Armenian Church of Atlanta September 2008

In This Issue Solemn Divine Liturgy

Season of the Feast of the Holy Cross In the Shadow of the Cross of Varak Diocese News Prv 15:27-32 Is 65:22-25 Gal 6:14-18 Shop for a Cause Armenian Sunday, September 28, 2008 Independence Party 11:00 a.m. at Hye Doon Fundraising event Armenian Tree Celebrant Project Pan North American Retreat Very Rev. Fr Tateos Abdalian Stewardship Armenian Language 9820 Coleman Road, Classes Roswell, GA 30075 WGCC leadership Conference Women’s The Season of the Cross Symposium September and October feature special commemorations of the holy cross. Recipe of the month Understandably, the feasts of the cross are important to Christians. The cross is the Thrasher’s Sign place where God, who became human to share in and ultimately redeem human Bogosian suffering and death, was crucified and died. It is also the place where He vanquished death through His resurrection, thereby rendering the cross powerful symbol of eternal Pictures life . . . Upcoming events • the crossbars intersect at a midpoint that signifies the four comers of the world meeting at life's center • the “empty” Armenian cross (as opposed to the Catholic bearing the body of Jesus) emphasizes Jesus’ victory over death • the appearance of vines, grapes, and wheat as decorative motifs in the Armenian cross • symbolizes the life generated from the cross which was otherwise an instrument of death

Holy Cross of Varak (Varaka Khach)

In the 3rd century, the nun Hripsime buried a piece of the cross on Mt. Varak in historic as a way of protecting it from the soldiers of Emperor Constantine who were pursuing her. Centuries later, a monk by the name of Todik had a dream of a church on Mt. Varak with 12 pillars in the center of which was a radiant cross. The cross then came to rest over the altar of the monastery of Varak where Todik discovered the cross relic. When told the news by the monk, Catholicos Nersess (the Builder) came to Varak, verified the relic's authenticity, and established a feast in honor of the discovery.

September 2008 Page 2 of 12

In the Shadow of the Cross: The Holy Cross and Our Armenian History

Two special events are also remembered during the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. One is the re-discovery of the True Cross by Queen Helena (the mother of the Emperor Constantine) in the 4th century. The other occurred in the early 6th century, after the True Cross had been carried away following the Persian conquest of Jerusalem. The Persians were ultimately defeated, and the Cross was returned to the

Holy City. These events transpired in and near our homeland, with the full participation of Armenian soldiers.

This latter episode is a source of great national pride for us as a khachagir -- or "cross-bearing" -- nation. For over the centuries, have borne Christ's cross with faith, hope and love. What was once an instrument of torture and death -- comparable to the modern electric chair -- became for us Christians the symbol of salvation, and victory over death.

Naturally, to those with no faith, our veneration for the cross makes no sense at all. They cannot understand how so base an instrument could be at the center of our worship, on our churches and altars. But we see in the cross the instrument on which our Lord sacrificed Himself in order to cleanse mankind of its sins. The cross for us is the instrument of life: a divine sign that shows the power of life over death. It is for this reason that Christians throughout the world venerate the Holy Cross.

Throughout our history, we Armenians have lived in the shadow of the cross. Armenians were (and still are) geographically situated on the "leading edge" of the Christian world. Having suffered for our faith in Christ, we have also shared in the passion of His Crucifixion. No wonder, then, that the cross would become pre-eminent among our national emblems, appearing on the domes and walls of our churches, on our altars, in our homes -- even erupting out of the Armenian landscape, as stone .

Imagine the impact this sign must have had on the minds of our ancestors in the Middle Ages! Everywhere they turned, the sign of the cross confronted their eyes -- in overt but also rather subtle ways.

Our churches have cruciform plans, and our priests bless their congregations with . We put chaplets with crosses on the heads of those making the marriage vow. Babies -- both boys and girls -- are given crosses at the time of baptism. We also give those children names like "Khachig" and "Khachadoor" (in medieval times, our ancestors used feminine forms of these as well). We even trace the lines of the invisible cross etched into the very architecture of the human body, when we make the Sign of the Cross.

Why did our ancestors surround themselves with crosses? Perhaps because they understood that, human nature being what it is, all of us are prone to making the wrong choices. So, in anticipation of their own moments of fateful decision, they dotted the landscape with crosses, to unavoidably remind themselves of "the power of God." To view the cross as a sign of God's power is not simply to recall that He is watching us, knows the secrets of our hearts, and will judge us accordingly (although this, of course, is true). But more significantly, the cross is our evidence that God has used -- and will use -- His power to help us in our times of trial: that through His son, He has stretched forth His hand to mankind as a whole, and to every human individual, to redeem us, guide us, support us -- and make us worthy of His kingdom, in spite of our mortal tendency to defy Him.

The Armenians of old took this power very seriously. One of their favorite sayings was: Sourp Khachn yeghitsi eents oknagan -- "Let the Holy Cross be my support." We today could benefit from their wisdom, by keeping our own thoughts focused on the mystery of the Holy Cross. Continued…

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September 2008 Page 3 of 12 Such veneration should not be confused with idolatry. We worship the idea or the mystery behind the Holy Cross. Our expectation and hope from the sign of the cross is a reflection of our faith in the Resurrection of Christ. The presence of that sign at every stage and every turn in our lives reminds us that His blood was shed over the original cross, to free us as individuals from our sins. As frequently as we confront a cross, we must be aware of the sacrifice that Christ made on our behalf. More to the point, we must consider why that sacrifice was necessary -- and what is required from us in response.

During times of adversity and upheaval, the Holy Cross has been the most powerful support for the Armenian flock of Christ. And in times of peace, too, the sign of the Holy Cross has been -- and is -- our most abundant source of consolation. The cross casts its shadow over our lives -- but it also sheds light, healing old wounds, and illuminating before us the way to God's kingdom. It guides us along a path of righteousness, whose ultimate destination is victory over the ills of the world.

-- Fr. Krikor Maksoudian & Christopher H. Zakian

Diocese News & Articles

CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN CHURCHES DELEGATION VISITS HOLY ETCHMIADZIN

The Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary of the Conference of European Churches, and representatives from the ecumenical organization are visiting the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin upon the invitation of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The of the weeklong visit, which began on Sunday, August 24, is to strengthen ties between the Armenian Church and the Conference of European Churches and to foster increased cooperation on common projects. In his address to the delegation, His Holiness Karekin II stressed the importance of ecumenical partnerships and expressed his gratitude at the opportunity to meet with leaders of the Conference of European Churches in Armenia and for their ongoing support of the Armenian Church. His Holiness also spoke of the present-day challenges facing the Armenian Church and discussed efforts to improve Church-government relations, clergy training, social services, Diasporan outreach and other programs.

In addition to meetings at the Mother See, the delegation will hold meetings with representatives of various ecumenical organizations in Armenia and visit a number of historical sites, including the Gevorkian and Vaskenian Theological Seminaries, Oshagan, Byuragan and Ambert. General Secretary Colin Williams also will meet with government officials in Armenia. The Conference of European Churches, founded in 1959, is comprised of 126 Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches, as well as 43 partner organizations from all countries in Europe. The Armenian Church has been a member of the Conference since 1977.

The Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary of the His Holiness Karekin II, with the Venerable Colin Williams, General Secretary Conference of European Churches, meets with His of the Conference of European Churches & other Armenian Church & ecumenical Holiness Karekin II, at Holy Etchmiadzin leaders.

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September 2008 Page 4 of 12 ARCHBISHOP AYKAZIAN LEADS NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES DELEGATION ON MIDDLE EAST VISIT

Group Meets With Religious and Political Leaders, Focuses on State of Christian Minorities in the Region

Diocesan Legate and President of the National Council of Churches Archbishop Vicken Aykazian and a delegation of representatives from the NCC recently returned from a visit to the Middle East where they focused on promoting peace and solidarity with Christian minorities in the region. Accompanying Archbishop Aykazian on the 12-day trip was NCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon and United Church of Christ Area Executive for Middle East and Europe Rev. Dr. Peter Makari. The group departed on July 21 and traveled to Israel, Palestine, , Jordan and Syria as part of a new NCC initiative to foster peace and to extend support to Christian communities in the Middle East. They led discussions with Christian, Jewish and Muslim religious leaders throughout the region and met with President Bashar Assad of Syria and Prince Hassan of Jordan.

The NCC acknowledged the efforts of the Middle East Council of Churches in assisting Iraqi refugees and urged religious and political leaders to work toward stability and mutual understanding in a part of the world that has long been fraught with ethnic, religious and political conflicts.

“Our biggest concern is the dwindling number of Christians in the Middle East,” Archbishop Aykazian said. “The conversation with Prince Hassan of Jordan was extremely important, as well as our meetings with Israeli leaders, especially Rabbi David Rosen and church leaders in the Middle East.”

In Israel, the delegation also met with His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Archbishop Aris Shirvanian to review the state of Christian communities in the Holy Land. In addition, they spoke of the financial difficulties the Patriarchate is experiencing and the much-needed construction projects the Patriarchate hopes to undertake in the coming years, and heard updates about the Patriarchate’s seminary and the St. Tarkmanchatz School.

The delegation’s visit to Lebanon included meetings with Sunni and Shiite leaders as well as Mgrdich Karagozian of the Armenian Evangelical Church in Lebanon and Bishop Nareg Alemezian. NCC representatives also conducted meetings with representatives of the Greek Orthodox Church and Roman Catholic Church in Beirut. Discussions focused on the political situation in Beirut and recent church activities in the area.

Traveling to Jordan, the NCC representatives spoke with Archbishop Vendiktos of the Greek Orthodox Church about the shrinking Christian presence in the country. In Syria, the delegation met with Bishop Armash Nalbandian, Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Damascus, and spoke about the recent wave of Armenians immigrants moving to Syria from Iraq. About 500 Armenian families from Iraq are now living in Syria.

Before returning to the United States, Archbishop Aykazian and Dr. Kinnamon lectured at the Haigazian University in Beirut as part of an event organized by the University and the Arab Group for Christian-Muslim Dialogue. Among attendees were members of the clergy, diplomats and representatives of various interest groups. During the address, Dr. Kinnamon stressed that the mission of churches "is not simply to focus on spiritual things, and eternal life only, but to be a credible sign and instrument of social transformation towards the day God's will is more fully done." "Salvation is not simply an individual quest to be saved out of the world, but it's a communal effort in response to God, to build a better society on Earth," he added.

Dr. Kinnamon said the NCC, too, should strive to play a greater role in supporting programs that uphold peace and justice. The NCC aims to raise awareness about Christian communities across the globe and to improve ecumenical cooperation on spiritual and social initiatives.

The delegation will report its findings to the NCC Governing board in September. During the Board’s meeting, participants will discuss steps the organization can take to address some of the challenges Christians face in the Middle East.

9820 Coleman Road, Roswell GA 30075 www.armenianchurchofatlanta.org

September 2008 Page 5 of 12 Atlanta Parish Mission News

Join us for Dinner and Dancing To Celebrate Armenian Independence Day!

When: Saturday, September 20 at 8 p.m.

Where: Veranda Greek Taverna 11235 Alpharetta Hwy, Roswell, GA 30076 Tel # (678) 330-1218 www.verandagreektaverna.com Cost: $40 per person

Cash Bar RSVP: Ani T. 770 410 9699 Ara K. 678 787 5715 Talin M. 770 235 7939

9820 Coleman Road, Roswell GA 30075 www.armenianchurchofatlanta.org

September 2008 Page 6 of 12 . ACOA Presents Salzburg Creations

Table decorations, wreaths and much more offered at wholesale prices and less!

Take advantage of this opportunity and own these exclusive pieces Features 22k gold dipped threads, hand-wired pieces made with silk flowers, European beads, cinnamon sticks, cloves, & more! These items are normally sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Lord and Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue

Supplies are limited! Please contact Mari Avedissian at 404-428-2033, [email protected] to make an appointment this week for a private showing at the Avedissian Residence (760 Redlion Run, Alpharetta 30022)

Sale at the Avedissians - open to public Saturday and Sunday, Sept 13 & Sept 14 from 12 to 5 pm

100% of proceeds to benefit ACOA Building Fund.

**************************************** Merchandise graciously donated to ACOA by Ida Tjeknavorian & Salzburg Creations, Inc.

9820 Coleman Road, Roswell GA 30075 www.armenianchurchofatlanta.org

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The Armenian Tree Project has planted a total of 53,000 trees in honor of Hrant Dink, 8 of which were sponsored by the Armenian Church of Atlanta. Thank you to all those who contributed and if you wish to continue your support, please go to: www.armeniatree.org/index.htm.

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4th Annual Pan North Stewardship...an ongoing American Retreat (PNAR) commitment! The mission of the ACYOA Central Council is to create opportunities for life-changing Please remember to send in your experiences, life long relationships and a stewardship dues. It is very important foundation for a Christian life in the Armenian that our parishioners make Church. stewardship commitments by sending Location: Techny Towers Conference Center, Techny, IL in their stewardship payments to Hosted by: ACYOA Central Council, Diocese of the generate monthly income. Armenian Church of America (Eastern) Purpose: Education, fellowship, witness & worship. Please pay according to your abilities Date: September 26-28, 2008 Cost: $75 per person but pay on time. For those of you who Programing for our young adults will help strengthen each have been regularly paying your parish community and help lay asolid foundation for future stewardship, thank you for your growth. It's a win-win situation for everyone. For more support. information, contact ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian at [email protected] or call at (212) 293-1248.

9820 Coleman Road, Roswell GA 30075 www.armenianchurchofatlanta.org

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Women’s Guild Corner

Kef Night

Kef Night on September 27 has been CANCELLED. Next Kef Night is Saturday, October 25!

9820 Coleman Road, Roswell GA 30075 www.armenianchurchofatlanta.org

September 2008 Page 9 of 12

2008 WGCC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE Diocese of the Armenian Church of American (Eastern)

Come for the day or the entire weekend! Let the Leadership side of you be nurtured and grow! The Women’s Guilds of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) are revitalizing themselves to “Launch A New Era For Women’s Guilds.”

No matter what age we are, we are not living the lives of our mothers and Grandmothers. It is easy to get stuck in a rut. The time is NOW to transform ourselves from “business as usual” to an organization that gives purpose and passion to women of all ages, the Lord, the Armenian Church and for each of our lives.

This program is for Present and Future Leaders, and sponsored by the Department of Youth & Education. The Leadership Conference will educate and equip attendees by DEFINING, DISCOVERING & DEVELOPING leadership skills for the purpose of an engaged and effective guild for our present and future.

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE: Sponsored by the Women’s Guild Central Council of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and the Department of Youth & Education (DYE). PURPOSE: To educate and equip members of the Women’s Guild by DEFINING, DISCOVERING, & DEVELOPING leadership skills, for the purpose of an engaged and effective Guild. WHERE: Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), 630 Second Avenue, New York, New York (Vartan Room). WHEN: Saturday, November 8, 2008 COST: $40.00 per person FOR ADDITIONAL

For additional information please contact: INFORMATION,CONTACT: Louise Demirjian, WGCC Vice Chair Cell phone 440-915-9520 E-mail: [email protected] CAROL LOSHIGIAN E-MAIL:[email protected] Linda Harutunian, WGCC Corresponding Secretary Tel #: 201-310-4980 PHONE:631.786.3870 E-mail: [email protected]

9820 Coleman Road, Roswell GA 30075 www.armenianchurchofatlanta.org

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The Women’s Guild will publish an Armenian recipe every month. If you would like to submit a recipe, please contact Ani Tasjian at 770-410-9699.

ARMENIAN POTATO SALAD

4 medium white potatoes 1/2 large red onion, sliced

1 tsp. salt 1/4 cup olive oil

1 Tbsp. dried mint 1/4 cup lemon juice

Boil potatoes. Peel skin and slice when cooled. Mix all ingredients in separate bowl and then toss sliced

potatoes. Chill and when ready to serve, garnish with sliced hard-boiled eggs and black olives.

Serves 4.

The have signed defenseman Zach Bogosian, the team’s first- round selection (third overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, to a multiple-year contract, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager . As per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bogosian, 18, appeared in 60 games with the of the (OHL) last season and was the only OHL defenseman to lead his team in points with 61 (11 goals, 50 assists). He ranked second among league defensemen in regular-season assists and added three assists in five post-season contests with the Petes. The 6-2, 200-pound defenseman represented the Eastern Conference at the 2008 OHL All-Star Classic, participated in the CHL Top Prospects game and was named to the 2008 OHL First All-Star Team. He

was the second-ranked North American skater coming into the 2008 Entry Draft and was described by the NHL’s Central Scouting Service as a “franchise player” and “ready to make the jump to the NHL very quickly.”

Bogosian also took part in the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. from Aug. 4-9. He recorded two assists in four games during the week-long camp. The native of Massena, N.Y. has recorded 94 points (18 goals, 76 assists) and 135 minutes in 127 career OHL games with Peterborough. He was selected by the Petes in the first round, 19th overall, of the 2006 OHL Priority Draft.

Prior to his time in Peterborough, Bogosian played two seasons at Cushing Academy (Mass.) from 2004- 06, where former NHL All-Star was an assistant coach.

Season Tickets for the Atlanta Thrashers start at $10 per game and are available for the 2008-09 season by calling (404) 878-3786 or e-mailing [email protected].

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September 2008 Page 11 of 12

Pictures from August Badarak

9820 Coleman Road, Roswell GA 30075 www.armenianchurchofatlanta.org

May

October Oct 19 Badarak (changed from Oct. 5) Oct 25 Kef Night November Nov 9 Badarak Nov 29 Kef Night December Dec 14 Badarak