Fifth Sunday of Great Lent -- The Judge Sunday, March 15, 2015

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 Fifth Sunday of Great Lent -- The Judge Sunday, March 15, 2015 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

Our Parishioners working very hard preparing delicious Bahotz Kufta this past week Bahotz Kufta is available for purchase, after the Divine Liturgy, in Fermanian Fellowship Hall

Ôàôβê 18:1 ÚÇëáõë ³é³Ï ÙÁ Ëûë»ó³õ Çñ ³ß³Ï»ñïÝ»ñáõÝ, óáûó ï³éáõ ѳٳñ à å ïù ÙÇßï ³ÕûÃ»É ³é³Ýó íñ³ï»éáõ: ºõ Áë³õ. ø³õ³ùç ÙÁ Ù ç ¹³ï³õáñ ÙÁ ϳñ, áñ áã ²ëïáõÍÙ ÏÁ í³ëý³ñ»õ áã ³É Ù³ñ¹áó٠Ϫ³Ùãݳñ: ÜáÛÝ ù³õ³ùçý Ù ç ³ÛñÇ ÏÇÝ ÙÁÝ ³É ϳñ, áñ Çñ»Ý ÏÁ ¹ÇÙ ñ»õ ÏÁ Ëݹñ ñ. Æñ³õáõÝùë å³ßïå³ý ѳϳñ³Ïáñ¹ ë : ³ï³õáñÁ»ñϳñ Å³Ù³Ý³Ï Ù»ñÅ»ó ¹³ïÁ ï»ëý»é, ë³ï³ûý Ç í»ñçáû Áë³õ ÇÝùÝÇñ»Ý, »õ ²ëïáõÍ٠߻٠í³ëý³ñ»õ Ù³ñ¹áóÙ ã»ù ³Ùãݳñ, µ³ûó ù³ýç ³Ûë ³ÛñÇÝ Ý»ÕáõÃÇõÝ Ïáõ ï³û ÇÝÍÇ, Çñ ¹³ïÁ ï»ëý»ù, áñå ë½ç ÙÇÝã»õ í»ñç ùáíë ³Éáí ½Çë ã³ýñ³ý ëï³óý : ²å³ î ñá ß³ñáõݳϻó. Èë»ó ù à ÇÝã ϪÁë ³ÝÇñ³õ ¹³ï³õáñÁ: ÆëÏ ²ëïáõ³Í áñù³±ý åçïç ѳٵ»ñ Çñ ÁÝïñ»³ÉÝ»ñáõÝ Ïñ³Í ³ÝÇñ³õáõû³Ý, åçïç ãå³ßïå³ý ± ½³ÝáÝù, áñáýù Çß»ñ áõ ó»ñ»ï Çñ»Ý ÏÁ ¹ÇÙ»Ý: ²Ûá, ϪÁë»Ù Ó»½Ç áñ ³ÝáÝó Çñ³õáõÝùÁ ³ÝÙÇç³å ë åçïç å³ßïå³ý : ³Ûó Ù³ñ¹áõ àñ¹çý»ñµ ³Û, ³ñ¹»ûù ѳõ³ïù åçïç ïý ±»ñïñç íñ³û : GOSPEL Luke 18: 1-14 The Parable of the Persistent Widow Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, Grant me justice against my adversary. For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, Even though I don t fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won t eventually wear me out with her coming! And the Lord said, Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: God, I thank you that I am not like other men - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (On Page 1038 in your Bible) EPISTLE Philippians 4:4-9 Exhortations Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (On Page 1163 in your Bible) REQUIEM SERVICE March 15, 2015 Arpie "Penny" Asadoorian Parancum, Setrag and Alice Bagdasarian Beatrice Manoian Bouris Diramayr Rose Kassabian Frances Kizirian Harry, Kapriel and Marinos Krikorian Sarah Leylegian Abraham Movsessian Gevork Odabashyan

Azniv and Sarkis Parseghian Kathy Grace Peterson Sahak Sahakian Sarkis Stepanian Roxie Surabian Zaven Tenkarian, Vahram Samuelian, Heghine Manasian, and Louise Vartanian REQUIEM SERVICE March 22, 2015 Hagop and Aghavni Alahverdian Sumpat Barsamian Lillian Bedrosian Lucille, Qurken and John Berberian Alice Bedrosian, Margaret Kedonian and Helen Page Michael Charles Der Hagopian Margaret Der Manouelian Violet Garabedian Maritza Dolbashian Harry Kachadourian Mark Plante Madeline Sahagian Michael Peter Sahagian Sarkis and Marie Sarkisian Lalezar Khimatian Talbot

Bahotz Kufta will be available for purchase on Sunday following the conclusion of the Badarak CALENDAR OF EVENTS Adult Bible Study meets Monday Evenings at 7 pm Please join us. Lenten Vespers Service 7 pm Every Wednesday throughout Lent Now thru April 3rd The ARS is sponsoring an Easter Food Drive Please leave your non-perishable food items in the totes located in the stairway outside the Lower Hall

This Sunday, March 15, 2015 Our Fellowship is hosted by George and Joy Asadoorian Morgan in Loving Memory of Arpie Penny Asadoorian Informational Presentation regarding the Genocide Centennial Events and the Pontifical Visit during the Fellowship ACA-RI sponsors the John Varadian Memorial Basketball Tournament at Mt. Pleasant High School starting at 1 pm Wednesday, March 18, 2015 ARS Ani and Arax Chapters will host the Lenten Fish Dinner at 6 pm in Fermanian Fellowship Hall Adults: $12 Children under 12: $7 Followed by Lenten Vespers Service at 7 pm Proceeds to benefit the Mourad Armenian School Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Our Ladies Guild will host the Lenten Dinner 6 pm in Fermanian Fellowship Hall Menu: Vosbov Khema and Mock Khema or Vegetable Lasagna Salad, Dessert, Coffee and Soda Adults: $15 Children under 12: $7 Followed by our Lenten Vespers Service at 7 pm Rev. Fr. Mikael Der Khosrofian will be our Guest Speaker Please visit the Armenian Martyrs Committee of RI s website for ongoing information regarding the Centennial Commemorations http://www.ammri.org

Visit our website for updated Church news http://www.stsvartanantzchurch.org ATTENION: High School & College Students ARS EASTERN USA S UNDERGRADUATE and LAZARIAN GRADUATE 2015 SCHOLARSHIP: Applications are now available. Website scholarship page www.arseastusa.org. Deadline for submitting applications is April 1, 2015 PROVIDENCE ARS ANI CHAPTER UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP: Applications are now available. Must be a RI Resident and in second year of college. Call KAREN PILLA 274-1033 or email KPIilla1015@gmail.com Deadline for submitting applications is April 1, 2015. VAROUJAN AND ROSE V. KARENTZ SCHOLARHIP: New Details to Follow. The Vaughn Avedisian Scholarship Fund was established in 2003 within the Rhode Island Community Foundation to benefit students from Rhode Island to attend a non-profit postsecondary institution that offers either a two-year associate or a four-year college degree. The scholarships averaging $2,000 will be given annually. Your application must arrive by April 4, 2015 For further information and/or an application, please contact John Takian by emailing him at johnt@blissproperties.net The Scholarship Committee of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the CHARLES YAGHOOBIAN, JR. SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS for 2014. Scholarship Grants will be awarded to qualified members of all three Armenian Churches in RI. Applicants must be dues paying members of their church. Scholarships are limited for up to 3 years only. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for consideration. For an application and a list of eligibility requirements you may contact: Nathalie Yaghoobian, 353-2488. The deadline to submit completed application and all documentation is April 1, 2015.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE This year Armenians worldwide are commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide that many believed to be the death-knell of the Armenian people. The narrative of the resilience of the Armenian people, the strength of the survivors through their faithfulness to their Lord is truly a miraculous story. NEW YORK METRO AREA EVENTS ORGANIZED BY CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE Divine Liturgy, Friday, April 24, 10 am at Saint Vartan s Cathedral 630 Second Avenue, New York City and Saint Illuminator s Cathedral 221 East 27th Street, New York City Friday, April 24 March to Demand Justice, 12 noon Immediately after the Divine Liturgy there will be a march from St. Vartan and St. Illuminator Cathedrals to the Turkish Embassy organized by the ARF-ADL. Sunday, April 26 Divine Liturgy, 10 am Saint Vartan s Cathedral The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Armenian Church of America; the sermon will be delivered by His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. Please note: Divine Liturgy will not be celebrated in local parishes of the Eastern Diocese and Eastern Prelacy on Sunday, April 26.

Sunday, April 26, 2015 Gathering at Times Square Immediately after the Liturgy, the faithful will walk in a procession from Second Avenue and 34th Street to Times Square to participate in a rally/gathering at the crossroads of the world. Buses are expected from throughout the East Coast and Midwest making this the largest gathering ever of Armenian Americans. **Important News from AMMRI regarding April 26 th ** Don t be Left Out! Be sure to make your bus reservation! Deadline: March 15 th Contact the Church Office as soon as possible REMEMBRANCE OF THE 100 th ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1915 ARMENIAN GENOCIDE (NEW YORK CITY) JOINT (UNITED) DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. VARTAN CATHEDRAL (11:00AM) and TIMES SQUARE COMMEMORATION 100 YEARS TO REMEMBER (2:00PM) SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015 FREE BUS TRANSPORTATION FROM WARWICK MALL The Armenian Martyrs Memorial Committee of RI is inviting all Armenians and friends to attend a joint (united) Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan Cathedral followed by a Times Square Commemoration in New York City. By virtue of his sincere generosity and passion, Mr. Aram Garabedian will be making a donation to allow for free bus transportation for everyone who wishes to make the journey to New York City that our beloved martyrs and

survivors deserve. For the past forty years, it has been his mission to inform the public about the history of the Armenian Genocide. It is our duty to celebrate our liturgy and then pay tribute to our martyrs and bring attention to the world the horrors of the Armenian Genocide in 1915. INSTRUCTIONS FOR FREE BUS TRANSPORTATION ON APRIL 26, 2015 Bus reservations must be made by March 15, 2015. First come, first serve! Please call any of the following: o Armenian Evangelical Church - Gail Bilizerian at 762-1967 o Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Armenian Church office - 272-7712 o Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church office - 831-6399 For more info, visit our website at www.ammri.org. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION 1. Bus departs at 7:00am from Warwick Mall, pole #15, past Firestone building; 10 buses have been reserved. 2. There will be one stop on the way to New York City. Bus will stop at St. Vartan Cathedral where the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00am. Live video streaming will be available in Kavookjian Auditorium, the outdoor courtyard is available for guests or you can remain on the bus. 3. At the conclusion of church services, a procession will begin and proceed to Times Square. Sandwiches will be available from the Knights of Vartan. 4. If you are not able to walk, you may stay on the bus and you will be transported directly to Times Square. 5. When the program concludes (around 4:00pm), you will go directly to your bus and leave New York City. 6. There will be one stop on the way back to Warwick Mall. 7. Arrival time at Warwick Mall is estimated to be 9:00pm. 8. It is suggested that you bring a blanket and umbrella with you and a snack if you wish. We will have water on the buses. RSVP by March 15 th to the Church Office to reserve your bus seat for April 26 th

PLEASE NOTE On Friday, April 24th at 12 noon, the Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Martyrs' Monument [North Burial Ground] with the participation of Armenian Evangelical Church, Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church, and Sts. Vartanantz Church. We sincerely hope that you will make every effort to attend. ********************************************************* There will be no Church Services at Sts. Vartanantz Church on April 26th as we will be attending the "REMEMBRANCE OF THE 100 th ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1915 ARMENIAN GENOCIDE" in New York.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF REMEMBRANCE: NATIONAL EVENTS IN WASHINGTON The national observance in the United States includes special events that will take place over a three-day period (May 7, 8, 9) in Washington, DC, that includes an ecumenical prayer service, a Pontifical Divine Liturgy, a memorial concert, and an awards banquet honoring those who helped the survivors. The Catholicoi, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, will be present to preside over the events. Armenians from all over the United States are expected to participate in solidarity and unity. Events in Washington, DC Thursday, May 7, 2015 Ecumenical Service, 7 pm Ecumenical Service will take place at the National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW. Presided by His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia. President of Armenia, Serge Sarkisian, will attend as will many dignitaries and diplomats. Performances by soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian and Hover Chamber Choir. Very limited seating and ID is needed. Tickets (non-transferable and color-coded for seating blocks) are free but required for entry. Contact your local parish and register your name for tickets. Friday, May 8, 2015 Concert of Armenian Music at 8 pm A Journey through 100 Years, a concert of Armenian music at the Music Center at Strathmore, 10701 Rockville Pike North, Bethesda, Maryland. Artists participating include sopranos Hasmik Papian and Isabel Bayrakdarian, violinists Ida Kavafian and Levon Chilingirian, cellist Alexander Chaushian, clarinetist Narek Arutyunian, Hover Chamber Choir, Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Edward Topchian. For tickets ($40 to $125) go to www.strathmore.org. Saturday, May 9, 2015 Divine Liturgy at 10 am Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, DC, on the campus of Catholic University, at 10 am. His Holiness Karekin II will celebrate the Divine Liturgy and His Holiness Aram I will deliver the sermon. Armenian choirs from

across the country will participate under the direction of Maestro Khoren Mekanejian. Saturday, May 9, 2015 Reception and Banquet, 6 pm Reception and Banquet at the Marriott Marquis Hotel at 6 pm. Institutions and individuals who helped Armenians will be honored, with remembrance of all those experiencing genocide and human rights abuses. Mark Geragos, emcee; keynote speakers to be announced; Zulal, a cappella choir, will perform. Tickets are $120 per person. Checks should be payable to Armenian Commemoration Centennial, and mailed to NCAGC, 4125 Fessenden Street, NW, Washington, DC 20016. THOSE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE WASHINGTON EVENTS SHOULD MAKE THEIR HOTEL RESERVATIONS AND TICKET PURCHASES IMMEDIATELY. Learn more about the national observance in Washington http://www.armeniangenocidecentennial.org **************************** Please contact the Church Office [401-831- 6399] as soon as possible if you are planning to attend any of the commemorative events in Washington DC. We need to forward your name to the Prelacy as only those with appropriate passes will be allowed to attend the events.

From the March 12 th issue of Crossroads ST. GREGORY OF NAREK: THE 36TH DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH St. Gregory of Narek, the tenth century Armenian monk, priest, mystic, composer, theologian, and poet was declared the 36th Doctor of the Church by Pope Francis on February 21. The Roman Catholic Church confers this honor on saints whose lives and writings have provided significant contributions to the teachings of the faith. Thus, Gregory joins 35 other Doctors that include notable names like Augustine, John Chrysostom, and Thomas Aquinas. Gregory grew up in a family of church leaders. His father was a bishop and theologian and his uncle was abbot of the famed Narek Monastery on the shores of Lake Van. Gregory spent most of his life as a monk, priest, and teacher at Narek. His first notable work was a commentary on the Song of Songs. He also wrote many letters, odes, songs, poems, and Armenian liturgical chants. His masterwork was his last, the Book of Lamentations, known simply as the Narek. It is a collection of 95 deeply personal prayers composed in classical Armenian in 1003, with one major goal: Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart. The Narek has been the source of consolation and guidance for generations in times of suffering. The Narek was published in 2001 in a bilingual edition with English translation by Tom Samuelian. The book is now out-of-print; however, the Prelacy Bookstore has a few copies left from its original stock. The price is $35.00 plus shipping & handling. Contact the Bookstore, (bookstore@armenianprelacy.org) or 212-689-7810. Gregory of Narek will be remembered on the Roman Catholic Church s liturgical calendar on February 27 each year. In the Armenian Church, he is remembered on several occasions during the year.

SAVE the DATE

Learn more about the national observance in Washington at http://www.armeniangenocidecentennial.org