February 7, 2019
YEAR OF THE ARMENIAN PRESS;
MESSAGE WILL BE READ IN CHURCHES THIS SUNDAY
His Holiness Catholicos Aram has declared 2019 as “The Year of the Armenian Press.” Accordingly, by the directive of the Prelate Archbishop Anoushavan, all Prelacy parishes will read His Holiness’ 2019 message during the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 10.

In his message, His Holiness writes that after a recent meeting with representatives of the Armenian Press in Lebanon, he deemed it appropriate to declare 2019 the Year of the Armenian Press. Acknowledging that the “Press” in current times has a more expansive definition, the Catholicos emphasizes that he is speaking primarily about the print media that includes daily, weekly, and monthly newspapers and magazines. His Holiness directs the dioceses under the jurisdiction of the Cilician See to take this opportunity and during this year feature the history and role of the Armenian Press through various events including seminars, conferences, lectures, exhibits, and publication of books that focus on the importance of the Armenian Press in the life of the Armenian people.

ORDINATION IN NEW JERSEY
Deacon Vahan Kouyoumdjian will be ordained to the holy priesthood of the Armenian Church this Friday and Saturday, February 8 and 9, at Sts. Vartanantz Church in Ridgefield, New Jersey. The ordination services will be celebrated by the Prelate, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, with the participation of the clergy serving the Eastern Prelacy. Deacon Vahan’s sponsor is Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, who was recently appointed Vicar of the Prelacy. The Godfather of the ordination is Hovig Koushagjian.

The process of ordination will begin Friday evening with Vespers and the Order of Calling to the Priesthood. The candidate walks on his knees down the main aisle of the church as a sign of his humility and readiness to serve God. He is escorted by his sponsor and two priests. Through a series of questions the Prelate confirms the worthiness of the candidate and his willingness and ability to serve as a priest in the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The next morning, in the tradition of the Armenian Church, the ordination service will take place intertwined with the Divine Liturgy, as this is the liturgical context in which the priest will serve most visibly.

Deacon Vahan was born in Lebanon and baptized at Soorp Asdvadzadzin Church in Bourdj Hammoud, where he later served as an acolyte and sub-deacon. He also taught Sunday School in Beirut. He attended the Vahan Tekeyan Elementary School and the Hovagimian-Manoogian High School.

Deacon Vahan’s devotion to the Armenian Church began at an early age. His grandfather, Mikael Kouyoumdjian, and great uncle Nishan Kouyoumdjian served as priests in Beirut and Marseille.

Continuing his studies, he graduated from the Yerevan State Medical University with a “Doctor of Medicine” diploma. He relocated to the New York/New Jersey area in 1993 to begin his Residency in Psychiatry at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York. Soon after his relocation he was ordained a deacon of the church by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian, of blessed memory, and ever since has served as a deacon in the Eastern Prelacy, mainly at Sts. Vartanantz Church in New Jersey.

From 1975 to 1980 he was a member of the Armenian Ecclesophillic Union (an activist group supporting the Armenian Church under the auspices of the Catholicosate of Cilicia). He served in Sunday Schools, attended youth educational conferences and programs organized by the Catholicosate. He regularly participated in Bible Studies and studied the history and tenets of the Armenian Church.

In 1995 he married Maggie Tekeyan, a devoted and active member of Sts. Vartanantz Church. They have three children, Aram, Anoosh, and Nishan. All three children are graduates of the Prelacy’s St. Gregory of Datev Summer Institute, and continue to attend and participate in postgraduate programs and volunteer workers. For more than twenty years Deacon Vahan and Maggie have been volunteers and teachers at the St. Gregory of Datev Institute.

The faithful are invited to take this exceptional opportunity to participate in the priestly ordination services, since traditionally most ordinations to the priesthood take place in Antelias. Both the Friday evening (6 pm) and Saturday morning services (10:30 am) will take place at Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. 

PRELATE MEETS WITH LEADERS OF MALANKARA CHURCH
His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, accompanied by Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, and Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian met yesterday with His Grace Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos and Chancellor Rev. Fr. Thomas Paul of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (also known at the Indian Orthodox Church).

PRELATE VISITS CONSUL OF LEBANON
Archbishop Anoushavan visited His Excellency Majdi Ramadan, the Consul General of Lebanon in New York this morning. The Prelate thanked the Consul General for his recent visit to the Prelacy to congratulate the Prelate on his election and elevation. Bishop Anoushavan expressed his congratulations on the recent forming of a new government in Lebanon. Two Lebanese Armenians are part of the government: Richard Kouyoumdjian, Minister of Social Affairs and Avedis Gedanian, Minister of Tourism.

VISIT OF ARS EREBOUNI
Members of the Erebouni chapter of the Armenian Relief Society of New York, visited Archbishop Anoushavan at the Prelacy offices on Monday. From left, Yn. Annie Terterian, Mrs. Victoria Hagobian, Secretary, Mrs. Nairy Zohrabian, Treasurer, His Eminence, Ms. Nevair Oranjian, Chair, Mrs. Sitta Oranjian, Vice Chair.
HOUSE OF PRAYER  PRESENTED AT ST. SARKIS
On Sunday, February 3, after the Divine Liturgy, a sizable number of parishioners gathered in Chaderjian Hall of St. Sarkis Church, in Douglaston, New York, for the presentation of  House of Prayer,  a book by Hamasdegh, a classic name of Armenian-American and Diasporan literature from the post-genocide period until the 1960s. The book, as it is known, was released in a handsome bilingual edition by the initiative of Archbishop Anoushavan on the occasion of his election as Prelate.  Copies of the book were distributed as a souvenir at the banquet held in his honor on December 2.

Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, pastor of St. Sarkis, welcomed the audience and introduced Dr. Vartan Matiossian, ANEC Executive Director and translator of the book, to present the volume and its author. Dr. Matiossian, who spoke in Armenian and English, noted that this is the first book by Hamasdegh ever published in English and that it constitutes an intriguing work of spiritual reflections by a layman who has succeeded in giving literary consistency with a style both accessible and rich in ideas. Then he proceeded to present Hamasdegh’s life from his birth in a village near Kharpert to his coming to America and his almost fifty years of literary career, with seven books covering all literary genres: short story, novel, short novel, theater, poetry, and essay. The Power Point presentation was followed by readings of excerpts from the translation by Gregory Dosttur, Nevair Oranjian, and Veh Bezdikian.

In his closing remarks, Archbishop Anoushavan reflected on his childhood days, when he discovered the work of Hamasdegh, and his days as a seminarian, when he came across  House of Prayer,  which deeply impacted him. He thanked the translator and the staffers at the Prelacy who collaborated to have the book published despite time constraints, and he also expressed his gratitude to the Kochoumian and Stanciu families for their sponsorship of this publication.
Copies of the book were available for sale at the event, and they may be purchased from the Prelacy Bookstore.
MUSICAL ARMENIA 2019
The Eastern Prelacy has presented the annual Musical Armenia concert since 1982, bringing many talented artists of Armenian descent into the limelight. This year’s concert that will take place at 2 pm, on Sunday, March 17, is the 36 th concert in the series. The concert will feature Cara Pogossian, (viola) and Edvard Pogossian, (cello), with Vatche Jambazian, (piano).

Cara Pogossian was awarded a bronze medal at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, the largest chamber music competition in the world. She appeared recently on NPR’s “From the Top” program. Ms. Pogossian is currently a sophomore at the Curtis Institute of Music. She was awarded a scholarship from the AGBU.

In recognition of his winner achievement at the Juilliard Concerto Competition Edvard Pogossian performed with the Juilliard Orchestra at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center and at Chicago’s Harris Theater. Mr. Pogossian is a first-year artist in residence student at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium and is a graduate of The Juilliard School.

The program includes the music of Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Komitas, Mirzoyan, Mansurian, and Spendiarian. The concert venue is Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, West 57 th Street and Seventh Avenue in New York City. Tickets ($25) can be purchased at the Carnegie Hall Box office (212-247-7800); and at the Armenian Prelacy (212-689-7810).

Become a Sponsor of Musical Armenia:
Established by Archbishop Mesrob Ashjian and the Prelacy Ladies Guild, Musical Armenia is dedicated to promoting young Armenian artists and to the performance of music by Armenian composers. Over the past 37 years many of the program’s performers have established solid professional careers.

The Prelacy is able to present this annual concert as a contribution to the artistic achievements of the community thanks in large part to a group of dedicated patrons who offer their financial support each year in order to cover the cost and keep the price of tickets affordable for all.

As a sponsor you can make a key contribution to the development of talented musicians as they strive for success in their various musical fields. All donors are acknowledged in the concert booklet. The categories of sponsorship are: Diamond $1,000; Platinum $500; Gold $300; Silver $200. Diamond, Platinum, and Gold sponsors will receive two complimentary tickets. For more information or to become a sponsor of Musical Armenia contact Sophie by email ( [email protected] ) or by telephone (212-689-7810).
BIBLE READINGS
Bible Readings for Sunday, February 10, Fourth Sunday after Nativity are: Isaiah 61:10-62:9; 2 Timothy 2:15-26; John 6:15-21.


When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.

When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified, but he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going. (John 6:15-21)

***

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”

In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth, and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.  (2 Timothy 2:15-26)

A NOTE ABOUT THE READINGS
There are no Bible readings according to the Armenian liturgical calendar four days next week, Monday to Thursday. These four days without designated readings coincide with the Fast of the Catechumens, which begins Monday and ends on Friday. There is only one Bible reading for Friday, February 15, the entire book of Jonah. This period is traditionally a time for reflection and repentance, and a time for the clergy and laity to witness their faith to the unbaptized who are preparing for baptism. The Fast of the Catechumens, which is unique to the Armenian Church, leads to the Church’s remembrance of the prophet Jonah, whose “entombment” in the belly of the whale represents the three-day burial of Jesus, and Jonah’s release represents the resurrection of our Lord.
EVE OF THE FAST OF THE CATECHUMENS
This Sunday, February 10, is the Paregentan or Eve of the Fast of the Catechumens. A catechumen is someone who is receiving instruction in the fundamentals of the faith while preparing for baptism. This occurs three weeks before Poon Paregentan (Eve of Great Lent) and ten weeks before Easter. The Fast of the Catechumens is five days of strict fast ( dzom ). Traditionally, the Catechumens were instructed for several hours daily and required to stand through every church service, separate from the baptized congregation. This continued until Easter when the catechumens were baptized and anointed and received their first communion.

SONS AND GRANDSONS OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR
This Saturday, February 9, the Armenian Church commemorates the sons and grandsons of St. Gregory the Illuminator, namely, Aristakes, Vrtanes, Housik, Grigoris , and Daniel (who was not related, but was a distinguished student of St. Gregory). All of them continued the work of St. Gregory, preaching the word of Christ to pagans at great personal peril.

St. Gregory had two sons, Aristakes and Vrtanes. Aristakes, the younger son, succeeded Gregory as Catholicos and was martyred around 333 A.D. Aristakes represented the Armenian Church at the first ecumenical council of Nicaea in 325. It was at this council that the Nicene Creed, recited to this day during the Divine Liturgy, was written and adopted. Vertanes—at this time over 70 years old—was called upon to become catholicos and served for eight years until his death. Vrtanes had two sons, Grigoris and Housik. Grigoris preached in the northern provinces of Armenia (present day Georgia) where he was martyred. Housik, although not a clergyman, was called upon to assume the catholicosal throne. He was martyred in 347. Daniel, who as noted above was not related to Gregory is included with the sons and grandsons because of his close association. He was chosen to succeed Housik as catholicos, but never actually served as he also was martyred in 348.
Birth of Armen Garo
(February 9, 1872)
Armen Garo was an active participant in the Armenian liberation movement, and a protagonist of some of its more important moments. Leader of the occupation of the Ottoman Bank, deputy to the Ottoman Parliament, organizer of the Nemesis Operation, first ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to the United States; these were just a few highlights of his public life, which ended prematurely.

He was born in Karin (Erzerum) on February 1872 as Karekin Pastermadjian. He was one of the first graduates of the Sanasarian College of his hometown in 1891. Three years later, he went to France to study at the Agricultural School of the University of Nancy. In this period, he became a member of the newly founded Armenian Revolutionary Federation.

His plan to return to his hometown after graduation was thwarted when massacres began in Zeitun (Cilicia), and he left his studies to help his compatriots. He soon found himself in Geneva, and then he was sent to Egypt to assist the resistance in Zeitun. Afterwards, he returned to the Ottoman Empire. Around this time, he took the nom de guerre Armen Garo.
He was one of the organizers of the takeover of the Ottoman Bank in Constantinople by a group of A.R.F. revolutionaries on August 26, 1896. When Papken Siuni, the group leader, was killed, Armen Garo took over for the rest of the standoff.

When the occupation of the bank ended and the group of revolutionaries was sent to Marseilles, French Foreign Minister Gabriel Hanotaux declared them as persona non grata and denied their stay in France. Armen Garo moved to Switzerland and studied natural sciences at the University of Geneva.

He continued his active participation in the A.R.F. and was on the delegate roster of the second General Assembly of 1898. He graduated in 1900 and received a doctoral degree in physical chemistry. In 1901 he founded a laboratory in Tiflis for chemical research.

The scientist could not leave aside the patriot, and Armen Garo organized the self-defense of the Armenians in Tiflis during the Armeno-Tatar conflict of 1905-1907 with a group of 500 volunteers.

After the situation in the Caucasus returned to normalcy, he was able to create a fairly prosperous life for himself. He secured the right to develop a copper mine, and worked towards a partnership with a large company.

After the Ottoman Revolution of 1908, Armen Garo was elected deputy from Erzerum to the Ottoman Parliament, representing the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. During his four-year mandate, he worked tirelessly for a railroad bill whose main goal was to build railroads in Western Armenia.

After he finished his mandate in 1912, he participated actively in the organization and implementation of the Armenian reforms in the six Eastern vilayets of the Ottoman Empire in 1913-1914. In the autumn of 1914, a month and a half before the Ottoman Empire entered the war, Armen Garo went to the Caucasus on a special mission after the A.R.F. 8 th General Assembly at Erzerum. He joined the committee that had been appointed by the Armenian National Council of the Caucasus to organize the Armenian volunteer units.

In November of the same year, Armen Garo accompanied the second battalion of Armenian volunteers, commanded by Dro (Drastamat Kanayan), as representative of the executive committee of Tiflis. When Dro was seriously wounded in combat, Armen Garo replaced him from November 1914-March 1915 until he returned to active duty.

He went to Van in the summer of 1915, becoming one of the first to enter the city after the Russian troops and the Armenian volunteer battalions liberated it following the Van resistance.

After the Russian Revolution of February 1917, Armen Garo and Dr. Hakob Zavriev were sent to Petrograd in the spring to negotiate about Caucasian affairs with the Russian provisional government. In June he left for America as a representative of the Armenian National Council of Tiflis, which in May 1918 would declare the independence of Armenia. In 1919 Armen Garo was designated ambassador of Armenia to the United States.

He settled in Washington D.C., where he engaged in political and diplomatic action. He published three pamphlets in English: Why Armenia Should Be Free (1918), Armenia and Her Claims to Freedom and National Independence (1919), and Armenia a Leading Factor in the Winning of the War (1919).

He would also engage in covert action, as one of the main leaders of the Operation Nemesis, along with Shahan Natalie and Aharon Sachaklian, ensuring the logistics and the organization of the liquidation of Turkish genociders from 1919-1922.

After the fall of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Garo returned to Europe in November 1922, heartbroken and sick. He passed away in Geneva on March 23, 1923. His memoirs, Days that I Lived, were first serialized in the monthly Hairenik (1923-1924) and posthumously published in 1948 (there is an English translation by Haig T. Partizian, published in 1990 as Bank Ottoman ).

Several organizational chapters have been named after him, including the AYF “Armen Garo” chapter (Racine, Wisconsin), and the “Armen Karo” ARF Student Association of Canada.
Previous entries in “This Week in Armenian History” are on the Prelacy’s website ( www.armenianprelacy.org ).
THE SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY
BEGINS TO REBUILD
 
The fighting and bombs have stopped. Now the difficult process of rebuilding has started.
Please continue to keep the Armenian community in Syria in your prayers and pocket books.

DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE ON LINE.
AND SELECT SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF IN THE MENU.
OR IF YOU PREFER YOU MAY MAIL YOUR DONATION TO:

Armenian Prelacy
138 E. 39 th Street
New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Armenian Apostolic Church of America
(Memo: Syrian Armenian Relief)

Thank you for your help.
EXPLORING THE EUCHARIST
A one day seminar will take place on Saturday, March 23, at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York City. The seminar, “Exploring the Eucharist (Soorp Badarak)” will be conducted by Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian. Registration is required by March 15. For information and registration contact the Cathedral office by phone (212-689-5880) or email ( [email protected] ). 

Beyond a Simple Thought
If you think, you will surely get far.

If you do not believe it, see what happened to the Armenian word խորհ ( khorh ), which meant “thought” in Classical Armenian. The letter ր ( r ) fell and, as a result, the word khoh (“wise”) came out. Today, we have this word with the meaning “thought,” because the original word khorh came out of circulation.

However, while the root is not used anymore, it has given birth to many interesting words. First, of course, we have the verb խորհիլ ( khorhil ) “to think.” But then we have the complex word խորհուրդ ( khorhoort) .

Why is khorhoort a complex word? Originally it replaced khorh with the meaning “thought” and originated the verb khorhurtadzel (“to meditate”). Later, it took the meaning “advice” and now we have the nouns khorhurtagan (“adviser”)
It does not end here. If you speak about the mystery of Christmas, that is Ծնունդի խորհուրդը ( Dzunoontee khorhoortuh ), and for the occasion, we have the well-known liturgical hymn ( sharagan ) composed by historian Movses Khorenatsi in the fifth century, entitled « Խորհուրդ մեծ եւ սքանչելի » ( Khorhoort medz yev uskanchelee ) “Great and Admirable Mystery”.

You should take into account that we do not use khorhoort just for the Nativity. Any mystery, even coming from a detective novel, is a khorhoort too, and if you find something mysterious, that is խորհրդաւոր ( khorhurtavor ).

Because a symbol is something that has a certain mystery in it, the word khorhoort has also served to create the term խորհրդանշան ( khorhurtanushan ), where khorhoort “mystery” has been combined with nushan (“mark, sign”).

However, because thinking is not just a small thing, khorhoort also means “council,” from where the word khorhurtadoo (“counselor”) comes. It does not end there. In modern times, when parliamentary democracy came up, the word “parliament” was first translated as խօսարան ( khosaran ), probably a literal rendering of the French word parler  or the Italian parlare (“to speak”), but in the twentieth century the current word khorhurtaran “parliament” made its entrance. In the end, it is assumed that you think before speaking, and then, the members of a Parliament also think before speaking, or, better to say, they put their thoughts to the service of the country.

Whether that is true or not, the burden of the proof is on them.
Previous entries in “The Armenian Language Corner” are on the Prelacy’s website ( www.ArmenianPrelacy.org ).

REFLECTIONS
In this week's Prelacy Reflection, Archpriest Father Aram Stepanian, retired pastor of St. Stephen's Church in New Britain, CT, discusses the spiritual importance of reading the Bible.To watch all of the Prelacy Reflections, Click here.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
We would love to know your thoughts about and suggestions for our weekly Crossroads electronic publication, and we have set up a special e-mail address for your comments. Write to us at [email protected] .
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SIAMANTO ACADEMY— Meets every second Saturday of the month at the Hovnanian School, 817 River Road, New Milford, New Jersey. For information: [email protected] or 212-689-7810.

February 8 & 9— Ordination of Deacon Vahan Kouyoumdjian to the Holy Order of Priesthood at Sts. Vartanantz Church, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Friday, February 8, Ceremony of Calling, at 6 pm; Saturday, February 9, Ceremony of Ordination and Consecration during the Divine Liturgy, 10:30 am. The Prelate His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan will officiate. Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, Vicar, will sponsor the candidate. Serving as Godfather is Hovig Koushagian.

February 16 —Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance, sponsored by Armenian Relief Society New Jersey Shakeh Chapter; 8 pm at Assyrian Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary, 644 Paramus Road, Paramus, New Jersey. Entertainment by: Zareh Kasbarian and his band from Washington, DC; Sako Tashjian from Montreal, Canada; Garo Torossian from New Jersey; Keyboard by Maestro Vicken Makoushian. Net proceeds will benefit ARS programs and Sts. Vartanantz Church. Donation: $75. Appetizers, Dinner (catering by Sultan Cuisine); BYOB. For information and reservations: Maral Kaprielian (201-289-6486); Seta Asadurian (201-320-2859).

March 2 —Third annual Hye Hearts Dance, hosted by the five Armenian churches of Greater Hartford and Western Massachusetts at the Holiday Inn in Hartford, Connecticut, featuring live Armenian band and DJ Gena with international music, 8 pm. Adults $40 (in advance); $50 after February 15. Students and seniors $30 (in advance); $35 after February 15. Mezze included; cash bar. Tickets and information: David Jermakian (413) 727-2586, [email protected] .

March 3 —ARS Shakeh Chapter, Poon Paregentan Bake Sale following the Holy Badarak at Sts. Vartanantz Church’s large hall, 461 Bergen Boulevard, Ridgefield, New Jersey. Delicious desserts and savory food before Lent begins. For information contact Seta Asadurian at 201-320-2859.

March 17 —Annual Musical Armenia concert sponsored by Eastern Prelacy, 2 pm, at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Featured artists: Edvard Pogossian, cello; Cara Pogossian, viola; Vatche Jambazian, piano.

March 23 —Exploring the Eucharist (Soorp Badarak), 10 am to 3 pm at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, 221 East 27 th Street, New York City. Conducted by Archdeacon Shant Kazanjian, Director of Christian Education of Eastern Prelacy. Registration is required by March 15. For information and registration contact the church office by phone (212-689-5880) or email ( [email protected] ).

March 30 —ARS Agnouni, Bergen County Chapters and Hamazkayin of New Jersey will present Shadoyan Fashion Couture House, “From Reincarnation to Independence,” a new collection dedicated to the 100 th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia. At Syria Church, 55 Midland Avenue, Paramus, New Jersey, at 6 pm. Copious mezze and wine included. Donation $100; for reservation please contact Silva (201-759-7612); Floria (201-708-5709); or by email [email protected] ).

May 5 —60 th anniversary of Sts. Vartanantz Church, Ridgefield, New Jersey. SAVE THE DATE.

June 30-July 7 —Datev Summer Program for y outh ages 13-18. The 33 rd annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute Summer Christian Studies Program will take place at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, sponsored by the Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC). For information, contact the AREC office, 212-689-7810 or [email protected] .

October 9-12 —On the occasion of the Feast of the Holy Translators a clergy conference of the Eastern, Western, and Canadian Prelacies will convene in Montebello, California. Details will follow.

October 19 —Armenian Friends of America present the Annual Hye Kef 5 Dance, featuring The Vosbikians, at Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Andover, Massachusetts. Tickets purchased before September 13 will include the Great Venue, Buffet, Vosbikian Band, and five Free raffle tickets. Adults $75; Students 21 and under $65. Specially priced AFA rooms available through September 17. For tickets and information contact: Sharke’ Der Apkarian at 978-808-0598; or John Arzigian at 603-560-3826. Also visit www.ArmeniaFriendsofAmerica.org .

Follow us on Social Media
The Armenian Prelacy 
Tel: 212-689-7810 ♦ Fax: 212-689-7168 ♦ Email: [email protected]

Visit the Catholicosate webpage at  http://www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org/en/