|
DATEV INSTITUTE COMPLETES 31ST ANNUAL PROGRAM
|
|
|
Archbishop Oshagan and Bishop Anoushaven, flanked by the 2017 Datev Institute participants and instructors.
|
|
|
Archbishop Oshagan traveled to Elverson, Pennsylvania last Friday where he spent the day with the students and faculty/staff of the Datev Institute.
|
|
|
The Eastern Prelacy’s St. Gregory of Datev Institute held its 31th annual Summer Program for youth ages 13-18 at St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from July 2-9, 2017, with the participation of 33 students.Sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the Institute graduated five students this year, students who have completed four weeklong programs, one week each year.
The Instructors of the Institute were: His Grace Bishop Anoushavan, Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, Rev. Fr. Antranig Baljian, Rev. Fr. Nerses Manoogian, Rev. Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Rev. Fr. Stephan Baljian, Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Dn. Vahan Kouyoumdjian, MD, Dn. James Haddad, Mrs. Maggie Kouyoumdjian, and Mrs. Annie Ovanessian.
|
|
|
2017 Institute graduates with Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar General, and Dn. Shant Kazanjian, Executive Director of AREC (L to R: Dn. Shant, Aleen Khederlarian, Lori Samuelian, Levon Tekeyan, Bishop Anoushavan, Sylvia Bayrakdarian, and Davit Isakhanian)
|
|
|
THE PROMISE DVD RELEASE SET FOR JULY 18
|
|
|
Survival Pictures will donate 100% of its proceeds from the home release sales of The Promise to organizations devoted to Armenian Genocide education initiatives in the United States. Digital downloads via iTunes and Amazon Prime are available now; the Blu-ray and DVD will be released on Tuesday, July 18. The following two unique links to Amazon and iTunes have been created specifically so that all sales and downloads can be tracked and proceeds redirected to the designated Armenian charities. Purchases made directly from Amazon or iTunes without use of the unique URLs noted below will not benefit Armenian Genocide education.
The two specials links are:
iTunes
Amazon
|
|
|
SUMMER CAMPS HERE AND THERE
|
|
|
Gathered together for team competitions.
|
|
|
For the eighth year, Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian, pastor of St. Stephen Church, New Britain, Connecticut, directed a summer camp in Armenia for the children enrolled in the Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship Program. The camp is organized with the help of the Prelacy’s Yerevan office, the St. Nerses the Great Charitable Fund. Each year more than 50 children enjoy a fun-filled week while learning about the teachings of Christianity and the history of the Armenian Church at the camp grounds in Dzaghatsor, Armenia. The children participate in outdoor activities each day and are taken on field trips to various sites. Those children who wish to are baptized by Der Aram with the consent of their guardians.
|
|
|
Enjoying mealtime with fellow campers.
|
|
|
Learning a new dance step.
|
|
|
SUMMER CAMP IN PROVIDENCE
|
|
|
Sts. Vartanantz Church in Providence, Rhode Island, has been filled with the joyous sounds of campers enjoying the third annual youth Summer Bible Camp this week. The theme for this week-long Bible camp is “Running the Race for Jesus.” Over 40 campers are enjoying wonderful fellowship as they make new friends and spend time with old friends. Twenty counselors are guiding the children in exploring the theme through a combination of Bible time, arts and crafts, music and singing, and various activities. Yesterday the campers and counselors visited the Green Animals Topiary and had a wonderful day of activities at Rhode Island’s beautiful Colt State Park in Bristol. The conclusion of the week’s activities will be a Hantes/Presentation tomorrow at 3 pm for family and friends to see what the children have learned and enjoyed during this special week.
|
|
|
SUMMER BIBLE CAMP IN DEARBORN
|
|
|
This year’s Vacation Bible Camp at St. Sarkis Church, Dearborn, Michigan, led by Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian, and organized by Haigan Tcholakian has concluded. Camp days were filled with lessons from the Bible and Armenian history, games and crafts, prayers and sharagans in church, and Armenian song and dance. Special thanks are expressed to the St. Sarkis Board of Trustees, Ladies Guild, ARS Sybille and Tsolig Chapters, Ani and David Attar, Simone and Daron Topouzian, and Yn. Tamar Kevorkian for sponsoring and providing delicious lunches for the participants.
|
|
|
SUMMER CAMP IN DOUGLASTON
|
|
|
The 12th season of St. Sarkis Church Camp reached a milestone having grown to over 100+ campers and thriving. This first week there were 90 enthusiastic campers, 12 dedicated CIT's, plus 16 seasoned staff members that occupied the main hall in Douglaston, New York.
Each day started with a healthy morning meal that energized the campers, followed by a hearty lunch at noon, and a tasty snack pre-dismissal. There was no shortage of fun all week. The campers painted masterpieces, climbed a massive rock wall, improvised during drama class, observed a delightful magic show, discovered live animals, played a variety of outdoor sports, and enjoyed a game truck with laser tag and video games. The more mature campers took a day trip to the AMF Sheridan Lanes for some bowling.
A special Armenian cultural program was created especially for the campers this year and as much as they enjoyed being active, they couldn't wait to establish a regular daily quiet time with God. Campers and staff participated in church time and learned more about their faith. Good questions were asked from inquisitive campers which made learning fun and created a greater attachment to their Armenian community. Additional highlights included cooking lessons and songs from our heritage, and there is more to come.
|
|
|
Bible readings for Sunday, July 16, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, (Eve of the Fast of Transfiguration), are: Isaiah 3:1-11; Romans 11:13-24; Matthew 14:13-21.
Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I glorify my ministry in order to make my own people jealous, and thus save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead! If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; and if the root is holy, then the branches also are holy.
But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place to share the rich root of the olive tree, do not boast over the branches. If you do boast, remember that it is not you that support the root, but the root that supports you. You will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in. That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, perhaps he will not spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness toward you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And even those of Israel, if they do not persist in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree. (Romans 11:13-24)
***
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but fives loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:13-21)
|
|
|
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings
Click Here.
|
|
|
Today (July 13), the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Elisha the Prophet, whose life and works are recorded in 1 and 2 Kings. Elisha (“God is Salvation”) was a disciple of the Prophet Elijah, who at God’s command anointed Elisha, a simple farmer, to be his successor much like Jesus later did in calling his disciples in Galilee. Elisha performs miracles, healing the sick and reviving the dead, a harbinger of the Gospel miracles. His message to his followers was that they should return to traditional religious practices and acknowledge God’s sovereignty over all aspects of life. When he healed the sick it was to demonstrate God’s power over life and death: when he helped in battle, it was to demonstrate God’s power over nations.
|
|
|
TWELVE APOSTLES OF CHRIST AND SAINT PAUL, THE THIRTEENTH APOSTLE
|
|
|
On Saturday, July 15, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Twelve Apostles of Christ and Saint Paul, who is considered the “thirteenth apostle.”
Jesus selected twelve apostles to carry on His work and instructed them to preach and to baptize converts all over the world (Mt. 28:19-20). He gave the title “apostle” to the twelve (Luke 6:13; Mark 3:14). The word apostle derives from the Greek word apostellein (arakyal in Armenian). The apostles dedicated their lives to spreading the Word and fulfilling the sacred mission entrusted to them. Their mission was not just to transmit the message but to put it into practice.
Paul was initially an enemy of Christians and persecuted them. He had a vision on the road to Damascus and became a fervent Christian convert and was subsequently responsible in large measure for the rapid spread of the new religion. Most of the New Testament (aside from the four Gospels) is from the writings of Paul.
The Armenian Church has its roots in the apostolic ministry and succession (Thaddeus and Bartholomew) and is therefore known as “apostolic,” (arakelagan). The apostles and immediate successors (including the Armenian Church) defended the Orthodox faith and kept it pure.
“You received your sight, you saw the unspeakable paradise and the third heaven, you contemplated the higher things, interpreter of profound mysteries, thirteenth holy Apostle Paul, father of all, intercede for us before the Lord.”
(From the Sharagan (hymn) of the Twelve Apostles)
|
|
|
PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF TRANSFIGURATION
|
|
|
This Sunday, the sixth Sunday after Pentecost, is the Paregentan of the Fast of the Transfiguration—the five-day (Monday to Friday) period of fasting prior to the Feast of the Transfiguration (
Aylagerboutyan
/
Vartavar
) that we will celebrate next Sunday, July 23.
|
|
|
Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian, Visiting Pastor of Holy Cross Church in Troy, New York, was presented with a pectoral cross on behalf of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. The presentation was made by Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General, last Sunday in Troy. Hayr Zareh is completing his advanced studies in the United States and in addition to serving as a Visiting Pastor he is assisting in Christian education programs at the Prelacy offices in New York City.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29 IS NEW DATE FOR CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINATION OF ARCHBISHOP OSHAGAN
|
|
|
HIS HOLINESS ARAM I WILL PRESIDE
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Birth of Pierre Quillard (July 14, 1864)
|
|
|
Pierre Quillard was a French poet and translator, but he is equally known for his political engagement, especially to the Armenian Cause.
He was born in Paris on July 14, 1864. He studied at the Lyceum Fontanes, where he had a host of distinguished fellow students, including poet René Ghil (1863-1925). He pursued higher education at the School of Letters at the Sorbonne. He graduated in 1885 and then followed graduate studies at École Pratique des Hautes Études and the École des Chartes.
He founded the literary journal La Pléiade in 1884 with two friends. A follower of symbolist poetry, in 1890 he published his first collection, La gloire du verbe (The Glory of the Word). He would reprint the book, including new poems, in 1897, with the title La Lyre héroïque et dolente (The Heroic and Grieving Lyre). Quillard followed the fashionable current of symbolism. Among other publications, from 1891 until his death he would be a contributor to the famous literary magazine Mercure de France.
After his academic studies, the poet had fallen in love with Hellenism. In 1888 he started publishing studies on Greek classical literature, followed by several translations of Sophocles, Iamblichus, and other authors in the 1890s. Some of them were performed in theater.
A turning point in his life was his departure to Constantinople in 1893 to become a teacher at the Armenian catholic lyceum St. Gregory the Illuminator. (Another poet, Taniel Varoujan, would become its principal two decades later, until the fatidic date of April 24, 1915.) He remained in his position until 1896, witnessing the oppression of Abdul Hamid’s regime. In 1897 he followed the Turkish-Greek war as a correspondent for L’Illustration. Upon his returned to France in the same year, he took over the defense of the Armenians and of other oppressed peoples. Together with poet Arshag Tchobanian, he compiled a series of testimonies on the Hamidian massacres of 1894-1896, which he published in a voluminous book in 1897. He also organized many gatherings about the situation in Western Armenia.
Quillard was also engaged in the political scandal known as the Dreyfus Affair and took the defense of Alfred Dreyfus, the French soldier of Jewish origin unjustly condemned for treason. He adhered to the League of Human Rights since its foundation in 1898.
His political engagement led him to almost leave literature aside. In October 1900 he became the editor in chief of the bimonthly Pro Armenia, published by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, to promote the Armenian Cause. The editorial board was composed of famous names in the pro-Armenian movement of France, such as Jean Jaures, Anatole France, Georges Clemanceau, and Francis de Pressensé. After following the Ottoman Revolution (1908), Pro-Armenia resumed publication in 1912, first with the name of Pour les peoples d’Orient, and then again as Pro Armenia (1913-1914). Quillard returned to the Ottoman Empire in 1904 as correspondent for L’Illustration. In 1904 he became member of the central committee of the League of Human Rights, and in 1907 was elected vice-president. He would rise to the position of general secretary in 1911.
On February 4, 1912, at the age of 47, Pierre Quillard passed away from a massive heart attack in Neuilly-sur-Seine. He was buried in the cemetery of Père-Lachaise, in Paris, and eight young Armenians carried his coffin on their shoulders to its final destination. A telegram sent by the A.R.F. to the editorial offices of Mercure de France stated:
“We are stricken by the unexpected loss of Pierre Quillard, brave director of Pro Armenia, defender of oppressed people. We send our condolences to the members and contributors of Pro Armenia, Pressensé, Anatole France, Clemanceau, Jaur Jaurès, Bérard, Roberty, d'Estournelles, Cochin, all those who have supported our case in the great days of misfortune. His beloved memory will live among us in the relevant work for the fraternization of the races of the Orient.”
|
|
|
ARMENIAN LANGUAGE CORNER
PREPARED BY THE ARMENIAN NATIONAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE
|
|
|
This Check Does Not Get Paid in the Bank
|
|
|
Checks have expanded over the world since their concept was created in the eighteenth century, and the word check has gone along. We also use the foreign word չէք (chek) in Armenian, even though the word վճարագիր (vujarakir) has been invented to convey that concept (from վճարել/ vujarel “to pay” and գիր/kir “letter,” namely, “letter of payment”).
Interestingly, however, there is another word չէք (chek) in Armenian, which seems to have the same meaning, but actually does not. You find it, for instance, when you pay a commission. The word միջնորդչէք (michnortchek “commission”) is composed by the words միջնորդ (michnort “middleman”) and չէք (chek). Doesn’t it mean a check paid to a middleman?
No, it does not. You can pay in cash too. The word simply means “payment” or “gift,” and it is not a foreign word.
Its origin may be traced back to Classical Armenian and the suffix չեայ (cheay). The double sound այ (ay) turned into է (e) in colloquial language, especially before the plural suffix ք (ք). Thus, այք (ay) became էք (ek), and for instance երեխայք (yerekhayk) in popular language –you can find it today in Eastern Armenian—became երեխէք (yerekhek).
By the same token, a word like առհաւատչեայք (arhavadcheayk “guarantees”) became առհաւատչէք (arhavadchek), with the sound ե (e in Classical Armenian) subsumed into the է (a long e in Classical Armenian). This is how the suffix չէք (chek) developed, with the meaning of “payment” or “present.”
For example, the abovementioned michnortchek developed in Modern Armenian together with words like կարողչէք (garoghchek “sewer’s payment”), տանողչէք (danoghchek “carrier’s payment”) or շինողչէք (shinoghchek “builder’s payment”) among many other similar terms. You even have a word for a gift of New Year: Կաղանդչէք (Gaghantchek).
Of course, it may happen that you receive a check as Gaghantchek. In that case, you will go and deposit it. Otherwise, the banks have nothing to do with that… chek
|
|
|
Last Sunday’s Reflection was offered by Rev. Fr. Mikael Der Kosrofian, pastor of Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church, Whitinsville, Massachusetts.
Click here to watch.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
The Armenian Prelacy
Tel: 212-689-7810 ♦ Fax: 212-689-7168 ♦ Email: email@armenianprelacy.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
