Armenian Church of Atlanta February 2008

Solemn Divine Liturgy In This Issue • Great Lent • Hrant Dink One Third Sunday of Great Lent year anniversary (Sunday of the Prodigal Son) • Armenian Tree project • Aid to Isaiah 54:11- 55:13 Corinthians 6:1-7:1 • Home Blessing Luke 15:1-32 • Hosting the visiting Hayr Soorp Sunday,February 10, 2008 • Kef Night • Gala in Charlotte 11:00 a.m. at Hye Doon • Volunteer of the Month • Raffle Tickets Celebrant • ACOA general Very Rev. Fr Zaven Yazichyan assembly and elections 9820 Coleman Road • Membership dues Roswell, GA 30075 • Summer internship • ACYOA • Young Adult Third Sunday of Great Lent: Sunday of the Prodigal Son Pilgrimge The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches the lesson of God’s Fatherly love and forgiveness for • Spring Break those who repent. The parable describes the passion of a caring father for his runaway son. Day • Upcoming events after day, the father had been scanning the horizons for any sign of his lost son. Although in the first century a father would typically wait until a son showed some sign of respect before • Thank you addressing him, here the father threw all social conventions aside. He could not wait to see his • Graduation news son. He started walking toward him. With open arms, he embraced his son, pulling him tightly to himself. God is like this loving father. He wants to welcome sinners back home with open arms. • Sympathy and Get well Wishes [31] Through the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus presents a vivid illustration of God’s mercy for repentant sinners. [cf. Luke 15:11-32]

Great Lent [Arm. Medz Bahk, Eng. Great Fast], is also called Karasnortk [literally, Fast of the Forty; Latin, Quadragesima; Greek Tessarakoste] since it lasts forty days. The days of lent are referred to as Karasnortagan and the Sundays, Karasnortagan Giragi. Great Lent is the longest of the fasts prescribed in the liturgical calendar and it begins on the Monday following Poon Paregentan and lasts for forty days [six weeks]up until the Friday prior to Lazarus Saturday.

Great Lent is therefore “the” preparatory spiritual journey with its destination of Easter, “the Feasts of Feasts.” It is the preparation for the “fulfillment of Pascha, the true Revelation.”

February 2008 Page 2 of 10 The Meaning of Lent " Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And he fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterward he was hungry." (Matthew 4:12.)

This is the Biblical basis of the period called Lent, given to us to prepare for the Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection. Just as we need time to prepare for any great event in life, we need time to make ourselves ready to participate in the blessed and wondrous event commemorated by Easter. Lent gives us the opportunity to: • Renew our commitment to God • Reflect on our lives and let them be directed by God • Respond to Jesus' call for love and mercy toward all of God's children Lent is a special time in the year when we guard against worldly distractions and make room for the Holy Spirit to fill us. During Lent we go into our own inner wilderness --caused by sins, spiritual laziness, and empty vanity. There we confront the devil. Through prayer, fast ing, Bible reading, and self-examination we gain the strength to work at being more loving, humble, and gentle.

After a successful Lenten journey, we should each be able to say "Be gone, Satan." We also will find ourselves hungry after this long effort; hungry for the only thing that can truly fill the place we have worked hard to clear: the beautiful fruit of the Resurrection, which is Life Everlasting with Christ our Lord.

The heart of Lent is inner penitence and reconciliation with God. Begin with self-examination and inner healing. Set aside this period to examine and evaluate your life as a Christian. Spiritual renewal is possible only if you're willing to repent for your sins and change your life for God.

Uniting with God involves: • Sorrow for Sins--Changing your life begins when you admit that Christ suffered and died for your sins. • Spiritual Growth--Christian maturity begins when you acknowledge dependence on God. Resolve to accept and carry out His will. • Commitment--Realize that commitment to God is more than just going to church. It involves carrying out God's will daily, whatever the circumstances. • Perseverance--Keep your hope and faith in Easter's promises alive all year long, every year. Realize that Christians of every age have experienced times of testing and have overcome temptation and despair.

Fasting During Lent During Lent we are like athletes in training to "fight the good fight" and "finish the race" as St. Paul expressed it. What we do externally can affect our inner condition. So we take on an outward discipline that will balance the inward discipline of Lent. Part of that outward discipline is fasting. Like the strict regimen of athletes, it is meant to strengthen and firm our spiritual self. The Church's rules prescribe that for 40 days preceding Palm Sunday we abstain from all animal products: meat, poultry, eggs, and milk. We should also refrain from parties, movies, and frivolous entertainment. In our day, many find this difficult, but every faithful Christian can do the following to remain in the spirit of Lent: 1. Keep Wednesdays and Fridays as fast days. 2. Cut down on outside activities. 3. Put aside a regular and consistent amount of time daily for private prayer, and for reading the Bible and spiritual books. 4. Attend all Lenten church services faithfully. 5. Receive the sacrament of Penance by self-examination, confession, repentance, and positive decisions. 6. Make a family effort to incorporate these things into each member's life during Lent. Remember always that Lent is a time of solemn yet joyous preparation made so we may arrive spiritually strengthened and renewed to celebrate Easter.

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

February 2008 Page 3 of 10 DIOCESE OF THE ARMENIAN CHURCH OF AMERICA (EASTERN) COMMEMORATES THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF JOURNALIST HRANT DINK’S DEATH

On January 20, 2008 the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) with the participation of: the Armenian General Benevolent Union, C.A.R.S. (Constantinople Armenian Relief Society), Diocesan Gomidas Choir, Esayan-Getronagan Alumni, Inc., Forest Hills Armenian Cultural Center, Armenian Educational & Cultural Society (NY Chapter), Hye Doon (Armenian American Support and Educational Center), Knights of Vartan, Tibrevak Alumni, Inc. and Tekeyan Cultural Association commemorated the one year anniversary of Hrant Dink’s death. The Armenian Church of Atlanta also commemorated Hrant Dink with memorial service. On the eve of Saturday, Jan.19, 2008, a special Requiem Service and Hokejash for slain journalist/editor-in-chief Hrant Dink took place at Hye Doon. Despite the inclement weather, over 45 members attended this event to remember and celebrate the life of Hrant Dink, and pray for the soul of our fallen hero. The keynote speakers were Aram Tashjian in Armenian and Ara Keyfer in English. Father Zaven invited other members to share their thoughts with the audience, and the program was followed by the presentation of 2 DVD's remembering the work, ideals, goals and life of Hrant Dink.

Very grateful and sincere thanks are extended to Rev. Fr. Zaven Yazichyan who graciously accepted the invitation to be here and celebrated the requiem service concluding it with a poignant sermon. In addition, thanks to our diligent choir members and to Russell Major for obtaining the video equipment and making this presentation possible.

A delicious Hokejash was shared by all attendees following the service and Ani Tashjian would like to thank the following individuals for all their help: Anna Aba, Luiz Catak, Selin Dedeoglu, Sebuh Isler, Surpuhi Isler, Murat Karabiyik, Vahram Kasarciyan, Dilber Kelleyan, Jilda Kilbacak, Talin Major, Bayzar Toroslar, Zumrut Toroslar and Talar Torossian.

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

February 2008 Page 4 of 10

In Memoriam: Hrant Dink (1954-2007) Hrant Dink named the newspaper he founded Agos, which in Armenian means furrow. “A furrow is for planting, and we will plant a forest as a tribute to Hrant,” wrote ATP Executive Committee member and author Nancy Kricorian in an email to ATP supporters last year.

With the help of the local population in the Lori region, ATP began planting a new 50 acre memorial forest just four months after Hrant’s death. The advice and supervision of Yale University’s School of Forestry and local foresters is proving invaluable and ATP will officially dedicate the 53,000 tree Hrant Dink Memorial Forest in 2008.

“As a result of the generosity of our donors, we have been able to recover this eroded area that will eventually turn into a beautiful green place commemorating the eternal memory of Hrant Dink. With this living monument every single seedling that has been put in the soil with such love and care will symbolize the life and work of Hrant Dink,” stated ATP Deputy Director Mher Sadoyan.

Armenian Church of Atlanta will have donation envelopes available at the next Bardark to collect your donations for the Hrant Dink Forest Memorial. Please visit www.armeniatree.org/index.htm for more information on this project.

PRES. BUSH SIGNS OMNIBUS AID BILL ALLOCATING $58.5 MILLION TO ARMENIA and MAINTAINING MILITARY AID PARITY WITH AZERBAIJAN President Bush signed the fiscal year (FY) 2008 overall appropriations package this week, known as the omnibus bill, which included $58.5 million in economic assistance for Armenia and maintained Armenia and Azerbaijan military aid parity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.) The Armenia economic aid figures are $17.5 million less than the FY 2007 figures but represent a clear increase over the Administration's request of $35 million. Congress also approved $3 million in foreign military financing (FMF) assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan, reversing the Administration's latest bid to retreat from its 2001 pledge to maintain parity in military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. "We are troubled by the reductions in aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, particularly in light on the ongoing economic costs of the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades, as well as Baku's increasingly violent rhetoric about restarting its war against the ," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We thank all of our friends in the Congressional appropriations process who, working against significant competing budgetary pressures - were able to deliver figures higher than the President's request, and also to maintain military aid parity." In addition to the Armenia allocation, the omnibus aid bill also includes $50.5 million for Georgia and $19 million for Azerbaijan. Millennium Challenge Account funding is set for $1.5 billion, half of President Bush's request. The final compromise aid legislation does not stipulate a specific amount of aid to Karabagh, urging the State Department to be guided instead by the individual Senate and House recommendations adopted earlier this year, one of which did allocate $6 million in aid to Karabagh. On June 12th, the House Appropriations Committee adopted its version of the FY08 foreign aid bill, allocating $68 million for Armenia, $6 million in direct assistance to Nagorno Karabagh, and maintaining parity in the levels of U.S. military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Senate version, adopted by the Appropriations Committee on June 28th, called for only $39 million in aid to Armenia, $4 million above the President's request, but considerably less than the previous year's appropriation. Although the Senate called for direct assistance to Nagorno Karabagh, it did not set a specific dollar amount. In addition, the Senate did not address the issue of military aid parity. Other specific measures of interest in the omnibus bill include a recommendation for funding of an Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) exchange program with Armenia; Monmouth University sponsored professional exchanges with Armenia, as well as activities of the University of California, affiliated with the American University of Armenia.

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

February 2008 Page 5 of 10 Community News

About the Home Blessing The home is a sacred place where family members maintain and share many values. It is also a place where they are charged and empowered with these values to live a peaceful and God-pleasing life. It is under this roof that all collectively form oneness in spirit and assume an important responsibility in the life of the community. It is in this place where they break bread and share joys and sorrows. Here the presence of the Omnipotent is felt since every family is a miniature of a "Little Church – Ecclesia." In this "Little Church" the inexhaustible love and the very generous blessing of God permeate. According to the sacred traditions of the Armenian Church, God's blessing is asked for homes on different occasions, like on the Nativity and the Resurrection of Christ, as well as on the joyous occasion of moving into a new home. For Home Blessing the priest takes with him wafer and incense. He blesses the bread, the water and the salt. These three fundamental elements are essential life-giving gifts for human life. The priest asks from the Omnipotent God not to lessen these three gifts without which life becomes impossible or imperfect. The bread, the water and the salt are symbols of God's infinite goodness and care. With the blessing of these great gifts the household is enriched spiritually and its existence perpetuated for the service of his Creator.

The bread, which symbolically represents the Word of God, grants life to all those who taste it. The salt seasons our food and makes it delicious and edible. Metaphorically salt represents man in this world with his words and deeds. Christ said, "You are the salt of the earth." Man's life should be seasoned with wisdom, moderation or sense of sufficiency. Finally, water which is the most essential element of life, figuratively represents cleanliness. It's through water that we are cleansed by baptism, renewed in Christ, and united with Him.

Along with the bread, salt, and bread offered on a tray by the dwellers, the priest places also the wafer stamped with a crucifix and designs of grapes and wheat. The wafer is the presence of Christ in the home. The members of the family can either distribute the wafer among themselves or keep it in a jar along with flour, salt, or rice.

During Home Blessing it is customary to burn incense which symbolizes the burning of our souls with our Lord's love. In his supplication the Psalmist says, "Let my prayer be counted as incense before Thee." In the prayer of the Home Blessing the priest after asking for purity and abundance of the three gifts, he blesses the home and all its dwellers and asks God to keep them away from visible and invisible enemies and protect them under His powerful Right Hand granting them health of soul and body.

Home Blessing is a meaningful religious service that brings the entire family together in oneness and holiness, and blesses them. Through this ceremony everyone's faith is replenished and strengthened and the Lord's presence is felt. If you are interested in getting your home blessed, please contact Greg Avedissian at 404 697 5756 or at [email protected].

Interested in hosting our visiting Hayr Soorp A lot of time and effort goes into organizing our monthly Bardark and most of these duties fall on a FEW board members. Such duties include booking the airlines tickets, pick up and drop off from/to airport, hotel accommodation and meals.

We would like for the Atlanta Armenian community to help in these efforts by hosting the visiting Hayr Soorp and opening your home to him (whether it is offering to pick up/drop off, taking him out to dinner or providing a place to stay). If you are interested in hosting Hayr Soorp for a weekend or just simply inviting him over to your house for dinner, please feel free to contact Greg Avedissian at 404 697 5756 or via email [email protected].

This is a good opportunity for the visiting Hayr Soorp to get to know our community and provide a helping hand to our fellow board members.

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

February 2008 Page 6 of 10

Mark your Calendars for a night to remember in Charlotte, NC

St. Sarkis Armenian Church "Spring Gala"

th April 19 , 2008 at 7 p.m. Acopian Hall Charlotte, NC

Music, seated dinner, raffles and a silent auction!

For more information, please contact: Diane Tudor Tel: 704-849-0374 Email: [email protected] Sylvie Yessayan Tel : 704-604-2344 Email: [email protected]

Volunteer of the Month-January 2008

The Women’s Guild Volunteers of the Month are The Khodaverdian family. Mrs. Khodaverdian’s wonderful cooking and generous food donations are always a hit at any gathering. There has never been a time when she has not set forth offers of delicious ethnic Iranian-Armenian entrées, sweet desserts and their family’s phenomenal cracker bread to serve the community with. Mr. Khodaverdian, their son Vahagn and daughters Lucine and Verjine are always there to add their generous touch, be it with community service activities at Hye Doon, help at every gathering when present, help with grilling, or with bringing more food and drinks. No request is refused and their generosity and selfless community support is remarkable.

ACOA Women’s Guild salutes this wonderful family and asks our community members to acknowledge Khodaverdian Family’s dedication to this community as well as their spirit of volunteerism next time you see any of the members of the family. Stay tuned for next month’s volunteer of the Month!!!

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

February 2008 Page 7 of 10

Armenian Church of Atlanta’s General Assembly and Parish Council Board election is scheduled for Sunday March 16, 2008 at 1:00 PM immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

• Are your ACOA Membership dues paid for 2007? • Are you interested in Armenian-American community affairs? • Do you want to work for the preserva tion and progress of the community and do not strive to fulfill personal agendas? • Are you concerned with the mental, moral and spirit ual enrichment of the members of the community? • Do you have a passion to become active in serving the community? • Are you email active and comfortable communicating with various parish organizations? • Do you have a selfless and committed outlook towards your social believes and are willing to invest around 5 hours a week to this cause? • Then you are the one who should be on the ACOA Parish Council board. ACOA Election Committee continues its search for a diverse group of qualified candidates to serve the needs of our growing community. Those interested in serving on the ACOA Parish Council Board, please contact one of the following members of the Election Committee as soon as possible and ask to be included as a nominee on the election ballot: Mari Avedissian 770-235-8220 [email protected] Vania Aghajanian 404-610-5588 [email protected] Nairi Bournazian 404-786-0332 [email protected] Vahik Ismailian 770-851-7292 [email protected]

Board elections are approaching and in order to vote, you must be a ACOA member Dues are as follows: During the summer of 2008 the Diocese will once again be $50 Family working in partnership with the AGBU Summer Intern Program $25 Single to offer an eight-week internship at the Diocese for young $15 Student adults between the ages 20 and 26. The application deadline is March 5, 2008. Please see any board member to submit your membership payment. For more information, please contact ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian at [email protected] Or 212-686-0710 ext.143.

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

February 2008 Page 8 of 10

Atlanta ACYOA organized a trip to Lake Lanier on December 22 for their annual Christmas Lights show. All of the ACYOA members carpooled together and enjoyed the ride to and from Lake Lanier.

Upcoming events for National ACYOA 1) Annual Young Adult Leadership Conference in NY from March 7-9, 2008, ages 17-29. 2) ACYOA ASP (Armenian Service Program) From June 30-July 23, 2008. Cost is $2,200. For more info go to ACYOA.org or contact Violet Mirzoyan at 678 860 5623 or via email: [email protected]

YOUNG ADULT PILGRIMAGE

TO HOLY LAND College Ministry will lead its third annual alternative Spring The ACYOA Central Council will be sponsoring a youth trip Break trips this coming March. There are three trips: to Jerusalem this spring. Open to young adults between March 1-8 to Tampa, FL the ages of 18 and 28, the group will leave from JFK March 9-15 to Charlotte, NC Airport in NYC on June 1 and return on June 10. The March 16-22 to Lakeland, FL HLP (Holy Land Pilgrimage) leader will be the Rev. Fr. The trips partner with Habitat for Humanity and a local Vasken Kouzouian, who is Pastor of Holy Trinity Armenian Armenian parish. Each day students work on a home for a Church in Cambridge, MA and a member of the Diocesan needy family, while at night they will have the opportunity Council; assisting him will be Miss Julie Hoplamazian, to socialize and connect with the local city and Armenian College Ministry Facilitator of the Department of Youth and community. Education. Thanks to financial support from the Primate, There will also be nightly spiritual reflections, some in His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, the cost to conjunction with the local parish’s Lenten schedule. participants will be just $2098. Promotional materials and application forms will be available early next year. Trip cost for the two Florida trips is $150 + airfare to the Tampa airport; trip cost for the Charlotte trip is $275. Trips For more information or to register, young adults are asked are filling up fast and space is limited. to contact ACYOA Executive Secretary Nancy Basmajian at [email protected] or 212-686-0710 (ext. 143) or To request an application and to obtain more information, Julie Hoplamazian at [email protected] or 212- email Julie Hoplamazian, College Ministry Facilitator at 686-0710 (ext. 165). [email protected].

Upcoming Events

March 16 Badarak and General Assembly (Serpazan Vicken) March 23 Easter Badarak April 20 Badarak and Commemoration May 11 Mother’s Day Badarak June 15 Father’s Day Badarak

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

February 2008 Page 9 of 10 Congratulations Graduate…..

It is our pleasure to announce the graduation of Hilda Barassamian, daughter of Andik & Maro Barassamian, from Kennesaw State University Coles College of Business on December 12, 2007. Hilda received her BBA with a concentration in Management. We wish you all the best Hilda!

Armenian Church of Atlanta would also like to thank Lisa & George Paras from Frugal Fabrics & Designs for their very generous donation of upholstery, curtain and tablecloth fabrics to Hye Doon.

Please thank them for their donation when you stop by at one of their three beautiful stores located at:

Frugal Fabrics & Designs - Main Store Frugal Fabrics 2 (Discount store) Frugal Fabrics 3 6315 Spalding Drive Buford, GA 30518 Newnan, GA 30263 Norcross, GA 30092 678.541.0436 770.253.1926 770.409.0408 http://www.frugalfabrics.com/

Our condolences and deepest sympathies are extended to . the Derderian, Karapteian, Bjornholt and Keshishian families for the passing of their loved one. Our thoughts Get well wishes are extended to our first and prayers are with: ACOA president, Rev. Fr. Nersess Mette, Michael, Emma and Thomas Karapetian for the loss of their Jebejian, who underwent surgery to beloved father, father-in-law and grandfather, Per Nielsen Bjornholt who have a benign brain tumor removed on th passed away in Denmark on December 20, 2007. January 8 in Orlando, Florida.

The Derderian family for the passing of Mrs. Derderian on Friday, January Der Hayr is doing well. We extent our 11, 2008. Mrs. Derderian is survived by her husband, daughters and their prayers and get well wishes to Der Hayr families. and his family.

Hasmik, Adrineh and Sevan Keshishian for the passing of Haroot Keshishian, a beloved husband & father who passed away on January 19, 2008 in Tehran, Iran.

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