Category: News & Events

On Wednesday, November 13, the Prelacy’s Vahakn and Hasmig Hovnanian reception hall was filled with faithful of the metro area who came to learn more about the recently published bilingual book, Commentary on the Nicene Creed. The book is based on a series of lectures given by Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian, of blessed memory, in Antelias. The lectures, which were originally published in Armenian, are now available in both English and Armenian, thanks to Deacon Shant Kazanjian who undertook the task of translating.

Bishop Anoushavan, Vicar of the Prelacy, opened the evening by welcoming everyone and introducing Dn . Shant who spoke about the late Archbishop and his own journey of translating the work. The Creed (Havadamk) is the official declaration of the Christian faith, written and accepted by the Holy Fathers of the first two ecumenical councils—Nicea (325) and Constantinople (381). Dn. Shant described how he first embarked on translating this important work during his spare time and then set it aside, until a few years ago when he began to complete the project in earnest. Dn. Shant had the opportunity to spend time with Archbishop Zareh during the months he was in New York for medical treatment. He described that time as “a gift” filled with many lessons.

Archbishop Zareh Aznavorian (1947-2004) was a member of the Brotherhood of the Catholicosate of Cilicia. He was a prominent biblical scholar, translator, and specialist in Armenian liturgical music, as well as a composer of religious music. He wrote numerous books, articles, musical scores, and directed the Department of Christian Education at the Catholicosate from 1982-2004.
After a period of questions, the guests enjoyed a reception with refreshments and fellowship, and the opportunity to purchase the new Havadamk book, as well as the many other books written by Archbishop Zareh that are available at the Prelacy Bookstore. The Commentary on the Nicene Creed was under the sponsorship of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

(Psalm 121:1-2)

The powerful typhoon that killed thousands of people and effectively obliterated the once thriving city of Tacloban and many coastal towns of the Philippine Islands has left an estimated eleven million people in need of immediate help. Many communities in the archipelago of more than 7,000 islands are cut off from outside communication and the full human toll of dead, injured, and homeless is not yet known.

Archbishop Oshagan has instructed all parishes within the Eastern Prelacy to offer prayers for the souls of the victims and for the safety of the survivors during the Divine Liturgy this Sunday, November 17. Donations for relief efforts should be collected and remitted to the Prelacy immediately. All collected funds will be contributed to AmeriCares on behalf of the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America for immediate lifesaving aid to survivors of Typhoon Haiyan.

Individual donations may also be sent directly to the Prelacy, 138 E. 39th Street, New York, NY 10016. Checks should be payable to “Armenian Apostolic Church of America.” Please indicate “Philippine Relief” in the memo area.
Armenian Prelacy – “Crossroads”

On Sunday, May 26, 2013, special prayers and blessing of the flag was held at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral on the occasion of 95th Anniversary of the First Armenian Republic and 22nd Anniversary of the current Republic of Armenian.

On Sunday, May 19, 2013 the St. Illuminator’s Armenian Saturday School culminated its activities with a recital prepared and presented by the teachers and students. Welcoming remarks were given by Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian and student Rita Yonan. The performance was dedicated to the “Year of the Armenian Mother” and students recited poems and sang songs dedicated to mothers as well as St. Mesrob Mashdots, the founder of the Armenian Alphabet.

The stage—set specifically to depict a mothering sun shining down on its flowers—was prepared by local artist Eliz Alahverdian. The event concluded with a rendition of “Giligia” on the trumpet played by student Bedig Wannessian. Students then presented Mother’s day cards to their families that they completed at school in the weeks prior to the event. Each child was called from the stage to present their card and receive a small gift from their teacher.

Antranig Vartanian, vice-chairman, spoke on behalf of the St. Illuminator’s Board of Trustees, congratulating Der Hayr, committee, teachers and students on their accomplishments in the five months since the school opened its doors. Then he presented each teacher and committee member a gift as a small token of appreciation.

Ungh.Sevan Kolejian , welcomed the quests and thanked Rev. Fr. Mesrop Lakissian for his hospitality and allowing us to use St. Illuminators Church for our event and then introduced the members of the ARS Regional Board of Directors.

Ungh. Ani Attar, Chairperson of ARS Eastern Regional Board of Directors, welcomed everyone and thanked the ARS Erebouni and Mayr Chapters for hosting this Regional Educational Seminar.

As His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia has declared 2013 The Year of the Armenian Mother, ARS decided to dedicate this seminar to the Armenian Mother.

Armenian mothers are the pillars of our national existence, their sacrifice and dedication throughout history is highly commendable. The Armenian mother is the caregiver, educator, a hero and a role model in our national life. As the famous writer Hovannes Shiraz wrote:

Mer houysi toorn eh mayrs
Mer dan madurn eh mayrs
Mer hatsn ou choo eh mayrs Mer teghn ou jarn eh mayrs
Mer dan jerakn eh mayrs

We salute and honor our Armenian Mothers for their continued selfless act in meeting the humanitarian need of the Armenia people in Armenia and the Diaspora. Ms. Attar Introduced guest speakers Dr. Chris Garo Sassouni, grandson of Garo and Leola Sassouni and Mr. Bared Maronian, producer and film maker, of the “Orphans of the Genocide” documentary. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, Pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral offered his words of appreciation thanking all the participants and wishing them well as they return to their communities near and far. The seminar concluded by Rev. Lakissian’s benediction.

The National Representative Assembly of the Eastern Prelacy, hosted by Soorp Khatch Church, Bethesda, Maryland, concluded on Saturday, May 18.

The series of eight seminars “History of Armenia: Past, Present, Future” are being held every Thursday until June 20th at St. Illuminator Cathedral’s John Pashalian Hall.

The series are sponsored by St. Illuminator’s Cathedral and the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations.

The facilitator of the series is Artur Martirosyan, Ph.D., who is a specialist in Political Science.

On Sunday, May 5, 2013, Dr. Vartan Matiossian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Education Committee (ANEC), presented the recently published “Historical Atlas of Armenia”. The presentation took place in the John Pashalian Hall after the Divine Liturgy. Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor, introduced the lecturer.

In his illustrated presentation, Dr. Matiossian, editor of the Atlas, referred to the main features of the new publication. He stressed its importance, as a new generation had already come to age since the publication of the first edition in the late 1980s. He reminded the audience that this generation had witnessed the making of history, as two independent Armenian republics (Armenia and Karabakh) were born in the meantime. Dr. Matiossian emphasized the importance of history as a central identity marker for Armenians worldwide, and the use of the Atlas as an educational tool in our schools, which was the main purpose of ANEC when deciding to publish a revised edition of the Atlas. After the presentation, Dr. Matiossian signed copies of the Atlas.