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| PRELATE ATTENDS HOMENETMEN NAVASARTIAN GAME Archbishop Oshagan attended the Homenetmen Eastern Region’s Annual Athletic Navasartian Games last weekend hosted by the New York chapter. His Eminence delivered the invocation at the banquet Friday evening at the Westchester Hilton, and at the closing ceremonies on Sunday.
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|  | Archbishop Oshagan is escorted into the banquet hall. | |  | The Prelate greets the scouts. | | | |
| ST. GREGORY OF DATEV INSTITUTE COMPLETES 28TH YEAR The St. Gregory of Datev Institute held its 28th annual Summer Program for youth ages 13-18 at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from June 29 to July 6, with the participation of 41 students. Five students graduated from the Institute this year, completing four weeklong programs, one week each summer, receiving over 100 hours of instructions in the elements of the Christian faith. The graduates were: Tamar Asayan, Armand Charkhutian, Emily Selverian, Marina Tekeyan, and Nanor Topalakian. Held under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the Prelate, the Institute is sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) and was directed this year by Archpriest Fr. Antranig Baljian, pastor of St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Watertown, Massachusetts. The Intructors of the Institute were: Bishop Anoushavan, Fr. Antranig Baljian, Hayr Sahag, Hayr Zareh, Fr. Khoren Habeshian, Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Fr. Stephan Baljian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Dn. James Haddad, Yn. Joanna Baghsarian, Mrs. Maggie Kouyoumdjian, and Ms. Jeanette S. Nazarian. Fr. Paul Tarazi was a guest lecturer.
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 | The staff and participants of the 2014 St. Gregory of Datev Summer Program. | |  | This year’s graduates of the Institute with Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, and Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), are (left to right are): Nanor Topalakian, Marina Tekeyan, Emily Selverian, Armand Charkhutian, and Tamar Asayan. | | | |
| SEMINAR ON ST. EPHREM THE SYRIAN Last Saturday, July 5, the Christian Education Committee of St. Gregory Church in Philadelphia sponsored an adult seminar at the St. Mary of Providence Retreat Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. The topic was St. Ephrem the Syrian—His Life and Prayers. In teaching about his life and how St. Ephrem’s prayers laid the groundwork for other Armenian prayers, including those by St. Nerses the Graceful, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar of the Prelacy, led the two morning sessions; the afternoon session, “Spirituality as it relates to Physical Wellness,” led by Deacon Dr. Vahan Kouyoumdjian of New Jersey, was equally well-received. This adult seminar was the direct result of feedback from a previously held Philadelphia seminar during the Datev week-long summer program. The feedback received this year encouraged more such seminars in the future. Separate editions of the prayers of St. Ephrem in Armenian and English were recently published by the Prelacy. The English edition was translated from the Classical Armenian by Professor Edward G Mathews, Jr. The Armenian edition was rendered into modern Armenian from Classical Armenian by Bishop Tanielian. For information about the prayer books contact the Prelacy Bookstore (books@armenianprelacy.org).
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|  | Bishop Anoushavan with the participants in the Seminar that took place last Saturday in Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Christian Education Committee of St. Gregory Church. | |
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| TEACHERS’ SEMINAR ORGANIZED BY ANEC The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) will sponsor a teachers’ seminar to be held on August 23, 2014, at the Prelacy headquarters in New York, from 10 am-4 pm. All schools and teachers are invited to participate. The program will have the following lectures: Sossi Essajanian: “Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher”; Anahid Garmiryan: “To Be or Not to Be a Teacher: the Challenges of Bilingualism”
SIAMANTO ACADEMY WILL RESUME ITS ACTIVITIES The Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), jointly sponsored by the Prelacy and the Armenian Relief Society, sponsored for many years the Siamanto Academy for young adults. After a recent hiatus, the Academy is ready to resume its activities. The Academy offers courses on Armenian history, culture, and contemporary issues. Classes will take place on a monthly basis, every second Saturday, beginning in September at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church (Ridgefield, New Jersey), from 2 pm-5 pm. For additional information, please contact ANEC at anec@armenianprelacy.org.
ART EXHIBIT AT THE CATHEDRAL Last Sunday the artist Susan Kricorian offered a PowerPoint presentation of her artworks titled “Transformation” bringing to a close her exhibition at John Pashalian Hall of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York. The afternoon reception began with welcoming remarks by the Cathedral’s pastor, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, followed by an introduction by Christopher Parnagian, Esq. Susan Kricorian was born in Cambridge and raised in Watertown, Massachusetts in an Armenian community. She attended The School of the Museum of Fine Arts of Tufts University in Boston and studied drawing, painting, photography, color theory, and art education. After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tufts, she moved to New York City and began her journey as an artist and art educator. She has been teaching art in a public middle school since 1989, during which time she acquired her MS in education from Bank Street College of Education. She is the sister of Nancy Kricorian, author of a number of critically acclaimed novels. To purchase Susan Kricorian’s artworks, contact her at skricorian@gmail.com.
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|  | Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian with artist Susan Kricorian and Christopher Parnagian, Esq., with his daughter Sona Parnagian. | |
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| BIBLE READINGS Bible readings for Sunday, July 13, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Feast of the Discovery of the Box of the Theotokos are: Isaiah 2:5-11; Romans 9:30-10:4; Matthew 13:24-30. He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from ? He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here.
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| FEAST OF ST. SAHAG AND ST. MESROB, THE HOLY TRANSLATORS Today, July 10, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Sts. Sahag Bartev and Mesrob Mashdots, The Holy Translators. The feasts dedicated to the Holy Translators are among the most beloved commemorations for Armenians. Sahag and Mesrob are honored two times during the liturgical year: on the Thursday following the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, which is today, and on the second Saturday of October. St. Sahag is remembered for his strong leadership during some of the most difficult days for the Armenian Church, as well as during some of the most glorious. He is also remembered for his vast body of literary work. After the development of the Armenian alphabet, he was the guiding force for the translation of the Bible as well as in the translation of the works of the Holy Fathers. St. Mesrob developed the Armenian alphabet with the help and support of St. Sahag, after a long period of travel and investigation. According to tradition, during one of his travels Mesrob was meditating in a cave in Palu, and it was there he saw a vision that helped him complete his task of creating an alphabet for the Armenian language. The two saints, Sahag and Mesrob, are forever linked in the minds and hearts of the Armenian people. There are many Armenian churches throughout world named in their dual honor. The holy translators, like stewards, were interpreters of the divine Scriptures by inventing letters by means of which are preserved on earth as living words for the shepherd flock of the New Israel; praise God with a sweet sounding hymn. They looked on the greatness of earthly glory as on darkness and having put their hope in the immortal bridegroom they were made worthy of the kingdom of heaven; praise God with a sweet sounding song. By the power of the Father’s wisdom the uncreated existing One by means of their translation they made firm the throne of Saint Gregory; praise God with a sweet-sounding song. Saint Sahag having dressed in the new word adorned the Armenian churches; praise God with a sweet-sounding song.
(Canon to the Holy Translators from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)
KING DRTAD, QUEEN ASHKHEN, PRINCESS KHOSROVITOUKHT This Saturday, July 12, the Armenian Church remembers King Drtad, Queen Ashkhen, and Princess Khosrovitoukht. After torturing and condemning St. Gregory to the pit and because of the cruel and fatal treatment of the Hripsimiantz nuns, King Drtad became inflicted with strange and debilitating maladies. Queen Ashkhen and the king’s sister, Khosrovitoukht (who had secretly become a Christian) convinced the king that only Gregory could cure him. Thus, Gregory was released from the deep pit. With the king’s subsequent recovery, all three helped Gregory spread Christianity throughout Armenia. In their later years the queen and princess lived in the fortress of Garni and the king retired to St. Gregory’s retreat on Mt. Sepouh.
FEAST OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE JEWEL BOX OF ASDVADZADZIN This Sunday, July 13, is the Feast of the Discovery of the Jewel Box of the Asdvadzadzin.
The Holy Mother was assumed into heaven, and there are no relics of her earthly body. Therefore, her personal belongings became valued and venerated. The box that was discovered contained the Holy Mother’s veil and it is this event that is celebrated this Sunday.
FEAST OF THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH Tuesday, July 15, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Zechariah the Prophet. Zechariah is the eleventh of the twelve so-called “minor” prophets of the Old Testament. They are called “minor” not because they are less important but because the books attributed to them are shorter than those of the “major” prophets.
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| NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE
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RECENT VISITORS On July 2 the chairperson of the Tekeyan Cultural Association, the Committee of Founders, and former member of Parliament, Hagop Kassardjian, and Michael Vahejian, chairperson of the Lebanon branch of the Armenian Democratic Liberal Party (Ramgavar), visited His Holiness Aram to congratulate him and offer their good wishes on the 19th anniversary of his election as Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. They discussed the situation in Lebanon, other matters affecting the region, and the 100th anniversary commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. On July 3, the Catholicos received separate visits of Parliamentarians Hagop Pakradouni and Jean Oghassabian. Both members of the Lebanese Parliament discussed the process of electing the President of Lebanon. Later the same day, His Holiness received composer Robert Amirkhanian. The committee of the Hamazkayin Cultural Association accompanied the composer. Mr. Amerkihanian and the Catholicos discussed the situation of artists and cultural life in Armenia.
WCC BEGINS POST-10TH ASSEMBLY DELIBERATIONS The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches began its Post-10th Assembly deliberations with the participation of representatives of the two Holy Sees of the Armenian Orthodox Church (Holy See of Cilicia and Holy See of Etchmiadzin). Archbishop Nareg Alemezian, Director of Ecumenical Relations, and Ms Teny Simonian, Ecumenical Representative in Europe are representing the Holy See of Cilicia and Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and Ms Paola Der Mateossian are representing the Holy See of Etchmiadzin. The members of the Central Committee received the reports of the Moderator, Dr. Agnes Abuom and the General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveil. The deliberations will continue in committee. Archbishop Nareg is a member of the Program Committee and Ms Simonian is a member of the Policy Reference Committee. The Assembly will also discuss the document, “An Invitation to the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace,” that will provide the theological framework for the Councils programs.
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| SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER The crises in Syria, including the recent upheaval in Kessab, require 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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| THIS WEEK IN ARMENIAN HISTORY
(Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee[ANEC])
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| Birth of Arshag Tchobanian (July 15, 1872) An influential literary critic and political activist, Arshag Tchobanian would become a sought-after name in the first half of the twentieth century. He was born in Constantinople on July 15, 1872. He lost his mother when he was a year old. After graduating from the Makruhian School in his neighborhood of Beshigtash (1886), he entered the newly founded Getronagan (Central) School in 1886. He graduated in 1891, when he had already started his literary contributions to the most important newspapers of the time, Arevelk and Hairenik. He published his first two books in 1891 and 1892. He taught at his alma mater in 1892-1893 and, after a year sojourn in France, continued his teaching. In 1895 he published a literary monthly, Dzaghig, but, due to the political repression and the Hamidian massacres of 1895-1896, he decided to leave Constantinople for good. He settled in Paris, where he would live the rest of his life. Tchobanian became the leading voice of the Armenians in France and a promoter of Armenian literature and the Armenian Cause in Europe, with many publications in various journals and newspapers, and a series of books in French, along with his own wide production in Armenian. Among his books in French, the most important would be the three-volume Roseraie de l’Arménie (Rose Garden of Armenia), dedicated to Armenian medieval poetry, a subject of which he was a respected translator and scholar. Between 1898 and 1911, he published the literary journal Anahid, which would become an influential name in Armenian literature. He also wrote for many Armenian newspapers throughout the world. Tchobanian adopted ideological positions closer to the Reorganized Hunchakian Party, created after the division of the Hunchakian Party in 1896. Later, he entered the ranks of the Liberal Party, created after 1908 in Europe by members of the Reorganized Hunchakian Party. The Armenian writer was an activist of the Armenian Cause during World War I and denounced the genocidal policy of Turkey. He was the editor of the newspaper Veradznunt from 1917-1919 and became a member of the Armenian National Delegation led by Boghos Nubar in February 1919. He was sent to Lebanon and Cilicia in 1920 to negotiate with the French authorities, at a time when Cilicia was still under French mandate, before being abandoned to the forces of Mustafa Kemal. In October 1921 Tchobanian entered the Democratic Liberal (Ramgavar Azadagan) Party, founded in Constantinople, and was elected first chairman of its Central Board. During the 1920s, along with the party, he adopted a position favorable to cooperation with Soviet Armenia to further its economic and social development, including the settlement of Armenian refugees and orphans. He visited year the United States from coast to coast in 1926-1927. In 1929 he relaunched Anahid, which would last until 1949, with a pause between 1940 and 1946 due to World War II. Tchobanian would continue his literary and public activities until his death on June 8, 1954, killed by a car when crossing a street in Paris at the age of 82.
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July 14—39th Annual St. Sarkis Golf & Tennis Classic, Meadowbrook Country Club, Northville, Michigan. $250 donation for golf breakfast, lunch, and banquet. $125 donation banquet only. Reservations: 313-336-6200. July 19—“A Hye Summer A Night IX,” sponsored by the Ladies Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, and Armenian Relief Society Ani Chapter, 7 pm to 12 midnight. Dinner Dance at Alpine Country Club, Pippen Orchard Drive, Cranston, Rhode Island, featuring Hachig Kazarian, John Berberian, Ken Kalajian, and Jason Naroian. Dinner-Dance, $50; dance only after 8:30 pm, $35 (with student ID $25). RSVP before June 30. Call Joyce Yeremian, 401-354-8770, joycey41@cox.net or Joyce Bagdasarian, 401-434-4467, sweetano6aol.com. July 26—St. Stephen’s Church, New Britain, Connecticut, Ladies Guild Cooking Class, “Short Cuts to Armenian Cooking,” 11 am, Boereg. $15 for each class; $40 for three classes. August 4—St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual Golf Tournament. August 10—Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Annual Picnic at Camp Haiastan, 12 noon to 6 pm. Under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan. Games and the Bouncing Bubble for children. Delicious shish, lost and chicken kebab dinners. Choreg and Armenian pastries. Live music by Michael Gregian and Ensemble. Madagh and Blessing of the Grapes at 3:300 m with participation of New England clergy. For information: 401-831-6399. August 17—St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Annual Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes. August 17—St. Sarkis Church (Dearborn) Grape Blessing Family Fun Picnic at Kensington Park, Kensington, Michigan. Good food, music, biking, soccer, dancing, magician, swimming, playscape, kids games, door prizes, face painting, tavloo tournament and more. August 17—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual Picnic and Blessing of the Grapes, 1-5 pm at Saddle River County Park, Wild Duck Pond area. Music, delicious Armenian food and desserts, arts and crafts, and playground for children, cards, and tavloo, and more. August 23—Teachers’ seminar sponsored by the Armenian Education Committee (ANEC), at the Prelacy offices in New York, 10 am to 4 pm. All schools and teachers are invited to participate. Lecturers: Sossi Essajanian, “Supporting the Next Generation: Early Childhood Development, Best Practices, and the Armenian Language Teacher” and Anahid Garmiryan, “To Be or Not to be a Teacher: The Challenges of Bilingualism.” For information: anec@armenianprelacy.org or 212-689-7810. September 7—Picnic Festival, St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, 158 Main Street, North Andover, Massachusetts, featuring musicians Leon Janikian, Jason Naroian, Johnny Berberian, and John Arzigian; presentation by Siroun Dance Ensemble of Central Massachusetts. 12:30 to 5:30 pm, church grounds. Shish, losh, and chicken kebab dinners, veggie plates, Armenian pastries, family games and activities. September 18—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 12th Annual Golf Classic, River Vale Country Club, River Vale, New Jersey. Rain or Shine. 11 am registration and Grilled Lunch Buffet; 1 pm Tee Off. Format: Shotgun Scramble (All player levels welcome). Golf Outing Reservation: $195; limited to first 128 paid golf reservations. Reservation includes: Grilled lunch buffet, dinner banquet, golf, cart, and range balls. Contests and Prizes. Sponsorships available. For information: 201-943-2950. October 3—St. Sarkis Armenian Church, Douglaston, New York, Saturday School Dinner Dance Gala. October 19—St. Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will ordain sub-deacon Ara Stepanian during the Divine Liturgy and preside over the parish’s 57th Annual Banquet. November 21, 22, 23—Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, Annual Bazaar, Food Festival, and Hantes. Mezze and Kebab dinners (chicken, shish, luleh); dessert table and trays of home-made delicacies; Boutique Booths; Chinese Auction; Supervised Game Room for children; Pre-packaged Monte, Sou Buereg, Kufteh, and Lehmejun; Take-out available; Live Music for dancing and listening. Traditional Kavourma dinner on Sunday served immediately after church service. For information: 201-943-2950.
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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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