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| Ecumenical Service at the National Cathedral
Tonight, Thursday, May 7, 2015, at 7:00 pm (EST)
Pontifical Divine Liturgy
National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Saturday, May 9, 2015, at 10:00 am (EST)
His Holiness Karekin II, celebrant
His Holiness Aram I, homilist
Note: Also broadcast live at 10 a.m. over the EWTN television network.
CATHOLICOS ARAM ARRIVES IN WASHINGTON;
WAS GUEST CHAPLAIN AT THE SENATE THIS MORNING
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia, arrived in Washington, D.C., yesterday afternoon for four major events planned by the National Centennial Commemoration Committee.
This morning His Holiness was the guest chaplain at the U.S. Senate and delivered the opening prayer. Remarks welcoming the Catholicos were offered by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI).
His Holiness offered the following prayer:
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty God, we ask you to guide our reflection, our action and all our endeavors; and we ask your guidance especially in the deliberations and decisions of this noble body, because strong, wise and visionary leadership is essential for the well being of nations.
This year is the centenary of the Armenian Genocide, the first genocide of the many that followed in the 20th Century. In commemorating one-and a half million Armenian martyrs, we claim justice. Indeed, justice is a gift of God, and violation of justice is a sin against God.
We beseech you, O Lord, to bless the United States of America and its people. Empower them to continue serving humanity through your goodness, as they did when they sheltered the remnants of the Armenian nation and all those who sought freedom and justice.
O, Lord, give your children wisdom, love and compassion so that they may live and prosper with the gifts of your Spirit – justice, truth, freedom and righteousness.
May your name be praised forever and ever. Amen.
TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS WILL CONCLUDE
WASHINGTON COMMEMORATIONS
A “Mother’s Day Prayer Service and Blessing of Mothers,” will take place on Sunday, May 10, at 9:30 a.m. in the Ballroom of the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Washington. This service, which will bring to a close the commemorative events in Washington, is organized under the auspices of the Dioceses and Prelacies of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the East and West coasts. The service will be presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. All are invited to join the leaders of the Armenian Church and the entire community of faithful for this prayerful tribute to mothers.
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ST. ILLUMINATOR’S PREPARES FOR 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF CATHEDRAL
This year is also the centennial year of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. On Sunday, May 17, a Pontifical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, who will begin his visit to the Eastern Prelacy immediately after the conclusion of the Washington events. The Liturgy will begin at 10 am. In the afternoon a banquet in honor of His Holiness and in celebration of the Cathedral’s centennial will take place at the New York Palace.
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RELIQUARY INSTALLED IN PHILADELPHIA
Archpriest Fr. Nerses Manoogian, pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Philadelphia writes: “Through the initiative of our beloved Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, we have received a very special gift, a relic of an Armenian genocide victim from Der Zor where thousands of Armenians perished during the genocide.”
Last Sunday was a special and inspiring day for the St. Gregory parish. His Grace, Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, celebrated the Divine Liturgy and presided over a ceremony for the installation of the reliquary.
With the reliquary held high, Der Nerses, along with deacons, candle bearers and fan bearers, walked around the church as the choir sang, for the first time in Philly, a special hymn dedicated to our martyred saints of the Armenian genocide composed by Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian, of blessed memory. Henceforth this hymn will be sung on the designated Feast Day for the Armenian Martyred Saints.
Following the ceremony, parishioners were invited to come forward and kiss the reliquary. Der Nerses noted that this reliquary is dedicated to the memory of the Jehanian, Aydjian, Terzian, and Akidaian families of Arapkir, Dikranagert, and Yozgat. May their souls rest in peace.
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|  | Bishop Anoushavan with Der Nerses and altar servers during the installation service. | |
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PROVIDENCE PARISHES JOIN TO CELEBRATE LITURGY
The Armenian Martyrs’ Memorial Committee of Rhode Island invited the three Armenian churches in Providence to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on April 24 at the impressive Martyrs’ Memorial located at the North Burial Ground. Chairs were placed under tents and more than 600 faithful attended the Divine Liturgy—the first to be celebrated at the Memorial with all the churches and clergy present. The attendees appreciated this special commemoration and described it as “meaningful” and “inspiring.”
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|  | The Divine Liturgy at the Martyrs Monument in Providence took place on April 24. From left, Hagop Ghajanian, Rev. Fr. Shnork Souin, Archbishop Rev. Gomidas Baghsarian, Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian, Sarkis Yepremian, and Hagop Khatchadourian. | |
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SPRINGFIELD NEWSPAPER INTERVIEWS
REV. FR. BEDROS SHETILIAN
The April 29th issue of The Republican, published in Springfield, Massachusetts, included an interview with Rev. Fr. Bedros Shetilian, pastor of St. Gregory Church in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, who spoke candidly about the situation in Syria, the Armenian genocide, the Diaspora, and Pope Francis, among other topics.
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DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM FOR YOUTH 13-18
The 29th annual summer program for youth ages 13-18 is scheduled to be held at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 28—July 5, 2015. Sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the summer program offers a unique weeklong Christian educational program for youth. It aims to instill and nurture the Armenian Christian faith and identity in our youth through a variety of educational activities, coupled with daily church services and communal recreational activities. For information and registration, please click the image above or visit the Prelacy’s website at armenianprelacy.org/arec/datev or contact the AREC office at 212-689-7810 or arec@armenianprelacy.org.
CHURCH OF FORTY MARTYRS SANCTUARY IS INTACT
Last week we reported that the Armenian Church of Forty Martyrs in Aleppo had been destroyed. We have since learned that although there was very heavy damage to the bell tower and to Aghbalian Hall, the sanctuary was spared destruction. The Forty Martyrs Church dates back to the 15th century.
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| SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance.
Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your pocketbooks.
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. OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR DONATION TO:
Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Fund for Syrian Armenian Relief
Thank you for your help
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BIBLE READINGS
Note: Beginning April 13 and continuing until Pentecost (May 24), each day 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 10, Fifth Sunday after Easter are: 1) Luke 14:25-15:32; 2) Acts 20:17-38; 1 John 3:2-6; John 9:39-10:10; 3) Matthew 16:13-17:13; 4) Mark 8:27-9:13.
Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.” Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains. Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. (John 9:39-10:10)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here.
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| THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC)
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Birth of Armenag Yegarian (May 10, 1870)
A veteran of the Armenian liberation movement, Armenag Yegarian was one of the leaders of the defense of Van in 1915.
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He was born in Van on May 10, 1870. He graduated from school in 1887 and entered the Armenagan Organization, the first Armenian political party founded two years before, whose center was precisely Van. He abandoned his trade as a tailor in 1889 and devoted himself to the transportation of weapons between Persian and the Ottoman Empire to help the Armenian self-defense. His first mission, however, ended in failure. He was arrested and jailed, and after two months of prison in the worst conditions, he moved to Persia to avoid new arrests. He organized several transportations of weapons from Salmast to Van between 1890 and 1896. In May 1896 he was arrested again and could not participate in the self-defense of Van (June 1896). In July 1897, at the time of the expedition of Khanasor organized by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, Yegarian fought against enemy forces coming to help the Kurdish Mazrik tribe, and closed their way, helping the Armenian forces to execute the plan to punish the Kurds, who had treacherously assassinated the leaders of the self-defense of Van the year before.
He received an imperial pardon in 1898 and could live until 1902 in Van, where he clandestinely worked to enhance the spirit of the local population. In 1902 he was forced to move again to Persia, where he continued his activities, also trying to reorganize the Armenagan Party, which had been seriously weakened after the 1896 self-defense.
The Ottoman Constitution of 1908 allowed Yegarian to return to Van. He was the leader of the three-member Military Committee, representing the three Armenian parties that organized the defense of Van in April 1915. Close to two thousand Armenian combatants, armed with some thousand weapons, had to confront 7,000 Turkish regular forces and some 5,000 irregulars. The month-long heroic Armenian resistance was able to save the life of 150,000 civilians until the arrival of the Russian army, with the Armenian volunteer battalions in the vanguard.
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|  | Armenians fighting in the trenches dug up around Van during its defense. | |  | Armenians defending Van taking aim at Turkish forces beyond the wall. | | | |
In July 1915, however, the Russian forces retreated, and the Armenian population was forced to accompany them to Russia. Yegarian organized the protection of the migrants. He returned again in September 1915, when the Russian army reoccupied Van. Yegarian led an Armenian regiment to operate as popular militia. However, the regiment could only operate for a few months, as it depended on its own funding and was deprived of any financial help by the Russian government. Disillusioned with the Russian policy, Yegarian left van in July 1916.
He was later sent to Cilicia by the Armenian Democratic Constitutional Party. His mission was to organize Armenian forces there during the period of the French mandate (1919-1920). However, the abandonment of Cilicia by the French prompted the evacuation by the Armenian population. Yegarian was forced to leave Cilicia and, in the end, he called his family from Tiflis and moved to Egypt. He passed away on October 19, 1925, at the age of 55, victim of the plague, and buried in the Armenian cemetery of Surp Minas. His memoirs were posthumously published in 1947.
Previous entries in “This Week in Armenian History” are on the Prelacy’s web site (www.armenianprelacy.org)
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LISTEN TO THE PODCAST WITH REV. FR. NAREG TERTERIAN
(Pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York)
Episode 36: Interview with Jack Mardoian, Esq., chairman of the Pontifical Visit Steering Committee and Tamar Harutunian, Esq., member of the Pontifical Visit Steering Committee.
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| SUNDAY IS MOTHER'S DAY... DON'T FORGET TO CALL YOUR MOTHER.
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May 7, 8, 9—National Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration in Washington, DC, organized under the patronage of the Diocese and the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia. May 7, Ecumenical Service at the National Cathedral, 7 pm; May 8, A Journey Through Armenian Music at the Music Center at Strathmore, 7:30 pm; May 8 & 9, Exhibits, Films, and Events at various venues; May 9, Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 10 am; May 9, A Time to Give Thanks, banquet, 5:30 pm, Marriott Marquis.
May 10 to June 4—Pontifical Visit of His Holiness Aram I to the Eastern Prelacy.
May 12—“Anatolia, Land of Armenians Until the 1915 Armenian Genocide,” presentation by Margaret Tellalian-Kyrkostas, executive director of the Anthropology Museum of the People of New York and the Armenian Cultural Educational Resource Center Gallery at Queens College, 7 pm in the Lapham Meeting Room at the Port Washington Public Library.
May 16—“Your Church. Your Nation. Engage.” A Dialogue with His Holiness Aram I, for young adults (ages 18-35). Speakers will explore the theme of Faithfulness, the Centennial of the Armenian genocide, and the canonization of the Martyrs. St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, 3 pm to 5 pm. Registration required.
May 17—Pontifical Divine Liturgy, St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City. His Holiness Aram I will celebrate the Liturgy and deliver the sermon.
May 17—Banquet in honor of His Holiness Aram I and in celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, The New York Palace, [address]. Reception 4:00 pm; Dinner 5:00 pm.
May 26—“With You, Armenia,” concert at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, 8 pm, presented by Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Pianist Evgeny Kissin and Hover Chamber Choir, featuring works of Armenian composers Komitas Vartabed, Vache Sharafyan, Tigran Mansurian, and others.
May 29—Homage to our Martyred Writers, “A Literary Evening Dedicated to Taniel Varuzhan.” MC, Zarmine Boghosian; English Presentation, Aram Arkun; Armenian Presentation, Dr. Vartan Matiossian. Artistic program by: Harout Barsoumian, Arpi Cankar, Serpouhi Vartivarian, Talar Zokian. Tekeyan Center, 560 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, at 7:30 pm. Free admission; RSVP required. Contact Helen Misk (helenmisk@gmail.com) or Diana Mkhitarian (Dianamkhitarian@yahoo.com).
May 30—“Your Church. Your Nation. Engage.” A Dialogue with His Holiness Aram I, with young adults (ages 18-35). Speakers will explore the themes of Faithfulness, the Centennial of the Armenian genocide, and the canonization of the Martyrs. Westin Hotel, 70 Third Avenue, Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 am to 2 pm.
June 3-6—National Representative Assembly hosted by St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts.
June 4-5—National Association of Ladies Guilds 2015 Annual Conference, St. Stephen’s Church, Watertown, Massachusetts. For information: Sharke Der Apkarian, shakar07@comcast.net, or 978-808-0598.
June 7—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Sunday School Commencement Day.
June 14—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Nareg Saturday Armenian School Year End Graduation.
June 18—Annual Cigar Night and Dinner, Men’s Club of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. Drawing of Super Raffle of 2015 Mercedes Benz-CLA 250 will take place. Raffle tickets can be purchased online (saintgregory.org/organizations/mens-club).
June 21—Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Sunday School Father’s Day Picnic.
June 28—Annual “Madagh Picnic,” St. Hagop Church, Racine, Wisconsin, Blessing of the Madagh will take place at 11 am by Rev. Fr. Daron Stepanian, and served at noon. All are invited to enjoy the picnic all afternoon up to 7 pm. Enjoy marinated shish kebab and chicken dinners, sarma, penerlee, khurabia, and other Armenian delicacies and pastries. Live Armenian music and children’s entertainment. Raffle drawing at 6 pm.
June 28-July 5—29th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Program for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). For information and registration, please visit the Prelacy’s website at armenianprelacy.org/arec/datev or contact the AREC office at 212-689-7810 or arec@armenianprelacy.org.
July 18—Blessing of the Holy Muron (Oil) by His Holiness Aram I, at the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon. For details click here.
October 5-9—Clergy gathering of Eastern, Western, and Canadian Prelacies.
November 15—90th Anniversary Banquet, St. Stephen’s Church, 167 Tremont Street, New Britain, Connecticut. Watch for details.
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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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