Bible Readings March 3 Luke 16:1-31 March 10 Luke 17-20; 18:14 March 17 Matt. 22:34; 23:39 March 24 Matt. 20:29; 21:17 March 31 Mark 16:2-8 Easter Greetings One who gives: Krisdos haryav ee merelotz. Christ is risen from the dead. One who receives: Orhnial eh harootiun Krisdosi. Blessed is the resurrection of Christ. Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan March, 2013 A life lived with God is a life protected Abp. Hovnan Derderian In recent years, we drafted and offered unique guidelines to each Diocesan faithful throughout the Great Lenten journey. In order to be enlightened by God s love and wisdom, we encouraged and promoted fasting and a life filled with prayer. We shall do the same this year. We encourage all faithful to follow the Gospel readings to be published during the Great Lent and to remain steadfast in their ancestral Christian Faith in order that you may be accompanied by God s love and wisdom. Consequently, we call upon each Diocesan faithful to become keen followers of the writings and prayers of our Church fathers. We will then present a brochure comprised of daily reflections throughout the Great Lent in efforts to enlighten the minds and spirits and to promote a life of wisdom and kind deeds. Devout Christian, we wish you an enriching spiritual journey. Walk with God, fill your spirit with prayer and you will bear witness to the depth of your spiritual life and to the power of your Christian faith. These words have been conveyed to the faithful almost a year ago during the Lenten journey. The purpose of the Lenten journey pursues a noble cause: to protect our lives from evil and lead us to a life closer to God. The life graced upon us needs to be lived with the Creator. For a life in God is a life in light. The 48 days of the Great Lenten journey is a pathway to spiritual enlightenment when day by day we nourish our being with the Word of God and the vision of our forefathers. Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:1-4) Mercy is a noble act by the Christian which should be applied by each Christian. However, Christ instructs us all to be merciful discreetly. The Great Lenten journey is the time which empowers us to enrich our spiritual life with many virtues. In modern times, we are challenged with advancements in technology which are important for the realization of good tidings. However, moral values are necessities like bread and water. Therefore, have mercy for one another and the Good Lord will reward you abundantly.
St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: In Memory Caroline Semenza Ron Kallan Joe Keshishian Robert Arabian, Mike Kilijian, Lucy Tulanian Marge O Connor Harvey and Nora Hanoian (Ladies Society) Armen Boyd Leo Keligian Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan Varoujan Avakian Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan Hagop and Seta Khatchikian (Sunday School), Barbara Morjig, Ed and Goldie Minasian, Harvey and Janet Kamian, Gladys Kermoyan Peters, Edward Godoshian, Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan, Assadour and Sona Kevranian, Virginia Avakian, Stephen Soroyan, Ron Kallan, Kristian and Sylvia Kalashian, Louise Jorjorian, Garo and Sonia Sedrakian, Harvey and Nora Hanoian (Building Fund), Dickie and Seno Garabedian, Pete and Pat Barsamian (Sunday School), Ralph and Elise Kazanjian, Charles and Dorris Kezerian (choir robes), Dorothy Deombeleg, Harry and Joyce Kamian, Ralph and Lillian Kalibjian, Charles and Diane Paskerian, Frances Stevens, Virginia Ratcliff (Choir), Zvart Shahbazian and Family, Lorraine Peters Wilson, Nurhan and Mary Donikian Thank you to Anto and Hasmig Cingoz for their generous donation to ACYO for the CYMA program in memory of Armen Boyd ENDOWMENT FUND In Memory Henry Toomajian Norma Yaglijian James Phinney Harry & Carol Dokouzian Virginia Mazmanian Greg & Laura Mazmanian Armen Boyd Ed & Suzanne Vasgerdsian, David & Lori Hill, Richard & Satenig Demirjian, Albert & Mae Kaljian, Anne Barsamian, Norma Yaglijian, Richard & Judy Sharafian, Jack & Barbara Bousian Our late parishioner, Joseph Keshisian, has bequeathed a very generous gift to St. Vartan Church, via The Endowment Fund. He knew the stability and safety of the Fund would ensure that his remembrance continue to create income for his beloved Church. May God Rest His Soul. Easter 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 turn would keep the lanterns burning and ultimately the doors of the Church open. At this season of Christ's resurrection let us remember and continue 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. Thank You The family of Armen Boyd would like to thank the St. Vartan Church Community and Father Hovel for their support throughout Armen s five month battle with lung cancer. He appreciated receiving the many cards, phone calls and visits until his passing on January 12, 2013. Evelyn Boyd
Barry Barsamian Receives Hollywood s Golden Halo Award In honor of some of the great stars of the past (and from his personal collection), Barry Barsamian wore Merv Griffin s tuxedo jacket, Cary Grant s bowtie (the one Cary wore when he accepted his special Academy Award in 1969), and Clark Gable s monogrammed cufflinks when he received the coveted Golden Halo Award on December 17, 2012, at the star-studded Holiday Gala Dinner Ceremony in Studio City, CA. Pictured here with Mickey Rooney, a recipient of that evening s Lifetime Achievement Awards, Barry was recognized for his major contribution to the preservation of Hollywood history via his immense movie and TV star memorabilia collection, which has been used to raise thousands of dollars for charities. Barry works for the San Francisco History Museum, 449 Powell Street, which currently has a four-room display of his precious artifacts. Included in this show is an entire room dedicated to Shirley Temple Black, and the newly acquired sequined pumps given to Barry from his pal, Margaret O Brien, to go with her dress on display. Congratulations Barry! Sophia Colello Earns Girl Scout Award Sophia Colello, a Palmer School Girl Scout Cadette, has recently completed her Silver Award project. Sophia organized a massive collection drive of winter clothes to send to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, a mountainous region in Eurasia. Sophia collected over 750 pounds of clothing and shoes and worked with local humanitarian organizations, including Clothes for Karabakh and the Armenian Relief Society Erepouni Chapter to distribute the clothing to impoverished communities in Armenia. Some of the recipients are recent refugees from Syria who are of Armenian heritage. In addition to three clothing drives, Sophia organized her Danville Girl Scout troop 30067 in a city-wide caroling event as a fundraiser. Over 200 Brownies and Girls Scouts in Danville congregated for crafts and good cheer before sharing their singing charms with over 16 local neighborhoods. The funds raised from this event were used to offset the expense of shipping almost 20 large boxes of clothing abroad. The Silver Award is the second highest award a Girl Scout can earn. Congratulations, Sophia! St. Vartan Armenian Church Charitable Contributions 2012 Western Diocese Cathedral $10,000 Orphan Fund $5,000 Sister Church in Armenia $3,000 Diocese Stewardship Fund $1,000 Syrian Armenian Relief $1,225 St. John Datev Sponsorship $500 Hurricane Sandy Relief $435 AGCC $300 BAFA $300 Bay Area Rescue Mission $300 Diocese Christmas Ball Booklet $250 AGBU Scholarship $250 Salvation Army $200 City Team Oakland $200 AIWA $200 UC Berkeley Armenian Student Assoc. $150 Ararat Cemetery Improvement $100 NorCal $100 Armenian Church Ventura County Booklet $100 Total Charitable Contributions $23,610 St. Vartan Armenian Church continues its very active mission of charitable donations. The chart above lists the church s donations in 2012.
2013 ACYO Paregentan Ball More photos at www. stvartanoakland.org.
Abp. Nourhan Manougian Elected as 97th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem We are delighted to inform that the Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, has been elected as the 97th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem on Thursday, January 24, 2013. The General Assembly of St. James Brotherhood of Jerusalem convened its 22nd session on January 24, 2013. Thirty-three members of the Brotherhood of St. James in Jerusalem and from Dioceses abroad were present. The Patriarchal Locum Tenens Archbishop Aris Shirvanian opened the meeting with a prayer. The sole item on the agenda was to elect the 97th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem from the five candidates Archbishop Aris Shirvanian, Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, Archbishop Sevan Gharibian, Archbishop Datev Gharibian and Archbishop Kisag Mouradian, who were elected as candidates during the afternoon session on January, 23 2013. The General Assembly conducted the election by second secret ballot and as a result of which the Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem H.E. Archbishop Nourhan Manougian was elected as the 97th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem by absolute majority. At the conclusion of the meeting, the newly elected Patriarch thanked the members of the Brotherhood for their confidence in him. The General Assembly congratulated the newly elected Armenian Patriarch and immediately following the election, the members of the St. James Brotherhood descended down to the St. James Cathedral where the newly elected Patriarch gave his blessings and speech. Community members and school students hastened to St. James Cathedral upon the ringing of the bells, echoing the election's conclusion, and congratulated His Beatitude at the main hall of the Patriarchate. The newly elected Patriarch, His Beatitude Archbishop Nourhan Manougian, was born in Aleppo, Syria in 1948. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1971. He was elected as the Grand Sacristan of the Holy See of Jerusalem in 1998. In 1999 he was promoted to the rank of Bishop by His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians. His Beatitude ascends the throne of St. James at one of the most crucial interludes in the chronicles of Jerusalem, but challenges are what make the man. His Beatitude has no qualms that he will be able to perpetuate the legacy of the Armenian presence in the Holy Land. Biographical Note: Archbishop Nourhan Manougian (baptismal name Boghos) was born in Aleppo, Syria on July 22, 1948. He received his primary education in the Haigazian School of Aleppo. In 1961 he entered the Theological Seminary of Antellias to start his theological education. In 1966 he entered the Jarangavortz Theological Seminary of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. On July 27, 1968 he was ordained to the diaconate. In 1971 he was ordained a celibate priest by then Patriarch of Jerusalem Yeghishe Derderian and was given the priestly name of Nourhan. Following his ordination, he was appointed to serve as the Vice Dean of the Jarangavortz Theological Seminary from 1971 to 1972. In 1975 he was named as the Dean of the Seminary. In 1972 and 1973 Father Nourhan continued his pastoral mission and served as the spiritual pastor of the Armenian faithful in Geneva, Switzerland. Father Nourhan received the rank of Archimandrite (Vardapet) in 1973. Following his service in Europe, Father Nourhan returned to the Middle East and from 1974 to 1980 served as the spiritual pastor of the Armenian community of Haifa, Israel. In 1980, at the invitation of then Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, he left for New York, New York and entered the General Theological Seminary, where he furthered his theological education. He graduated in 1983. Remaining in the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America, in 1994, he served as the spiritual pastor of the St. Gevork Church in Houston, Texas.
In 1998 he returned to Jerusalem where he served as the Grand Sacristan of the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem. On December 14, 1999 he was consecrated as a Bishop by the Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Karekin II. He was elevated to the rank of Archbishop by the Pontifical Encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II in 2000. In 2009, His Beatitude Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, the Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem, designated Archbishop Nourhan as Patriarchal Vicar. On January 24, 2013, His Eminence Archbishop Nourhan Manoogian was elected as the 97th Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem. St. Vartan Cultural Committee Presents a Film Screening of When Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton) is sent to Jerusalem, one of his assignments is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Marcellus, a cynical and hardened man, wins the homespun robe Jesus wore to the crucifixion while drunk and gambling with other Roman soldiers underneath the dying savior. He is tormented by nightmares and delusions after the event. He becomes convinced that his hallucinations and violent outbursts are the result of a curse received from the robe, which is now in the possession of his escaped slave, Demetrius (Victor Mature), somewhere in the Middle East. He sets out to find Demetrius in order to destroy the robe and the curse, and finds faith instead, converting to Christianity. (134 min.) THE ROBE was nominated for five Academy Awards in 1953, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Richard Burton. FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2013 7:30 PM Following Good Friday Church Service ST.VARTAN CHURCH HALL 650 Spruce St., Oakland 94610 A light complimentary soup and salad dinner will be offered For more information: Liz Ojakian 510-351-6754 / lizojakian@yahoo.com or Zaven Kanneian 510-528-1807 /zavenk2@gmail.com
A.R.S. Oakland Erepouni Chapter invites our friends at St. Vartan to a celebration of its Friday Armenian School s 20 th Anniversary! Sunday, March 17, 2013, 1:00 P.M., in the Church Hall A catered lunch will be served, followed by entertainment and presentations. Adults: $25.00 - Child (under 14): $5.00 For more information contact Nellie Azizian Phone: 925-820-3770; e-mail: nhazizian@yahoo.com I Took Your Place One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, "I always park there! You took my place!" The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing. After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit! You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing. Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place!" Choir and Deacon Potluck On January 18 the St. Vartan Church Choir and Deacons enjoyed a potluck in the Church Hall. In addition to enjoying an amazing assortment of food, the group held a sing-a-long. The highlight of the evening was celebrating Mike Madajian s eighty-second birthday.
St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church 2013 Schedule of Easter Services Palm Sunday, March 24 Morning Service... 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy and Sermon... 10:30 a.m. Opening of the Doors & Service of Antasdan (in the parking lot) Following Badarak Holy Thursday, March 28 Divine Liturgy Memorial of the Last Supper... 10:30 a.m. Ladies Society Lenten Luncheon following service Washing of the Feet... 7:00 p.m. Service of Betrayal and Passion of Our Lord... 8:00 p.m. Good Friday, March 29 Service of the Burial of our Lord... 7:00 p.m. Holy Saturday, March 30 Reading of the Scriptures... 6:00 p.m. Divine Liturgy... 6:30 p.m. Easter Sunday, March 31 Morning Service... 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy... 10:30 a.m. Service of Antasdan (Blessing of the Fields)... Following Badarak New Sunday, Merelots, April 7 Morning Service... 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy... 10:30 a.m. Requiem Service... Following Badarak Fr. Hovel and several St. Vartan ACYO members attended the annual ACYO Regional Meeting at St. John Armenian Church on January 19. We are on the Web www.stvartanoakland.org During church services on Sunday, February 3 Fr. Hovel installed the 2013 St. Vartan Parish Council. 2013 St. Vartan Armenian Church Parish Council Jack Papazian Barry Toomajian Anto Cingoz Sako Soghomonian Edward Jamgotchian Harout Hagopian Liz Ojakian Jim Taylor Arto Yagjian Zaven Kanneian Maida Henesian Jack Isaacs Chairman Vice Chairman Treasurer Asst. Treasurer Recording Secretary Correspondence Purchasing Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance Member Services Member Services Wednesday Lenten Vigils Wednesday evening Lenten Vigil Services continue in March at 6:30 pm. Please join us throughout the season of Lent as we prepare our hearts for Christ s glorious resurrection on Easter Morning. The Lenten Vigil Services will be Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, and March 20. 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 Easter Home Blessing, please call Der Hayr for an appointment at 510-893-1671.
St. Vartan Church March 2013 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Sunday School 10:30 am 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Sunday School 10:30 am 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Sunday School 10:30 am ARS Celebration after Church Holy Thursday 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Palm Sunday Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Sunday School 10:30 am Brunch after church 31 Easter Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Sunday School 10:30 am Lenten Vigil 6:30 pm Lenten Vigil 6:30 pm Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm Lenten Vigil 6:30 pm Divine Liturgy 10:30 Ladies Luncheon noon Feet Washing 6:30 pm Service of Betrayal 8 pm Good Friday Service 6:30 pm Followed by Cultural Committee Film and Supper CEC Workshop for Sunday School teachers At St. Vartan 10 am Holy Saturday Service 6 pm Ladies Society Lenten Luncheon March 28, 2013 following Holy Thursday Service at 10:30 am Families Invited to Sunday School Workshop The St. Vartan Sunday School will host a Christian Education Council (CEC) workshop on Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 10:00-2:00 pm. It's entitled "Good God Game Show": Praying, playing and growing in faith, Creative Activities that Work with Kids. Lunch will be provided, $10 donation. It will be held in our church hall, all our welcome. Contact Janet Yeghissian 510-528-1807 jhyeg@sbcglobal.net or John Eknoian 510-666-0226 for reservations. Requiem Service Hokehankist A Requiem will be said for the souls of the departed on Merelots Sunday, April 7. Those who would like to have the names of their departed loved ones included, should contact the church secretary by April 4 at 510-893-1671 or stvartanoakland@aol.com.
Sunday Morning Church Service Time Change Morning service begins at 10:00 am and Divine Liturgy and Sunday School begin at 10:30 am. The Voice Newsletter is published once a month by St. Vartan Armenian Church 650 Spruce Street, Oakland, CA. 94610, Phone (510)893-1671, Fax: (510) 893-2102 Email: stvartanoakland@aol.com Website: www.stvartanoakland.org 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 Jr. Parish Council Treasurer: Anto Cingoz Parish Assembly Chair: Chris Yaldezian Choir Director: Beverly Nalbandian Organist: Virginia Madajian, Ida Mazmanian, A. Rodriguez ACYO Chair: Sevan Jindoian Sunday School Superintendent: John Eknoian and Janet Yeghissian Ladies Society Chair: Lisa Manoogian Athletic Committee Chair: Mike Boloyan Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian Club Hye Chair: Paul Dermenjian Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian and Pat Barsamian Church Maintenance: Jim Taylor, Zaven Kanneian, Arto Yagjian Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger Wedding Coordinator: Carol Rustigian Church Secretary: Rachel Harger Altar Flowers: Diana Toomajian and Sue Barsamian Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian Divine Liturgy Service Sundays 10:30 a.m.