News and Notes

GARRY KASPAROV TALKS OF ARMENIAN, WORLD UNITY AT DIOCESAN GATHERING

On behalf of the Eastern Diocese Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate, presents World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov with the Renaissance Medal July 13 when Kasparov addressed an audience of 300 at the Eastern Diocesan Center.

U.S. CONGRESSMAN CALLS FOR END TO BLOCKADE OF ARMENIA AT DIOCESE-SPONSORED U.N. WORKSHOP

Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (center) speaks about the ongoing blockade of Armenia to a group of 140 non-governmental organization representatives during a workshop at the United Nations organized by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern).

DIOCESAN CHOIR ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS INCREASE IN 2003

Talar Aydin, a member of the junior choir at the Church of the Holy Martyrs in Bayside, N.Y., was awarded a $500 scholarship for music study this year by the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA).

Tatevik Martirossian, a junior choir member at the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church of Providence, R.I., was awarded a $500 scholarship for music study this year by the Association of Armenian Church Choirs of America (AACCA).

ARMENIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY LEADERS GATHER AT DIOCESAN CENTER TO MAKE NEW AMBASSADOR FEEL AT HOME

Armen Martirosyan, Armenia's new ambassador to the United Nations, addresses a crowd of American Armenian leaders at a September 16 reception, hosted by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and the Fund for Armenian Relief, honoring his appointment as ambassador.

KHRIMIAN LYCEUM OPENS IN MIDWEST, NEW ENGLAND

The Khrimian Lyceum--a comprehensive, Ivy League-quality Armenian heritage and faith education program organized by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)--expanded from New York last fall with branches in New England and the Midwest.

In September, the New England Khrimian Lyceum began at the St. James Church of Watertown, Mass., and the Midwest program started at the AGBU Center in Chicago, Ill. The Khrimian Lyceum is an extensive six-year program for graduates of Armenian schools. Students in the Khrimian Lyceum are typically between the ages of 12 and 18.

"The object of the program is to prepare young Armenians to be knowledgeable leaders, teachers, and administrators for our churches and community groups," said Sylva der Stepanian, coordinator of Armenian language education, who oversees the Khrimian Lyceum.

Trained instructors meet with Khrimian Lyceum students all day, once a month, for 10 months--September to June. Their work includes reading, writing, symposium, educational tours, and discussion led by scholars and experts on Armenian history, religion, literature, and culture. Advanced students also focus on an in-depth study and singing of the badarak. Students also take part in extra-curricular activities such as drama, dance, orchestra, etc.

Community service is also part of the curriculum. Each year, students are required to do five social service projects, ranging from parish-related activities to projects that help scholars and scientists in Armenia.

Students are normally required to be graduates of Armenian schools, but for this inaugural year of the two new branches, students will be able to attend a specially offered language crash course--even if they have not gone through an Armenian school.

For information on the Khrimian Lyceum in New England, contact coordinator/advisor Nora Ostayan, by calling (617) 923-3530. For information on the Khrimian Lyceum in the Midwest call coordinator/advisor Zabel Panosyan at (312) 567-3442.

U.N. ORTHODOX PRAYER SERVICE

Armenia's Ambassador to the United Nations, Armen Martirosyan, was one of the speakers to address the crowd of clergy, faithful, and international representatives during the gathering of Oriental and Eastern Orthodox churches for the third annual Orthodox Prayer Service for the United Nations Community October 6.

RELATION BETWEEN CHURCHES BRINGS TOGETHER NATIONS

From left: Archbishop Barsamian; His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrill, Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad and President of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department of External Church Relations; His Eminence Mar Cyril Aphrem Karim, Prelate of the Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church of America; and Bishop Antun Khouri, representing Metropolitan Philip Saliba of the Antiochian Church of America during a special breakfast reception attended by leaders from various Orthodox churches at the Diocesan Complex in New York City on November 13.

PRIEST CONTINUES TRADITION OF TELLING ARMENIAN HISTORY

Fr. Zaven Arzoumanian has pieced together the third book of his recent history of the Armenian Church. Known as Azgapatum, or "History of the Armenian Nation", Fr. Arzoumanian's three books, published by the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), follow in the spirit of three prior volumes written by Patriarch Malachia Ormanian, which authoritatively cover the history of the Armenian Church and nation up to Ormanian's own time, the early 20th century.

Fr. Arzoumanian's first two books covered from 1910 to 1930, and from 1930 to 1955. His most recent volume, celebrated during a reception at the Eastern Diocesan Center November 21, covers the period from 1955 through 1995, during Fr. Arzoumanian's priestly service. The reception was organized by the Diocese's Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center.

The new 375-page volume written in Armenian highlights the accomplishments of Catholicos Vasken I. Fr. Arzoumanian describes the restoration and renovation of ancient Armenian churches and monasteries throughout the world, as well as events in Armenia and the Diaspora during that period.

The Azgapatum volumes are available at the St. Vartan Boosktore by and by visiting: www.stvartanbookstore.com