In his recent pontifical address, delivered on November 14, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I appealed to the Armenian people to "refuse the document signed by Armenia and Azerbaijan through the mediation of Russia, which clearly goes beyond a ceasefire agreement, and is full of uncertainties and ambiguities, as well as fraught with dangerous ramifications, and repercussions."

After exalting our brave army that valiantly defended the land of Artsakh, he added "the war has not ended; thus, it is essential to be united, prudent and realistic-to be able to overcome the current crisis-ridden and complex period." 

His Holiness also appealed to the citizens of Artsakh who have found refuge in Armenia to return home and reorganize their life. He emphasized "the imperative of international recognition of Artsakh-through the joint and organized efforts of Armenia and the Diaspora; and at this crucial juncture, to refrain from all personal interests and biased approaches, and consider the homeland's common and supreme interests the driving force of our reflection and action."

The Catholicos stated with firm determination that under no circumstances "the nation's and homeland's independence and safety, rights and dignity must be compromised by geopolitical interests and pan-Turkic projects."

His Holiness highlighted the vital importance of examining "together issues of all-Armenian essence and scope." At the same time, he underlined that "the will of the people must remain decisive in all circumstances, in all times and conditions-always guided by the principles and processes determined by the constitution."

His Holiness concluded the pontifical address saying that "all of us, without exception, are accountable to the people and responsible before history. Armenianness and Armenia above all! Our lands and our sacred places above all! We must continue our struggle with this strong commitment."

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I has informed prelates and community leaders that the President of the Republic of Armenia, Armen Sarkissian, in consultation with both Catholicoi, has proclaimed Sunday, November 22, Memorial Day for the Heroes who fell for the defense of the homeland in the Artsakh Liberation War.

In the circular in which he communicated the commemoration of our martyred heroes, His Holiness also informed that he has proclaimed 2021 the Year of Artsakh, in line with the tradition established decades ago.

His Eminence, Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate, has ordered all churches to hold a requiem service following Divine Liturgy in memory of the martyred heroes. 

IN THE NAME OF A DESIRABLE FUTURE
A message from Archbishop Anoushavan

Since Sunday, September 27, the Armenian people worldwide have been fulfilling the national unity that we dreamed of for so long, alarmed over the attack that threatened the existence of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, endowed with superior forces and weaponry. On Monday, November 9, the loyal unity of the Armenian nation unfortunately unraveled following the news of the agreement signed by the present government to stop the current Artsakh war, which went beyond the concessions that had been expected over the past three decades.

The architect of the war was obvious: the executioner nation of the Armenian people, which was prepared for this day to complete its unfulfilled plan. Departing from the current political and military conditions and leaving aside Armenia, it had created the illusion that a dawn of good neighborhood was about to open if the issue of Artsakh was solved. History confirms that trusting the vision of a prosperous Armenia to the "benign" executioner nation would only pave the Yerevan-Der Zor highway.   

Hard as it is to accept the imposed reality, the many aspects of which are still unknown, dear fellow Armenians, without accusing, hurting, threatening each other as individuals who follow different ideologies, creeds or conceptions, with broken hearts but unbreakable will, let us listen and understand each other as members of the Armenian family scattered throughout the world and, perhaps profiting from our errors, we may build the future we all wish. 

If we collectively review the Armenian History of the last 45 days, if we may call it such, our all-Armenian experience following September 27 proved what a great people we are when Artsakh, Armenia and the Diaspora collaborate, earning the admiration of all those nations that silently witnessed the present-day odyssey of our martyred people. The firm support of the people in our homeland to the government and the troops, while in the Diaspora, outside of fundraisers, the volcanic eruption of patriotic spirit in our new generation, the demonstrations and gatherings organized enthusiastically, the prayers and the lighting of candles, the effective work in different countries to prevent foreign companies from supplying armaments and weapon components to our executioner nation; in one word, the realization of "Armenia above everything" was an unprecedented development that amounts to a miracle, which confirms the particular character of our people's existential struggle and sacred peregrination.

TODAY more than ever, the badly wounded heart of the Motherland and the Diaspora needs the continuation of this new collective life and its further development. The fire that is burning the house will not be put away with criticism and self-justification, but with selfless responsibility to first prevent the calamity from spreading and then to rebuild what was destroyed in a more robust and imposing manner.

The people are masters and servants of the past, the present and the future of the homeland. The farmer, the leader and the epic hero are born of the people. Therefore, every church and lay organization, even when in a leading position, are accountable to God and the people. More than in any other generation, the inner supreme force of the current government lies in the expression of the people, which was fulfilled two and a half years ago with the Velvet Revolution, without spilling blood, earning the admiration of the entire world. If there is anything exemplary in the legacy the previous "corrupted" government left, it would be its acquiescence of the people's will without any violence. The present, fateful national crisis requires that the government, endowed with the people's support, accept the people's will and trust the mobilization for a new collective force.      

The sacred reconstruction mission has been an unabated principle for the Armenian Prelacy of the Eastern United States especially since the tragic earthquake of 1988, through the Nerses the Great benevolent organization set up in Yerevan. Following the way of the Cross to the vision of the Resurrection, we continue that mission with same and even more dedication to make Armenia, the land of Eden, desirable to the entire humankind. 

Prelate, Eastern United States

The Pastor and the Board of Trustees of St. Sarkis Church invites all paid members of our church to a special Membership Meeting on Sunday November 29, 2020 following Church Services. 

The meeting will be also available on Zoom. Please email the church office to register for the zoom meeting.  

On Friday, November 13th St Sarkis Modern & Traditional dance group met for the second time. The girls enjoyed learning new dance styles and movements. We look forward to seeing all of our dancers on a regular basis. 

This week's highlight comes from :

Mrs. Lara Bardizbanian and Mrs. Lena Felice. 

In Mrs Lara's class the 3rd and 4th graders continued to focus on courageous leaders in the Bible and learned about Moses and the Ten Commandments.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9   

Mrs. Lena and her class, grades 6th - 9th, discussed that God created us to know and love him and one another.

It is in that relationship and the ones we have with others that our humanity is most realized.  

We look forward to seeing our Sunday School students on December 6th!

Time: 8:00pm - 9:00pm

More dates will be available soon...

Paul, Silas and Timothy, 

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.  

       

On Saturday, November 21, the Armenian Church commemorates the Presentation of the Holy Virgin to the Temple (Undzayoum Sourp Asdvadzadzin), one of the eight feast days devoted to Mary in the Armenian liturgical calendar. The doctrine of the Holy Mother as "Mother-of-God" (Asdvadzamayr) and Bearer-of-God (Asdvadzadzin) was established in the fifth century at the Holy Ecumenical Council of Ephesus.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Holy Virgin to the temple at the age of three is always commemorated on November 21. She remained in the house of God for twelve years, emerging at the age of fifteen with purity and wholesomeness. During her twelve years in the temple she acquired the knowledge and religion of the greatest scholars, usually denied to female children in those days. The high priest entrusted with the care of Mary was Zachariah, the father of John the Baptist.

 

This Sunday, November 22, is the first Sunday of Advent (from the Latin adventus, meaning "coming"). Advent is a season of penitence, anticipation, and preparation. Advent serves as a reminder of the original anticipation of the birth of Christ, as well as the anticipation for Christ's return. Ideally, Advent should be a time of quiet reflection and meditation. In modern times the period leading to Christmas is far from calm, and often is stressful and frenetic. It is a good time to remember to pause and reflect on the proper observation of the birth of our Lord and Savior.

In the true spirit of Christmas, remember that this time of the year, although filled with joy for most, can be lonely and sad for many people. Reach out to an elderly person living alone, someone who is ill, or someone who is mourning the loss of a loved one.

-Mrs. Sossi Salbashian, Mr. & Mrs. Rohan and Sevahn Edwards and family and Ms. Arpi Salbashian request requiem service for the soul of their beloved husband, father, grandfather and father in-law SIMPAD SALBASHIAN (1st  year memorial service).

-Mrs. Sossi Salbashian,  Mr. & Mrs. Arsen & Alice Manoukian request requiem service for the soul of their beloved mother and grandmother  ANITSA PAKLAYAN (13th year memorial service).

-Mr. & Mrs. Koko & Nyrie Bedrossian and family request requiem service for the soul of their beloved father and grandfather MIHRAN BEDROSSIAN (40th day memorial service).