Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan December 2014 Manger

Transcription

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: Jack Papazian Parish Council Treasurer: Anto Cingoz Parish Assembly Chair: Chris Yaldezian Choir Director: Artin Der Minassians Organist: Ida Mazmanian, A. Rodriguez ACYO Co-Chairs: Sevan & Tanya 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 and Stacey Shartzer Church Secretary: Rachel Harger Altar Flowers: Carole Chang Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian Divine Liturgy Service Sundays 10:30 a.m. Bible Readings Dec. 7 Luke 14:12-24 Dec. 14 Luke 17:1-10 Dec. 21 Luke 18:9-14 Dec. 28 Luke 19:12-28 Christmas Greetings Krisdos dzunav yev Haydensav. Christ is born and revealed among us. Orhinal eh haydnootiun Krisdosi. Blessed is the revelation of Christ. Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan December 2014 Manger In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics based on biblical principles in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They related the following story in their own words: It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger. Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city. Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States. The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about six years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously. For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then, Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I could-

2 n't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift. So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?" And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me." "So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him... for always." As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him FOR ALWAYS. I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts. AMEN. from, Daryl@JESUSHEALSU Please keep St. Vartan Armenian Church updated with your correct address and phone number. Send any new information to stvartanoakland@aol.com or call the church office at Choir rehearsals have started!!! You always wanted to be a member of the choir and make beautiful music!! If you were hesitant because you thought you didn't know the music, this is an opportunity you don't want to pass up. Sign up today by contacting the church office! Christmas Home Blessing The Home Blessing Service is one of the most ancient and revered traditions of the Armenian Church. The three necessary items to conduct this service are: water, bread, and salt. For the traditional Christmas Home Blessing, please call Der Hayr for an appointment at Wish List St. Vartan Church would like to finish our new landscaping, by tearing out the old bushes on the McKinley Street side of the church building and replacing it with new landscaping. Please consider donating to this project. If you would like to donate, mark landscaping on your check memo line. Help Those in Need this Winter: St. Vartan ACYO is working to help those in need this winter through its First Annual Coat Drive. Please bring new or used coats to St. Vartan Church Hall each week now through February 28, 2015, and place them in the marked bins. The ACYO will donate the coats to local humanitarian organizations serving the Oakland community. St. Vartan ACYO thanks you for your support of this important initiative. Christ is Born and Revealed Blessed is the Revelation of Christ Sunday, December 21, 2014 Western Christmas Celebration Morning Service... 10:00 am Sunday School Christmas Program, Caroling with the Choir, and a Special Christmas Coffee Hour to follow Monday, January 5, 2015 Armenian Christmas Eve Readings... 6:00 pm Jurakalouyts Badarak (Liturgy of the Lights)... 6:30 pm Tuesday, January 6, 2015 Armenian Christmas Day Asdvadzahaidnootiun Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ Morning Service... 10:00 am Home Blessing Service in Church Hall to follow Sunday, January 11, 2014 Armenian Christmas celebration with Surpazan Asdvadzahaidnootiun Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ Morning Service... 10:00 am Blessing of the Baptismal Waters Godfather of the Cross: Alec Hakimian, son of Hagop and Sonik Hakimian Christmas Luncheon in the Church Hall to follow Sunday, January 18, 2014 Memorial Sunday Merelots Morning Service :00 am Requiem for Deceased Loved Ones Yughakin It is customary in the Armenian Church to provide Yughakin especially around the feasts of Christmas and Easter. This practice dates as far back as the time of Moses in the Old Testament. Yughakin in Armenian means "price of oil". Each local church community would donate money specially earmarked towards the purchase of oil, which in return would keep the lanterns burning and ultimately the doors of the Church open. At this season of Christ's birth let us remember and continue in the custom of Yughakin, so we can keep our "oil-burning lanterns" always burning and our doors always open at St. Vartan. Please be generous to the Church in observing this ancient Armenian custom. NorCal Christmas Party at St. Vartan Join NorCal for their annual Christmas Luncheon at St. Vartan Church Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2014 at 10:30 am. NorCal is honoring Laura Barberian, Shavarsh Hazarabedian and Dr. Krikor Soghikian. There will be a musical program, a visit from Santa and lots of Christmas cheer. Contact NorCal at with questions. Sunday School Nativity Pageant Please join the St. Vartan Sunday School after Badarak on Sunday, December 21, 2014 as they present the story of Christ s birth through the annual Nativity Pageant. St. Vartan Church will be celebrating Western Christmas this Sunday. The service will include caroling with the choir, and will be followed by a special coffee hour hosted by the Ladies Society. Merelotz Sunday January 18, 2015 A requiem will be said for the souls of the departed on Sunday, January 18, Those who would like to have the names of their departed loved ones included should contact the church office at or stvartanoakland@aol.com before Thursday, January 15, 2015.

3 Ladies Society Christmas Luncheon Thursday, December 11, :00 noon Tickets: $15 Upcoming Events NorCal Christmas Luncheon Dec. 2, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 10:30 am Armenian Language Class Dec. 2, 2014 Parish Assembly Room 7 pm Choir Rehearsal Dec. 6, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 11 am Christmas Family Night Dec. 6, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 5:30 pm Basketball Practice Dec. 7, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 1 pm Armenian Language Class Dec. 9, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 7pm Ladies Society Christmas Luncheon Dec. 11, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 12 noon ACYO Christmas Party Dec. 13, 2014 Barton Family Home 6 pm Basketball Practice Dec. 14, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 1 pm Armenian Language Class Dec. 16, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 7 pm Parish Council Meeting Dec. 17, 2014 Parish Assembly Room 6:30 pm Choir Rehearsal Dec. 20, 2014 St. Vartan Church Hall 11 am Western Christmas Celebration Dec. 21, 2014 St. Vartan Church 10:30 am Christmas Pageant/Carol singing Dec. 21, 2014 St. Vartan Church 12:00 am Armenian Christmas Eve Service Jan. 5, 2015 St. Vartan Church 6 pm Armenian Christmas Day Service Jan. 6, 2015 St. Vartan Church 10:30 am Armenian Christmas with Surpazan Jan. 11, 2015 St. Vartan Church 10:30 am Christmas Luncheon with Surpazan Jan. 11, 2015 St. Vartan Church Hall 1 pm Merelotz Sunday Jan. 18, 2015 St. Vartan Church 10:30 am Genocide Centennial Donations Please send your donation for the Genocide Centennial Committee to St. Vartan Church, 650 Spruce St., Oakland, CA Don t forget to write Genocide Centennial on the memo section of your check. Any questions, call Anto Cingoz at St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: The St. Vartan Voice Newsletter Seta Khatchikian Priest Discretionary Fund James and Mihoko Malian, Vartan Berberian In Honor of Krikor and Caline Soghikian s Birthdays and Anniversary Alice Sarafian (Endowment Fund), Charles and Dorris Kezerian (Church Door Fund), Emma and Lida Mazmanian (Endowment Fund), Al and Mae Kaljian (Church Door Fund), Aris and Zarmine Aghazarian, (Endowment Fund), Vartan and Arlene Hovsepian (Church Door Fund), Barry and Judy Toomajian, Suzanne and Ed Vasgerdsian (Endowment Fund), Harvey and Nora Hanoian (Orphan Fund), Nurhan and Mary Donikian and Family (Orphan Fund), Frances Stevens Bazaar Donation-Edward and Eleonore Aslanian In Honor of Al Kaljian s 90 th Birthday Ellyn, Tom, Paul and Steven Kesinger (Endowment Fund), Diane Kaljian-Combs and Marcus Combs (Endowment Fund) In Honor of Frances Stevens 90 th Birthday Jerry Tusan Get Well Prayers for Harry and Carol Dokouzian (The St. Vartan Voice Newsletter) In Memory Lillian Kalibjian Mike and Sue Kilijian JoAnn Koobatian Jerry Tusan, Jill and Hratch Avakian Charles Dana Aylin Gulbenkian Grace Izmirian Ronald Kallan ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory Rev. Fr. Shahe Altounian Lillian Kalibjian Lucille Sherinian Grace Izmirian Anne Keshishian News From Our St. Vartan Family Condolences Fr. Hovel conducted funeral services at St. Vartan Church on November 14, 2014 for Karine Baghdasarian. Our condolences to our eight-year-old daughter Emily, beloved father, Sonbat Baghdasarians, three brothers, and many grieving family members and friends. Grace Izmirian passed away on November 10, Our condolences to her daughter, Alice Sarafian; sons, Luther (Beth), Robert (Suzanne), and Richard Izmirian; grandchildren, Karen Sarafian-Hames, Katherine Sarafian-Gourjian, Stephen Sarafian, Alexa, Emily, and Daniel Izmirian; and great-grandchildren, Arielle and Joshua Hames, and Avedis and Mardiros Gourjian. Private funeral services were held. We offer our condolences to the family of Lisa Brenkman, who passed away on November 9, She is survived by her devoted husband, Lee Brenkman; her loving mother, Frances Stevens; her dearest caring brother, Michael Malione; her sister-in-law, Jennifer; her baby niece, Annabelle; her uncle, Ray Chiljan; her auntie and uncle, Diane and Charles Paskerian; and her many loving cousins. Holiday Food Drive As in previous years, St. Vartan Church is sponsoring a food drive for the Alameda County Community Food Bank. The Holiday Food Drive will take place throughout the month of December The food bank combats hunger locally, serving 1 in 6 county residents. Please bring your non-perishable, healthy food donation to church and place it in the red bins located in the Church Hall entryway. Let s turn our gratitude for the blessings God has given us toward providing for those less fortunate.

4 We Wish Everyone a Joyous Christmas! Antica Odabashian Alice Sarafian and Family Diana Toomajian Jim Taylor Norma Yaglijian Al and Mae Kaljian Bev and Bill Nalbandian Don and Virginia Tafjen Nadya and Arto Yagjian Barry and Judy Toomajian Dn. Nurhan and Mary Donikian, Steven, David, and Christina Donikian Frances Stevens Richard and Judy Sharafian Dr. Krikor and Caline Soghikian Wartkes Hagopian Charlie and Dorris Kezerian Harvey and Nora Hanoian Vartan and Arlene Hovsepian Ladies Society Luncheon and Elections On Thursday, November 6, 2014 the Ladies Society held a luncheon in the church hall. The menu included chicken, pilaf, cheese boereg, salad, pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheese cake. After a delicious meal, Sonia Chilingirian presented an informative lesson on skin care, which included demonstrations. The Ladies Society also held elections. Elected to the Executive Board for 2015 are: Marie Hagopian, Sue Barsamian, Marlene Tolegian, Gail Kezerian, Elizabeth Markarian and Hilda Mener. Returning to the board are Sylvia Gozurian, Nora Gregorian, Caroline Arakelian and Nadya Yagjian. Ladies Society delegates for the 2015 Diocesan Assembly are Nora Hanoian and Sylvia Gozurian. Ed and Suzanne Vasgerdsian Harold and Bonnie Koojoolian Harry and Carol Dokouzian Ara and Ulla Kaprielian Rachel Harger and Family Chuck and Diane Paskerian Anto and Hasmig Cingoz Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan Ron and Liz Ojakian Annabelle Taylor Diran and Carolyn Der Harootunian St. Vartan Church Ladies Society St. Vartan Church Parish Council St. Vartan Church Cultural Committee St. Vartan Church Choir St. Vartan Church A.C.Y.O. St. Vartan Church Athletic Committee St. Vartan Church Sunday School Jack and Barbara Bousian Abnous Family Rev. Fr. Hovel, Yeretsgin Anahit, Vazgen, Nareh, and Nazeni Ohanyan Krisdos dzunav yev haydensav. Christ is born and revealed among us. Orhinal eh haydnootiun Krisdosi. Blessed is the revelation of Christ. CHRISTMAS JOKES Christmas Service? Young Eddie was spending Christmas with his grandparents. On Christmas morning the family went to church. While they were waiting to go in, Eddie checked all the announcements, and pictures along the walls. When he came to a group of pictures of men in uniform, he asked a nearby usher, Who are all those men in the pictures? The usher replied, Why, those are our boys who died in the service. Dumbfounded, Eddie asked, Was that the carol service or the Christmas Day service? The Atheist Holiday An atheist complained to a Christian friend, "You Christians have your special holidays, such as Christmas and Easter. Jews celebrate their national holidays, such as Passover and Yom Kippur. But we atheists have no recognized national holidays. It's unfair discrimination." His friend replied, "Why don't you celebrate April first?" Cheap Christmas Present After being away on business for a week before Christmas, Tom thought it would be nice to bring his wife a little gift. "How about some perfume?" he asked the cosmetics clerk. She showed him a bottle costing $50. "That's a bit much," said Tom, so she returned with a smaller bottle for $30. "That s still quite a bit," Tom groused. Growing disgusted, the clerk brought out a tiny $15 bottle. Tom grew agitated, "What I mean," he said, "is I'd like to see something real cheap." So the clerk handed him a mirror.

5 Beloved Mr. and Mrs. Sharafian, From the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, we extend our love and blessings to you, esteemed and honorable members of the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church. We are pleased to learn from His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, of your selfless service. For decades, you have dedicated your valuable time to your parish and have worked tirelessly to preserve the religious and traditional values that mold the Armenian identity. In the life of the community, you have graciously taken on a number of responsibilities and have excelled in your endeavors. You have earned the love and respect from the faithful, serving as an exemplary Christian couple. The Archbishop will present awards to several St. Vartan Parishioners. From the spiritual center of the Armenian people, we commend you for the humble, affectionate and dedicated service you have rendered throughout the years. You have safeguarded three invaluable manuscripts from St. Garabed Armenian Monastery in Mush from destruction during the Armenian Genocide and have donated the historical artifacts to enrich the collection of manuscripts of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. In recognition of your exceptional service rendered to our people and the Armenian Holy Apostolic Church and at the request of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, we bestow upon you this Pontifical Encyclical and the Honorary Medal. SAINT NERSES SHNORHALI May the All Merciful God bless and protect you and your family and grant you long and healthy lives. Enliven with the Lord; be strengthened with the Grace of the Holy Spirit and be blessed forever. Amen With blessings, KAREKIN II CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS March 21, 2014 Fr. Hovel presented the Pontifical Encyclical and the Saint Nerses Shnorhali Honorary Medal from the Catholicos, Karekin II, to Richard and Judy Sharafian.

6 Cutlural Committee Film On October 26, 2014, the St. Vartan Cultural Committee presented a documentary film on Armenian composer Aram Khachaturian, with piano performances of Khachaturian s Toccata, Galap Polka from Masquerade Suite, and the Sabre Dance by pianist Araks Aghazarian; and Andantino from Pictures of Childhood by special guest pianist, Tatev Amiryan. Following a delicious lunch prepared by our talented chef Hilda Mener and Cultural Committee members, guests watched the Khachaturian documentary film which combined contemporary and rare archival materials from Russian and Armenian archives, with interviews, performances, and family mementos. It explored the fine line Khachaturian had to tread between being a loyal Communist party functionary and a fighter for artistic freedom. The documentary was quite informational, enlightening, and certainly touched the hearts of audience members by the end of the film. The piano performances by our accomplished and talented pianists gave the audience an up-close and personal experience of Khachaturian s scores noted for their sensuous, singing melodic writing, colorful orchestration, and elemental rhythmic drive compositions. Films shown by the Cultural Committee are donated to the St. Vartan Library and are available for your viewing pleasure. We re pleased to announce that Ms. Tatev Amiryan is preparing a concert titled Armenian Journey - Music from the 10th-21st Century a lecturerecital featuring music from Narekatsi, Sayat-Nova, Komitas, Kanachyan, Babajanian, and Amiryan. Please save the date Saturday, March 14, ACYO Elections and Events On November 9th our ACYO held their annual elections and the results are in! Your 2015 executive board is as follows: Chairman/Chairlady: Sevan & Tanya Jindoian Vice Chairlady: Anashe Barton Treasurer: Andrew Yagjian Corresponding Secretary: Tamar Azizian Recording Secretaries: Talin Azizian & Ani Phelps Historian: Silva Jindoian Publicity: Nataline Jindoian On November 22 our ACYO traveled to St. Matin du Porres in San Francisco to help serve in their kitchen for the less fortunate. Following this event on November 28th-30th Sevan, Tanya, Tamar, and Talin will be in Los Angeles at St. James serving as our delegates at the annual Convention. Last, but not least, it s that time of year, CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE!! Our annual ACYO Christmas party will be hosted by the Bartons on December 13 at 6 pm. We look forward to celebrating with all of you!