From Der Hayr s Desk...

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1 Etching by Vartkes Kaprielian Publication of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church 402 Broadway, Providence, Rhode Island Archpriest Fr. Gomidas Baghsarian, Pastor Rev. Fr. Kapriel Nazarian, Assistant Pastor Office: Hall: F ax: info@stsvartanantzchurch.org Website: stsvartanantzchurch.org Vol. L No. 11 Merry Christmas December 2015 From Der Hayr s Desk... In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:4-5 ) We have entered the Advent season and our hearts begin to focus on Christ the Light of the world. As believers, we are witnesses of that light, and are to hold that light up for others to see and be attracted to Christ, who is in us and shines forth from us. We are all familiar with the song Amazing Grace, by John Newton, a slave trader who came to experience the light of Christ. He writes: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind, but now I see. Jesus the Light of the world, came into his life and he was never the same again. It is through grace that we receive the light of Christ and all the blessings that accompany it. Anyone who does not know Christ, walks in total darkness, until Christ comes into his life. Knowing all this as Christians, how can we spread that light to others? A few weeks ago, I was driving home from New York City at night in pouring rain. Someone kept on flashing his lights on me and would not stop. After at least 5 minutes of this persistence, I became very annoyed with the person until I noticed that my lights were off and I was driving in the dark. The man saved me from a dangerous situation. In the same way, it is our mission - like that man - to alert others that they are traveling on life's highway in total darkness, if they do not have Christ, the Light of the world guiding them. Jesus said: You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16 )

2 Especially during the Advent Season, Please Join Us for Adult Bible Study on Monday Evenings at 7 pm Please Join Us Christmas Eve December 24th Candlelight Service 7 pm New Year's Day January 1st Morning Service 11 am Board of Trustees Chairman: Hagop Khatchadourian Vice Chairman: Hagop Donoyan Treasurer: Angel Stevens Asst. Treasurer: Hrant Khatchadourian Secretary: Sylvia E. Varadian Board Members James Colangelo Zepur Donoyan Armand Kibarian Violet Manoushak Krikorian Jason Simonian Sebouh Yepremian Best Wishes for a very productive year! Der Gomidas, Der Kapriel and the BOT also wish to thank outgoing Trustees Margaret Stepanian and Harout Taraksian for their dedication and service for three terms. Sts. Vartanantz Church Outreach Fund Please consider making a donation to the Sts. Vartanantz Church Outreach Fund. This program s purpose is to provide financial help for those parishioners who have fallen on hard times. All donations should be designated for the Outreach Fund. Also, please note if you would like your donation to remain anonymous. Armenian Fest Raffle Winners First Prize -- $2,000 Second Prize -- $100 Third Prize -- $ 100 Anne Shaljian Fay Dirahayr Charles Nazarian JoAnn Der Manouelian 50 Powerball Tickets -- Peter "Doc" Bedrosian Jack-Pot Scratch Tickets -- Melanie Kojoyian Special Raffle 55" TV -- Charlie Harootunian Assistant Secretary Position Our Sincere Thanks To Vahe and Hasmik Arslanian for their recent donation of new Veils to be used during Communion.

3 Men s Club News The Men s Club serves dinner 3-4 times a year at the Providence Rescue Mission. A few ladies also join the Men s Club in helping out. Recently, the group below prepared, provided and served the meal. Armand Kibarian and Aaron Matoian served as the chefs for the evening. No funds come from the Men's Club treasury as the members and supporters cover the costs to feed close to 100 people. There is a stretch of road on Fruit Hill Ave. in North Providence that has been cleaned up by the Men's Club of Sts. Vartanantz Church as promised. This is done every fall and spring as a way of saying thank you to the Town of North Providence for continuously raising the Armenian flag every April in memory of our martyrs. Honoring all our Armenian Veterans especially Vartkes Kaprielian at the Armenian Memorial Monument at the RI Veterans Cemetery November 11, 2015

4 Sunday School News It s amazing that we have already entered our third month of Sunday school! We are so excited over our increased enrollment this year and we thank each and every one of you for bringing your children to church every Sunday. This year we are delighted to have had an increase in the amount of younger children that have entered our Sunday school. To make sure that we provide an enriching experience to all of our children, no matter what their age, we have decided to make a small adjustment to our Nursery classroom. Effective November 29, 2015 the Nursery classroom will become a room exclusively for our younger children (ages 3 and under) and their parents. This will give them the opportunity to independently utilize the toys and crafts available as they become comfortable with participating in a Sunday School environment. It is the expectation that any child playing in this room will be accompanied by an adult and/or parent. A Sunday School Staff member will join the parents and children for a short (about 10 minutes) mini-lesson each week. Children who are 4 years old will now join the Kindergarten class. Our Der Hayrs are in agreement with this small change that is being made. Structured lessons focusing on living a life through Christ in the Armenian Church will continue to be taught to our Sunday School children between the ages of 4 and 14. Students should continue to attend the Sunday School class that correlates with the grade that they attend in their day school. We look forward to the upcoming months as we have some exciting things in store for your children. We thank you for sharing your children with us as we work together on nurturing them in living a life centered on the love of Jesus. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 God bless you all, Yn. Debra Nazarian Sunday School Director With Most Sincere Gratitude from the family of Souren Mouradjian We would like to thank all our parishioners, Bible Study and friends for their outpouring of love, support and constant prayers for our beloved husband and father, Souren Mouradjian. Thank you for all the visits, cards and donations in his memory. His church was the center of his life and his service to Sts. Vartanantz was his mission and greatest joy. Great thanks goes to the angelic choir that sang so beautifully for his service and all the assistant directors and helpers who conducted, organized music and kept the choir glorifying God throughout his illnesses in the last few years. Most of all we thank our Der Harys who were there supporting our family everyday in the hospital and hospice. Their prayers and love helped uplift us during this very difficult time. Our family is in the process of establishing a Souren Mouradjian Endowed Choir Fund in recognition and celebration of his life. Sincerely, Sally, Chuck and Joanne Mouradjian The Souren Mouradjian Memorial Arts Achievement Award(s) & the Peter "Doc" Bedrosian Athletic Achievement Award(s) are awarded annually by the Men's Club. We are asking for your assistance and suggestions for this year's awards' recipients for each of these awards. Criteria are as follows: Souren Mouradjian Memorial Arts Achievement Award(s) 1. High School Junior or Senior 2. Active in the church and/or the AYF/Homenetmen 3. Does well academically 4. Participates in a program of the arts (music, dance, art etc.) Peter "Doc" Bedrosian Athletic Achievement Award(s) 1. High School Junior or Senior 2. Active in the church and/or the AYF/Homenetmen 3. Does well academically 4. Participates on a varsity level sports program Since we are now doing both of these awards at the same time, any senior who graduated in June, 2015 is eligible. Please assist forward names of qualified candidates to steveelmasian@gmail.com. Steve Elmasian Treasurer, Men's Club

5 Altar Candles Mr. Paul Chobanian and Family in Loving Memory of Madlen Terzian Chobanian Sarkis and Ardemis Yepremian in Loving Memory of Deceased Yepremian Family Members Mrs. Marie Donabedian and Family in Loving Memory of Aram Donabedian Altar Flowers Mr. Paul Chobanian and Family in Loving Memory of Madlen Terzian Chobanian Jerozal and Kinoian Families in Loving Memory of Dan A. Jerozal Mrs. Sally Mouradjian and Family in Loving Memory of Archdeacon Souren Mouradjian Donations Mrs. Pearl Bargamian $ 150 in appreciation for Der Hayrs' visits, prayers, and calls during her recovery and move to Michigan Margaret Stepanian $ 100 in appreciation for Der Hayrs' visits and prayers during her recent surgery and also for everyone's concern and good wishes Michael and Lucille Toumasian $ 100 in appreciation for Der Gomidas' blessings on their Fifth Anniversary The Following Donation was designated for the Gantegh Mrs. Irene Cloutier $ 15 If you and your family would like to host the Sunday Fellowship following Church Services, please call the Church Office at to reserve a specific Sunday in memory of a loved one, or in celebration of a special occasion. Spiritual Bouquet Cards are available for Prayers for Healing or Deceased These cards are to be sent by you to the family indicating your intentions. They may be obtained at the Pangal or from the Church Office. Donation for the cards is $10 each. Please complete the appropriate form with the requested information so that Der Hayr may offer Silent Prayers for the individual(s) at the appropriate time during the Divine Liturgy. Requiem Services December 6 Artin and Satenik Bardizbanian, Ara, Vartanoosh, Ara and Mida Berberian, and Armenoohi Najarian; Dr. Samuel and Rose Barsamian; Albera Barmazian; Edward, Anna, and Hagop Bohigian; Louise Boyajian; Eliza Dedeian; Jouhar and Sahag Engustian; Peter Hajian; Noire Kanarian; Harry and Beverly Kashmanian; Arthur Najarian; Sarkis Sarkisian; Kevork Vichabian December 13 John Basmajian; Sarkis Danayan; Aram DerManouelian; Stephan, Gulbig and Gladys Fermanian and Harry Haboian; Sarkis Khanishian; Aaron Kizirian; Siranoush Krikorian; Sarkis & Helen Kroian and Martin & Berjoohi Kooyumjian; Harootune, Antaram, Michael, Alice and Mark "Markar" Markarian; Zaven Tenkarian; Hagop, Janneh, and Anahid Torosian and Garabed, Yerchanouhi and Garo Sinanian; Edward B. Woods and Kent Smith December 20 Andrea Abate; Sarkis Khan Abrahamian; George K. Adoian; Jirair Aharonian; Robert Avakian; Alberta Bedigian; Warren G. Dolbashian; Kevork, Lucia, Sarah and Michael Eghian and Asadoor and Takouhi Simonian; Manoog and Araxie Elmasian; Mary Engustian; Zarouhy Garabedian; Baizar, Hagop and Garabed Kambourian and Victoria Arnavoudian; Kevork, Hagop and Hripsema Keshijian, Hagop Minassian, and Hagop and Arousiag Tashjian; Nishan and Araxe Kefeyan; John and Katherine Magarian, and Mary Zorabedian; David Marabian; Eva Sahagian; Cynthia Shartzer December 27 Hagop and Maryam Akalarian and Nishan and Berjoohi Tateosian; Oske Avakian; Elizabeth Adanalian Boyajian; Donabed Cheteyan, Satenig Cheteyan Garabedian, and Shnorick Cheteyan Aleksanian; Shoshan Derderian; Anna Sahagian Kalafian; Paul Kanarian; Araxie Kasparian;

6 December 27 continued Elizabeth Kematjian; Mariam Mkrtschjan; Karnick and Grace Ohanian; Julie Kaprielian Postoian; Joseph Rafaelian; Rose Sarkisian; Kamyk Simonian; Sarah Surabian; Rosa and Frank Zorabedian Jr January 3 Charles and Mary Apkarian; Rose Dolbashian; Antranig "Tony" Giragosian; Mary, Paul and Zartig Goshgarian,and Hripseme and Melkon Boranian; Anne Kimatian; George Marashian; Vartanoush Melkonian and Virginia Emerian; Vartouhie Odian; John Panosian; Gilbert Pinto; Steven Stepanian; Roupen Zeytoundjian; Margaret Zorabedian January 10 Aznev Nalbandian Berberian and Palazoon Nalbandian; Vartouhie and Anthony Donabedian; Aroussiag Garabedian; Penelope Ann Giragosian; Victoria Hagopian; Partog and Mariam Karolian, and Krikor and Sulton Topalian; Sarkis Kibarian; Avedis Mahdesian; Marion Malian; Edward Malikian; Sherry Bedrosian Micheletti January 17 Martha Aramian; Ann and Jake Avakian; Oppie Bedrosian; Mary Hajian; Esber, Zabel, Nellie and Popkin Krekorian; K. Thomas Krikorian; Dickran Manasian; Yeghia Stepanian; Arthur Ardashes and Hovannes John Takian January 24 Sosik Arakelian; Albert Avedissian; Harry Bedrossian; Isobel Harmaian; Charles Kinoian; Siranoosh and Donabed Kinoian; Diane Adoian Michaud; Alice Dasdagulian Mildner; Sarkis Oundjian; Vahram and Rose Samuelian and John, Nevart and Arshalouys Donabedian; Rupen Taraksian January 31 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 Eternal Rest Archdeacon Souren Mouradjian Entered into Eternal Rest on October 16, 2015 Fortieth Day Remembrance The Fortieth Day Requiem Service for Archdeacon Souren Mouradjian was said on November 29, 2015 Sacramental Events Matrimony: Raffi Rachdouni and Bethany Sousa Exchanged the vows of Holy Matrimony on November 28, 2015 Best Man: Simon Sarkisian Calendar of Events Dec 4 Ladies Guild Christmas Party at the Aurora Club Dec 5 ARF Kristapor Gomideh 125 th Anniversary of the ARF Guest Speaker David Krikorian and debut of Tenor Kevork Hadjian Dec 6 ARS Arax Take-Out Kheyma Dinner following Church Services Concert Honoring Armenian Culture featuring a Tribute to the Memory of Roger Krikorian presented by the URI Symphonic Wind Ensemble at the URI Fine Arts Center 3 pm Dec 11 Dec 13 Dec 20 ARS Sr Citizens Christmas Party at Twelve Acres Restaurant 12 noon Sunday School Christmas Pageant Men s Club Children s Christmas Party (snow date is December 20 th ) ARS "Arax" Bake Sale ARS "Arax" Bake Sale Dec 24 Traditional Candle Light Christmas Eve Services 7 pm 2016 Jan 2 Holy Communion for Armenian and Sunday School Children 10 am Jan 5 Armenian Christmas Eve Services start at 6:30 pm Jan 6 Armenian Christmas --- Divine Liturgy starts at 10:30 am Jan 23 Providence AYF~YOARF Victory Ball at the Venus de Milo

7 **Save the Date** Homenetmen 35th Anniversary Dinner/Dance Saturday, June 4, 2016 Venus De Milo Attention Deadline for the submission of articles, pictures etc. to the Gantegh for publication is the 15th of the month prior to the issue. Please adhere to the deadline and your submissions as this facilitates the editing process. Thank you for your cooperation. Der Gomidas, Der Kapriel and the Board of Trustees Sts. Vartanantz Church Ladies' Guild wishes everyone Happy Holidays Congratulations to Varoujan Karentz on recently receiving the Rhody Award for Historic Preservation an award given to those for their contributions to the preservation of RI historic places. Varoujan received the Antoinette F. Downing Award for Volunteer Service for his involvement in the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association. From volunteering as a museum docent to writing grant proposals to support the facility to becoming the chief interpreter at Beavertail [he has published 2 books and authored many of the exhibits on site], his devotion to Beavertail continues.

8 Scenes from Armenian Fest 2015 Another Successful Armenian Fest Many thanks to all our hard workers who once again made this event possible.

9 Concert Honoring Armenian Culture and featuring a Tribute to the Memory of Roger Krikorian University of Rhode Island Wind Ensemble Dr. Gene Pollart Director of Bands Charles Z. Kalajian Graduate Student Sunday, December 6, 2015 URI Fine Arts Center 3 pm Tickets: Adults $12 Students/Senior $7 [proceeds to benefit student scholarships] Last March, this ensemble opened their 2015 Concert Season by commemorating the 100 th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. During this final concert of 2015, the Ensemble will perform traditional Armenian folk tunes with Armenian master musicians. A highlight of the concert will feature a tribute to the memory of Roger Krikorian.

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11 Sts. Vartanantz Church Sunday School presents For the Glory of the King Our Annual Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 13, 2015 (Inclement weather date December 20, 2015) Immediately following Church Services Please join us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Men's Club Children's Christmas Party in Aramian Auditorium following the conclusion of the Pageant

12 Please Join Us For Our Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Thursday, December 24, 2015 at 7 PM