saint Daniel; always intercede for our souls.
Canon to the Sons and Grandsons of St. Gregory the Illuminator From the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church
| |
|
“LADIES FROM YOUR PAST” EXHIBIT AT QUEENS COLLEGE
The Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery at Queens College is continuing the exhibit “Ladies from your Past” until September 30, at the Rosenthal Library Rotunda at Queens College, 65-20 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, New York. The exhibit highlights the contributions of women to world history and events. More than 200 women are included in the exhibit including 15 Armenian women. Admission is free. For information: 718-428-5650.
| |
| THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
| |
|
July 24, 1923: Signature of the Treaty of Lausanne
It has been frequently said that the Treaty of Lausanne marked the burial of the Armenian Cause, even though neither Armenia nor Armenians were mentioned there.
This peace treaty signed in the Swiss city officially ended the state of war that had existed between Turkey and Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Greece, Romania, and Serbia (which had become the Kingdom of Yugoslavia after 1918) since the onset of World War I. It replaced the Treaty of Sèvres (August 10, 1920), which had been signed between all those parties and the Ottoman Empire but had been rejected by the Turkish national movement led by Mustafa Kemal (Atatürk), as a reaction to the defeat of Turkey and the significant loss of territories. After defeating the Republic of Armenia in the September-November 1920 war and provoking the loss of its independence under a Soviet regime, crushing Greece in the so-called “war of independence,” achieving the ethnic cleansing of Greeks and Armenians from Asia Minor and Cilicia, and abolishing the sultanate in November 1922, the forthcoming Republic of Turkey—proclaimed in October 1923—was able to dictate favorable terms to the Allies.
The Treaty of Lausanne was signed as an outcome to the Conference of Lausanne (November 1922-February 1923, April-July 1923). It ended the conflict and defined the borders of the modern Turkish state except for its border with Iraq. Turkey gave up all claims to the remainder of the Ottoman Empire and in return the Allies recognized Turkish sovereignty within its new borders. The treaty came into force in August 1924. Interestingly, the U.S. Senate refused to ratify it in 1927.
The treaty, composed of 143 articles, led to the international recognition of the sovereignty of the new Republic of Turkey as the successor state of the defunct Ottoman Empire. From a legal standpoint, it only partially replaced the Treaty of Sevres with new clauses regarding Eastern Tracia (the area of European Turkey) and the Greek-Turkish frontiers. The lobby of both the Delegation of the Republic of Armenia, chaired by Avetis Aharonian, and the Armenian National Delegation, presided by Boghos Nubar pasha, was unable to maintain the clauses of the Treaty of Sevres relative to Armenia. However, the Treaty of Lausanne stayed silent about the section on Armenia of the Treaty of Sèvres, which was regulated by the arbitral award of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson in November 1920. Article 16 of the Treaty of Lausanne established:
“Turkey hereby renounces all rights and title whatsoever over or respecting the territories situated outside the frontiers laid down in the present Treaty and the islands other than those over which her sovereignty is recognised by the said Treaty, the future of these territories and islands being settled or to be settled by the parties concerned.
“The provisions of the present Article do not prejudice any special arrangements arising from neighbourly relations which have been or may be concluded between Turkey and any limitrophe countries.”
The Treaty of Lausanne also contained a section (articles 37 to 45) about the protection of the rights of minorities (Moslem and non-Moslem) in the Republic of Turkey. Their continuous and documented violation over the decades became a highlight of modern Turkey and led to the migration of most remaining members of those minorities, particularly Greeks and Armenians among others.
| |
| ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
| |
|
After Means Neither Then nor the End
After work, you may perhaps pick your car, then go home to have dinner and, at the end of the day, catch a movie on TV.
If we were to ask a hundred people to translate the last sentence into Armenian, 1. They would probably agree that “the end of the day” is օրուան վերջը (orvan verche) (*), with verch meaning “end.” 2. Most of them would probably come up with the words յետոյ (hedo)—or its synonym ապա (aba), in case they were talking in a slightly fancier style—to translate “then.” However, we would find quite a few that would replace the Classical Armenian (krapar) form hedo with the more vernacular (even if also krapar-based) ետքը (yedke)(**) or use the word verch as if it were another synonym of hedo. 3. A few of them would use the word գործէն ետք (kordzen yedk) to say “after work,” with yedk as “after,” but an equal number would probably say kordzen hedo, and another equal number would say kordzen verch.
Items 2 and 3 already point to the existence of grey zones.
We know that: 1. Վերջ (verch), the same as “end,” is a noun; 2. Յետոյ (hedo), the same as “then,” is an adverb; 3. Ետք (yedk), the same as “after,” is a postposition; unlike English, Armenian has both prepositions and postpositions, namely, words placed before and after their complement.
What is the reason for these disagreements? In Classical Armenian, hedo functioned both as preposition and adverb (there was even an adverbial form յետոյ ապա, hedo aba, “after”). It was kept as an adverb in Modern Armenian, and it originated the postposition ետք/yedk (both յ-ետ-ոյ and ետ-ք come from the same root ետ, “back”).
Can we turn these grey zones into black and white ones? Yes, we can.
It is wrong to use verch instead of hedo and equally wrong to use verch or hedo instead of yedk. Here are the reasons: 1. The noun verch is only used together with a noun in genitive case of declension (սեռական հոլով, seragan holov). For instance: օրուան վերջը (orvan verche, “the end of the day”); 2. The adverb hedo is only used accompanying a verb. For example: Յետոյ՝ տուն կ՚երթաք ընթրիք ուտելու (Hedo`doon g’ertak entrik oodeloo, “Then go home to have dinner”). 3. The postposition yedk is used: a. After a noun in ablative case of declension (բացառական հոլով, patsaragan holov) For example: գործէն ետք (kordzen yedk, “after work”) b. After words that indicate time For example: երկու ժամ ետք (yergoo jam yedk, “after two hours”).
-----------------------------------------------------------
(*) The widespread use of the declension -ուայ (-va), both in spoken and written language, is inaccurate in Western Armenian, even though it is standard in Eastern Armenian: in any circumstance, we can only say օրուան (orvan, “of the day”), տարուան (darvan “of the year”), ամառուան (amarvan “of the summer”), but not օրուայ, տարուայ or ամառուայ.
(**) In Eastern Armenian it is standard to use hedo instead of yedk, as in քնելուց յետոյ (kneloots hedo, “after sleeping”).
| |
|
July 21—St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, will present FOUND, a play by Ms. Anoush Baghdassarian, about a woman’s experience through the Genocide. Presented following the Divine Liturgy. Open discussion will take place after the presentation with the director and the cast. Contact the church office for information: 718-224-2275.
July 27—Mid-West Regional Conference organized by the Religious and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy and hosted by All Saints Church, Glenview, Illinois, 10 am to 4 pm.
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.
November 15-16-17—Annual Bazaar, Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey.
| |
|
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
| |
|
|
|
|
