September 14, 2017

IN MEMORIAM Archpriest Father Nareg Shrikian (1926-2017)

The Prelate and the Religious and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy received with sorrow the news of the passing of Archpriest Fr. Nareg Shrikian on Tuesday, September 12. Father Nareg was born in 1926 in Musa Dagh, Syria, son of the late Archpriest Fr. Movses and Yeretzgin Nectar Shrikian. Father Nareg was accepted into the Seminary of the Holy See of Cilicia in Lebanon and was ordained to the priesthood in 1955. His early pastoral mission was in Anjar, Lebanon, where he was instrumental in the construction of St. Boghos Church, and served as parish priest. In 1963 he relocated to the United States, where he served the Prelacy as pastor of St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in San Francisco, Holy Martyrs Church in Encino, St. Garabed Church in Hollywood, Armenian Apostolic Church of Orange County, Holy Cross Cathedral in Montebello, and St. Mary’s Church in Glendale.   Along with his pastoral duties, Rev. Fr. Nareg was an educator and generous benefactor, especially for the Seminary and Armenian educational institutions.   Extreme Unction will take place during the funeral mass on Monday, September 18, at 11 am, at St. Mary’s Church in Glendale, followed by interment at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.   The Prelate, Clergy, Councils, and faithful of the Eastern Prelacy express condolences to his surviving children and their families.   Asdvatz Hokeen Lousavoreh . May God illuminate his soul.

83 rd ANNIVERSARY OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH

Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy, deliver the Sermon, and preside over the banquet celebrating the 83 rd anniversary of Holy Trinity Church this Sunday, September 17.

PRAYER SERVICE AND CONCERT

A Prayer Service and Concert celebrating the 26 th anniversary of the independence of Armenia will take place on Thursday, September 21, at St. Vartan Cathedral, 630 Second Avenue, New York City, beginning at 7 p.m., hosted by Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. His Excellency Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, will attend as an honored guest. The celebration is with the participation of the Diocese and the Prelacy and 18 Armenian organizations.

PRAYER SERVICE FOR UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor of the St. Illuminator's Cathedral represented Archbishop Oshagan at the Prayer Service on the occasion of the opening of the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. The service took place at the Church of the Holy Family on Monday, September 11. The Reverend Gerald E. Murray, Pastor of the Church of the Holy Family, welcomed the guests. Remarks were offered by The Most Reverend John O. Barres, Bishop of Rockville Center; His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; His Excellency Mr. Miroslav Lajcak, President of the 72nd session of the General Assembly; and His Excellency Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations. The service consisted of prayers, readings, and hymns. Many of the prayers called for an end of violence and war, especially for peace in the Middle East and prayers for refugees and migrants. During the reception, on behalf of the Eastern Prelacy, Rev. Lakissian congratulated His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations who took office on January 1, 2017.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian with His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. Father Mesrob represented Archbishop Oshagan at the Prayer Service for the UN.

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian with His Eminence Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations.

COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE

In anticipation of the 50 th anniversary of the ordination of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, that will officially be celebrated on Sunday, October 29, a group of young adults have organized “Cocktails for a Cause,” to benefit the Karen Jeppe Armenian College in Aleppo. The event will take place at StudioArte, 265 W. 37 th Street, New York City. His Eminence taught literature and religion for a number of years at the Karen Jeppe College and is pleased that proceeds from this event will help the college recover and resume its educational leadership role in the area.

Click Here or the Flyer to view Event Details and Purchase tickets! 

50 TH ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

The Religious and Executive Councils of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, invite you to attend a Jubilee Celebration in honor of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate, on the occasion of the 50 th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.   His Eminence will celebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 29, 10 am, at St. Illuminator Cathedral, 221 East 27 th Street, New York City, presided by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia.   Following the Liturgy a reception and dinner will take place at The Lotte New York Palace, 455 Madison Avenue, New York City. 

SIAMANTO ACADEMY WILL START ON SEPTEMBER 23

The 2017-2018 term of the Prelacy’s Siamanto Academy is scheduled to start on Saturday, September 23. Except for September and October, classes will take place every second Saturday of the month at the Hovnanian School in New Milford, New Jersey, from 10 am – 1 pm. The Academy, under the direction of the Armenian National Education Committee, presents classes on Armenian history, culture, and current issues. For information: ANEC@armenianprelacy.org or 212-689-7231.

BIBLE READINGS

Bible readings for Sunday, September 17, Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, are: Isaiah 49:13-23; Galatians 6:14-18; John 3:13-21.  “No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.   “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.   “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” (John 3:13-21)   ***   May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.   From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body.   May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen. (Galatians 6:14-18) For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here .

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

This Sunday, September 17, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross ( Khachverats ), which is the last of the five Tabernacle Feasts observed by the Armenian Church during the liturgical year. The Exaltation celebrates the transformation of the cross as an instrument of punishment into a venerated symbol of life and victory. A sacred religious symbol that was now exalted and glorified.   This holy day is commemorated by most Christian churches on September 14. The Armenian Church celebrates it on the Sunday closest to the 14 th . It is the oldest of the feasts devoted to the cross. The cross, once a means of death for criminals, became the dominant symbol of the Christian world, an object of reverence and worship, and symbol of triumph over death. Christ’s apostle James, Patriarch of Jerusalem, elevated the Holy Cross during a religious ceremony chanting the hymn, “ Khachee oh Krisdos Yergeer Bakanemk ,” (To Your Cross We Bow),” thus accepting the cross as a symbol of salvation and an object of utmost veneration. James was later martyred in Jerusalem, and upon his grave stands the expansive Armenian monastery of St. James in Jerusalem.   There are four feasts devoted to the cross in the Armenian liturgical calendar, with the Exaltation being the most important. The other three are: Apparition of the Holy Cross; Holy Cross of Varak; and Discovery of the Cross. Each of these four holidays devoted to the Holy Cross are related to the life and the salvific work of our Lord.   The ceremony for the Exaltation begins with the decoration of the Cross with sweet basil ( rehan ), a sign of royalty, and also as a symbol of the living cross that is carried around the church in a procession led by the priest, and followed by deacons and altar servers. After the Bible readings, the officiating priest lifts the Cross and makes the sign of the Cross, and blesses the four corners of the world ( Andastan service), asking God’s blessing and bounty for the prosperity of the Armenian Church and for the fruitfulness of the land, and all the holy places and inhabitants thereof.   The Khachveratz ceremony was prepared by Catholicos Sahag Dzoraporetsi (677-703). He also composed the hymn that is sung on this day. As with other Tabernacle Feasts, the Exaltation is preceded with a period of fasting (Monday to Friday), and followed by a memorial day ( Merelotz ).  The Eve of this Feast is also celebrated ( Navagadik ). Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, following memorial day, are feast days dedicated to the Holy Church.   Name day commemorations this Sunday include: Khatchadour, Khatchig, Khatcherets. Rehan, Khatchkhatoun, Khachouhi, Khatchperouhi, Khosrov, Khosrovanoush, Khrosrovitoukhd, and Nshan.

MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY

The day after the five Tabernacle Feasts is a Memorial Day in the Armenian Liturgical Calendar. Traditionally the Divine Liturgy is celebrated on this day and the faithful go to the cemeteries where graves are blessed to honor the memory of their departed loved ones. Remembering the dead is an important ritual for the living. In a sense it is an act of faith and love, not meant necessarily to achieve understanding or bring healing. It is simply to remember, as we did on Monday with the remembrances of September 11, 2001.

ANCA AND CATHEDRAL HOST REPRESENTATIVE GABBARD

Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian presents a memento gift to Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. From left, Audrey Mardoian, Dr. Artur Maritrosyan, Representative Gabbard and Der Mesrob.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) advocates and Armenian-American community leaders from the New York metropolitan area gathered at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral for a meet-and-greet event with Representative. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), ahead of her upcoming Congressional trip to Armenia. Rep. Gabbard—a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee—has challenged the status quo of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and has shown great interest about Armenian American policy priorities. The New York gathering follows an earlier meeting held in Los Angeles organized by ANCA Western Region. In August, Rep. Gabbard co-sponsored H.Res.220, which among other matters, calls for the “proper commemoration and consistent condemnation of the Armenian Genocide,” and has joined the Congressional Armenian Caucus. “Considering Congresswoman Gabbard’s principled approach to human rights and foreign policy issues, coupled with her deep knowledge about the Middle East, it is no surprise to Armenian Americans that she stands on the right side of history and raises her voice on issues important to our community,” noted ANCA Eastern Region’s (ANCA-ER) Community Outreach and Communications Director Dr. Artur Martirosyan. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s  Cathedral, offered opening remarks and a prayer in the memory of all the innocent victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In her remarks and subsequent Q&A session, Representative Gabbard touched upon the current state and future prospects of U.S.-Armenia strategic partnership, the ongoing security challenges in Armenia and Artsakh, Turkish government’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, as well as the Turkish blockade against Armenia. She shared news of her upcoming Congressional delegation trip that she sees as an opportunity to learn more about Armenia, its history, culture, current regional geopolitical challenges, etc. Representative Gabbard also shared her work in fighting for the protection of Christians, Yezidis, and other minorities in the Middle East as well as the international re-affirmation and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide.

ST. GREGORY CHURCH ANNUAL PICNIC

Some of the members of the St. Gregory Ladies’ Guild prepare for the picnic that took place last Sunday, September 10.

Cooking delicious meals on the grill.

By special permission from Archbishop Oshagan, the Great Procession (Exaltation) of the Holy Cross was performed on the church grounds one week early. The procession was led by the parish priest Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian with the participation of deacons, acolytes, members of the Board of Trustees, and a group of pilgrims that followed along in devotion.

PLEASE REMEMBER 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: Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Memo: Syrian Armenian Relief) Thank you for your help.

NEWS FROM THE CATHOLICOSATE

HIS HOLINESS IN GENEVA His Holiness Aram I met with the deputy foreign minister and director of MENA department at the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart in Geneva last week. Also present at the meeting were Mr. Antoine Lahham, assistant to Steffan de Mistura, Professor Teni Perri-Simonian, president of the Swiss Armenian Foundation ARMENOFAS, and Very Rev. Fr. Bedros Manuelian, director of information and communications at the Catholicosate of the Holy See of Cilicia. During the meeting, His Holiness described the current situation of the Middle East, emphasizing the challenges faced by the Christian communities. He also spoke about the recovery, rehabilitation, and rebuilding process embarked by the Armenian community in Syria. Mr. Bruelhart, in analyzing the situation in Syria, presented his view regarding the peace-building process in the region. HIS HOLINESS MEETS WITH SPECIAL ENVOY While in Geneva, His Holiness Aram I met with the United Nations special envoy for Syria, Steffan de Mistura. Also present at the meeting were Professor Teni Perri-Simonian and V. Rev. Fr. Bedros Manuelian. The meeting participants discussed and assessed the current situation in Syria and noted that the liberation of Deir Zor had an important significance for Armenians, as it symbolizes the Armenian Genocide that was planned and executed by Turkey. Discussing the rehabilitation and rebuilding process of the Syrian Armenian community, His Holiness stated that the community has already embarked on the process of identifying its priorities for community building.   VISIT TO ECUMENICAL INSTITUTE OF BOSSEY During his visit to Geneva last week, His Holiness Aram I paid a visit to the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey and met with the director of the institute, Dr. Ioan Sauca, who briefed His Holiness about the new programs and projects of the Institute and discussed the possibility of welcoming new students from the Armenian Orthodox Church of the Holy See of Cilicia. The Ecumenical Institute, which is part of the World Council of Churches (WCC), brings together people from different churches for ecumenical learning and academic study. As moderator of the WCC, His Holiness has played an instrumental role in reorganizing the Institute that closely collaborates with Geneva University.   NEW ECUMENICAL APPOINTMENTS Ecumenism remains a vital dimension of the life and mission of the Armenian Church. His Holiness Aram I, not only has assumed an important place in the ecumenical leadership, he continues to promote ecumenical values and commitment. He firmly believes that the ecumenical movement is no more an option, but a basic necessity in the world today. Catholicos Aram encourages the participation of both clergy and laity, particularly the youth and women in the ecumenical witness.   Recently His Holiness announced the following appointments: V. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkijian and Professor Teny Simonian appointed members of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches. V. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkijian joins Bishop Magar Ashkarian as a member of the Oriental Orthodox-Catholic Theological Dialogue. V. Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian and V. Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, appointed members of the Oriental Orthodox-Anglicanl dialogue. V. Rev. Fr. Keghart Kusbekian appointed a member of Theology Study Group Community (Pilgrimage for Justice and Peace) of the WCC. Bishop Magar Ashkarian appointed a member of the committee of collaboration between the Orthodox churches and the United Bible Societies. V. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian appointed a member of the Executive Committee of the Fellowship of Churches in the Gulf.   APPOINTMENT BY WCC Mrs. Carla Khijoyan was recently appointed as the Program Executive for the Middle East at the World Council of Churches. Her main responsibilities will be to ensure ecumenical and interfaith relations in the Middle East, planning, monitoring, and coordinating the work of the WCC in the region, as well as responding to the emerging challenges through ecumenical initiatives.   Mrs. Khijoyan has been the chairperson of the Armenian Church University Students Association (ACUSA) as well as an executive committee member of the World Student Christian Federation representing the Middle East region. She has served on the Lebanese Ecumenical Committee and the Middle East Ecumenical Committee for several years. She has represented the Catholicosate of Cilicia in several youth relate ecumenical regional and global meetings. During the past eight years, she was the coordinator of the youth programs of the WCC. Mrs. Khijoyan was a teacher of French literature at M&H Arslanian College in Lebanon. She holds a Masters in Literature and Humanities and is fluent in Arabic, French, and English. Mrs. Khijoyan met with His Holiness Aram I last week during his visit to Geneva and received his blessings on her new appointment.

Birth of Marco Polo (September 15, 1254) Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant and traveler, was most famous for his travel through Asia in the thirteenth century, including his description of the mysterious and impenetrable China. He first visited Cilicia and Greater Armenia, about which he left some very interesting pages. His date of birth and place are disputed, but conventionally it is considered that Polo was born in Venice on September 15, 1254. His father and brother were merchants who traded with the Near East and acquired great prestige and wealth. In 1260 they foresaw a forthcoming political change and timely left Constantinople, capital of the short-lived Latin Empire, established by the Fourth Crusade in 1204. A year later, Michael VIII Paleologos, occupied the city and re-established the Eastern Roman Empire, with the Venetian quarter burned and captured Venetian citizens blinded in revenge. Marco spent part of his childhood in Venice, where he was raised by an aunt and uncle, since his mother had passed away early, and receive a good education. In 1269 his father and uncle returned from a travel to China and set off back in Asia with young Marco Polo, then seventeen, in 1271. The story of their travels and deeds would be documented in his Livres des merveilles du monde ( Book of the Marvels of the World, also known as The Travels of Marco Polo ) three decades later. They returned to Venice in 1295, after having traveled almost 15,000 mile and gathered many riches.  Polo armed a galley to participate in the ongoing war of the republics of Venice and Genoa. He was captured in a naval skirmish in 1296, and spent several months of his imprisonment dictating a detailed account of his travels to a fellow inmate. Rustichello da Pisa, a professional writer, incorporated tales of his own and other collected stories. The book depicted the three Polo travelers’ journeys throughout Asia, with a first European comprehensive look into the Far East, including China (Cathay) and Japan (Cipango). Marco Polo was released from captivity in 1299 and returned to Venice. The Polo family company continued its activities, and Marco became a wealthy merchant. His father died in the meantime, and he married the daughter of a fellow merchant. They had three daughters. The famous traveler passed away on January 8 or 9, 1324, after a long illness. He was buried in the Venetian convent of San Lorenzo. His work would be widely read and translated in the following centuries. It would inspire Christopher Colombus in his quest for going to Asia by the west. In their travel to the east, the Polos sailed from Venice to Acre, in Palestine, and then rode on camels to the Persian port of Hormuz, in the Persian Gulf. In 1293, on their way of return, they would sail from China to Hormuz, and then go overland to Trebizonda, on the Black Sea. They crossed Armenia and Cilicia on their way both times. In one passage of his book, Polo referred to Cilicia as “Lesser Hermenia” (Armenia Minor), and to its famous port of “Layas” (Ayas), which was frequented by Venetians, Genoese, and other merchants, as a crossroads of international trade: “There are two Hermenias, the Greater and the Less. The Lesser Hermenia is governed by a certain King, who maintains a just rule in his dominions, but is himself subject to the Tartar. The country contains numerous towns and villages, and has everything in plenty; moreover, it is a great country for sport in the chase of all manner of beasts and birds. It is, however, by no means a healthy region, but grievously the reverse. In days of old the nobles there were valiant men, and did doughty deeds of arms; but nowadays they are poor creatures, and good at nought, unless it be at boozing; they are great at that. Howbeit, they have a city upon the sea, which is called LAYAS, at which there is a great trade. For you must know that all the spicery, and the cloths of silk and gold, and the other valuable wares that come from the interior, are brought to that city. And the merchants of Venice and Genoa, and other countries, come thither to sell their goods, and to buy what they lack. And whatsoever persons would travel to the interior (of the East), merchants or others, they take their way by this city of Layas.” In another passage, he referred to Greater Armenia, then under Mongol domination: “This is a great country. It begins at a city called Arzinga [Erzinga], at which they weave the best buckrams in the world. It possesses also the best baths from natural springs that are anywhere to be found. The people of the country are Armenians. There are many towns and villages in the country, but the noblest of their cities is Arzinga, which is the See of an Archbishop, and then Arziron [Erzerum] and Arzizi [Arjesh]. The country is indeed a passing great one… At a castle called Paipurth [Papert], that you pass in going from Trebizond to Tauris [Tabriz], there is a very good silver mine. “And you must know that it is in this country of Armenia that the Ark of Noah exists on the top of a certain great mountain on the summit of which snow is so constant that no one can ascend; for the snow never melts, and is constantly added to by new falls. Below, however, the snow does melt, and runs down, producing such rich and abundant herbage that in summer cattle are sent to pasture from a long way round about, and it never fails them. The melting snow also causes a great amount of mud on the mountain.”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SIAMANTO ACADEMY— New term begins Saturday, September 23. 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. September 14 —Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 15th Annual Golf Classic. September 17 —Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, opening of Sunday School. September 17 —FANTASIA, New Musical Presentation by the Areni Choir, under the direction of Armine Vardanyan. Queens Theatre in the Park, 14 United Nations Avenue South, Flushing Meadows, Corona Park, Corona, New York. Donation: $55, $45. Also featuring Yeghishe Manucharyan, tenor; Narine Ojakhyan, soprano; Victoria Avetisyan, mezzo soprano; Sargis Nersisyan, trumpet. The Areni Choir of New York is a sponsor of the Armenian Wounded Heroes Fund. September 21 —Prayer Service and Concert celebrating 26 years of independent Armenia, St. Vartan Cathedral, 630 Second Avenue, New York City, at 7 pm. Hosted by Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Armenia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Reception will follow in Haik and Alice Kavookjian Auditorium. Honored guest: His Excellency Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. The celebration is with the participation of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, and 18 Armenian organizations. September 23 —Celebratory Concert dedicated to the 26 th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia. Shnorhali Chorus and Hamazkayin Arekag Chorus with special guest appearance by SIBIL, At Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey, 7:30 pm. Sponsored by ARF Dro Gomideh, AYF Arsen Chapter; ARS Agnouni, Bergen County, Shake, and Spitak chapters of New Jersey, and Hamazkayin and Homenetmen of New Jersey. Admission: $35 and $45. Proceeds will benefit Sts. Vartanantz Church. For tickets: arfdro@gmail.com or 201-470-4780. October 2-6 —Clergy Conference for Eastern, Western, and Canadian Prelacies will take place in Montreal, hosted by the Prelacy of Canada. October 7 —Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey presents “The Battle of the Bands.” Dance all night with two bands featuring Onnig Dinkjian and Kevork Artinian. Mezza and Dessert tables. For information and reservations contact: Bea Movsesian 201-445-6867; Lynn Mahlebjian 201-739-6217; Silva Kouyoumdjian 201-779-6744. October 7-8 —50th Anniversary Weekend, St. Gregory the Illuminator Church, 8701 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Saturday evening: “Golden Evening Kef Celebration,” featuring the Vosbikian Band. Sunday, Golden Anniversary Banquet, following the Divine Liturgy.  October 14 —Armenian Friends of America, Inc., present “Hye Kef 5,” a five hour dance featuring Onnik Dinkjian with John Berberian (Oud); Mal Barsamian (Clarinet); Ara Dinkjian (keyboard); Ron Tutunjian (Dumbeg), at DoubleTree by Hilton, 123 Old River Road, Andover, Massachusetts. Tickets: $55 (before September 1); $65 (after September 1); $50 for students 21 and under. Continuous buffet 7:30 to 9:30 pm; coffee and dessert will follow. Advance tickets only. Proceeds will benefit five Armenian churches. For information: Sharke Der Apkarian 978-808-0598. October 19 —Rhode Island premiere of WOMEN OF 1915, a documentary film by Bared Maronian, presented by the Ani and Arax chapters of the Armenian Relief Society and Rhode Island Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society. Rhode Island College, Gaige Auditorium, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, Rhode Island, at 5:30 pm. This is the epic journey of women survivors of the Armenian Genocide and the odyssey of the relentless human rights advocates who empowered them. Admission: $20. Refreshments following screening. To reserve tickets, or be a sponsor, or more information contact: Pauline Getzoyan ( getzop@gmail.com ) 401-486-3776 or Taline Mkrtchjan ( haidoon@hotmail.com ) 401-481-4877. October 29—CHANGE OF DATE / SAVE THE DATE . Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ordination of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, under the auspices and presence of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, at 10 am. Followed by reception and dinner at The New York Palace, 455 Madison Avenue, New York City. November 3 & 4 —St. Stephen's Church (Watertown, MA) 61st Annual Church Bazaar will take place Friday-Saturday, November 3-4 at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (47 Nichols Ave, Watertown). Come by with family and friends for delicious chicken, beef, and losh kebab, kufteh and kheyma dinners, mouth watering pastries, and specialty gourmet items. We'll showcase our hand made arts and crafts, the treasure-finding White Elephant table. This is an annual event not to miss. Come reconnect with parishioners, friends and support the future of our Church. Visit our website for information on menus, pastry and gourmet items, and gift shoppe. items!  www.soorpstepanos.org   November 11 and 12 —Armenian Fest 2017, Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church, Providence, Rhode Island, Annual Food Festival at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston. Featuring chicken, losh and shish kebabs and kufta dinners. Armenian delicacies, dancing to live music, arts and crafts, flea market, gift baskets, children’s corner, country store, jewelry, hourly raffles. Armenian Dance Group will perform on Saturday and Sunday at 5 pm. Armenian food and pastry available all day. Saturday from noon to 9 pm; Sunday noon to 7 pm. Free admission and parking. Valet parking available. For information: www.armenianfestri.com/ or 401-831-6399. December 5-8 —World General Assembly of the Great House of Cilicia, at the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon.

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/