E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

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

Sunday: 06/25/2023

ՀՈԳԵԳԱԼՈՒՍՏԷՆ ԵՏՔ Դ. ԿԻՐԱԿԻ - FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Sunday Readings: 

Isaiah 1:21-31; Romans 7:25-8:11; Matthew 12:38-45

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

On Friday, June 16 th, the Main Hall was full and bursting with energy. Everyone gathered to celebrate Father’s Day a few days early and get some laughs in. It was the second time St. Sarkis hosted a comedy night this year and it sure did not disappoint. Shont Voskerijian was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and introduced the two comedians, Dan Larocco and Rich Walker. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed their comedy performances and wanted more.



Before the actual comedy started Der Nareg took the microphone because he wanted to

present the “Father of the Year” award. This year’s award went to Mr. Armen Ardzivian, our

beloved choirmaster. He was quite surprised when Der Hayr announced his name and

presented him with the certificate of honor. He has been St. Sarkis’ choirmaster since 2007 and he pours his heart and soul into his job. He is an amazing husband, father and grandfather as well. Our church community is very fortunate to have him.

The guests also enjoyed a beautiful and plentiful spread of delicious food both savory and

sweet. A special thank you goes out to the committee that worked hard to prepare it: Ytn.

Annie Terterian, Loucine Megherian, Lena Felice, Salpie Megerian, Katia Tavitian, Zepuir

Ardzivian, Annita Nerses-Kurpius, Meline Yaziciyan, and Jeannette Nenejian.

We also got to enjoy some great music by DJ Nick Yaziciyan. His selection of tunes kept the mood upbeat and energized and had many ladies dancing after the comedy portion of the evening was done.

Overall, it was great to see our main hall full of parishioners and friends enjoying themselves in true community fashion. We are very fortunate to have many generous and big-hearted people in our community. Shont Voskerijian was gracious and covered the expenses of the comedians.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this another successful event at our beloved church.

My name is Alex Demirdjan. I am an active member of St. Sarkis Church. I have been an acolyte serving on the altar since I was in the 2nd grade. I am a graduate of St.Sarkis Saturday School and a member of Salt and Light. Last summer before my freshman year of high school I spent 2 weeks at Camp Haiastan, where I learned about the ongoing and historical conflict regarding Artsakh. When I was given the opportunity to do my own documentary as part of Manhasset Secondary School’s broadcasting club, I chose to do a documentary on what had become a humanitarian crisis. When I presented this idea to the school I was told it would be nearly impossible to get a first person account of a person who speaks English who was in the region. I was determined to prove the naysayers wrong, and to spread awareness of this crisis to as broad of an audience as I could. I had the privilege to personally interview H.E. Mr. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, Armenian's Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Former Ambassador to the United Nations. I also interviewed Mr. Gev Iskajyan who is the ANCA representative currently living in Artsakh. 

On Saturday, June 17, members of three St. Sarkis basketball teams and their families gathered to celebrate the wrap up of another successful season. Players from the Junior Boys, Senior Boys, and Men's teams came together with family and friends to share a meal and recap the year. 

Coach and Basketball Program Director Edward Barsamian started the evening's program by welcoming everyone, and thanking the players for all their hard work this season. Coach Eddy wrapped up by announcing that with the close of this season, he'll be stepping down as the St. Sarkis representative to the Armenian Church Sports Association (ACSA). Michael Gostanian has been appointed as the church's new representative to the league, and will be coordinating the activities of our teams going forward. He then passed the microphone to Michael to continue with the evening.

Michael began by thanking not only the players for their hard work, but the parents and family members as well. St. Sarkis basketball has always been a family event, differentiating it from so many other local sports teams that are out there. He then thanked Coach Eddy for his many years of service to our church and this program. He wrapped things up with the following: "Coach Eddy has been supporting this program for decades. He built the program up from the beginning, and worked to maintain it through the most difficult of times for our church and the world at large. I might be named the new "GM" as Coach Eddy said, but I'll need a lot of help to fill his shoes. A committee has already been put together, and we've already started planning for next season."

Coach Arry Nalbantoglu then came up and presented a number of awards to the players on the junior boys team. From Best Defense to MVP, every player was recognized for what they brought to the court this year.

Der Nareg was then invited up to say a few words, and to give the most important award of the night. In recognition of his decades of service, Edward Barsamian was presented with a certificate of appreciation from the pastor, board of trustees, and parishioners of St. Sarkis. His dedication to our church and this program has truly been a labor of love. While he may no longer be the official league rep, we're happy to know he'll still be helping to support the program in the background.

The evening wrapped up with a celebration cake, and a lot of excitement for the 2023-2024 season.

The St. Sarkis Book club held their 2^nd meeting on Tuesday evening June 20^th  for a very robust discussion on our book selection, “The Fool” by Raffi. While many of our book club members have not yet finished the book, all are enthralled and struck by Raffi’s call for action, unity and self-reliance being as relevant today as when first written 143 years ago. “The Fool” is a must-read for every Armenian.   All are welcome for our next meeting scheduled for Tuesday July 11^th at 7pm in Main Hall.

Summer Camp Sponsorship Opportunity

Thank you to our main sponsors,

Mr. & Mrs. Antranig & Marion Boudakian

for their loyal and generous donations, for believing in our program and helping it

thrive for the past 16 years

$2,000.00

WATER PARK SLIDE $1000 (Need 1 Sponsor)

Sponsored By, Mr. & Mrs. Eduard & Alina Kochoumian

DRY SLIDES PARK $1000 (Need 3 Sponsors)

Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Aline Kassabian

Mrs. Seta Boyadjian

WHEELS ON THE BUS $1000

Sponsored By, Mr. & Mrs. Steve & Sorina Dumanian

LEGOLAND $900 

Sponsored By, The Ladies Guild of St. Sarkis Church

ARTS & CRAFTS $800 

Sponsored By, Mr. & Mrs. Greg & Lusine Tchilingarian

SOFT PLAY $750 

Sponsored By, Ms. Malvina Shishmanian

FIRE & ICE SCIENCE SHOW $600 

Sponsored By, Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Elizabeth Ohannessian

Sponsored By, Mr. & Mrs. Elie & Zabel Hatem

Sponsored By, Mr. & Mrs. Garo & Vicky Hagobian

UP, UP & AWAY SCIENCE SHOW $600 

Sponsored By, Dr. & Mrs. Louis & Elenne Najarian

TUMBLEBUS $600 

Sponsored By, Mrs. Aida Ounjian

Sponsored By, Mr. Varouj Oghali

SPORTS $500

Sponsored By, Mrs. Nayda Voskerijian

LITTLE CHEF $400 

Sponsored By, Anonymous

 PETTING ZOO COMES TO YOU $400

Sponsored By, Drs. Arthur & Louiza Kubikian

PLAY A DOUGH $400 

Sponsored By, Mr. & Mrs. Dennis & Annita Nerses Kurpius

SLIME TIME $400

Sponsored By, Ms. Aleene Voskerijian

FIRST FRIDAY PIZZA PARTY $300

Sponsored By, ARS Erebouni Chapter

SECOND FRIDAY PIZZA PARTY $300

Sponsored By, Mr. & Mrs. Setrag & Annie Kazandjian

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

DISCOVERY OF THE RELICS OF ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR

This Saturday, June 24, the Armenian Church observes one of the three feast days dedicated to St. Gregory the Illuminator (Krikor Lousavorich): the discovery of his relics. St. Gregory is considered to be the “Apostle of Armenia,” and the patron saint of the Armenian Church. He preached throughout Armenia, built churches, including the great cathedral in Etchmiadzin, established the first canon laws, wrote many prayers, and organized the liturgical services. 

After years of evangelizing, St. Gregory sought solitude and an ascetic life. He retired to a cave at Mount Sepouh where he died in solitude. Shepherds found his body and without realizing his identity they buried him under a pile of stones. Later a hermit, known as Garnik of Basen, who was a disciple of Gregory, saw a vision and went to Mount Sepouh and found the burial site. He took the saint’s remains to the village of Tordan for burial.  

Relics from the right hand of St. Gregory, encased in a golden arm, are at the Holy Mother See of Etchmiadzin and the Holy See of Cilicia. Continuing long established traditions, the Catholicoi mix the new Muron (holy oil) with the old Muron with the golden arm of St. Gregory. 

ST. DANIEL THE PROPHET AND COMPANIONS SHADRACH, MESHACH, AND ABEDNEGO

This Tuesday, June 27, the Armenian Church commemorates Daniel the Prophet and his companions. Daniel and his youthful companions Shadrach (Setrak), Meshack (Misak), and Abednego (Apetnakov), found favor with the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar after their captivity. When the king gave orders for a large statue of himself to be worshipped like a god, Daniel and the three youths refused. Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego were put into a large furnace. The flames shot out of the furnace and attacked those standing nearby, but the three boys walked in the flames without harm. Seeing this, the king ordered their release from the furnace. (See the Book of Daniel, chapters 1 to 3 for the full account).   

THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS (7.25-8.11)

Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.  

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ՀՌՈՄԱՅԵՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ (7.25-8.11)

Ապա ուրեմն, ես ինքս միտքով Աստուծոյ Օրէնքին կը ծառայեմ, իսկ մարմինով՝ մեղքի օրէնքին:

Եթէ այդպէս է, կը նշանակէ թէ անոնք որ Քրիստոս Յիսուսի միացած են, դատապարտութեան ենթակայ չեն, քանի մարմնաւորապէս չեն ապրիր, այլ՝ հոգեւորապէս: Որովհետեւ Հոգիին Օրէնքը զիս Քրիստոս Յիսուսի միացնելով կենդանացուց եւ ազատեց մեղքի եւ մահուան ենթակայութենէն: Արդարեւ, ինչ որ Օրէնքը չէր կրնար ընել, մարդկային բնութեան տկար ըլլալուն պատճառով, Աստուած իրագործեց՝ աշխարհ ղրկելով իր Որդին, որ մեղքը յաղթահարելու համար մեր մեղանչական բնութիւնը իր վրայ առաւ եւ իր մարմինին մէջ դատապարտեց մեղքը, որպէսզի մենք, որ հոգեւորապէս կ’ապրինք եւ ո՛չ մարմնաւորապէս, կարենանք լրիւ գործադրել Օրէնքին բոլոր պահանջքները: Անոնք որ միայն իրենց մարմնական պահանջքներով կը ղեկավարուին , անոնց մտածելակերպը մարմնական է. մինչդեռ անոնք որ Հոգիին թելադրած ձեւով կ’ապրին, անոնց մտածելակերպը հոգեւոր է: Մարմնականը խորհիլը մահ կը պատճառէ, մինչ հոգեկանը խորհիլը՝ կեանք եւ խաղաղութիւն: Մարմնականին կառչած միտքը Աստուծոյ թշնամի է, որովհետեւ Աստուծոյ օրէնքներուն չի հնազանդիր, ո՛չ ալ կրնայ հնազանդիլ: Ահա թէ ինչու, անոնք որ մարմնականին կը հետեւին, Աստուծոյ հաճելի չեն կրնար ըլլալ :

Եթէ իրապէս Աստուծոյ Հոգին ձեր մէջ կը բնակի, կը նշանակէ՝ թէ դուք այլեւս մարմնական ցանկութիւններուն համաձայն չէք ապրիր, այլ՝ Սուրբ Հոգիին կամեցած ձեւով: Իսկ ով որ Քրիստոսի Հոգին չունի, անոր չի պատկանիր: Եթէ Քրիստոս ձեր մէջն է, թէպէտեւ ձեր մարմինները պիտի մեռնին, որովհետեւ մեղանչեցիք, սակայն Սուրբ Հոգին դարձեալ կեանք պիտի տայ ձեզի, որովհետեւ արդարացաք։ Այսինքն , եթէ Աստուծոյ Հոգին ձեր մէջ կը բնակի, Աստուած՝ որ Յիսուս Քրիստոսը մեռելներէն յարուցանեց, իր Հոգիին միջոցաւ՝ որ ձեր մէջ կը բնակի, պիտի կենդանացնէ նաեւ ձեր մահկանացու մարմինները։

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (12.38-45)

Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."  

He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.  

"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ ՄԱՏԹԷՈՍԻ (12.38-45) 

Այն ատեն Օրէնքի ուսուցիչներէն եւ Փարիսեցիներէն ոմանք ըսին Յիսուսի.

– Վարդապե՛տ, կ’ուզենք որ հրաշք մը գործես եւ տեսնենք:

Յիսուս անոնց պատասխանեց.

– Աստուծոյ անհաւատարիմ եւ չար սերունդ, նշան մը կ’ուզէք, բայց Յովնան մարգարէին նշանէն զատ ուրիշ նշան պիտի չտրուի ձեզի: Ինչպէս Յովնան երեք օր ցերեկ ու գիշեր կէտ ձուկի փորին մէջ մնաց, նոյնպէս ալ Մարդու Որդին երեք օր, ցերեկ ու գիշեր, պիտի մնայ երկրի ընդերքին մէջ: Դատաստանի օրը Նինուէացիները ձեզի դէմ պիտի ելլեն եւ դատապարտեն ձեզ, որովհետեւ անոնք Յովնանի քարոզութեամբ զղջացին իրենց մեղքերուն համար: Եւ ահա, Յովնանէն աւելի մեծ մէկը կայ հոս: Դարձեալ, Դատաստանի օրը Հարաւի թագուհին պիտի ելլէ եւ դատապարտէ ձեզ, որովհետեւ անիկա իր հեռաւոր երկրէն եկաւ Սողոմոնի իմաստուն ուսուցումները լսելու համար: Եւ ահա, Սողոմոնէն աւելի մեծ մէկը կայ հոս:

– Երբ չար ոգին դուրս կ’ելլէ մարդու մը մէջէն, կ’երթայ եւ անջրդի վայրեր կը շրջի՝ հանգիստ տեղ մը գտնելու համար: Եւ երբ չի գտներ, ինքնիրեն կ’ըսէ. «Ելլեմ երթամ իմ տունս, ուրկէ ելայ»: Ուստի կը վերադառնայ իր նախկին տունը եւ զայն կը գտնէ պարապ, մաքուր եւ յարդարուած: Ապա կ’երթայ եւ կը բերէ իրմէ աւելի չար եօթը այլ ոգիներ, որոնց հետ ներս մտնելով՝ կը բնակի հոն, որով այդ մարդուն վերջը իր նախկին վիճակէն աւելի գէշ կ’ըլլայ: Գիտցէ՛ք, որ նոյնը պիտի պատահի նաեւ այս չար սերունդին:

-Mr. Sarkis Kadehjian and Ms. Shakeh Kadehjian request requiem service for the soul of their beloved mother ALICE KADEHJIAN (1st-year memorial service). Also for the souls of their beloved father VASKEN KADEHJIAN (10th-year memorial service) and beloved aunt SERPOUHI KADEHJIAN (4th-year memorial service).

-Mrs. Haigouhi Yepremian and Mr. Cedric Yepremian request requiem service for the soul of their beloved father and grandfather DEACON THOMAS THOMASIAN ( 5th-year memorial service).

-Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes and Chake Vartanian, Togholian, Jarjokian, Taghalian, Semerciyan, Kalayjian, Jourbadjian and Leo families request requiem service for the soul of their beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother JAKOHIE TAGHALIAN (8th year memorial service). 

-Mrs. Madelene Abrankian, Dr. & Mrs. Michael and Taline Abrankian and children Ashley and Matthew request requiem service for the soul of their beloved husband, father and grandfather CAROL EDWARD ABRANKIAN (40th-day memorial service).

-Mr. & Mrs. Ghevont and Lydia Baghdassarian, Mr. & Mrs. Raffi and Silva Knadjian, Mr. & Mrs. Erick and Talin Alahverdian and family, Mr. Haig Baghdassarian, Mr. & Mrs. Vahe and Angela Knadjian and family, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Lara Metzner request requiem service for the soul of their beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother HAIGOUHI GANIMIAN (40th-day memorial service).

-JULIETTE AIDA VITALE the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Amanda Vitale was baptized on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Her Godparents were Mr. Michael Difiore and Ms. Julieanna Maninno. May the Grace of the Holy Spirit always be with Juliette.