News

An award-winning animated feature film on the Armenian Genocide and its aftermath, titled Aurora’s Sunrise, will open in theaters nationwide on Friday, Aug. 11. In New York City, the film will debut at Village East Cinema (click here for info and showtimes); see below for the link to screenings elsewhere. The film by director Inna Sahakyan tells the story of Aurora Mardiganian, who lost everything as a 14-year-old enduring the horror of the Armenian Genocide. Two years later, through luck and courage, she escaped to New York, where her story became a media sensation. Starring as herself in “Auction of Souls,” an early Hollywood blockbuster, Aurora became the face of one of the largest charity campaigns in American history. With a blend of vivid animation, interviews with Aurora herself, and 18 minutes of surviving footage from her lost silent epic, Aurora’s Sunrise revives a forgotten story of survival. Click the following links to view the trailer on YouTube; to read about the production in Animation Magazine; and to find theatres in your area showing the film.

Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will hold its annual “Armenia Way Festival” on Saturday, Sep. 16, from 12 noon to 8 p.m., on the church property and its surroundings (209-15 Horace Harding Expy., Bayside). Enjoy Armenian food, homemade desserts, street vendors, raffles, games for kids, live music by the Tarpinian Band, and more. For information, and to find links to the sponsorship form and Hye Market Order Form, click here.

Holy Martyrs Church of Bayside, NY, will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother-of-God, and the Blessing of Grapes, on Sunday, Aug. 13, at the church (20915 Horace Harding Expy., Bayside). The Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 a.m. A special luncheon will follow celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Day. To view a flyer, click here.

Hye Pointe Church of Haverhill, MA, will hold its annual picnic on Sunday, Aug. 27, 12-5 p.m., at the church facility (1280 Boston Rd., Haverhill). Live music, Armenian delicacies. For information call (978) 372-9227, or visit the parish website. To view a flyer, click here.

The Eastern Diocese Sacred Music Council will hold its 2023 Sacred Music Festival, titled “Shnorhali: Singer of Light.” Organized under the auspices of Diocesan Primate Fr. Mesrop Parsamyan, the event honors the 850th anniversary of St. Nersess Shnorhali (1102-1173), and will take place Sep. 22-24, at Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, MA (145 Brattle St., Cambridge). Musicians, singers, organists, choir directors, and enthusiasts from across our Diocese will gather together to celebrate the rich heritage of Shnorhali’s music. Click the following links to download a registration form and to view a flyer with information. Click here to learn more, and to find registration details, for this three-day festival of captivating experiences, educational workshops, and inspiring performances.