Sixth Sunday after Pentecost June 26, 2016

Archpriest Father Gomidas Baghsarian -- Pastor Reverend Father Kapriel Nazarian -- Assistant Pastor Sts. Vartanantz Church WEEKLY BULLETIN 402 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909 Office: 831-6399 Fax: 351-4418 Email: info@stsvartanantzchurch.org Website: stsvartanantzchurch.org Sixth Sunday after Pentecost June 26, 2016 Please Join Us in Worship this Sunday Morning Service 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 10:00 am - Sermon 11:15 Մասնակցեցէք Ս.Պատարագին` Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն 9:30 Ս. Պատարագ 10:00 - Քարոզ 11:15

Blessing of the Graves in Oakland Cemetery A gathering to place yesterday morning on the hallowed grounds of the Oakland Cemetery located off Broad Street in Roger Williams Park on the South Providence/Cranston city line. Three months ago, a group of guys from the Sts. Vartanantz Men's Club made a commitment to bring some dignity back to a place that had been neglected for far too long. We had no real plan, not much resources, a limited amount of funds, but a will and a determination to follow through once we started. We felt if we could get to the back where a 21 year old named Aghabab Kalunian was resting, we could do this. It took eight Saturday mornings and 45 volunteers, They were "paid" in water and a slice of pizza or two, the last two weeks, They worked in harmony and as a team. There were young and not so young and women and men that worked this land, which is now known as the Armenian Section of the Oakland Cemetery. 150 people were there yesterday as clergy and deacons from all three Armenian churches held a short service for the 240 Armenians that are resting here. We are now aware of 19 local families that have relatives at RI Historical Cemetery # 3. Each name was read by Arch Priest Gomidas Baghsarian and Father Kapriel Nazarian, both of Sts. Vartanantz Church and Pastor Hagop Manjelikian of the Armenian Evangelical Church. Father Shnork Souin was preforming a funeral at St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Church. There will be another grave blessing for him and others from the community that were not able to make it there yesterday. You will all be informed as to when that will happen. "Not in our backyard" was our motto as we began what seemed back then like an insurmountable task. Many of those buried here were survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Some born in the mid 1800's. They saw more than their share in their day and deserve this respect. In Nakhichevan, once a thriving Armenian land now located in Azerbaijan, 10,000 Armenian khatchcars (gravestones with crosses on them) have been bulldozed and paved over, a crime against international law. Trees needed to be cut down, 500 lawn bags were filled and removed, a pile of branches and brush 50 feet x 8 feet x 6 feet also needed to be removed. The lawn required cutting and stones needed to be lifted and put back into place. Pictures of every stone with an Armenian name on it had to be taken as we walked through the entire cemetery. It took over 420 work hours to get this place ready and we pledge to keep her looking proper. Some of the workers neglected their own yards and even hired landscapers so they could be with the group until the job got done. Once the mass blessing was completed, the clergy then marched off to many of these stones and said much needed prayers for these women and men, young and old, and girls and boys, including Hovaness Krikorian who was just a 4 year old and Mariam Zorabedian, just 13. Tom Kizirian, chairman of the Men's Club, began the speaking program giving a breakdown from start to finish. The priests followed some words from this writer and then the mass blessing began. Everyone of those that are buried here had their name read. Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea spoke about the significance of what we did, paying respect to these souls, saying she was honored to there. Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, added that this was another in a series great accomplishments by the Sts. Vartanantz community. This place is extra special to him as his grandparents are resting here.

Kizirian said on an earlier day, "hopefully someday someone will return the favor to us if the need is there". There were donors and people that helped get us media coverage, web masters, photographers, a woman who opened her home for us and hosted a reception there yesterday, and of course the workers, but no one ever needed a pat on the back. They all wanted to do whatever they could to make this happen. This was evident from day one right up until the last crew finished putting down 80 cemetery flags at our stones starting at 7am yesterday. The pictures that appear are courtesy of George Varky Kaprielian. Steve Elmasian Men's Club of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church

Homenetmen Panagoum Providence Homenetmen Scouts Troop 51 held their annual Panagoum Camping Trip the weekend of June 17-19 at Camp Buck Hill in Pascoag, RI. This year, Boston Homenetmen Scouts Troop 290 attended as a joint effort to bring Armenian youth together for a weekend of scouting and fun. The 50 scouts participated in various activities including building the flag pole structure, crafting a bonfire, and competing in athletic events. Saturday evening the camp was opened to families and guests for the Yertman Araroghootyoon (Oath Ceremony), delicious grilled dinner was served and prepared by our Providence Khorhoort and Varchootyoon members, and ended the evening with a cultural and entertaining fireside Kharougahntes. Job well done by the Khmpabdeds Kooyr Narine Taraksian and Yeghpayr Alex Ourfalian and the leaders of the Asdijanavoragan and Khmpabedagan Gazm for planning a great Panagoum for the Providence and Boston Homenetmen Scouts. Congratulations kooyrer yev yeghpayrner!

Sts. Vartanantz Church Welcomes Christina and Christiano twins of Nicholas and Virginia Hagopian Parmigiano Baptized June 18, 2016 Godparents: Sarkis Hagopian and Maria Perna May God bless you, Christiana and Christiano and may God keep you both in His care always.

Sts. Vartanantz Church announces the Presentation of Aram Aram was presented to God on Saturday, June 18,2016 by his parents, Sarkis and Alenoush Hagopian May God bless you, Aram and may God keep you in His care always.

Church Summer Schedule is now in effect. Soorp Badarak begins at 9:30 am ÚÇëáõë øñçëïáëç ²õ»ï³ñ³³Ý Ý Àëï سïà áëç (14:15-21) ºñ»ÏáÛ³Ý, Çñ ³ß³Ï»ñïÝ»ñÁ Çñ»Ý Ùûï»ó³Ý»õ ÁëÇÝ. ²Ù³ÛÇ ï»õ»ýù»õ ųٳݳÏÝ ³É áõß. ³ñÓ³Ï ÅáÕáíáõñ¹Á, áñå ë½ç»ñã³ý ßñç³Ï³Û ÇõÕ»ñÁ Çñ»Ýó ѳٳñ áõï»éçù Ý»Éáõ : ÚÇëáõë Áë³õ. ÆÝãá±õ Çñ»Ýù»ñóÝ: áõù ïáõ ù ³ÝáÝó áõï»éçùá : ²ÝáÝù ÁëÇÝ ÚÇëáõëÇ. Ðáë ñ»ã áãçýã áõýçýù, µ³óç ÑÇÝ Ñ³ó»õ»ñÏáõ ÓáõÏ : ÚÇëáõë Áë³õ. Ðáë µ»ñ ù ³ïáÝù : ºõ Ññ³Ù³Û»ó áñ ÅáÕáíáõñ¹Á Ýëï»óÝ»Ý ËáïÇÝ íñ³û: ²å³ ³ñ³õ ÑÇÝ Ñ³óÁ»õ»ñÏáõ ÓáõÏÁ, ³éù ïáõ³õ ²ëïáõÍáÛ, ûññý»ó, Ïïñ»ó ѳó»ñÁ»õ ïáõ³õ ³ß³Ï»ñïÝ»ñáõÝ, áñáýù µ³ßë»óçý ÅáÕáíáõ¹ÇÝ: áéáñý ³É Ï»ñ³Ý»õ Ïßï³½ó³Ý.»õ ³ß³Ï»ñïÝ»ñÁ ³õ»Éó³Í ÏïáñÝ»ñÁ ѳõ³ù»Éáíª ï³ëý»ñïáõ ë³ï³é É»óáõóÇÝ: ÆëÏ áõïáõý»ñáõý ÃÇõÁ ßáõñç ÑÇÝ Ñ³½³ñ ñ, ÏÇÝ»ñÝ áõ Ù³ÝáõÏÝ»ñÁ ãñ³ßáõ³í: GOSPEL Matthew 14: 13-21 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, This is a remote place, and it s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food. "Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish, they answered. Bring them here to me, he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

They all ate and were satisfied and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (On Page 970 in your Bible) EPISTLE Romans 11:13-24 Ingrafted Branches I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in. Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! (On Page 1122 in your Bible) Altar Flowers are donated in Loving Memory of Peter B. Tikoian by Mrs. Ann Tikoian and Family

REQUIEM SERVICE June 26, 2016 Michael Boyajian --- First Year Anniversary Annie Tomasian --- First Year Anniversary Asadour and Siranush Boyajian Manoog, Calipse, and George "Frenchy" Gregorian, and Krikor and Agavnie Esraelian Anna Kashmanian Elizabeth Ogasian Serob Tahmassian Lucia and Armen Tamamian Ohannes and Elizabeth Tavanian Peter B. Tikoian There will be no Requiem Service on July 3rd as we are celebrating the Feast of the Transfiguration

Congratulations to all of Our Graduates We wish you much success in all your future endeavors. Please forward your picture and brief bio by email to (info@stsvartanantzchurch.org) by July 20th if you wish to be included in our Graduates' Page which will appear in a special issue of the Gantegh in August. Choreg, and Bahotz Kufta [mild or spicy] are available for purchase. Please contact the Church Office at 401-831-6399 to arrange for pick-up. Parishioners Please refrain from parking in the Gas Station Lot as it is now open for business on Sundays. CALENDAR of EVENTS This Friday thru Sunday, June 24th ---26th, the EWTN cable station [religious channel] will be televising Pope Francis ' visit to Armenia. Please click on the link below and follow directions to view this wonderful and most important event or go to "youtube" and do a search of the following "Pope Francis' visit to Armenia June 24-26, 2016" www.youtube.com/watch?v=ta-r0bbf8t4

This Saturday, July 23, 2016 Hamazkayin of RI presents Author Dana Walrath presenting reflections of her recently published book, Like Water on Stone at Gallery Z 7 pm Saturday, July 16, 2016 Ladies' Guild - ARS "Ani" Chapter presents "A Hye Summer Night X" Alpine Country Club in Cranston For info, contact Joyce Bagdasarian at 401-434-4467 Summer Bible Camp July 18 -- 22, 2016 "God's Precious Promises" for children ages 4-12 Registrations must be received by July 1st! Sunday, August 14, 2016 Annual Church Picnic Camp Haiastan in Franklin Save The Date Sunday, October 2, 2016 Retirement Banquet in honor of our beloved Der Gomidas Crowne Plaza, Warwick, RI Visit our website for updated Church News http://www.stsvartanantzchurch.org

Parishioners, Please Support Your Church 2016 Membership Dues and Stewardship are now due. Forms are available in the Church Office.

*************************** Help Needed for the ARMENIAN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION of RI Volunteer Web Master needed to help the Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island (AHARI) establish its new Website. Art work and site mechanics are completed. Need help to load and enter data, references, articles, images, videos and manage site content from time to time. Good opportunity to gain experience and proficiency in web management. For more information, please contact jmartha9@gmail.com *************************** The Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island is looking for an Administrative Office Manager [part-time volunteer] to organize, set up, and run its new 3 office suites located at Bliss Place 245 Waterman Street on the East Side of Providence. This individual, preferably of Armenian descent, should have good organizational skills and be familiar with contemporary Administrative Office Management procedures. Please contact: Richard K. Papazian, Vice Chairman at 401-441-4546 or at richard.p@brandizing.co *************************** The Genealogy Sub-Committee of the Armenian Historical Association of Rhode Island is looking for help with data entry - entering data on spreadsheets from text files that we have access to. Some examples would be names and places of burial from cemetery files or names and dates from baptism files. We need people who are familiar with computers and entering information on Excel spreadsheets in a particular format. The eventual goal is to have information accessible for people doing genealogy research. For further information, please contact Margaret Chevian margo1915@gmail.com or Martha Jamgochian jmartha9@gmail.com ************************************************* From the June 23rd issue of Crossroads Elisha raises son of the woman of Shunem, by Benjamin West, 1765 ELISHA THE PROPHET Today (June 23), the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of Elisha the Prophet, whose life and works are recorded in 1 and 2 Kings. Elisha ( God is Salvation ) was a disciple of the Prophet Elijah, who at God s command anointed Elisha to be his successor much like Jesus later did in call his disciples in Galilee. Elisha performs miracles, healing the sick and reviving the dead. His message to his followers was that they should return to traditional religious practices and acknowledge God s sovereignty over all aspects of life. When he healed the sick it was to demonstrate God s power over life and death: when he helped in battle, it was to demonstrate God s power over nations.

TWELVE APOSTLES of CHRIST and SAINT PAUL, the THIRTEENTH APOSTLE On Saturday, June 25, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Twelve Apostles of Christ and Saint Paul, who is considered the thirteenth apostle. Jesus selected twelve apostles to carry on His work and instructed them to preach and to baptize converts all over the world (Mt. 28:19-20). He gave the title apostle to the twelve (Luke 6:13; Mark 3:14). The word apostle derives from the Greek word apostellein (arakyal in Armenian). The apostles dedicated their lives to spreading the Word and fulfilling the sacred mission entrusted to them. Their mission was not just to transmit the message but to put it into practice. Paul was initially an enemy of Christians and persecuted them. He had a vision on the road to Damascus and became a fervent Christian convert and was subsequently responsible in large measure for the rapid spread of the new religion. Most of the New Testament (aside from the four Gospels) is from the writings of Paul. The Armenian Church has its roots in the apostolic ministry and succession (Thaddeus and Bartholomew) and is therefore known as apostolic, (arakelagan). The apostles and immediate successors (including the Armenian Church) defended the Orthodox faith and kept it pure. Jesus washing His discples feet by Del Parson PAREGENTAN OF THE FAST OF TRANSFIGURATION This Sunday, the sixth Sunday after Pentecost, is the Paregentan of the Fast of the Transfiguration the five-day (Monday to Friday) period of fasting prior to the Feast of the Transfiguration (Aylagerboutyan / Vartavar) that we will celebrate next Sunday, July 3.

******************************************* 2016 DATEV SUMMER PROGRAM for YOUTH AGES 13-18 This Year Marks the 30th Anniversary of St. Gregory of Datev Program of the Armenian Prelacy. This program has touched the lives of hundreds of Armenian Teenagers in the past 3 decades. We need your help to continue our mission fostering the Armenian-Christian growth and development of our youth. Any Size Donation Helps The Eastern Prelacy's Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC) annual weeklong "Datev" program has grown extensively since its beginnings in 1987. The four year program offers young Armenians an enriching curriculum that mixes theory with practice, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan, the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. Why Datev? To instill and nurture the Armenian Christian faith and identity in our youth. To encourage Armenian youth to become more involved in the life of the Church. To discuss youth-related issues with Armenian clergy and teachers. To provide a forum for our youth to expand their knowledge of Armenian culture through language, poetry, music, song and dance. Rooted in the Armenian Christian faith and culture, the Institute is a four-year (one week each summer) faith-based program for youth ages 13-18. Those who complete the four year Program may return for postgraduate classes. Classes for the five levels of study take place concurrently. The daily schedule reflects the Institute's three main objectives: Education, worship, and fellowship. And the program includes worship services, Bible study, group discussions, lectures, and recreational activities. Your donation* will help us embrace the next chapter of our journey with a renewed vision and commitment to bring our youth closer to God and the Armenian Church. Please forward your donation, payable to the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, to Armenian Apostolic Church of America c/o AREC 138 East 39th Street, New York, NY 10016 or you may donate online using the link below https://fundly.com/30th-anniversary-of-datev * THE ARMENIAN PRELACY IS AN IRS 501 (c)(3) ORGANIZATION.

******************************** SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance. Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your pocketbooks. PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT. THE NEED IS REAL. THE NEED IS GREAT. DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE MADE BY MAILING YOUR DONATION TO: Armenian Prelacy 138 E. 39th Street New York, NY 10016 Checks payable to: Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Memo: Syrian Armenian Relief) ******************************************************

This Saturday

Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church ANNUAL PICNIC Sunday, August 14, 2016 12 Noon to 6:00 pm at Camp Haiastan, rain or shine The Blessing of the Madagh and Grapes will take place at 3:30 pm under the auspices of His Eminence, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and with the participation of Pastors of the New England Area Churches. ENJOY - Delicious Shish, Losh and Chicken Kebab, Armenian Pastries, Choreg Music by the Michael Gregian Ensemble with special guest Joe Zeytoonian on oud Our patrons may use the Lower Camp Pool, Basketball Courts and Canoes from 1 to 4 pm

î²ðºî²ü ²ô²Ü ²Î²Ü ²Þî²Ð²Ü ¾ê öð²ìæî¾üêæ êð àò ì²ð ²Ü²Üò ºÎºÔºòôàÚ ÎÆð²ÎÆ, ՕԳՈՍՏՈՍ 14, 2016 вڲêî²Ü øºø Æ Ø¾æ Ðáí³Ý³õáñáõû³Ùµ ³ñÓñ³ßÝáñÑ úß³ï³ý ê. ²ñù»åÇëÏáåáë âûéáû»³ýç»õ زêܲÎòàôº²Ø ÜÆàô ÆÜÎÈÀÜîÆ Ðà ºôàð ÐàìÆôܺðàô ξêúð¾ ºîø IJØÀ 3:30-ÆÜ Ð²ØºÔ Êàðàì²Ì ¼àì²òàôòÆâܺð ºð²ÄÞîàôÂÆôÝ Ø³Û ÁÉ Îñ Ï»³Ý ºõ Üáõ³ ³ËáõÙµ