June 2011 - St. Vartan Armenian Church

Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan
“Not only He, but you also…”
(Beginning in the May Newsletter)
Bible Readings
June 5
June 12
June 19
June 26
John 12:12-23
John 14:25-31
Luke 4:25-30
John 10:22-30
And because you are
sons, God has sent forth
the Spirit of His Son into
your hearts crying out,
"Abba, Father!" Therefore
you are no longer a slave
but a son, and if a son,
then an heir of God
through Christ.
—Galatians 4:4-7
June, 2011
However, not only the followers of Christ suffered with Him, but also
those who put Him to suffer, who took the action in His suffering and death. It is
interesting that the same Judas Iscariot, who betrayed our Lord, also suffered by
hanging himself. The same Pilate, who gave his agreement for the crucifixion,
with his wife together suffered also: “For he knew that it was out of envy that
they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his
wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have
suffered much over him today in a dream” (Matt. 27:18:26). There was a universal problem; even nature suffered with its Creator, even nature didn't want His
death: “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; the tombs also were opened,
and many bodies of the saints, who had fallen asleep were raised... It was now
about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth
hour, while the sun's light failed…” (Matt. 27:51-52, Luke 23:44-45). The earth
and the entire world became still and frightened, and there was a great silence,
because "...God fell asleep…”
Thus, the reality is this: if one of the parts in the argument or in the war
weakens, the opponent, or the enemy, takes dominion and becomes stronger.
Which would mean that when our Lord suffered and was crucified (and with Him
all creation and believers), our enemy, Satan, became strong and dominant. As
such, through our weak and fallen nature, our feelings, our emotions are so disturbed that sometimes we forget that God’s suffering and death are victorious and
life-giving. We often forget that Jesus hangs on the cross willingly to conquer the
death through His own death and most importantly we forget that because of His
death, Satan, our enemy, also suffered and that the doors of Hades were destroyed. That is the reason this series of sermon is entitled "Not only He, but you
also,” showing and emphasizing the reality that not only our Lord and His followers suffered and are suffering still, but that Satan, the greatest enemy of God
and His creation also suffers, and suffers more than us.
The same idea is beautifully expressed in many of the hymns of St. Romanos the Melodist. In his hymn, “On the Crucifixion”, the devil is in a panic;
he is in trouble and doesn't know what to do? He runs to his friends and, remembering a few of Jesus’ miracles, asks for ideas and suggestions from them: "...The
devil suffered, was wounded; And as one in danger, he lamented and cried to his
friends: ‘What shall I do to the Son of Mary? The man from Bethlehem is killing
me, He who is everywhere and fills all things. The whole world is filled with His
healings; But I suffer within ...Then, friends of the storm, enemies of calm, What do you advise me to do this
man?...For indeed I am frustrated, I am ruined; I have no plan, for I am without power, I am panicstricken…’” These wonderful words of St. Romanos show that the enemy of humanity also suffers, and the
"Prince of This World” is powerless and his “kingdom” is destroyed. He has no idea what to do, he has no
power to stop Him, he is totally lost. In all his confusion, first, the devils give response to his lamentation, encouraging him to stay with Cain's group and never give up. The devils, trying to calm him by mentioning that
now he can find many other murderers in the world like Cain; priests, scribes, Judas, Caiaphas, Herod and Pilate, that will serve him as “former servants” and, by using them as tools, he can reach his goal. This gives us
an idea and a warning that each time we commit a sin, we become the servants and the tools for the evil one.
Willingly or unwillingly we are helping him to fulfill his dream, to destroy God’s creation and to have a dominion over it.
(To be continued)
St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations:
Easter Yughakin
Mary Arkelian
Suzanne and Razmik Abnous
Araks Aghazarian
Siranouche Apelian & Chuck Dana
Lou Aronian
Vartkes & Kerrie Avakian
Annie Avedissian
Arshak & Safinar Azizian
Aris & Sonia Balian
Kimberly Bardakian
Thomas Bardakian
Pete & Pat Barsamian
Vartan Ayko Berberian
Kegham & Roxanne Boghossian
Barbara & Jack Bousian
Clara Bousian
June & Satyabrata Chatterjee
Adrena Clemmer
Suren & Sona Dakessian
Kathleen Demerdjian
Brian & Cynthia Der Matoian
Berge & Sara DerMatoian
Jack & Lucille Dolab
Dana & Seza Dominguez
Margie Dorian
Jack & Karen Dorian
Dickie and Seno Garabedian
Herb & Alice Gardner
Rosalie Gifford
Joanne Hagopian & John Eknoian
Wartkes Hagopian
Nora & Harvey Hanoian
Aram & H. Ronnie Henesian
Andy & Lori Hill
Louise Jorjorian
Richard & Carole Jouroyan
Robert Kachadorian
Mabel Kakligian
Ron Kallan
Zephyr Kalunian
Harry & Joyce Kamian
Harvey & Janet Kamian
Nelly & Arka Kargodorian
Patricia Keadjian
Charles & Dorris Kezerian
Alice Koenig
Hagop & Sona Koujakian
Robert & Lucine Kroeckel
Isabelle Magarian
Don & Lisa Manoogian
Alice Marashian
Mark Markarian
Charlotte Masgalajian
Jeffrey Masoian
Joseph Matossian
Virginia Mazmanian
Emma & Lida Mazmanian
Marian Mickaels
Karnig & Silva Mikaelian
Bill and Beverly Nalbandian
Antica Odabashian
Albert Odabashian
Elizabeth & Ron Ojakian
Andy & Cheryl Papazian
Helen Piperis
Virginia Ratcliff
Lynn B. Ross
Alene Rudy
Carol & George Rustigian
Edward & Karen Sarafian
Stephen Saroyan
Richard & Judy Sharafian
Margaret Sobajian
Krikor & Caline Soghikian
Francis Stevens
Roger & Julie (Kulhanjian) Strauch
Fouad Tabsharani
Isabelle Tajirian
Frederick Tajirian
Charles & Mary Tateosian
Hagop Tatoian
Annabelle Taylor
Diana Toomajian
Evelyn Tregoning
Lucy Tulanian
Suzanne and Ed Vasgerdsian
Harry and Elizabeth Walton
Mary Wiley
Chris & Lucy Yaldezian
Norma Yaglijian
Zaven Kanneian & Janet Yeghissian
Dr. Edward & Sylva Manougian
Amy & Vernon Hailozian
Milk Fund in Honor of Armine Ozan 90th birthday—Georgette DerGhazarian, Hermine Kouyoumdjian,
Aylin Gulbenkian, Hike Kellejian,
The Voice Newsletter—Elmer & Gloria Kaprielian
In Honor of Ralph and Elise Kazanjian’s 50th Wedding Anniversary—Vartan and Arlene Hovsepian
Choir Robe Fund in Honor of Beverly & Bill Nalbandian for their years of service in the choir—Marie
Hagopian
ENDOWMENT FUND
In Memory
† Florence Garabedian
Alice Sarafian, Joseph & Anne Keshishian,
Kip & Caro Garabedian, Grace Izmirian, Pete
& Pat Barsamian, Albert & Mae Kaljian,
Marian Mickaels, Thomas & Linda Pellario,
Norma Yaglijian
† Mary Paroonagian
Marian Mickaels, Norma Yaglijian
† Louis Rodrigues
Diana Toomajian, Ed & Suzanne Vasgerdsian
† Masis Gozurian
Lida Alexanian
†Harry Keshishian
Joseph & Ann Keshishian, Albert
& Mae Kaljian
† Harry Shahinian
Armen & Evelyn Boyd
We are on the web:
www.stvartanoakland.org
In Memory
† Florence Garabedian
Harvey & Nora Hanoian (Building Fund), Virginia
Ratcliff (Ladies Society), Lucy Tulanian
† Mary Paroonagian
Harvey & Nora Hanoian (Building Fund), Jack &
Lucille Dolab, Virginia Ratcliff (Ladies Society), Lucy
Tulanian
† Masis Gozurian
Lucy Tulanian
† Joseph Marashian (one year anniversary)
Alice Marashian
News From Our St. Vartan Family
Baptism
On May 1, 2011 Fr. Hovel Ohanyan conducted baptismal ceremonies for Liana Marie Ring, daughter
of William Ring and Maida Soghikian. Shahan Derek Soghikian served as godfather. The proud grandparents
of Liana are Dr. Krikor Soghikian, Elisabeth Bicknell, Leon and Kathleen Ring.
Soliana Aberhat Mesfen was baptized by Fr. Hovel Ohanyan at St. Vartan Church on May 7, 2011.
Soiana’s parents are Beniam Mesfen and Yodit Sebihatu. Her godfather is Benyam A. Tsige.
Marriage
On May 13, 2011 Fr. Hovel performed the sacrament of marriage for Lesha Roth and Brian
Sharafian. Lesha is the daughter of Duane and Nancy Roth, and Brian is the son of Richard and Judy
Sharafian. Ben and Nathan Sharafian was the groom’s best man, and Auden Roth-Hinton served as maid of
honor for the bride.
Betiel Ghebremariam and Nathnael Mael were married at St. Vartan Armenian Church on May 5,
2011. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan performed the ceremony.
Mother’s Day Luncheon
The St. Vartan Church Ladies
Society hosted a delicious Mother’s
Day Luncheon on May 5. After enjoying Argentinean beef salad,
cheese beoreg and amaretto cake,
everyone was entertained by the
amazing footwork of Tango and
More Argentine Dance, and a large
variety of prizes were raffled.
Congratulations Graduates!
Daniel Madajian Hill will graduate Magna Cum Laude from UC San Diego on June 11
with degrees in Economics and Political Science, and a minor in Accounting. Daniel is
the son of Andy and Lori Hill, and the grandson of Mike and Virginia Madajian.
Juliana Rose Combs is graduating from San Marin High School in Novato, CA. She will be
attending UC Merced in the fall with an undeclared major in the School of Social Sciences,
Humanities and Arts. Juliana is the daughter of Diane and Mark Combs, and the granddaughter of Al and Mae Kaljian.
Lundin Cahill graduated from the University of Nevada Reno on Saturday, May 14, with a
Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Computer Security.
Potts Cahill graduated from Kaplan University on February 22, 2011, with a Master of Science in Higher
Education.
Edward Michael Belfanti Jr. graduated with Honors and was awarded the degree of Bachelor
of Arts in Mathematics from Boston University, Boston, MA. Michael is the recipient of the
Paul J. Sally Jr. Distinguished Alumnus Prize in Mathematics, and has been elected to the
Boston College Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He will be attending the Ohio State University
this fall, starting the Ph.D. program in Mathematics. Michael is the grandson of Harold and
Bonnie Koojoolian, and the son of Ed and Teresa Belfanti of Plymouth, Minnesota.
Stephanie Dominguez received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from
Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. Stephanie is the daughter of Dana and Seza
Dominguez and the granddaughter of ‘Medzmama’ Lena Avakian.
Gayane Kanneian, daughter of Janet Yeghissian and Zaven Kanneian, is
graduating from Albany High School in June. She will be attending the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington in the fall. Gayanne has participated in Albany High choir for most of her high school years, and was Editor-in-Chief of the high
school’s yearbook for 2011. As a member of St. Vartan Church, she has attended Sunday
school regularly, been active in the ACYO, and a member of the St. Vartan Dance Ensemble
for several years. Her family is proud of her accomplishments.
Alicia Harger, daughter of Rachel and Steve Harger, will graduate from Castro Valley High
School on June 16, 2011. Alicia will be attending Concordia University in Irvine, CA this fall
as a Presidential Honors Scholar and plans to major in behavioral science.
Arek Boloyan, son of Mike and Heghine Boloyan will graduate from El Cerrito High School on June 9 with a
grade point average above 4.0. Arek was accepted into the Engineering Program at CalPoly San Luis Obispo
for the fall semester.
Madeline Michael Sharafian, daughter of Steven and Lisa Sharafian, granddaughter of Richard and Judy Sharafian and David Millpointer, will graduate from Acalanes High School in
Lafayette, California on June 10, 2011. After graduation Madeline will attend the California
Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA (CalArts). She was accepted into the Character Animation
program in the School of Film/Video.
Letters to St. Vartan Church
Dear Leaders of St. Vartan,
We wanted to let you know how happy we were to attend your Easter services this Sunday.
Although we are members of St. Andrew, we were in your area for a family dinner. The community
spirit was obvious to us. But the choir and especially the violin music made us feel like we were at a prayerful
concert.
Thank you for all your efforts, they were much appreciated by all of our family!
Sincerely,
Reuben and Vera Sarkissian
Enclosed please find a check for The Voice newsletter, which I enjoy very much. I feel St. Vartan my
home church. Now I am at St. Apkar in Scottsdale, but my heart is still in Oakland,
Thank you for sending it to me. Good luck with all your doings.
Love,
Alice Koenig
St. Vartan Basketball Team Update
The St. Vartan Church High School Basketball team finished the season with a five win, two loss record in the Orthodox Youth Athletic Association (OYAA) which qualified the team for the play-offs the weekend of May 20-21.
Tuesday May 10 was our final game of the regular season, and what a game it was. The team traveled
to San Jose for a 7 pm game against St. Nicholas Greek Church, a perennial powerhouse in their own right.
The game started out as most games
do, with the teams going back and
forth, trying to establish themselves.
Midway through the first half we
pulled away with a 16-point lead,
but saw it diminish to a 29-24 lead at
halftime. In the second half we again
pulled away, scoring 22 to their 11
points in a hard-fought 20 minutes to
finish with a 51-35 win. The boys
deserve a big congratulations, because we lost to this same team by
one point last year in a play-off
game.
The boys had a great season
and are now getting ready for the
The 2011 St. Vartan High School Boys Basketball team inACYO tournament in Fresno and for
cludes: Michael Avanesyan, Mazi Amiri, Arek Boloyan, Daron
the Summer Games in June.
Boloyan, Sevag Jamgotchian, Connor King and Armen Minassian, with
--Mike Boloyan
coach Mike Boloyan, Fr. Hovel and Richard Demirjian.
Athletic Committee Chair
His Holiness KAREKIN II
Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians
His Holiness KAREKIN II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, was born in the village Voskehat,
near Etchmiadzin, in 1951, and was given the baptismal name Ktrij.
He received his elementary education in his native village, subsequent to which, in 1965, he was admitted to the
Kevorkian Theological Academy in Holy Etchmiadzin, where he graduated with distinction. Upon graduation he taught New Testament Studies and was an assistant at the
seminary. Having been ordained a deacon before his graduation, he was ordained a
celibate priest in 1972 and was given the name Karekin.
Following his ordination to the Holy Priesthood, the late Catholicos Vazken I,
of blessed memory, arranged for the young priest to pursue higher religious education
at the local faculty of divinity in Vienna, Austria. In 1975, the future Catholicos served
at the Church in Germany as a pastor, while continuing his theological studies at the
University of Bonn. After four years in Germany, he returned to the Holy See, and was
sent by Catholicos Vazken to Zagorsk, Russia, to pursue his studies at the doctoral faculty of St. Serguey Monastery’s Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Following his studies in Russia, His Holiness was appointed to be the assistant
to the Vicar General of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese in 1980. In April 1983, he
became the Vicar General of the same diocese. In October of the same year, he was
ordained a Bishop and in 1992, he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop. In 1990, he
was a candidate to the Armenian legislature.
In 1989, Bishop Karekin Nersissian created the Vazkenian Seminary in Sevan to educate young men in religious studies, completing a five-year course prior to the entrance to the Theological Academy at Holy Etchmiadzin, where they would
study for one additional year. Additionally, through his efforts, the former Communist Pioneer Palaces were converted into
church-sponsored youth centers for religious and artistic education of young men and women. In 1990, His Holiness created
the Christian Education Center, which organized Christian education courses in 56 public and Sunday schools throughout the
Diocese. In 1995, Archbishop Karekin Nersissian was a prime candidate in the Catholicossal Elections, but he withdrew his
candidacy in favor of Catholicos Karekin I, of blessed memory. In 1998, the late Catholicos appointed him as Catholicossal
Vicar General. Since 1990 he was a member of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Catholicosate of All Armenians. On October 27, 1999, as a result of the closed secret ballot election held in the Cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,
Archbishop Karekin Nersissian was elected the 132nd Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and was consecrated on November 4, 1999.
Since his election, His Holiness has begun the difficult work of the restructuring and reorganization of internal church
life, the revitalization of the theological seminaries of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, strengthening Christian education,
and the reconstruction of churches and monasteries. Special emphasis has been placed on the preparation of a new generation
of clergy to serve Armenian faithful throughout the world. During the first year of his pontificate, His Holiness founded the
Theological-Armenological Center, named after His Holiness Karekin I, of blessed memory. It is currently housed in the Alex
and Marie Manoogian Treasury-Museum of the Mother See. Clergy, intellectuals and artists have the opportunity to make use
of the rich literary resources of the center. Shortly following his enthronement, His Holiness made his first pilgrimage to Jerusalem to visit the Holy Shrines, Churches and places. During his stay, he presided over the Christmas celebrations in the Holy
City.
His Holiness has paid pontifical visits to the Dioceses of the Armenian Church of Shirak and Artsakh (July and September 2000), Western and Eastern Dioceses of the USA, Diocese of Canada (May
2001). During the pontifical visit to North America His Holiness presided over the diocesan festivities, dedicated to the 1700th Anniversary of Proclamation of Christianity
as the National Religion of Armenia. During that period His Holiness had meetings with
His Excellency George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, and Mr.
Kofi Anan, Secretary-General of the United Nations. His Holiness was officially received in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate during his
visit. To honor the 1700th Anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity, and to
welcome His Holiness Karekin II to the United States, the House of Representatives
passed a resolution (with the Senate concurring) on May 23, 2001. His Holiness has
paid pontifical visits also to Austria (November 2001) and France (Dec. 2001). During
the pontifical visit to France His Holiness had a meeting with His Excellency Jacques
Chirac, President of France.
Placing importance on the fostering of ecumenical ties, His Holiness has paid
visits to the sister churches and their heads, among them – the Russian Orthodox
Church and her leader, His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; the
Georgian Orthodox Church and her leader, His Holiness Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia; the Romanian Orthodox
Church and her leader, His Holiness Patriarch Teoctist; the Coptic Orthodox Church and her leader, His Holiness Pope
Shenouda III; His Holiness Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church; the Roman Catholic
Church and her leader, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, and His Holiness Patriarch Maxim, Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox
Church.
On the occasion of the Armenian Pontiff’s visit to the Vatican (November 2000) during the solemn ecumenical celebration, Pope John Paul II returned to His Holiness Karekin II the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of
the Armenian Church. The Armenian Pontiff and the Pope have signed a joint communiqué, in which the massacres of Armenians by the Turkish state and authorities in the early part of the 20th Century are characterized as genocide.
Among the representatives and heads of other religions, His Holiness has had meetings with Sheikh Tantawi of Al
Azhar, Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt; and Sheikh Ul-Islam Allah-Shukur Pashazade, the Spiritual Leader of Moslems
of the Caucasus. During the meeting of His Holiness Karekin II and Allah-Shukur Pashazade, (November 2000) held by the
mediation of His Holiness Alexy II, a joint communiqué has been signed in favor of the peaceful resolution of the ArmenianAzerbaijani conflict.
In August 2000, His Holiness participated in the "Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders," held
at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. He delivered an address to the assembly entitled “Towards Forgiveness
and Reconciliation”.
Numerous newly built churches have been consecrated, foundations of new churches have been blessed, and reconstruction of historic monasteries and monastic complexes has been completed during the leadership of His Holiness. Among
them are the Church of Holy Resurrection in Spitak; the Church of St. Sarkis in Nork District, Yerevan; the Church of St.
Trdat in Vayk; the Church of St. Sarkis in Tashir; the Church of St. Anna in Malishka; the Chapel of St. Mary in Aghavnadzor; the Church of Holy Savior in Charentsavan; the Church of St. Gregory of Narek in Alaverdi; the Church of St. Mesrob
Mashtots in Kapan; the Church of St. Mary in Arinj; the Church of St. James (Hakop) in Gyumri; the bell tower of the diocesan headquarters Church of St. Sarkis in Yerevan; the Church of Holy Resurrection in Dvin; the Church of St. Katharine in St.
Petersburg; the Church of St. George in Mughni; the Monastic Complex of Saghmosavank (Monastery of Psalms); the Monastic Complex of Kecharis in Tsaghkadzor; the Church of St. Yeghishe in London; the Church of the Holy Cross in Aparan and
the Monastic Complex of the village Marmashen. A new open-air altar bearing the name of the Armenian King Tiridat III and
near it the new entrance to the Mother See bearing the name St. Gregory the Illuminator, were built on the grounds of the
Mother See in celebration of 1700 Anniversary of the Proclamation of Christianity as the Official Religion of Armenia.
In September 23, 2002, His Holiness presided during the consecration ceremonies for the St. Gregory the Illuminator
Mother Cathedral built in Yerevan on the occasion of the 1700th Anniversary of the Great Conversion of the Armenians. The
Cathedral, which bears the stamp of three Armenian Pontiffs, is the largest Armenian Church in the world, dedicated to the
memory of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, and a gift to the over 1 million people of the capital city of Yerevan. Also, in September 2001, the activities surrounding the 1,700th Anniversary reached their peak when His Holiness blessed the Holy Chrism
for the entire Armenian Church, which is used to consecrate churches, baptize infants, and ordain priests.
During the 1,700th Jubilee Year, one of the most important events was His Holiness’ pilgrimage to Der Zor, Syria, in
April 2001. It was in this desert where countless numbers of Armenians perished as they were exiled out of the historic homeland during the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, Commemoration Day for the victims of the Armenian Genocide, His Holiness celebrated a solemn Divine Liturgy in the Church of Holy Martyrs.
In July 2001, His Holiness called upon Armenian youth from throughout the world to unite together in Holy Etchmiadzin for a Youth Pilgrimage. Over 2,000 young men and women from within Armenia and the Diaspora participated in this
historic event. Also in September, His Holiness was host to countless leaders of Christian Churches, who came to participate
in the 1700th Anniversary activities. Among those who visited were His Holiness Baselios Mar Thomas Mathews II, Catholics
of the East, Catholicos of the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas and Malankara Metropolitan; His Beatitude Petros VII, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa; His Holiness Teoctist I, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church; His Holiness Alexy
II, Head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Patriarch of
the West and Bishop of Rome, Head of the Roman Catholic Church; His All Holiness Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, and Dr. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury and
Head of the Anglican Church.
Among the most important and vital steps taken during the pontificate of
His Holiness is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Holy Armenian Church, in March
2000, which has become the basis of an agreement which clarifies and regulates
the Church-State relationship. Within the framework of a memorandum, a Cooperative Agreement on the spiritual service of the Armenian Church in the National
Army of the Republic of Armenia was signed in September 2000, which established the field of spiritual service in the armed forces. And finally, a historic
agreement between the Armenian Church and the Government of the Republic of
Continued on next page
Armenia was signed in August 2002, stating that Armenian Church History will be taught in all public schools of the Republic.
His Holiness Karekin II is a member of the Board of Trustees of the “Hayastan” All Armenian Fund, and an Honorary
Member of the Board of Directors of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).
His Holiness has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the State University of Artsakh. In September 2000, the
International Academy of Informatization in General Consultative Status with Economic and Social Council of the United Nations bestowed on His Holiness the title of “Active Member” of the above named Academy, and in May 2001, awarded His
Holiness the Title of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). His Holiness has also been awarded the highest Insignia of Jordan
“Bethlehem-2000” (January 2000); as well as the highest National
Insignia of Romania - “Star of Romania” (September 2000); the
Insignia of the Ukraine “Duke Yaroslav the Wise” of 5thdegree
(2001), and the Order of Commander of the Legion of Honor of
France (2001).
Proper Church Service Etiquette
• Please turn off your cell phone in church!
• Please refrain from lighting candles
during the priest’s sermon.
St. Vartan Sunday School students recited the
Lord’s Prayer in Armenian and English during Badarak
to receive their Bibles on Sunday, May 15.
ST VARTAN’S LADIES SOCIETY RUMMAGE SALE
Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24
We are accepting donations to the Rummage Sale.
Call the church office for drop-off times.
We will gladly accept the following items.
Furniture
Kitchen appliances - except for microwaves
Kitchen utensils, including pots and pans
Dishes
Household decorative items- including lamps
Books
Records
CD's
Cameras
Toys
Women's Accessories - belts, purses, jewelry,
watches
We cannot accept the following items:
No baby furniture/equipment including: playpens,
high chairs, Infant car seats, cribs
No electronics – tv’s, stereos, computers, printers
No clothing or shoes
No microwaves
No mattresses, box springs and bed pillows
No batteries or light bulbs
No waterbeds, hide-a-beds
No Venetian blinds or shutters
No gas powered yard tools
Non-working electrical equipment
No pianos & organs
St. Vartan Church Wish List
Thanks to the generous donations of many of our parishioners over the last couple years,
twelve new choir robes were purchased. We are proud of these robes, and proud too that our
choir membership has increased in size! This project is ongoing until we reach the choir’s
goal of twenty robes. The approximate cost of each robe is $150. If you would like to donate towards this goal, please send your donation to our church office and memo it to “Choir
Robes”. If you have questions concerning this project, or if you are a seamstress willing to
assist with this project, please contact the Choir Director Beverly Nalbandian. Thank You.
Mother's Day Coffee Hour
On Sunday May 8, St. Vartan ACYO hosted a delicious
Mother's Day coffee hour in honor of the loving and caring mothers of St. Vartan. The entire congregation enjoyed the coffee hour and
fellowship. A big thank you to Liz
Ojakian and Carol Chang for all of
their efforts surrounding the important coffee hour. ACYO members
also passed out wrapped chocolate
chip cookies with a special message
attached, to all of the mothers at
church on Mother's Day 2011, as a
reminder of how their love makes
the world a sweeter place.
Vicky and Alex Shartzer enjoying
the preparations for the ACYO's
Mother's Day 2011 Coffee Hour.
St. Vartan ACYO Presents the Second Annual Hampartsman Or Celebration
Lunch and Performances
On Sunday, June 5 at 12 noon following church service, St. Vartan ACYO will present the second annual Hampartsman Or celebration event, featuring a light $5.00 lunch and special Armenian cultural performances. St. Vartan youth and adults will perform Armenian songs, dances, and poetry for the congregation,
celebrating the tradition of Hampartsman Or. Capping off the event, fresh hadig will be served and the congregation will have the chance to receive their fortune before the end of the event!
Hampartsman Or is the feast day of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, which has been celebrated
in the Armenian Church. Around the world Armenian communities have customs in which they celebrate this
feast. Traditionally on this day in Armenia, ladies visit seven different houses in the village and gather flowers
as well as water. They add the flowers to the water in the bucket and leave it under the moonlight for the night.
The next day, they go up to the mountains and hills and read the fortunes.
Save the Date
St. Vartan Armenian Church Annual Picnic 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011 • Pleasant Hill Park • 11 am
Luleh kebab or chicken breast, rice palaf, salad, kids meal,
games, fun, prizes.
Join us for church services at the park.
Bazaar Workday Schedule
Wednesday, June 22
Wednesday, June 29
Large Beoreg
Large Beoreg
Tuesday, July 12
Wednesday, July 13
Tuesday, July 19
Wednesday, July 27
Kufta
Kufta
Luleh (for Church Picnic)
Small Beoreg
Wednesday, August 10
Thursday, August 18
Tuesday, August 23
Wednesday, August 24
Luleh
Small Beoreg
Kufta
Kufta
Wednesday, September 14
Small Beoreg
Everyone is welcome; no experience necessary.
Workdays begin at 9:30 am. Please bring a dish to
share for lunch following the workday.
On Holy Thursday, April 21, Fr. Hovel
washed the feet of St. Vartan children, remembering Christ washing his disciples feet.
Food Servers Needed for the Bazaar
If you are at least 16 years old and interested in helping us serve our fabulous delicacies at this year's Annual
Bazaar, October 7-8, please call Sandi Kezerian Capurro at 925-377-5900 or email her at
scapurro@sbcglobal.net. Please specify which day you prefer. Any help is most appreciated!
Thank You!
Sandi Capurro
St. Vartan Armenian Church Annual Bazaar
The Bazaar Team is in full swing planning and coordinating the multitude of details associated
with the premier event of the East Bay. Yes, the St. Vartan 59th annual Bazaar. Save the
dates: October 7 and 8. Consider being an early supporter of this effort by making one (or many)
of our Wish List items come true:
Bazaar Wish List
Donation
Tent
Leg of Lamb
Case of Wine
Case of Armenian Beer
Case of Tan
Armenian Coffee
Kids Games Booth
Garbage & Recycle Bins
Donors
10
100
10
12
1
1
5
20
Each
$250
$40
$50
$30
$65
$30
$75
$20
We appreciate your support.
The Bazaar Team
St. Vartan Church—June 2011
Fr. Hovel will be on vacation from Friday, June 3 through Thursday, June 23.
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
8
9
10
11
Parish Council
Meeting 6:30 pm
5
6
7
Ladies Society
Luncheon noon
Deacons Prayer
Service 10 am
Hampartsman
Or Celebration
12 noon
12
13
Divine Liturgy
10:30 am
Club Hye
Second Sunday
19
Morning
Service 9:30 am
Divine Liturgy
10 am
15
16
17
18
22
23
24
25
Flag Day
20
21
Summer Begins
Father’s Day
Divine Liturgy
10:30 am
26
14
27
28
Bazaar
Workday
Large Beoreg
9:30 am
29
30
Bazaar
Workday
Large Beoreg
9:30 am
Ladies Society Luncheon June 9, 2011
Menu: Eggplant, squash and ground beef medley
served over bulgur pilaf, salad and dessert
12:00 Noon—Church Hall
$10 for 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 Council Chair: Harry Sherinian
Parish Assembly Chair: Don Manoogian
Choir Director: Beverly Nalbandian
Organist: Virginia Madajian
ACYO Chair: Adam Nikssarian
Church School Superintendent: Marie Hagopian and Virginia Alexanian
Ladies Society Co-chairs: Suzanne Abnous and Suzanne Vasgerdsian
Athletic Committee Chair: Mike Boloyan
Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian
Club Hye Chair: Sako Soghomonian
Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian and Pat Barsamian
Sunshine: Dorris Kezerian
Church Maintenance: Vartan Hovsepian
Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger
Wedding Coordinator: Carol Rustigian
Visiting Committee: Virginia Ratcliff
Church Secretary: Rachel Harger
Altar Flowers: Diana Toomajian and Sue Barsamian
Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian