Happy Mother s Day. The St. Vartan Voice

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1 The St. Vartan Voice newsletter is published once a month by St. Vartan Armenian Church. 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: Edward Jamgotchian Parish Assembly Chair: Chris Yaldezian Choir Director: Artin Der Minassians Organist: Araks Aghazarian and Ida Mazmanian ACYO Chair: Sevan Jindoian Sunday School Superintendent: Janet Yeghissian and Nicole Vasgerdsian Ladies Society Chair: Marlene Tolegian and Arlene Hovsepian Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger Church Secretary: Rachel Harger Altar Flowers: Carole Chang Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian Divine Liturgy Service Sundays 10:30 a.m. 650 Spruce Street, Oakland, CA Phone (510) Fax: (510) stvartanoakland@aol.com website: Bible Readings May 6 John 9:39-41, 10:1-10 May 13 John 12:12-23 May 20 John 14:25-31 May 27 Luke 4:25-30 Happy Mother s Day May 2018 Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II On the Occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia KAREKIN II, SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, BY THE MERCY OF GOD AND THE WILL OF THE NATION CHIEF BISHOP AND CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS, SUPREME PATRIARCH OF THE PAN-NATIONAL PREEMINENT ARARATIAN SEE THE APOSTOLIC MOTHER CHURCH OF UNIVERSAL HOLY ETCHMIADZIN. CHRIST-BEQUEATHED GREETINGS OF LOVE AND PONTIFICAL BLESSINGS TO THE CATHOLICIOSATE OF THE GREAT HOUSE OF CILICIA, TO THE ARMENIAN PATRIARCHATES OF HOLY JERUSALEM AND CONSTANTINOPLE, TO ARCHBISHOPS, BISHOPS, PRIESTS AND DEACONS, TO DIOCESAN ASSEMBLIES, DIOCESAN AND PAROCHIAL COUNCILS AND OFFICERS, AND TO ALL BELOVED FAITHFUL ARMENIAN PEOPLE This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4) We give thanks and praise to God, that our nation meets the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia and the heroic battles of May with restored statehood in Armenia and Artsakh and with achievements. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of these significant events, we send our Pontifical Message to our beloved people, voicing the message that, This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. A century ago, our people were on the verge of life and death. Ottoman Turkey, taking advantage of the confusion of World War I, carried out its Armenian Genocide program. Western Armenia and Armenian settlements were ruined in Turkey, the Turkish troops even entered Eastern Armenia, thus threatening the existence of our people. In this fateful hour, in the battles of Sardarapat, Aparan and Karakilisa, our people, united into one will, made a stand against the enemy. The call of the Catholicos of All Armenians George V inspired and encouraged with unity, a spirit of victory awoke in people s hearts, closing escape route. Behind us there was a small portion of our homeland, behind us there was the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, our sacred sanctuary established by Christ, the cradle of our faith and the basis for our identity. The Supreme Patriarch-Catholicos of All Armenians refused to leave the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and managed to unite the people for the fight, saying I have always believed in the spirit of my people. I know the path of bitterness along which they have traversed. I am also convinced that my Armenian nation has to have the last word. And this word will be victorious.

2 Our whole nation that had united into one will and one soul, stood up to save the homeland, its life, its sacred places, to protect its right to live freely in the native land. Eastern Armenia was saved from the ruin and massacre, and after a long pause of five and a half centuries, the Armenian statehood was restored. Thanks to God, the heroic spirit of faith, patriotism and devotion united and defended our people that in their supreme effort under the auspices of the Armenian statehood raised their lives in the homeland and the Diaspora and walked on the path of ascension. Today, the 100th anniversary is an invitation to remain dedicated to our national awakening, to keep our homeland strong and to be consolidated in the homeland. This significant jubilee is also a new milestone for devoting ourselves to strengthening our country and national life, to continue consistent efforts for the settlement of the Artsakh issue, strengthening our army so that peace can be safeguarded within our homeland. The 100th jubilee brings a message of national unity, development of Motherland-Diaspora relations, and the re-establishment of unity in our Church. Beloved and pious faithful, each of us in our service, throughout our lives preserving the Christian faith, must be able to avoid losses, steering the course from victory to victory, with awareness of service for the welfare of our nation and homeland. Statehood is a foundation of an organized society, the roads of progress; it is a stronghold for living by your own list of values, demonstrating your spiritual power; it is the guarantee of continuing existence as a nation. We should not forget about our sacrifices and sufferings, and supporting each other, build the bright future for all Armenians. We must remember our great ancestors who had given their lives for our Church and nation, we shall surpass ourselves in peace and the love for our homeland, so that our decisions made today will benefit to overcoming the challenges facing our national life and homeland. May our unshakable faith and love for our homeland guide us to make the idea of our homeland forever crowned by Ararat and the prosperity of the Holy See reality. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. We extend Our Pontifical Message from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin to our nation, diocesan and parish organizations of the Armenian Church, national, scientific, educational and cultural institutions, exhorting to celebrate the jubilee with multiple events, turning it into the power of patriotic spirit, civic awareness, sense of duty, unity of the Church and nation, renewal of faith and encouragement for good deeds for the welfare of Homeland and nation. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ keep our nation s faith pure and bless its efforts for the strengthening of our cherished Homeland, the prosperity of our Holy Church and our bright future. May the Lord grant peace to our nation, country and the whole world. Let the mercy, grace and blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ remain with us all, evermore. Amen. 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 May 15, Goodbye and Good Luck St. Vartan Church wishes former members, Mark Markarian and Jessica Flash good luck in their new endeavors. Mark and Jessica have moved their family to Sacramento. Welcome New Pledged Members In 2018 we have had five new pledged members at St. Vartan Armenian Church. Karen Mener and Harry Yaglijian have been members here for a long time, but now are officially pledged members. Lorena Azizian nee Ojakian, grew up in the church. Now she and her husband, Shaunt Azizian, are also officially pledged members. Our final new pledged member, Bedros Apkarian, has also been attending St. Vartan Church for quite a while. Welcome to all our new pledged members. If you would like to become a pledged member of St. Vartan Armenian Church, please contact the church office.

3 St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: Priest Discretionary Fund Regina Garabedian In Honor of Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit s singing at ARS Lenten Luncheon Karnig and Santoukht Mikaelian Kitchen Remodel Fund Margaret Layshock Cultural Committee Anahid Yeremian In Honor of Ed Minasian s newly published book, They Came from Ararat Jack and Barbara Bousian (St. Vartan Voice Newsletter) Thanks for Armenian State Chamber Choir singing at St. Vartan Frederick and Ardemis Tajirian In Memory Barbara Ekizian, mother of Lisa Manoogian Edward T. and Kristian Minasian, Kim Henesian Ron Kallan Edward T. and Kristian Minasian Fr. Mesrob Sarafian, upon the Publication of his book of sermons, Life s Lessons Learned May Kandarian Sarkis Tarbinian Richard and Dotty Demirjian, John and Janet (Demirjian) Schmid, Conner and Maddie Eleanor Meltzer Carol Rustigian (Ladies Society Kitchen Remodel) Suzanne and Razmik Abnous Araks Aghazarian Sylvia Alexanian Samuel and Arpinee Alikian Bedros Apkarian Yeghia Apkarian & Ana Dalmeida Lou Aronian Vartkes and Kerrie Avakian Annie Avedissian Ara and Angel Azizian Arshak Azizian Sarkis Babayans Adrienne Baker Arshalus Benge Vartan and Ayko Berberian Kegham and Roxanne Boghossian Barbara and Jack Bousian Minas and Elizabeth Buyuker Adrena Clemmer Kathleen Demerdjian Brian and Cynthia Der Matoian Suzanne Diers Gay P. Diers Carol and Harry Dokouzian Jack Dorian Margie Dorian Anne Dyer Satenik and Gary Eldemir 2018 Easter Yughakin Seno and Dickie Garabedian Rosalie Gifford Gail and Bruce Groefsema Aylin Gulbenkian Wartkes Hagopian Amy Hailozian Dorothea Hazarian Frank and Sharon Higgins Lori and Andy Hill Rupert and Lara Horoupian Luz and Frederick Hovsepian Vartan and Arlene Hovsepian Jack Isaacs Edward and Armineh Jamgotchian Harvey and Janet Kamian Andrey Karapetyan Nelly and Arka Kargodorian Helin Karunyan Garo and Pat Keadjian Mark Kenchelian Hermine Keshishyan Vartan Keshishyan Charles and Dorris Kezerian Myron and Arax Konjoyan Harold and Bonnie Koojoolian Levon Krikorian and Anush Darbinyan Lucine and Robert Kroeckel Virginia Madajian Don and Lisa Manoogian Edward and Sylva Manougian Emma and Lida Mazmanian Vahe and Hilda Mener Louise Metaxas Silva and Karnig Mikalian Edward and Goldie Minasian Steven Noroian Lisette Poole Antica Odashian Liz and Ron Ojakian Norman and Virginia Rees Alene Rudy Carol Rustigian Edward and Karen Sarafian Benik Sargsyan Richard and Judy Sharafian Caline Soghikian Don and Virginia Tafjen Frederick and Ardemis Tajirian Hagop and Elizabeth Tatoian James Taylor III Annabelle Taylor Marlene Tolegian Hasmig Vasgerdsian Norma Yaglijian

4 Palm Sunday March 25, 2018 Upcoming Events Men s Night Choir Practice Ladies Society Mother s Day Luncheon ACYO Sponsor s Mother s Day Fellowship Hour Parish Council Meeting Sunday School Closing Ceremony ACYO Kebab Luncheon Choir Practice Friday, April 27 Sunday, May 6 Thursday, May 10 Sunday, May 13 Wednesday, May 16 6:00 pm 12:45 pm Noon After Divine Liturgy 6:30 pm During Divine Liturgy After Divine Liturgy 12:45 pm THEY CAME FROM ARARAT The Exodus of the Armenian People to America By Edward Minasian The factual evidence through historical and research and immigration statistics that corroborate the connection between the Armenian presence in the United States of America from 1890 to 1940 and the first Genocide of the 20th century. The conditions created by the Ottoman Turkish government in Asia Minor of rampant racist prejudice of its Armenian subjects. The basic components of history are highlighted Who? What? When? Where? and Why? A comprehensive study of the extermination of onethird of the Armenian nation and the movement of many of the Armenian survivors to almost every country in the world. If you are interested in obtaining this book, please contact Ed Minasian at End of the Year Sunday School Closing Ceremony During Divine Liturgy Students Recite Hayr Mer & Receive Bibles Holy Thursday March 29, 2018 Foot Washing Service and Passion of the Lord Service Ice Cream Sundaes for the Kids

5 ACYO Update This month the St Vartan ACYO had the Annual Overnight Lenten Retreat, which led into Palm Sunday. The overnight Lenten Retreat was a blast! The ACYO started off by making Palm Sunday crosses, then Der Hayr lead a group discussion about the importance of trusting God and His roles in our lives, as well as the meaning of Lent. We ended the night with fellowship by playing some of our favorite games like pingpong, foosball, headbands, and a very competitive game of volleyball! Our annual tradition continued as our senior ACYO members took over the parish council duties while juniors served on the alter and gave the reading during Badarak. The following week we had an amazing turnout during the Easter Bake Sale, and we would like to thank everyone who supported and donated! See you next month for our Kebab Luncheon!! Silva Jindoian, ACYO Publicity Director Parish Council Update Kitchen Remodel As you are well aware the Kitchen Remodel Committee (KRC) is fully engaged and working diligently to oversee the improvements. We anticipate the actual work to commence in May, and if all goes well, we will be enjoying an upgraded kitchen in September. Unfortunately this end date will not support the traditional festival dates. Thus, the Food Festival and Bazaar has been postponed to Spring of Food Festival After serious and careful consideration the Ladies Society, KRC and Parish Council concluded that the third weekend of May will be our new Food Festival weekend. The advantages are that planning and preparation will not conflict with traditional summer vacation schedules, there will be fewer competing Armenian food festivals, and the probability of better weather. Thus, please mark your 2019 calendars for Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, and plan to join our 66 th Food Festival and Bazaar. Summer Picnic We re happy to note that our summer picnic in the park remains on target. Planning has started and we re most pleased to announce that Mr. Antranik, Anto Cingoz will coordinate this year s picnic. Continuing in the tradition of great food, children s activities and tavloo games, this year the picnic will feature specialties from the Food Festival Hye Café. Look for additional details in future newsletters. Mother s Day Jokes Daffynition: Sweater something you wear when your mother gets cold. Son: Dad, do you know the difference between a pack of cookies and a pack of elephants? Dad: No. Son: Then it s a good thing Mom does the grocery shopping! Science Experiment: Working mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment to show that sleep is not necessary to human life.

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7 Annual Ecumenical Prayer Service to Venerate the Holy Cross On Monday, March 20, 2018, Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest of St. Vartan Armenian Church of Oakland, and Fr. Mesrop Ash, Parish Priest of St. John Armenian Church of San Francisco represented His Eminence Abp. Hovnan Derderian at the Annual Ecumenical Prayer Service to Venerate the Holy Cross. This event was organized by the collaboration of the Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Greek Metropolis of San Francisco, and was hosted by Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Belmont. His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos offered welcoming remarks, and the homily was delivered by His Excellency Abp. Salvatore Cordileone. The participation of the clergy of the Western Diocese was coordinated in conjunction with the ad hoc collective of clergymen known as the Eastern Churches of the Bay Area. The message of Christian unity in the shadow of the Holy Cross resonated deeply with the faithful who attended this moving prayer service. Ladies Society Lenten Luncheon March 29, 2018 Ladies Society Update Your Ladies Society Board has put together a very special Mother s Day celebration to be held on Thursday, May 10. Please check out the flier in this newsletter for details. Since the demolition of the kitchen is scheduled to take place mid May, it would not be possible to prepare and hold our luncheon in the church hall this year. Caroline Arakelian and Gail Kezerian worked very hard to find a location that would accommodate our group. And another slight change this year is that because we are holding the luncheon in a restaurant, we will need to have your checks sent in advance to confirm your reservation. Please note the reservation deadline of May 1. Also new this year, only tables of 8 will be reserved, otherwise it will be open seating and you may sit wherever you wish. Please consider donating a basket or gift for the raffle. We are offering a full arms length of tickets for only $20 so lots of opportunities to win. Please call Marlene Tolegian at for reservations and raffle donations. And speaking of the kitchen remodel, everything is coming along and we are getting ready to pack the kitchen and storerooms. This is the perfect time to buy khanoot items. Please keep in mind donations toward the kitchen remodel are most welcome and is an ongoing project. Your support is needed now more than ever. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the Mother s Day luncheon on May 10. A Mother s Love The only time your mother smiled when you were crying... is when you were born. Good Friday March 30 & Easter Sunday April 1