ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 Sb1 Mariam Astoua/a/in :k;[;xi ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH Newsletter May, 2015 f Visit us 4050 NW 100 Ave. Hollywood, FL Phone & Fax: stmaryfl98@gmail.com; Web: stmaryarmenianchurch.org Washington, D.C. - Vice President of the United States, Joseph Biden and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, joined President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sarkisian, His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, in an Ecumenical Prayer Service to commemorate the 100 th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at the National Cathedral. Over two thousand Armenian Americans filled the majestic sanctuary in the solemn centennial anniversary of the first genocide of the twentieth century. Faithful people and leaders of various faiths gathered for The Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide: A Prayer for Justice and Peace to remember those who lost their lives in the Genocide, and to express gratitude to all the leaders, US humanitarian workers, doctors, the Red Cross workers, ambassadors, missionaries and compassionate people for saving many lives during and after the Genocide. The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, welcomed attendees to the service and the Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, delivered the homily. The Ecumenical Prayer was led by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. Reflecting on the day s service, the Armenian President offered his perspective: It was truly an honor to address the congregation at the National Cathedral, said President Sarkisian. Today s Ecumenical Prayer demonstrated a powerful call to unite this community in the spirit of gratitude, justice and peace. It is important to recognize that we must work together to forge a more peaceful future. Genocide can happen anywhere, at any time; there is no generation, religion or ethnic group that is immune-history has shown this. What happened in 1915 to the Armenian people whether we call it tragedy for geo-political reasons or massacres, it is genocide by its very intent and means, and genocide is a crime against humanity emphasized His Holiness Aram I during the ceremony. We seek to inspire a change of spirit in people-an awakening of the heart that will influence future generations. The events in Washington are a testament to our strength, 100 years after the Genocide, as we join together to promote peace, honor those lost, and protect those at risk around the world no matter their race, religion or ethnicity, said His Holiness Karekin II.

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3 Living the Gospel of Christ: Legacy of our Women Martyrs The Unnamed Women Martyrs Of the Armenian Church Some women lost in the horrific events of the 1915 have defied anonymity thanks to the accounts of survivors, ambassadors and journalists. Their names were lovingly remembered by family members or communities that could now purposefully mourn them. Knowing who they were opened hearts to a veritable delta of rich memories: hometowns, husbands, children, siblings, and they became as real as such biographical footnotes make possible. And yet, many more, if not most of the beloved women who were mercilessly taken from us in those years of terror remain anonymous, faceless among hundreds of thousands whose stories are untold even if they resemble those we know. To these unnamed ones, we dedicate our prayers. To these women who went through unspeakable horrors as they fought and lost the good fight here on earth, we pledge our hearts, knowing that, in heaven, they have won the eternal crown. To all those women unnamed and unknown, anonymous, invisible, unidentified and unrecorded, we remember you now...the young mother whose husband was abducted in the middle of the night and baby son murdered before her eyes, and who knelt under the executioner s sword as humbly as Saint Sandoukht...the grandmother who began the trek into the Syrian desert with her daughter and young children, and after five days of relentless march under the hot sun of Der-el-Zor, collapsed in prayer, exhausted, dying in the arms of her firstborn who felt in relief the flight of her sweet mother s soul...the teenage girl, her books and possessions despoiled by her tormentors, ripped from the shelter of her family, enduring the pain of lost opportunity and the premature death so often visited upon the faithful in an evil world...the loving wife who lost husband, parents and children and upon fleeing desperately through countless nights hurled her last baby into a well on a winged prayer...the women of a village herded into a church, singing the Lord s Prayer even as they were turned to innocent ash...to the stout-hearted godmother who refused to reveal her godchildren s whereabouts and died clinging to her precious baptismal cross We celebrate all that you were, and are and might have been. Now, one hundred years past that distant horror, we celebrate your kinship in a Kingdom where Christ reigns, and God has wiped away every tear from your eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away. (Rev. 21:4) Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern)

4 The Bible Study will be conducted by Fr. Vartan at St. Mary Armenian Church. Everyone is welcome to participate in the study. Feel free to bring your own Bible, or I will provide you one. Please confirm you attendance with the pastor. Thank you. Thursday, May 28 (2nd Corinthians Chapter 3) Time: 7:30-8:30 pm The study will be conducted in English God Bless and protect our Youth Aundrea Gayane Dilanchian graduated from University of Tennessee with a Bachelors in Social work and a minor in Political Science. Aundrea has been accepted to Florida State University graduate school. She will continue her graduate studies to receive a Master in Clinical Social Work. Congratulations Aundrea! We wish you many more success in the future. Andrew Taylor Dilanchian graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He will be attending Florida State University to study in the filed of psychiatry/ neurology. He plans to also receive a minor in computer science. Andrew was part of the "Marching Raiders" for all four years of high school, as well as the Campus Ministry program. He plans to join the Florida State University Campus Ministry program, and marching band. Congratulations Andrew! Way to go! We wish you lots of success and fun, too. Janine Kulhanjian DiPiazza is proud to announce that her daughter Tatiana Kulhanjian will graduate on June 5th, 2015 with her Masters in Business Administration from the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at NSU. Tatiana plans to apply for scholarships in hopes of attaining her Doctoral degree. Tatiana currently holds a position at the University of Miami where she is the Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees and the Office of the Vice President & General Counsel. Tatiana enjoys a myriad of things especially biking, dancing, running marathons, visiting Disney, singing and painting... if there's a happening event in Miami, you are sure to see Tatiana there. Congratulations Tatiana! We wish you lots of success and bright future.

5 Kristin Nenezian graduated from the University of Florida school of business. She plans to become a CPA and possibly go to law school following her father's footsteps. Kristin is the granddaughter of Clara and George Nenezian and daughter of Terry, and blessed memory, Richard Nenezian. Congratulations Kristin! Lots of success and many happy days. Sevan Antranik Lusararian graduated North Broward Preparatory School and will be attending Florida Atlantic University this coming Fall. Sevan has been involved in many extracurricular activities, such as Soccer and Band, which just recently had their début at Carnegie Hall. We are very proud of Sevan and wish him a successful future as he begins a new chapter of his life. Congratulations Sevan! We wish you a bright future full of fun and success. Feast of Holy Pentecost INTRODUCTION The Feast of Holy Pentecost is celebrated each year on the fiftieth day after the Great and Holy Easter (Pascha) and ten days after the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. The Feast is always celebrated on a Sunday. revelation of the Holy Trinity. BIBLICAL STORY The Feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost. It also celebrates the establishment of the Church through the preaching of the Apostles and the baptism of the thousands who on that day believed in the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Feast is also seen as the culmination of the The story of Pentecost is found in the book of The Acts of the Apostles. In Chapter two we are told that the Apostles of our Lord were gathered together in one place. Suddenly, a sound came from heaven like a rushing wind, filling the entire house where they were sitting. Then, tongues of fire appeared, and one sat upon each one of Apostles. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as directed by the Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). Since the Jewish Feast of Pentecost was a great pilgrimage feast, many people from throughout the Roman Empire were gathered in Jerusalem on this day. When the people in Jerusalem heard the sound, they came together and heard their own languages being spoken by the Apostles (Acts 2:5-6). The people were amazed, knowing that some of those speaking were Galileans, and not men who would normally speak many different languages. They wondered what this meant, and some even thought the Apostles were drunk (Acts 2:7-13). Peter, hearing these remarks, stood up and addressed the crowd. He preached to the people regarding the Old Testament prophecies about the coming of the Holy Spirit. He spoke about Jesus Christ and His death and glorious Resurrection. Great conviction fell upon the people, and they asked the Apostles, "What shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38-39). The Bible records that on that day about three thousand were baptized. Following, the book of Acts states that the newly baptized continued daily to hear the teaching of the Apostles, as the early Christians met together for fellowship, the breaking of bread, and for prayer. Many wonderful signs and miracles were done through the Apostles, and the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42-47).

6 HOLY MATRIMONY Philip & Garine Berberian Best Man: Kerop Berberian Maid-of-Honor: Olga Berberian God bless and grant many healthy and happy years HOLY BAPTISM Vahag G. Torossian Parents: James & Marie Torossian Godfather: Alfred Torossian Godmother: Sarine Bodroumian Nadya Irma Yaghdjian Parents: Raffy & Natalie Yaghdjian Godfather: Rouben Yaghdjian Godmother: Tanya Dadian Luncheon will be served 12:30 pm Sunday, May 31st 1:00 pm All parents and children are encouraged to attend. Talent show will be presented by the students of Sunday School and Armenian Program students. ETERNAL PEACE Mariam Sagherian Marie Goshgarian Virginia Nenezian Haikaz Alboyadjian Khatchik Khatchikian May the Lord bless the righteous souls in His eternal kingdom. Amen.

7 You may also choose to sponsor a manuscript painting to be hung in the church Sponsor a pew in the church in memory of your loved one. $1000 / one section You will be establishing a lasting memorial for your loved one, and, in the meantime, you ll be supporting the church. Please contact Fr. Vartan or call the church office at ST. MARY ARMENIAN CHURCH MEMORIAL BRICK PATH TO KHATCHKAR A bronze plaque will be placed on top of a brick at the border of the path. The memorial plaque will consist of 4 lines with 25 characters per line. Please note that all letters, symbols and blank spaces between words are considered as one space. A donation of $ is requested toward each memorial plaque. Please make check payable to St. Mary Armenian Church. Thank you. Below is a sample of the memorial plaque. Line 1 - Line 2 - Line 3 - Line 4 - IN LOVING MEMORY OF NAME... DONATED BY NAME... Dedicated to the Holy Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide For details or further information please call the church office at (954) You may also call Fr. Vartan at , or talk to a Parish Council member..

8 Let your friends know about The Perfect Venue St. Mary Armenian Church BANQUET HALL 4050 NW 100 Ave. Hollywood, FL Tel: ; Hall Can Accommodate Up To 225 Guests Hard Wood Dance Floor Large Bar & Commercial Kitchen Beautiful Courtyard Caterer Available Upon Request Perfect for any of your upcoming events! Weddings, Christenings, Anniversaries, Family Reunions, Sweet Sixteen, Business Meetings, Alumni Events And any other event you can think of! We will pay you $50.00 after event has taken place for any hall rental referred by you or by your company