Bible Readings. Feb. 7 Matt. 6:5-15 Feb. 14 Matt. 5:38-48 Feb. 21 Luke 15:1-11 Feb. 28 Luke 16:19-31

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1 The Voice Newsletter is published once a month by St. Vartan Armenian Church 650 Spruce Street, Oakland, CA , Phone (510) , Fax: (510) stvartanoakland@aol.com Website: The deadline for all articles is the fifteenth of each month. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest and President of All Church Organizations Parish Council Chair: Barry Toomajian Parish Assembly Chair: Harry Sherinian Choir Director: Artin Der Minassians Organist: Ida Mazmanian, A. Rodriguez ACYO Chair: Sevan Jindoian and Nataline Jindoian Sunday School Superintendent: Janet Yeghissian Ladies Society Chair: Gail Kezerian, Caroline Arakelian, and Lisa Manoogian Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian Church Maintenance: Jim Taylor and Arto Yagjian Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger Wedding Coordinator: Gail Kezerian and Stacey Shartzer Church Secretary: Rachel Harger Altar Flowers: Carole Chang Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian Divine Liturgy Service Sundays 10:30 a.m. Bible Readings Feb. 7 Matt. 6:5-15 Feb. 14 Matt. 5:38-48 Feb. 21 Luke 15:1-11 Feb. 28 Luke 16:19-31 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan February 2016 The Silent Sermon A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, suddenly stopped coming to church. After a few weeks, the Pastor decided to visit. The Pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his Pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the Pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and lifeless. The Pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave; he slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the Pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday." We live in a world today which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken. What silent message would God have you share with someone today? "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16 A man may go to heaven...without health, without wealth; without fame, without a great name; without learning, without earnings; without culture, without beauty; without friends and without ten thousand other things. But he can NEVER go to Heaven without Christ.

2 St. Vartan Church will celebrate Upcoming Events Saturday, Feb. 6 Wednesday Feb. 10 Wednesday, Feb. 10 Thursday, Feb. 11 Saturday, Feb. 13 Wednesday, Feb. 17 Sunday, Feb. 21 Wednesday, Feb. 24 Thursday, Feb. 25 Saturday, Feb. 27 Sunday, Feb. 28 Dyarnuntarch The Presentation of the Lord to the Temple Saturday, February 13 5:30 pm This traditional service will take place in the St. Vartan Church parking lot and will include a bonfire. Thank You A special Thank You to Mrs. Elizabeth Barsamian and Mrs. Mary Anne Sievers for thinking of the ACYO this year when planning their Annual Armenian Christmas Party! The ACYO was invited to the Barsamian's home after Badarak for a special Home Blessing Service and Christmas celebration. We played several games, ate delicious food, and took part in a very exciting white elephant gift exchange. Thank you for keeping this tradition alive and welcoming us into your beautiful home! With Love, St. Vartan ACYO Sunday School Christmas Pageant The St. Vartan Sunday School presented a Christmas pageant on Sunday, December 20 after Badarak as St. Vartan Church celebrated Western Christmas. Paregentan Ball Lenten Vigil Service Parish Council Meeting Ladies Society Luncheon Dyarnuntarch Service Lenten Vigil Service Choir Rehearsal Lenten Vigil Service Men s Group Event ACYO N. Regional Meeting Choir Rehearsal 6 pm 6:30 pm 7 pm 12 noon 5:30 pm 6:30 pm 1 pm 6:30 pm 7 pm 2 pm 1 pm

3 St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: The St. Vartan Voice Newsletter Shavarsh Hazarabedian, Don and Lisa Manoogian, Vahram and Dolores Cherezian, Sylvia Arzoian, Jack and Alberta Bedoian, Lillian Mardikian, Cissy and James Baloian Landscaping Fund Rosalie Gifford Priest Discretionary Fund Antranik Azizian Suzanne and Razmig Abnous Joanne Agabashian Arak Aghazarian Sylvia Alexanian Siranouche Apelian Caroline and Stuart Arakelian Lou Aronian Michael and Alina Avanessian Annie Avedissian Archie and Nellie Azizian Arshak Azizian Ester Badalyan Adrienne Baker Barry Barsamian Ayko and Vartan Berberian Kegham and Roxanne Boghossian Lee and Adrena Clemmer Suren and Sona Dakessian Kathleen Demerdjian Brian and Cynthia Der Matoian Harry and Carol Dokouzian Mary and Nurhan Donikian Jack Dorian Margie Dorian Satenik Eldemir Dickie and Seno Garabedian Christmas Yughakin Donations Shannon and Edward Gentry James and Patricia Gold Peter and Sarah Goorjian Raffi and Nora Gregorian Aylin Gulbenkian Wartkes Hagopian Amy Hailozian Varoujan and Ann Hailozian Hagop and Sonik Hakimian Harvey and Nora Hanoian Andy and Lori Hill Rupert and Lara Horoupian Arlene and Vartan Hovsepian Armineh and Edward Jamgotchian Louise Jorjorian Janet Yeghissian & Zaven Kanneian Hermine and Vartan Keshishyan Charles and Dorris Kezerian Armen Kludjian Myron and Arax Konjoyan Bonnie and Harold Koojoolian Robert and Lucine Kroeckel Richard and Margaret Magarian Don and Lisa Manoogian Edward and Sylva Manougian Masis and Janet Mansourian Jeffrey and Julie Masoian Joseph and Molly Matossian Joanne Agabashian Hilda and Vahe Mener Karnig and Silva Mikaelian Edward and Goldie Minasian Cynthia Nikssarian Steven and Louise Noroian Albert Odabashian Liz and Ron Ojakian Jack and Tamara Papazian Lorraine Peters Alene Rudy Armen Sahakian Edward and Karen Sarafian Simik and Hermina Sarkis-Kelly Judy and Richard Sharafian Mildrid Shirin Caline Soghikian Ardemis and Fred Tajirian Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan Marlene Tolegian Mary Wiley Norma Yaglijian Chris and Lucy Yaldezian News From Our St. Vartan Family Condolences It is with sad hearts that we share the passing of our fathers, Albert Colello and Levon Kabaklian. Albert Colello passed away on December 19, 2015 in Round Rock, Texas. He is survived by David and Nairy (Kabaklian) Colello and grandchildren Sophia and Alex Colello. Levon Kabaklian passed away on January 1, 2016 in Los Angeles, CA. He is survived by David and Nairy (Kabaklian) Colello and grandchildren Sophia and Alex Colello. Fr. Hovel conducted funeral services at St. Vartan Church for Nai Kang Chang on January 22, Our deepest sympathy to his wife, Carole Chang; his sons, James and Lawrence Chang; his daughter-in-law, Kathleen Lam; his sisters, Wheyting Hampe, Myotin Chang, and Chintin Paul; and his brothers, Nai Ling Chang and Nai Tang Chang. Wedding On January 16, 2016 Fr. Hovel performed the sacrament of holy matrimony for Awet Ghirmai Kahsai and Yonas Gebreselassie. Michael Asmelash Kidane served as the groom s best man, and Simret Weldemichel was the maid of honor.

4 The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord to the Temple On February 14 each year, the Armenian Church celebrates Dyarnuntarach, literally "the bringing forward of the Lord." The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple is always 40 days after Armenian Christmas. Other names for the feast include Derendas (possibly a contraction of Dyarnuntarach) and Candlemas. The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord is told in the Gospel of Luke 2: It is the combination of two Jewish rituals followed by families during Jesus' time. First, it represented the idea that 40 days after a woman gave birth, she would go to the temple and offer a pigeon and lamb as offerings of atonement and thus, she would be "purified". The feast also recognizes the long-standing tradition of Jews to symbolically dedicate their first-born son to God by giving a small gift to the temple. When Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the temple, Mary was seen by Simeon, an elderly and devoutly religious Jew who had prayed to God to keep him alive so he would see the Savior promised to mankind. When he saw Mary and her baby, Simeon suddenly sensed God's presence, and said: "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel." (Luke 2:29-32) The feast commemorates the confirmation of Jesus' revelation as God. As we think about the revelation at the temple, we reflect on three ideas: 1. The Son of God is a real person, fully human. In his presentation at the temple, he took part in the totality of everyday human life and thereby repeatedly graced it with meaning and purpose. Although we are granted a precious few details of Jesus' life, this is one of them. 2. God is real to Mary and Joseph. In every moment of their lives, His presence and divine vision have charted their course. They listened for His voice and, as all such people do, they kept hearing it. When it was time to leave their private decisions and lives and join God's community, they did so, not out of a devotion and commitment that was culturally determined, but out of a determination into which they had been newly called. 3. Being real, God's purpose became the guiding principal of this family. It is not primarily the Son of God that Mary and Joseph take to the temple -- for He needs no presentation -- but the baby Jesus, a child who is to be raised in the faith that will both anchor him and yet allow him to reach high above and deep within to find the image and likeness of God that alone makes us truly human. The Basis for the Tradition According to Jewish canons, a woman who bore a child was obliged to go to the temple on the 40th day and present God with a gift and pray. For such occasions, those who were wealthy would bring a select sheep, a pair of doves, and money. Those who were poor might take only the pair of doves, and a modest sum of money. Joseph and Mary fell into the latter class. In carrying out this accepted canonical practice of visiting the temple and offering a sacrifice, new mothers would be fulfilled in being purified with fire and water after bearing the child, while the newborn would be blessed. It was in conformance with this practice those 40 days after the Holy Birth, that St. Mary took the infant Jesus to the temple. Over the centuries, the scriptural episode of the Presentation of the Lord had been the source of inspiration for artists of Armenia, and of other lands. Oldest Practices During the evening of February 13, before the feast day of the Presentation of the Lord, a special place would be set aside in the courtyard of the church, with plenty of wood and branches, ready for a bonfire. Immediately after the evening service in the church, the faithful and especially newly married, would gather around the point of festivities. The bonfire was started with candles brought out of the church. The young men would leap over the fire. The air was filled with hoorahs and shouts of encouragement to the jumpers, not only by the young people, but also by the elderly. Heads of families used to spread a handful of ashes on the roof of the house to keep evil spirits away from their home and hearth. Strong Start for ACYO in 2016 The ACYO hosted its first event of the New Year on January 10. We celebrated Armenian Christmas and the Blessing of the Waters with a Christmas Bake Sale. Thank you for supporting your ACYO. We will be back at Easter with even more delicious homemade Armenian baked goods! We also held our 2016 Kick Off Party! The ACYO gave out pizza and informed the community of our upcoming events and plans for the New Year. The ACYO extends a very warm welcome to our newest members: Aret Buyuker, Christian & Nikolai Chorbajian, and Erika Badalyan. We invite all youth ages 12 and up to join the ACYO and attend our many events this year!

5 ACYO Northern Regional Meeting to be held at St. Vartan on February 27 ACYO-WD Central Council invites you to our first Northern Regional Meeting of 2016 to be held at St. Vartan Oakland on February 27, 2016 at 2 pm. This meeting is your chance to voice your opinion, comments, and concerns. Our goal is to collaborate as the Armenian youth of Northern California on how we can improve ACYO. Central Council will also be announcing upcoming events for the year. All St. Vartan youth are encouraged to attend. After the meeting, join us for a fun afternoon of dodgeball and many more games! Pizza and snacks will be provided! If you have any questions please contact Nataline Jindoian, your Central Council Recording Secretary, at or nnjindoian@gmail.com. We hope to see you all very soon! ACYO Christmas Party On December 19 the Annual ACYO Christmas Party was hosted by the Jindoian Family. We had a great time with wonderful food and a lovely white elephant gift exchange, along with music and dancing. The annual tradition was a great celebration of an amazing 2015 and holiday season! We would like to thank all ACYO members and their families who attended and helped to keep this annual tradition alive! Wishing the entire St. Vartan community a very Happy New Year! Help Those in Need this Winter St. Vartan ACYO is working to help those in need this winter through its Second Annual Coat Drive. Last year our St. Vartan community provided a strong response, donating coats for several large deliveries to Oakland based charities. This winter, please bring new or used coats to St. Vartan Church Hall each week now through February 29, 2016 and place them in the marked bins. The ACYO will donate the coats to local humanitarian organizations Thank You We thank everyone who donated food for our Holiday Food Drive. We were able to donate two barrels of food to the Alameda County Food Bank. Fr. Hovel consecrated the Icon of the Saints of the Armenian Genocide at St. Vartan Armenian Church during Badarak on Sunday, January 3, Several of our members represented St. Vartan Armenian Church at the Western Diocese Regional Meeting on Saturday, January 9 at St. John Armenian Church in San Francisco.

6 2016 Armenian Christmas Services St. Vartan Church is forming a new FELLOWSHIP TAVLOO The first meeting will be Thursday, February 25 at 7 pm in the Church Hall CARDS All Men of the congregation are invited! PIZZA & SNACKS Ladies Society Annual Hamburger and Apple Pie Luncheon THURS., FEBRUARY 11 NOON LUNCHEON COMMITTEE *Gail Kezerian *Mary Donikian Barbara Morjig Evelyn Boyd Helin Karunyan Zvart Shahbazian Judy Sharafian Dickie Garabedian Stacey Shartzer Caroline Arakelian Carol Rustigian Mae Kaljian Ayko Berberian Thelma Baiocchi Janet Kamian Anahid Issahakian Sylvia Alexanian