Bible Readings. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

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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: Barry Toomajian Parish Assembly Chair: Don Manoogian Choir Director: Artin Der Minassians Organist: A. Rodriguez ACYO Chair: Sevan Jindoian and Nataleine Jindoian Sunday School Superintendent: Janet Yeghissian Ladies Society Chair: Gail Kezerian, Caroline Arakelian and Lisa Manoogian 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. Bible Readings May 1 John 9:39-41; 10:1-10 May 8 John 12:12-23 May 15 John 14:25-31 May 22 Luke 4:25-30 May 29 John 10:22-30 Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 May 2016 Primate s Message to the Faithful EVERY CHRISTIAN S DUTY A thriving Diaspora is conditioned by a peaceful and a prosperous Armenia and Artsakh. Military turmoil, whether in Armenia or Artsakh, means the suffering of the Armenians around the globe. The present situation in Artsakh is alarming to say the least. We praise the Almighty God for the valiant soldiers who protect our borders with the courageous spirit of their heroic ancestors in the Battles of Avarayr and Sardarabad. They serve to protect the freedomloving people of the Republic of Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, even if it requires paying the ultimate price, namely, sacrificing their God-given lives. It is the duty of every one of us to reach out to the families of the fallen soldiers and citizens, and the gravely wounded who suffered as a result of the heinous massive scale military attacks perpetrated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Beloved Christian Armenian, it is with a genuine plea that we call upon you to take part in the humanitarian effort. By donating to the Humanitarian Fund for Armenia, a special fund established at the Western Diocese to support the families in need, you will extend a helping hand, and will instill hope in the grief-stricken hearts of mothers, wives and children. Through web and media outlets, we witness how the hearts of Armenians around the world beat in unison. Therefore, let us answer to the call from the distant mountainous regions of Armenia and Artsakh. Encourage and motivate your loved ones to promote peace. The Homeland is God s gift to us. It is our noble duty to pass down a stronger and prosperous Armenia and Artsakh to the next generation. May God bless and protect the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian people. Prayerfully, ARCHBISHOP HOVNAN DERDERIAN Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America Burbank, April 4, 2016 St. Vartan Church is collecting funds for the Armenian Fund. Please make check payable to St. Vartan Church and mark the memo section for Armenian Fund. Or checks can be sent directly to the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church, 3325 N. Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA, Mark on the memo section: Humanitarian Fund for Armenia.

2 Upcoming Events Spring Family Night Ladies Society Mother s Day Tea Diocese Assembly in Las Vegas ACYO Mother s Day Fellowship Hour Bazaar Workday Kufta Men s Night Hamburger Barbecue Sayat Nvaq Ensemble End of the Year Sunday School Program ACYO Kebab Fundraiser Bazaar Workday Large Beoreg Armenian Sports Weekend in Fresno Sunday, May 22 after Badarak Sunday School End-of-the-Year Program Saturday, April 30 Thursday, May 5 May 5-8 Sunday, May 8 Wednesday, May 11 Friday, May 20 Saturday, May 21 Sunday, May 22 Sunday, May 22 Thursday, May 26 May :30 pm 12:00 noon After Church Services 9:30 am 6 pm 7 pm 10:30 am After Church Services 9:30 am Spring Family Night Saturday, April 30, 5:30 pm John Marukian Church Hall Bring your own Tavloo board or favorite board game. Catch up with old friends; meet new people. Bring a Dish to Share: A-G: Appetizer/Side Dish H-P: Main Dish R-Z Dessert All Men are Invited to Men s Night Hamburger Barbecue Friday, May 20 Bazaar Workdays Begin in May The first two bazaar workdays of 2016 will be on: Wednesday, May 11 Kutfta Thursday, May 26 Large Boereg Bazaar workdays will begin at 9:30 am. After the work we will share a potluck lunch, so please bring a dish to share. 6 pm John Marukian Church Hall Fun, Games, Fellowship

3 St. Vartan Ladies Society Mother s Day Tea Thursday, May 5, 2016 Noon St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: Priest Discretionary Fund The Collins-Johnston Family St. Vartan Voice Newsletter Elmer and Gloria Kaprielian In Memory Nai Kang Chang John and Nema Kurkjian Isabel Martini John and Nema Kurkjian Tom Foster John and Nema Kurkjian Mary Thompson Richard and Nancy Kurkjian Areg Kananyan Arman Danielyan and Susanna Hayrapetyan (Altar Flowers) George Rustigian Harry and Carol Dokouzian (St. Vartan Voice Newsletter) Nazaret Berberian Heghine and Michael Boloyan (St. Vartan Choir) ENDOWMENT FUND In Memorium Mary Wiley Norma Yaglijian Entertainment: Fashion Show by Chico s Tickets $20 RSVP for individual or table reservations to Marlene Tolegian at mar.t@sbcglobal.net or Donations requested for Raffle Prizes Contact Marlene Tolegian Suzanne and Razmik Abnous Araks Aghazarian John and Sylvia Alexanian Rouben and Sofia Amirbekian Siranouche Apelian Robert Arabian Lou Aronian Annie Avedissian Archie and Nellie Azizian Ara and Angel Azizian Arshak Azizian Ester Badalyan Garbis and Silva Baghdassarian Ayko and Vartan Berberian Kegham and Roxanne Boghossian Jack and Barbara Bousian Lee and Adrena Clemmer Sona and Suren Dakessian Arman Danielyan June Demerdjian Kathleen Demerdjian Brian and Cynthia Der Matoian Harry and Carol Dokouzian Margie Dorian Jack Dorian Gary Eldemir Kip and Caro Garabedian 2016 Easter Yughakin Donations Dickie and Seno Garabedian Wartkes Hagopian Harvey and Nora Hanoian H. Ronnie and Aram Henesian Frank and Sharon Higgins Lori and Andy Hill Arlene and Vartan Hovsepian Jack Isaacs Edward and Armineh Jamgotchian Nazaret and Seta Jindoian Louise Jorjorian Harvey and Janet Kamian Arka and Nelly Kargodorian Garo Keadjian Hermine Keshishyan Vartan Keshishyan Charles and Dorris Kezerian Robert Kachadoorian Myron and Arax Konjoyan Bonnie and Harold Koojoolian Don and Lisa Manoogian Edward and Sylva Manougian Adik and Raya Mardirossian Jeff and Julie Masoian Joseph and Molly Matossian Vahe and Hilda Mener Peter and Garine Merguerian Louise Metaxas Karnig and Silva Mikaelian Barbara Morjig Steven and Louise Noroian Antica Odabashian Liz and Ron Ojakian Joyce Overton Chuck and Diane Paskerian Armen Phelps Michele and Lawrence Radcliffe Virginia Ratcliff Patti Rosenthal Alene Rudy Carol Rustigian Edward and Karen Sarafian Zarik Savadians Richard and Judy Sharafian Caline Soghikian Frances Stevens Lisa Tahmazian-Chorbajian Ardemis and Fred Tajirian Jim Taylor Annabelle Taylor Marlene Tolegian Suzanne and Ed Vasgerdsian Nadya and Arto Yagjian Norma Yaglijian

4 News From Our St. Vartan Family ACYO Collects Purses and Toiletries for Homeless Condolences Mary Wiley passed away on April 1, Our condolences to her daughters, Maggi (Rick) Beardsley, Melanie (Mike) Kress, Mona (Tony) Keeler, and five grandchildren, Peter, Jenna, Rachel, Makenna, and Casey, family and friends. On April 6 Fr. Hovel performed a funeral service at St. Vartan Church for Vera Lucy Hovsep Apkarian. Our condolences to Vera Lucy s mother, Nevart Apkarian, her brothers, Yeghia (Anna Delmida) Apkarian, Bedros Apkarian, Vatche Apkarian, and her niece and nephew, family and friends. On April 7 Fr. Hovel took part in a funeral service for Michael Cadena at St. Antonius Coptic Church, Hayward. A funeral service was held for Khachik Hajyan by Fr. Hovel at St. Vartan Church on April 9. Our condolences to Khachik s wife, Anahit Amlikyan, and his children, Hakop Hajyan and family, Hasmik Hajyan -Quigley and family, Karine Hajyan and family, and his grandchildren, Vahag, Sevak, Aram, and Suren. Thank You Anush and Levon Krikorian Jon and LeeAnn Williams Hasmik Arzumanyan Adam Nikssarian Jeff and Julie Masoian Seta Azizian Donald Tafjen Samuel Alikian 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, St. Vartan Church thanks Sunday School superintendent, Janet Yeghissian, and teachers, Alexia Shahvekilian, Nicole Vasgerdsian, Karen Mener, Janet Yeghissian, John Eknoian and EJ Mateosian. We also thank Lisa Manoogian for leading three assemblies throughout the year, and thank Joanne Hagopian, Marie Hagopian and Gayane Kanneian for assisting in the classroom. These dedicated teachers are charged with one of the most important tasks of the church, educating our youth. Scholarships for High School Graduates The Golden Gate Chapter Triple X Fraternity is offering a scholarship to high school graduating seniors of Armenian heritage. Scholarship applications are available at the St. Vartan Armenian Church office. Call the office at to receive an application. Have old purses you don t know what to do with?? Bought too much soap or lotion last month and ran out of storage space?? St. Vartan ACYO has the perfect solution for you, which combines philanthropy with helping you clean out your closets! Please bring donations of gently used purses and handbags to our collection box in the hall entrance. In addition, we are collecting feminine hygiene products, other (compact) toiletries, and nonperishable snack items! We will be creating care packages in each purse and distributing them to homeless and disadvantaged women around the Bay Area. We thank you for all your help! For additional information please contact StVartanACYO@gmail.com. Bedtime Story Darlene was sitting on her grandfather's lap as he read her a bedtime story. From time to time, she would take her eyes off the book and reach up to touch his wrinkled cheek. She was alternately stroking her own cheek, then his again. Finally she spoke up, Grandpa, did God make you? Yes, darling, he answered, God made me a long time ago. Oh, Darlene paused, Grandpa, did God make me too? Yes, indeed, poppet, he said, God made you just a little while ago. Feeling their respective faces again, Darlene observed, God's getting better at it, isn't he?

5 ACYO Update The St. Vartan ACYO had a very busy spring with fun, education and service. On March ACYO had their Lenten overnight retreat where they gathered at St.Vartan Hall. Father Mesrop Ash and Father Hovel Ohanyan led them in a discussion of the meaning of Lent. During the discussion they made palm crosses for Palm Sunday. The retreat also included games, food and fellowship. On Sunday, March 20 the ACYO took on Parish Council duties. On March 25 the Merguerian Family welcomed ACYO into their home where they made homemade choreg for the Easter Bake Sale. On March 27, Easter Sunday, the ACYO held their annual bake sale with an Easter bunny and piñata activity. On April 3, the youth bounced over to Sky High Trampoline Sports Park in Concord. St. Vartan ACYO performed one of their annual service projects on May 9, when they helped clean up the Mt. Davidson Cross site, in preparation for Genocide Commemoration. The ACYO also have several events scheduled during May. They will hold their annual meeting on Sunday, May 1 after church services. On May 8 the ACYO will host a special Mother s Day Coffee Hour. On May 22, the youth will host a kebab fundraiser. Then the ACYO will travel to Fresno from May for Armenian Sports Weekend. Historic Armenia by Matthew Karanian Earns Gold Medal for Best History Book After twice hosting author Matthew Karanian at St. Vartan Church, the St. Vartan Cultural Committee is excited to note the honor he has received for his book, Historic Armenia After 100 Years. Historic Armenia received the top honor for best independently published history book of 2015 during an awards ceremony. Karanian s groundbreaking book about Western Armenia received the gold medal in the category of history during the annual Benjamin Franklin Book Awards ceremony, which was held on April 8 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Independent Book Publishers Association, the largest association of publishers in the US, awarded the prize. This is the first time that a book about Armenia has earned this top award. Nearly 1,400 titles, all published in 2015, competed for recognition. The award is one of the highest national honors for independent publishers in the US. Historic Armenia After 100 Years is the first-ever historical guide to the cultural sites of Western Armenia, and includes 125 color photographs and maps. Karanian accepted the gold medal during a gala awards ceremony that was attended by more than 200 authors and publishers from throughout the US. Karanian told the group that he wrote the book in order to shine a bright light on the often-overlooked history of Armenia. Armenia is one of the oldest nations in the world that nobody s ever heard of, Karanian told the audience. He added that the book is a celebration of Armenia, and not a eulogy. Armenia was almost destroyed in 1915 during the first genocide of the twentieth century, he told the crowd. But the nation survived. This book is a celebration of that survival, Karanian said during his acceptance speech. The Benjamin Franklin Book Award is known informally in the publishing industry as a Benny and has been awarded each year since The award recognizes the best independently published books among diverse categories that include Fiction, Memoir, Photography, Travel, and History. A panel of publishing professionals, and librarians judge the books each year. This is the second time this year that Historic Armenia has been recognized with a prestigious national award. Foreword Reviews recognized the book earlier this year as a finalist in the INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards. The top winner of that book prize will be celebrated during a program at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida in June. Historic Armenia After 100 Years is sold at independent bookstores and at Barnes and Noble, and is available for purchase online from the publisher, Stone Garden Press, at Catholicos of All Armenians Issues Statement In a statement issued by the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians has condemned the military surge by the Azeri Army calling the action a violent disruption in the peace process. The Catholicos of All Armenians has also called upon the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia to defend Armenia valiantly against the enemy attacks and to remain steadfast in the ancestral Christian Faith. In his appeal to international organizations involved in the NKR peace process, the Head of the Armenian Apostolic Church called out for an immediate cease fire. We pray to the Almighty God to accept the souls of those who perished. May they rest in the abode of the Heavenly Saints. May God grant solace and consolation to their loved ones and a speedy recovery to all who have been injured as a result of the violent attacks. May God be with the peace-seeking soldiers of the Armenian Armed Forces. said His Holiness. Memorial Day Monday, May 30, 2016

6 Holy Week & Easter at St. Vartan Church