August 16, 2015

Feast of the Assumption of the
Holy Mother-of-God
The Assumption is the greatest of the three major holidays of
the Armenian Church devoted to the Virgin Mary, and is one
of the five major feast days or Daghavars of the Armenian
Church. According to different sources, Mary lived in
Jerusalem from three to fifteen years after watching her son
die on the cross and then witnessing the miracle of his empty
tomb. Eastern tradition tells us that at her death an elaborate
funeral took place. The apostles, with the exception of St.
Bartholomew, buried her with great reverence in the Garden of
Gethsemane. When Bartholomew arrived, he wanted to see
Mary for the last time. The apostles took him to the tomb, and
to their amazement, found it empty. They were convinced that
her body was taken up to heaven by the Lord. This belief was
sanctioned by the church between the 9th and 12th centuries.
The earliest and most reliable written formulation of the
tradition of the Assumption comes from St. John of Damascus,
who wrote that at the Council of Chalcedon in 451, the
Emperor Marcian wished to possess the body of the Mother of
God. The Emperor was told however, by the Bishop of
Jerusalem that "Mary died in the presence of all the Apostles,
but that her tomb, when opened, upon the request of St.
Thomas, was found empty; where from the Apostles
concluded that the body was taken up to heaven." The raising
up of Mary's body to heaven, following the ascension of her
Son Jesus Christ, is perhaps the best testimony of her
importance, second only to Jesus, in the Christian tradition. In
this way the image of Mary and Jesus side by side (see picture
on the Holy Altar (Soorp Seghan), which is familiar to every
Armenian Churchgoer, will continue to greet our faithful now
and forever and unto the ages of ages.
STS. VARTANANTZ ARMENIAN CHURCH
SUNDAY BULLETIN
August 16, 2015
Feast of the Assumption
of the Holy Mother-of-God
Feast of the Shoghagat of Holy Etchmiadzin – August 15
Memorial Day (Merelotz) – August 17
Today, we pay homage to one of the Christian Church’s most
venerated saints as we, the faithful, commemorate St. Mary’s
“taking up to” heaven. Let all together proclaim..”Blessed are
you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! “
Welcome to Sts. Vartanantz!
Morning Service (A5au7t;an 6am;rgoujiun).. 9:30 a.m
Divine Liturgy (Sourb Patarag)…10:00 a.m
Blessing of Grapes Service (>a[o[ &rhn;q)
Sermon (Qaroz)
Bari Galoust Srb Vardananx :k;[;xi
T;r >acatour Qahana\ Q;sapl;an, Hoviu
Welcome to Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church
Rev. Father Khachatur Kesablyan, Pastor
Today’s Scripture Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16; Galatians 3:294:7; and Luke 2:17 - The Census and the Birth of Jesus. Now in
those days a decree2 went out from Caesar Augustus to register all
the empire for taxes. This was the first registration, taken when
Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone went to his own town
to be registered. So Joseph also went up from the town of
Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called
Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David.
He went to be registered with Mary, who was promised in
marriage to him, and who was expecting a child. While they were
there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave
birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and
laid him in a manger, because there is no place for them in the inn.
Happy Name Day to all the faithful who bear the names Mary,
Mariam, Maro, Marie, Azniv, Yerchanig, Loosaper, Vartouhi,
Sirarpi, Takouhi, Makrouhi, and Berjouhi – all names and
attributes associated with the Holy Virgin Mary. Those who are
blessed to bear the name of a saint are encouraged to light a
candle in memory of the saint, make an offering, and offer a
prayer of thanksgiving that through our lives we may bear witness
to the devotion of our inspiring church fathers.
Blessing of the Grapes – in celebrating the Feast of the
Assumption, the Armenian Church has incorporated the wonderful
tradition of the Blessing of the Grape service to help relate the
concepts of Christ being the “fruit of the womb”, the wine of the
Holy Communion as the “blood of Christ”, and the “first fruits of
the God-given harvest.” Moreover, the Grape Blessing is another
expression of our faith, and our humble expression of
thanksgiving for God’s infinite love and gifts. “I am the true vine,
and my father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me
that bears no fruit, while every branch in me that does bear fruit,
he prunes so that it will bear even more fruit.” John 15:1.
Church and Community Calendar
September 13 – Sunday and Armenian School Registration
September 20 Centennial Observance of the Armenian
Genocide. Details to Follow.
September 26 – Armenian-American Veterans Scholarship Dinner
Dance. Music by the Jason Naroian Ensemble. 6:00 pm. Proceeds
to benefit scholarship for local youth attending college or university
programs.
Contact
Richard
Juknavorian,
Mrjuke4859@comcast.net for further details and tickets.
October 3 – Dedication of the Genocide Victim Remembrance
Benches at the Church’s Martyr’s Memorial. His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian to preside. Details to follow.
October 4 – 10th Anniversary Father Khachatur’s Ordination –
Save the date.
October 7 – Joint Sts. Vartanantz – Hye Point Golf Outing at the
beautiful Butter Brook Golf Club in Westford, MA.. Enjoy a great
day of golf followed by a banquet at the Kazanjian Memorial
Pavilion at Sts. Vartanantz, Chelmsford. Proceeds to benefit youth
scholarships for our many Diocesan programs. Contact Steve
Sarkisian, stsvgolf@earthlink.net, for further information.
October 24 - Armenian Friends of America, Inc. Annual Dance
Featuring John Berberian, Mal Barsamian, Leon Janikian, Ken
Kalajian, Jason Naroian, Paul Mooradian. @ DiBurro's Function
Hall, Haverhill, MA
November 7 – 7th Annual Wine Tasting Evening. For further
information and reservations, contact Carol Hildebrand at 978-6186982, email stsvwinetasting@gmail.com 7:00 p.m.
November 20-21 – Annual Church Bazaar
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with
all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
Feast of the Shoghagat of Holy Etchmiadzin, August 15
Yesterday, August 16, marked the Feast of the Shoghakat of Holy
Etchmiadzin,. Shoghakat refers to the vision of St. Gregory and the
rays of light when God chose the site for the Mother Cathedral. This
feast is celebrated on Assumption because the Cathedral in
Etchmiadzin is named in honor of the Holy Mother, although
through the years it became known as Etchmiadzin, and Shoghakat
referred to the three other nearby churches built by Gregory the
Illuminator.
Memorial Day, Monday, August 17
In accordance with the tradition of the Armenian Church, the day
after each of the five tabernacle feasts (Daghavars ) – Christmas,
Easter, Transfiguration, Assumption, and Exaltation is
designated as a Memorial Day (Merelotz), a day of remembrance
of the dead. Traditionally, on Memorial Day, Divine Liturgy
with requiem service, along with a grave blessing is performed
for all souls so that they also be remembered and included in the
celebration of the Daghavar Feast.
Donations for the Blessing of the Grapes
In memory of our beloved father, Rev. Father Bedros Feredjian,
on the 50th anniversary of his passing, and in celebration of the
50th anniversary of the ordination of our brother-in-law, Rev.
Father Arshen Aivazian, by Deacon Ara and Milka Jeknavorian.
In memory of my beloved mother,
Dickranouhi Asadurian (1991), by
Anne V. Williamson.
John and Pat Amboian and Family.
Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a
joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.
Ecclesiastes 9:7
The only way to have a friend is to be one.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Philosopher and essayist
Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It
is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with
them, and the wind died down. They were completely
amazed, Mark 6:51
Variables for Today’s Celebration of the
Divine Liturgy
This Sunday, the variables for the Divine Liturgy highlight the
Feast of the Assumption of the Holy-Mother-of-God. The page
numbers correspond to the location where the variable occurs in
the Divine Liturgy book.
Processional Hymn (Tapor Sharagan) - “Aysor Zhoghovyal“ “Through your transfiguration on the mountain, you showed your
divine power. We give you glory, O Light Divine.” (page 11)."
2015 Annual Picnic a Smashing Success
Some 400 parishioners and friends of Sts. Vartanantz Armenian
Church enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon of great food, music and
dancing at the church’s annual picnic held this past Sunday. A
hearty expression of appreciation is extended to all the wonderful
volunteers, especially picnic co-chairs - Richard Juknavorian and
Jeremy Oldham, who so diligently managed all the intricate
details contributing to the success of the picnic.
Introit (Zhamamood) “Asdvadzadzin Anharsnatsyal"..”.. “.O you
virgin Mother-of-God, who did conceive the Word who has no
beginning, and did give birth to God who is past understanding, and
did hold in your arm He who can not be circumscribed, intercede
with him unceasingly for our souls.…pg 12). .”
Midday Hymn (Jashoo Sharagan, Mode IV)) “Antaram
Dzaghig..”.. My soul shall magnify the Lord; and my spirit shall
rejoice in God my Savior. Unfading Flower, purest offshoot from the
root of Jesse! Isaiah called you the dwelling place of the Spirit's
seven-fold graces; Mother-of-God and Virgin; we magnify you.
Reasonable Vine of the sweetest fruit from which was gathered the
inexhaustible cluster For the joy of us drowning in sorrow; for
having tasted of the tree of knowledge; Holy and Spotless One; we
all magnify you. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit; Now and for ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen You lived a
spotless life in the flesh. Today the Apostles, commanded from on
high, placed you in a tomb and you ascended into the kingdom of
your Son and our God Intercessor for those who confess you; we
magnify you. . . ( page 12).
Soorp Asdvadz ..""Vor Yegir I Pokhoomun Mor Ko Yev Goosi"..
“Who did come to take up your mother and virgin..” (page 14).
Alelooya Psalm prior to the Gospel – “The Holy Spirit shall come
upon thee and the power of the most high shall overshadow thee.”
"Park Kalusdyan ko Der" – “Glory to your coming, O Lord.”
“The church picnic is one very special day of the year where we
create a little Armenia here at Sts. Vartanantz,” Deacon Ara
“It brings me great joy to see our parish family come together to
celebrate our rich heritage here at our beautiful church complex.
Our picnic provides a valuable opportunity for parishioners to
serve our church and create lasting relationships,” Father
Khachatur.