E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

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

Sunday: 08/20/2023

ՎԵՐԱՓՈԽՈՒՄԷՆ ԵՏՔ Ա. ԿԻՐԱԿԻ   

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER THE ASSUMPTION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD   

Sunday Readings: 

Proverbs 11:30-12:4; Zechariah 2:10-13; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; Luke 1:39-56

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

This past Sunday, August 13th, St. Sarkis Church and its parishioners celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God. After the Divine Liturgy, Der Nareg, the altar servers, and the choir all headed downstairs in a procession to the main hall. Der Nareg blessed the grapes and the traditional Harissa meal. The offering of the grapes (known as the first fruit harvest) takes the form of thanksgiving to God for all His blessings. Today, it is still common for faithful Armenians to abstain from eating grapes until this ceremony. At St. Sarkis Church the tradition of a Harissa meal dates back to 2006 and it is one that many look forward to. 

There are many people we have to thank that made our Asdvadzadzin celebration possible and a very special one at that. 

We thank Mr. and Mrs. Varujan and Luiza Kalustian and Mr. and Mrs. Eduard and Alina Kochoumian for donating the bounty of grapes. We thank an anonymous donor who donated the Madagh (Harissa) in loving memory of Mrs. Noemi Megerian. We also thank Mr. and Mrs. Manoug and Dory Shishmanian for the Tan and Mrs. Amy Gostanian and Mrs. Mary Arslanian for the Kataif. 

In addition, our church was beautifully decorated with flowers. The altar flowers were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Armen and Zepiur Ardzivian in loving memory of their mothers, Mrs. Anahid Ardzivian and Mrs. Marie Kahvedjian. The entrance of our church had a refresh with newly potted summer plants by Mrs. Siran Saroyan in honor of her mother Mrs. Maria Magardician’s 91st birthday. Thank you to both families.

We thank Yn. Annie Terterian and Mrs. Loucine Megherian for cooking the much loved and delicious Harissa. The Kataif was prepared and baked by Mrs. Amy Gostanian, Mrs. Diane Boyadjian and Mrs. Anita Masoian. Additionally, we are grateful to the wonderful group of ladies that did the food shopping, prepping, cooking and serving for our fellowship. They are Amy Gostanian, Alina Kochoumian, Diane Boyadjian, Louiza Kubikian, Annita Nerses-Kurpius, Katia Tavitian, Mary Kasparian, Laura Asadourian and Vicky Hagobian. 

In the spirit of true fellowship, a wonderful afternoon of companionship, togetherness and belonging was had.

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Saint Sarkis Church welcomes you to its traditional Annual Picnic which will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2023. As in past years, this picnic promises to be a memorable day. We look forward to seeing you at the picnic and your presence and participation in this annual event will bring the community together once again.

While its success depends on the tireless efforts of the organizing committee and volunteers, you can also play an important role by sponsoring various stations and activities Click here to choose which station you wish to sponsor. 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 this year.

Please join us in making this year’s picnic a memorable one!

Thank you again for your support and generosity,

Picnic Committee

SPONSORS

Patron Circle $1,000

Mr. & Mrs. Karl & Alice Alajajian

Mr. & Mrs. Zareh & Kathy Voskerijian 

Leadership Circle $500

Drs. Haroutiun & Astra Avedissian

Drs. Arthur & Louiza Kubikian

Mr. Dennis Kurpius & Dr. Annita Nerses

Mr. James Puccio (Glascott Funeral Home)

STATIONS

Grill & Serve $3,000 (Eight  sponsors $300 each)

Mr. & Mrs. Garry & Aida Papazian

Mr. & Mrs. Vicken & Pamela Keshishian 

Kids Activities $2,400 (Five sponsors $400 each)

Mrs. Nayda Voskerijian

Tent/Tables/Chairs Rental $2,000 (Nine  sponsors $200 each)

Mr. & Mrs. Berc & Narcisse Gokberg (Crown Findings Co. Inc.)

Helping Hands $1,500 (Nine sponsors $150 each)

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Elizabeth Ohannessian

The Sound of Music $1,000 (Six  sponsors $100 each)

Mr. & Mrs. Armen & Janet Tutuyan

Dr. & Mrs. Louis & Elenne Najarian

Mrs. Anita Masoian

Mrs. Anahid Kassabian

Beverage Fountain $1,000 (Three sponsors $250 each)

Mr. & Mrs. Yeprem & Madeleine Nazarian

Bistro Café & Pastries $600 ( One sponsor $200 each)

Mr. & Mrs. Setrag & Annie Kazandjian

Mr. & Mrs. Armen and Gayane Pogosyan

(In memory of their beloved parents)

Espresso/MilkShake Bar $500 (Two sponsors 100 each)

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Arpi Bekiean

Mrs. Mary Arslanian

Mrs. Gail D’Onofrio

Popcorn/Cotton Candy $400 (Four Sponsors $50 each)

Anonymous

Mr. Sahak Setrak Hagopian

Mr. Aram Zkon Hagopian

 Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Elizabeth Ohannessian

GENERAL DONATIONS

Mr. & Mrs. Edmund & Tamara Gregorian $35.00

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

AINTS JOACHIM AND ANNA AND THE OIL-BEARING WOMEN

On Tuesday, August 22, the Armenian Church commemorates Saints Joachim and Anna, parents of Mary, the mother of Christ. Joachim, son of Barpathir, was a descendant of King David, to whom God had revealed that the Savior of the world would be born through his descendants. Anna was a descendant of the tribe of Levi through her father and the tribe of Judah through her mother. Joachim and Anna were childless through years of marriage. Joachim fasted for forty days in the desert and both of them prayed for a child, ultimately placing their trust in God’s will. An angel appeared to each of them telling them that in spite of their old age they would be the parents of a daughter.

On the same day the Church remembers the oil-bearing women (Myrophores). These are the eight women who are identified as the oil- or myrrh-bearers in the four Gospels who had different roles during Christ’s ministry, at the Cross, and the tomb on Easter morning. The eight women are: Mary Magdalene, Mary (Theotokos), Joanna, Salome, Mary (wife of Cleopas), Susanna, Mary of Bethany, and Martha of Bethany.

Frankincense and Myrrh were the “gifts of kings,” more valuable than gold. Myrrh is mentioned frequently in both the Old and New Testaments. Gold, frankincense and myrrh were the precious offerings to Jesus by the three Wise Men (Matthew 2:11). Myrrh is mentioned occasionally throughout the life of Jesus of Nazareth: “And they offered him wine mingled with myrrh,” (Mark 15:23); after his death, “Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred-pound weight,” which was used to prepare the Body for burial (John 19:39).

O God, by wise foreknowledge you established the mystery of the holy church, having laid down the assembly of the righteous as its deep and firm foundation; through their prayers, have mercy on us. The blessing given by you to husband and wife, the pair created by God, buds forth today in Joachim and Anna like a splendid flower; through their prayers, have mercy on us. Today you manifested from Anna the promise given to Abraham, our patriarch according to the Spirit, in the union of staffs both priestly and kingly; through their prayers, have mercy on us. O God, without beginning, unspeakable, boundless might, from the beginning of the ages you have cared for the sons of Adam, today by grace from above, you have designated by her birth the mother of your chosen and only-begotten Son. Through her prayers, have mercy on us.

THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO CORINTHIANS(6.16-7.1)

For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and of spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.  

ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ ԵՐԿՐՈՐԴ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ԿՈՐՆԹԱՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ (6.16-7.1)

Ի՞նչ նմանութիւն կայ Աստուծոյ տաճարին եւ մեհեաններուն միջեւ:

Արդարեւ, մե՛նք ենք կենդանի Աստուծոյ տաճարը, ինչպէս Աստուած ինք ըսաւ.-

«Անոնց մէջ պիտի բնակիմ

եւ անոնց հետ պիտի ապրիմ:

Ես իրենց Աստուածը պիտի ըլլամ

եւ անոնք՝ իմ ժողովուրդս»:

Ահա թէ ինչո՛ւ Աստուած կը հրահանգէ մեզի.-

«Անջատ եւ հեռո՛ւ կեցէք հեթանոսներէն.

պիղծ բաներու մի՛ դպչիք,

եւ ես ձեզ պիտի ընդունիմ:

Ես ձեզի Հայր պիտի ըլլամ

եւ դուք իմ տղաքս ու աղջիկներս պիտի ըլլաք,-

կ’ըսէ ամենակալ Տէրը»:

Սիրելինե՛ր, այս խոստումները մեզի եղած են: Ուստի հեռո՛ւ մնանք մարմնական եւ հոգեկան ամէն պղծութենէ, մենք մեզ կատարելապէս մաքրենք՝ Աստուծոյ երկիւղովը ապրելով:

 THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE (1.39-56)

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” 

And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his name. His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” 

And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.  

ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ ՂՈՒԿԱՍԻ (1.39-56)

Նոյն օրերուն, Մարիամ ճամբայ ելլելով՝ աճապարանքով գնաց Յուդայի լեռնային շրջանի քաղաքներէն մէկը: Հոն Զաքարիայի տունը մտնելով՝ Եղիսաբէթի ողջոյն տուաւ: Երբ Եղիսաբէթ Մարիամի ողջոյնը լսեց, իր որովայնին մէջ երեխան շարժեցաւ, եւ Եղիսաբէթ Սուրբ Հոգիով ներշնչուած՝ բարձրաձայն ըսաւ.

– Կիներուն մէջ օրհնեա՜լ ես դուն եւ օրհնեա՜լ է զաւակը որ կը կրես որովայնիդ մէջ: Ի՜նչ երջանկութիւն, որ Տիրոջս մայրը ինծի կ’այցելէ. որովհետեւ երբ ողջոյնդ լսեցի, երեխաս ուրախութեամբ շարժեցաւ որովայնիս մէջ: Երանի՜ քեզի որ հաւատացիր, որովհետեւ Աստուծոյ կողմէ քեզի ըսուածները պիտի կատարուին:

Մարիամ ըսաւ.

 «Տէրը պիտի գովաբանեմ.

Ահա հոգիս կ’ուրախանայ

Աստուծմով, իմ Փրկիչովս,

որովհետեւ ան տեսաւ

իր աղախինին հեզութիւնը:

Ասկէ ետք բոլոր սերունդները

երանի պիտի տան ինծի,

քանի հզօրն Աստուած ինծի համար

մեծամեծ գործեր կատարեց.

սուրբ է անունը անոր:

Բոլոր ժամանակներուն մէջ

ողորմութեամբ ան կը նայի

աստուածավախ մարդոց վրայ:

Իր բազուկով ան զօրութիւն ցոյց տուաւ,

ոչնչացուց հպարտները՝

իրենց բոլոր խորհուրդներով:

Գահազրկեց արքաները

եւ բարձրացուց խոնարհները:

Անօթիները բարիքներով լիացուց,

մինչ հարուստները դատարկաձեռն արձակեց:

 Պաշտպան եղաւ իր ծառային՝ Իսրայէլի,

հաւատարիմ մնալով իր ողորմութեան,

ինչպէս որ խոստացած էր մեր հայրերուն՝

Աբրահամի եւ անոր զաւակներուն»:

Մարիամ Եղիսաբէթի մօտ շուրջ երեք ամիս մնալէ ետք վերադարձաւ իր տունը:

- Mrs. ANN KOUMJIAN, passed on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family. May she rest in peace.

The Ladies Guild fellowship hour will be held in Pagoumian Hall and is hosted by:

-Mrs. Madlene Hazarian

-Mrs. Christine Bedrossian

-Mrs. Katia Tavitian