E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church
38-65 234th. St. Douglaston, NY, 11363
Sunday: 12/24/2017
Ե. ԿԻՐԱԿԻ ՅԻՍՆԱԿԻ - FIFTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Sunday Readings:
Isaiah 41:4-14; Hebrews 7:11-25; Luke 19:12-28
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Join us in worship this Sunday
Morning Service 10:00 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:45 AM - Sermon 11:45 AM
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Մասնակցեցէք Ս. Պատարագին
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Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն 10։00
Ս. Պատարագ 10։45- Քարոզ 11։45
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News From St. Sarkis Church
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Լուրեր Ս. Սարգիս Եկեղեցիէն
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An Anonymous Donation
Written By Louiza Kubikian
It is with great joy and deep gratitude that the Pastor and The Board of Trustees of St. Sarkis Church acknowledge receipt of a very generous donation in the amount of $50,000.00 from a donor who chooses to stay anonymous.
As you may all know, St. Sarkis Church is about to embark on a major church building expansion to accommodate a growing Saturday School enrollment, and provide a Youth Center for our various children's groups programs such as Sunday School, Youth Club, Yeraz Dance Group and the Summer Camp program. The success of this ambitious project depends on the commitment and generosity of our parishioners, since estimates for completion are high. We are all encouraged to play an active role in securing the necessary funds to make this a reality.
This generous donation is truly God sent, coming at a critical time in the planning process, enabling us to use it as seed money toward the building expansion expenses.
The fact that our donor wishes to remain anonymous speaks volumes about their kind and generous heart, putting emphasis on serving and improving the church rather than personal recognition. Throughout the years, St. Sarkis Church was blessed with major donors who gave wholeheartedly time and again and whose financial contributions played a crucial role in securing the future of our church. We are honored to consider our new anonymous donor as one of these exceptional individuals whose vision and commitment propelled St. Sarkis Church to recognition as one of the vibrant churches of the Eastern Prelacy.
Once again, we express our sincere gratitude to our anonymous donor. We hope that their generosity will serve as example and encourage others to follow suit.
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| Christmas Cookie Decorating |
On Sunday, December 17, 2017, The Ladies Guild & Sunday School of St. Sarkis Church hosted its 4
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annual Christmas Cookie Decorating Party. The Main Hall was amazingly decorated and the Christmas tree was beautifully lit. No detail was missed from the decoration to the delicious spread that was served for everyone to enjoy. There was Christmas Carols playing in the background as over 40 children participated in decorating their own Christmas Cookies. Everyone had a wonderful time making memories with friends and family. What a great way to start off the Holiday Season!
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Youth Ministry Committee Facilitates Training written by Nyrie Bedrosian
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On Saturday, December 16th, 2017 St. Sarkis Youth Group Ministry Committee met in Pagumian Hall for a facilitator training session. A few of the members present were co-chairs Mrs. Nyrie Bedrosian & Mr. Raffi Nenejian, religious facilitators, Yn. Annie Terterian, Mrs. Lena Felice, Mrs. Liza Kabarajian and Mrs. Sonya Nenejian. The facilitator training was led by Mrs. Annie Ovanessian, the Youth Ministry Director for the Prelacy. She gave us an overview of the YDISCIPLE program, showed us the origins of the program, reviewed educational materials for the facilitators and also gave us some insights as to how the program could be rolled out in our community.
St Sarkis Church is excited to announce the first meeting of the Salt and Light Youth Group which will take place on Friday, January 19th, 2018. The objectives of this unique group are to provide our youth with a forum through which they can strengthen their understanding of themselves and of the Armenian Apostolic Church and its teachings. They will also participate in various planned social and outreach events throughout the year.
The group will meet an average of twice a month and hold small group sessions led by trained facilitators. During these sessions, the facilitators will lead group discussions based on the YDISCIPLE initiative that has been introduced by the Prelacy and is currently being implemented in various communities throughout the United States. We are very excited to be able to bring this initiative to our community as well and are looking forward to a rewarding and educational year for our youth and community leaders.
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| Saint Sarkis Basketball Christmas Party tradition lives on! |
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2 years ago the Bijimenian family and last year the Hagobian family graciously opened their homes for Christmas parties for the Saint Sarkis Girls Basketball team to celebrate the joys of the season and keep the girls' team together over the winter break.
This year, with the addition of the Junior Boys and Senior Boys teams, the private home venue was no longer feasible and the Saint Sarkis Board of Trustees and Pastor came to the rescue making the Church hall available for the Christmas celebration on Saturday, December 16.
The Parents quickly formed a committee with Carolyn Trivino, Vicky Hagobian, Seta Bijimenian, Madlen Hazarian and Maria Ebrimian to handle the logistics of a party with more than 100 guests including 27 Saint Sarkis players, parents, grandparents, and friends of the teams.
Parents and coaches alike contributed various food and drink items, and like most Armenian parties, food and deserts were abundant. Salads, spreads, all kind of pasta and bean dishes, all delicious, but.... VEGAN. The carnivores in the room were relegated to a 3 foot hero sandwich with turkey and roast beef, and chicken wings.
With a diverse group of youngsters, there is always the concern that boredom will set in, but with Secret Santa gifts from the parents, and the music of DJ Armen Bijimenian kept the players excited and showing off their dance moves and having a great time. Before the cutting of the large Christmas cake, the coaches were introduced and presented with gift certificates as a token of appreciation for their efforts for the players. Junior Boys coach, Arry Nalbandian, and Girls' coach Emma Biramian expressed their satisfaction coaching our youth and looked to good times in the future. Regretfully Juniors coach Raffi Jamgotchian and Seniors Coach Raffi Nakashian were unable to attend for personal reasons.
No one was ready to leave but as all teams were scheduled to play on Sunday, by 11 pm everyone chipped in in cleaning the room, and although a little tired, everyone had a feel good smile as they bid each other good night.
Merry Christmas to all and .......LET'S GO SAINT SARKIS.
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A Blessed Christmas to my wonderful parishioners,
Thank you for the loving care you give to your Church family. May Christ's birth bring you abundant joy this Christmas and every day of the New Year.
Prayerfully,
Fr. Nareg Terterian
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COMING SOON BY MAIL!
St. Sarkis Church 2018 calendar dedicated to the 100th Anniversary of the 1st Republic Of Armenia 1918-2018.
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| Sinning, Forgiving and Becoming more like Him |
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Salt and Light Youth Group
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Quick reminder that you can help support Saint Sarkis Saturday School at no cost to you by shopping on Amazon Smile. When purchasing online through Amazon Smile .05% of your purchases will be donated to Saint Sarkis Saturday School.
All you need to do is:
Sign into your existing amazon account or create a new one by clicking here: https://smile.amazon.com/ . Eligible products are marked "Eligible for Amazon Smile donation". Please select: St Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church of Long Island Inc. as your charitable organization. If you have any questions please send us an e-mail at StSarkisPTA@Gmail.com
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| The Podcast With Fr. Nareg Terterian - Season III |
Season III - Episode 16 (97): Starting the Season of Advent with Dr. Hagop Gorgissian, MD.
In This Episode:
- Opening Prayer
- Introducing the season of Advent and all the upcoming festivities at St. Sarkis Church.
- A conversation about stress with Dr. Hagop Gorgissian, MD
- Bible Reflection
- Hymn Of The Day
This Episde is Sponsored by Deacon Dickran Kabarajian AXA Advisors Long Island
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St. Sarkis Church Sunday School
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Sunday School Calendar 2017/2018
January 7th & 21st
February 4th & 25th
March 11th & 25th
April 8th & 22nd
May 6th & 20th
Dates are subject to change
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Bible Readings
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Աստուածաշնչական Ընթերցումներ
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THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE HEBREWS (7.11-25)
Now if perfection had been attainable through the levitical priesthood-for the people received the law under this priesthood-what further need would there have been to speak of another priest arising according to the order of Melchizedek, rather than one according to the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. Now the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life. For it is attested of him,
"You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."
There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual (for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.
This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office without an oath, but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him,
"The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,
'You are a priest forever'"-
accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.
Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save[
a] those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ԵԲՐԱՅԵՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ (7.11-25)
Գիտենք թէ ղեւտացիներու քահանայութիւնն էր հիմը սրբութեան այն օրէնքին, որ Իսրայէլի ժողովուրդին տրուեցաւ։ Արդ, եթէ կարելի ըլլար այդ քահանայութեան միջոցաւ կատարելութեան հասնիլ, Աստուած ի՞նչ պէտք պիտի ունենար նոր քահանայապետ մը տալու Մելքիսեդեկի օրինակով եւ ո՛չ Ահարոնի քահանայութեան շարունակութենէն։ Միւս կողմէ, քահանայութեան փոխուելուն հետ սրբութեան օրէնքն ալ պէտք էր փոխուէր. որովհետեւ Քրիստոս, որուն մասին կը խօսուի, կը պատկանէր ուրիշ ցեղի մը, որուն անդամներէն ո՛չ մէկը քահանայութեան պաշտօնը ստանձնեց երբեւիցէ։ Արդ, յայտնի է թէ մեր Տէրը Յուդայի ցեղէն էր, մինչդեռ այդ ցեղէն գալիք քահանայութեան մը մասին Մովսէս ոեւէ բան չըսաւ։
Փոփոխութիւնը աւելի բացորոշ է անով՝ որ կը յայտնուի քահանայ մը որ Մելքիսեդեկի նման է. այսինքն՝ մարմնաւոր կեանքի յատուկ օրէնքներու եւ կարգերու համաձայն չէ՚ որ քահանայ եղած է, այլ յաւիտենական կեանքի մէջ ի զօրու եղող օրէնքով։ Անոր մասին վկայեց Սուրբ գիրքը, ըսելով. «Դուն յաւիտեան քահանայ ես, Մելիքիսեդեկին պէս»։ Բացայայտ է, թէ նախկին պատուիրանը մէկդի կը դրուի, անզօր եւ անօգուտ ըլլալուն համար, որովհետեւ Օրէնքը չկրցաւ ոեւէ բան կատարելութեան հասցնել. եւ հիմա մեզի տրուեցաւ աւելի լաւ յոյս մը, որով Աստուծոյ կը մօտենանք։
Աւելին, այս նոր քահանայութիւնը երդումով տրուեցաւ, մինչդեռ միւսներուն քահանայութիւնը երդումով տրուած չէ։ Քրիստոս քահանայ եղաւ Աստուծոյ երդումով, ինչպէս Սուրբ գիրքը կ՚ըսէ.-
«Տէրը անդառնալի երդում ըրաւ, ըսելով.
"Դուն յաւիտեան քահանայ ես"»։
Եւ այսպէս, Յիսուս գերազանց ուխտի մը երաշխաւորը եղաւ։
Ի վերջոյ, միւս քահանաները թիւով շատ կ՚ըլլային, որպէսզի մէկուն կամ միւսին մահով՝ քահանայութիւնը չընդհատուէր։ Բայց որովհետեւ Յիսուս յաւիտեան կ՚ապրի, իր քահանայութիւնն ալ անվախճան է։ Ուստի նաեւ կրնայ վերջնականապէս փրկել անոնք՝ որոնք իր միջոցաւ Աստուծոյ կու գան, որովհետեւ միշտ կենդանի ըլլալով՝ տեւաբար բարեխօս կ՚ըլլայ անոնց համար։
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE (19.11-28)
While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.
He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas.'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' "But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. "The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' " 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' "The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' "His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' "Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?'
"Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' " 'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them-bring them here and kill them in front of me."
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ ՂՈՒԿԱՍԻ (19.11-28)
Մինչ ժողովուրդը անոր ըսածները մտիկ կ՚ընէր, Յիսուս իր խօսքը շարունակեց, եւ Երուսաղէմի մօտեցած ըլլալով ու գիտնալով որ ժողովուրդը կը կարծէ թէ Աստուծոյ արքայութիւնը շուտով պիտի յայտնուի, հետեւեալ առակը պատմեց անոնց.-
«Ազնուական մարդ մը կար, որ հեռաւոր երկիր մը գնաց, որպէսզի թագաւորական իշխանութիւն առնէ եւ իր երկիրը վերադառնայ։ Նախքան մեկնիլը, կանչեց իր տասը ծառաները եւ իւրաքանչիւրին հարիւր արծաթ դահեկան տուաւ եւ ըսաւ. "Շահարկեցէ՛ք այս դրամը մինչեւ վերադարձս"։ Բայց իր քաղաքացիները կ՚ատէին զինք. հետեւաբար պատգամաւոր ղրկեցին իր ետեւէն, ըսելով. "Չենք ուզեր որ ան մեր վրայ թագաւոր դառնայ"։ Երբ որ ազնուականը թագաւորական իշխանութիւնը առաւ եւ վերադարձաւ, անմիջապէս կանչեց իր ծառաները, որոնց դրամ տուած էր, գիտնալու համար թէ ի՛նչ շահած են։ Առաջինը եկաւ եւ ըսաւ. "Տէ՛ր, մէկ տուածիդ դէմ տասը շահեցայ"։ Տէրը ըսաւ. "Ապրիս, բարի ծառայ, քանի այդ փոքրիկ բանին մէջ հաւատարիմ գտնուեցար, ահա քեզ տասը քաղաքներու վրայ կառավարիչ կը նշանակեմ"։ Երկրորդ ծառան ալ եկաւ եւ ըսաւ. "Մէկ տուածիդ դէմ հինգ շահեցայ"։ Տէրը ըսաւ. "Քեզ ալ հինգ քաղաքներու վրայ կառավարիչ կը նշանակեմ"։ Երրորդը եկաւ եւ ըսաւ. "Տէ՛ր, ահաւասիկ տուած դրամդ, զայն պահեցի թաշկինակի մը մէջ ծրարած։ Կը վախնայի քեզմէ, որովհետեւ խիստ մարդ մըն ես։ Կ՚առնես ինչ որ քուկդ չէ եւ կը հնձես ինչ որ չես սերմանած"։ Տէրը անոր ըսաւ. "Չա՛ր ծառայ, քու խօսքովդ քեզ պիտի դատեմ։ Քանի գիտէիր որ կ՚առնեմ ինչ որ իմս չէ եւ կը հնձեմ ինչ որ չեմ սերմանած, ինչո՞ւ ուրեմն դրամս սեղանաւորներուն չտուիր, քանի գիտէիր նաեւ թէ վերադարձիս զայն տոկոսով միասին պիտի պահանջէի"։ Ապա սպասաւորներուն ըսաւ. "Առէ՛ք իրմէ դրամը եւ տարէք տուէք անոր որ տասնապատիկը շահած է"։ Անոնք ըսին. "Տէ՛ր, անիկա արդէն տասնապատիկը ունի"։ "Գիտցէ՛ք, - ըսաւ ան, - ունեցողին աւելիով պիտի տրուի, իսկ չունեցողէն պիտի առնուի նոյնիսկ իր ունեցած ամենէն փոքր բաժինն ալ։ Իսկ իմ թշնամիներս, որոնք չէին ուզեր որ իրենց թագաւոր ըլլամ, հոս բերէք եւ իմ ներկայութեանս սպաննեցէք զանոնք"»։
Այս խօսքերը ըսելէ ետք Յիսուս շարունակեց իր ճամբան դէպի Երուսաղէմ։
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| Liturgical Calendar (From Crossroads: E-Newsletter of the Armenian Prelacy) |
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DAVID THE PROPHET KING; HOLY APOSTLE JAMES
This Saturday (December 23) the Armenian Church commemorates David the Prophet King and the Holy Apostle James the Brother of the Lord.
David was the youngest of eight brothers and was brought up to be a shepherd where he learned courage, tenderness, and caring. David became the second King of Israel. In the Bible, the name David belongs solely to him, which indicates the unique place he had as an ancestor and forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the New Testament there are more than 50 references to David, including the title given to Jesus-Son of David. David was a poet and the author of some of the Psalms.
James the Apostle, called "Brother of the Lord," probably because of his close relationship with Jesus, was granted a special appearance of the Lord after the Resurrection. He is believed to have been a first cousin of the Lord, or as some biblical scholars have suggested, a son of Joseph. After the Resurrection and the Ascension, while the other apostles scattered all over the world, James remained in Jerusalem where he served as the Bishop and became a leading spokesman of the early church.
ST. STEPHEN, FIRST DEACON AND FIRST MARTYR
On Monday (December 25) the Armenian Church commemorates St. Stephen, the first deacon and proto-martyr. After Christ's ascension, the apostles went about spreading the Word. It soon became apparent that more people were needed to serve the growing church community. Seven worthy individuals were called upon to serve the Holy Altar and called "deacons" (sarkavag). The most noteworthy of the seven was Stephen, described as a "man full of faith and the Holy Spirit" (Acts 6:5). The Feast of St. Stephen is a popular and important commemoration in the Armenian Church; it is a day to honor all deacons of the church. Stephen became the first martyr of the Church and is therefore called the "proto-martyr." The only information about his life and death is in the Book of Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:8 and 8:2).
THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL
On Tuesday (December 26), the Armenian Church remembers the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, perhaps the two individuals who had the greatest role in the growth and spread of Christianity. After the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and asked him to tell the other apostles about His appearance and give them His message (Luke 24:34-35). Peter was renowned for his oratory skills, and he used his talent to spread the Word. He preached in Rome and founded the church there. He is considered to be the first Bishop of Rome. According to tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome upside down because he declared himself unworthy to die in the same manner as the Lord. He was buried in Rome and his relics are enshrined under the high altar of the magnificent St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.
Paul (Saul) was born in Tarsus in Cilicia. He was an oppressor of the early Christians until he converted while on the road to Damascus he saw a vision of a bright light and a voice saying, "Saul, Saul why do you persecute me? I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Enter the City and you will be told what to do," (Acts 9:4-6; 26:12-16). Saul was baptized and renamed Paul and he went on to become the greatest preacher of the new religion, traveling and writing extensively. Many theologians credit him for shaping the future of the Church. His fourteen epistles comprise more than one-third of the New Testament, not including the Book of Acts that although written by Luke, is primarily an account of Paul's travels and preaching.
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Mrs. YVETTE BASMAJIAN passed on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. A Funeral services was held on Monday, December 18, 2017 at Edward Jamie Funeral Chapel.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family members. May she rest in peace.
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Join St. Sarkis Church Ladies Guild Fellowship Hour Every Sunday After Church Services.
The Ladies Guild Coffee Hour
will be held in the Pagoumian hall and is hosted by:
- Mrs. Alina Kochoumian
- Mrs. Luiza Kalustian
- Mrs. Nadia Hazarian
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- December 31, 2017
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"New Years Eve" by Ladies Guild
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- January 6, 2018
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"Christmas Hantes" by Saturday School
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| - January 21, 2018 |
Town Hall Meeting |
| - January 27, 2018 |
"Laugh & Dance" Comedy Show |
| - February 4, 2018 |
St. Sarkis Name Day Celebration |
- April 14, 2018
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"Saturday School Gala" |
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Add From Sister Organizations
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