September 2013 - St. Vartan Armenian Church

Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan
September, 2013
Letter to Parents
Bible Readings
Sept. 1
Sept. 8
Sept. 15
Sept. 22
Sept. 29
Mark 4:35-41
Mark 7:31-37
John 3:13-31
Mark 10:1-12
Matt. 24:30-36
The True Cross was
first elevated by St.
James the Apostle, the
first Bishop of Jerusalem, who lifted the cross
with the words, “We
bow before thy cross, O
Christ.”
It’s again September and schools are back in session. Kids are again
busy, or we are keeping them busy. They have too many things to do; you can
see them in sports teams, at their relatives, and with their friends. Even though
they are busy, they have time for everything else, except... except the Church.
Dear Faithfull, each time when we are talking or thinking about the Holy Gospels, we are focusing ourselves on the last three years of our Lord’s
earthly life, when our Savior preached, healed, and showed all His power. And
it’s understandable, because the Gospels are not talking a lot about Jesus’ childhood. However, our Lord started preaching when He was twelve years old,
when He was so young, when He was our children’s age. There is one great story in the Gospel of St. Luke which brings to light our Lord’s childhood. After
three day’s seeking, St. Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the temple sitting
among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. “And when
they saw Him they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why
have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you
anxiously.’ And He said to them, ‘How is it that you sought me? Did you not
know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” (Luke 2:41-52)
This is one of our Lord’s greatest teachings for all of us, and especially
for our children. The twelve-year-old child found his peace and comfort in His
Heavenly Father’s house. He didn’t stay with his relatives, he didn’t join any
sports teams or enjoy his time with his friends, but he was in his Father’s house
sitting among the teachers.
My dear Ones, God gave us our children to enrich our lives. He gifted
us our children as angels to live with us and to change our lives. As loving parents, we are trying to do every good for them. We even sacrifice ourselves for
them to make their lives easy without any problems. We are trying to do everything alone, forgetting about God, His promise and His help; “Which of you, if
his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give
him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to
those who ask him?” (Matt.7:9-11) Jesus was in His Father’s house because He
knew that everything good comes from Him.
Dear Parents, the greatest responsibility for all of us is to take care of
our kids, to seek their physical and mental growth. I agree with all of you, and I
am one of you, letting our kids to play on sports teams, be involved in other activities, spend time with their friends and so on. However, we should not forget
about their spiritual life, also. Spiritual life is much more important. Today, we
need to teach our kids that with all of the goods that we have in our lives there is one important place in our
neighborhood that we have to go, where we need to be. It is called God’s house, our Heavenly Father’s house;
and more than blessed are those whose children will give the same answer that Jesus gave to His parents; “Did
you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Talk to them—explain to them why is it important to be in church. And like God’s faithful apostles
guide them to His house, because they are the true tenants of that house, and because; “When Jesus saw this,
he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom
of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a
little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed
them.” (Mark 10:14-16) Let them come and receive God’s blessing in His house and be in His presence at St.
Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church. Let them participate in our wonderful Sunday School program and become strong soldiers of the kingdom of God. Amen.
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Save the Date
Family Worship Day
October 13, 2013
Divine Liturgy at 10:30 am
Features a special sermon for the entire family
by Fr. Hovel
Service followed by complimentary lunch
Provided by Parish Council
Wartkes Hagopian, Charlie Kezerian, Zaven
Kanneian and Anto Cingoz join Fr. Mikael Kyeregyan
after church on Sunday, July, 21. Fr. Mikael celebrated
Divine Liturgy at St. Vartan on July 21 and August 4.
Thank You
St. Vartan Church would like to
thank Dn. Vartan Berberian and
Dn. Chris Yaldezian, who led our
church services while Fr. Hovel
was on vacation.
We appreciate all our deacons
and acolytes for all their service to
God and our church throughout the
year.
St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations:
In Honor of Mike & Virginia Madajian’s 60th Wedding Anniversary to Choir Fund—Lori and Andy Hill
Education Fund—Anonymous
Bazaar
Leg of lamb—June E. Demerdjian, Arto & Nadya
Yagjian, David & Nairy Colello, Richard & Cynthia
In Memory
Nikssarian, Archie & Joyce Kamian, Vahe & Hilda Mener,
† Margaret Sherinian
Kathleen Demerdjian, Hagop & Georgette Derghazarian
June E. Demerdjian, Craig & Suzie Bazigian
Case of Tan—David & Nairy Colello
† George Rustigian
Game Booth—David & Nairy Colello
Louise & Steven Noroian
Miscellaneous—Nejdeh Shahbazian
† Armen Boyd
Case of Wine—Richard & JoAnne Koobatian
June E. Demerdjian
Tent—Paul & Ani Bazigian
News From Our St. Vartan Family
Birth Announcement
Aurelia Sophie Jensen was born on June 30, 2013 in Reno, Nevada to Christina Henesian and Erik
Jensen. Her grandparents are Mark and Maida Henesian of St. Vartan Church and great-grandparents are Aram
and Ronnie Henesian of St. Andrew Armenian Church, Cupertino, CA
Wedding
On July 20, 2013 Matthew Edward Vasgerdsian and Kimberly Ann Craig were joined in Holy
Matrimony by Fr. Vartan Kasparian. Matthew is the son of Edward and Suzanne Vasgerdsian and grandson of
Diana Toomajian. The bride’s parents are Francis and Nancy Leidenfrost.
On August 17, 2013 Fr. Hovel performed the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony for Lorena Michelle
Ojakian and Shaunt Joseph Azizian at St. Vartan Church. The bride's parents are Ronald and Elizabeth
Ojakian. Parents of the groom are Ara and Angel Azizian. Herant Azizian served as best man and Tiana Santos
was the maid of honor.
Congratulations Chaz and Chuck
Charles Leonard IV (Chaz), age 9, grandson of Sonia Chilingarian, has been studying
Kajukenbo in Vallejo, California with Grandmaster Woody Sims of Sims Kajukenbo for just
over 2 1/2 years. Chuck Leonard III, father of Chaz, has been studying with the same instructor off and on for over 27 years.
In Chaz’s short time he has excelled. Chaz is currently a purple-white belt with two
black tips. Chaz was encouraged to compete in tournaments after only three months of training and did really well. Chaz took a first place trophy in sparring for his age and belt group at
the time and was hooked from that day on.
Chaz and Chuck compete regularly in various California tournaments. Chaz competes
in the 8-9 year old Intermediate Division, while Chuck competes in 18-39 year old Brown
Belt and Below Divisions. On Feb. 16, 2013 Chuck and Chaz competed in a Golden State Karate Tournament in Antelope, CA where Chas took second place in Kajkengo Forms and first
place in sparring; and Chuck took first place in both Kajukenbo Forms and Traditional Okinawian/Japanese Forms.
Voice Newsletter
Deadline
September 15, 2013
St. Vartan Church’s Lost and Found includes a brass-colored
ring and a silver men’s watch. If either of these items are
yours, please contact the church office at 510-893-1671. Other
lost and found items include sweaters, jackets, and umbrellas.
Calling all parishioners Our annual bazaar is rapidly approaching. Staffing help is needed in the following key areas. If you
would like to help out, please contact one of the following committee members or bazaar co-chairmen, Zaven
Kanneian or Harout Hagopian:
Setup/Takedown - Zaven Kanneian
Grandma's Attic - Lida Mazmanian
Door/Admission Booth - Don Manoogian
Bar - Sevag Kevranian
Raffle - Jim Taylor or Kim Bardakian
Cashier at Food Line - Greg Mazmanian
Food Line Serving - Patti Rosenthal
Games Prize Booth - Marie Hagopian
BBQ - Bob Kezerian
Hye Cafe - Hasmig Cingoz
Dessert Booth - Janet Yeghissian
Games - Sevan or Tanya Jindoian
Khanoot - Arlene Hovsepian, Nora Hanoian or Suzanne Abnous
You can also contact Rachel in the church office, and she will get your name to the right person.
BAZAAR ALERT!
Bazaar Donation Requests
Items
Requested
Leg of Lamb
Tent
Admission Booth
Newspaper Advertising
Case of Wine
Case of Armenian Tan
Game Booths
Case of Armenian Beer
Armenian Coffee
Program Guide
Number
of donors
100
12
1
4
10
2
5
12
2
5
Item
Cost
$40
$250
$250
$100
$50
$50
$50
$30
$30
$25
Donations
Received
46
12
1
2
5
1
1
7
2
5
Still
needed
54
0
0
2
5
1
4
5
0
0
Bazaar Food Servers Needed
If you are at least 16 years old and interested in helping us serve at
this year’s Annual Bazaar, October 5-6, please contact Patti Kezerian
Rosenthal at 415-613-9363 or pattipie60@ yahoo.com. Please specify
which day you prefer to work.
Bazaar Envelope Stuffing Party
August 29, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Church Hall
Join us as we prepare the bazaar mailing,
which we send to almost 4,000 households.
This is a fun night of work and fellowship. We
want to have enough pizza and beverages for
everybody so please RSVP to either Kim
Bardakian (kbardakian @yahoo.com) or Jim
Taylor (jtaylor@globeplbg.com) Dinner will
be provided.
Grandma's Attic is back from
retirement!
Grandma’s Attic needs your
gently used household items, glassware, pottery, china, pictures, rugs,
furniture (small pieces only), toys,
jewelry, books, CDs, misc., etc. So,
almost anything!
Please NO computers, monitors,
printers, TVs, or broken or nonworking items, clothing or shoes.
Donations can be dropped off at
church Monday through Friday
between 9:30 am and 1 pm or any
Sunday after Church Services. For
large donations pick-up service can
be arranged. If you have any questions, please call Lida Mazmanian
at 925-254-9021 or the church office at 510-893-1671.
Thank you for your donations.
2013 Bazaar Workdays
Thursday, Sept. 12
Sunday, Sept. 8
Saturday, Sept. 14
Saturday, Sept. 28
Luleh Kebab
Meat Beoreg
Imam Bayildi
Imam Bayildi
9:30 am
1-3:30 pm
9 am-2 pm
9 am-2 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Thursday, Oct. 3
Roll Sarma
Plate & Box Sarma,
Prepare Shish Kebab,
Box Boorma,
Peel/Chop Vegetables
Misc. Food Prep
9 am
9 am
Friday, Oct. 4
9 am-evening
9 am-1 pm
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 4 & 5 BAZAAR
Fr. Hovel Visits with Orphans and Priest in Armenia
While in Armenia, Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit visited the orphanage in
Yerevan, House of Hope-Mer Hooys, which St. Vartan Church supports with
the Orphan Fund.
Mer Hooys offers young women from state-run orphanages, ages 13-18,
a clean, safe home, family environment, language and job skills training, computer instruction, college preparation and education, religious foundation, life
skills training, psychological support
and counseling, and hope, confidence
and love. Without support these girls
are at risk for homelessness, prostitution, human trafficking and domestic violence after they turn eighteen and no longer qualify to
live in their state-funded orphanage homes. House of Hope works in
close partnership with the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church
of North America and the Mother Church in Etchmiadzin.
While in Armenia Fr. Hovel was visited by Rev. Fr. Raphael
Khachikyan, parish priest of St. Vartan’s sister church in Armenia,
St. Marianne.
Bazaar Dessert Booth
We are seeking donations for the Dessert Booth at the Bazaar, which will be held this year on Friday
October 4, and Saturday, October 5, 2013. The Dessert Booth relies on donations from Sunday School families and other parishioners to make it a success. The Sunday School will gladly accept donations of Armenian
delicacies, such as paklava, bourma, kadayif, choreg, or any other specialty you would like to share. The more
donations we receive, the more we will be able to help the church, so please support our church by contributing your specialty to the Dessert Booth this year!
A special note for those of you who are unable to attend the scheduled cooking days for the bazaar—
please know that you can still use your cooking skills to help the church by baking at home and providing a
favorite dessert for the Dessert Booth.
Please drop off your dessert at the Dessert Booth on Thursday or Friday before the Bazaar officially
commences or at any time during the event. Please consider working a shift or two in the Dessert and Drink
Booth, as well.
The dessert crew will be getting together in late
August and September to make Khadaif and . . . If you
are able to help, please contact me so I can fill you in after the dates have been finalized.
Feel free to contact me with questions or recipe
ideas.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Janet Yeghissian
jhyeg@sbcglobal.net, (510) 528-1807
Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Khachveratz)
In the Armenian Church there are five great annual feasts which are called Daghavars. They are:
Christmas, Easter, Transfiguration or (Vartavar), Assumption of Saint Mary, and Elevation of the Holy Cross.
The Feast of the Elevation of the Holy Cross is the last one of these five Daghavars. This Feast commemorates
the emancipation of the Cross of Christ from Persia and elevation of it on the Calvary in Jerusalem. The story
of this event is as follows:
When the Persian King, King Khosrov, occupied Jerusalem in 610 (AD.), he carried also the Cross of
Christ with him to Persia as a bondage in order to insult the Christian community.
In 628 (A. D.) Emperor Heracles of Constantinople conquered Persia and emancipated the Cross of Christ from the bondage and brought it back to Jerusalem. The
Armenian people also have their own share in this event. When the Cross was
emancipated from Persia, it was brought first to Garin (a city in Armenia), and it
was carried through Armenia into Constantinople and then to Jerusalem. One
mountain top of Garin is called Khachapayd (the wood of the Holy Cross). When
the Cross was carried from Persia to Jerusalem, the carriers passed through a road
on this mountain. This is the reason why this mountain top is called the Khachapayd. Also, for the same reason an Armenian convent near the City of Garin is
called Khachga Vank (the Convent of the Cross).
Patriarch Zakariah of Jerusalem decorated the Cross with roses and flowers
and erected it on the Hill of Calvary. On this occasion the Church of Jerusalem celebrated the emancipation of
the Cross of Christ with great honor and much enthusiasm in order to inspire the people with the spiritual
meaning of the Cross. To date, the Armenian Apostolic Church, on that feast day decorates the crosses with
fragrant basil (Rehan) and distributes some to the believers after church.
According Armenian oral tradition, when the emancipated cross was being returned to Constantinople
through Armenia, Armenians welcomed the cross with bunches of basil. On that Sunday the liturgy is marked
with an antasdan service (blessing of the fields) during which the processional cross is adorned with basil (a
symbol of royalty) and the four corners of the church are blessed as a sign of the sanctification of the world.
The aromatic herb basil has long been associated with the Holy Cross. Etymologically, it is related to basileios,
the Greek word for king. According to a pious legend, the Empress Saint Helena found the location of the True
Cross by digging for it under a colony of basil. Basil plants were reputed to have sprung up at the foot of the
Cross where fell the Precious Blood of Christ and the tears of the Mother of Sorrows. A sprig of basil was said
to have been found growing from the wood of the True Cross.
The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross on September 14th,
whether that day falls on one of the weekdays or Sunday. The Armenian Church celebrates it on the Sunday
nearest to September 15th.
Fr. Hovel Delivers Ancient Church Treasures to Holy Etchmiadzin
During his trip to Armenian Fr. Hovel visited the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin where he was honored to present His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians with three church manuscripts. The rare
manuscripts were donated to the Church by Richard, Judy and
Steven Sharafian.
The manuscripts, a 17th century Bible, a 15th century service book and 13th century hymnal were rescued from St. Garabed
Monastery in Moosh, Armenia (now Turkey) during the 1915 Armenian Genocide by Alexan Movsessian. They passed for safekeeping into the hands of Barsam Movsessian, who originally took
the books to Persia, and eventually Oakland, California. Christine
Movsessian, Barsam’s daughter protected the books until she
passed away in 2002, and they were given to her cousin Steven
Sharafian and the Sharafian family. The Movsessian family wanted these valuable church relics to be reunited with the Church.
Author-Photographer to Present Armenia and Karabakh: The Stone
Garden Travel Guide at St. Vartan on October 20
Author-Photographer Matthew Karanian will present a photographic slide show and author talk about
his latest book, Armenia and Karabakh: The Stone Garden Travel Guide, at 12:30 pm on Sunday, October 20,
2013, at St. Vartan Armenian Church.
The presentation will feature a slide show of stunning photography from Armenia and Artsakh. Karanian will tell the story of how he and co-author Robert Kurkjian created Armenia’s first travel guide more
than a decade ago, and how that guide has grown and evolved through three editions to become the awardwinning book that was recently released.
Karanian says they created the book to introduce Armenia to Armenians and non-Armenians alike who
might otherwise not be familiar with the country or who might be intimidated about traveling to such a distant
and unfamiliar land.
“The beauty of Armenia never ceases to amaze me,” Karanian says. “I want to do what I can to help
share it with as many people as possible.”
This latest book was released earlier this year, and was featured in an April
28 story in the Los Angeles Times, which
included an interview with Karanian. The
Times tells the story of how Karanian had a
“wild idea” to travel to Armenia in 1995,
and described the book that ultimately resulted as “a fresh view on ancient Armenia.”
This book Armenia and Karabakh:
The Stone Garden Travel Guide is a comprehensive 320-page guide book, and features 150 color photographs and 30 detailed color maps. It is now the top-selling
Armenia title in bookstores and on Amazon.com. Further details are available
online at www.ArmeniaTravelGuide.com.
Admission to the event is $15,
which includes lunch, and the public is invited. Karanian will be available to sign
copies of the book following the event. St.
Vartan Church is located at 650 Spruce
Street in Oakland, Calif.
Thank you
We would like to thank Ellen
Sarkisian Chesnut for donating books to
our St. Vartan Library. These books, as
well as hundred more, are available for
our parishioners to check out. The library
is located downstairs in the Church Hall.
We also want to express our appreciation to Barsamian Brothers, CMC
Farms, Dn. Vartan Berberian, and Dn.
Zarik Savadians who donated grapes for
the Grape Blessing Service August 18.
St. Vartan Church Picnic
Sunday, August 11, 2013
St. Vartan Armenian Church
September 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Morning Service
10 am
Divine Liturgy
10:30 am
8
Labor Day
9
16
22
29
Morning Service 10
am Divine Liturgy
& Sunday School
10:30 am
Armenian History
Slide Presentation
& Lunch noon
17
AIWA Event
Church Hall 5 pm
11
12
13
14
Parish Council
Meeting 6:30 pm
Bazaar Workday
Luleh Kebob
9:30 am
18
19
20
21
25
26
27
28
Bazaar Workday
Imam Bayaldi
9 am
Armenian
Language Class
7 pm
Morning Service
10 am
Divine Liturgy &
First Day of
Sunday School
10:30 am
Exaltation of
Holy Cross
Morning Service
10 am
Divine Liturgy &
Sunday School
10:30 am
Autumn Begins
10
Armenian
Language Class
7 pm
Morning Service
10 am
Divine Liturgy
10:30 am
Bazaar Workday
Meat Boereg 1 pm
15
Armenian
Language Class
7 pm
23
24
Armenian
Language Class
7 pm
30
Welcome Back to Sunday School!
The first day of St. Vartan Sunday school will be September 15, 2013.
This is also the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, one of our
church’s feast days. Our teachers are getting ready to see you. We will also have a
new curriculum this year from the Diocese. We are looking forward to see our
students from last year and to welcome any new families and new students to our
Sunday School.
Bazaar Workday
Imam Bayaldi
9 am
St. Vartan Cultural Committee
Brings Back by Popular Demand
ARMENIAN HISTORY IN JERUSALEM
Part II
A Slide Presentation by Don Schmidt
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
12 Noon
ST. VARTAN CHURCH HALL
650 Spruce St., Oakland, CA 94610
$15.00 Admission Includes Lunch
For More Information:
Liz Ojakian 510-351-6754 / lizojakian@yahoo.com
Zaven Kanneian 510-528-1807 / zavenk2@gmail.com
Save the Date
Family Worship Day
October 13, 2013
Special Sermon & Complimentary Lunch
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: Don Manoogian
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
Church Maintenance: Jim Taylor, Zaven Kannaian and 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.