May 9, 2013
FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD
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Today, May 9, is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Hambardzoum), which is commemorated forty days after Easter. The universal church has celebrated the Ascension since the fourth century. According to Biblical scripture the Ascension took place in the village of Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, in the presence of our Lord’s disciples. After giving them commandments and blessings, the Lord was “received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God,” (Mark 16:19), and “a cloud received him out of their sight,” (Acts 1:9). In the early centuries of Christianity, Hambardzoum was one of the most popular feast days for the faithful and was celebrated with merriment and festivities. There are many Armenian traditions associated with this dominical feast. Perhaps the most popular one is fortune telling (vijakakhakh). |
Today he ascended with divine power on the Father’s chariot accompanied by hosts of angels who sang and cried out: You princes, lift up your gates, and the King of glory shall come in. The powers on high were amazed and in fearful voice cried out to each other: Who is this King of glory who comes in flesh and is wonderful in power? You princes, lift up your gates and the King of glory shall come in. The lordships on high sang a new song in marvelous voice: This is the Lord of glory, the Savior of the world and the deliverer of the human race. You princes, lift up your gates, and the King of glory shall come in.
(From the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Apostolic Church) |
NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY WILL CONVENE
NEXT WEEK IN BETHESDA, MARYLAND
The Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly (NRA) will convene next week hosted by Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland. The clergy conference will begin on Wednesday, May 15; the full Assembly will convene on Thursday, May 16 and continue through to Saturday, May 18.
The National Representative Assembly is the highest ecclesiastical and administrative body of the Prelacy. It is composed of a ratio of one-seventh clergy and six-sevenths lay delegates. The clergy delegates are elected by the Clergy Conference and the lay delegates by their respective parishes. The number of delegates from the parishes depend s on the number of parish members. The minimum number of delegates for a parish is two and the maximum is seven.
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IN MEMORIAM
Yeretzkin Anjel Kelejian
The Prelate and Religious and Executive Councils mourn the passing of Yeretzkin Anjel Kelejian, widow of the late Archpriest Fr. Asoghik Kelejian, who was the first pastor of St. Sarkis Church, in Bayside and later Douglaston, New York. Funeral services took place on Monday, May 6, at St. Sarkis Church with the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan officiating and with the Vicar, Bishop Anoushavan, co-officiating.
Yeretzkin is survived by her daughters, Ani and Arpi, sons-in-law Edward Bekian and Kevork Esayan, and grandchildren, Ari, Adam, Varand, and Nairi.
May her memory be blessed forever.
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PRELATE ORDAINS ALTAR SERVERS IN PROVIDENCE
Last Sunday Archbishop Oshagan celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the Sermon at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island. Assisting at the altar was the pastor of the parish, Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian. During the Liturgy, His Eminence ordained Harold Nazarian, Sarkis Menissian, and Tyler Phillips, to the rank of stolebearer.
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| Archbishop Oshagan and Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian during ordination. |
APPRECIATION EVENING IN NEW JERSEY
Archbishop Oshagan presided over an “Appreciation Dinner” last Friday, May 3, at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey. The dinner was organized and sponsored by the Pastor and the Board of Trustees of the church, in honor of those individuals and members of the church affiliated organizations who contribute their time and talent to serve Sts. Vartanantz Church.
After the opening prayer by the Prelate, and a delicious dinner, the guests were entertained by the talented singer, Bob Aslanian, aka Bobby Lane, who is a devoted member of the church.
The chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hratch Mesrobian, introduced the guests of honor Stepan Stepanian and Avedis Movsesian, followed by welcoming words from the pastor, Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian. The two honorees received Certificates of Merit from Archbishop Oshagan, as well as beautiful display crosses, engraved with the recipients names and date of presentation.
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| The Prelate and honorees Avedis Movsesian and Stepan Stepanian with members of the Board of Trustees. |
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| A view of the appreciation dinner. |
APRIL 24 COMMEMORATED AT
NAREG SATURDAY ARMENIAN SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY
On Saturday, April 27, Nareg Saturday Armenian School commemorated the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the Sts. Vartanantz Church hall in Ridgefield, New Jersey. Rev.Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Mr. Haroutune Misserlian, chairman of the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), many guests, parents, student body, and faculty were present at the event.
Mrs. Knar Apkarian, principal of the Nareg Saturday School, opened the event and invited the main speaker, Dr. Vartan Matiossian, Executive Director of ANEC. In an illustrated presentation geared to the students in particular, Dr. Matiossian talked in Armenian about the main features of the Medz Yeghern on the basis of the definition of genocide. Afterwards, he explained the various stages of the genocidal plan of the Turkish Ottoman government and the impact of the genocide over the survivors and the Armenian Diaspora, as well as the roots of Turkish denial. The audience was particularly appreciative of the clearly-crafted explanation.
School students presented a program of patriotic songs, which were well received by the audience. The program ended with Rev. Bozoian’s benediction.
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| Dr. Vartan Matiossian, Executive Director of ANEC, makes a presentation about the the definition of Medz Yeghern. |
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| Nareg Saturday School students present patriotic songs for the audience. |
WALKATHON IN NEW JERSEY
The New Jersey chapters of the Armenian Relief Society, Agnouni, Bergen County, Shakeh, and Spidak chapters, participated in their annual fundraising walkathon even last Sunday. More than 75 members and friends from the community participated. The walk began at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, with Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian blessing all the walkers. The walkathon route continued to Cliffside Park Lookout and back while being escorted by Ridgefield and Cliffside Park Police Department. All proceeds will go the ARS Eastern Region and Camp Haiastan.
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| Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian blesses the participants gathered at the Martyrs memorial before they begin their walk. |
SERIES ON ARMENIAN HISTORY BEGINS AT CATHEDRAL
The first of a series of eight seminars began last Thursday, May 2, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York. The series, “History of Armenia: Past, Present, Future,” is sponsored by St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations.
Opening remarks were offered by Archbishop Oshagan, Garen Nazarian, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s. The facilitator of the series is Artur Martirosyan, Ph.D., who is a specialist in Political Science. The seminars take place Thursday evenings.
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| Ambassador Nazarian and Archbishop Oshagan offered opening remarks. |
HISTORICAL ATLAS PRESENTED
Dr. Vartan Matiossian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), presented the new “Historical Atlas of Armenia,” at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York. The speaker was introduced by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor.
In his illustrated presentation, Dr. Matiossian, editor of the Atlas, referred to the main features of the new publication. He stressed its importance, as a new generation had already come to age since the publication of the first edition in the late 1980s. He reminded the audience that this generation had witnessed the making of history, as two independent Armenian republics (Armenia and Karabakh) were born. Dr. Matiossian emphasized the importance of history as a central identity marker for Armenians worldwide, and the use of the Atlas as an educational toll in our schools, which was the main purpose of ANEC when deciding to publish a revised edition of the Atlas.
Copies of the revised Atlas can be purchased at the Prelacy’s Bookstore. For information contact the Bookstore by email (books@armenianprelacy.org) or telephone (212-689-7810.)
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| Dr. Vartan Matiossian signs copies of the Atlas at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral. |
ARMENIAN SCHOOL COMPETITION
The 44th annual competition of Armenian Saturday and Day Schools in New York/New Jersey took place last Saturday, May 4, at the Armenian Center in Woodside, New York. The competition is organized by the literary committee of Hamazkayin of New York. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, guided the competition.
Participating schools included: Holy Martyrs Day and Saturday schools; St. Sarkis Saturday School (Douglaston); and Nareg Saturday School (New Jersey). Certificates and gifts were given to all participants and additional gifts were presented to those students who answered all questions correctly.
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.
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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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BIBLE READINGS
Note: Beginning on the Sunday after Easter and continuing until Pentecost (May 19), each day in addition to regular readings, verses from the four Gospels are read in the following order: (1) Morning—Luke; (2) Midday—John; (3) Evening—Matthew; (4) Evening dismissal—Mark.
Bible readings for Sunday, May 12, Second Palm Sunday, are: (1) Luke 19:29-48; (2) Acts 23:12-35; 1 John 5:13-21; John 12:12-23; (3) Matthew 20:29-21:17; (4) Mark 15:20-37.
The next day the great crowd that had come to the festival heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord—the King of Israel!” Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it; as it is written: “Do not be afraid; daughter of Zion. Look, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written of him and had been done to him. So the crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to testify. It was also because they heard that he had performed this sign that the crowd went to meet him. The Pharisees then said to one another, “You see, you can do nothing. Look, the world has gone after him!”
Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” (John 12:12-23)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here.
SECOND PALM SUNDAY
This Sunday, May 12, is Second Palm Sunday (Yerkrort Tzaghkazard). The seventh Sunday of Easter is called Second Palm Sunday because of the readings on that day. Beginning with New Sunday and continuing until Pentecost, the Armenian Church reads from the four Gospels every day in their proper order. Luke is read in the morning; John at midday; Matthew at the beginning of the evening hour; and Mark at the end of the evening hour. The sections related to Christ’s entry into Jerusalem coincide with the seventh Sunday of Easter, hence the designation of “Second Palm Sunday.”
There are several feast days in our liturgical calendar dedicated to St. Gregory the Illuminator, but according to tradition he is also remembered on the fourth day of Hambardzoum, known as Second Palm Sunday. During the years of Gregory’s imprisonment in the deep pit his guardian angel would appear daily to give him nourishment. On the fourth day of the Ascension the angel did not come, and the next day Gregory asked why. The angel told him that the fourth day of Ascension is the feast day for his celestial army of the 4th rank, and he was permitted to remain in the heavens to celebrate the feast day and enjoy Christ in heaven.
A tradition has come down to us concerning the mysterious meaning of this great and wonderful feast; the Enlightener of our souls heard from his guardian angel: On this day there is a great feast in the heavens in my rank. For during the ascent of the heavenly One from earth the heavenly spirits in their ranks celebrated this event with rejoicing, beginning with the angels and concluding with the thrones. The Illuminator’s guardian angel being from the fourth rank hastened to share in the joyful celebration of which the angel in the flesh learned when he asked him a question. This great mystery took place for the salvation of the logical of angels and mankind so that both of them might unite in one.
(From the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church for the first Sunday after Christ’s Ascension, known as Second Palm Sunday).
Liberation of Shushi (May 9, 1992)
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Shushi had historically been the capital of Karabagh and the third most important Armenian cultural center in the Southern Caucasus (after Tiflis and Baku) until 1920, when the pogrom executed by Azerbaijani forces ended in the destruction of the Armenian quarters and the extermination of the Armenian population of the city.
During Soviet times, the capital of the autonomous region of Mountainous Karabagh was moved to Stepanakert, while Shushi, located four miles to the south, became an Azerbaijani center.
In the years of the Karabagh war (1989-1994), the strategic importance of Shushi, situated on a mountaintop overlooking Stepanakert, acquired more relevance for Azerbaijani forces in Karabagh after the occupation of Khojalu by Armenians in February 1992. The town became the main base for the indiscriminate shelling of Stepanakert with Soviet-built GRAD multiple rocket launchers. These launchers were capable of shelling 40 rockets at the same time and cause enormous damage to the civilian population. Over 2,000 people were killed in Stepanakert as a result of Azerbaijani shelling in the first months of 1992.
The capture of Shushi became imperative to end the relentless bombing of Stepanakert and the suffering of its population. The plan was finalized on April 28 and the order of attack was given on May 4, 1992. However, various reasons caused a delay of four days.
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| Members of the ARF battalion celebrating the liberation of Shushi in front of the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in 1992. |
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The military operation was directed by Commander Arkadi Ter-Tadevosyan, who had a force of 1,200 members of the Self-Defense Forces of Karabagh, divided into five companies. The Armenian forces were complemented by four tanks and two attack helicopters. The Azerbaijani defending forces counted 1,200 people in Shushi, where the civilian population had been already evacuated, and some 800 around the town. A Chechen volunteer contingent led by guerrilla warlord Shamil Basayev (who was among the last to leave the city and was killed in 2006 in Chechnya) had reinforced the Azerbaijanis.
Shushi was attacked by the flanks and the rears in the twilight hours of May 8, as the ridge facing Stepanakert was easier to defend. There was a full engagement by midday, and the ending to the battle was envisioned in the evening, when Armenians, occupying favorable positions around Shushi, allowed the enemy forces a corridor for retreat.
The ancient Armenian capital was occupied on May 9. Azerbaijani military plane and helicopters shelled the Armenian ranks, as well as Shushi and Stepanakert during midday. Later, it was discovered that the air offensive was aimed at exploding the weapon deposits abandoned in Shushi with the hope of destroying the entire city. However, the plan did not succeed, and the “clean up” of the city ended in the evening of the same day. It has been estimated that the Armenians lost 60 people, while Azerbaijanis had a total of 150 to 200 casualties.
The victory at Shushi had a crucial importance in the Karabagh war. The Armenian forces immediately launched an offensive over the corridor of Lachin, which was central to the connection between Armenia (Goris) and Karabagh (Stepanakert), and occupied Lachin (nowadays Berdzor) on May 18. The consequent falls of Shushi and Lachin triggered the deposition of Azerbaijani president Ayaz Mutalibov.
The liberation of Shushi was of enormous symbolical value, as it represented the recovery of a city that had been abandoned for more than seventy years to Azerbaijanis. In the last twenty years, Shushi has been slowly recovering its Armenian profile and population, with the white and imposing silhouette of the nineteenth-century Ghazanchetsots Cathedral (which had been converted by Azerbaijanis into a deposit of GRAD launchers) standing completely renovated as a symbol of resilience and faith in the future.
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The Rule of One
An old joke says that, when there is no köfte (kufta) at home, you say: “Chi köfte” (No köfte).Of course, we all know that Turkish chi has nothing to do with “no,” since chi köfteis the raw variety of the meal (the name comes from the Turkish çiğ köfte).
However, Armenian չի (chi) is effectively an auxiliary particle derived from the negative չ (ch). It may become a little nightmarish for writers or speakers of the language, even fluent ones, when they tend to ignore that there are strings attached when it comes to its use.
Thus, chi may be used only once in Western Armenian. It renders the negative form of a verb that complies with the following three conditions altogether:
a) Simple present (indicative mood)
b) Third person of the singular
c) Starts with a consonant
Here are three examples:
The boy/he does not receive letters: Տղան/անչիկարդար / Dghan/an chi gartar
The woman/she does not speak: Կինը/անչիխօսիր / Gine/an chi khosir
The dog/it does not bark: Շունը/անչիհաջեր / Shoone/an chi hacher |
As a follow-up, the contracted form of chi, namely չ՚ (ch’), is also used only once in Western Armenian. When a verb complies with the first two conditions mentioned before (simple present; third person of the singular), but starts with a vowel, the i of chi is dropped to avoid the collision with the initial vowel and an apostrophe replaces the i. Here is a set of examples:
The man/he does not work: Մարդը/անչ՚աշխատիր / Marte/an ch’ashkhadir
The girl/she does not eat: Աղջիկը/անչ՚՚ուտեր / Aghchige/an ch’ooder
The water/it does not boil: Ջուրը/անչ՚եռար/ Choore/an ch’erar |
An unwritten schwa (as in English stay) before a consonant-starting verb does not count as a vowel. Thus, he/she/it does not receive can only be անչիստանար(an chi sdanar), but never անչ՚ստանար (an ch’sdanar).
As a logical corollary to this rule, you cannot use either chi or ch’ in any other mood, tense, person, or number whatsoever.
In all other cases, you use չ (ch).
For instance:
Wrong: Եթէ ան չի սպասէ / Yete an chi sbase
Accurate: Եթէ ան չսպասէ / Yete an chsbase
Wrong: Դուք պիտի չի խաղաք / Took bidi chi khaghak (*)
Accurate: Դուք պիտի չխաղաք / Took bidi chkhaghak
Wrong: Չի սպասենք իրենց / Chi sbasenk irents
Accurate: Չսպասենք իրենց / Chsbasenk irents
Դուն չի գրեցիր / Toon chi kretsir
Accurate: Դուն չգրեցիր / Toon chkretsir
Ան չի կրցաւ գրել / An chi grtsav krel
Accurate: Ան չկրցաւ գրել / An chgrtsav krel
Եթէ անոնք չի լսեն / Yete anonk chi lsen
Accurate: Եթէ անոնք չլսեն / Yete anonk chi lsen
The conclusion is very straightforward: in this matter, the only rule is that there is one rule.
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(*) The same as in English, where we say “I will not write,” in Armenian we say «Ես պիտի չգրեմ» (Yes bidi chkrem). You cannot say «Ես չպիտի գրեմ» in the same way that you cannot say “I not will write.”
CLICK FOR INTERVIEW WITH PETER BALAKIAN
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SUNDAY IS MOTHERS’ DAY
DON”T FORGET TO CALL YOUR MOTHER!
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.
May 2—Avak Luncheon at noon, Jaffarian Hall at St. Gregory Church, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts, will feature a presentation by Tom Vartabedian and Sarkis Sarkisian, “America the Beautiful, a visual journey through our national parks with visits to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Bryce, and Zion.”
May 4—St. Stephen’s Church Ladies Guild (Watertown) presents a Country Western Night. Gather your best country attire, polish the boots, get out the scarves, dust off the cowboy hats and join us for a night of fun and bluegrass music. Great food and other surprises starting at 5:30 pm. $35 per person. For reservations: Lori Krikorian 508-339-2082 or lorikrikiorian35@comcast.net.
May 5—“A New Atlas for a New Generation.” Speaker: Dr. Vartan Matiossian, Executive Director of Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, following the Divine Liturgy in Pashalian Hall. Copies of the Atlas of Historical Armenia will be available for sale.
May 5—“Walk-Armenia,” sponsored by the ARS of Eastern USA, Inc., and organized by Agnouni, Bergen, Shake and Spitak chapters of New Jersey, following the Divine Liturgy (12:30 pm) at Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Registration fee is $20 which includes t-shirt and lunch. Student fee $10. Proceeds to benefit ARS Eastern USA projects in Armenia and Camp Haiastan in Franklin, Massachusetts. For information: Hasmig 201-944-4507; Arpie 201-666-0885; Aida 201-835-0869, or email to gibbsdoll@hotmail.com.
May 7—“Treasured Objects,” an illustrated interactive lecture by Dr. Susan Pattie, at Graduate Center at the City University of New York Middle East and Middle Eastern American Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York City, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Copies of her most recent book, “Treasured Objects: Armenian Life in the Ottoman Empire,” coauthored with colleagues at the Armenian Institute in London, will be available for purchase. For information: memeac@gc.cuny.edu.
May 12—St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York, Mother’s Day celebration organized by the Senior Citizens Committee.
May 16—Movie Screening, “Orphans of the Genocide” by Bared Maronian, 7 pm, at the AGBU offices, 55 E. 59th Street, 7th floor, (between Park and Madison Avenues), hosted by AGB&U-YPGNY and ANC-NY. Free admission. RSVP to www.ypgny.org/yp/orphansmovie.
May 17—Opening reception of “Ladies from Your Past” exhibit at the Rosenthal Library Rotunda at Queens College, 6-20 Kissena Boulevard. Flushing, New York sponsored by the Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery. Exhibit will continue through September 30. For information/reservations contact the Museum at 718-428-5650.
May 16, 17, 18—National Representative Assembly hosted by Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland.
May 16 and 17—National Association of Ladies Guilds (NALG) Conference in conjunction with the National Representative Assembly, hosted by Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland. This year’s raffle drawing will benefit the Mother and Child Clinic in the Akhorian region of Armenia and the Syrian-Armenian Relief Fund. To purchase ($10 each; three for $25) contact NALG Executive (Sharke Der Apkarian at shakar07@comcast.net or 978-685-7243.
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.
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 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 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 14—“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 Homecoming Picnic, at Lakeshore Park, 601 South Lake Drive, Novi, Michigan. Food, music, dancing, magic show, volleyball, soccer, tavlou tournament, mountain biking, swimming.
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 
