BIBLE READINGS

Bible Readings for Sunday, January 29, Third Sunday after Octave of the Nativity are: Isaiah 62:1-11; John 6:39-47; 2 Timothy 2:15-19.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.”

Then the Jews began to complain about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They were saying, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’? Jesus answered them, “Do not complain among yourselves. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father except the one who is from God; he has seen the Father. Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life.” (John 6:39-47)

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth by claiming that the resurrection has already taken place. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:15-19)

For a listing of the coming week’s Bible readings click here.

This Saturday (January 28) the Armenian Church celebrates the Feat of St. Gregory the Theologian, also known as Gregory of Nazianzus, who is considered to be one of the four great doctors of the Church during the fourth century, along with Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and Athanasius the Great. He served as Archbishop of Constantinople and he is noted for being an accomplished and eloquent speaker. His rhetorical skill and defense of the Nicene position, as shown in his five Theological Orations, earned him the title “the Theologian.” He is also known as one of the Cappadocian Fathers, along with Basil the Great and Gregory of Nyssa. Some of his sermons and poetry have survived.

By the light of the divine word you beatified the Church and dispelled the darkness of ignorance from the souls of men; O master holy Gregory, be our intercessor before the only-begotten Word of the Father. You revealed to the Church to confess as one the consubstantial nature of the undivided Trinity; O master Saint Gregory, be our intercessor before the only-begotten Word of the Father. You taught to confess the saving economy of him who became man for us as one Christ from two natures, a marvelous mixture; O master Saint Gregory, be our intercessor before the only-begotten Word of the Father.
Hymn (sharagan) to Saint Gregory the Theologian

Also remembered this week:

• Sts. Eugene and Macarius, Thursday, January 26, 2017.
  
• The Maccabees: Eleazar the Priest, Samona and her seven sons, Monday, January 30.
  
• Twelve Holy Prophets: Hosea, Amos, Micah, Joel, Odabiah, Nanum, Habakkuk, Jonah, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zecharia, and Malachi, Tuesday, January 31.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL REMEMBERING HRANT DINK

Last Thursday a candlelight vigil took place in front of the Turkish Consulate in New York City, in remembrance of Hrant Dink on the 10th anniversary of his assassination. The event was sponsored by the New York ARF Armen Garo Gomideh and the Armenian National Committee (ANC).

Very Rev. Fr. Zareh Sarkissian and Rev. Fr. Mesrob Lakissian, pastor of St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, led the singing of Hayr Mer, Der Voghormya, and Giligia. Speakers included Ms. Taleen Babayan and Mr. Naz Markarian.

WAYS TO WELLNESS: PANEL DISCUSSION ON MENTAL HEALTH

Last Sunday (January 22), over 50 parishioners and guests gathered at St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York, for a panel discussion on mental health. Anahid Ugurlayan welcomed all in attendance and explained the importance of this lecture in light of long-standing reluctance in the Armenian community to discussing, or even acknowledging the existence of mental health and mental illness.  She also stressed that St. Sarkis Church was fortunate to have a pastor who is a licensed mental health counselor and a valuable resource to those who are hesitant about discussing mental health concerns with family or friends.  Speakers included: Dr. Hagop Gorgissian, an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, St. George University who also has a private practice in Queens; Dr. Yeraz Meschian, a licensed clinical psychologist, Assistant Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai as well as a research scientist at Mount Sinai, and the founder and executive director of Healthy Mind NY, where she provides individual and group therapy, family counseling and parenting skills; and Dr. Carlo Bayrakdarian, a geriatric psychiatrist who has a private practice throughout Westchester and in New York City and was a Clinical Instructor in Psychiatry at the Cornell University Medical Center.

Dr. Gorgissian discussed the myths and stigmas relating to mental health and mental illness, specifically that those who suffer from mental illness cannot function in a professional or non-professional capacity, the fear of seeking professional help, as well as the importance of mental health in one’s overall well-being.  Dr. Meschian explained that mental illness is often associated with psychopaths and criminals in movies but that in reality, very few people who suffer from mental illness pose a threat to themselves or others. She noted that many celebrities, as well as people we encounter in our daily lives, suffer from mental illness.  She gave a primer on what is entailed in talk therapy, expounding on her practice, which focuses on talk therapy, and how she assesses her patients.  Dr. Bayrakdarian’s presentation focused on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, its prevalence in the general population and ways to minimize the effects with a focus on cardiovascular health and mental stimulation. (Reported by Anahid Ugurlayan, Esq.)

SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT MORGAN LIBRARY

Last Sunday, some of the Sunday school students of St. Illuminator Cathedral and their teachers walked to the Pierpont Morgan Library and Museum in Manhattan to view the collection of Armenian illuminated manuscripts. A special workshop was prepared for the group by experts in the field, Sylvie Merian and Roger Wieck. They showed the students how the books were bound in a unique Armenian way; how the parchment made from animal hide became pages of the manuscripts; the way gold was embossed on certain pages; and how silver cover designs were made. The students got an up-close view of the manuscripts that they had been studying as a theme in Sunday school classes this year. After the workshop, the group explored the library and reading room of the financier Pierpont Morgan. They also browsed other current exhibits on display. Finally they relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company over an ice cream treat. This special trip was sponsored by Ms. Lucy Hayrabedian.

Sunday school students at the Morgan Library and Museum.