November 2014 - St. Vartan Armenian Church

Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan
November 2014
Scars for Life
Bible Readings
Nov. 2
Nov. 9
Nov. 16
Nov. 23
Nov. 30
Luke 8:17-21
Luke 8:49-57
Luke 9:44-50
Luke 12:13-31
Luke 13:1-9
Oh, give thanks unto
the Lord for He is
good, and his mercy
endures forever.
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to
dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks,
and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.
His mother in the house was looking out the window and saw the two
as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water,
yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as
he reached her, the alligator reached him.
From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the
alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the
two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much
too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck,
took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's
fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked
if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on
my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go." You and I can
identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, or
anything quite so dramatic. But the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars
are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are
because God has refused to let go.
In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The
Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way.
But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril, and we forget that the enemy is waiting to
attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins—and if you have the scars of His
love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not and will not let you go.
~ Author Unknown ~
Fr. Hovel Graduates with Masters in
Orthodox Theology
Congratulations to Fr. Hovel Ohanyan for
graduating with honors from Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley, California. On September 10, 2014 Fr. Hovel successfully defended his thesis entitled “Water
as a Symbol of Spiritual Rebirth in the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Holy Church”. He
graduated with an A average and a Masters
Degree in Orthodox Theology.
Christmas Greetings
St. Vartan
Ladies Society
You can send a Christmas Greeting in the
December issue of the Voice Newsletter to all
your family and friends at St. Vartan Church.
E-mail the church office at stvartanoakland@aol.com or call 510-893-1671 before
November 15, 2014 to place your greeting.
This is a great opportunity to send Christmas
well-wishes to all of your friends at St. Vartan
Church, while supporting the Voice Newsletter.
Suggested donation for Christmas Greeting
is $20.
Please keep St. Vartan Armenian
Church updated with your correct address
and phone number. Send any new information to stvartanoakland@aol.com or call the
church office at 510-893-1671.
Gratitude
Thursday, Nov. 13
12:00 noon
In the Church Hall
Sonia Chilingarian will present a
program on skin care.
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is
like wrapping a present and not giving it.
—William Arthur Ward
Be grateful for what you have and stop
complaining—it bores everybody else, does
you no good, and doesn't solve any problems.
—Zig Ziglar
“Thank you” is the best prayer that anyone
could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.
—Alice Walker
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
Parish Council Treasurer: Anto Cingoz
Parish Assembly Chair: Chris Yaldezian
Choir Director: Artin Der Minassians
Organist: Ida Mazmanian, A. Rodriguez
ACYO Chair: Sevan Jindoian
Sunday School Superintendent: Janet Yeghissian
Ladies Society Chair: Sylvia Gozurian and Elo Markarian
Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian
Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian
Church Maintenance: Jim Taylor and Arto Yagjian
Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger
Wedding Coordinator: Gail Kezerian and Stacey Shartzer
Church Secretary: Rachel Harger
Altar Flowers: Carole Chang
Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian
Divine Liturgy Service—Sundays 10:30 a.m.
St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations:
In Honor of Eagle Scout Alex Colello and Boy Scout Troop 805—Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan
In Honor of Charlie and Dorris Kezerian—Susan and Dick Curry
Bazaar: Leg of Lamb—June Demerdjian, Mark and Lesley Kamian, Barbara Sundahl, John and Wendy
Karanfilian, Louise Jorjoiran
Youghakin—June Demerdjian, Norman and Virginia Rees
In Honor of the Anniversary and Birthdays of Mr. and Mrs. Krikor and Caline Soghikian—Vahe and
Hilda Mener and Arto and Nadya Yagjian
In Memory
† Rev. Fr. Shahe Altounian
June Demerdjian, Harry and Carol Dokouzian (Church Door Fund)
† Edward Pechdimaldji
Kiganus Keledjian (ACYO), Jirair and Ani Tashjian (ACYO)
† Lillian Kalibjian
Doris Guntrum, Ann and Varoujan Hailozian (Church Door Fund)
† Rev. Father Mesrob Sarafian
Bonnie Peterson (Leg of Lamb donation)
† John Hanoian
Arlene and Vartan Hovsepian (The Voice Newsletter)
† Lucille Sherinian
Vonalee Mazmanian
ENDOWMENT FUND
In Memory
† Rev. Fr. Shahe Altounian
Frank and Sharon Higgins
St. Vartan Voice On-Line
You can receive your St. Vartan
Voice Newsletter via email, rather
than “snail mail”. If you would like
to be on our emailing list for the
newsletter, please contact the church
office at stvartanoakland@aol.com or
call 510-893-1671.
News From Our St. Vartan Family
Baptisms
Oliver William Markarian was baptized at St. Vartan Armenian Church by Fr. Hovel on September
20, 2014. Oliver is the son of Kevin Markarian and Karen Richards. Ara Dirtadian served as his Godfather and
Laura Dirtadian as his Godmother. His grandparents are Garabed and Asdghig Markarian and James Richards
and Shirley Phillips.
Fr. Hovel baptized Ani Margaret Dirtadian at St. Vartan Church on September 20, 2014. Ara and
Laura Dirtadian are Ani’s parents, and Stephan and Margaret Dirtadian and Garabed and Asdghig Markarian
are her grandparents. Her Godfather is Kevin Markarian and Godmother is Angelica Dirtadian Benson.
Wedding
Melineh Sarkis-Kelly and Zachary Wise were married at St. Vartan Church by Fr. Hovel on October
11, 2014. Melineh’s parents are Simik and Hermina Sarkis-Kelly, and Zachary’s parents are Randy and Ann
Wise. The best man was Tadeh Sarkis-Kelly and Maid of Honor was Talin Sarkis-Kelly.
Thank You
From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all my friends and faithful parishioners of St. Vartan Armenian Church who supported me from their hearts and helped sponsor my education. Living in this
blessed country and serving my Church and this wonderful community, I found it very important to renew
and to improve my religious education and to be more successful in my pastoral service for the glory of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My dear ones, your generosity helped me to reach to my goal. My words are not
enough to express the gratitude in my heart for the unmatched help and support which I have received in all
these years from all of you. Without your spiritual, moral, and financial support, I could never have attained
such a superior education in Berkeley at GTU/Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute or completed my
Masters of Orthodox Theology degree with honors. In his letter to Corinthians St. Paul says; “Whoever sows
generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Cor. 9:6-7)
—Fr. Hovel Ohanyan
Upcoming Events
November 2, 2014
November 4, 2014
November 9, 2014
November 11, 2014
November 11, 2014
November 13, 2014
November 15, 2014
November 18, 2014
November 25, 2014
November 27, 2014
December 6, 2014
January 11, 2015
Daylight Savings Time Ends
Armenian Language Class
Jr. ACYO Meeting
Veterans Day
Armenian Language Class
Ladies Society Luncheon
AIWA Event
Armenian Language Class
Armenian Language Class
Thanksgiving
Family Night
Christmas Luncheon with Surpazan
Happy Veterans Day
St. Vartan Armenian Church thanks all of
our veterans
for their
service to
the country.
Holiday Food
Drive
As in previous years,
St. Vartan Church is
sponsoring a food drive
for the Alameda County
Community Food Bank.
The Holiday Food
Drive will take place
during the months of
November and December 2014. The food
bank combats hunger
locally, serving 1 in 6
county residents.
Please bring your
non-perishable,
healthy food donation
to church and place it
in the red bin located
in the Church Hall
entryway. Let’s turn
our gratitude for the
blessings God has given
us toward providing for
those less fortunate.
7 pm
12 noon
7 pm
12 noon
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
5:30 pm
1 pm
Jr. ACYO Meeting
Sunday November 9, 2014
after church services
All youth ages 11-16 are invited
to join us for a planning meeting, fellowship, games and lunch. For more
information contact Marie Hagopian
at alecsmom01@yahoo.com.
Fr. Hovel assists in Ordination of New Priest, Fr. Serovbe
In the Armenian Apostolic Church, the ordination rite is one of the most spiritually enriching and moving ceremonies. Hundreds gathered at St. Leon Armenian Cathedral on Tuesday, October 7, to witness the ordination and consecration of Deacon Sarkis Alanjian into the sacred order of the Priesthood. The ordination
rite was the first in the life of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral since its consecration in September 2010.
The ceremonial rite took place in the evening at 6:30 p.m., during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy
by His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
North America. More than 500 people attended the ordination ceremony in Burbank.
Assisting Archbishop Derderian at the Holy Altar were Rev. Fr. Nerses Hayrpapetyan, Rev. Fr. Yessai
Bedros, Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Rev. Fr. Krikor Zakaryan and the deacons and acolytes of the Cathedral.
High ranking clergymen including His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian and His Eminence Archbishop Yeprem Tabbakian participated in the service.
The kneeling Deacon Sarkis was led to the Holy Altar by the Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of
St. Leon Armenian Cathedral. After the confirmation of the candidate’s worthiness, the priests placed their
hands on the shoulders of Dn. Sarkis. Led kneeling to the center of the bema, Dn. Alanjian presented himself
to the people by facing the congregation and in a gesture of assent to
their will, he raised his hands.
The culmination of the ceremony took place as the Primate
robed Dn. Sarkis in Priestly vestments, anointed the priest and announced Dn. Sarkis’ new name—Fr. Serovbe (Seraphim). Holding his
hands open, Fr. Serovbe received the chalice and paten from the Primate. According to tradition, the newly-ordained Fr. Serovbe blessed
the people by saying “Khaghaghootyoon amanetsoon” (Peace Unto
All).
The Primate congratulated the newly ordained priest and
called upon him to serve the flock of Christ with relentless dedication
and enduring affection. Archbishop Derderian also blessed Yeretzgin
Arus calling on her to stand beside Father Serovbe as he embarks on a
God-pleasing journey.
At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Serovbe stood at
the center of the chancel and silently read Holy Scriptures. The faithful greeted him by kissing his freshly-anointed hands.
Thanksgiving Jokes
It's the day before Thanksgiving, and the butcher is just locking up when a man begins pounding on the
front door.
"Please let me in," says the man desperately. "I forgot to buy a turkey, and my wife will kill me if I
don't come home with one."
"Okay," says the butcher. "Let me see what I have left." He goes into the freezer and discovers that
there's only one scrawny turkey left. He brings it out to show the man.
"That one is too skinny. What else you got?" says the man.
The butcher takes the bird back into the freezer and waits a few minutes and brings the same turkey
back out to the man.
"Oh, no," says the man, "That one doesn't look any better. You better give me both of them!"
An industrious turkey farmer was always experimenting with breeding to perfect a better turkey.
His family was fond of the leg portion for dinner and there were never enough legs for everyone. After
many frustrating attempts, the farmer was relating the results of his efforts to his friends at the general store
get-together. "Well I finally did it! I bred a turkey that has 6 legs!"
They all asked the farmer how it tasted.
"I don’t know" said the farmer. "I never could catch the darn thing!"
2014
St. Vartan
Church
Annual
Bazaar &
Food
Festival
My Dear Faithful,
Our 62nd Annual Bazaar, Armenian Food Festival is over. Once again I would like to bring the appreciation
and the gratitude of my heart to the members of the Bazaar Committee, chaired by Harout Hagopian, all the members of our Ladies Society, Parish Council, Cultural Committee, ACYO, Sunday School, countless individual volunteers, elders and youth for their humble and priceless service to God and to the blessed family of our St. Vartan
Armenian Apostolic Church.
Your great and hard work is the best evidence of your strong faith and your unlimited love to your Church
and Community. Through your humble service you are making the future of this Church and community stronger
and more active.May the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you forever!!!
Prayerfully, Fr. Hovel Ohanyan
A big thank you to all the dedicated volunteers for another successful Bazaar!
On behalf of Der Hovel and the Parish Council, Zaven Kanneian and I want to express our most sincere gratitude to all our volunteers for their hard work to make the St. Vartan Bazaar a success. We would
like to name each of you individually but unfortunately, we would monopolize the entire newsletter. So instead, we will thank each of you by recognizing the leader(s) of your sub-committee as follows:
o Advisor – Liz Ojakian
o Treasurer – Anto Cingoz
o Admission Booth – Don Manoogian
o Food Preparation – Suzanne Vasgerdsian, Sylvia Gozurian, Harry Sherinian & Ladies Society
o Food Line & Servers – Patti Rosenthal
o Khanoot & Take Out – Arlene Hovsepian & Nora Hanoian
o Hye Café – Cingoz Families
o Dessert Booth – Janet Yeghissian & Sunday School
o Cafe and Bar – Sevag Kevranian
o Cashiers – Greg Mazmanian
o Raffle – Kim Bardakian & Jim Taylor
o Public Relations & Advertising – Kim Bardakian and Nicole Vasgerdsian
o Bazaar Book & Layout – Anto Cingoz & Nicole Vasgerdsian
o Graphic Artwork – Nicole Vasgerdsian
o Bar-B-Que – Bob Kezerian
o Carnival Games – Marie Hagopian, Tanya Jindoian & ACYO
o Prize Booth – Marie Hagopian & Tanya Jindoian
o Table Bussing – Judy & Barry Toomajian
o Entertainment – Hasmig Gregorian/St. Vartan Dance Ensemble, Henesian Family
o Lighting and Decorations - Annette Kevranian, Method 42
o Grandma’s Attic – Marie Hagopian
o Set Up & Tear Down – Zaven Kanneian, Harout Hagopian, Jack Papazian, Sako Soghomonian,
Dikran Shahvekilian, Edward Jamgotchian & Wartkes Hagopian
o Event Cleaning and Maintenance – Wartkes Hagopian
o Program – Nicole Vasgerdsian & Rachel Harger
I would especially like to recognize Nicole Vasgerdsian, not only for her many years of graphic design, beautiful artwork, and dedicated service, but also for keeping us on track and focused on meeting critical
deadlines. I would also like to give special thanks to the Henesian Family for providing such lovely music on
both Friday and Saturday nights. We heard so many wonderful comments form both the congregation and
outside visitors who enjoyed hearing the music. Most importantly, we want to share how proud we are to be
part of a community that supports one another and works together with great humility to care for this annual
tradition which has become a part of our culture. It was a hectic weekend and all of the volunteers worked
very hard to support each other, treat all of our guests well, and also find time to have fun with friends and
family. Good job, everyone!
—Harout Hagopian and Zaven Kanneian
2014 Raffle Prize Winner
Special Charity Raffle Prize
Grand Prize—Apple iPad Air
First Prize
Second First Prize
Instant Wine Cellar
Four Tickets to Chabot Space and Science Center
Four Tickets to Oakland Zoo
Brunch for Two at Meritage Restaurant
Metropolitan Nikitas Lulias, San Francisco, CA
Edward and Eleonore Aslanian, San Francisco, CA
Robert Arabian, Southfield, MI
Karina Masaoian, San Ramon????
Susan Bazigian, Belmont, CA
Ed Vasgerdsian, Moraga, CA
Betsy Barsamian, Orinda, CA
Virginia Avakian, San Francisco
2014 Bazaar Week Volunteers