The Homeless Person. Bible Readings. Palm Sunday. Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan March, 2014

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1 Bible Readings March 2 Matt. 6:1-21 March 9 Matt. 5:17-48 March 16 Luke 15:1-32 March 23 Luke 16:1-31 March 30 Luke 17:20-18:14 Palm Sunday Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest! And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, Who is this? And the crowds said, This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee. Matt. 21:8-11 Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan March, 2014 The Homeless Person The parking lot filled rapidly on Sunday morning as members of the large church congregation filed into church. As usually happens in a church that size, each member had developed a certain comfort zone a block of space within those four church walls that became theirs after the second or third sitting. It was as much a part of their church experience as the recliner was to the television at home. Some of the older members had been sitting in the same row on the same side for several decades. A team of oxen could not have moved them to the opposite side of the church. One morning a stranger stood at the edge of the parking lot near a dumpster. As families parked cars and piled out, they noticed him rummaging through the trash. "Oh no! I don't believe it," whispered a lady to her husband. "That's all we need a bunch of homeless people milling around here." One worried little girl tugged on her dad's sleeve. "But Daddy..." Daddy was busy sizing up the bearded stranger, whose baggy, outdated trousers and faded flannel shirt had dusted too many park benches. "Don't stare at him, honey," he whispered, and hurried her inside. Soft music filled the high-ceiling sanctuary as churchgoers settled into their usual spots. The choir sang an opening chorus, "In His presence there is comfort... in His presence there is peace...". Sunlight suddenly flooded the center aisle. The double doors swung open and the homeless man, sloppy and stooped, headed toward the front. "Oh no, it's him!" somebody muttered. "What does he think he is doing, anyway?" snapped an incredulous usher. The stranger set his bagful of dumpster treasures on the very first pew which had been upholstered in an expensive soft teal fabric just three months ago. The music stopped. And before anyone had a chance to react, he ambled up the stairs and stood behind the fine, handcrafted oak podium, where he faced a wide-eyed congregation. The disheveled stranger spoke haltingly at first, in a low, clear voice. Unbuttoning and removing his top layer of clothing, he described Jesus, and the love He has for all people. "Jesus possesses a sensitivity and love that far surpasses what any of us deserves." Stepping out of the baggy old trousers, the stranger went on to describe a forgiveness that is available to each and every one of us...without strings attached.

2 "Unconditionally He loves us. Unconditionally He gave His very life for us. Unconditionally and forever, we can have the peace and assurance that no matter who we are, where we've come from, or how badly we may have mistreated others or ourselves, there is hope." "In Jesus, there is always hope." "You see, my friends, it is never too late to change," the man continued. "He is the Author of change, and the Provider of forgiveness. He came to bring new meaning to 'life'." Men and women squirmed as reality hit them like an electrical current. The stranger tugged at his knotted gray beard, and removed it. "I'm here to tell you that we are loved with a love far beyond human understanding, a love that enables us to accept and love others in return." Then tenderly he added, "Let's pray together." That wise pastor under the guise of a homeless "nobody" did not preach a sermon that day, but every person left with plenty to think about. Author Unknown Jr. ACYO The St. Vartan Church Jr. ACYO met for the first time Sunday, February 16 after church. The group planned activities and enjoyed fellowship and refreshments. Jr. ACYO welcomes all year olds. Please contact Marie for more information at Ladies Society Valentine s Day Luncheon On Thursday, February 13, 2014, the St. Vartan Ladies Society served a Valentine s Day Luncheon. The menu featured hamburgers, potato salad and apple pie. Several members of the St. John Armenian Church, San Francisco, Ladies Society attended, along with St. John Parish Priest, Fr. Mesrop. After the delicious lunch, the ladies enjoyed a spirited game of bingo.

3 St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: Yughakin Rosalie Gifford, Arshak Azizian, Edward and Sylva Manougian, Simik and Hermina Sarkis- Kelly, Peter and Garine Merguerian, Harry and Carol Dokouzian Education Fund Fimi Schulze, Albert and Marie Donabedian The St. Vartan Voice Newsletter Alice Doolittle, Edward Godoshian New Church Doors Diana Toomajian, Barry and Judy Toomajian, Flora Mirzaian (In Memory of Yervand Mirzaian and Carmel Mirzaian) Priest Discretionary Fund Vartan Berberian In Honor of Edward and Goldie Minasian s 50th Wedding Anniversary Edward and Krisian Minasian (Endowment Fund) In Memory Lucy Tulanian Harvey and Janet Kamian (Athletic Fund), George and Shenora Adishian, Clara Bouisan, Bob and Fran Long, Jean Schroeder, Anne Barsamian, Craig and Susan Bazigian, Margie Dorian, Nurhan and Mary Donikian and Family Barbara Anderson Edward Godoshian, Norma Bargamian and Family, Beverlee Bargamian, Barbara Morjig JoAnn Koobatian Archie and Joyce Kamian, Craig and Susan Bazigian (Choir Fund) ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory Lucy Tulanian Richard & Judy Sharafian, Al & Mae Kaljian, Charles and Dorris Kezerian, Ani Amoore, Virginia Ratcliff Evelyn Davidian Frank and Sharon Higgins, Florence and Dedra Derderian Barbara Anderson Charles and Dorris Kezerian, Suzanne and Ed Vasgerdisan, Diana Toomajian, Andy and Lori Hill, Virginia Ratcliff News From Our St. Vartan Family Condolences On Monday, February 3, 2014, a funeral service was held at St. Vartan Armenian Church for long-time St. Vartan member Barbara Anderson. We offer our deepest condolences to Barbara s family: daughter, Regina Armas, grandsons, Javier Armas and Garbriel Armas-Cardona; sisters, Norma Yaglijian and Doris Cretan, and nephews, nieces, and friends. Long-time St. Vartan member Lucy Tulanian passed away in Frenso on January 16, Lucy s parents were among the founders of St. Vartan Armenian Church. We send our sincere sympathy to Lucy s daughter, Larua Tulanian, and son, Michael Tulanian, and all of Lucy s family and friends. Anniversary Congratulations Congratulations to St. Vartan members Ed and Goldie Minasian on celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary on February 9. Ed and Goldie were married at St. Vartan Church fifty years ago. St. Vartan Basketball Team St. Vartan Church welcomes new Athletic Committee Chairman Hagop Hakimian. Hagop will be coaching a junior high boys basketball team in the Orthodox Youth Athletic Association. He hopes to start practices in March. Anyone interested in playing basketball for St. Vartan Church should contact Hagop at

4 ACYO Update On January 25, 2014 a group of ACYO members volunteered at St. Martin De Porres soup kitchen in San Francisco. Some helped prepare and serve meals, while others washed dishes and bussed tables. On February 8, 2014 St. Vartan ACYO hosted the annual ACYO regional meeting at St. Vartan Armenian Church. ACYO Calendar Remainder of 2013 March 9th- ACYO Monthly meeting 21-22nd -Lenten Overnight Retreat April 6th- Monthly meeting 12th- Making the crosses for Palm 12:00 p.m 13th- ACYO Sunday- take over Parish council duties 20th- ACYO Easter Bake Sale May 4th- ACYO Monthly meeting 11th- Special Mothers day coffee hour and gifts 23rd-25th- Sports Weekend June 1st- ACYO Monthly meeting 15th- Special Fathers day coffee hour and gifts July 12th- Summer BBQ 20th- ACYO Sunday - take over Parish council duties August 3rd- ACYO Monthly meeting 16th- Great America September 14th- ACYO Monthly meeting October 3rd-4th- Bazaar Games 12th- ACYO Monthly meeting November 2nd- ACYO Election Meeting 15th- Community Saint Vincent de Paul 28th-30th - 66th Annual ACYO Convention December 7th- ACYO Monthly meeting 13th- ACYO Christmas party Register Now for Armenian Summer Camp You can register for Armenian Summer Camp at The four weeks of camp this summer are: Week 1: July Week 2: July Week 3: July 27-August 2 Week 4: August 3-August 9 You can attend Family Day for free on Saturday, May 17, This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of camp!

5 St. Vartan Church Wish List New Church Doors A project is underway at St. Vartan Church to install beautiful new hand-carved wooden doors in the front of the church. The Church Door Fund has already received several donations, but more are needed to complete this project. Please consider donating to the Church Door Fund, so we can enhance our magnificent church building with new doors, as we show our commitment to St. Vartan Armenian Church.

6 The Lenten Journey The Sundays of Lent The period of Great Lent in the Armenian Church begins with the Monday following the Eve of Great Lent, and continues to the Saturday preceding Holy Week. Each Sunday during this period is named after a parable embodying some spiritual truth, and the Scriptural readings for each Sunday underscore the day's lesson. The first Sunday of Lent is called Poon Paregentan or The Sunday of Good Living. It is the day before the 40-day period of abstinence and fasting begins. On the Eve of Lent, a black curtain closes off the altars of Armenian churches: the first visual appearance of Lent in the church. This the last opportunity for the faithful to eat and drink abundantly, which symbolizes the spirit of innocent joyfulness during man's days in Eden. Paregentan festivities on this day, with food, dancing and drinking, are common among Armenians. The second Sunday of Lent is named The Sunday of the Expulsion a reference to the exile of Adam and Eve from Paradise. This day reminds us of the loss of man's happiness due to his disobedience. During this day's service the hymn of St. Nersess the Graceful, Vor Zorenes Serpoutian, describes man's Fall: how Adam and Eve experienced the bitterness of sin and death, how they first felt "fear" in their hearts, and "hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees in the garden." Thereafter, the re-establishment of the friendship between God and man had to await God's entry into our lives. Through this act of grace, man is able to search his heart, perceive his condition as an exile of "Paradise Lost," and see that God has given human beings the opportunity to regain their former status. The third Sunday of Lent is known as The Sunday of the Prodigal Son. The parable told by Jesus (Luke 15:11-32) is a familiar example of a child rebelling against its parent; but in Jesus' telling, the parent is accepting and understanding, regardless of the child's previous actions or mistakes. The two key words in this parable are "lost" and "found," and in a way, the entire Lenten period might be thought of as a search for our own lost selves. The prodigal son stands as a symbol for lost and demoralized humanity; the father figure helps us grasp the depth of God's love for mankind. The fourth Sunday of Lent, The Sunday of the Steward, involves another parable told by Jesus (Luke 16:1-13); its great lesson is the power of salvation. We learn that we are responsible to God for all of our works and deeds and responsible, too, to utilize the gifts He has given us. We should all be prepared, for one day we will be called to give an accounting of ourselves to God. Lent's fifth Sunday is known as The Sunday of the Judge. This Sunday's parable (Luke 18:1-8) involves an unjust judge who refuses to hear a widow's plea. But because of the widow's persistence to be vindicated against her adversary, even this hard, godless judge gives in and conducts a trial. This parable assures us that God, our just and loving judge, will not turn a deaf ear to the pleas of His children; but we learn, too, the need for perseverance in the Christian life. The Sunday of Advent is the sixth and last Sunday of Lent, when the church recalls the revelation of our Savior, who sacrificed His life for mankind. This day is devoted to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, our eternal Lord and King; as such we are reminded that, just as everything once began with God, so too will everything one day end with Him. Great Lent ends with Lazarus Saturday, which recalls how Jesus raised His friend from the dead (John 11:1-44). This episode foreshadows Christ's own Resurrection and serves to remind us of Christ's promise of new life to those who love Him. The following day, Palm Sunday, celebrates Christ's entry into Jerusalem, when He was hailed as the Messiah and King of Israel. Since Christ was greeted with palm fronds and olive branches on that day, we observe this occasion by distributing palm leaves to the congregation. During the Palm Sunday liturgy, the service of "The Opening of the Doors" takes place. The priest and faithful pray for entry once again into God's

7 glorious Kingdom and wait for the church to symbolically open Her doors (by opening the black curtains) just as Christ paved the way for the resurrection of humanity. The Meaning of Lent The principles and practices of Lent in the Armenian Church are deeply rooted in the Bible, the ancient Christian traditions, the life-example of Christ and His disciples, and the lives of the great church fathers, all of whom contributed to the establishment of the canons of Lent. The focus of Lent is on "Man the Sinner": on his repentance, his spiritual cleansing, and his eventual salvation. Here are two biblical passages that elaborate the deeper meaning of Lent: Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God. (Joel 2:12-13) When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners, to be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:5-6) Lent is a very personal spiritual journey. It is a period of sincerity, self-recognition and reflection. Abstinence, moderation and sacrifice frees us for meditation and the realization of the darkness of our world without God. As the prophet Joel advised us, you must "turn towards the Lord...with all your heart" with honesty and humility. In this way we are able to create a bridge between God and us. Through prayer we communicate with God, express our love, ask for forgiveness. Prayers of the sincere heart are acceptable to God. Jesus' advice as recorded in Matthew's gospel brings to mind a novel by the Russian writer Anton Chekov, which relates how two thieves attack and kill a street beggar and proceed to tear his garments to distribute amongst themselves. In one of the inner pockets of the suit, one thief finds a piece of bacon. He proceeds to have his first bite, when the other thief, suddenly angered, says, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Today is Friday, a day of fasting!" His friend looks at him in astonishment, but stops eating the bacon, and the two leave the forest without breaking their fast. The story points out, in a comic way, that fasting by itself has no meaning if you are disobedient or (like the thieves) committing crimes. Fasting during Lent needs to be done in the context of deep reflection on the truth about ourselves, in a spirit of unusual sincerity and honesty. Fasting is, in fact, a companion to prayer: one more way we speak to God from the heart. The true understanding of Lent rests on a sturdy tripod of prayer, abstinence and charity. Lent reminds us that man is always confronted with choices choices that lead us to two paths in life. The first path is one of darkness, evil and sin. The second is that of light, God, righteousness and goodness. At the juncture of these two paths stands the fortress of prayer, abstinence and charity, which leads mankind forward to seek perfection. This is the purpose of Great Lent in the Armenian Church. The Armenian Apostolic Church has ruled on the traditions of Lent by creating canons based on the thought of the apostles. Apostolic Canon number eight reads: "The Apostles ordered and affirmed that the 40 days be set aside as days of abstinence from evil-doing, from sin and from food, preceding (the day) of the passion of our Savior." The oldest Armenian Lenten traditions hardly allowed for the consumption of any food at all. Indeed, the Armenian Church sometimes refers to Lent as Aghouhatzk, meaning "salt and bread," because at one time these elements were the only permitted foods. Over time, Lenten rules have changed to allow any food that does not derive from animals (meat and milk, e.g.). Alcoholic beverages were also forbidden. These rules were based on the Biblical principle that many human vices proceed from eating and drinking.

8 St. Vartan Armenian Church Parish Assembly Meeting On Sunday, February 9, 2014 St. Vartan Armenian Church held its annual Assembly Meeting and Lamb Shank Luncheon. The meeting featured election of parish assembly officers, parish council members, diocesan delegates, and audit and Stone Estate Committee members. New parish council members are: Vartkes Avakian, Hagop Hakimian, Richard Nikssarian and Dikran Shahvelilian. Re-elected for a second term are council members: Anto Cingoz, Sako Soghomonian and Jim Taylor. Hagop Hagopian and Marie Hagopian will serve as Diocesan Delegates. Steve Baronian joins the audit committee and Charlie Kezerian the Stone Estate Committee. Chris Yaldezian was elected Parish Assembly Chairman for He will be joined on the Parish Assembly by Vice-Chair, David Ojakian, and Secretary, Judy Toomajian Parish Council Members Jack Papazian Chairman Harout Hagopian Vice-Chairman Anto Cingoz Treasurer Sako Soghomonian Asst. Treasurer Liz Ojakian Purchasing Dickran Shahvelilian Recording Secretary Vartkes Avakian Corres. Secretary Maida Henesian Member Services Jack Isaacs Member Services Jim Taylor Maintenance Arto Yagjian Maintenance Hagop Hakimian Advisor Richard Nikssarian Advisor St. Vartan member and boy scout Alex Colello presented his Eagle Scout project to the congregation. His project includes a Genocide Memorial around the Khachkar in front of St. Vartan Church, as well as landscaping the church property. The community was invited to participate in the project by submitting names of towns in Armenia from which loved ones were deported during the genocide. Sonia Tajirian explained the on-going plans for remodeling the Church Hall. The plans are to include new windows, air conditioning, lighting, updating the foyer, wall treatments, folding doors, shades for the windows, portable basketball hoops, a new folding stage, and installation of sound absorbing materials to eliminate the echo in the hall. The cost of the construction has not yet been determined. Sonia estimated the project would take around three to four months to complete. The Brick A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown. The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, What was that all about, and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it? The young boy was apologetic. Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do, he pleaded. I threw the brick because no one else would stop... With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. It's my brother, he said. He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up. Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me. Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. Thank you and may God bless you, the grateful child told the stranger. Too shaken up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention! God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

9 St. Vartan Cultural Committee presents Lost and Found in Armenia Movie and Pizza Night Saturday, March 8, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 650 Spruce St., Oakland, CA :30 pm Admission: $10/adult; $5/children 10 and up; free/children under 10

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11 Charitable Outreach St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church continued its charitable outreach in KZV School Scholarships $10, Orphan Fund 5, Western Diocese Cathedral Fund 5, Sister Church in Armenia 3, Western Diocese Stewardship Fund 1, CAAONC Armenia Fund Bay Area Friends of Armenia Bay Area Rescue Mission Salvation Army City Team Ministries AGBU Western Diocese AIWA American Red Cross Total Charitable Contributions 26, Upcoming Events March 2 Family Worship Day 10:30 am March 5 Lenten Prayer Vigil 6:30 pm March 8 Movie & Pizza Night 6:30 pm March 9 ACYO Monthly Meeting 12:00 noon March 12 Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm March 12 Lenten Prayer Vigil 6:30 am March 19 Lenten Prayer Vigil 6:30 pm March ACYO Retreat March 29 Family Night 5:30 pm Hushers? Six-year-old Abby and her four-year-old borther, Joel, were sitting together in church. Joel, giggled, sang and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had enough. You re not supposed to talk out loud in church, she said. Why not? Who is going to stop me, Joel asked. Angie pointed ot the back of the church and said, See those two men standing by the door? They re hushers. Lenten Prayer Vigil Services March 5, 2014 March 12, 2014 March 19, 2014 March 26, 2014 April 2, 2014 April 9, 2014 Please join us at St. Vartan Armenian Church every Wednesday evening in Lent for Lenten Prayer Vigil Services at 6:30 pm. St. Vartan Family Worship Day Complimentary lunch Special message by Fr. Hovel Parish Council Installation Sunday School WILL meet Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 10:30 am

12 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: Beverly Nalbandian 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 Church Secretary: Rachel Harger Altar Flowers: Diana Toomajian and Carole Chang Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian Divine Liturgy Service Sundays 10:30 a.m.