E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Church |
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E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church
38-65 234th. St. Douglaston, NY, 11363
Sunday 8/14/2022
ՏՕՆ ՎԵՐԱՓՈԽՄԱՆ Ս. ԱՍՏՈՒԱԾԱԾՆԻ
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
Sunday Readings:
Song of Song 4:9-15; 8:14; Isaiah 7:10-16; Galatians 3:29-4:7; Luke 2:1-7
Lections for Blessing of Grapes: Proverbs 3: 9-10; Isaiah 65: 8-10; Hebrews 6:16-7:7; John 15:1-8
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
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THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF
ST. MARY THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD AND
BLESSING OF THE GRAPES
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Harissa
Is Donated by
Dr. & Mrs. Kevork & Diane Boyadjian
Harissa is a traditional Armenian recipe dating back to St. Gregory the Illuminator. The tradition of Harissa at St. Sarkis Church was established in 2006 and has become one of the most popular fellowship hours in our Church.
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Grapes
Are Donated
by Mr. & Mrs. Vicken & Pamela Keshishian
In the Armenian Church, the offering of first fruits takes the form of thanksgiving and blessing. The produce is then consumed by the faithful. The liturgical concept behind the blessing is the faithful offering back to God a token of that which God, in his loving kindness, has provided.
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Altar Flowers
Are donated by Mr. & Mrs
Manoug & Dory Shishmanian
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Tan is donated by
Mr. & Mrs. Manoug & Dory Shishmanian.
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CALLING ALL PARISHIONERS! |
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We are so proud that each member of our thriving St. Sarkis community possesses unique talents, expertise, and interests. Participation by each and every one of you makes an impact on us all. As our parish grows, so do our needs for your participation and impact. With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits and fulfillment from volunteering with your fellow parishioners can be enormous. If you are interested in joining any of our team efforts for activities such as annual picnic planning, Saturday and Sunday school activities, choir membership --- we appreciate your help! Also, if you’d like to recommend and plan an activity, we’d love to hear from you and see how we can help make it happen. Please feel free to reach out to Annita Nerses (annitanerses@aol.com, 914-523-2956) or the Church office (stsarkischurch@gmail.com, 718-224-2275)
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ST. SARKIS SATURDAY SCHOOL |
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ST. SARKIS CHURCH ANNUAL PICNIC |
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Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Saint Sarkis Church welcomes you to its traditional Annual Picnic, which will be held on September 25, 2022. As in past years, this picnic promises to be a memorable day in the company of dear friends, savoring delicious food, listening to and dancing to great music, watching children enjoy various activities, or simply just spending a special day with our St. Sarkis Family. While its success depends on the tireless efforts of the organizing committee and volunteers, your financial support can also play an important role in sponsoring various stations and activities. There are many expenses associated with the picnic, and we are very thankful for your generous support in past years and hope you will continue this tradition of giving.
Please join us in making this year’s picnic a memorable one!
Thank you again for your sponsorship, support, and generosity,
The Picnic Committee
Leadership Circle $500
Sustainer Circle $250
Supporter Circle $100
Donor Circle $50
Beverage Fountain $250 (four sponsors needed)
Grill & Serve $250 (ten sponsors needed)
Kids Activities $250 (three sponsors needed)
Bistro Café & Pastries $200 (four sponsors needed)
Espresso/Smoothie Bar $100 (five sponsors needed)
The Sound of Music $100 (five sponsors needed)
Helping Hands $100 (six sponsors needed)
Tent/Tables Rental $100 (ten supporters needed)
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VIDEO "Overcoming Our Paralysis | An Invitation to Change"
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LITURGICAL CALENDAR
(From Crossroads: E-Newsletter of the Armenian Prelacy)
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FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
The Blessed Virgin Mary holds a high place in the Armenian Church, next to Christ. We begin our Divine Liturgy with these words, “Through the intercession of the holy Mother of God, O Lord, receive our supplications and save us.” In every Armenian Church the painting on the main altar is of Mary, holding the infant Savior. The Gospels teach us that Mary was blessed and called by God to fulfill God’s divine plan of salvation. Mary has a primary place of honor because through her and by the Holy Spirit God became incarnate, became human.
This Sunday, August 14, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption (Verapokhoum) of the Holy Mother of God, the fourth of the five major feast days in our Liturgical Calendar. Verapokhoum in classical Armenian means “transport up.” According to tradition, when the Holy Mother died, she was buried by the apostles in the Garden of Gethsemane. Bartholomew, who was not present at her funeral, wished to visit her grave. When the gravestone was lifted, they were surprised to find that her body had disappeared. It was believed that Christ had come and taken his mother to the Heavenly Kingdom. Based on this event, the Church Fathers established the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is one of the five tabernacle feast days in the Armenian Church’s liturgical calendar. The feast is preceded by a week (five days) of fasting and followed by a memorial day.
Because Bartholomew was very fond of the Holy Mother, the apostle John gave him an image of her (which she had given to John). Bartholomew took this image with him to Armenia to Darbnots Kar in the province of Antsev, Vaspurakan (Western Armenia) where a convent for nuns, Hogyats Vank (Monastery of the Spirits), was built and where the icon was kept. Most depictions of Bartholomew show him holding this icon.
The concept of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is old as evidenced in sacred prose and poetry dedicated to the Holy Mother. However, it did not become a basic doctrine of the church until the ninth century, and it was in the twelfth century that the feast was called “The Assumption.”
This Sunday is the name day for those named Mariam, Mary, Mari, Maroush, Makrouhi, Mayrenie, Serpouhi, Dirouhi, Iskouhi, Takouhi, Arousiag, Arpi, Arpine, Arshalouys, Markarid, Seta, Antaram, Dzaghig, Verjin.
Today the saints have gathered together, the blessed apostles and the holy virgins in bright garments with their lighted lamps and in unison they sang: Blessed are you, all-praised among women.
Today having placed the holy Virgin at the door of the tomb, they awaited the coming of the Lord himself. And behold, they saw on the heights the Creator coming with a multitude of angels; and in unison they began to sing in praise: Blessed are you, all-praised among women.
Today they saw the holy Virgin floating through the air and on the fiery chariot ascending into heaven with the wise virgins entering into the heavenly tabernacles; and in unison they sang in song: Blessed are you, all-praised among women.
Today, accompanied by the many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim you entered into the radiant tabernacles and saw the various thrones prepared for you, O Lady; with them we also sing: Blessed are you all-praised among women.
BLESSING OF THE GRAPES
The Blessing of the Grapes takes place on the Feast of the Assumption, although there is no connection between the two events. This ceremony is rooted in the Biblical tradition as commanded by God to the Israelites, through Moses, to donate the “first bearing of all their fruits, on the Tabernacle in order that with this first offering all fruits would receive Your blessing…” The hymn Park Sourp Khatchet (Glory to Your Sacred Cross) is sung; Biblical passages are recited, followed by a prayer composed by Catholicos Nerses Shnorhali specifically for this occasion. After the prayer, the grapes are blessed three times with the words Orhnestsee Bahbanestsee and then the blessed grapes are distributed to the faithful, many of whom have refrained from eating grapes until after this blessing.
Certainly, we can say that the Blessing of the Grapes is a symbolic celebration of the fruitfulness of the earth. Grapes are one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world. Noah planted a vineyard immediately after disembarking from the Ark (Genesis, Chapter 9) in Nakhichevan, Armenia. And, of course, the wine of the Divine Liturgy comes from grapes.
Bless, O Lord, the grape plants and vineyards from which these grapes are taken and presented to the holy church, and make them bountiful and fruitful; let them be like good and fertile land, protect the vineyard from all kinds of misfortune and destruction which come from above because of our sins, from hail, from cold, from hot winds, and from destructive insects, so that we may enjoy that which You have created in this world for our enjoyment and for Your glory, and grant that we may be worthy to eat and drink with You from the bounty of Your most fruitful vine at the table of Your Father’s Kingdom, according to the just promise which You made, to the honor and glory of Your coexisting Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the most Holy Spirit to whom is due glory, power, and honor, now and forever. Amen.
REMEMBRANCE OF THE DEAD (MEMORIAL DAY)
Monday, August 15, is Memorial Day (Merelotz). In accordance with the calendar of the Armenian Church, the day after each of the five tabernacle feasts is designated as a Memorial Day, a day of remembrance of the dead. Traditionally, on Merelotz, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated with a requiem service for all souls and for those specifically requested. Following the service, the clergy and faithful go to the cemetery where the graves of loved ones are blessed.
FEAST OF SHOGHAKAT OF HOLY ETCHMIADZIN
This Saturday, August 13, is the Feast of Shoghakat of Holy Etchmiadzin that is always observed on the Saturday prior to the Feast of the Assumption. Shoghakat refers to the vision of the rays of light seen by St. Gregory when God chose the site for the Mother Cathedral. The feast is celebrated at the time of Assumption because the Cathedral in Etchmiadzin is named in honor of the Holy Mother, although through the years it became known as Etchmiadzin. The name of St. Shoghakat was given to the church, according to tradition, because it was built where “the divine light had shed” (shogh gatadz er) on the Hripsimiants virgins.
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SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THIS SUNDAY |
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THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE GALATIANS (3.29-4.7)
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ԳԱՂԱՏԱՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ (3.29-4.7)
Արդ ուրեմն, եթէ Քրիստոսի կը պատկանիք, կը նշանակէ թէ դուք Աբրահամի զաւակներ էք եւ պիտի ժառանգէք ինչ որ Աստուած անոր խոստացաւ:
Բայց գիտցէ՛ք նաեւ, թէ ժառանգորդ մը թէպէտ ամբողջ ժառանգութեան իսկական տէրն է, բայց որքան ատեն որ անչափահաս է՝ տարբերութիւն չունի ծառայէ մը, քանի խնամակալներու եւ հոգաբարձուներու ենթակայ է, մինչեւ հասնի իր հօրը որոշած ժամանակակէտը: Նոյնն է մեր ալ պարագան: Որքան ատեն որ հոգեւորապէս անչափահաս էինք՝ բնութեան ոյժերուն կ’ենթարկուէինք ու կը ծառայէինք: Բայց հիմա յարմար ժամանակը հասած համարելով, Աստուած աշխարհ ղրկեց իր Որդին, որ կնոջմէ մը ծնաւ եւ Օրէնքին տակ ապրեցաւ, որպէսզի մեզ Օրէնքին գերութենէն փրկէ եւ Աստուծոյ որդիներ դարձնէ: Արդ, որովհետեւ իր որդիներն ենք՝ Աստուած մեր սիրտերուն մէջ ղրկեց իր Որդիին Հոգին, որով զԱստուած «Աբբա», այսինքն «Հայր» կը կոչենք: Ուստի այլեւս ծառայ չէք, այլ՝ որդի. եւ քանի որդի էք՝ Աստուծոյ խոստումը պիտի ժառանգէք:
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE (2.1-7)
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ ՂՈՒԿԱՍԻ (2.1-7)
Այդ օրերուն, Օգոստոս կայսր հրամանագիր հանեց՝ իր կայսրութեան սահմաններուն մէջ գտնուող բոլոր բնակիչներուն մարդահամարը կատարելու: Այս առաջին մարդահամարը տեղի ունեցաւ Սուրիայի կառավարիչ Կիրենիոսի օրերուն: Ամէն մարդ իր ծննդավայր քաղաքը կ’երթար՝ իր անունը արձանագրել տալու համար: Յովսէփ, Դաւիթի ցեղէն եւ ազգատոհմէն ըլլալուն համար, Գալիլեայի Նազարէթ քաղաքէն ելաւ եւ իր անունը արձանագրել տալու համար գնաց Հրէաստանի Բեթլեհէմ քաղաքը, Դաւիթ թագաւորին ծննդավայրը: Իրեն կ’ընկերանար իր նշանածը՝ Մարիամ, որ յղի էր:
Բեթլեհէմի մէջ Մարիամի ծննդաբերութեան ժամանակը հասաւ եւ ծնաւ իր անդրանիկ զաւակը, որ փաթթեց խանձարուրի մէջ եւ դրաւ մսուրի մը մէջ, որովհետեւ պանդոկին մէջ իրենց համար տեղ չկար:
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- DOMENICK ESPOSITO and JESSICA MEGERIAN were married on August 7, 2022. The best man and maid of honor were Mr. Niel Espasito and Mrs. Naomi Megerian. We congratulate the newly married couple & wish them a happy life together.
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The Blessing of the grapes and traditional Harissa will take place in the Main Hall.
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- August 14, 2022: Asdvadzadzin the feast of Assumption of the Holy Mother of God, Blessing of Grapes.
- September 17, 2022: First Day Of Armenian Saturday School
- September 25, 2022: Annual Picnic
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Dear Parishioners,
Please send your requiem request, photos of newborns, baptism photos, wedding photos, and other announcements from sister organizations for the coming Sunday's E-bulletin no later than Thursday 12 noon.
All requests received after 12 noon on Thursday will be posted on the following week's E-bulletin.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.
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ST. SARKIS CHURCH BASKETBALL |
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Adds From Sister Organizations
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The Armenian story continues to be told on PBS. Following its popular nationwide premiere in June, The Hidden Map is being broadcast again in cities across America during the network's August pledge drive. In New Jersey and the Tri-State area, it will air several times, including:
NJ PBS
Thursday, August 18 at 9 pm
Saturday August 20 at 9 am
Sunday, August 21 at 6:30 pm
The Hidden Map, which takes viewers on a journey of heartbreak, discovery and hope into the forbidden Armenan past, is among the only Armenian films ever to be distributed nationally on PBS, and much of its success is due to viewers' involvement and support. When viewers engage and pledge even a nominal amount to support PBS's broadcasts of The Hidden Map, they are helping to keep our collective Armenian story on television. Thank you gifts available during the broadcasts include unique hand-crocheted dolls made by women in Goris, Armenia–among them displaced citizens of Artsakh who are working to rebuild their lives, partly by making these dolls for viewers. Other mementos include the film DVD and exclusive postcards of h Western Armenia.
Watch The Hidden Map trailer here. For more information or broadcasts in other cities, see thehiddenmap.com. Please share-watch-support.
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I am Like You, a film by Haik Kocharian will premiere in New York on Friday, September 16, 2022, at 7:30 pm at the Cinema Village (22 East 12th St., New York) followed by a Q&A with the director and some of the cast.
The premiere is sold out. An additional Q&A with the director will be held after the Saturday, September 17, and Sunday, September 18, evening shows (6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.). The film will run for one week with four screenings per day and will close on September 23.
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St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church |
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Address: 38-65 234th Street,
Douglaston, NY 11363
Phone:(718) 224-2275
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