Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan October 2014 Life is a Gift

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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: Jack Papazian Parish Council Treasurer: Anto Cingoz Parish Assembly Chair: Chris Yaldezian Choir Director: Artin Der Minassians Organist: Ida Mazmanian, A. Rodriguez ACYO Chair: Sevan Jindoian Sunday School Superintendent: Janet Yeghissian Ladies Society Chair: Sylvia Gozurian and Elo Markarian 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 Oct. 5 Mark 11:27-33 Oct. 12 Mark 12:35-44 Oct. 19 Luke 4:14-23 Oct. 26 Matt. 24:27-36 The Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen. Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan October 2014 Life is a Gift There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She told her boyfriend, If I could only see the world, I will marry you. One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend. He asked her, Now that you can see the world, will you marry me? The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him. Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying, Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine. This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Very few of us remember what life was like in the past and who was by our side in the most painful situations. Life is a gift. Today before you say an unkind word, think of someone who can t speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who s crying out to God for a companion. Today before you complain about life, think of someone who went too early to heaven. Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job. And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, put a smile on your face and think: you re alive and still around. Likewise our Lord Jesus Christ gave His life so we can live eternally. Author Unknown For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

2 Calling all year-old-boys Do you like basketball? Join the St. Vartan Church Basketball Team Practices on Saturdays from 3 to 5 pm at St. Vartan Church Hall, beginning October 18. For more information contact coach Hagop Hakimian at or Jackhakimian@yahoo.com. A Prayer Lord make me an instrument of Thy peace: That where there is hatred, I may bring love; That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness; That where there is discord, I may bring harmony; That where there is error, I may bring truth; That where there is doubt, I may bring faith; That where there is despair, I may bring hope; That where there are shadows, I may bring Thy light; That where there is sadness, I may bring joy. St. Francis of Assisi Upcoming Events Oct. 1 Oct. 2 Oct. 3 Oct. 4 Oct. 7 Oct. 14 Oct. 19 Oct. 21 Oct. 26 Oct. 28 Bazaar Workday/Hamburger Lunch 9 am Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm Bazaar Workday 9 am Bazaar Workday 9 am St. Vartan Food Festival 5:30-midnight St. Vartan Food Festival noonmidnight Jr. ACYO Meeting/Lunch after services Aram Khatchaturian Film/lunch after services Save the Date St. Vartan Ladies Society Luncheon and Meeting Thursday, November 13 12:00 noon St. Vartan Voice On-Line You can receive your St. Vartan Voice Newsletter via , rather than snail mail. If you would like to be on our ing list for the newsletter, please contact the church office at stvartanoakland@aol.com. You can also read the newsletter on the St. Vartan Church website: Address Update Please keep St. Vartan Church updated with your correct address and phone number. Send any new information to stvartanoakland@aol.com or call the office at Seven days without prayer makes one weak!

3 St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: Church Doors Edward and Armineh Jamgotchian In Honor of Nazeni Ohanyan s Baptism Richard and Cynthia Nikssarian (Orphan Fund), Archie and Nellie Azizian (Orphan Fund & Church Door Fund) Bazaar Donations Case of Wine Vahe and Hilda Mener Leg of Lamb Harry and Joyce Kamian, Hagop and Sonik Hakimian, Jack and Tammy Papazian, Seno and Dickie Garabedian, Frances Stevens, Michael DeOrian, Archie and Nellie Azizian, Florence Morjig, Robert Arabian Tent Alene Rudy, Florence Morjig Miscellaneous Richard and Carolyn Miller, Jack and Barbara Bousian Games Booth Ani Amoore Bazaar Newspaper Advertising Florence Morjig Bags of Vermicelli Karen and Jeff Hazarian In Memory Lucille Sherinian Ron Kallan, Norma Yaglijian (Charity Fund) Arthur Kalunian Zephyr Kalunian, Ron Kallan Lillian Kalibjian Evelyn Shahan, Dino and Barbara Ciarlo, Dickie and Seno Garabedian (Church Door Fund), Patricia Hoenig, Ron Kallan, Gay P. Diers, Virginia and Michael Madajian, Frances Stevens, Linda Diers, Suzanne Diers Fr. Shahe Altounian Richard and Cynthia Nikssarian, Sylvia Alexanian (Voice Newsletter) Mike Baker Sylvia Alexanian (Voice Newsletter) John and Viola Barsamian Jerald Tusan Thank You St. Vartan Church would like to thank Virginia Ratcliff for donating basil for our Exaltation of the Holy Cross service, and thank Nurhan, Mary and Steven for delivering the basil. ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory Lillian Kalibjian Ed and Suzanne Vasgerdsian, Roger and Julie Kulhanjian Strauch On September 14 St. Vartan Church celebrated the Exaltation of the Holy Cross during Badarak. The service included a special message to the Sunday School children by Fr. Hovel. After the service the congregation enjoyed lunch in the Church Hall.

4 2014 Festival Workdays St. Vartan Church depends on volunteers to make our annual Bazaar a success. Please come to a food preparation workday. No experience is necessary! Bazaar Week 9 am start Wednesday, October 1 Sarma Thursday, October 2 Plate & Box Sarma, Prepare Shish Kebab, Box Boorma Thursday, October 2 Preparing Vegetables for Hye Café (9 am to 6 pm) Friday, October 3 Shaping vosbov kufta, placing food in containers for Hye Café (9 am to 2 pm) WANTED People to help make Sarma Yalanchi for Bazaar Wednesday Oct. 2, 2013 at 9am We will serve Bar-B-Qued hamburgers. Please bring a side dish to share. Your church needs your help!! Bazaar and Food Festival Dessert Booth We are seeking donations for the dessert booth at the bazaar, which will be held this year on Friday October 3, and Saturday, October 4, The dessert booth relies on donations from Sunday School families and other parishioners to make it a success. We will gladly accept donations of Armenian delicacies, such as paklava, bourma, kadayif, choreg, or any other specialty you would like to share. The more donations we receive, the more we will be able to sell and help the church. A special note for those of you who are unable to attend the scheduled cooking days for the bazaar, please know that you can still use your cooking skills to help the church by baking at home and providing a favorite dessert for the dessert booth. Please drop off your dessert at the dessert booth on Thursday or Friday before the bazaar officially commences or at any time during the event Bazaar Donation Requests Items Number Item Donations Still Requested of donors Cost Received needed Leg of Lamb 100 $ Tent 12 $ Admission Booth 1 $ Games Booth 5 $ Newspaper Advertising 4 $ Case of Wine 10 $ Case of Armenian Tan 2 $ Case of Armenian Beer 12 $ Armenian Coffee 2 $ Program Guide 5 $ You may also consider working a shift or two in the dessert & drink booth, as well. The dessert crew will be getting together in August and September to make khadaif and apple turnovers. If you are able to help, please contact me so I can update you once it has been finalized. You can also check the Sunday announcements for updates. Feel free to contact me with questions or recipe ideas, preferred. Thank you in advance for your help. Janet Yeghissian jhyeg@sbcglobal.net (510)

5 St. Vartan Bazaar & Food Festival The St. Vartan Church Annual Bazaar and Food Festival, featuring great Armenian food, music, dancing and more, is just around the corner on October 3 and 4, We need your help to make it a success! Please consider helping out at a cooking workday, volunteering to work during the bazaar, making a donation, or bringing a dessert for the dessert booth. Festival Servers Needed If you are at least 16 years old and interested in helping us serve at this year s annual bazaar, October 3-4, please contact Patti Kezerian Rosenthal at or pattipie60@yahoo. com. Grandma s Attic The Best Bargains in Town The ever-popular Grandma s Attic & Marketplace will again be featured at the St. Vartan Bazaar and Food Festival on October 3 and 4, Unique, high -quality items continue to make Grandma s Attic a success. People come every year to find one-of-a-kind treasures and bargains. Grandma s Attic gently-used goods include: household items, glassware, pottery, china, sporting goods, baby items, pictures, rugs, furniture, toys, jewelry, bags, books, artwork, CDs, etc. Grandma s Attic is located downstairs in the Church Hall building. Calling All Parishioners - Our annual bazaar and food festival is rapidly approaching. Staffing help is needed in the following key areas. If you would like to help out, please contact one of the following committee members or bazaar chairmen, Harout Hagopian: Grandma's Attic - Marie Hagopian Dessert Booth - Janet Yeghissian Door/Admission Booth - Don Manoogian Bar - Sevag Kevranian Raffle - Jim Taylor and Kim Bardakian Food Line Cashier- Greg Mazmanian Food Serving Line - Patti Rosenthal Games/Prize Booth - Tanya Jindoian BBQ - Bob Kezerian Hye Cafe - Hasmig Cingoz Setup/Takedown - Zaven Kanneian and Harout Hagopian You can also contact Rachel in the church office, and she will get your name to the right person. Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered!

6 The Holy Translators Sahag and Mesrob The calendar of the Armenian Church lists under the title Holy Translators a number of saints, including St. Sahag the Parthian, St. Mesrob Mashdots, St. Yeghishé, St. Movsés the Grammarian, St. David the Invincible, St. Gregory of Nareg, and St. Nersés of Hromgla. Sahag and Mesrob are commemorated as a team, distinct from the rest of the Translators, on the Thursday following the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Sts. Sahag and Mesrob are considered major saints of the Armenian Church because of their efforts to spread spiritual and intellectual enlightenment throughout the Armenian world. Under the sponsorship of King Vramshabuh and Catholicos Sahag, St. Mesrob, inspired by God, created the Armenian alphabetic script in AD 406. His first and foremost endeavor was to engage himself and his pupils to the task of translating the Holy Scriptures into Armenian. For a period of more than four decades, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob established schools, educated the young and spread the word of God throughout Armenia and its neigh-boring regions. Catholicos St. Sahag the Parthian (AD ) is a major saint of the Armenian Church and one of the glorious pontiffs to have occupied the throne of St. Gregory, his ancestor. In the history of our church very few men have held the office of catholicos for such a long period during such a turbulent time. St. Sahag was the son of St. Nersés the Great and therefore a direct descendant of St. Gregory the Illuminator and the Arshaguni royal dynasty. In his youth he was educated in the West, receiving a solid secular and religious education in Greek. At a later date he employed his learning in the task of revising and editing the first translation of the Holy Scriptures by St. Mesrob and his pupils. For this he had at his disposal an authentic copy of the Holy Scriptures in Greek brought from Constantinople. In AD 387, when St. Sahag became Catholicos of Greater Armenia, Armenia was partitioned between the Roman and the Persian empires, with the larger part falling under Persian control. Although Armenian kings ruled in both parts, they were subject to their respective emperors and reigned as governors, but retained their royal titles. This state of affairs, and especially the Zoroastrian Persian control in the east, did not promise smooth going for the church or for the Armenian people in general. In these circumstances, the invention of an Armenian alphabet and the founding of a literary tradition was not accidental, but rather a determined effort to confront the difficulties awaiting the church in the future. It must be noted that the intellectual enlightenment of the Armenian people was accompanied by an intensive effort on the part of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob to proselytize the Armenians in Persian Armenia, as well as in the outlying provinces severed by the Persians. Their missionary work was also carried out in the neighboring lands. While St. Sahag worked in Persian Armenia itself, St. Mesrob preached and taught in the outlying provinces and neighboring lands, as well as in the Greek sector of Armenia. In AD 428 the Persians deposed the Armenian Arshaguni king, Ardashir, and put an end to the Armenian monarchy. Since St. Sahag was related to the Arshagunis and supported the king, they also deposed him as Catholicos of Greater Armenia. In Sahag s place they installed first an Armenian priest from southern Armenia, and later two Syrian bishops, one following the other. These men were given the administrative and judicial responsibilities of the office, while St. Sahag was still recognized by the people as their spiritual leader. He devoted his later years entirely to teaching and literary activity. In c. 433, his disciples brought from Constantinople copies of the Councils of Nicaea (AD 325) and Ephesus (AD 431). He is probably responsible for the Armenian translations of these, now in the Armenian Book of Canons. St. Sahag died in 438 and his body was taken to Daron under the care of Tsdrig, the wife of his grandson, St. Vartan Mamigonian. He was buried in Ashdishad, not far from the church of St. John the Baptist built by St. Gregory. A magnificent church was subsequently built over the grave itself, and was later enclosed in a monastic complex. The monastery was destroyed in the Middle Ages, but the saint s tomb, restored and enclosed within a small structure, was a place of pilgrimage until Besides being commemorated with St. Mesrob, St. Sahag has a special day designated for himself alone. That feast falls on a Saturday before the Sunday that is one week before the Great Paregentan Sunday. The creator of the Armenian alphabet, Mesrob Mashdots, was born in the village of Hatseg, located in the region of present-day Mush. He was the son of a commoner named Vartan, who was a client of the Mamigonian clan. As a youth Mesrob had learned Greek, Persian and Syriac, and had ultimately entered the military. Because of his gift for languages, he became a secretary in the royal chancellery. Disenchanted with a secular way of life and being spiritually inclined, Mesrob chose to become a priest. Soon thereafter, gathering a few pupils around him, he went to the region of Koghtn in modern Nakhichevan to lead a solitary life in the wilderness and preach to the people of that region, who were still not converted to Christianity. During his missionary work, he came to realize the necessity of having a literary tradition in Armenian so that people could understand the Holy Scriptures and the liturgy. These concerns led St. Mesrob to Catholicos Sahag, who took him to King Vramshabuh. In audience with the king, the two laid out the need for a literary language. The king commissioned a certain Vahrij to consult a Bishop Daniel in northern Syria, who, rumor held, possessed an old alphabet invented for the Armenian language. Vahrij sought the help of a priest named Hapel, who contacted the bishop, acquired the alphabet from him, and brought it back to Armenia. With the arrival of Hapel, St. Mesrob gathered a number of young pupils to test how well this alphabet could express the Armenian language. He noticed, however, that Bishop Daniel s letters were not suitable for the phonetic structure of Armenia. Thereupon, Mesrob took some of the pupils and set off for the great learning centers of northern Syria, in the expectation of finding a solution for his concern. While he was in the town of Edessa (modern Urfa), he received a vision from God, which showed him the forms of the letters of the Armenian alphabet. Mesrob commissioned a scribe named Rufinus to draft the shapes of the letters he had created. While still abroad, he immediately undertook the translation of the Bible, beginning with the Proverbs of Solomon. On his return to Armenia, St. Mesrob established schools and devoted the rest of his life to educational and missionary work. His travels took him to the outlying provinces of Armenia, to Georgia and Caucasian Albania, to the imperial court of Constantinople and to the Greek sector of Armenia. While in Georgia and Albania, he also created alphabets for the Georgian and Albanian languages. Besides his work as a teacher and missionary, St. Mesrob was a staunch supporter of orthodoxy. He successfully wiped out the seeds of heresy from Armenia. As an administrator of the church, he is said to have held the rank of chorepiscopus (a bishop tending to people living in the countryside). After St. Sahag s demise he became the locum tenens in charge of the spiritual affairs of the church. St. Mesrob outlived St. Sahag by only six months. He died in 439 and was buried in the village of Oshagan. His tomb is located in a crypt under the altar of the church of Oshagan and is a site of pilgrimage. The present church over the crypt is a nineteenth-century structure, replacing an earlier church built in the seventeenth century. We know from historical sources that a chapel had been built on the crypt soon after the saint s burial. In our days, it has become an established tradition among the members of the brotherhood of Holy Etchmiadzin that the doctoral staff (the insignia marking the vartabed, or doctor of the church) is bestowed at the church of Oshagan. On Tuesday, August 26 volunteers from St. Vartan Church gathered to stuff almost 4000 envelopes with raffle tickets and information about the St. Vartan Bazaar and Food Festival. That night our parishioners were delighted to meet Ken Maxey, who came to help with the mail stuffing. Ken is the director of community relations for Comcast and has been instrumental in assuring the support of the local Oakland community by the business community.