Sixth Sunday of Great Lent --- Advent Sunday, March 22, 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 Sixth Sunday of Great Lent --- Advent Sunday, March 22, 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

Highlights of the 1980's The parishioners of Sts. Vartanantz Church recently took a visual trip down memory lane as they viewed the video collection of Mrs. Lillian Markarian. With the help of Armen Varadian who edited and transferred the original tapes to dvds, our community was treated to a video presentation of events pertaining to our Church from the 1980 s. All eyes were glued to the screen as familiar faces were recognized. Many thanks to Mrs. Markarian for sharing her collection of our community's "the Highlights" and also to Armen Varadian for his help in making it possible.

***************************************************** Our Sunday School Students Bowling Having Fun with our friends!

John V. Varadian Memorial Basketball Tournament

êñµáû ²õ»ï³ñ³ÝÇë ÚÇëáõëÇ øñçëïáëç àñ Áëï سïà áëç (22:34-40) ºñµ ³ñÇë»óÇÝ»ñÁ Éë»óÇÝ Ã ÚÇëáõë ë³¹áõï»óçý»ñá å³å³ýó»óáõó, Çñ³ñáõ ùáí»ï³ý ²ÝáÝóÙ Ù ÏÁ, ûñ Ýë ï ÙÁ, ÚÇëáõëÁ áñó»éáõ ѳݳñ ѳñóáõó. ì³ñ¹³å»ï, úñ ÝùÇÝ Ù ç á±ñý ٻͳ áûý å³ïáõçñ³ýá ÚÇëáõë Áë³õ ³Ýáñ. êçñ ùáõ î ñ ²ëïáõ³Í¹ ³ÙµáÕç ëçñïáí¹, ³ÙµáÕç Ñá Çáí¹»õ ³ÙµáÕç ÙÇïùáí¹ ²ëÇϳ ٻͳ áûý»õ ³é³çÇÝ å³ïáõçñ³ýá ºñÏñáñ¹Á ³ëáñ ÝÙ³Ý, þþêçñ ÁÝÏ»ñ¹ ùáõ ³ÝÓǹ å ëþþ ²Ûë»ñÏáõ å³ïáõçñ³ýý»ñ Ý Ï³Ë»³É»Ý ³ÙµáÕç úñ ÝùÁ»õ Ù³ñ ³ñ áõãçõýý»ñá GOSPEL Matthew 22:34-45 Hearing that Jesus has silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he? The son of David, they replied. He said to them, How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him Lord? For he says, The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet. If then David calls him Lord, how can he be his son? No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared ask him any more questions. (On Page 980 in your Bible) EPISTLE Colossians 2:13-19 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive in Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (On Page 1166 in your Bible) 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

REQUIEM SERVICE March 29, 2015 Anna Basmajian --- Fortieth Day Remembrance Rose Marabian --- First YearAnniversary Meron Arevian Sarkis Chapian Avedis and Zabel Demoorjian and Sarkis and Anneg Kopoian Yeghsapert, Easaya and Garabed Kenoian, Sally and John Costigan, and Albert Vincent Reizian Stephan Khatchadourian Hagop and Arshalous Madoian Peter Mantaian Vartoohe and Babig Marabian, and Gulizar Ayrasian Navoian, Bogoian and Haroian Families Mary Papazian Harabed and Margaret Saropian Hagop. Diramayr Anna, Dickran, Naima and Jannette Tashjian, Ki Diarbi, George Simonian, Ghazaleh and Sami Azrak 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 22, 2015 Our Fellowship is hosted by Tenkarian Family in Loving Memory of Zaven and Aghvni Tenkarian 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: $12 Children under 12: $7

Followed by our Lenten Vespers Service at 7 pm Rev. Fr. Mikael Der Khosrofian will be our Guest Speaker Our 3rd thru 8th Grade Sunday School Students will be reading at the Lenten Vespers Service Sunday, April 5, 2015 Easter Dinnersponsored by the Providence Homenetmen Aramian Auditorium following the Divine Liturgy Wednesday, April 8, 2015 Centennial Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide by the RI General Assembly 3 pm State Room RI State House Chambers Sunday, April 12, 2015 Martyrs' Commemorative Concert " A Tribute to Survival" Park Theater, Cranston 3 pm 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

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 Saint Vartan s Cathedral 630 Second Avenue, New York City Divine Liturgy, Friday, April 24, 10 am 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. The Providence Community has filled 10 buses for the 100 th ANNIVERSARY of the 1915 ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION in NEW YORK CITY on April 26th Specific information regarding the trip will be forthcoming to those who are registered Sunday, April 26 Divine Liturgy, Saint Vartan s Cathedral 10am 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. ******************************************* 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; also, each person is to notify the Church Office of their planned attendance. 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.

Learn more about the national observance in Washington http://www.armeniangenocidecentennial.org ******************************************************************* 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. ******************************************************************* From the March 19 th issue of Crossroads LENTEN REFLECTIONS CONTINUE The fifth of the Prelacy s six-part Lenten Program took place last night at St. Illuminator s Cathedral in New York City, with church service and reflections and meal fellowship. This year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Genocide, the Lenten reflections are focusing on diverse aspects of the Armenian Genocide. The reflections are presented by young adults, three every Wednesday. Last night s presentations were offered by Andrew Bagdasarian, Dalita Getzoyan, and Anahid Ugurlayan, Esq. The Lenten Program is sponsored by the Prelacy s Armenian Religious Education Council (AREC), the Prelacy s Ladies Guild (PLG), and the Ladies Guild of St. Illuminator s Cathedral.

Presenters: Andrew Bagdasarian, Dalita Getzoyan and Anahid Ugurlayan, Esq. SUNDAY OF ADVENT This Sunday, March 22, is the sixth and final Sunday of Great Lent, known as Sunday of Advent (Galstyan Kiraki). On Advent Sunday we are asked to ponder the mystery of the first coming of Christ and especially his second coming which is a fundamental tenet of our Christian faith, and which is mentioned in the prayers read this Sunday. Christ came to the world for the salvation of humanity. We are told to be ready at all times because He will come again for the judgment of sinners, and when the righteous will become worthy of entering the Kingdom of God. Then people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. He will send out his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. (Mark 13:26-27) Advent Sunday has its own special hymn, which proclaims that the apostles knew the mystery of the advent of Christ. The story of the expulsion from paradise is repeated and an appeal is made to Christ to ask the Heavenly Father to establish peace on earth. Sunday of Advent is in preparation of next Sunday, Palm Sunday, which is the celebration of the glorious entry of our Lord into Jerusalem and the beginning of Holy Week. The terrible manifestation of your glory which will be in your second coming David foresaw and announced beforehand by the Holy Spirit s inspiration, God will come openly, fire will burn before him. Then, O Jesus, spare us, have compassion, O Christ, and have mercy. Mother of God unwedded, bride of heaven on earth, when in the sight of light you sit at the right hand of your only-begotten beseech him for us to deliver us from the awful flame, to number us with the righteous that we also may sing glory with the heavenly ones. (Canon for the Sixth Sunday of Great Lent from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)

ST. GREGORY S COMMITMENT TO THE PIT During Great Lent, saint days are commemorated only on Saturdays. During the remainder of the year saints can be honored on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. This Saturday, April 5, the Armenian Church celebrates one of the three days in its liturgical calendar devoted to St. Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint of the Armenian Church. The three days are: Entrance into the Pit; Emergence from the Pit; and Discovery of his remains. This Saturday is the commemoration of his commitment to the Deep Pit (Khor Virab). Gregory maintained his faith and refused to renounce Christ. As a result he endured many tortures and his final punishment was banishment into a deep pit where he remained for a period of thirteen or more years. Miraculously he survived, thanks to his faith and according to tradition a woman (identity unknown) who lowered food and water into the pit. The Monastery of Khor Virab is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims who visit Armenia. The monastery was built on the exact location where St. Gregory was imprisoned. The pit is accessible and it is possible for visitors to climb down the ladder (27 steep steps) into the pit. The church, named Sourp Asdvadzadzin, dates to the 17th century. The area is one of the most beautiful in Armenia and provides stunning views of Ararat. The area surrounding Khor Virab is the site of the ancient Armenian capital, Artashat, founded by King Artashes I about 180 BC. Come, let us exalt on this day the spreader of the spiritual light to us who sat in darkness, the holy patriarch Gregory. Come, you children instructed by him, exalt on this day the distributor to the sons of Torgom of the undefiled gifts of the Holy Spirit who gave us a new birth as sons of the light. Come, you children instructed by him, exalt on this day the interpreter of the divine word in the land of Armenia. On this day the Church and her children sing with the angels, on this day of memory of the enlightener ascribing glory to God in the highest. (Canon to St. Gregory the Illuminator, Commitment to the Pit, from the Liturgical Canons of the Armenian Church)

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