Bible Readings. Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan June 2015 A Bible For Graduation

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1 Bible Readings June 7 John 10:22-30 June 14 Matt. 12:1-8 June 21 Matt. 12:38-45 June 28 Matt. 13:24-30 Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 1 Corinthians 8:6 Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan June 2015 A Bible For Graduation A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted as a graduation gift. As graduation day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" And stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible. Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go visit him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a call telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. When he arrived at his father's house, sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words... paid in full. Spiritual Story by Unknown After Badarak on May 17, the St. Vartan Sunday School presented a closing program. Fr. Hovel also presented Bibles to students and thanked our teachers for their service.

2 Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan and Nora and Harvey Hanoian joined Fr. Hovel in representing St. Vartan Church at the Diocesan Assembly Meeting April 30 May 3. Attention Graduates The St. Vartan Voice would like to honor all of our graduates. If you or a loved one is graduating this spring, please forward information and a photo to stvartanoakland@aol.com by June 15, Fr. Hovel and the Northern California clergy of the Western Diocese attended the Diocesan Assembly Meeting. College Scholarship The John M. Azarian Memorial Youth Scholarship Fund has extend the deadline to submit applications to July 31, To download an application, please visit: News From Our St. Vartan Family Condolences Our condolences to the family of John Marukian. Fr. Hovel joined John s family and friends at a memorial service for him in Berkeley on April 24. Fr. Hovel conducted funeral services for Yoland Mireille Agopian-Balouny on Sunday, April 26 at Chapel of the Chimes Funeral Home in Hayward. Our condolences to Yoland s two daughters, Lisette Balouny Poole and Christiane Balouny, and her granddaughter Jennifer L. Poole-Rinehart, as well as her nephews, nieces, friends and family. Yoland s family were involved in founding the AGBU in Egypt, so the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to AGBU. A funeral service was held for Armine Ozan on May 15. Father Hovel conducted the service at St. Vartan Armenian Church. Our condolences to Armine s three daughters and son-in-laws, Aznif Mayda and Kevork Telfeyan, Hilda and Vahe Mener, Nadya and Arto Yagjian; her grandchildren, Dr. Dikran Telfeyan, Artur Telfeyan, Allis Sullivan, Karen Mener, Allan Yagjian, Andrew Yagjian; her great-grandchildren, Kevork Telfyan and Stephanie Telfeyan, her nieces, nephews, family and friends. Baptism On May 14 Zachary Schmid was baptized by Fr. Hovel Ohanyan at St. Vartan Armenian Church. Zachary is the son of John Schmid and Karan Simoni and the stepson of Janet Schmid. Richard Demirjian is Zachary s godfather. Birth Announcement Tom and Lenya Montoya welcomed their third son, Augustus Osmond Montoya on April 14. Augie joins his big brothers Berj and Toros. He is the grandson of Harvey and Nora Hanoian and Kathy and Dennis Montoya.

3 St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: Easter Yughakin--Edward and Sylva Manougian, Jeff and Julie Masoian, Benik Sargsyan, Mary Wiley, Zvart Shahbazian, Suren and Sona Dakessian In Honor of Father Hovel Ohanyan Mary Ann Sievers and Elizabeth Barsamian (Priest Discretionary Fund), Karnig and Silva Mikaelian in appreciation of his singing Praise and Request at the end of the Bay Area Ecumenical Prayer Service on May 3, 2015, Harry and Carol Dokouzian in honor of his graduation (Priest Discretionary Fund) Endowment Fund Elizabeth Barsamian In Memory Grace and Charles Izmirian Kathleen Scherba-Nielsen (St. Vartan Voice Newsletter), Hagop Khatchikian Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan, Seta Khatchikian (Sunday School Fund, The St. Vartan Voice Newsletter, Landscaping Project) George Rustigian Mary Ann Sievers and Elizabeth Barsamian (Landscaping Fund) Lisa Brenkman Mary Ann Sievers and Elizabeth Barsamian (Landscaping Fund) Anna Arpine Topalian Mary Ann Sievers and Elizabeth Barsamian (Landscaping Fund) Victims of Armenian Genocide Ardemis and Fred Tajirian Nubar Tashjian Richard Aginian Family (Michigan) Michael Madajian Zvart Shabhazian and Family Krikor Soghikian Lisa and Walter Kran Armine Ozan Abram Ohannesyan, Berch and Janis Balaban and Debora Ent, Gary and Satenik Eldemir, Armen and Jermen Gollu, Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan, Sylvia Gozurian Armine Ozan to Orphan Fund Nora and Harvey Hanoian, Takvor Tamitian and Mari Gamitian, Sylvia Alexanian and Family, Nurhan and Mary Donikian, Rouzanna Ohanjanian, Arshaguhi E. Papazyan and Family, Christiane Balouny and Lisette B. Poole, Sarkis and Hera Kestekyan, Agavni Hamamciyan, Berc and Alice Eldemir, Ani Amoore, Hilda Basmajian, Zohrab and Elizabeth Markarian, Evelyn C. Boyd, Adrienne Baker Leo Manoogian Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory JoAnn Koobatian Mary Ann Sievers and Elizabeth Barsamian Rev. Fr. Shahe Altounian Mary Ann Sievers Grace and Charles Izmirian Mary Ann Sievers and Elizabeth Barsamian Armine Ozan Barry and Judy Toomajian

4 Congratulations Graduates! Trent Charles Capurro is graduating from Campolindo High School in Moraga, CA, where he was a member of the Cross Country and Track & Field teams, and an awardwinning woodworker. He will be attending the University of Oregon in the fall majoring in Mathematics. Trent is the son of John and Sandi Capurro, and the grandson of Charles and Dorris Kezerian. Melanie Broussalian, daughter of Jim and Beth (Rustigian) Broussalian, will be graduating with honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Melanie has double majored in Religious Studies and Comparative Literature, with a minor in Music. She has been an active participant in UCSB s Wind Ensemble and Flute Choir. She is the recipient of the CAPPS Center scholarship for a paid internship at the Santa Barbara Food Bank. Melanie will be attending graduate school at the London School of Economics and University of Southern California, studying Global Communications. She is the granddaughter of Carol Rustigian and the late George Rustigian, and Marie Broussalian and the late Dr. Vartkes Broussalian. Clayton Hovsepian, son of Darren and Holly Hovsepian of Cornelius, North Carolina, graduates from William Hough High School, where he participated on the Hough High Varsity Golf Team. He will be attending East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. in the fall, and plans to pursue a Pre-Med degree. Clayton s grandparents are Vartan and Arlene Hovsepian of Danville, and Rick and Gloria Frank of Walnut Creek, CA. Joey Layshock will be graduating from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, CA, in June. Joey is the son of Steve and Joanne Layshock, and grandson of Margaret Layshock and the late John Layshock. He will be attending the University of Oregon in the fall. Madelyn King, daughter of Janet Demirjian Schmid and Conway King, and granddaughter of Richard and Dorothy Demirjian, will be graduating from Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, CA, on June 8, Maddie was involved in leadership clubs, musicals and singing groups, as well as lettering in volleyball, soccer, and swimming during her high school years. She is the Senior Class President and is nominated for the Golden Warrior Award at Ygnacio Valley High. Maddie will be attending the University of Nevada, Reno, majoring in Community Health Science with a Kinesiology emphasis, and hopes for a career in either athletic training or physical therapy. Juliana Rose Combs is graduating with a BA degree in Anthropology and minors in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of California, Merced. Juliana is the daughter of Mark and Diane Combs, and the granddaughter of Al and Mae Kaljian.

5 Alicia Rae Harger, daughter of Rachel and Steve Harger, graduated summa cum laude from Concordia University, Irvine, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Sociology and a minor in History on December 13, Alicia received the Senior of the Year award for Behavioral Science. She was also the editor-in-chief of her college paper for the school year. Alicia plans to attend graduate school to study sociology this fall at UC Irvine. Jared Antranig Avakian graduated from St. Mary s College of California with a BA Degree in Kinesiology. Jared s passion is physical training and nutrition. He has accepted a position, and is currently in training, with Sci-Fit Corporation in Pleasanton, CA, as a Neuro Exercise Specialist. He will be working with patients that have had serious spinal injuries. Parents Vartkes and Kerrie Avakian, and grandparents Lena Avakian, Wayne Toler, and Zeda Bertozzi, and his sister Miranda, are extremely proud of him and his many accomplishments. Ani Phelps is graduating from Encinal High School in Alameda, CA. She will be attending UC Davis in the fall. Ani is the daughter of Armen and Nayree Phelps, and the granddaughter of Seta Khatchikian. Tanner Dekock will be graduating from Alameda High School on June 12, He will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall as an Electrical Engineering Computer Science major. Tanner s parents are Pieter Dekock and Sharrese Dekock, and his grandparents are Ralph Kalibjian and the late Lillian Kalibjian. Fr. Hovel Graduates with Theology Degree On May 7 Fr. Hovel graduated from the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute with a Masters of Arts Degree in Theology. The ceremony was held at Berkeley. Fr. Hovel would like to thank everyone for their support for his education, with donations, prayers and encouragement. We don't stop going to school when we graduate. - Carol Burnett

6 1.5 Million Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide Canonized On April 23, 2015, 1.5 million martyred Armenian souls will rest in the abode of the heavenly saints. On Thursday, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians accompanied by His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia officiated the biggest canonization service in history. The two hour ceremony, held outside of the Cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, proclaimed the martyrdom of those killed for their faith and homeland. The historic day marked the first time in 400 years that the Armenian Church has used the rite of canonization. The ceremony was attended by Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and other high-ranking dignitaries and ecumenical guests. Twelve bishops and archbishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church participated in the ceremonial rite. During the canonization ceremony, by order of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, the following fourteen Holy Relics, out of the numerous Holy relics of the Armenian Church, were used during the landmark service. 1. The Holy Lance Geghard The Holy Lance is the tip of the metal spear which was used by the Roman soldier to pierce the side of our Lord Jesus Christ while he hung on the cross. According to historical tradition, the Apostle St. Thaddeus, one of the 12 disciples of Christ, brought this sacred relic of the Lord to the Armenian world in the first century. For centuries the Holy Christian relic has been kept at different monasteries in Western (historical) Armenia, and in Ayrivank since the 13th century, which later was renamed Geghardavanq (the Monastery of Holy Geghard) after the Holy Lance. In the second half of the 18th century the Holy Lance was brought to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and is still kept in the spiritual center of All Armenians. The Holy Lance is also one of the three Holy Relics used to bless and consecrate the Holy Chrism (Muron) of the Armenian Church. 2. The Right Hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator The Right Hand of St. Gregory the Illuminator is the symbol of the highest spiritual authority of the Armenian Church, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The newer silver gilded reliquary was made in 1657, on which is depicted the twelve sufferings of the Illuminator. The Right Hand is also one of the three Holy Relics used to bless and consecrate the Holy Chrism (Muron) of the Armenian Church. 3. Relic of the True Cross The Reliquary of the True Cross, made in 1651, contains a small piece of the life-giving wooden cross of our Lord Jesus. The Cross relic is one of the three Holy Relics used to bless and consecrate the Holy Chrism (Muron) of the Armenian Church. 4. Reliquary of Skevra One of the priceless gems of Armenian ecclesiastical art is the reliquary of Skevra which was made in Cilician Armenia in 1293, and is kept in the State Hermitage in St. Petersburg. The reliquary contains the relics of 18 saints: the Apostles St. Paul, St. Peter, St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew; St. Gregory the Illuminator, Patriarch James of Nisibis, Saint John Chrysostom, St. Catherine, and others. In 2000, during a Pontifical visit of the Catholicos of All Armenians to the Armenian Diocese of New Nakhichevan and Russia, the Hermitage returned the relics of the 18 saints to the Armenian Church, and they were placed in a duplicate reliquary that had been specially made.

7 5. The Right Hand of St. Stephen the Proto-Deacon and First Martyr of the Church The silver Right Hand reliquary, from the XVII-XVIII centuries, contains the relic of St. Stephen the Proto-Deacon, the first Christian martyr. 6. The Right Hand of the Virgin St. Hripsime The silver gilded Right Hand reliquary contains the relic of the virgin St. Hripsime. The relic dates back to the XVII-XVIII centuries. 7. The Right Hand of the Apostle Ananias The seventeenth century silver gilded Right Hand reliquary contains the relics of the Apostle Anania, one of the 72 disciples of Jesus Christ. 8. The Right Hand of Catholicos St. Sahak I Parthev The XVII-XVIII centuries Right Hand reliquary contains the relic of the 10th Catholicos of All Armenians, St. Sahak I Parthev ( ). The Right Hand of Catholicos Sahak Parthev was brought to the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin from Western Armenia, Anapat Armenian Monastery, Lim Island, Lake Van, Turkey. 9. The Right Hand of St. Sarkis the Warrior The Right Hand reliquary was commissioned in 2008 by His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. The silversmith is Mamikon Mkhitaryan. The reliquary contains the relics of St. Sarkis the Warrior, which were discovered during excavations of the St. Sarkis Monastery in Ushi, in the Aragatsotn Province of Armenia. 10. The Right Hand of St. Gevork the Warrior The reliquary contains the relics of St. Gevork the Warrior. The Right Hand reliquary was made in Kolkata, India in 1928, and is silver gilded. 11. Cross-reliquary of St. Thaddeus and St. Virgin Sandukht The eighteenth century made cross-reliquary contains the relics of the Apostle St. Thaddeus, one of the Armenian first illuminators, and the relic of the first Armenian Martyr St. Sandukht the Princess. 12. Cross-reliquary of St. John the Baptist The cross-reliquary, created in Cilician Armenia in the fourteenth century, contains the relics of St. John the Baptist. 13. St. Gregory of Narek and other Saints Made in the nineteenth century, the octagon star-shaped reliquary contains the relics of St. Gregory of Narek and the relics of other Pan-Christian Saints. The relic was presented to the Catholicos of All Armenian in 2012 and given to the Armenian Church. 14. The Gospel of Zeytun The Gospel of Zeytun was written in Hromkla in 1256 by Toros Roslin, the most prominent Armenian manuscript illuminator in the High Middle Ages. It is one of numerous treasures kept in the The Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenaderan). The manuscript was commissioned and received by the 69th Catholicos of All Armenians, Constantine I of Bartzrapert ( ). The Holy Gospel was donated to the Matenadaran by the Catholicos of All Armenians Vazgen I. The rite of canonization concluded at 19:15, (7:15 pm local time - Yerevan), a time specifically chosen to symbolize the year of the Armenian Genocide. At the conclusion of the historic canonization rite, church bells also tolled in cities around the world including New York, Moscow, Strasbourg, Madrid, Venice, Berlin and the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Quotes About Fathers It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. ~Johann Schiller He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." ~Harmon Killebrew Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name. ~William Wordsworth Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys. ~Anonymous Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever. ~Author Unknown

8 Bay Area Armenian Churches Celebrate Divine Liturgy & Ecumenical Service Armenians throughout the world joined together to commemorate the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians participated in marches and attended concerts, Ecumenical services and other events. For Bay Area Armenians this was no exception. One of their commemorative events took place on Sunday May 3, as all the Bay Area Clergy of the Armenian Churches came together to celebrate Divine Liturgy and offer thanks to God for the resurrection of the Armenian Nation at St. John Armenian Church. The service was exceedingly well attended, and additional seating was provided at the Paul Family Hall where attendees were able to follow the simulcasted service. It was a moving tribute to the Saints of the Armenian Genocide as the clergy of the Bay Area collectively offered their service unto God. The event was orchestrated and hosted by Rev. Fr. Mesrop Ash. Archpriest Rev. Fr. Khoren Habeshian, the Parish Priest of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest of St. Vartan Church, served as the Liturgical Coordinator of the services. Archpriest Rev. Fr. Datev Harutyunian, Regional Vicar and Parish Priest of St. Andrew Armenian Church, presided and offered the Spiritual Message on the occasion. Rev. James Kizirian, of the Bethel Congregational Church, attended and offered the reading from the epistles. A short intermission followed the sacrament in order to prepare for the Ecumenical Service. As the Ecumenical Service commenced religious leaders from throughout the Bay Area joined all the Bay Area Armenian Church clergy to pray and remember the Saints of the Armenian Genocide. The newly established Holy Icon of the Saints of the Armenian Genocide was presented on the Holy Altar decorated with beautiful flower arrangements. Fr. Mesrop Ash welcomed the clergy and the faithful and expressed his gratitude to all the religious leaders for their support and participation to this historic event, as well as the hard work of the parishioners of St. John, and all those who devoted their service to the Centennial Events. The service started with the glorious hymn Krisdos Haryav ee Merelotz, followed by the Blessing of the Lamp. Three of St. John Sunday School students dressed in traditional Armenian costumes in the colors of the Armenian flag and brought the light to the altar, while the choir sang Oorakh Ler, Rejoice Holy Church. A special service of the Remembrance of the Saints was conducted, and Fr. Hovel Ohanyan sang the special Hymn of Remembrance. A series of remarks were offered by guests. Rabbi Pamela Frydman offered remarks on behalf of the Board of Rabbis of Northern California as well as Yazidi International. Rev. Fr. Michael Barota spoke on behalf of the Assyrian Community. Finally Rev. Fr. Stephen Kyriacou spoke on behalf of the Bay Area Greek community. Each of these speakers represented a community which has suffered or currently is suffering greatly for the sake of their faith. Fr. Datev Harutyunian delivered the moving spiritual message on behalf of the Armenian Clergy and expressed his gratitude to the community that honored the Saints of the first Genocide of the 20th century.

9 St. Vartan Ladies Society Mother s Day Luncheon On May 7 the St. Vartan Ladies Society served a delicious Mother s Day Luncheon in the Church Hall. After lunch and the annual raffle, St. Vartan member, Diane Paskerian, spoke about Frank Sinatra and other performers. Her presentation was followed by a Frank Sinatra impersonator performing for the group. St. Vartan Shares History with Hollywood St. Vartan Armenian Church shares a special history with the Golden Age of Hollywood. Before the church was built at 650 Spruce Street in 1957, there was a large mansion with the address of 880 McKinley Avenue on the corner. St. Vartan s concrete retaining walls and the stairway are part of the original mansion property. This house was part of the famous Borax Smith estate. According to the Oakland Main Library History room, the owner in 1925 was the Peck family. The assessed value of the house was $7,000. In 1929, son Jesse Lydell Peck married Hollywood film actress Janet Gaynor, of San Francisco, at the mansion. They lived in this home, which was once on the site where the church stands today. At one point the carriage house of the mansion was the St. Vartan Church s social hall. Coincidentally, Janet Gaynor had just won the Academy Award for Best Actress of 1929 in May, and then married Peck in September. She was the first Best Actress Academy Award winner, ever. She won for Seventh Heaven and two other films. Back then, the Oscar was given for a body of work, not just one film. Now we have our own little bit of Hollywood history right here at St. Vartan. Sadly, the couple who married in this house, Janet Gaynor and her husband, Jesse Lydell Peck, were only married for four years and divorced in She later went on to marry famed costume designer "Adrian" of Metro-Goldwyn -Mayer fame. Thanks to Barry Barsamian for this fascinating history of the church and to Dorothy at the Oakland Public Library History room and further substantiation by Diana Toomajian and her family, who moved to the neighborhood in the mid-1930s. Actress Janet Gaynor and her husband Jesse Lydell Peck from 1929, the year they were married at the house previously occupying the site of St. Vartan Church.

10 St. Vartan Armenian Church was well-represented at the Mt. Davidson Cross Genocide Commemoration and Youth March in San Francisco on April 19. Grandma s Attic Are you spring cleaning? Are you looking to get rid of you unwanted items? Please donate your quality unwanted items to Grandma s Attic, the St. Vartan Church Annual Bazaar Rummage Sale. Grandma s Attic is an extremely popular rummage sale, which relies on your donations to make it successful. Please bring your donation of gently-used items on Sunday mornings, or weekdays between 9 am and 1 pm. Grandma s Attic needs your gently used household items, glassware, pottery, china, pictures, rugs, furniture (small pieces only), toys, jewelry, books, CDs, etc. So, almost anything! Please NO computers, monitors, printers, TVs, or broken or nonworking items, clothing or shoes. If you have any questions, call Marie Hagopian at

11 Bazaar Workday Schedule Workdays begin at 9:30 am, except for the week of the bazaar. Thurs., May 21 Large Beoreg Thurs., June 4 Small Beoreg Wed., June 17 Kufta Tues., June 23 Small Beoreg Thurs., July 9 Large Beoreg Wed., July 15 Kufta Tues., July 28 Small Beoreg Wed., August 5 Simit Thurs., August 6 Simit Sat., August 8 Luleh Kebab (for picnic) Wed., August 12 Small Beoreg Wed., August 26 Kufta Wed., September 30 Sarma (9 am start) Thurs., October 1 Plate & Box Sarma, Prepare Shish Kebab, Box Boorma (9 am start) Friday & Saturday, Oct. 2 & 3 BAZAAR Please join us in preparing food for the St. Vartan Bazaar. This is the Church s main fundraiser, and it relies totally on volunteers This Means You! No experience is necessary. After the workday, we share a potluck lunch, so please bring a dish to share. Hye Camp 2015 Week 1 July 12-July 18 Week 2 July 19-July 25 Week 3 July 26-August 1 Week 4 August 2-August 8 Bazaar Donation Requests Items Requested # of Donors Item Cost Leg of Lamb 100 $40 Tent 12 $250 Admission Booth 1 $250 Game Booths 5 $200 Newspaper Advertising 4 $100 Case of Wine 10 $50 Case of Armenian Tan 2 $50 Case of Armenian Beer 12 $30 Armenian Coffee 2 $30 Program Guide 5 $25 Upcoming Events Thursday, June 4 Bazaar Workday-Small Beoreg 9:30 am Saturday, June 6 Choir Rehearsal 11 am Wednesday, June 10 Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm Sunday, June 14 Deacon Service 10:30 am Wednesday, June 17 Bazaar Workday-Kufta 9:30 am Saturday, June 20 Choir Rehearsal 11 am Sunday, June 21 Special Father s Day Coffee Hour 12 noon Tuesday, June 23 Bazaar Workday-Large Beoreg 9:30 am Sunday, June 28 Deacon Service 10:30 am

12 1st Day of Summer June 21, 2015 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 Tanya Jindoian Sunday School Superintendent: Janet Yeghissian Ladies Society Chair: Gail Kezerian and Caroline Arakelian 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.