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

Transfiguration July 3, 2016

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

ARS "" Chapter Fundraiser for the Soseh Kindergarten

On Thursday June 23,, 2016, the Armenian Relief Society Ani Chapter, hosted an elegant evening of Armenian Folk music and fine dining at the historic University Club, in Providence, RI. The event benefitted the rebuilding of the Soseh Kindergarten in Stephanakert, Artsakh.

Committee Chairs - Elyse Kaprielian, Karen Pilla and Pauline Getzoyan

In an intimate setting, circa 1899, the close to 70 guests were welcomed with warm smiles from the Ungerouhi’s, bubbly, and a variety of hors d’oeuvres of traditional New England faire.

After engaging in lively conversation, fine wine and a savory meal, attendees were treated to beautiful live music by the Armenian Chamber Ensemble. Musician’s Leon Janikian, Clarinet, Mal Barsamian, Oud, Dalita Getzoyan, Flute, Gevorkian, Duduk, Charles Kalajian, Percussion and Ken Kalajian, Guitar, serenaded the crowd with chosen selections from Gomidas, Sayat Nova, and Hovanissian.

The special evening concluded with Ungerouhi Pauline Getzoyan, Armenian Relief Society Central Executive member, sharing a brief video documenting the history of the Soseh Kindergarten and the future plans for the project being spearheaded by the Armenian Relief Society. The first Soseh Kindergarten opened its doors in 1998 to the children of the soldiers fighting in the Artsakh War. The original building dating back to 1953, is no longer safe for use. The new 6,000 square foot structure, currently under construction, will contain 8 large classrooms, 2 main halls, a playground and a bomb shelter. The project is expected to be completed sometime in 2017.

The Armenian Relief Society Ani Chapter extends its sincere gratitude to the members of the Providence Armenian Community who chose to support this project and assisted us in meeting our goal of sponsoring a root on the tree of recognition that will adorn the walls of the school.

Melissa Simonian ARS "Ani" Chapter

Joseph Scotti and Jennifer Tashjian

exchanged the vows of Holy Matrimony in Sts. Vartanantz Church on June 25, 2016

May God Bless You and May He keep you in His care always

Church Summer Schedule is now in effect. Soorp Badarak begins at 9:30 am

GOSPEL Matthew 17:1-13

After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John, the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as the light. Just then there appeared before them and , talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord. It is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters – one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about . (On Page 973 in your Bible)

EPISTLE 1 John 1:1-7

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (On Page 1207 in your Bible)

There will be no Requiem Service today as we are celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration

REQUIEM SERVICE July 10, 2016

Megerdich Megerdichian --- First Year Anniversary

Helen Araxie Baligian

Bessie Bogosian and Victoria Margosian

Ohan Dolbashian

Krikor Elmasian

Setrag Elmayan

Edward Karoghlanian

Hykas Krikorian

Elizabeth Altounian Longo

Azbar Agnes Nalbandian

Paroonag Topalian

Congratulations to all of Our Graduates

We wish you much success in all your future endeavors.

Please forward your picture and brief bio by email to ([email protected]) by July 20th if you wish to be included in our Graduates' Page which will appear in a special issue of the Gantegh in August.

Choreg, is available for purchase. Please contact the Church Office at 401-831-6399 to arrange for pick-up.

Parishioners Please refrain from parking in the Gas Station Lot as it is now open for business on Sundays.

CALENDAR of EVENTS

This Saturday, July 2, 2016 Men's Club is once again meeting at the Oakland Cemetery to continue the documentation/confirmation of the Armenian deceased. This endeavor will be begin at 9 am; all are welcome.

Saturday, July 16, 2016 Ladies' Guild - ARS "Ani" Chapter presents "A Hye Summer Night X" Alpine Country Club in Cranston For info, contact Joyce Bagdasarian at 401-434-4467

Summer Bible Camp July 18 -- 22, 2016 "God's Precious Promises" for children ages 4 - 12 Registrations must be received by July 1st!

Saturday, July 23, 2016 10th Annual ACAA Golf Tournament Questions: please contact Melissa at 401-480-6886 or email at [email protected]

Saturday, August 13, 2016 Preparations for our Annual Church Picnic Fermanian Hall 9:30 am

Sunday, August 14, 2016 Annual Church Picnic Camp Haiastan in Franklin

Save The Date Sunday, October 2, 2016 Retirement Banquet in honor of our beloved Der Gomidas Crowne Plaza, Warwick, RI

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 is preferred but not mandatory.

Those qualified and interested should contact the Church Office [401-831-6399] for an application and complete description.

Visit our website for updated Church News http://www.stsvartanantzchurch.org

Parishioners, Please Support Your Church

2016 Membership Dues and Stewardship are now due. Forms are available in the Church Office.

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Help Needed for the ARMENIAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION of RI

Volunteer Web Master needed to help the Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island (AHARI) establish its new Website. Art work and site mechanics are completed. Need help to load and enter data, references, articles, images, videos and manage site content from time to time. Good opportunity to gain experience and proficiency in web management. For more information, please contact [email protected]

*************************** The Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island is looking for an Administrative Office Manager [part-time volunteer] to organize, set up, and run its new 3 office suites located at Bliss Place 245 Waterman Street on the East Side of Providence.

This individual, preferably of Armenian descent, should have good organizational skills and be familiar with contemporary Administrative Office Management procedures.

Please contact: Richard K. Papazian, Vice Chairman at 401-441-4546 or at [email protected]

*************************** The Genealogy Sub-Committee of the Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island is looking for help with data entry - entering data on spreadsheets from text files that we have access to. Some examples would be names and places of burial from cemetery files or names and dates from baptism files. We need people who are familiar with computers and entering information on Excel spreadsheets in a particular format. The eventual goal is to have information accessible for people doing genealogy research.

For further information, please contact Margaret Chevian [email protected] or Martha Jamgochian [email protected]

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From the June 30th issue of Crossroads

THE OLD ARK OF THE COVENANT AND FEAST OF THE NEW HOLY CHURCH

On Saturday, July 2, the Armenian Church commemorates the Old Ark of the Covenant and the Feast of the New Holy Church. This combined commemoration take place on the Saturday prior to the Feast of the Transfiguration. Celebrating the old and new shows the perpetuity of the Church. God revealed Himself to humankind gradually through , , , Moses and the prophets. The church existed from the beginning, and that is why the Old Testament is accepted as part of the Holy Scriptures and recognized as a preamble to the . The hymn designated for this day proclaims, “Who from the beginning established your church with wisdom, O, Father of Wisdom, who revealed to Moses upon Sinai."

FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION

This Sunday, July 3, the Armenian Church observes one of its five major feasts, the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ (Aylakerputiunm / Vartavar). This Feast is observed fourteen weeks after Easter, and therefore can fall between June 28 and August 1. It commemorates an episode in the New Testament recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Peter, recalling Christ’s ascent up Mount Tabor with disciples John, James, and Peter.

The Transfiguration took place on the “holy mountain” (believed to be Mt. Tabor) where Jesus went with his three disciples. As He was praying, “His face shone like the sun and His garments became white as light.” The Moses and Prophet Elijah appeared at His side. It was as this moment that His appearance was “transfigured” revealing himself as God to His disciples as a voice from above said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” Jesus urged his disciples to keep silent about what they saw, but the incident was recorded in the .

The pre-Christian festival Vartavar (Festival of Roses) was joined with this new Christian holiday. would decorate the temple of the goddess Asdghig (goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and water) with roses, release doves, and engage in water games on this pre-Christian popular holiday. St. Gregory the Illuminator combined Vartavar with the Tranfiguration. The fifth century historian Yeshighe wrote the prayer that is recited in church on this feast: “O Lord, bless the harvest of this year and defend from all the perils, and may Your right hand, O Lord, protect us for the whole year.”

Vartavar became a traditional day of pilgrimage to churches named in honor of St. John the Baptist. The most popular destination was the Monastery of Sourp Garabed of Moush, founded by Gregory the Illuminator in the province of Taron near Moush. (Garabed means Forerunner, referring to John the Baptist). The monastery was large and expansive and built like a fortress in the mountains. More than one thousand pilgrims could be accommodated. After 1915 the complex ceased to exist. The monastery was destroyed by the Turkish army, and the ravages of time, weather and scavengers completed its destruction. The once large and thriving Armenian monastery is now a mass of stone and rubble.

This Sunday is the name day for those named Vartkes, Vartavar, Vart, Vartouni, Alvart, Sirvart, Nevart, Lousvart, Hyvart, Baidzar, Vartanoush, Vartiter, Varvar.

MONDAY IS MEMORIAL DAY

The Monday after each of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church is a Memorial Day—a day of remembrance of the dead.

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2016 DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM for YOUTH AGES 13-18

This Year Marks the 30th Anniversary of St. Gregory of Datev Program of the Armenian Prelacy. This program has touched the lives of hundreds of Armenian Teenagers in the past 3 decades.

We need your help to continue our mission fostering the Armenian-Christian growth and development of our youth.

Any Size Donation Helps

The Eastern Prelacy's Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) annual weeklong "Datev" program has grown extensively since its beginnings in 1987. The four year program offers young Armenians an enriching curriculum that mixes theory with practice, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.

Why Datev?

 To instill and nurture the Armenian Christian faith and identity in our youth.  To encourage Armenian youth to become more involved in the life of the Church.  To discuss youth-related issues with Armenian clergy and teachers.  To provide a forum for our youth to expand their knowledge of Armenian culture through language, poetry, music, song and dance.

Rooted in the Armenian Christian faith and culture, the Institute is a four-year (one week each summer) faith-based program for youth ages 13-18. Those who complete the four year Program may return for postgraduate classes. Classes for the five levels of study take place concurrently. The daily schedule reflects the Institute's three main objectives: Education, worship, and fellowship. And the program includes worship services, Bible study, group discussions, lectures, and recreational activities.

Your donation* will help us embrace the next chapter of our journey with a renewed vision and commitment to bring our youth closer to God and the Armenian Church. Please forward your donation, payable to the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, to

Armenian Apostolic Church of America c/o AREC 138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016

or you may donate online using the link below

https://fundly.com/30th-anniversary-of-datev * THE ARMENIAN PRELACY IS AN IRS 501 (c)(3) ORGANIZATION.

******************************** 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)

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ACA-RI Tenth Annual Armenian Open Golf Tournament

Triggs Memorial Golf Course, Providence, RI

Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 1pm

Dinner at 6:30pm

$125 per golfer $30 suggested donation for dinner guest

Tee-sponsorship for $100

Raffle prizes, money hole, and prizes for putting contest, closest to the pin, longest drive

Questions: please contact Melissa at 401-480-6886 or email at [email protected]

Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church

ANNUAL PICNIC

Sunday, August 14, 2016 12 Noon to 6:00 pm

at Camp Haiastan, rain or shine

The Blessing of the Madagh and Grapes

will take place at 3:30 pm

under the auspices of His Eminence,

Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan

and with the participation of Pastors of the New England Area Churches.

ENJOY - Delicious Shish, Losh and Chicken Kebab, Armenian Pastries, Choreg

Music by the Gregian Ensemble with special guest Joe Zeytoonian on oud

Our patrons may use the Lower Camp Pool, Basketball Courts and Canoes from 1 to 4 pm

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