Sts. Vartanantz Church WEEKLY BULLETIN Archpriest Father Gomidas Baghsarian -- Pastor Reverend Father Kapriel Nazarian -- Assistant Pastor 402 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909 Office: 831-6399 Fax: 351-4418 Email: [email protected] Website: stsvartanantzchurch.org
Second Sunday after Pentecost May 29, 2016
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
Church Summer Schedule is now in effect.
Soorp Badarak begins at 9:30 am
Congratulations & Happy Anniversary
Ralph and Ani Rafaelian received the blessings of the Lord on the 10th anniversary of their wedding before the Altar at Sts. Vartanantz Church.
Men's Club continues the Clean-up of the Armenian Section of the Oakland Cemetery
18 members of the community were there today. Four new people (Anna-Marie Danayan, George Keshijian, Vark Markarian Sr. and Andrew Bagdasarian) showed up today for the cemetery clean up. They are now "hooked" with the other 31 that have done their part.
We filled 70 more bags today, trimmed hedges, raked and have turned this place into something to see. All that is left to the clean up phase is a small area needs some work, some large limbs need to be cut off a tree and a sign needs to go up calling this the "Armenian Section of Oakland Cemetery". We are approaching 500 lawn bags that have been filled so far. We are almost ready for a mass grave blessing by our three church's clergy. It's planned to take place a week or two after Memorial Day. We are hoping that a large amount of people will take the time to remember these people.
Next Saturday we will wrap up what's left to do and start walking through the entire cemetery and record every name where Armenians rest. Armenian flags will be placed at each one.
It's still not too late to jump on this bandwagon.
Steve
*****************************************************
Special Coverage of the Mourad Armenian School Graduation - Hantes and our Sunday School Graduation will appear in next week's issue
**************************************************************
End of the Year Bible Study and Fellowship
On Monday, May 23rd, 40 members from this year's Bible Study gathered for their last session before the summer break. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful dinner together and were uplifted by Joanne Mouradjian's beautiful singing. Der Gomidas then led the Bible Study with the wisdom and grace that has blessed our Bible Study under his leadership for the past 16 years. Just months after arriving at Sts. Vartanantz Church, Der Hayr started our Bible Study Group in January of 2000. Within a short time, attendance grew and continued to grow over the years.
The Monday Night Bible Study has been blessed to have as many as 70 participants. More importantly, they have become a strong, spiritual family united in their love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was an emotional evening for all as everyone expressed their profound gratitude to Der Gomidas for his love and dedication in guiding them into a stronger and closer relationship with our Lord.
FLAG BLESSING AND PRAYERS FOR THE ARMENIAN REPUBLIC THIS SUNDAY
Prelacy parishes will offer prayers of Thanksgiving for the Republic of Armenia and bless the Armenian tricolor flag on the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Republic (May 28, 1918), and the 25th anniversary of the current Republic of Armenia (September 21, 1991), this Sunday, May 29. Requiem services will be offered for the souls of the fallen heroes of Sardarabad, Bashabaran, Gharakilise, and the martyrs in the struggle for Artsakh.
“Bless, O Lord, this tricolor flag. And just as after the flood you placed your rainbow on Mt. Ararat and established a covenant with mankind, now too after the flowing of so much holy and heroic blood, may this flag with its beautiful colors be sealed as a sign of our covenant with you.”
****************************************
ÚÇëáõë øñÇëïáëÇ ²õ»ï³ñ³Ý¿Ý Àëï ÚáíѳÝÝ¿ëÇ (10:22-30)
ÒÙ»é ¿ñ. ºñáõë³Õ¿ÙÇ Ù¿ç ï³×³ñÇÝ Ü³õ³Ï³ïÇùÇ ïûݳϳï³ñáõÃÇõÝÁ ï»ÕÇ Ïªáõݻݳñ: ÚÇëáõë ï³×³ñÇÝ êáÕáÙáÝÇ ëñ³ÑÇÝ Ù¿ç Ϫ»ñûõ»Ï¿ñ, »ñµ Çñ ßáõñç ѳõ³ùáõ»ó³Ý Ññ»³Ý»ñÁ »õ ѳñóáõóÇÝ. ¦ ØÇÝã»õ »±ñµ Ù»ñ Ñá·ÇÝ åÇïÇ Ñ³Ý»ë. »Ã¿ ¹áõÝ »ë øñÇëïáëÁª Ûëï³Ï Áë¿ Ù»½Ç§:
ÚÇëáõë å³ï³ë˳ݻó. ¦²ñ¹¿Ý ÇëÏ Ó»½Ç Áë³Í »Ù, ë³Ï³ÛÝ ã¿ù ѳõ³ï³ñ: ²ÛÝ ·áñÍ»ñÁ áñ Ðûñë ³ÝáõÝáí ÏÁ ϳï³ñ»Ù, ³ÝáÝù ÇëÏ ÏÁ íϳۻݪ ÿ áí »Ù »ë: ´³Ûó ¹áõù ã¿ù ѳõ³ï³ñ, áñáíÑ»ï»õ ÇÙ áã˳ñÝ»ñ¿ë ã¿ù: ºë áã˳ñÝ»ñë ÏÁ ׳ÝãݳÙ. ³ÝáÝù Ó³ÛÝë ÏÁ Éë»Ý »õ ÏÁ Ñ»ï»õÇÝ ÇÝÍÇ, áõ »ë ³ÝáÝó Û³õÇï»Ý³Ï³Ý Ï»³Ýù Ïáõ ï³Ù, µÝ³õ åÇïÇ ãÙ»éÝÇÝ: àã áù åÇïÇ Ï³ñ»Ý³Û ½³ÝáÝù Û³÷ßï³Ï»É ÇÙ Ó»éù¿ë: гÛñë ³Û¹ áã˳ñÝ»ñÁ ÇÝÍÇ ïáõ³õ, »õ áã áù ÏñÝ³Û Û³÷ßï³Ï»É ½³ÝáÝù ÇÙ Ðûñë Ó»éù¿Ý, áñáíÑ»ï»õ гÛñë µáÉáñ¿Ý ³õ»ÉÇ Ù»Í ¿: ºë »õ гÛñë Ù¿Ï »Ýù§:
GOSPEL John 10: 22-30
Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (On Page 1062 in your Bible)
EPISTLE Hebrews 9: 1-10 Worship in the Earthly Tabernacle
Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings - external regulations applying until the time of the new order. (On Page 1189 in your Bible)
Altar Candles and Flowers are donated in Loving Memory of Sarkis “Garo” Tarbinian by his Loving Grandchildren
REQUIEM SERVICE May 29, 2016
Sahak Sahakian --- First Year Anniversary
Mariam, Varteres and Yeghsa, John and Sarah, Edward and Rose, Henry and Celia, and Harry and Irene Aharonian
Zakar, Mooshegh, Zartar and Charles Bogoian
Krikor Diarian, Diramayr Asnik Donikian, and Altheah Kouyoumjian
Rev. Yeghishe and Yn. Negtar Gasparian
Esgouhi Hajian
Paul Sr., Goldie and Charles "Chuckie" Haroian
Stepan, Hripsime, Vasken, Mary, Aghvani and Paul Kanarian
Krikor, Azadoohie, Peter Jr., and Peter Koshmatian Sr.
Albert Meldonian
George, Bedros and Miriam Navoian, Mel and Elizabeth Sarkisian, and George, Manoog and Hegna Marashian
Varteni Peligian
Sarkis "Garo" Tarbinian
REQUIEM SERVICE June 5, 2016
Arpine Aznavorian
Alice Bagian
Setrag and Okia Balemian
Charles Bargamian
Aram Peter, Hunazant, Armenag and Peter K. Bedigian
Michael Der Manouelian
Maragaret Bedrosian Diggle
Harold Goodwin
Hamayag Kahrimanian
Ohannes, Hermena, Peter and Albert Malkasian
Sarkis Movsesian Melkon, Miriam and Santoogt Rafaelian
Hovanes, Siroon, Arthur, Margaret, June and Gabriel Surabian, and Antranig, Varant and Lalezar "Lolly" Surabian Varjabedian
Manuel Tavitian and Dionysia (Soula) Tavitian
CALENDAR of EVENTS
Choreg, and Bahotz Kufta [mild or spicy] are available for purchase on Sundays after Church as well as during the week. Please contact the Church Office at 401-831-6399 to arrange for pick-up etc.
Parishioners Please refrain from parking in the Gas Station Lot as it is now open for business on Sundays.
This Saturday, May 28, 2016 Men’s Club continues the maintenance of Oakland Cemetery in Cranston starting at 9 am. Volunteers welcomed and needed.
This Sunday, May 29, 2016 Church Summer Schedule will be in effect Soorp Badarak will begin at 9:30 am
Second Plate Collection Today for the Prelacy Sponsored [Der Aram's] Summer Camp for Orphans in Armenia
Flag Blessing and Prayers for the Armenian Republic followed by a procession for the Flag Raising
Coffee Hour Fellowship will be hosted by the Tarbinian Family in Loving Memory of Sarkis “Garo” Tarbinian
Memorial Day May 30, 2016
Der Gomidas and Der Kapriel will be present at Heritage Park for a Requiem Service 9 – 9:45 am
Schedule for Cemetery Visitations North Burial Ground 10 am –12 noon Swan Point Cemetery 12:20 – 1 pm
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 Ladies' Guild "A Spring Night Dinner" of Traditional and/or Vosbov Kheyma or Cheese Lasagna and presentation on "Jerusalem, The Holy Land" by Shakay Kizirian Aramian Auditorium 6 pm RSVP to Joyce Bagdasarian 401-434-4467
Saturday, June 4, 2016 Homenetmen Providence 35th Anniversary Dinner/Dance Venus de Milo
Wednesday, June 8, 2016 ARF Presentation on the Current State of Arstakh featuring Unger Lernik Hovhannisyan [visiting from Artsakh]
Friday, June 10, 2016 Ladies' Guild Sook Dinner at Cucina Rustica 6 pm RSVP to Dorothy Melikian 401-521-7685 by May 30th
Parishioners, Please Support Your Church
2016 Membership Dues and Stewardship are now due. Forms are available in the Church Office
Visit our website for updated Church News
http://www.stsvartanantzchurch.org
Assistant Secretary Position
Sts. Vartanantz Church is looking to hire someone as an Assistant Secretary. Approximately 25 hours per week. Computer proficiency is a must. Knowledge of the Armenian language is preferred but not mandatory.
Those qualified and interested should contact the Church Office [401-831-6399] for an application and complete job description.
************************************
From the May 26th issue of Crossroads
FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST AND BISHOP ATHENOGENES
Today, May 26, is the Feast of St. John the Baptist (also called the Forerunner), and Bishop Athenogenes. John the Baptist is prominent in each of the four Gospels. He is associated with the beginning of the ministry of Jesus and is considered to be the “forerunner’ to Jesus the Messiah. He baptized those who repented their sins, and he preached the coming of one after him who is greater than he and would baptize not with water but with the Spirit. In the third chapter of Matthew, John is reluctant to baptize Jesus and does so only after encouragement from Jesus. The Armenian Church considers St. John the Baptist as one of the two prime intercessors to Jesus, the other being the Blessed Mother.
Athenogenes, a bishop and theologian was burned to death along with ten of his disciples in Sebastia, Armenia, during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian. Athenogenes wrote a hymn of praise proclaiming the divinity of the Holy Spirit. He is remembered as singing this hymn as he went into the flames. St. John the Baptist by El Greco
FEAST OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR: DELIVERANCE FROM THE PIT
This Saturday, May 28, is the Feast of St. Gregory the Illuminator’s deliverance from the pit (Khor Viraben Yelkuh). Gregory is revered as the patron saint of the Armenian Church. He is recognized and memorialized in both eastern and western hierarchical churches. The Armenian liturgical calendar reserves three feast days in his honor: Entrance into the pit; deliverance from the pit; and discovery of relics. In addition to these three days, there are several feast days to which he is closely connected, namely the feast days for Sts. Hripsimiantz, Sts. Gayaniantz, Shoghakat, Holy Etchmiadzin, and King Trdat. The Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox churches, and Oriental Orthodox churches have special days in their calendars for the veneration of St. Gregory, who is considered to be one of the Fathers of the early Christian church.
Gregory was condemned to the pit in 287 AD by King Trdat and the persecution of Christians began. After the martyrdom of a group of nuns who came to Armenia from Rome led by Hripsime and Gayane, Trdat was stricken with strange maladies. His sister, Khosrovidukht, had a dream that Gregory was the only person who could heal her brother. Miraculously, Gregory was still alive after many years in the pit, The Baptism of the Armenian thanks to an angelic woman who lowered food and Nation by Ivan Aivazovsky.
water into the pit each day. Gregory emerged from the pit; the king was healed and baptized, and he declared Christianity to be the official religion of Armenia.
Gregory was not the first to preach Christianity in Armenia. That distinction belongs to the apostles Thaddeus and Bartholomew who came to Armenia in the first century, and thus gave the Armenian Church its apostolic designation. Nevertheless, Gregory is revered and is considered by Armenians to be the father of their faith. Hundreds of churches have been built and named in his honor.
“The ancient calendars of the still undivided Church celebrated him [Gregory] on the same day in both the East and the West as a tireless apostle of truth and holiness. The father in faith of the whole Armenian people, St. Gregory still intercedes from heaven today, so that all the children of your great nation may at last gather round the one table prepared by Christ, the divine Shepherd of one flock.” Pope John Paul II in his “Apostolic Letter for the 1700th Anniversary of the Baptism of the Armenian People,” issued February 2, 2001. FEAST OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN
This Sunday, May 29, is the Feast of Holy Mother Etchmiadzin, the cathedral built by St. Gregory after his deliverance from the pit, to the specifications he saw in a vision, and on the place marked by the Lord with a golden hammer. This feast day commemorates the establishment of the Armenian Church and the end of paganism.
Etchmiadzin is the oldest example of a four-altar, four-pillar, domes, cruciform church in Christian architecture. More than 1,700 years old, it is the oldest surviving Armenian Christian site. Relief sculptures on the exterior walls are some of the oldest examples of the Christian Armenian art of sculpting.
***************************************************
2016 DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM FOR YOUTH AGES 13-18
The 30th annual St. Gregory of Datev Institute summer program for youth ages 13-18 will be held at the St. Mary of Providence Center in Elverson, Pennsylvania, from July 3-10. Sponsored by the Prelacy’s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the summer program offers a unique weeklong Christian educational program for youth. It aims to instill and nurture the Armenian Christian faith and identity in our youth through a variety of educational activities, coupled with daily church services and communal recreational activities.
For information and registration, please visit the Prelacy’s website armenianprelacy.org or contact the AREC office at 212-689-7810 or [email protected]
********************************************
SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER
The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance.
Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your pocketbooks.
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.
THE NEED IS REAL. THE NEED IS GREAT.
DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE BY MAILING YOUR DONATION TO: Armenian Prelacy 138 E. 39th Street New York, NY 10016
Checks payable to: Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Memo: Syrian Armenian Relief)
******************************************** Memorial Day Service
On Monday, May 30th, Memorial Day, there will be a gathering and short memorial service at the Armenian Heritage Park, located at the corners of Douglas and Chalkstone Avenues in the heart of the Smith Hill section. The service will begin promptly at 9 am. Please make an effort to join us. There will be coffee and desserts following the service. Let's all do our part to keep this tradition going strong in the old Armenian section of this community. Providence Homenetmen
Providence Homenetmen 35th Anniversary Gala Celebration
The Homenetmen Providence Chapter has served the Armenian community of Sts. Vartanantz Church and all of Rhode Island since 1981 through its athletic and scouting programs. This organization has brought admiration and respect to the Providence Armenian community for the past 35 years. On Saturday, June 4, 2016 the Providence Homenetmen will celebrate its 35th Anniversary with a special banquet dinner dance at the Venus de Milo, Swansea, MA. A souvenir ad-book also will be published for the occasion.
It is our hope that you will support this event by attending the gala celebration and sending your donation for the ad-book, which encompasses 35 years of our chapter’s history. It is only with your continued encouragement that this anniversary will be a success and Homenetmen will continue its vital role in educating our youth, who will be our future leaders.
Come and enjoy an evening full of fun, food and entertainment provided by famous singer Harout Bedrosian from Montreal and his band. Please remember the following deadlines: our AD-Book -- May 14th and Gala Banquet dinner reservations -- May 29th. For more information, please contact Hrant Khatchadourian (401)714- 4884. We look forward to a memorable evening with you and your family.
Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church Ladies' Guild