This week, Margaret Jemian, a student of the Eastern Prelacy's St. Gregory of Datev Institute from Waukegan, IL reads the 9th prayer of St. Nerses Shnorhali's In Faith I Confess.
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THANKSGIVING BANQUET SOLD OUT
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We are pleased to announce that this Sunday’s Thanksgiving Banquet is sold-out. We look forward to greeting many of you at Saint Sarkis Church in Douglaston for the Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan and following the Liturgy at the Thanksgiving Banquet at the Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows. The Prelacy Thanksgiving Day was conceived to thank our community for its unwavering dedication to all Prelacy sponsored programs. For this inaugural event the focus will fall upon the Saint Nerses the Great Charitable and Social Organization (
Medsn Nerses
), the Prelacy’s charitable office in the Homeland.
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Expressing thanks is a very common human activity, especially for Christians, who are ever cognizant of the many gifts bestowed upon us by our Lord and Savior. Giving thanks communally as a group is also a common occurrence. In just two weeks we will be celebrating our National Day of Thanksgiving—a tradition that is older than the American Republic itself; a tradition that has become a major holiday celebrated by all Americans, regardless of religious, ethnic, or political affiliations. While other nations have “thanksgiving days,” none have reached the depth and endurance of the American holiday.
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THANKSGIVING PRAYER
From the Armenian Book of Hours
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We give you thanks, O Lord our God, who with your visible light have gladdened all your creatures, but with the intelligible light of your commandments, you have enlightened all those who believe in you. Strengthen us also, O Lord, to keep your commandments during this day and at all times. So that with enlightened minds we may always do what is pleasing to you and attain the good things to come together with all your saints, through the grace and loving kindness of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, to whom befits glory and dominion and honor, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen
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SUPPORT THE 2019 TELETHON; SPECIAL PLATE COLLECTIONS
IN ALL PARISHES THIS SUNDAY AND NEXT
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Archbishop Anoushavan directed all parishes in the Eastern Prelacy to offer special plate collections on two successive Sundays, November 17 and 24, that will benefit the 2019 Telethon hosted by the All Armenia Fund on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28. The Telethon will be broadcast live from Yerevan and Los Angeles, as well as live streamed for audiences around the globe.
Under the banner “To My Beloved Armenia,” proceeds from the 22
nd
annual pan-national event will benefit the installation of solar power systems in towns and villages in Armenia and Artsakh, and the construction of drinking water and irrigation networks. Specific projects made possible through the Telethon will comprise the installation of solar-energy systems including solar panels, heaters, and substations; the construction of potable water pipelines and distribution networks; and the drilling of deep-water wells and construction of advanced drip-irrigation systems.
For a complete list of satellite and cable channels that will carry Telethon 2019, see the 2019 Telethon TV Broadcast Guide on
Armeniafund.org.
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ARCHBISHOP ANOUSHAVAN IN BETHESDA
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Archbishop Anoushavan celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the 55
th
anniversary of Soorp Khatch Church in Bethesda, Maryland, last Sunday. On this occasion, the Prelate consecrated a painting of St. Kevork, donated to the church
by Paul and Lena Jarian from Los Angeles.
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The Prelate presented Certificates of Merit awards to Azniv Achekian and Alice Edwards for their dedicated service to the church. The Prelate also presented Deacon Sarkis Doudaklian with the Pastor’s Award for his years of dedication and service on the altar.
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On behalf of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Archbishop Anoushavan bestowed upon Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian the rank of Archpriest.
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His Eminence with the altar servers and Board of Trustee members.
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Bible readings for
Sunday, November 17,
Paregentan of he Fast of Advent, are: Isaiah 22:15-25; Ephesians 1:1-14; Luke 8:17-21.
“Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But when Jesus perceived the thoughts of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
John answered, “Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you.”
(Luke 9:44-50)
***
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God in all remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel thus about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness which come through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
(Philippians 1:1-11)
For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings
click here
.
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THE HOLY APOSTLES ANDREW AND PHILIP
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The word apostle refers to the special inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, chosen by Jesus to accompany Him during His ministry, to learn from Him, follow His instructions and continue his work.
This Saturday, November 16, the Armenian Church celebrates two Holy Apostles, Andrew and Philip.
Andrew
was a Galilean fisherman and the first-called of the followers of Christ, along with his brother Simon, who was later called Peter.
Philip
was from Bethsaida and after he had been called to be an apostle he brought in Nathanael (later called Bartholomew).
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PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF ADVENT
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This Sunday, November 17, is the Eve (
Paregentan
) of the Fast of Advent (
Hisnag
). This is a weeklong fast (Monday to Friday) leading up to the first Sunday of Advent, which is next Sunday, November 24.
Advent is the period that guides us to the birth and baptism of Christ. It begins fifty days before January 6. Advent is intended to be a solemn and quiet time for prayer, reflection, and meditation in preparation for the mystery of the incarnation.
Traditionally the entire fifty-day period of Advent was a period of fasting. Now there are three weeklong fasts during Advent (along with the regular fasting days of Wednesday and Friday). The three week-long fasts are known as: The Fast of Advent (
Hisnagats Bahk
); The Fast of St. James (
Sourp Hagopah Bahk
); and the Fast of the Nativity (
Dznuntyan Bahk
).
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Also commemorated this week:
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Thursday, November 14
: Sts. Gurias, Samonas, Abibas the Deacon, Romanus the Monk, and
Confessor Youth, Hesychius the Soldier.
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PRESENTATION OF NEW PRAYER BOOK
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Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of Christian Education of the Eastern Prelacy, presented the newly published “Praying with the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church” at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of Philadelphia on Sunday, November 10, 2019, which contains the English translation of the prayers from the Book of Hours (
Zhamakirk
) of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Book of Hours (
Zhamakirk
) includes the daily cycle of public worship services, as follows: Night Hour (
Kishérayin Zham
), Morning Hour (
Aravodyan Zham
), Sunrise Hour (
Arévakali Zham
), Midday Hour (
Jashoo Zham
)—Third Hour (9:00 am), Sixth Hour (Noon), Ninth Hour (3:00 pm)—Evening Hour (
Yérégoyan Zham
), Peace Hour (
Khaghaghagan Zham
), and Rest Hour (
Hankûsdyan Zham
).
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These daily services include fixed Psalms and scriptural readings, hymns and canticles, diaconal litanies and proclamations, prayers, and various rituals. “Praying with the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church” contains the English translation of only the prayers from the Book of Hours from the original classical Armenian (
Krapar
).
The publication of “Praying with the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church” was sponsored by the Der Nerses Manoogian Publication Fund in memory of his spiritual father, His Eminence Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory.
“Praying with the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church” is available at the Prelacy bookstore for $10 plus shipping and handling. Contact the bookstore by email (
books@armenianprelacy.org
) or telephone (212-689-7810).
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STUDENTS OF HAMASDEGH SCHOOL ON FIELD TRIP
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Hamasdegh Students at the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia.
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Last Sunday students of the 6
th
, 7
th
, 8
th
, grades and graduates of 2018-19 visited the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia and the offices of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) in Washington, DC. They enjoyed a day filled with Armenian history, knowledge and hope for justice. The school’s mastermind on Armenian history and politics, Aram Hamparian, provided insight and updates on the recent historic passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives.
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The students at the offices of the Armenian National Committee of America.
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The Prelacy’s Orphan Sponsorship program was established in 1993 and continues to be the central mission of the Prelacy’s programs in Armenia and Artsakh. As part of the program, letters are received regularly from sponsored children addressed to their sponsors. We are pleased to share some of these letters through
Crossroads
.
This week’s letter is from Ani* who is sponsored by Vahe and Hasmig Dombalagian.
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Dear Sponsor,
I am now ten years old and I am in 5
th
grade in school. This year, my friends visited me on my birthday and we had a very fun day.
This summer, I went to military camp. We were taught defense and I exercised a lot. I help my Mom to bring wood from the forest and to pick fruit in our garden. This year in school we will have more social studies. Particularly, National History. We will be learning the history of our Motherland, Armenia. After classes, I like to listen to music or play soccer. I help my Mom in house chores.
Soon winter will come. It is usually very cold in our village during wintertime, but I like snowball fights and making snowmen.
(signed) Ani
*In order to protect the privacy of the children we use only their first names.
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PLEASE CONSIDER SPONSORSHIP:
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Currently there are children on the waiting list for the Prelacy’s Sponsorship Program. If you would like to sponsor a child please
click here
for quick and easy online sponsorship. You may also contact the Prelacy by email (
sophie@armenianprelacy.org
) or telephone (212-689-7810), ask for Sophie.
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Death of Paul Guiragossian
(November 20, 1993)
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Paul Guiragossian’s abstract art earned him critical accolades, turning him into one of the most celebrated painters in Lebanon. He was born on December 25, 1926, in Jerusalem, to survivors of the Armenian genocide.
Guiragossian experienced the consequences of exile from a very young age. He and his brother Antoine were raised in boarding schools, and grew up away for their mother, who had to work to ensure education for her two children.
The future painter realized in his childhood that he had a knack for art. In the early 1940s Guiragossian and his family moved to Jaffa, where he attended Studio Yarkon (1944-1945) to start improving his passion for painting. In 1947, during the lead-up to the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, the family was forced to move to Beirut. Guiragossian began teaching art in Armenian schools and privately. One of his private students was a young talented painter named Juliette Hindian, who became his wife in 1952. Together they had six children, one of whom passed away soon after birth.
In the 1950s Guiragossian started his own business with his brother Antoine painting cinema banners, posters and drawing illustrations for books. In 1956 he won the first prize in a painting competition, which earned him a scholarship from the Italian government to study at the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence. He had multiple exhibitions in the Italian city. He won first prize at both the 1958 Paris Biennial and the 1961 Florence Biennale.
He returned to Beirut in 1961 and the next year he was granted another scholarship, this time by the French government, to study and paint in Paris. By the mid-1960s, Guiragossian grew to become well known in Lebanon and throughout the Middle East.
During the Lebanese civil war of 1975-1990 his attachment to Lebanon grew stronger and his works became more colorful with messages of hope for his people. His vast work offers an intuitive glance into the human figure through varying degrees of abstraction steeped in thick waves of color. The elongated bodies featured in Guiragossian's work reflect themes of motherhood, spirituality, exile and labor, echoing his personal experiences and observations. Along with his portraits and landscapes, he also reflected Armenian life and the experience of genocide and exile. He had a solo exhibition in Yerevan in 1972 and was awarded the Martiros Sarian prize of the Painters Union of Armenia in 1981.
In 1989 he went to Paris to exhibit his works and resided in the city with part of his family until 1991. He painted some of his largest masterpieces during those years and had a solo exhibition at the Institut du Monde Arabe from 1991-1992.
Paul Guiragossian passed away on November 20, 1993, in Beirut. That morning, after finalizing a magnificent oil painting, he told his family that it was his best work yet, saying that he had finally achieved what he had always hoped for: bringing the old and the new in one painting. This painting, later entitled
L’Adieu
(The Farewell) by the family, remains unsigned and in the family collection.
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You have “teacher,” but you also have “educator,” and all educators are teachers, but not all teachers are educators. Indeed, there is a reason why there is a Ministry or Secretary of Education and not a Secretary of Teaching.
That’s that in English, and it also the same in Armenian. You have a
ուսուցիչ
(
oosootseech
“teacher”), sometimes also called a
դասատու
(
tasadoo
),
and you also have a
դաստիարակ
(
tasdiarag
“educator”), from which we have the word
դաստիարակութիւն
(
tasdiaragootioon
“education”). We use the latter when we speak about, for instance,
կրօնական դաստիարակութիւն
(
gronagan tasdiaragootioon
“religious education) or
հայեցի դաստիարակութիւն
(
hayetsee tasdiaragootioon
“Armenian education”).
However, be aware that the concept of “education” reflected in
tasdiaragootioon
refers to knowledge, and when you include the moral part of education, then we talk about
կրթութիւն
(
gurtootioon
). For this reason, the Ministry of Education is called
Կրթութեան նախարարութիւն
(
gurtootian nakhararootioon
).
Where does the word
tasdiarag
come from? As almost all words ending in -
ag,
it has an Iranian origin. In this case, believe it or not, it is related to the word “hand,” which in Classical Armenian was
դաստա
(
tasda
;
dasta
if we transliterate according to Classical Armenian phonetics), coming from Pahlavi
dast
(“hand”). Why you should not believe that? An educator “gave a hand” to his pupil in the world of knowledge and moral growth.
Again, believe it or not, educators still give that hand and more. An electronic device would hardly be able to replace them. If they did, that would be a completely different kind of… non-human “education.”
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President George H. W. Bush welcomes His Holiness Vasken I and His Holiness Karekin II to the White House in February of 1989. The two Pontiffs traveled to the United States to join together in getting much needed help in the aftermath of the earthquake. The two church leaders formed a true and strong bond rooted in mutual love and respect that would grow in the years ahead and last to their graves.
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ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS FOR CROSSROADS?
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Please remember that the deadline for submitting items for
Crossroads
is on Wednesdays at noon.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
(
Calendar items may be edited to conform to space and style
)
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November 15
—Armenian Wine, Cognac, and Food Tasting, organized by the Board of Trustees of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, 7 pm to 10 pm. See Armenian products for upcoming holiday occasions. Admission: $25.00.
November 16
—New England Regional Deacons’ Retreat and Seminar at Holy Trinity Church, 635 Grove Street, Worcester, Massachusetts; 9 am to 5 pm, for all ordained deacons and sub-deacons serving in the New England area Prelacy churches.
November 17
—Eastern Prelacy’s first annual Special Thanksgiving Banquet at Terrace on the Park, Flushing, New York, at 2 pm. Honoring the 25
th
+ 1 anniversary of the charitable work of the Prelacy’s St. Nerses the Great Charity Program: 26 Years of Charitable Giving in Armenia and Artsakh.
November 23
- Thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church Sunday school, Whitinsville, Massachusetts, 5 p.m. in the church hall. For information/reservations please call 508-234-3677.
November 24
—Thanksgiving Luncheon, organized by the St. Illuminator’s Ladies Guild. $30 (under age 12 free) includes lunch, wine and a soft drink. Musical performances and prizes.
December 5
—Presentation of “Gomidas—150,” a publication of the Armenian Prelacy. Details to follow.
December 7—
Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church Annual Bazaar in Whitinsville, Massachusetts at the Pleasant Street Christian Reform Church Hall, 25 Cross Street, Whitinsville, 10:00-4:30, dinners served at 11:30.
December 14
—Club 27, featuring Onnik Dinkjian, Raffi Massoyan, Steve Vosbikian, Jim Kzirian, and Ara Dinkjian. John Pashalian Hall at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City. Admission: $25.00.
December 15
—Presentation of the newly published book, “Praying with the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church,” by Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, immediately after the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27
th
Street, New York City.
December 19
—Presentation of newly published book “The Doctor of Mercy: The Sacred Treasures of St. Gregory of Narek,” by Michael Papazian. Details will follow.
December 22
—Christmas Concert at 2 pm, organized by the Board of Trustees of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, New York City, featuring Anahit Zakaryan, Anahit Boghosian, and Anahit Indzhiguyan.
December 31
—Save the date. Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey, New Year’s Eve dinner/dance.
March 15, 2020
—Save the date and watch for details for the Eastern Prelacy’s 37
th
annual Musical Armenia concert, 2 pm at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, West 57
th
Street at Seventh Avenue, New York City.
March 28, 2020
—“Faith Building Women 2020 Symposium,” A daylong conference to heighten awareness of women in the Bible, organized by the Adult Christian Education department of St. Peter Armenian Church. The Symposium will take place at Holy Trinity Armenian Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Keynote speakers Dr. Roberta Ervine and Arpi Nakashian.
May 13-16, 2020
—National Representative Assembly (NRA) of the Eastern Prelacy hosted by St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Philadelphia. The Clergy Conference will begin on Wednesday, May 13; the full Assembly will convene on Thursday, May 14 and conclude on Saturday, May 16.
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The Armenian Prelacy
Tel: 212-689-7810 ♦ Fax: 212-689-7168 ♦ Email: email@armenianprelacy.org
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