E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

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

Sunday: 10/1/2023

ԽԱՉՎԵՐԱՑԷՆ ԵՏՔ Բ . ԿԻՐԱԿԻ 

THIRD SUNDAY OF THE EXALTATION - FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS OF VARAK

Sunday Readings: 

Proverbs 3:18-26; Isaiah 65:22-25; Galatians 6:14-18; Matthew 24:30-36 

Join us in worship this Sunday.

Morning Service 10:00 AM

Sunday School 11:00 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

Sunday, October 1, has been declared a day of support for Artsakh by order of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I. All churches of the Eastern Prelacy will hold a memorial service on the occasion, and prayers will be said for the prisoners, the exiles, the infirms, and all our fellow Armenians who are going through critical moments.

In view of the tragic events in Artsakh, the Pastor, Board of Trustees, and Picnic Committee decided at the last minute to hold the annual picnic under a new format of somber gathering to mourn and pray for the lives lost in Artsakh and for its population who are now facing an uncertain and dangerous future.

Even the skies were feeling this pain as torrential downpours dampened our spirits even more. Several tents were erected covering the back of the church, providing safe refuge from the rain. Because all purchases had already been made, all committee members did their best to accommodate the record crowds who came to show their support and solidarity. The gathering began with Der Nareg delivering an inspirational message in Armenian and English: “We are here to support our brothers and sisters in Artsakh and help them as best we can in their hour of need.” He pledged net proceeds of the food sales to be donated to Artsakh. Isabel Hagobian and Nazareth Markarian echoed the same sentiments as representatives of their organizations.

A fantastic team, incredible energy, outstanding cooperation, teamwork, respect, and love that is what defined this gathering. Far more successful than any of us expected, and very gratifying to see that all the hard work, preparations, and sacrifices paid off. It was also gratifying to see our youth engaged in helping with such dedication and enthusiasm. Not even the rain stopped the crowds from coming to support our efforts, and we are so grateful for their support.

We are strong and committed.

God Bless us all.

"What are you?" and "Who are you?" Two existential questions that the senior members of our Salt & Light group dealt with this past Friday during our first meeting of the season. 

The evening started with a prayer service in the sanctuary, where seventy group members and the adult facilitators convened. Our prayer intentions were for the people of Artsakh. Fr. Nareg blessed cross bracelets, and the facilitators gave them to the group members. Der Nareg encouraged the members to wear the blessed bracelets, remember the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, and remember our brothers and sisters of Artsakh as they face inhumane atrocities. 

Following the prayer in the sanctuary, the senior group went to Pagoumian Hall for their meeting. In a video presentation, the members discussed the search for the meaning of life and questions such as Who am I? Am I just my body? They heard from neuroscientists, psychologists, composers, and artists to examine the mystery of "you." The discussions culminated as our youth explored the meaning and implications of being created in "God's image and likeness." 

Our next meeting is on Friday, October 6, 2023. We invite every young community member to join St. Sarkis Church Salt & Light Youth Group.

Last Friday, the Salt & Light Youth Group returned to St. Sarkis for the first session of the new season. Over 40 junior members ranging from ages 10-14 attended that night. This session started differently than our usual meetings where everyone meets in Chadrjian Hall and we start the lesson immediately. Instead, everyone gathered in the sanctuary, and Der Nareg led us all in prayer for our brothers and sisters facing difficult times in Artsakh and Armenia. Then for the first lesson of the season, all the juniors learned about the parable of the Good Samaritan. After we discussed the story and its meaning, we enjoyed a dinner of chicken, pasta, salad, garlic knots, and fries. Then we hung out and socialized with each other. There were lots of new faces and some kids who came back. We all had so much fun.

On Wednesday, September 27th the Youth Adults Bible Group got together at St. Sarkis Church. We began the night by updating each other on our lives since the last time we met. Our hearts have been heavy since the latest news about the current situation in Artsakh. Hence, we spent the night reflecting on how we have been handling the recent events in our homeland and how trying times like these can be as an Armenian, and our questions for God. It was refreshing to come together with a devoted group of individuals and converse about our faith and Artsakh, a topic that has been constantly on our minds.

The group’s next meeting is Wednesday, October 18th. If you are interested in an opportunity to talk and learn about your faith with an understanding and relatable group of young adults, join us. 

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

FEAST OF THE HOLY CROSS OF VARAKK

This Sunday, October 1, is the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak, a holiday that is unique to the Armenian Church and is celebrated two weeks after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. After coming to Armenia, the Hripsimiants Virgins lived near Mount Varak. They had brought with them a fragment of the True Cross. Fleeing persecution, they sought refuge on the mountain where Hripsime hid the cross among the rocks before fleeing to Vagharshapat. In 653, a hermit named Todik found the hidden cross by following a brilliant light that illuminated the mountain and guided him inside the church to the altar where he found the cross. The light shone for twelve days. In memory of this event, Catholicos Nerses the Builder established the Feast of the Holy Cross of Varak. He wrote the beautiful hymn, “By the Sign of Your All Victorious Cross” (Nshanav Amenahaght Khachit).  

The Monastery of St. Nishan (Varakavank) was built on Mount Varak, which is in the southeastern region of Van. It was home to one of the greatest libraries and museums, filled with ancient and contemporary books and works of art. The Monastery became even more prominent when Khrimian Hayrik, the famous ecclesiastic and national leader, established a publishing house and a school there, hoping to make the monastery an educational center. He founded the first newspaper to be published in historic Armenia, Artziv Vaspurakani (The Eagle of Vaspurakan). The massacres and deportations of 1915 destroyed all hopes and plans, as well as so much more. Varakavank was reduced to ruins by the Turkish army on April 30, 1915, during the siege of Van. 

By the sign of your all-victorious cross, O Christ, lover of mankind, keep us from the unseen enemy, for you alone are the King of Glory, blessed forever. On it you stretched out your spotless hands and shed your blood for the salvation of the universe for you alone are the King of Glory, blessed forever. At your second coming when the holy sign shall appear, once again make your servants worthy of renewal for you alone are the King of Glory, blessed forever. 

May your cross be our refuge by its flame-like radiance; it is named the tree of life; you crushed the enemy and unloosed the sentence of death for the salvation of the universe. Sending up praises the heavens rejoice and the earth rejoices at the discovery of the holy cross like the four-winged rock which enlightened this world by its sun-like rays. Jerusalem rejoiced, believers were glad; they adorned themselves in marvelous garment for they saw the victorious sign; all creation was adorned with its light. 

SAINT GEORGE (KEVORK) THE COMMANDER

This Saturday, September 30, the Armenian Church commemorates St. George (Kevork) the Commander, a third century Roman general who challenged the emperor’s persecution of Christians by publicly tearing up the emperor’s decree, and urging others to follow his example.

THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE GALATIANS (6:14-18)

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.   

Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.   

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

  ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ   ԳԱՂԱՏԱՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ (6.14-18)

Գալով ինծի, քա՛ւ լիցի որ մեր Տիրոջ Յիսուս Քրիստոսի խաչէն զատ ուրիշ բանով պարծենամ: Այդ խաչին միջոցաւ աշխարհը մեռած է այլեւս ինծի համար, ինչպէս ես մեռած եմ աշխարհին համար: Կարեւորը մարդուս թլփատուած կամ անթլփատ ըլլալը չէ, այլ՝ նոր արարած ըլլալը: Թող Աստուծոյ խաղաղութիւնն ու ողորմութիւնը ըլլան բոլոր անոնց հետ, որոնք այս սկզբունքին համաձայն կ’ապրին. բոլոր անոնց՝ որոնք իր ընտրեալ ժողովուրդը կը կազմեն:

Այսուհետեւ, խնդրեմ, ոեւէ մէկը աշխարհիկ հոգերով թող զիս չնեղէ, որովհետեւ ես Յիսուսի կը պատկանիմ, ինչպէս մարմնիս վրայ վէրքերուն սպիները կը վկայեն:

Եղբայրնե՛ր, մեր Տէր Յիսուս Քրիստոսի շնորհքը ձեր բոլորին հետ ըլլայ: Ամէն:

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (24:30-36)

 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.   

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near at the very gates. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ ՄԱՏԹԷՈՍԻ (24:30-36)

Ապա Մարդու Որդիին նշանը պիտի երեւի երկինքի մէջ, եւ աշխարհի բոլոր ժողովուրդները պիտի ողբան, երբ տեսնեն Մարդու Որ-դին, որ կու գայ ամպերուն վրայ բազմած՝ զօրութեամբ եւ մեծ փառքով: Երբ մեծաձայն փողը հնչէ, ան իր հրեշտակները պիտի ղրկէ, որպէսզի հաւաքեն իր ընտրեալները աշխարհի չորս կողմերէն, երկինքի մէկ ծայրէն մինչեւ միւսը:

Թզենին ձեզի թող օրինակ ըլլայ: Երբ տեսնէք որ անոր ճիւղերը կը կակուղնան եւ տերեւ կ’արձակեն, գիտէք թէ ամառը մօտ է: Նոյնպէս ալ, երբ բոլոր ըսածներս կատարուին, գիտցէք թէ Մարդու Որդիին գալուստը մօտ է եւ արդէն հասնելու վրայ է: Վստահ եղէք, որ այս սերունդը չանցած՝ ասոնք բոլորը պիտի պատահին: Նոյնիսկ եթէ երկինքն ու երկիրը անհետանան, խօսքերս պիտի չանհետանան:

– Սակայն ո՛չ ոք գիտէ թէ ե՛րբ պիտի գայ այդ օրը կամ ժամը. ո՛չ երկինքի հրեշտակները, ո՛չ ալ Որդին, բայց միայն՝ Հայրը: 

-BRIAN OSGOOD and KARINE NERSES were married on September 23, 2023. Best man and maid of honor were Mr. Scott Stensrud and Mrs. Annita Nerses. We congratulate the newly married couple & wish them a happy life together.  

-Mr. & Mrs. Vahe and Setta Bijimenian and children Armen and Mimi request requiem service for the souls of their beloved parents and grandparents AVEDIS and MARIE BIJIMENIAN, ANTRANIK and HUDA SARKISSIAN. Also for the souls of their beloved grandparents and great grandparents HAYRABED and HRIPSIME SARKISSIAN, beloved brother and sister in-law KEVORK and NORA BIJIMENIAN and beloved uncle GARABED BARIKIAN.

-Kubikian, Zobian and Tumaian families request requiem service for the soul of their beloved aunt ARSAGUHI TOSSOYAN (40th day memorial service)

Aram Hovhannisyan theatrical performance of St. Gregory of Narek and the Ladies Guild fellowship hour will be held in the Main Hall and is hosted by:

-Mrs. Amy Gostanian

-Mrs. Maral Harutunian