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TOP STORY |
January 21, 2010 |
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PRIMATE TO VISIT ST. JAMES CHURCH OF EVANSTON, IL, AS PARISH CELEBRATES 65TH ANNIVERSARY
On Sunday, January 24, Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), will visit St. James Armenian Church of Evanston, IL, where he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and ordain three young sub-deacons. Ajmen Arakelian, Aras Korogluyan, and Nicholas Rejebian will be ordained to the sub-diaconate. The Primate also will officiate over a Requiem Service for Hrant Dink, the Turkish-Armenian writer and editor who was killed on January 19, 2007, in Istanbul, outside the offices of Agos, the newspaper he founded in 1996.
Following services, the Primate will join the parish as it marks the 65th anniversary of St. James Church. Archbishop Barsamian will present 12 parishioners with certificates on behalf of the Eastern Diocese in recognition of their dedication to the Armenian Church and the St. James Church community. Click here to visit the parish website.
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| Dr. Edgar Housepian, His Holiness Karekin II, and Archbishop Khajag Barsamian at the Fund for Armenian Relief event held last week to mark the organization's 20th anniversary and to honor Dr. Housepian's work (photo by Julie Dermansky). |
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DR. EDGAR HOUSEPIAN HONORED BY FUND FOR ARMENIAN RELIEF
On Friday, January 15, the Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) marked its 20th anniversary and honored one of its founding members, Dr. Edgar M. Housepian, at a gala banquet in Manhattan. His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, presided, as some 450 people gathered to recognize Dr. Housepian’s many contributions to medicine, and his involvement in the relief and medical efforts in Armenia.
His Holiness presented Dr. Housepian with the Soorp Krikor Loosavorich medal, the highest honor in the Armenian Church. In addition, Dr. Housepian received the Mkhitar Heratzi Medal, presented to him by Tatoul Markarian, Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States, on behalf of Armenia’s President Serge Sargsyan.
The evening also focused on Dr. Housepian’s vision for the future of medicine and medical education in Armenia through FAR’s programs. Randy Sapah-Gulian, chair of FAR’s board of directors, outlined the organization’s current projects, and spoke about the impact FAR has had on the lives of Armenia’s citizens over the past two decades. The event helped raise nearly $1 million for the Dr. Edgar M. Housepian Medical Education Fund.
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 Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 686-0710
www.ArmenianChurch.net | Contact Us
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Scripture of the Week
Is 61:10-62:9
2 Tim 2:15-26
Jn 6:15-21
Daily Scripture Readings
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Prayer of the Week
I glorify you, God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and give thanks to him who has kept me in peace this night, to him who has led me from darkness to light, from death to life, from ignorance to the knowledge of his truth. Amen. Request a Prayer. |
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Upcoming Saints and Feasts
1/23 Holy Fathers Athanasius, Cyril, and Gregory the Theologian
1/24 Barekendan of the Fast of Catechumens
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CHURCH NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE |
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| His Holiness Karekin II was scheduled to receive the Unity of Orthodox Peoples Award at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. |
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HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II HONORED IN MOSCOW, RUSSIA
The International Foundation for Unity of Orthodox Christian Nations has bestowed on His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, this year’s Unity of Orthodox Peoples Award. His Holiness traveled to Moscow, Russia this week to receive the honor, which will be presented by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, who chairs the Foundation for Unity.
Other recipients of this year’s Unity of Orthodox Peoples Award include Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev and filmmaker Emir Kusturica. Now in its tenth year, the program was established by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II, who led the Russian Orthodox Church until his passing in 2008.
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DIOCESAN NEWS |
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| His Holiness Karekin II shares updates from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin with members of the Diocesan Council. |
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DIOCESAN COUNCIL PLANS VOCATIONS PROGRAMS, REVIEWS DIOCESAN PROJECTS, AND MEETS WITH HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II
Meeting at the Diocese on Friday, January 15, members of the Diocesan Council discussed the importance of implementing a program on this year’s theme of “Vocations: The Call to Serve” to help parishes encourage young men to pursue the priesthood. As part of the program, parish pastors will take the opportunity to discuss their own calling. The Very Rev. Aren Jebejian described how he traced his own faith journey in a recent homily and the impact this had on his parish.
Council members also heard a report from Jennifer Morris, Youth Outreach coordinator at the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education, regarding the announcement of the 2010 Diocesan Summer Camp Programs. Dr. Sam Mikaelian, coordinator of development at the Diocese, spoke about the 2009 Annual Appeal, which raised more than $650,000. The council discussed ways to improve the program for next year, as well as other ways of strengthening development. Dr. Rachel Goshgarian, director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center at the Diocese, reported on the utilization of YouTube for posting educational videos created by the Department of Communications and on the writing and electronic posting of “cultural tidbits” from the Zohrab Center, among other projects.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the council met with His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, who was visiting New York to preside over the Fund for Armenian Relief tribute event for Dr. Edgar Housepian. His Holiness updated council members on recent developments at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and shared the news that 20 homes have been built in collaboration with the Fuller Center for Housing under the aegis of the His Holiness Karekin II building project.
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| Archbishop Khajag Barsamian distributes crosses to students at Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School in Bayside, NY. Students sang Armenian songs and recited poetry during the Primate's visit. |
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PRIMATE BLESSES ARMENIAN SCHOOLS AND HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian recently visited local Armenian schools and homes for the elderly, including the Hovnanian School in New Milford, NJ, and the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Emerson, NJ, on Wednesday, January 13, and the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School in Bayside, NY, and the New York Armenian Home in Flushing, NY, on Wednesday, January 20.
As part of each visit, the Primate officiated over the Home Blessing service, which is traditionally performed at the start of the New Year. At the Hovnanian and Holy Martyrs schools, students sang Armenian songs and recited poems. They also had the opportunity to learn more about the Home Blessing service and to ask Archbishop Barsamian questions about the Armenian Church.
At the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and the New York Armenian Home, residents received communion and shared in conversation with the Primate and other clergy.
Accompanying Archbishop Barsamian to the Hovnanian School and the Armenian Nursing and Rehabilitation Center were the Very Rev. Fr. Vazken Karayan, the Very Rev. Fr. Tiran Petrosyan (who is visiting the Eastern Diocese from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin), the Rev. Fr. Diran Bohajian, Dn. Sebuh Oscherician, Dn. Dikran Hacik Sarminasyan, Arman Baghdasaryan, and seminarian Vahagn Azizyan. Accompanying the Primate to the Holy Martyrs School and the New York Armenian Home were the Very Rev. Fr. Davit Karamyan (who is visiting the Eastern Diocese from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin) and the Rev. Fr. Bedros Kadehjian.
Click here to view photos from the visits to the Hovnanian School, the Holy Martyrs Armenian Day School, and the Armenian centers in Emerson and Flushing.
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| DIOCESAN VICAR ATTENDS ECUMENICAL GATHERING AT THE CATHOLIC CENTER IN MANHATTAN
On Wednesday, January 20, Diocesan Vicar, the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, represented Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), at an ecumenical gathering hosted by Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York.
The gathering was organized for members of the Council of Churches of the City of New York to mark the “Week of Prayer for Christian Unity” (observed January 18-25). Meeting at the Catholic Center in Manhattan, participants had the opportunity to hear Archbishop Dolan’s remarks and to share news from their respective churches.
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SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2010 DIOCESAN ASSEMBLY
The 2010 Diocesan Assembly will be hosted by St. James Armenian Church of Evanston, IL, from Thursday, April 29 to Sunday, May 2. Assembly events will be held at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare, where a block of rooms has been set aside at a special rate for attendees. The deadline for both Assembly registration and hotel reservations is Monday, April 5.
Click here to access the hotel website and make a reservation. Click here to visit the 2010 assembly website and read updates posted by the host parish.
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PARISH NEWS |
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| Clergy and altar servers gathered for a group photo after the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Cheltenham, PA, on Sunday, January 17. Following services, the parish hosted a welcome banquet for its new pastor, the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan (photo by John B. Alexanian). |
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HOLY TRINITY CHURCH OF CHELTENHAM, PA, WELCOMES NEW PASTOR
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), visited Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Cheltenham, PA, on Sunday, January 17, as nearly 300 people gathered to officially welcome the parish’s new pastor, the Rev. Fr. Hakob Gevorgyan. Fr. Gevorgyan celebrated the Divine Liturgy, and Archbishop Barsamian delivered the day’s sermon.
Following services, a luncheon was held featuring musical performances and a keynote address by the Rev. Fr. Karekin Kasparian, who mentored Fr. Gevorgyan at St. Gregory the Enlightener Armenian Church of White Plains, NY.
A graduate of the Vaskenian and Gevorkyan theological seminaries in Armenia, Fr. Gevorgyan came to the Eastern Diocese in February 2008, and completed a pastoral internship at St. Gregory the Enlightener Church under the guidance of Fr. Kasparian. Fr. Gevorgyan began serving as the pastor of Holy Trinity Church on January 2, 2010. Click here to visit the Holy Trinity Church website.
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| The Very. Rev. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian lectures at the Diocesan Center (file photo). |
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ARMENIAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY MARTYRS OF BAYSIDE, NY, TO HOST FAREWELL BANQUET FOR FR. VAHAN HOVHANESSIAN
The Armenian Church of the Holy Martyrs of Bayside, NY, will host a farewell banquet on Sunday, January 24, for its pastor, the Very. Rev. Fr. Vahan Hovhanessian. Diocesan Vicar, the Very Rev. Fr. Haigazoun Najarian, will represent the Primate on the occasion.
Fr. Hovhanessian served Holy Martyrs Church for nine years. Recently he was asked by His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to continue his ministry as the Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of England.
Click here to visit the parish website.
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| The Erevan Choral Society held its annual Christmas Holiday Concert in the sanctuary of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Cambridge, MA. |
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EREVAN CHORAL SOCIETY HOLDS HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS CONCERT DEDICATED TO GOMIDAS VARTABED IN CAMBRIDGE, MA
The Erevan Choral Society held its annual Christmas Holiday Concert on Sunday, January 3, in the sanctuary of the Holy Trinity Armenian Church of Cambridge, MA. The program, dedicated to the 140th anniversary of the birth of Gomidas, included traditional Armenian, light classical, and Western Christmas music.
The Choral Society performed under the direction of Maestro Konstantin Petrossian. Also performing were operatic tenor Yeghishe Manucharyan and mezzo-soprano Victoria Avetisyan. Click here to read more.
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| YOUTH OUTREACH COORDINATOR TO VISIT STS. VARTANANTZ CHURCH OF CHELMSFORD, MA
Youth Outreach coordinator Jennifer Morris will travel to Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church of Chelmsford, MA, on Sunday, January 24, to speak with parishioners about St. Vartan Camp. She will then have lunch with the ACYOA Juniors and lead them in a discussion about their role in the Armenian Church through the ACYOA. For more information about ACYOA Juniors, contact Jennifer Morris at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org, or at
(212) 686-0710 ext. 118.
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YOUTH |
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| A group discussion at the ACYOA Chapter Workshop in Boca Raton, FL, last weekend. |
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ACYOA HOLDS SECOND ANNUAL CHAPTER WORKSHOP IN FLORIDA
Amid palm trees, sunshine, and crisp ocean air, the Eastern Diocese’s Armenian Christian Youth Organization of America held its second annual Chapter Workshop, in Boca Raton, FL, January 15-17.
The ACYOA Central Council co-sponsored the workshop with the Diocese’s Department of Youth and Education. It was hosted by the local St. David Armenian Church. Its aim was to support local-parish ACYOA chapters in their efforts, and 39 young adults, representing 18 Diocesan parishes, participated in the weekend.
The Very Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian, pastor of St. David Church, served as chaplain during the weekend. The workshop sessions were facilitated by members of the ACYOA Central Council. Click here to read more.
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| Campers pose for a group photo at St. Vartan Camp last summer. |
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ANNOUNCING THE 2010 DIOCESAN SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS
The beginning of the 2010 camp season is only five months away. Click here to view the flyer for the 2010 Diocesan Summer Camp Programs at St. Vartan Camp and Hye Camp.
The St. Vartan Camp brochure mailing will be sent out the first week of February, with online registration beginning on February 15. The Hye Camp mailing will be sent out the first week of March, with applications ready to be downloaded by March 15.
We are looking forward to another amazing summer at St. Vartan Camp and Hye Camp! To receive more information about either camp program, contact Jennifer Morris, Youth Outreach coordinator, at jenniferm@armeniandiocese.org, or at (212) 686-0710 ext. 118.
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NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE’S KHRIMIAN LYCEUM
On Saturday, January 23, director Alex Webb will show a DVD of the film “Hove” to students of the Diocese’s Khrimian Lyceum in New York. Also attending will be the graduating class of the St. Vartan Armenian School. A discussion and question-and-answer session will follow the presentation.
“Hove” focuses on the Armenian Genocide. The Diocese’s Mesrob Mashdots Institute student Shirleyann Kaladjian and Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis star in the film.
Khrimian Lyceum students are also scheduled to rehearse for the opera “Anoosh,” which they will put on at the Diocese in May. The libretto has been modified for the young cast, and the performance is directed by theater instructor Vartan Garniki. Mr. Garniki is also staging Robert Haddejian’s “Sunday Summary” on January 30 at the Becton Theater at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck , NJ.
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