YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE

At the beginning of the New Year, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia, issued an encyclical about the 100 ^th anniversary of the Independent Republic of Armenia that was proclaimed on May 28, 1918. In his encyclical, His Holiness instructs all prelacies under the jurisdiction of the Cilician See to make this historic event a focus of attention and celebration throughout the centennial year of 2018. By order of the Prelate, Archbishop Oshagan, the encyclical will be read in all Eastern Prelacy parishes on Sunday, February 4 during the Divine Liturgy.

Read the entire message in Armenian or English .

60 ^TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. STEPHEN CHURCH CELEBRATED

Archbishop Oshagan presided over the celebration that took place last weekend marking the 60 ^th anniversary of St. Stephen Church in Watertown, Massachusetts. On Saturday evening a buffet dinner and reception in the church hall was followed by a presentation of spiritual hymns and sharagans performed by Onnig Dinkjian with organ accompaniment by Ara Dinkjian that inspired the more than 250 parishioners and friends gathered in the sanctuary.

On Sunday morning, during the Divine Liturgy Archbishop Oshagan blessed the parish’s new organ and preached a sermon on the day’s readings exhorting the parishioners and Sunday School students to heed the words of St. Paul that, “The Lord knows who are his” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” (2 Tim. 1:19). In this way, His Eminence said, “we show with our faith and our actions that we are worthy of the name we were given during our baptism—Christian.” He went on to point out that as we do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved (2 Tim.1:1) we also acknowledge our dependence on Christ to reach our goals as the day’s Gospel reading from John 6:15-21 shows. When during the storm, the Apostles feared for their lives at sea on a boat caught up in a violent storm, Jesus came to them saying, “It is I do not be afraid.” Likewise, His Eminence stated that all those who belong to the Lord and bear his name do not need to fear and, like the Apostles who trusted in Him, safely reach the end of their life’s journey.

At the Fellowship hour following services, a brief program was held with Raffi Manjikian, Chairman of the Board, thanking all who made the weekend successful. Tamar Kanarian then read a special citation from the office of the High Sherriff of Middlesex County, Peter Koutoujian congratulating St. Stephen's on the occasion of its 60th Anniversary. Yn. Cheryl Baljian then introduced the members of the church choir, old and new. Special pins were blessed on the occasion and will be given to each member as a token of gratitude for their service. Rev. Archpriest Antranig Baljian introduced two dedicated individuals, both of who have been serving musically for a very long time. Mary Ann Kazanjian, an organist for 56 years, served first as the organist of St. James Armenian Apostolic Church and, for the past 20 years as organist at St. Stephen's. Likewise Karen Aykanian Demirjian has sung in the choir since she was fourteen years old, becoming a soloist and assistant organist. For the past thirteen years she has been the choir director. Both received Certificates of Merit from His Eminence for their many years of faithful service to the church. His Eminence then made closing remarks, expressing his congratulations and gratitude to the St. Stephen's community for their 60 plus years of service. His Eminence then closed the gathering with his blessings.

Blessing the new organ.

Archbishop Oshagan and Archpriest Fr. Antranig with members of the choir.

Mary Ann Kazanjian and Karen Aykanian Demirjian were given Certificates of Merit by the Prelate in appreciation of their many years of service.

The Prelate and Der Antranig with area clergymen during the reception. In the background parishioners and friends study the “60 ^th Anniversary Gallery.”

ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN WILL VISIT NORTH ANDOVER

This weekend Archbishop Oshagan will travel to North Andover, Massachusetts, where on Sunday he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon at St. Gregory Church. A banquet will follow in the parish’s Jaffarian Hall honoring the 10 ^th anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian and the 48 ^th anniversary of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley.

BIBLE READINGS

Bible Readings for Sunday, January 28, Third Sunday after Nativity are: Isaiah 63:7-8; 2 Timothy 3:1-12; John 6:22-38.  

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there. They also saw that Jesus had not got into the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors are the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:22-38)

***

You must understand this, that in the last days distressing times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, brutes, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the outward form of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid them! For among them are those who make their way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth. As Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people, of corrupt mind and counterfeit faith, also oppose the truth. But they will not make much progress, because, as in the case of these two men, their folly will become plain to everyone.

Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecution I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Timothy 3:1-12)

For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here.



THE PROPHET JONAH

Tomorrow, Friday, January 26, the Armenian Church remembers the Prophet Jonah (Hovnan), one of the Minor Prophets. The Minor Prophets are not considered less important than the ones called Major Prophets, but their books are shorter. All of the Minor Prophets were servants of God who proclaimed His will to people in need of repentance.

The story of Jonah and the whale is one of the better-known stories in the Old Testament. Jonah’s feast falls on the last day of the Fast of the Catechumens, and after four days without any specified readings, the reading for tomorrow is the entire book of Jonah. Just as the people of Nineveh fasted and repented from their wicked ways, so too do the people of God during this preliminary fast before Great Lent (Medz Bahk), the most penitential season of the year.

SAINT SARKIS THE WARRIOR

Saturday, January 27, the Armenian Church commemorates St. Sarkis the Warrior, his son Mardiros, and 14 faithful soldiers. This is a moveable feast that can occur between January 11 and February 15. It follows the Fast of the Catechumens, which is not connected to St. Sarkis, but has become associated with this saint, even often referred to as the fast of St. Sarkis.

Sarkis was a 4 ^th century Roman soldier who became a Christian. He rose through the military ranks because of his valiant campaign on behalf of the Emperor Constantine. With the accession of Emperor Julian, Sarkis and his son took refuge in Armenia, where Christianity had already been the nation’s official religion. Later they went to Persia to join the Persian army to fight Julian. Both fought with exceptional bravery. The Persian leader, Shapur II, tried to convince them to abandon their Christian faith and embrace Zorastrianism. Both refused, and father and son were martyred. Fourteen loyal Christian soldiers who went to claim the bodies were also killed. Eventually, Christians secured the remains and sent them to Assyria where they remained until the fifth century when Mesrob Mashdots had the remains transferred to the city of Karpi in the area of Vaspurakan in Armenia. A monastery was built over the site of the graves.

Also commemorated this week:

Monday, January 29: Sts. Adom and Generals

Tuesday, January 30: Sts. Sookias and Martyrs

Thursday, February 1: Sts. Voski and Priests

The St. Sarkis Church Salt & Light Youth Group

Last Friday the Salt & Light Youth Group of St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York, held its first session of 2018. It began with a 30-minute Parent Information Session in Pagoumian Hall while the youth socialized and ate pizza and snacks downstairs in Chadrjian Hall. During the Parent Information session, Der Nareg presented an overview of the youth group program, gave some background information about the Youth Ministry initiative set forth by the Prelacy, and introduced the youth group facilitators and committee members. He ended the discussion with a brief question and answer session.

After completion of this parent information session, the youth was then introduced to the small group facilitators and they split up into 6 small groups, divided by gender and age. The three boys groups were led by their facilitators who were Der Nareg, Mr. Raffi Nenejian, and Mr. Michael Gostanian. The three girls groups were led by their facilitators who were Yn. Annie Terterian, Mrs. Lena Felice, and Mrs. Liza Kabarajian. The small group session lasted about 60 minutes and comprised of an opening prayer, ice-breakers, watching brief videos provided by the Prelacy’s Youth Ministry Program, group discussion and then a closing prayer.

As the group sessions ended, hot chocolate and cookies were served to the children as they waited for their parents to pick them up. The children and parents also had the opportunity to purchase Salt & Light Youth Group Logo sweatshirts.

The youth seemed to really enjoy the set-up and content of the program. There were smiles and laughter all around as the young participants socialized with existing friends, met new friends, and learned about the importance of God in their lives.

​Food and beverages for the first 2018 session of Salt & Light Youth Group was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Harout and Nayri Khatchadourian.

PRELACY LENTEN PROGRAM

The Prelacy Lenten Program will begin on Wednesday, February 14, and continue through Lent to March 21. Sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy Ladies Guild (PLG), and the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, the Lenten series of lectures will begin with a church service at 7 pm at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, followed by the lecture and Q&A, and Table Fellowship. For information contact the Prelacy office (212-689-7810) or arec@armenianprelacy.org or the Cathedral office (212-689-5880) or office@stilluminators.org . The schedule is as follows:

February 14: Martyred for Christ: Proactive “Manliness” or Spiritual Labor? by Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, Outreach Clergy.

February 21: Church and Charity , by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City.

February 28: From “The War Within” to Independence: A Reflection on Romans 7:15, by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor of St. Sarkis Church, Douglaston, New York.

March 7: “Abide in My Love”—John 15:9 (in Armenian), by Rev. Fr. Hovnan Bozoian, Pastor of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey.

March 14: A Life of Holiness by Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, Pastor Emeritus of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island.

March 21: Called to Freedom in Christ , by Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Director of AREC.

MUSICAL ARMENIA AT 35

Since 1982 the Eastern Prelacy has presented the annual Musical Armenia concert bringing to the forefront many talented artists of Armenian descent. This year’s concert is number 35 in the series that began 36 years ago and is renowned as a venue for talented young artists. Established by the late Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian and the Prelacy Ladies Guild, Musical Armenia is dedicated to promoting young Armenian artists and to the performance music by Armenian composers. The Prelacy is able to present this annual concert series as a contribution to the artistic achievements of the community thanks in large part to a group of dedicated patrons who offer their financial support each year in order to cover the cost and keep the price of tickets affordable for all.

This year’s concert will take place on SUNDAY, MARCH 18, at 2 pm , at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in New York City. The cost of admission is only twenty-five dollars. Featured artists at the 2018 Musical Armenia concert are composer Mary Kouyoumdjian and pianist Hrant Bagrazyan.

Mary Kouyoumdjian’s artistic projects range from concert works to multimedia collaborations and film scores. She is inspired by her Lebanese-Armenian heritage, her interest in Ethnomusicology, and her explorations of folk instrumentation. She is currently completing her doctor of musical arts degree in composition at Columbia University. Ms. Kouyoumdjian’s compositions will be performed by the ensemble Hotel Elefant, a contemporary group that focuses on the music of living composers, featuring guest pianist Timo Andres.

Hrant Bagrazyan is a prize-winner in multiple international competitions, including Third Prize and Bronze Medal at the Aram Khatchaturian International Piano Competition (2007) and Outstanding Performance Award at the NTD International Piano Competition in New York (2016). Mr. Bagrazyan has performed in the United States, Armenia, Belgium, and Poland. His U.S. orchestral debut took place in 2014 with a performance of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra (Illinois). Mr. Bagrazyan is currently a doctoral student in piano performance at Michigan State University.

BECOME A SPONSOR OF MUSICAL ARMENIA

As noted above, throughout Musical Armenia’s 35-year history the price of admission has been kept low thanks to the support of dedicated sponsors. As a sponsor you can make a key contribution to the development of talented musicians as they strive for success in their various musical fields. All donations are acknowledged in the concert booklet. The categories of sponsorship are: Diamond $1,000; Platinum $500; Gold $300; Silver $200. Diamond, Platinum, and gold sponsors will receive two complimentary tickets.

For more information and to become a sponsor of Musical Armenia 35 contact the Armenian Prelacy at (212) 689-7810.

For tickets or information contact: Carnegie Hall (212-247-7800) or Prelacy office (212-689-7810).

THE SIAMANTO SERIES IS BACK

The Siamanto Academy continues its monthly activities this year. As a reflection of the monthly sessions, the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC) last year started producing a series of educational videos featuring the subjects treated in the lessons. The first installment of the new series for this year has just been released. The series consists of bilingual PowerPoints about various subjects of Armenian history, culture, and current issues, with the explanation in Armenian. 

Click here to view the Siamanto Series.

Death of Zabelle Boyajian (January 26, 1957)

Alice Stone Blackwell in the United States and Zabelle Boyajian in England played a central role in the promotion in Armenian literature at the turn of the twentieth century.

Boyajian was born in 1873 in Diarbekir. Her father Thomas was a former Evangelical pastor who had become the British vice-consul in the city. After the death of his first wife, he had remarried to Catherine Rogers, an Englishwoman who was a descendant of poet Samuel Rogers (1763-1855). Her parents homeschooled her and taught her history, geography, and several languages (Armenian, English, French, Turkish, German, and Russian). They also instilled in her the love for Armenian and English literature.

During the Hamidian massacres of 1895, Thomas Boyajian was killed by the Turkish mob in Kharpert, where he was spending the summer with his family. His wife, together with their children Zabelle and Henry, relocated to London. Zabelle would spend the rest of her life in the British capital. She enrolled at the Slade School of Fine Art in University Central London (UCL). In 1901 she published her first work of fiction, the novel Yestere: The Romance of a Life, under the pen name Varteni, to avoid endangering the life of her relatives still living in Constantinople. It was based on the events following the massacres of Sasoun in 1894. The novel was very successful and it was immediately published in German. An Armenian translation remained unpublished, however.

Zabelle would actively devote herself to writing and painting. She wrote important essays on figures of world literature like William Shakespeare, Lord Byron, and Euripides, but also published essays and many translations of Armenian literature.

She was close to Anna Raffi, widow of the famous Armenian novelist, and her sons Aram (1876-1919) and Arshak. In 1916 she compiled and translated the anthology Armenian Legends and Poems, which had an introduction by Viscount James Bryce and an essay on Armenian literature by Aram Raffi. The anthology was illustrated by her works inspired by Armenian legends.

In the same year, she participated in one of the many commemorative festivals taking place on April 23, 1916, on the occasion of the 300 ^th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. She recited her personal ode to the Bard, entitled “Armenia’s Love to Shakespeare.” Her poetic tribute was selected, along with 165 others, to be published in A Book of Homage to Shakespeare.

As a painter, Boyajian had individual exhibitions in London in 1910 and 1912, in Germany in 1920, in Egypt in 1928, in France, in Italy, and in Belgium between 1940 and 1950. In 1921 a revised edition of the Armenian translation of Hamlet, by Hovhannes Masehian, was printed in Vienna, illustrated by her.

She published her most important work, Gilgamesh: A Dream of the Eternal Quest, a dramatic rendering in poetic form of the tale of the mythical Sumerian hero Gilgamesh, in 1924. She traveled widely and in 1938 published her travel notes and illustrations of Greece, In Greece with Pen and Palette . This was followed by a play, Etchmiadzin, in 1943, which was performed in New York in 1946. Two years later, she published her translation of Avetik Isahakian’s epic poem Abu Lala Mahari.

Zabel Boyajian passed away on January 26, 1957. Her Armenian Legends and Poems, which had been out of print since its first publication, was reprinted in 1958 in London and New York. 

THE ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER

Prepared by the Armenian National Education Committee

Republic: The State of and for All

If we understand democracy, as defined by Aristotle, as the direct government of the people, then, indeed, the United States is a republic and not a democracy. Of course, no one with a basic knowledge of words and political science would say that America is or should be a democracy in that sense of the word. Democracy is essentially understood as the system where the government derives its power from the people, which freely elect its representatives, and that system constitutes a republic. Therefore, the United States is a democratic republic, unlike other republics, where the government may have originally derived its power from the people, but the latter no longer elects its representatives in a free way.

The word “republic” comes, indeed, from the French république, which derived from Latin respublica. This is a compound word, where res means “entity” and publica, “belonging to the people.” However, the Armenian word for “republic,” հանրապետութիւն ( hanrabedootioon ), is not a literal translation, since it has a different meaning in its two components. The first word, hanr, is a contraction of հանուր ( hanoor ), which means “all” and has generated words like հանրութիւն (hanrootioon ) “public” (noun) and հանրային ( hanrayin) “public” (adjective). The second word is պետութիւն ( bedootioon ), which literally means “chiefdom” ( պետ /bed “chief” + the suffix ութիւն /ootioon), and has come to mean “state” (in the sense of nation in one territory) in modern use. Thus, the word hanrabedootioon means “the state of/for all.”

The use of hanrabedootioon was consecrated in the Armenian language after the birth of the Republic of Armenia in 1918. It is interesting, however, that its use in Armenia had a hiatus during Soviet times. As part of the process of Russification of the language that was pursued under Stalin, a decree of 1940 imposed the use of ռեսպուբլիկա ( respublica, a direct loan from Russian) instead of hanrabedootioon , together with other foreign words. Therefore, Soviet Armenia was called Հայկական Ռեսպուբլիկա ( Haygagan Respublica ) until 1966, when another decree restored most of the words that had been legally eliminated in 1940 and Soviet Armenia became again Հայկական Հանրապետութիւն (Haygagan Hanrabedootioon ). After the declaration of independence released in August 1990, the name Հայաստանի Հանրապետութիւն ( Hayastani Hanrabedootioon ) was officially restored.

The use and misuse of words indicate the difference that may exist between an actual democracy (where people supply the power of the government) and a democracy in name only, where words do not matter and anyone who does not toe the line of the government may be declared—as the experience of the Soviet Union in the 1930s showed—an “enemy of the people” and claimed to deserve punishment or death on behalf of that same people.  

THIS WEEK’S REFLECTION

Click below to watch this week's Prelacy Reflection by Der Antranig Baljian of St. Stephen Armenia Apostolic Church of Watertown, MA.

SIAMANTO ACADEMY— Meets every second Saturday of the month at the Hovnanian School, 817 River Road, New Milford, New Jersey. For information: anec@armenianprelacy.org or 212-689-7810.

January 28 —10 ^th Anniversary of Ordination of Fr. Stephan Baljian and 48 ^th Anniversary of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts. Under the auspices of Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate; Episcopal Divine Liturgy followed by banquet and commemorate program in Jaffarian Hall. For tickets contact Sossy Jeknavorian (978-256-2538). Adults $45; students $10.

January 28 —Name Day Celebration, St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan. Blessing of Madagh and special requiem service for all deceased members who served church.

February 4 —Armenian Relief Society, NJ Shakeh Chapter presents Kev Orkian, British-Armenian musician, comedian, and actor from London, 4 to 7 pm at Mahwah High School, 50 Ridge Road, Mahwah, New Jersey. Tickets: $50, $40, and $30. For information and tickets: Maggie Kouyoumdjian, 845-598-3284, maggie11370@yahoo.com ; Maral Kaprielian, 201-289-6486, kaprielianmaral@gmail.com .

February 5-7 —Eastern Prelacy’s Annual Ghevontiantz Clergy Gathering hosted by Holy Trinity Church, Worcester, Massachusetts. This year’s theme is “Freedom,” in accordance with the encyclical issued by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia.

February 8 —Sts. Vartanank commemoration services by the four Armenian churches of Metro Detroit will take place at St. Vartan Catholic Church, 7 pm.

February 11 —Sts. Vartanantz Day Badarak and Celebration at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Providence, Rhode Island. Archbishop Oshagan will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and deliver the sermon. His Eminence will ordain two acolytes during the Liturgy. Dinner and program hosted by Ladies Guild and Men’s Club will follow. Deacons of the parish will be honored for their faithful service and the Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island will be honored for its advocacy for freedom in Armenia and Artsakh. Advance reservations recommended; contact Liz Kopoian at 401-353-2213. General admission $20; children under 12, $10.

February 14 —Lenten Sunrise ( Arevakal ) one-hour service followed by fellowship hour, Every Wednesday thru March 21 at 10:30 am, St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan.

February 15 —Lenten Peace & Comnpline one-hour service followed by lecture every Friday evening at 7 pm through March 23, St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan.

February 18 —Ways to Wellness: A Panel Discussion on Mental Health, 1:30 pm, St. Sarkis Church, 38-65 234 ^th Street, Douglaston, New York. For more information contact Anahid at anahide@aol.com.

March 7 —Ladies Guild Michink luncheon following Lenten church service, 11:45 am, St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan.

March 10 —Documentary film by Near East Foundation sponsored by the four Metro Detroit Armenian Churches. Details to follow.

March 11 —Annual General Membership meeting of St. Gregory Church of Merrimack Valley, North Andover, Massachusetts; Sunday of the Judge, 12:30 pm in Jaffarian Hall; light luncheon will be served.

March 17 —“Sirusho in Concert” presented by Hamazkayin NJ and ARS Agnouni Chapter, dedicated to the 100 ^th anniversary of the Armenian Republic and the 90 ^th anniversary of Hamazkayin. With participation of Nayiri Dance Ensemble. Felician University, Breslin Theater, 262 South Main Street, Lodi, New Jersey, 7:30 pm. Tickets: $85, $65, $45. Purchase online here or email sirushonj@gmail.com .

March 18 —35 ^th Musical Armenia Concert presented by Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church and Prelacy Ladies Guild. Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, 57 ^th Street at 7 ^th Avenue, Sunday, March 18 at 2 pm.

March 25 —Ladies Guild Palm Sunday buffet luncheon at 1 pm after church services followed by special activities for children, St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan.

April 22 —Remembering the Armenian Genocide, Annual Gathering at Times Square, 2 pm, 43 ^rd Street and Broadway, New York City. Free bus transportation to and from Times Square. Sponsored by the Knights and Daughters of Vartan; co-sponsored by Armenian General Benevolent Union, Armenian Assembly of America, Armenian National Committee of America, ADL-Ramagavars, Armenian National Council, and with the participation of community-wide churches and organizations. Contacts: New York , Sam Melkonian 516-352-2587; Brooklyn , Tigran Sahakyan 347-291-7765; New Jersey , Leo Manuelian 917-418-3940 or 201-746-0409.

May 9-12 —Eastern Prelacy’s National Representative Assembly, hosted by St. Gregory Church, North Andover, Massachusetts. The one-day clergy conference will take place on Wednesday, May 9. The full Assembly will convene on Thursday, May 10, at 11 am and will conclude on Saturday, May 12, at noon.

October 20 —Armenian Friends America, Inc., Sixth Annual HYE KEF 5, featuring world famous Onnik Dinkjian and the All Stars. Double Tree Hotel, Andover, Massachusetts. Details to follow. www.ArmenianFriendsofAmerica.org .

The Armenian Prelacy 

Tel: 212-689-7810 ♦ Fax: 212-689-7168 ♦ Email: email@armenianprelacy.org

Visit the Catholicosate webpage at  http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/en/