Sunday Bulletin. APRIL 8, 2012 THE ARMENIAN YEAR 1461 FEAST OF THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHURST Սուրբ եւ Հրաշափառ Յարութիւն

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1 St. John Armenian Church of Greater Detroit Northwestern Highway l Southfield, MI (phone) l (fax) The Reverend Father Garabed Kochakian Pastor The Reverend Father Diran Papazian Pastor Emeritus Deacon Rubik Mailian Director of Sacred Music and Pastoral Assistant Ms. Margaret Lafian - Organist Sunday Bulletin OUR CHURCH AND PARISH IS A PLACE WHERE... All people are welcome... Every member is a minister... The world is our collective responsibility... Disciple-making is our goal... And worship is our duty and delight. APRIL 8, 2012 THE ARMENIAN YEAR 1461 FEAST OF THE GLORIOUS RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHURST Սուրբ եւ Հրաշափառ Յարութիւն THE LORD S DAY SCHEDULE OF SUNDAY WORSHIP Morning Service / Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն...9:00 am Divine Liturgy/ Ս. Պատարագ :45 am SACRED LECTIONS OF THE LITURGY TODAY THIS WEEK: Acts 1:15-26, Mark 16:2-8 NEXT WEEK: Acts 5:34-6:7, James 3:1-12, John 1:1-17 Lector: Dr. Badrik Jooharigian Welcome! We welcome you to the Divine Liturgy / Soorp Badarak and invite all who are Baptized and Chrismated in, or are in communion with, the Armenian Church to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. If you are new to our parish and would like information about our many parish groups, please ask any Parish Council member on duty at the lobby desk. Make certain you sign our Guest Book before you leave so we can be in touch. Enter to worship the Lord Jesus Christ who loves you and depart with His love to serve others.

2 TODAY S GOSPEL: John 1:1-17 And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they were saying to one another, Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb? And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you. And they went out and fled from the tomb; for trembling and astonishment had come upon them; and they said nothing to any one, for they were afraid. ALTAR FLOWERS FOR EASTER Gifts for the Easter lilies adorning the altar were presented: In memory of Harry S. Carman Jr. by his family Rosemary Carman, Stephan Carman, Roxan Carman, Anthony, Roupina, Nayiri and Vaughn Carman, Stephen, Lydia, Tamara, Kyle, Anjel and Bryce Doyon; In memory of Melkon and Soorpoohi Chiefgian, Nishan and Arshalous Janigian, Dr. Aram Janigian, and Sahak Roy Sahakian, by Silva Sahakian, Susan Janigian, and Sally Blegvad; In loving memory of wife, mother, grandmother Marian Elian, by George Elian and Family; Patsy and Hillard Rodgers PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND HOSPITALIZED Vahan Aglamishian Seta Akarakcian Harry Avagian Jim Baylerian Rose Boudakian Helen Daiyan Siranush Demirjian Rachel Ekizian Agnes Hagopian Walter Negosian Ara Ourlian Alice Prudian William Pugh George Zallakian

3 GIFTS TO THE CHURCH FOR EASTER In remembrance of beloved father Edward Jamian, and grandparents Sarkis and Aghavni Jamian, John and Dikranouhi Solakian, Easter Sunday altar candles have been donated by the family of Gregory and Sandra Jamian and their children: Alexis, Lia and Natalie Jamian. The cut flowers and ferns adorning the empty tomb of our Lord were presented by Yvonne, Edward, Laura and Christopher Korkoian in memory of grandmothers and great grandmothers Eugapare Zobian and Yougaper Dardarian. In commemoration of the oil bearing women Yughaperitz and in loving memory of grandmother Magdalena Chamourian, mother Myrenie Mezian and sister Armenouhie Keleshian, a gift is presented for the lighting of the Resurrection candle at the empty tomb of our Lord, by Sirvart Mezian. A gift is presented in loving memory of loving son and brother Nadeem John Belbeisi, by Lucille Belbeisi, Alia Belbeisi, and Deema Gamal. Daniel and Karen Dardarian make a donation in honor of the name day of father, David Harry Dardarian; uncle Dr. Harry Kezelian; cousin, Harry Kezelian III; and in loving memory of grandfather Harry Dardarian; great uncle Harry Kezelian, Sr., uncle Rev. Fr. Haroutiun Dagley. Patty, Rosemary and Dyana present a gift in honor of father Harry Kezelian Sr., husband and brother Harry Kezelian Jr., son and nephew Harry Kezelian III. WHAT TO DO WITH LAST YEAR S PALMS? DISPOSE OF OLD PALMS PROPERLY BURN OLD PALMS...BURY ASHES IN GARDEN DO NOT DISPOSE IN HOUSEHOLD TRASH.

4 THE EASTER MESSAGE OF ARCHBISHOP KHAJAG BARSAMIAN Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America While It Was Still Dark Jesus said to her, Go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lord! And she told them that he had said these things to her. (ST. JOHN 20:17-18) IT WAS STILL DARK, EARLY IN THE MORNING of the first day of the week: a Sunday, close to 2,000 years ago. To most of the world, the sun would rise on a day no different from any other. Only a handful of people would later realize that something of importance had occurred. But those few people understood that overnight, the world had changed. Three pious women rose early to bear spices and burial ointments to the grave of their departed teacher and friend. But approaching the tomb, they sensed that something was wrong. The grave was open: its sealing-stone pushed away. And inside the tomb they found, not a dead body, but a mysterious figure an angel who beckoned them to draw closer. Here is how St. Matthew tells the story: The angel said to the women: Do not be afraid. For I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here. He has risen just as he said! Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, He is risen from the dead (Mt 28:5-7). Some 2,000 years later, we use the very same words to remember the miracle of that Sunday morning: Krisdos haryav ee merelotz! Christ is risen from the dead! And as Christians we celebrate Easter to mark the most important, most joyous, most glorious day in all of human history. But think again of what it must have been like on that first Easter Sunday. In the darkness before dawn, when the pious oil-bearing women set off on their journey to our Lord s tomb, things must have looked very different. Two nights earlier, the women had watched in horror as Jesus endured the torments of crucifixion. They had stood in silent witness, as his lifeless body was brought down from the cross, wrapped in a burial shroud, and placed in a tomb. All their hopes and dreams had come to ruin. Their Master was dead. His mission was over. The salvation of mankind had failed. The women approached the tomb that morning, fully expecting to find Jesus buried within. But he was not there. Instead, the women discovered that their greatest hope had come to pass: Christ is risen from the dead! just as he had promised. Imagine the overwhelming joy, the incredible sense of hope, the feeling of limitless possibility that swept over the women at that moment. They must have been bursting with excitement eager to share this news with others. And indeed it was these women the first witnesses to the resurrection who brought the Good News to the disciples.

5 Through them, the Gospel mission began: they were the first link in a great chain of evangelism that would eventually encompass the world, and transform our own homeland with its message of love, hope, and victory over sin and death. A beautiful service of the Armenian Church shows how very close we still are to these events, despite the obvious gulfs of time and space. Taking place in the early hours of Easter Sunday, the service is dedicated to the oil-bearing women: the Myrophores in Greek, or Yughaperitz Ganayk in our own tongue. The Yughaperitz service culminates in a reading from the Gospel of St. John (Jn 20:1-18), which begins Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark and ends with Mary Magdalene s ecstatic announcement to the disciples: I have seen the Lord! And here is the astonishing thing: History indicates that this service originated in the early centuries of the Christian movement, in Jerusalem itself perhaps at the very site of Christ s tomb! where the celebrants would gather at dawn, just as the women had done, to re-enact their world-changing discovery. Through this beautiful ritual, preserved over many centuries by the Armenian Church, the voices from that original Easter Sunday echo down to us, as if for the first time. It is surely significant that the oil-bearing women held no exalted or privileged status in the world of their day. Indeed, even the disciples refused to believe them when they came to the upper room, breathless, to relate what they had witnessed. Yet it proved that these women, even from their humble station, were the ones who had seen the truth with clear eyes. Certainly it was their humility, their willingness to rise before dawn to perform a ministry of love and respect at a friend s grave, that placed them in the right place to receive this truth. Perhaps it was the same attitude of humble ministry to our Lord which prepared their minds to believe in it, and prepared their hearts to share it. Armenian history is filled with similar stories of people often from the most powerless and marginalized stations of their surrounding societies who saw and heard; who believed and shared; and ultimately who transformed their worlds from within. That is the power and the promise that genuine Christian ministry the Ministry of the Faithful, as we have been calling it in our Diocese this year can bring to our churches and communities, to our families and our individual lives. It starts with those simple announcements of joy and amazement: He is not here; he has risen! I have seen the Lord! Or in the words of our beautiful Easter greeting: Krisdos haryav ee merelotz! Orhnyal eh harootiunun Krisdosee! Christ is risen from the dead! Blessed is the resurrection of Christ! This Easter, let us proclaim those words loudly, with conviction to everyone we meet. Even while it is still dark, let us pierce the darkness with our song of joy. And through it, may our Risen Lord draw forth the transformative ministry that truly brings Light to the world.

6 A Home Service for Your Easter Dinner ALL (recite the Lord s Prayer): Hayr Mer / Our Father ALL SAY TOGETHER (in Armenian or English): Krisdos haryav ee merelotz; mahvamp uzmah gokhiatz yev harootiampun yoorov mez uzgianus barkeviatz. Numa park havidianus. Amen Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death And by his Resurrection he has granted life to us. Glory to him for all ages. Amen. A READER: The Gospel According to St. Matthew, chapter 28. After the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ALL (recite the prayer before meals): Jashagestzook khaghaghootiamp uzgeragoorus Vor badrasdial eh mez ee Diarneh. Orhnial eh Der ee barkevus yioor. Amen Let us in peace eat this meal Which is given to us by the Lord. Blessed is the Lord in all his gifts. Tzez yev mez Medz Avedis Krisdos Haryav ee Merelotz!

7 THE PASTOR & PARISH COUNCIL THANK THE FOLLOWING FOR PARTICIPATING IN HOLY WEEK SERVICES Holy Tuesday Remembrance of Wise & Foolish Virgins Anoush Arslanian Victoria Boyadjian Sona Dagley Seta Hagopian Cecile Koceyan Gasia Oknayan Talia Oknayan Samantha Patterson Vivianna Patterson Nayiri Sagherian Holy Thursday Feet Washing Service Robert & David Ameriguian Craig & Remi Bruck Adam Jr & Adam Karibian III Harry & Sammy Keoleian Alex & Rupen Koceyan Michael & Vartan Ohanesian Holy Saturday Readers of the Scriptures in Armenian from AGBU Manoogian School & Our Church School Levon Saghumyan 4th Grade Celene Philip 5th Grade Lerna Lacinian 5th Grade Arsinee Hovakimian 5th Grade Nayiri Sagherian 5th Grade Karine Sahakyan 5th Grade Angelo Davtyan 5th Grade Sona Avedikian 7th Grade Cecile Koceyan 7th Grade Nubar Gamburian 8th Grade Angelina Antonyan 8th Grade Rachel Blohn 8th Grade Allan Oganyan 8th Grade Ararad Shirvanian 8th Grade

8 GIFTS TO THE CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF HOLY WEEK AND EASTER THE PASTOR & PARISH COUNCIL THANK THE FOLLOWING PARISHIONERS... Alberta Godoshian and Church School parents who prepared the reception after Holy Tuesday services; Arthur & Rose Mardigian for donating and preparing the butter blessed and given to the faithful on Holy Thursday; Norman & Janet Ankers for decorating our Lord s Tomb for the Holy Friday Service of the Burial of Our Lord. * * * In honor of Bob and David Ameriguian having their feet washed on Holy Thursday, Mrs. Agnes M. Dourjalian presents a gift to the church. In honor of grandsons Adam Sarkis Karibian III and Remi Nishan Bruck having their feet washed along with their Fathers, Helen Karibian presents a gift to the church. * * * The Greater Detroit area will be the location for numerous events commemorating the 97th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Please view the announcements on our bulletin boards in the hallway before entering the Main Hall. Please support these events with your presence. Let not our Armenian Martyrs be forgotten!

9 ST. JOHN ARMENIAN CHURCH COMMEMORATES THE 97TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915 TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2012 REMEMBERING THE ONE AND ONE HALF MILLION ARMENIAN SOULS WHO PERISHED AT THE HANDS OF THE OTTOMAN TURKISH EMPIRE SOLEMN REQUIEM SERVICE AT 7:00 PM FOLLOWED BY MADAGH DINNER GUEST SPEAKER: DR. SANDRA BUNN-LIVINGSTONE (with PowerPoint presentation) 97 YEARS AFTER THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: CAN INTERNATIONAL LAW BRING JUSTICE? Dr. Bunn-Livingstone, a recipient of numerous degrees from prestigious universities, is an expert in international law. She has taught law in the US and China, and has worked for the US State Department and several law firms in the U.S. and abroad. Her most recent book, Juricultural Pluralism vis-à-vis Treaty Law, is an expose on how culture influences the way in which nation states practice international human rights law. Currently she serves as Executive director of Jus Cogens, a law firm dedicated to promoting human rights worldwide.

10 DAY BY DAY AFTERNOON BIBLE STUDY A monthly Bible study group led by Yeretzgin Roberta Kochakian Wednesday, April 25 12:00 2:00 pm in the Nursery Room PLEASE JOIN US! ANNUAL GOURMET DINNER AND PROGRAM SPONSORED BY TEKEYAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION HONORING DEACON MIHRAN HOPLAMAZIAN Man of the Year Saturday, April 14, 2012, 7:30 pm St. John s Cultural Hall For reservations, call Diana Alexanian: Proceeds to St. John s Komitas Choir See announcement on bulletin board for more details NEW AT THE PARISH BOOKSTORE NEW: Walking Through the Armenian History and Faith: Instructional Handbook by V. Rev. Fr. Nareg Berberian SC $15.00 A Trip Through Historic Armenia Through Dance CD set $25.00 The Forty Days of Musa Dagh by Franz Werfel - SC $23.00 Hayr Mer Silver Charm Silver $30.00; Silver & Enamel-$40.00 The largest retailer of Armenian books, recordings and gifts in the Midwest! Stop by and browse!

11 FISH: A SYMBOL OF CHRIST Did you know that the sign of the fish is an early symbol for the early Christian church adopted even before the Cross? Fish are often mentioned in the gospels. This is what one would expect, if Jesus did most of his teaching in the Galilee. The synoptic gospels state that fish were a staple in the diet of Galilee (Some gospel verses which mention fish are: Mark 1:17; Matthew 12:40; Matthew 14:17; Luke 5:6; John 21:6; 1 Corinthians 15:39). Christians believe that the second link between Christianity and the fish symbol is to be found in the Greek word for fish (ichthys, spelled: Iota (i) Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς), Jesus; Chi (ch) Christos (Χριστός), Christ; Theta (th) Theou (Θεοῦ), God s; Ypsilon (y) (h) yios [3] (Υἱός), Son; Sigma (s) sōtēr (Σωτήρ), Savior). This is an acrostic with many translations in English. According to historians, during Roman persecutions of Christ s followers in the first centuries after Christ, Christians used the fish symbol to mark meeting places and tombs, or to distinguish friends from enemies. For instance, when a Christian met a stranger in the road, they sometimes drew one arc of the simple fish outline in the dirt. If the stranger drew the other arc, both believers knew they were in good company. Also, the first meal after Christ s Resurrection that he shared with two men was a meal consisting of fish. That is why the fish is such an important icon of sharing Christ both in life and death. In fact, it is most proper to serve fish at a memorial hokejash after a funeral rather than a meat product because we believe in the resurrection of the dead..and the life to come. REQUIEMS WILL BE OFFERED: APRIL 15, 22, 29; MAY 6, 13, 20, 27

12 EASTER TEA AND NUSHKHAR [Holy Bread] Thank you to the Women s Guild for undertaking the preparation of the Easter Sunday Fellowship today. You are all welcomed. Krisdos Haryav ee Merelotz! Thank you to members of the Men s Society who worked diligently Monday evening making 750 Nushkhars to be given to you at the Easter Tea. Just look for any Parish Council member carrying an Easter Basket filled with blessed Nushkhars. What do you do with a blessed Nushkar, that you receive today? Take it home and place it in a jar of rice, bulgur wheat, vosp [lentils], flour, sugar, salt or any grain, pasta or noodles for keeping the flavors and foods of the house that are prepared with these dry ingredients filled with Christ s blessings on the Day of His Resurrection and for always. Orhnyal eh Harootiunn Kreesdosee! HOME BLESSINGS It is time for home blessing on this holy season. Call the office to arrange to have Der Hayr come and bless your house. It is a pious custom to always begin the liturgical year with the Blessings of our Lord s Resurrection. THE EASTER GREETING DURING THE PERIOD WE CALL EASTERTIDE, THE EASTER GREETING OUTSIDE THE DIVINE LITURGY IS: KREESDOS HARYAV EE MERELOTS! ORHNYAL EH HAROOTYOONUN KREESDOSEE! See back page for the Kiss of Peace greeting exchanged during the Divine Liturgy each Sunday of the year, which does not change.

13 WOMEN S GUILD NEWS Easter Tea The Women s Guild presents An Easter Tea for the entire family after services today. Join us in the Cultural Hall for a celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord on this High Holy Day. Dinner and Fashion Show On May 18 starting at 6:00 pm, the Women s Guild presents: Spring into Fashion. The evening includes fashions by the Clothing Cove, raffle prizes and more. For reservations, please call Linda Moms and Manoogs meet for social interaction and fun activities. Our meeting days are flexible and we d love to have you and your Manoogs join our group. Contact Kristen Gustafson for further information. frissy10@hotmail.com or Knitting Club - Beginner or expert, the knitting club welcomes new members. The group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 10 am Noon in the St. John s Nursery. Contact Linda Assarian for more information The Women s Guild invites you to become a member. For details, call Terry Palaian, Kef Klub The Gathering Place for All Ages...Make it a Family Reunion! Friday, April 20, 2012, 6:00 pm St. John Recreation Center Tavloo, Cards and Games! Adults-$8. Kids-under 12-$5. 5 and under-free Family-$25. 2 Adults + Children PLEASE RSVP St. John s Church Office:

14 ENDING HUNGER ONE STEP AT A TIME CROP HUNGER WALK Join Team St. John s Armenian Church Sunday, May 6, 2012 (after worship) Contact Team Leader Lisa Mardigian lmardigian@sjachurch.org or call The purpose of this initiative is to support the poor in all parts of the world by helping them become self-sufficient. $25 can provide a farm family with everything they need to make succulent, nutritious honey hives, training and equipment. $50 can provide 400 lbs. of much-needed food for a local church-run food pantry. $100 can provide 250 cute and useful baby chicks, who will grow up to be egg-producing chickens. Join the CROP Hunger Walk or donate to a walker. Online donations for Team St. John's Armenian Church

15 ATTENTION... JUNIOR HIGH, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR ST. NERSESS ARMENIAN SEMINARY SUMMER CONFERENCES 2012 Five conferences are scheduled this summer including the Deacons Training Program designed especially for young men. These programs allow our youth to explore their faith, culture and history in a safe, fun and unique environment while bonding them in lasting friendships. Registration is available online for the following sessions: Deacons Training Program: June 25 July 3 High School Conference A: July 6-14 Junior High School Conference: July High School Conference B: July 30 August 7 Post High School Conference: August More information about these programs and application forms can be found at the seminary s website: * * * THOUGHT OF THE WEEK It s never too late to have a happy childhood; but the second one is up to you and no one else!

16 ON LEAVING THE SANCTUARY AFTER BADARAK When approaching the Holy Gospel at the end of the Divine Liturgy, you say: Heeshestzeh Der zamenaym Badarakus koh. Յիշեսցէ Տէր զամենայն Պատարագս քո: May the Lord remember all your offerings. The Priest answers: Datseh kez Der usd srdee koom yev zamenayn khorhoortus koh ee parees na gadarsestseh. Տացէ քեզ Տէր ըստ սրտի քում եւ զամենայն խորհուրդս քո ի բարիս նա կատարեսցէ: May the Lord grant you according to your own heart, and fulfill all your counsel in goodness. (Psalm 20:4) When taking Mahs, the GIV- ER says: Mahs yev pazheen yegheetsee kez ee Soorp Badarakes. Մաս եւ բաժին եղիցի քեզ ի Սուրբ Պատարագէս: May this be to you a share and portion of the Holy Sacrifice. The RECEIVER says Pahjeen eem Asdvadz haveedyan. Բաժին իմ Աստուած յաւիտեան: THE KISS OF PEACE The GIVER says: Christ is revealed amongst us. Kreesdos ee mech mer haydnetsav. The RECEIVER says: Blessed is the revelation of Christ. Orhnyal eh haydootyoonun Kreesdosee. THE PSALM OF DISMISSAL - PSALM 34 Orhnetseets uzder hamenayn zham, hamenyn zham orhnootyoon nora ee peran eem. Օրհնեցից ըզտէր յամենայն ժամ, յամենայն ժամ, oրհնութիւն նորա ի բերան իմ: I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall be at all times in my mouth. Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm After hour s in an emergency, pl ease contact: Pastor s Cell: Parish Council Chair man s Cell: Administr ator s Cell: