Feast of the Evangelists Sts. Mathew, Mark, Luke and John

On October 20, the Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the Feast of the Holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Matthew the Evangelist, the author of the first gospel account is symbolized by a winged man, or angel. Matthew's gospel starts with Joseph's genealogy from Abraham; it represents Jesus' Incarnation, and so Christ's human nature. This signifies that Christians should use their reason for salvation.

Mark the Evangelist, the author of the second gospel account is symbolized by a winged lion - a figure of courage and monarchy. Mark has John the Baptist preaching "like a lion roaring" at the beginning of his Gospel. It also represents Jesus' Resurrection, and Christ as king. This signifies that Christians should be courageous on the path of salvation.

Luke the Evangelist, the author of the third gospel account (and the Acts of the Apostles) is symbolized by a winged ox or bull - a figure of sacrifice, service and strength. Luke's account begins with the duties of Zacharias in the temple; it represents Jesus' sacrifice in His Passion and Crucifixion, as well as Christ being High priest (this also represents Mary's obedience). The ox signifies that Christians should be prepared to sacrifice themselves in following Christ.

John the Evangelist, the author of the fourth gospel account is symbolized by an eagle - a figure of the sky, and believed to be able to look straight into the sun. John starts with an eternal overview of Jesus the Logos and goes on to describe many things with a "higher" Christology than the other three (synoptic) gospels; it represents Jesus' Ascension, and Christ's divine nature. This represents that Christians should look on eternity without hesitation and fear. 

The Roots of Armenian Cultural Month

To Armenians in the United States, "Armenian Cultural Month" has been a feature of community life for as long as anyone can remember. It arrives every October-and with it a flurry of lectures, readings, exhibits, sacred celebrations, and events meant to remind Armenians of the richness of their heritage.

But how and when did it begin? And why was October chosen as the annual showcase for Armenian culture?

Surprisingly, Armenian Cultural Month originated in the Eastern Diocese-and this month marks its 76th anniversary!

Find out who started it, and why, by clicking here.

Passing of Maestro Arsen Sayan

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Maestro Arsen Sayan on October 5, 2018. Maestro Sayan is survived by His loving wife Catherine Sayan; Sister-in-law Negda and children Arsen Raphael and Paula and their families (Venezuela); Sisters-in-law Sirvart, Araxi (Henri) and their daughters Solange, Valerie and Capucine (France); Sister-in-law Koharig (deceased) (Gilbert) and their children Didier, Karine (Patrick) (Germany). Extended family Khantzian (USA), Khatchadourian, Manoukian, Terzian, Sahakian (France), Najarian, Boyadjian, Jamgotchian families in Armenia.

The Viewing and Funeral Services for Maestro Sayan will take place on Saturday, October 20, 2018 (Viewing at 10:00 AM and Service at 11:00 AM) at Soorp Khatch Armenian Apostolic Church.

Click here to read Maestro Arsen Sayan's Biography in  English and  Armenian

Jerusalem - The Holy City for three religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam

A panel discussion of three speakers representing the three religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam took place at the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church. The participants discussed the significance of the Holy City of Jerusalem to their various faiths. The panel members included; Rabbi Gerald Serotta, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC), Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan of St. Mary Armenian Church in Washington, DC, and Imam Yahya Hendi of Georgetown University.

Der Hovsep spoke about the significance of Jerusalem to the Armenians, explaining the historical roots of the Armenian presence in the Holy City and it's cultural and spiritual significance. He also spoke about the challenges that the people of the Holy Land face and the vision of Jerusalem being the capital of the three monotheistic religions. 

The lecture was organized by Rev. Fuad Khouri of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church.

On the photo above: Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Rabbi Garald Serotta, Rev. Fuad Khouri and Imam Yahya Hendi.

Click here to see photos 

Avedis Hadjian's Secret Nation to be Presented at St. Mary

One of the important publications on contemporary Armenian issues this year is Secret Nation: The Hidden Armenians of Turkey, by Avedis Hadjian, released by I. B. Tauris a few months ago. The widely reviewed book, characterized in the Times Literary Supplement as "intrepid, eccentric and grimly fascinating," is the result of a painstaking investigation that took the author, a freelance journalist, to seek the traces of Islamized Armenians throughout towns and villages of Anatolia and Western Armenia, record stories of survival and discovery, and condense his findings into an absorbing account.

Avedis Hadjian will present Secret Nation at St. Mary on November 4, at 1:00 pm.  The author has worked for CNN and Bloomberg News, among others, and his writing in English and Spanish has appeared in major international news outlets. His work as a correspondent has taken him to Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, China, the Caucasus, Turkey, and Latin America.   Avedis Hadjian has travelled to the towns and villages once densely populated by Armenians, recording stories of survival and discovery from those who remain in a region that is deemed unsafe for the people who once lived there. 

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event. 

Click hereto see the flyer

Armenian Folk Dance Classes

To see the flyer  click here

Canada's Prime Minister Visits Holy Etchmiadzin

14Եւ Յիսուս Հոգու զօրութեամբ վերադարձաւ Գալիլիա, ու գաւառի բոլոր կողմերում նրա համբաւը տարածուեց։ 15Եւ նա ուսուցանում էր նրանց ժողովարաններում՝ փառաւորուելով բոլորից։ 16Եւ եկաւ Նազարէթ, ուր նա սնուել մեծացել էր. եւ ըստ իր սովորութեան՝ շաբաթ օրը ժողովարան մտաւ։ 17Եւ նրան տուին Եսայի մարգարէի գիրքը. եւ նա վեր կացաւ ընթերցելու. եւ երբ գիրքը բացեց, գտաւ այն տեղը, ուր գրուած էր. 18«Տիրոջ Հոգին իմ վրայ է, դրա համար իսկ օծեց ինձ, ինձ ուղարկեց աղքատներին աւետարանելու, սրտով բեկեալներին բժշկելու, 19գերիներին ազատում քարոզելու եւ կոյրերին՝ տեսողութիւն, կեղեքուածներին ազատ արձակելու, Տիրոջը ընդունելի տարին հռչակելու»։ 20Եւ փակելով գիրքը՝ տուեց պաշտօնեային ու նստեց. եւ ժողովարանում գտնուողների բոլորի աչքերը նրա վրայ էին սեւեռուած։ 21Սկսեց ասել նրանց. «Այսօր այս գրուածքները կատարուեցին, երբ լսում էիք ձեր ականջներով»։ 22Եւ բոլորը վկայում էին ու զարմանում նրա բերանից ելած շնորհալի խօսքերի վրայ ու ասում. «Սա Յովսէփի որդին չէ՞»։ 23Եւ նա ասաց նրանց. «Անշուշտ, ինձ այս առածը կ՚ասէք. «Բժի՛շկ, բժշկի՛ր ինքդ քեզ»։ Այն ամէնը, ինչ արել ես Կափառնայումում, որչափ որ լսեցինք, արա՛ եւ այստեղ, քո գաւառում»։

(Ղուկաս 4:14-23)

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, and a report concerning him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and he went to the synagogue, as his custom was, on the sabbath day. And he stood up to read; and there was given to him the book of the prophet Isaiah. He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." And he closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." And all spoke well of him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, `Physician, heal yourself; what we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here also in your own country.'"

(Luke 4:14-23)

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