Sts. Vartanantz Church WEEKLY BULLETIN Archpriest Father Gomidas Baghsarian 402 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909 Office: 831-6399 Fax: 351-4418 Email: [email protected] Website: stsvartanantzchurch.org

Sixth of Great -- Sunday, April 6, 2014

Please Join Us in Worship this Sunday Մասնակցեցէք Ս.Պատարագին` Morning Service 9:30 am Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն 9:30 Divine Liturgy 10:00 am - Sermon 11:15 Ս. Պատարագ 10:00 - Քարոզ 11:15

êñµáÛ ²õ»ï³ñ³ÝÇë ÚÇëáõëÇ øñÇëïáëÇ àñ Áëï سïÿáëÇ (22:34-40)

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GOSPEL Matthew 22:34-45

Hearing that Jesus has silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says, “The Lord said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’” If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared ask him any more questions. (On Page 980 in your Bible)

EPISTLE Colossians 2:13-19

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive in Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (On Page 1166 in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICE April 6, 2014

Shake Zeytoundjian Khatchadourian --- Fortieth Day Remembrance

Garabed Masdanian --- First Year Anniversary

Meron Arevian

Sarkis Chapian

Yeghsapert Elizabeth, Easaya and Charles Garabed Kenoian, and John P., Patrick, Sally and Nora Costigan, and Albert Vincent Reizian

Sarkis and Anneg Kopoian and Avedis and Zabel Demoorjian

Hagop and Arshalouys Madoian

Peter Mantaian

Vartoohe and Babig Marabian, and Gulizar Ayvasian

Sara Mary Matulewicz

Mary Papazian

Harabed and Margaret Saropian

Hagop, Dickran, Diramayr Anna, Naima and Janette Tashjian, Ki Diarbi, Geroge Simonian, and Ghezaleh and Sami Azrak

REQUIEM SERVICE April 13, 2014

Gabriel Surabian --- First Year Anniversary

Sumpat Barsamian

Lucille and Qurken Berberian

Zakar, Mushek, Zartar and Charles Bogoian

Michael Charles DerHagopian Maritza Dolbashian Armenoohy Asarigian George

Harry Kachadourian

Vagashag and Berjoohi Melikian, Kachadoor and Zaghig Zoragian, and Margaret Benjamin

Navoian, Bogoian and Haroian Families

Mark Plante

Madeline Sahagian

Michael Peter Sahagian

Sarkis and Marie Sarkisian

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

During the Lenten Season, please make a commitment to attend Adult Bible Study Monday Evenings at 7 pm

During Lent, Youth Bible Study will meet on Friday Evenings at 6 pm.

Lenten Vespers Service Every Wednesday throughout Lent at 7:15pm

Now thru April 13th The ARS is sponsoring an Food Drive Please leave your non-perishable food items in the totes located in the stairway outside the Lower Hall

This Sunday, April 6, 2014 ARS Blood Drive from 10 am to 2 pm in the Chapel Room

Wednesday, April 9, 2014 Our Ladies' Guild will host the Lenten Fish Dinner at 6pm followed by Lenten Vespers. Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian will be the Guest Speaker.

Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014 ARS “Arax” Chapter will host a Bake Sale

Visit our website for updated Church news

http://www.stsvartanantzchurch.org

Parishioners, Please Support Your Church

Annual Membership Forms and Stewardship Envelope Books for 2014 are now available from the Office. Please obtain and remit yours as soon as possible.

From the April 3rd issue of Crossroads

SUNDAY OF ADVENT This Sunday, April 6, is the sixth and final Sunday of Great Lent, known as Sunday of Advent (Galstyan Kiraki). On we are asked to ponder the mystery of the first coming of Christ and especially his second coming which is a fundamental tenet of our Christian faith, and which is mentioned in the prayers read this Sunday. Christ came to the world for the salvation of humankind. We are told to be ready at all times because He will come again for the judgment of sinners, and when the righteous will become worthy of entering the Kingdom of God. “Then people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send out his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” (Mark 13:26-27) Advent Sunday has its own special hymn, which proclaims that the apostles knew the mystery of the advent of Christ. The story of the expulsion from paradise is repeated and an appeal is made to Christ to ask the Heavenly Father to establish peace on earth. Sunday of Advent is in preparation of the following Sunday, , which is the celebration of the glorious entry of our Lord into Jerusalem and the beginning of . The terrible manifestation of your glory which will be in your second coming David foresaw and announced beforehand by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, God will come openly, fire will burn before him. Then, O Jesus, spare us, have compassion, O Christ, and have mercy. Mother of God unwedded, bride of heaven on earth, when in the sight of light you sit at the right hand of your only-begotten beseech him for us to deliver us from the awful flame, to number us with the righteous that we also may sing glory with the heavenly ones. (Canon for the Sixth Sunday of Great Lent from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)

ST. GREGORY’S COMMITMENT TO THE PIT During Great Lent, saint days are commemorated only on Saturdays. During the remainder of the year saints can be honored on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. This Saturday, April 5, the Armenian Church celebrates one of the three days in its liturgical calendar devoted to St. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of the Armenian Church. The three days are: Entrance into the Pit; Emergence from the Pit; and Discovery of his remains. This Saturday is the commemoration of his commitment to the Deep Pit (Khor Virab).

Gregory maintained his faith and refused to renounce Christ. As a result he endured many tortures and his final punishment was banishment into a deep pit where he remained for a period of thirteen or more years. Miraculously he survived, thanks to his faith and according to tradition a woman (identity unknown) who lowered food and water into the pit.

The Monastery of Khor Virab is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims who visit Armenia. The monastery was built on the exact location where St. Gregory was imprisoned. The pit is accessible and it is possible for visitors to climb down the ladder (27 steep steps) into the pit. The church, named Sourp Astvatsatsin, dates to the 17th century. The area is one of the most beautiful in Armenia and provides stunning views of Ararat. The area surrounding Khor Virab is the site of the ancient Armenian capital, Artashat, founded by King Artashes I about 180 BC.

Inside the pit where St. Gregory was imprisoned, now below Khor Virap Monastery in the Ararat provence of Armenia.

Come, let us exalt on this day the spreader of the spiritual light to us who sat in darkness, the holy patriarch Gregory. Come, you children instructed by him, exalt on this day the distributor to the sons of Torgom of the undefiled gifts of the Holy Spirit who gave us a new birth as sons of the light. Come, you children instructed by him, exalt on this day the interpreter of the divine word in the land of Armenia. On this day the Church and her children sing with the angels, on this day of memory of the enlightener ascribing glory to God in the highest. (Canon to St. Gregory the Illuminator, Commitment to the Pit, from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)

FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION This Monday, April 7, is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. This feast day is always commemorated on April 7, nine months before the birth of Christ. The Feast celebrates the announcement made by the archangel Gabriel to Mary that she would bear the Son of God, as foretold by the Prophet Isaiah (7:1) and as related in the Gospel of Luke (chapter 1). Rejoice Mary, holy Mother of God, for the Lord has come suddenly into your purified temple; we bless and magnify you. Rejoice closed door through whom no one has passed except the Lord God of Israel; we bless and magnify you. Rejoice sealed fountain of the living water giving to you thirsting nature as drink; we bless and magnify you. (Canon for the Annunciation of the Holy Mother of God from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)

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PRELACY ISSUES NEW AREVAKAL CD The Prelacy has just released a new CD of the hymns of the Sunrise (Arevakal) Service. As noted above, these hymns are spiritually uplifting and rich in expression. Included are the hymns Harevelits, Juknavork, Looys Ararich Looso, and Janabarh, with their variations. The CD comes with a 12 page booklet that includes the words of the hymns in Armenian, transliteration, and translation. The featured choir is directed by well known choral director, Haroutioun Odabashian, who has served as choirmaster of Yerevan’s Sourp Sarkis Church, and principle choirmaster of Armenia’s Araratian Diocese. The CD is available for $15.00. To place an order contact, please contact the Church Office.

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Please keep us up-to-date with your contact information!

Please call the Church Office at 831-6399 to reserve a specific Sunday in memory of a loved one or in celebration of a special occasion for the Sunday Fellowship following Church Services.

Due to Federal Privacy Laws, hospitals no longer provide Der Hayr with a Patient Religion List. We ask that you notify the Church Secretary (401-831-6399) of family members and parishioners who are ill and/or hospitalized so that Der Hayr may call or make a visitation.

Please contact the Church Office at 831-6399 with any address/telephone changes.

Armenian Relief Society "Ani" & "Arax" Chapters

EASTER FOOD DRIVE

for the

R. I. COMMUNITY FOOD BANK

AYF and HOMENETMEN SCOUNTS, SUNDAY SCHOOL and ARMENIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS are all asked to participate with the ARS Chapters and Community in donating CANNED and DRY FOODS to HELP THE NEEDY

DONATIONS may be left in the

BOXES in the BACK HALLWAY from

MARCH 9 TO APRIL 13

All Donations are greatly appreciated.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

A R M E N I A N R E L I E F S O C I E T Y

A N N U A L B L O O D D R I V E

FOR THE

RHODE ISLAND BLOOD CENTER

SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014

10:00AM to 2:00PM

STS. VARTANANTZ ARMENIAN CHURCH

IN THE LOWER HALL

IN MEMORY OF OUR MARYTRS

GIVE THE “GIFT OF LIFE”

PLEASE CALL

STEVE 573-7888 SOFIE 351-0631 JOYCE 354-8770

DONORS MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER TO DONATE

PLEASE COME AND DONATE. YOU WILL BE HELPING THREE PEOPLE.

Ladies’ Guild of Sts. Vartanantz Church is sponsoring a

LENTEN FISH DINNER [Optional Meal = Vegetarian Lasagna]

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Fermanian Fellowship Hall

Dinner served at 6:00 pm Followed by our Lenten Vesper Service at 7:15 pm with Archpriest Fr. Aram Stepanian as our Guest Speaker

Adults: $12 Children under 10: $7

PLEASE JOIN US