E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

38-65 234th. St. Douglaston, NY, 11363  

Sunday: 11/19/2023

Ժ. ԿԻՐԱԿԻ Ս. ԽԱՉԷՆ ԵՏՔ - ԲԱՐԵԿԵՆԴԱՆ ՅԻՍՆԱԿԻ ՊԱՀՈՑ

10th SUNDAY AFTER THE EXHALATION OF THE HOLY CROSS - 

EVE OF THE FAST OF ADVENT

Sunday Readings:

Isaiah 25:9-26:7; Philippians 1:1-11; Luke 9:43-50 

Join us in worship this Sunday.

Morning Service 10:00 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:45 AM - Sermon 11:45 AM

Մասնակցեցէք Ս. Պատարագին՝

Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն 10։00

Ս. Պատարագ 10։45- Քարոզ 11։45

Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

Please note that there will be no church service on

Sunday, November 19, 2023 at St. Sarkis Church.

We encourage you to join services at St. Illuminator's Cathedral and hear the pontifical message of His Holiness Aram I.

On November 12, 2023 the Homenetmen NY Cub Scouts held a Christmas Falafel Breakfast fundraiser for the Refugees of Artsakh at St. Sarkis Apostolic Church.

Everyone did a phenomenal job working together and with such teamwork, made the event so successful. The money raised on behalf of the Artsakh Fund was $1150.

We served over 80 meals and a number of great Christmas ornaments that our Kayligs and Ardzevigs created were sold.

We want to send a heartfelt thank you to the St. Sarkis Ladies Auxiliary with a special thank you going to the following amazing ladies:

Anie Nersessian

Annie Terterian

Loucine Megherian

Lena Felice

Nayda Voskerijian

Christine Jamgochian

Salpi Megerian

Jeannette Nenejian

Talar Aprahamian

Kristine Jamgotchian

These tireless women did an amazing job to ensure the success of our event. Without them this event would not have met its objective.

A special thanks also goes out to K Talar Aprahamian and Y Karekin Shamlian for manning the ticket booth and to our incredible Kayligs and Ardzevigs for creating these wonderful Christmas ornaments and helping out with serving the food and selling the ornaments.

One of the lessons learned by our Kayligs and Ardzevigs is that you are never too young or too small to make a difference in our community.

It was so great to see the community get together and help our Kayligs and Ardzevigs run our Christmas Falafel Breakfast fundraiser for the refugees of Artsakh.

We are and shall always be ready to serve our community in their times of need trying to live up to our most important ideal of Homenetmen …

Partsratsir Partstratsour (Elevate yourself and Elevate Others)

Our journey continues

Yeghpayragan Cherme Parevnerov

Yeghpayr Toros Aledjian

On Wednesday, November 15th, the Sages of all Ages had their second gathering of the year at the Friendsgiving luncheon, with nearly 60 vibrant participants. 

They enjoyed a wonderful morning of games led by our lovely Sonya Nenejian. The eager Sages played The Price is Right and Bingo, where they got to win some cool Thanksgiving prizes, scratch-off lottery tickets, Armenian jams, and more.

At noon, the Sages were treated to a festive spread of nutritious Thanksgiving lunch served by our committee, including turkey, eetch, boureg, pilaf, cornbread, stuffing, and winter salad. The turkey was donated and prepared by our own Arpi Bezdikian. The kitchen and serving crew included Yn. Annie Terterian, Mrs. Hilda Gorgissian and Mrs. Lena Felice. A musical performance was followed by some of our guests, and later on, under the leadership of our lovely Zepiur Ardzivian, they sang along to a selection of Armenian traditional songs. The Friendsgiving luncheon concluded with our sages enjoying delicious traditional Thanksgiving desserts such as pumpkin and apple pie, cookies, and Armenian delights like baklava and more. 

Everyone was happy and uplifted after a wonderful Friendsgiving luncheon in the company of their friends. 

All the Sages are looking forward to our Christmas party on December 13. 

Thank you all for attending this beautiful gathering.

Our Young Adults bible study this month was informal and educational. My brother, Sevag Ebrimian, made an informative presentation about all things related to software engineering. His presentation was followed by an interactive discussion about bioethical issues led by Der Nareg.

This meeting was great as Der Nareg and Yeretsgin Annie Terterian invited us to their warm home and served us dinner. We gathered and shared our thoughts throughout the night, incorporating faith, which helped us come closer to each other and strengthened our relationship with God. I highly recommend anyone over 18 to join us every month as we continue to grow closer to God and learn more about our beliefs as Armenian Christians.

Our next meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2023.  

A Successful Second Practice with 30 Dancers

In a wonderful turn of events, Nor Yeraz had a successful second practice on Friday, November 10th at Saint Sarkis Church.  From a promising start with 20 dancers in our initial rehearsal, we were ecstatic to welcome a total of 30 dancers for our second practice.

What makes Nor Yeraz different than other Armenian Dance Groups is the makeup of the dancers which is evenly matched between males and females.  The dancers look forward to practices and are excited to be part of Nor Yeraz.  A big part of that enthusiasm is due to our two excellent and lively instructors Maria Bechirian and Tigran Dumanyan.  

The dancer group worked hard during practice and at the end of practice there was a sense of accomplishment felt by both the dancers and instructors.   Maria and Tigran praised the dancers for their dedication, mutual respect, and camaraderie.  The downstairs halls were filled with laughter and the joy of shared achievement.

To celebrate the hard work, Nor Yeraz Dance Ensemble decided to unwind with a well-deserved treat – pizza! The post-practice gathering became an opportunity for the dancers to bond, socialize, and strengthen the connections that were forming among the group. 

For the members of Nor Yeraz, this dance group presents a unique opportunity to connect with other Armenian youth, fostering friendships, and strengthening their cultural ties. The schedule for the coming months promises a series of exciting practices and events, ensuring that Nor Yeraz will continue to flourish and represent the rich Armenian heritage through the art of dance.

Hamazkayin Nor Yeraz would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Saint Sarkis Church for generously allowing the dance group to use their space for practice. The dance group also has an impressive executive team and volunteers who generously contribute their time and expertise. We look forward to exciting events in our near future.  

As Nor Yeraz embarks on this promising journey, the group is set to become a source of cultural pride and a vibrant community for all its members.

Most practices will be held on rotating Fridays between 7:30 to 9:30 pm in the downstairs hall except for December 8th practice:

 Please see below schedule:

December 8 Upstairs

December 15

January 12

January 26

February 2

February 23

March 1

March 15

April 5

April 19

May 3

May 17

May 31

June 14

If you would like to join the dance group or have additional questions, email at noryerazdancegroup@gmail.com or call 917-432-4672. 

In one week, since the beginning of the Coat Drive Campaign, the generous parishioners and friends of St. Sarkis Church sponsored over 400 jackets for our displaced people of Artsakh.

Please consider sponsoring 1 or as many jackets as you want.



These jackets are made in Armenia and will be distributed through the Armenian Prelacy's St. Nerses The Great Charitable Organization.

Calendar donation for e-bulletin as of November 16, 2023

Founder ($1,500)

Mr. Dennis & Dr. Annita Nerses Kurpius

Mr. & Mrs. Santo & Seta Muradian

Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis & Adriana Nercessian

Pillar (750)

Mr. Edward Kevorkian

Patron ($500)

Mrs. Lynn & Ms. Marissa Jamie

Mr. & Mrs. Eduard & Alina Kochoumian

Drs. Arthur & Louiza Kubikian

Donor ($250)

Anonymous

ARS Erebouni Chapter NY

Dr. & Mrs. Armand & Laura Asadourian

Drs. Bagdig & Ani Baghdassarian

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Lusin Garabedian

Dr. & Mrs. Hagop & Hilda Gorgissian

Mr. & Mrs. Varujan & Luiza Kalustian

Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Aline Kassabian

Mrs. Anahid Kassabian

Drs. Aram & Michelle Kirkorian

Mr. & Mrs. Yeprem & Madeleine Nazarian

Mr. & Mrs. Razmik & Sonya Nenejian

Mr. & Mrs. Garabed & Sophie Seoylemezian

Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Alice Seoylemezian

Dr. Alina & Mr. Dan Stanciu

Mrs. Nayda Voskerijian

Supporter ($150)

Mr. & Mrs. Ruben & Hasmik Daglyan

Mr. & Mrs. Garbis & Victoria Hagobian

Mrs. Elizabeth Ohannessian

Friend ($100)

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Arpi Bekian

Crown Findings Co. Inc.

Mr. & Mrs. Manoug & Amy Gostanian

Dr. & Mrs. Louis & Elenne Najarian

Mr. & Mrs. Dimosthenis & Ani Papaioannou

Ms. Mary & Ms. Dorothy Papazian

Mrs. Diana Pogosyan

Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes & Chake Vartanian

On Sunday November 12th, 2023, St. Sarkis and Holy Martyrs Starters Basketball teams versed each other in a great and exciting game at Mitchell Gym in Garden City. The gym was packed with parents and friends of both teams cheering as the teams scored.Throughout the game St. Sarkis stayed strong together and showed excellent teamwork. These girls and boys played excellent offense and defense as they had lots of fun. The next game will be on December 3rd, 2023 in Fairlawn, NJ as they play St. Leon Starters Basketball Team. Let’s Go Sarkis!

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

We gratefully acknowledge the receipt of your generous donation to St. Sarkis Church.

Your continuous support of St. Sarkis Church is sincerely appreciated. It is because of dedicated individuals like you, that our church continues its spiritual mission and service.

May God bless you for your kindness and reward you abundantly.

Prayerfully,

Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor &

Board of Trustees

LEO LEVON WALSH the son of Mr. & Mrs. John & Nusheg Walsh, was baptized on Saturday, November 11, 2023. His Godparents were Mr. Justin Walsh & Ms. Zakiye Ohanian. May the Grace of the Holy Spirit always be with Leo. 

GEMMA EMILIA MATZNER the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas & Lara Matzner, was baptized on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Her Godparents were Mr. Vahe Knadjian & Mrs. Talin Alahverdian. May the Grace of the Holy Spirit always be with Gemma. 

PRESENTATION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD TO THE TEMPLE

On Monday, November 20, the Armenian Church commemorates the Presentation of the Holy Mother of God to the Temple (Undzayoum Sourp Asdvadzadzni), 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 Mother of God 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. 

THE HOLY APOSTLES ANDREW AND PHILIP 

The word apostle refers to the special inner circle of Jesus’ disciples, chosen by Jesus to accompany Him during His ministry, to learn from Him, follow His instructions and continue his work. 

This Saturday, November 18, the Armenian Church celebrates two Holy Apostles, Andrew and Philip. Andrew was a Galilean fisherman and the first-called of the followers of Christ, along with his brother Simon, who was later called Peter. Philip was from Bethsaida and after he had been called to be an apostle he brought in Nathanael (later called Bartholomew).

THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS (1.1-11)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:  

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.

           ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ՓԻԼԻՊՊԵՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ (1.1-11)

Պօղոս եւ Տիմոթէոս՝ Քրիստոս Յիսուսի ծառաներս, կը գրենք ձեզի՝ Քրիստոս Յիսուսի միացած բոլոր հաւատացեալներուդ, որ Փիլիպպէի կողմերը կը բնակիք, ինչպէս նաեւ եպիսկոպոսներուն ու սարկաւագներուն: Թող Աստուած մեր Հայրը եւ Տէրը՝ Յիսուս Քրիստոս, շնորհք եւ խաղաղութիւն պարգեւեն ձեզի:

Ամէն անգամ որ ձեզ յիշեմ, գոհութիւն կը յայտնեմ իմ Աստուծոյս: Ամէն անգամ որ ձեր բոլորին համար կ’աղօթեմ, ուրախութեամբ կ’աղօթեմ, որովհետեւ առաջին օրէն մինչեւ հիմա ձեր մասնակցութիւնը բերիք աւետարանչութեան գործին: Եւ վստահ եմ, թէ Աստուած, որ այդ բարի գործը սկսաւ ձեր մէջ, զայն իր կատարումին պիտի հասցնէ մինչեւ Քրիստոս Յիսուսի օրը գայ: Իրաւունք կը համարեմ այսպէս խորհիլ ձեր բոլորին մասին, եւ ձեզ սրտիս մէջ ունիմ, որովհետեւ բոլորդ ալ մասնակից եղաք ինծի վիճակուած շնորհքին, ըլլա՛յ բանտարկութեանս ընթացքին, ըլլա՛յ երբ ազատ վիճակով Աւետարանը կը պաշտպանէի ու կը հաստատէի: Միայն Աստուած գիտէ՝ թէ որքա՜ն կարօտցած եմ ձեզ, Քրիստոս Յիսուսի գորովովը:

Իմ աղօթքս է, որ ձեր սէրը աւելի եւ աւելի աճի աստուածգիտութեամբ եւ կատարեալ դատողութեամբ, որպէսզի կարենաք լաւը ընտրել եւ Քրիստոս իր գալստեան օրը ձեզ գտնէ մաքուր եւ ամբասիր, եւ Յիսուս Քրիստոսի միջոցաւ արդար գործերով հարստացած՝ պատճառ ըլլաք որ Աստուած փառաւորուի եւ գովուի: 

 THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE (9:44-50)

While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men." But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all-he is the greatest."

"Master," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us." 

ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ ՂՈՒԿԱՍԻ (9.43-50)

Մինչ ժողովուրդը կը զարմանար Յիսուսի կատարած գործերուն վրայ, իր աշակերտներուն դառնալով ըսաւ.

– Լաւ մտիկ ըրէք եւ մի՛ մոռնաք ասիկա. Մարդու Որդին պիտի մատնուի մարդոց ձեռքը:

Սակայն աշակերտները չհասկցան խօսքին իմաստը, որովհետեւ Աստուած իրենցմէ ծածկած էր՝ որպէսզի չհասկնան: Միւս կողմէ ալ, կը վախնային իրեն հարցնելու այս մասին:

Աշակերտները սկսան վիճաբանիլ թէ իրենցմէ ո՞վ է մեծը: Յիսուս գիտնալով անոնց մտածումը, մանուկ մը առաւ եւ իր քով կանգնեցնելով, ըսաւ.

– Ով որ այս մանուկը ընդունի իմ անունովս՝ զիս ընդունած կ’ըլլայ, եւ ով որ զիս կ’ընդունի՝ ընդունած կ’ըլլայ զիս ղրկողը: Որովհետեւ ով որ ձեր բոլորին մէջ փոքրիկն է, ան է մեծը:

Յովհաննէս ըսաւ.

– Վարդապե՛տ, մէկը տեսանք որ քու անունովդ չար ոգիներ կը հանէր եւ մենք արգիլեցինք իրեն, որովհետեւ մեզի հետ չի շրջիր:

Յիսուս ըսաւ.

– Արգելք մի՛ ըլլաք իրեն. որովհետեւ ան որ հակառակ չէ ձեզի, կը նշանակէ թէ ձեր կողմն է: