Bible Readings. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Transcription

1 Bible Readings August 2 John 3:13-21 August 9 Mark 2:1-12 August 16 Luke 2:1-7 August 23 Luke 1:39-56 August 30 Mark 4:35-41 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan August 2015 Hearing God at the Traffic Light (from When we begin to analyze our motives, it can be a very scary and embarrassing process. But in the long run, it is freeing and healing. An example from my own life last night: I stopped at a traffic light in downtown Asheville wanting to make a right turn. The person in the left turn lane pulled up past the white line and I couldn t see around them. I got upset at their discourtesy. So, I asked the dangerous question: why does that upset me? But I decided to ask it with the intention of finding the fault within myself and not in somebody else. So, my first thought was I try to be courteous to people, and I like to see that returned. I think the world would be a much better place if we would all be a bit more thoughtful in our actions. Even little things like pulling up too far so that somebody can t see around your truck is thoughtlessness; a small example albeit, but it is still thoughtless and makes the world a slightly less pleasant place for somebody else. But I wasn t satisfied with that answer. I could justify myself quite well. I mean, I was practically painting myself to be a saint. But that s not what I want to do. So I thought, why couldn t I just wait for the light to turn green? Why did I have to turn right on a red light? What it eventually came down to is this: I m impatient and don t want people to get in my way or deny me my rights (such as turning right on a red light). If I rid myself of my impatience, then little things like that won t get me mad. I won t lose my inner peace over something that is quite insignificant. All too often we justify our attitudes and behavior. And many times we have good reasons to be upset. He was a jerk, she didn t meet my needs, they were discourteous, etc. But what if we begin trying to find the fault within ourselves? What if every time we are upset, we stop to think, Why does that bother me? It is the way to inner peace. But it isn t easy. Today s society tells us to claim our rights, to look after number one, to think critically of other people s actions. Due to the internet, people are becoming professional critics with hundreds or thousands of followers. Our very own nature leads us to pass blame. We did it even when we were children. It s instinctive. But it is a destructive instinct that robs us of our peace. So, next time you are upset, stop and ask yourself why. And don t settle

2 for the answer you receive until you can find the fault within yourself. Many of the great Orthodox fathers and mothers taught that in order to know God, we must ultimately know ourselves. (Disclaimer: There are some situations where it is not your fault, i.e. if you are being abused or manipulated physically or emotionally. Some situations need to be left for your own safety or the safety of loved ones, such as children.) Memorial Service for Richard Nikssarian August 2 St. Vartan Armenian Church members, as well as Dn. Richard Nikssarian s friends and family, are invited to a memorial service honoring Richard s life on Sunday, August 2 at St. Vartan Church. The memorial service, including hokehankist (Armenian Prayer Service for the Departed) will be held immediately after Badarak at approximately noon. The Divine Liturgy Service will begin at 10:30 am in the Church sanctuary. The memorial service will continue in the Church Hall with a reception. Richard served as a deacon and a Parish Council member at St. Vartan Church. St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: Bazaar Donations Leg of Lamb Jack and Barbara Bousian, Harry and Carol Dokouzian, Harvey and Janet Kamian, Don and Lisa Manoogian, Kip and Caro Garabedian, Robert and Lucine Kroeckel, Evelyn C. Boyd, June Demerdjian, Donna Brooks, Ara and Ulla Kaprielian Tent Harry and Carol Dokouzian, Alene Rudy, Ray Chiljan, Carol Rustigian, Richard and Judy Sharafian, Richard and Dorothy Demirjian, Diana Toomajian, Suzanne and Ed Vasgerdsian Admission Booth Carol Rustigian Game Booth Helen Piperis Newspaper Advertising Helen Piperis Case of Wine Al and Mae Kaljian Case of Armenian Tan Al and Mae Kaljian Case of Armenian Beer Ara and Ulla Kaprielian Armenian Coffee Ara and Ulla Kaprielian In Memory Hagop Khatchikian Nora and Harvey Hanoian (Landscaping Fund) Mary Tulanian Thompson Eileen Tulanian (Priest Discretionary Fund), George and Jackie Kamian, Nora and Harvey Hanoian (Building Fund), Lori and Andy Hill (Sunday School Fund), Harvey and Janet Kamian, Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan, Carol Rustigian (St. Vartan Voice Newsletter), Charles and Dorris Kezerian (St. Vartan Voice Newsletter), Mary Ann Sievers and Elizabeth Barsamian (Landscaping Fund), Robert and Lucine Kroeckel, Harry and Joyce Kamian, Louise Jorjorian Richard Nikssarian Nora and Harvey Hanoian (Building Fund), Susan Good, Nick and Paul di Bari (Building Fund), Charles and Dorris Kezerian (Education Fund), Charles and Irene Parrino and Family (Building Fund), Yn. Mary Altounian, Gregory and Elysa Altounian (Building Fund), Dn. Nurhan, Mary and Steven Donikian and Family (Building Fund), Oscar and Sherry Olguin (Building Fund) Armine Ozan Aylin Gulbenkian, Ray and Reyhan Shepherd, Zvart Shahbazian Levon Leo Manoogian Kim Henesian, Suzanne and Razmik Abnous, Sandy and Gus Sialaris Mary Roy Elizabeth Barsamian and Mary Ann Sievers (St. Vartan Voice Newsletter)

3 ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory Grace Izmirian Antica Saroyan Odabashian Michael Madajian Mike and Sue Kilijian, Jack and Tammy Papazian Shirley Ornellas Elizabeth Barsamian and Mary Ann Sievers Barbara Anderson Elizabeth Barsamian and Mary Ann Sievers JoAnn Nalbandian Elizabeth Barsamian and Mary Ann Sievers Yoland Mireille Balouny Norma Yaglijian Mary Thompson Norma Yaglijian, Richard and Dorothy Demirjian, Jack and Tammy Papazian, Harold and Bonnie Koojoolian Richard Nikssarian Jack and Tammy Papazian, Richard and Dorothy Demirjian Jack Papazian Sr. Jack and Tammy Papazian Dennis Stone Vartan and Arlene Hovsepian, Harry and Carol Dokouzian, Gregory and Lori Krikorian and Family John Marukian Jack and Tammy Papazian Levon Leo Manoogian Harold and Bonnie Koojoolian Mike Madajian Tammy and Jack Papazian Bruce Thompson Mary Ann Sievers and Elizabeth Barsamian During the bazaar workday on July 9, St. Vartan Church celebrated custodian Wartkes Hagopian s birthday. Wartkes birthday is July 1. St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church Grape Blessing Service Sunday, August 16 10:30 am News From Our St. Vartan Family Condolences A funeral service was held for St. Vartan Deacon and Parish Council Member, Richard Nikssarian at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Fowler, CA on Monday, June 29. Our sympathy to Richard s wife, Cynthia; children, Melina, Adam, Eric and Lisa; parents, Dick and Mary Nikssarian; brothers, David Nikssarian and his, wife, Mary, Edward Nikssarian and his, wife Connie; sister, Regina Pryor; mother-in-law, Elsie Bottorff; and in-laws, Jeff and Karen Bottorff, Annette and Bill Klein, and Kevin and Stephanie Bottorff; and his numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We offer our condolences to the family of Dennis Stone who passed away on July 8. Birth Announcement Bartev and Amanda Avakian announce the birth of their son, Vartan Tiberius Avakian on May 14, Vartan weighed 8 lbs 10 oz at birth and was 20 1/2 inches long. Choir Wants You! Have you always wanted to be a member of the choir and make beautiful music? If you were hesitant because you don t know the music, this is an opportunity you don t want to pass up. The St. Vartan Choir is looking for new members, and we are happy to train you. Contact the church office to sign up today.

4 Fr. Hovel s Trip to Armenia As well as visiting family and friends, Fr. Hovel represented St. Vartan Church during his trip to Armenia in June. On June 6 Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit visited the Nakashian Center at House of Hope Mer Hooys for a Welcome/Until We Meet Again party for departing girls, as well as new girls and those continuing their education at the training and support center. Fr. Hovel presented each girl at the Nakashian Center with a cross. Mer Hooys is the organization supported by the St. Vartan Church Orphan Fund. House of Hope-Mer Hooys, was established in 2008 and operates in partnership with the Mother See of Etchmiadzin, with the blessings of Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and the Western and Eastern Dioceses of the Armenian Church of North America. Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit visited Nakashian Center Mer Hooys is dedicated to reaching out to teenage young women from disadvantaged lifestyles who do not have the means to otherwise acquire meaningful job skills development and training, an advanced education, life and social skills development, psychological and spiritual counseling and mentorship. The program operates in a recently renovated two story building in Yerevan recently named the Nakashian Children s Support Center in honor of its benefactors, the late John, Arpine and Jack Nakashian. Mer Hooys provides a nurturing family environment that instills encouragement and hope for these young adults future. Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit met with Armenian priest Fr. Vanand Andriasyan, a chaplain in the Armenian army in Vanadzor on June 9. St. Vartan Church supports Fr. Vanand in his pastoral ministry. His Holiness, Karekin II and Fr. Hovel One of the highlights of Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit s trip was meeting with His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of all Armenians, at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on June 23. Fr. Hovel presented His Holiness an 18th century manuscript on behalf of Helen Josh. John Lulejian, member of St. Peter Armenian Church in Van Nuys and the resident legal advisor of the US Embassy in Armenia, invited Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit to a Bible Study with several attorneys and physicians on June 23 in John s apartment in Yerevan. On June 30 Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit visited the American University of Armenia (AUA), where he met with Dean Armen Der Kiureghian and other staff members to discuss the university s programs and prospective students. AUA is a US-accredited university associated with the University of California. Founded in 1991, AUA provides a high-quality, graduate and undergraduate education that encourages civic engagement and promotes democratic values, fostering scholarship in a setting that values and develops academic excellence, free inquiry, integrity, scholarship, leadership, and service to society. That same evening Fr. Hovel Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit with ambassador Richard Mills Jr. Fr. Hovel with Armenian Army Chaplain, Fr. Vanand Andriasyan and an Armenian army veteran Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit in front of Lake Yerevan and Yn. Anahit joined US ambassador Richard Mills Jr. and Consul General Frank Tu at the American Embassy in Yerevan, where they celebrated American Independence Day. The celebration even included fireworks.

5

6 The Grape Blessing Service The Grape Blessing Service will be celebrated at St. Vartan on August 16. In our national and church life great importance is given to the Divine traditions which originate from the Holy Scriptures. They became the best expressions of our national and church image and its uniqueness. Thus, these traditions were evaluated and adopted as sacred services, improved upon through the centuries. One of the holy celebrations of the Armenian Church is the Blessing of the Grapes which is conducted following the celebration of Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. It is also one of the Holy Traditions of the Universal Church. During the pre-christian times "The Feast of Roots and Fruit" constituted part and parcel of the religious rituals of almost all nations. On this day a special ceremony was conducted by the servants of the temple, during which the first fruit of the year was offered to the corresponding god embodying fertility as a sign of obedience, gratitude and fruitfulness for the coming year. Although the abovementioned ceremony of offering the first fruit was also found in Armenian traditions, it was not distinguished as "The Feast of Roots and Fruit". It was considered to be one of the feasts devoted to the goddess Anahit as she embodied fertility and fruitfulness. After Armenia s adoption of Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD, St. Gregory the Illuminator implemented new directions in the Armenian Church concerning traditions. The first Armenian Patriarch changed the essentials of the services, but included parts of some customs and rites of the old Armenian religion into the new Christian Church traditions. One of them was the offering of the first fruit from the harvest. After reviewing and modifying this tradition, St. Gregory the Illuminator Christianized the service and introduced it into the Armenian Church traditions correlating it with the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. Upon the direction of St. Gregory the "offering" of the fruit was changed to be a Holy blessing of the harvest conducted by a priest. The order of offering the first fruit to God was established by the prophet Moses: When you have come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, and you possess it, and settle in it, you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place that the Lord your God will choose as a dwelling for his name. You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time, and say to him, Today I declare to the Lord your God that I have come into the land that the Lord swore to our ancestors to give us. So now I bring the first of the fruit of the ground that you, O Lord, have given me. You shall set it down before the Lord your God and bow down before the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 26:11-3; 10) During the services, the following harvests were offered: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, honey. Among these offerings, the grapes were of special significance for the Romans, for two reasons. Firstly wine, which was considered to be the best remedy for removing sadness and was associated with happiness and well-being, was made of grapes. Secondly the grape was the national symbol of Israel and at the same time a symbol of peace and well-being. According to this God-founded cannon, every year Israelis offered the first fruit of their gardens to God s temple. They clearly understood and frankly believed that all the fruit they enjoyed was granted to them by God in Heaven. Thus, in gratitude, they had to offer the first fruits of their harvest and their just earnings to the Merciful God. In the Armenian Church grapes are given preference over other fruits to be blessed as the first fruit of the harvest. This is conditioned by a number of historical and religious circumstances. After the devastating flood, our ancestor Noah planted a vineyard in the valley on the slopes of Mt. Ararat and grew grapes. Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard. (Genesis 9:20) The fruit of the vine-

7 yard became the decoration of the Araratian valley; it was considered to be the noblest fruit and was called the KING OF THE FRUIT. Jesus Christ repeatedly compared himself with the vine, I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower." (John 15:1) According to the explanation given by our Church Fathers, the Holy Mother of God is the selected branch that presented humanity with a pure and life-giving vine Jesus Christ. The blessing of the fruit conducted on the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God coincides with the end of summer when the grapes ripen. According to the generalized tradition the choice of grapes over other fruits is usually explained by the convenience of the season, however some consider that it is not exactly so. As it has been mentioned, our Lord described himself as the vine and when we read in the Gospel (John 15 1:8) we see that His words reveal the symbolic mission of the grape vines in the life of the Church. Thus, the hypothesis that only suitable weather conditions were a factor in the choice is questioned. Because of these factors, the Armenian Church has given preference to the grape, which every year on the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God is blessed after the Divine Liturgy and given to the faithful in attendance. Although St. Gregory the Illuminator didn t establish a specific service for offering the first fruit of the harvest, his followers kept this tradition and handed it down through generations. St. Sahag of Partev canonized it "as a rule" and St. Nerses the Graceful turned this tradition into a formal service establishing readings from the gospel of the prophets and the apostles as well as a special prayer of blessing for the consecration. Thus, the Blessing of Grapes became a devout ceremony attached to the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. Today it is traditional for faithful Armenians who have grape vines or vineyards to offer the first fruit of their harvest during the blessing of the grapes so that the original meaning of the ceremony established by St. Gregory the Illuminator would be continued and the divine and heavenly blessing would abundantly inundate their fields. The canons of the Armenian Church do not prohibit eating grapes before the Blessing of the Grapes, and the tradition of abstaining from eating grapes before the ceremony is rooted in the people, and has become a national custom. As the grape was given preference for blessing over all other fruits, then waiting with obedience and abstinence until the blessing of the grapes follows in the tradition established by St. Gregory. Blood Drive to Honor Genocide Martyrs St. Vartan Armenian Church is participating in one final event to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide A Blood for Memory. The Stanford Blood Center drive, which will be held at St. Vartan Church Hall on Sunday, August 23 from noon to 5 pm, is to honor the 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. It is simple to schedule an appointment. Just log on to and enter the sponsor code Or you can phone Anyone who donates blood will receive a special gift from Baskin Robbins. For details or eligibility information you can log on to bloodcenter.stanford.edu or call God made us all perfect. He's just not done with most of us yet!!! God grades on the cross, not the curve.

8 St. Vartan Bazaar and Food Festival Directory 2015 The St. Vartan Bazaar Directory is your perfect chance to advertise a business, honor a special person in your life or remember a loved one, while supporting the St. Vartan Bazaar. The directory will again feature yellow pages, to separate the business and service section from the personal message section. Full page ads (5.5 x 8.5 ) are $175, half page ads (5.5 x 4 ) are $100, quarter page ads (5.5 x 2 ) are $75. To download a Bazaar Directory Ad Form go to: and click on the 2015 Bazaar Directory Advertising Form Link. You can also call the church office at Advertising forms are due by August 28, Food Festival Dessert Booth We are seeking donations for the dessert booth at the bazaar, which will be held this year on Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3, 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. 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 will 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) Bazaar Workdays Throughout the first half of the summer, our volunteers have been busy preparing for the St. Vartan Bazaar October 2 & 3. We still have plenty of workdays on the calendar for you to join us in preparing for St. Vartan Church s biggest fundraiser of the year!

9 Calling All Parishioners Summer is here, which at St. Vartan Church means we have already begun our preparation for the annual bazaar! This is the Church s main fundraiser, and it relies totally on volunteers This Means You! There are several volunteer opportunities before and during the event. Throughout the summer we have several food preparation workdays scheduled. Please join us for one or more of these scheduled workdays at 9:30 am. No experience is necessary. During the bazaar, itself, staffing is needed in the following key areas: Setup/Takedown, Grandma's Attic, Door/Admission Booth, Bar, Raffle, Cashier at Food Line, Food Line Serving, Games Prize Booth, BBQ, Hye Café, Dessert Booth, Games, Khanoot. To volunteer for any of these positions, please contact Harout Hagopian, bazaar co-chairman, at 509hagopian@gmail.com or the church office at or Festival Servers Needed If you are at least 16 years old and interested in helping us serve at this year s Annual Bazaar, October 2-3, please contact Patti Kezerian Rosenthal at or pattipie60@yahoo.com. Please specify which day you prefer to work. Simit Workday Change The simit workday schedule has changed. We will only have one simit workday on Wednesday, August 5. Bazaar Workday Schedule Wed., July 15 Kufta Tues., July 28 Small Beoreg Wed., August 5 Simit Sat., August 8 Luleh 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 Workdays begin at 9:30 am, except for the week of the bazaar. Bazaar & Food Festival Donation Requests Items Number Item Items Still Requested of Donors Cost Received Needed Leg of Lamb 100 $ Tent 12 $ Admission Booth 1 $ Game Booths 5 $ Newspaper Advertising 4 $ Case of Wine 10 $ Case of Armenian Tan 2 $ Case of Armenian Beer 12 $ Armenian Coffee 2 $ Program Guide 5 $25-5 Paper Bags Wanted Please bring paper bags with handles to the church kitchen for the bazaar Khanout and Grandma s Attic. 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

10

11 St. Vartan Church August 2015 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Choir Rehearsal 11 am Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy 10:30 am Memorial Service for R. Nikssarian after Badarak Church Picnic & Prayer Service 11 am Pleasant Hill Park Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Grape Blessing 10:30 am Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy 10:30 am Blood Drive noon to 5 pm in Church Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy 10:30 am Bazaar Envelope Stuffing Party 6 pm Bazaar Workday Small Beoreg 9:30 am Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm Bazaar Workday Kufta 9:30 am Bazaar Workday Simit 9:30 am Luleh Kebab Workday for Picnic 9:30 am Choir Rehearsal 11 am Choir Rehearsal 11 am Festival Envelope Stuffing Party Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 6:00 pm in Church Hall Join us as we prepare the bazaar mailing, which we send to approximately 4,000 households. This is a fun night of work and fellowship. We want to have enough pizza for everybody so please RSVP to either Kim Bardakian or Jim Taylo(jtaylor@globeplbg.com) Dinner will be provided.

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: 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.