Sunday of the Catechumens January 24, 2016

Transcription

1 Archpriest Father Gomidas Baghsarian -- Pastor Reverend Father Kapriel Nazarian -- Assistant Pastor Sts. Vartanantz Church WEEKLY BULLETIN 402 Broadway, Providence, RI Office: Fax: Website: stsvartanantzchurch.org Sunday of the Catechumens January 24, 2016 Please Join Us in Worship this Sunday Morning Service 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am - Sermon 11:15 Մասնակցեցէք Ս.Պատարագին` Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն 9:30 Ս. Պատարագ 10:00 - Քարոզ 11:15

2 Providence Homenetmen Scouts at the New Jersey Winter Seminar *******************************************************

3 GOSPEL John 6:22-29 The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone. Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. Jesus the Bread of Life When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." (On Page 1056 in your Bibles) EPISTLE 2 Timothy 3:1-12 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted... (On Page 1179 in your Bibles)

4 Altar Flowers are donated in Loving Memory of Michael Makokian by his dear friend, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Taraian, Sr. REQUIEM SERVICE January 24, 2016 Michael Makokian --- Fortieth Day Remembrance Alice Dasdagulian Mildner --- First Year Anniversary Sosik Arakelian Albert Avedissian Harry Bedrossian Isobel Harmaian Charles Kinoian Siranoosh and Donabed Kinoian Diane Adoian Michaud Sarkis Oundjian Vahram and Rose Samuelian and John, Nevart, and Arshalouys Donabedian Rupen Taraksian

5 REQUIEM SERVICE January 31, 2016 Dianna Mooradian --- Fortieth Day Remembrance Deceased Clergy of the Prelacy Satenig Donabedian Vartanoush and Manoog Kaprielian Siranouche Kevorkian Ruben E. Krekorian Haigouhe Madarentz Marie Masdanian and Sarkis Polian Rose Menissian Sarkis Nahabedian Sarkis Peligian Agnes Sahagian CALENDAR of EVENTS Please Join Us for Adult Bible Study Monday Evenings at 7 pm Choreg and Kufta are now available for purchase after the Divine Liturgy

6 This Saturday, January 23, 2016 AYF-YOARF Varantian Ball --- Venus de Milo Call Talene Taraksian for dinner reservations (401) or Friday, January 29, 2016 Calling All High School Students! High School Bible Study and Fellowship --- First Meeting Fermanian Hall 7 pm Sunday, January 31, 2016 ACA-RI Annual John "Jay" Varadian Basketball Tournament for Boys and Girls yrs. old Pilgrim High School in Warwick for further info contact Steve Elmasian [ ] Thursday, February 4, 2016 Young Adult [ages 18-30] Bible Study and Fellowship First Meeting Fermanian Hall 7 pm Vartanantz Day Commemoration in our Sanctuary 7 pm Followed by a Collation sponsored by the Knights of Vartan "Arax" Lodge and the Daughters of Vartan "Aik Otyag"

7 Sunday, February 7, 2016 His Grace, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielan, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. A Vartanantz Celebration Dinner hosted by our Ladies' Guild and Men's Club will follow in Aramian Auditorium. Our Honorees being recognized for their lifetime achievement of continuous dedicated service to their Church are as follows: Kenneth and Sandra Bogosian, Vartges Engustian, Harry Kushigian, Antranig Mesrobian, John Takian and Joyce Yeremian. RSVP to Jean Goshgarian Michael [ ] by January 31st. Homenetmen Super Bowl Party -- Aramian Auditorium 6:30 pm RSVP by January 31st to Talene Taraksian Friday, February 12, 2016 Family Night Aramian Auditorium 6: :00 pm Joint Armenian School and Sunday School Event Dinner, Program, Crafts, Family Focused Games, Photo Booth and Special Balloon Launching Questions: Call Yn. Debra [ ] Sunday, February 14, 2016 February Family Sunday School Breakfast for students and their families Lower School Hall 10 am Please note: Dates of Future Family Breakfasts March 13th; April 10th; May 8th

8 Winter and Inclement Weather is upon us! Please remember to check for our cancellations. They will be listed on all local radio and television stations and their web sites. Visit our website for updated Church News Assistant Secretary Position Sts. Vartanantz Church is looking to hire someone as an Assistant Secretary with the potential to become the Secretary/Office Manager in the future. Computer proficiency is a must. Knowledge of the Armenian language is preferred but not mandatory. Those qualified and interested should contact the Church Office [ ] for an application and complete job description.

9 From the January 21st issue of Crossroads CATHOLICOS ARAM S YEAR OF SERVICE MESSAGE WILL BE READ IN PARISHES THIS SUNDAY His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has declared 2016 as the Year of Service. In his Pontifical Message, which will be read in most of our parishes this Sunday, January 24, the Catholicos writes about the vital role of service and describes service as the Essence of the Christian Faith. He goes on to show the depiction of service in the Bible and in the writings of the Church Fathers, as well as the role of service as an obligation and duty of all Christians. His Holiness writes, By declaring the current year The Year of Service, we want to remind our people that it is necessary to participate with great dedication in our nation s noble work, with the brave knowledge that God will bless our service, and history will remember and honor not what we had, but that which we gave, not our beautiful words, but our good deeds. THE PROPHET JONAH On the fifth day of the fast of the Catechumens, which is tomorrow, Friday, January 22, the Armenian Church commemorates the Prophet Jonah (Hovnan), one of the twelve Minor Prophets. The Minor Prophets are not considered less important that those called Major Prophets, but their books in the Bible are shorter. All of the Minor Prophets were servants of God who proclaimed His will to people in need of repentance. The story of Jonah and the whale is one of the better-known stories in the Old Testament. Jonah s feast falls on the last day of the Fast of the Catechumens. Just as the people of Nineveh fasted and repented from their wicked ways, so too do the people of God during this preliminary fast before Great Lent (Medz Bahk), the most penitential season of the year.

10 Although the fast is not connected to the feast of St. Sarkis, it has come to be associated with this saint, even often incorrectly referred to as the Fast of St. Sarkis. Saint Sarkis the Warrior This Saturday, January 23, the Armenian Church commemorates the life of St. Sarkis the Warrior, his son Mardiros, and 14 faithful soldiers. This is a moveable feast that can occur between January 11 and February 15. It follows the Fast of the Catechumens. Sarkis lived during the fourth century in Cappadocia. He rose through the military ranks because of his valiant campaign on behalf of the Emperor Constantine. With the accession of Emperor Julian, Sarkis took refuge in Armenia with his son. Later they joined the Persian army to fight Julian. Father and son fought with exceptional bravery. The Persian leader, Shapur II, tried to convince them to abandon their Christian faith and embrace Zoroastrianism. Both refused, and they were martyred. Fourteen loyal Christian soldiers who went to claim the bodies were also martyred. Eventually, other Christians successfully retrieved the remains and sent them to Assyria, where they remained until the fifth century when Mesrob Mashdots had the remains transferred to the city of Karpi in Vaspurakan, Armenia. A monastery was built over the site of the graves. ST. ADOM AND ST. SOUKIAS The armies of Armenian soldiers were led by Adom Knooni and Manajihr Rshdooni in the fifth century, before the battle of Avarayr. They were ordered by their Persian commanders to leave Armenia and proceed to one of the most distant outposts of the empire for the purpose of keeping the Armenian soldiers far away from Armenia and thus prevent them from defending the Armenians.

11 The commanders recognized the Persian plot and returned to Armenia with their armies. They were pursued, captured and martyred by the Persian forces. The Holy Sookiasians were members of the Royal Court who were converted and baptized by the Voskyan priests. They lived in isolation at Mount Sougaved. When they refused to return to court and worship the pagan gods, they were martyred. This year Sts. Adom and his soldiers are remembered on Monday, January 25, and the Sts. Sookias and Martyrs are remembered on Tuesday, January 26. 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 Checks payable to: Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Memo: Syrian Armenian Relief) Thank you for your help

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13 The Christian Education Committee is excited to invite all the young adults of our community to become a part of these wonderful fellowships: High School Bible Study and Fellowship First Meeting: Friday, January 29 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Fermanian Hall Ages: All High School Students Group Leader: Der Kapriel Young Adult Bible Study and Fellowship First Meeting: Thursday, February 4 Time: 7:00 p.m. Place: Fermanian Hall Ages: Group Leader: Michael Markarian Come and enjoy the opportunity to be with your peers in a supportive setting as you: Get to know God s word better Discuss Jesus direction for your life Experience how Jesus answers the questions of your heart Find God s answers to daily issues Develop a closer personal relationship with Jesus Social activities will also be planned for each group, giving everyone the chance to get to know one another better while having some fun. During the first meeting of each group, the members will decide which day and time is best to meet in the future. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call the church office at

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15 Annual Vartanantz Celebration Dinner and Program under the auspices of His Grace, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian hosted by Ladies' Guild and Men's Club of Sts. Vartanantz Church Sunday, February 7, 2016 immediately following the Divine Liturgy in Aramian Auditorium Seating is limited to first 120 people Attendance is by Reservation only which can be made by calling Jean Goshgarian Michael at No Reservations Accepted after Sunday, January 31st. Dinner Menu Boneless Stuffed Breast of Chicken Bulghur Pilaf Roasted Vegetables Salad Dessert Coffee and Soda General Admission -- $20 Children under $10

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