Today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Sahag Bartev and Mesrob Mashdotz, 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 in October. The visionary leadership of these two men who recognized the necessity of an Armenian alphabet changed the course of Armenian history. The two saints, Sahag and Mesrob, are forever linked in the minds and hearts of the Armenian people.

The 50th anniversary of the ordination of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan will take place on Sunday, October 29, under the auspices and presence of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia.

The celebratory day will begin with a special Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator Cathedral, 221 East 27th Street, New York City, beginning at 10 am. A reception and dinner will follow at The New York Palace, 455 Madison Avenue, New York City.

Yesterday evening the first joint meeting of the Steering and Banquet Committees took place at the Prelacy offices, under the chairmanship of His Grace Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General,
 to plan a worthy and proper celebration of the fifty years of distinguished service rendered by His Eminence to the Armenian Church and Nation. During the coming weeks we will share the exciting details. For now, please reserve the new date: Sunday, October 29.

Bible readings for Sunday, July 9, 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.


What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law. Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written , “See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Romans 9:30-10:4)

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.’” (Matthew 12:38-45)

This Saturday (July 8) the Armenian Church remembers King Drtad, Queen Ashkhen, and Princess Khosrovitoukht. After torturing and condemning St. Gregory to the pit, and his cruel and fatal treatment of the Hripsimiantz nuns, King Drtad became inflicted with strange 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.
   

Also celebrated this week:
Tuesday, July 11, St.  Zechariah the Prophet.
Thursday, July 13, St. Elisha the Prophet.

The Prelacy’s 31st annual Saint Gregory of Datev Summer Institute is currently in session at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania. Datev offers a unique Christian educational program for youth ages 13 to 18, to enrich their knowledge of the Christian faith in a wholesome and nurturing environment, coupled with recreational activities and daily worship and prayer services.

Archbishop Oshagan will travel to Elverson tomorrow to spend a day with the Datev participants. The week-long program will end on Sunday with the Divine Liturgy at St. Gregory Church in Philadelphia, followed by a luncheon.

Archbishop Oshagan presided and Bishop Anoushavan delivered the sermon at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey, last Sunday, July 2. Following the Divine Liturgy Archbishop Oshagan presided over the 40th day requiem service for Mrs. Knar Apkarian, principal of the parish’s Nareg Armenian School. A memorial meal organized by the Nareg School was offered after the service in memory of Mrs. Apkarian.  

Among the scholars of Armenian Studies at the turn of the twentieth century, Frederic Macler was one of the most prolific and accomplished. Well-versed in the Armenian language—as it was expected from any Armenologist—he left an important legacy both as a teacher and an author.

Macler was born on May 16, 1869, in Montdoré (department of Haute-Saône, France). He studied at the École des Langues Orientales (now renamed Institut Nationale des Langues et Civilisations Orientales), where he learned Armenian, Syriac, and Hebrew with Auguste Carrière, head of the Armenian chair from 1881-1902. He published his first article on Armenian Studies in 1888, and counted around a hundred articles on Armenian history, language, architecture, music, and miniatures for the next half century. In 1896 he translated a Coptic text of the Apocalypse of Daniel, and published a volume of Syriac tales in 1903. Afterwards, he would produce a steady flow of books on Armenian issues in French, including the translation of Mekhitar Gosh’s fables (1902), Sebeos’ History in two volumes (1904-1905), a catalogue of Armenian and Georgian manuscripts at the National Library of France (1908), and a volume of Armenian stories (1911).

Macler visited Western and Eastern Armenia from July-October 1909, and wrote a book with his impressions. He became head of the Armenian chair at his alma mater, the École des Langues Orientales, in 1911, and would hold this position until his retirement in 1937. He exposed the situation of the Armenians during the years of the genocide, and condemned the Turkish policy of extermination. He published three books altogether in 1917: Around Armenia, France and Armenia through Art and History, and the second part of the Universal History of Asoghik, which constituted his complementary dissertation to obtain the title of doctor in Literature.

In 1919 Macler became co-founder of the Société des etudes arméniennes (Society of Armenian Studies), together with other distinguished scholars and pro-Armenian figures, such as Victor Bérard, Charles Diehl, André-Ferdinand Hérold, H. Lacroix, Antoine Meillet (his predecessor at the Armenian chair), Gabriel Millet, and Gustave Schlumberger. A year later, he founded the Revue des études arméniennes, the premier journal of Armenian Studies, which he would direct, along with Meillet, until its demise in 1933. (The journal resumed publication in 1964, and continues to this day.) Meantime, he published other books, including The Armenian Nation, Its Past and Its Disgraces (1928), and Tales, Legends, and Popular Epic of Armenia (1928). He also published a reader of Modern Armenian (1932).

The Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America is seeking applicants for the position of Assistant Communications Director that will lead to the position of Communications Director.

The successful applicant will work with the Director of Communications and Publications to assist with all aspects of public relations and communications. Applicant must be able to manage multiple deadlines, be attentive to details, and respect and understand the religious culture and history of the Armenian people.

Duties include assisting the Director of Communications in, but not limited to, the following:

• Write and/or edit press releases.

• Write and/or edit articles for semi-annual magazine.

• Help produce text for weekly electronic newsletter.

• Work with Communications Officer on internet based programs, including web page and social media.

• Edit and prepare projects (books, booklets, brochures) for printing.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications or related field or Liberal Arts.

• Minimum 3-5 years experience.

• Strong writing skills.

• Skill with social media channels and other communications mediums to showcase Prelacy projects and programs.

• Knowledge of Armenian language and Armenian Church is a plus.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Please send a cover letter and CV to:

    Dr. Vazken Ghougassian, Executive Director

    Vazken@armenianprelacy.org

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 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 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.

December 5-8—World General Assembly of the Great House of Cilicia, at the Catholicosate in Antelias, Lebanon.