Sts. Vartanantz Church

WEEKLY BULLETIN Archpriest Father Gomidas Baghsarian -- Pastor Reverend Father Kapriel Nazarian -- Assistant Pastor 402 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909 Office: 831-6399 Fax: 351-4418 Email: info@stsvartanantzchurch.org Website: stsvartanantzchurch.org

Third Sunday after the Nativity January 31, 2016

Please Join Us in Worship this Sunday

Morning Service 9:30 am

Divine Liturgy 10:00 am - Sermon 11:15

Մասնակցեցէք Ս.Պատարագին`

Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն 9:30

Ս. Պատարագ 10:00 - Քարոզ 11:15

GOSPEL John 7: 37-52

Is Jesus the Christ?

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who

believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not yet been given, Since Jesus had not yet been glorified. On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” Others said, “He is the Christ.” Still others asked, “How can Christ come from Galilee? Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” Thus the people were divided because of Jesus. Some wanted to seize him, but no one laid a hand on him. Finally the temple guards went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring him in?” “No one ever spoke the way this man does,” the guards declared. “You mean that he deceived you also?” the Pharisees retorted. “Has any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in him? No! But this mob that knows nothing of the law - there is a curse on them.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too. Look into it, and you will find that a prophet does not come out of Galilee.” (On Page 1058 in your Bibles)

EPISTLE

Titus 1: 1-11

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness - a faith and knowledge of resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless - not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach - and that for the sake of dishonest gain. (On Page 1181 in your Bibles)

Sts. Vartanantz Church is very blessed to announce the appointment of

our new Choir Director, Mrs. Debra Pjojian and our new Assistant Directors,

Dalita Getzoyan and Alysha Phillips

REQUIEM SERVICE

January 31, 2016

Dianna Mooradian --- Fortieth Day Remembrance

Deceased Clergy of the Prelacy

Satenig Donabedian

Vartanoush and Manoog Kaprielian

Siranouche Kevorkian

Ruben E. Krekorian

Haigouhe Madarentz

Marie Masdanian and Sarkis Polian

Rose Menissian

Sarkis Nahabedian Sarkis Peligian

Agnes Sahagian

REQUIEM SERVICE February 7, 2016

Avedis and Nancy Alahverdian

Aris Baligian and Iskouhe Tuktukian

Robert S. Bogosian

Virginia Giragosian

Vartkes Harootunian

Archbishop Hrant Khatchadourian

Avedis Mahdesian

Hagop Jack Markarian

Sylvia Melkonian Melikian

Lucy Tavanian

George Tomasian, Sr.

Pailoon Torigian

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Adult Bible Study will not meet this Monday [2-1-16]

Choreg and Kufta are now available for purchase after Church

Our Ladies will once again be making Bahotz Kufta for Lent

on March 7th and 8th. Cost is $15/dozen Please place your order with Sarah Markarian [401-861-5022]

This Friday, January 29, 2016 Calling All High School Students!

High School Bible Study and Fellowship --- First Meeting Fermanian Hall 7 pm

This Saturday, January 30, 2016

AYF-YOARF Varantian Ball --- Venus de Milo [Rescheduled from last week due to the weather]

Call Talene Taraksian for dinner reservations (401) 230-0021

This Sunday, January 31, 2016

ACA-RI Annual John "Jay" Varadian Basketball Tournament for Boys and Girls 10 - 16 yrs. old Pilgrim High School in Warwick

for further info contact Steve Elmasian [401-573-7888]

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Young Adult [ages 18-30] Bible Study and Fellowship First Meeting Fermanian Hall 7 pm

Vartanantz Day Commemoration in our Sanctuary 7 pm Followed by a Collation

sponsored by the Knights of Vartan "Arax" Lodge and the Daughters of Vartan "Aik Otyag"

Sunday, February 7, 2016

His Grace, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielan, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy. A Vartanantz Celebration Dinner hosted by our Ladies' Guild and Men's Club will follow in Aramian Auditorium. Our Honorees being recognized for their lifetime achievement of continuous dedicated service to their Church are as follows: Kenneth and Sandra Bogosian, Vartges Engustian, Harry Kushigian, Antranig Mesrobian, John Takian and Joyce Yeremian. RSVP to Jean Goshgarian Michael [499-9341] by January 31st. Homenetmen Super Bowl Party -- Aramian Auditorium 6:30 pm

RSVP by January 31st to Talene Taraksian 401-230-0021

Friday, February 12, 2016

Family Night Aramian Auditorium 6:00 -- 8:00 pm Joint Armenian School and Sunday School Event Dinner, Program, Crafts, Family Focused Games,

Photo Booth and Special Balloon Launching Questions: Call Yn. Debra [401-232-2051]

Sunday, February 14, 2016

February Family Sunday School Breakfast for students and their families

Lower School Hall 10 am

Please note: Dates of Future Family Breakfasts

March 13th; April 10th; May 8th

Winter and Inclement Weather is upon us!

Please remember to check for our cancellations. They will be listed on

all local radio and television stations and their web sites.

Visit our website for updated Church News

http://www.stsvartanantzchurch.org

Assistant Secretary Position

Sts. Vartanantz Church is looking to hire someone as an Assistant Secretary with the potential to become the Secretary/Office Manager in the future. Computer proficiency is a must. Knowledge of the Armenian language is preferred but not mandatory.

Those qualified and interested should contact the Church Office [401-831-6399] for an application and complete job description.

Scholarship information

ARS EASTERN USA’S Undergraduate & Lazarian Graduate 2015 Scholarship

Applications are available. Website scholarship page www.arseastusa.org.

Deadline for submitting applications is April 1, 2016

Providence ARS “Ani” Chapter Undergraduate Scholarship Applications are now

available. Must be a RI Resident and in second year of college. Call Karen Pilla –

274-1033 or email KPilla1015@gmail.com Deadline for submitting applications is

April 1, 2016

Varoujan and Rose V. Karentz Scholarhip Fund:

Details and information will be forthcoming soon.

The Scholarship Committee of Sts. Sahag & Mesrob Armenian Church, is

pleased to announce that applications are now available for the Charles

Yaghoobian, Jr. Scholarship Grants for 2016. Scholarship Grants will be

awarded to qualified members of all three Armenian Churches in RI. Applicants

must be dues paying members of their church. Scholarships are limited for up to

3 years only. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for consideration.

For an application and a list of eligibility requirements you may contact: Nathalie

Yaghoobian, 353-2488. The deadline to submit completed application and all

documentation is April 1, 2016.

The Daughters of Vartan is proud to announce its first scholarship offering for

college students. The purpose of this fund is to grant merit based scholarships to

Rhode Island students for study at institutions of higher education beyond the

secondary level who:

(1) have demonstrated academic capabilities;

(2) are members of and participants in the Armenian Church;

(3) have shown potential to contribute to society.

All decisions in regard to scholarship applications and the amount of the award, if

any, are entirely at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

Scholarship awards from the Daughters of Vartan are limited to Rhode Island

students who are: (1) persons or descendants of persons who are Armenian by

national origin or descent; and (2) who are members of an Armenian Church.

If you are a member of the above groups, you are invited to apply by furnishing

the Daughters of Vartan with the following forms and information:

1) The attached application completed by you and your parents or

guardians as appropriate.

2) Certification from your church that you are a member

3) Official transcripts of academic grades for at least the past

two semesters that are available.

4) An autobiographical sketch of yourself, including future

ambitions, goals and dreams.

5) Two letters of recommendation

6) A resume including awards, extracurricular activities, and

positions held

Copies of the application are available in our Church Office

********************************************

Paul O. and Mary Boghossian Memorial Trust Scholarship Awards scholarships

for study at institutions of higher education beyond the secondary level to RI

students who demonstrate: financial need, academic capability; and potential to

contribute to the USA and its form of government.

Scholarship awards from the Trust are limited to RI students from any one of the

following groups :

1) Residents of Kent, Newport or Washington Counties in the state of RI;

or

2) Members and former members of the Kent County branch of the YMCA in

the City of Warwick; or

3) Members and former members of the Pawtucket Boys & Girls Club, in the

city of Pawtucket; or

4) Members or descendants of a member of Park Place Congregational

Church, in the city of Pawtucket; or

5) Persons or descendants of persons who are Armenian by national origin or

descent

All decisions pertaining to scholarship applications and awards are made by a

Scholarship Committee composed of individuals independent of the Boghossian

Family and Bank of America, N.A., the Corporate Trustee.

For questions regarding the scholarship process

please contact Ms. Dian Parker Quinn at 617-434-6454 or

dian.quinn@ustrust.com

Copies of the application are available in our Church Office

*******************************

From the January 28th issue of Crossroads

CATHOLICOS ARAM’S YEAR OF SERVICE MESSAGE WILL BE READ IN PARISHES THIS SUNDAY His Holiness' message will be read this Sunday,

January 31st due to last week's snow storm

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, has declared 2016 as the “Year of Service.” In his Pontifical Message, which will be read in most of our parishes this Sunday, January 24, the Catholicos writes about the vital role of service and describes service as the “Essence of the Christian Faith.” He goes on to show the depiction of service in the Bible and in the writings of the Church Fathers, as well as the role of service as an obligation and duty of all Christians. His Holiness writes, “By declaring the current year The Year of Service, we want to remind our people that it is necessary to participate with great dedication in our nation’s noble work, with the brave knowledge that God will bless our service, and history will remember and honor not what we had, but that which we gave, not our beautiful words, but our good deeds.”

*******************************************

HOLY VOSKIAN PRIESTS Today, Thursday, January 28, the Armenian Church remembers the Voskian priests—five men who were sent to Rome as ambassadors by the Armenian king, Sanadrook. On the road to Rome they met the Apostle Thaddeus who converted and baptized them. The

leader of the five was named Voski. They lived in the mountain s as hermits for forty years, after which they preached to the Royal Court. They were martyred in 107 AD.

ST. SAHAG BARTEV

This Saturday, January 29, the Armenian Church commemorates Catholicos Sahag (Isaac) Bartev, a strong and great leader who is recognized as one of the greatest saints of the Armenian Church. His great accomplishments, even during very

difficult political situations, secured the survival of the Armenian nation.

He was the son of St. Nerses the Great and a descendant of St. Gregory the Illuminator. Orphaned at an early age, he nevertheless received an excellent literary education, especially in eastern languages. He was the one who encouraged and supported Mesrob Mashdots in the creation of the Armenian alphabet. Soon after this great event Catholicos Sahag began the first translation of the Bible and he led and guided the vast body of works that were translated into Armenian, thus creating Armenia’s “Golden Age of Literature.” He was an ardent believer in education and ecclesiastical discipline and canon law. He is recognized as the one who kept Armenia eccle4siastically and nationally autonomous.

St. Sahag is believed to have died in 437 at an advanced age of 89 (some sources claim much older). With the death of Catholicos Sahag Bartev the line of St. Gregory the Illuminator came to an end.

STS. GHEVONT AND PRIESTS

This Tuesday, February 2, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Holy Ghevontian (Leontine) priests. After the battle of Vartanantz, a group of priests and deacons was abducted by the Persian king and imprisoned, tortured and martyred. Ghevont is revered as the leader of the group because he was an advisor to Vartan Mamigonian, and was remembered for the inspiring message he delivered on the eve of the battle of Avarayr. Ghevont, who was highly educated, assisted Sahag and Mesrob in translating the Bible into Armenian.

The Ghevontian Fathers, martyred in 454 are: Catholicos Hovsep; Bishops Sahag and Tatig; Priests Ghevont, Moushegh, Arshen, Manuel, Abraham, and Khoren; Deacons Kachach and Abraham.

SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER

The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance. Please keep this community in your prayers, your hearts, and your pocketbooks.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.

THE NEED IS REAL. THE NEED IS GREAT.

DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE

MADE BY MAILING YOUR DONATION TO: Armenian Prelacy 138 E. 39th Street

New York, NY 10016 Checks payable to: Armenian Apostolic Church of America

(Memo: Syrian Armenian Relief)

Thank you for your help

This Saturday Evening --- January 31st [rescheduled due to the snow storm]

The Christian Education Committee

is excited to invite all the young adults of our community

to become a part of these wonderful fellowships:

High School Bible Study and Fellowship

First Meeting: Friday, January 29

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Fermanian Hall

Ages: All High School Students

Group Leader: Der Kapriel

Young Adult Bible Study and Fellowship

First Meeting: Thursday, February 4

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Place: Fermanian Hall

Ages: 18-30

Group Leader: Michael Markarian

Come and enjoy the opportunity to be with your peers in a supportive setting as you:

Get to know God’s word better

Discuss Jesus’ direction for your life

Experience how Jesus answers the questions of your heart

Find God’s answers to daily issues

Develop a closer personal relationship with Jesus

Social activities will also be planned for each group, giving everyone the chance to get to

know one another better while having some fun.

During the first meeting of each group, the members will decide which day and time is best to

meet in the future. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please call the church office at

401-831-6399.

This Sunday

Annual Vartanantz Celebration Dinner

and Program under the auspices of

His Grace, Bishop Anoushavan Tanielian

hosted by

Ladies' Guild and Men's Club of Sts. Vartanantz Church

Sunday, February 7, 2016

immediately following the Divine Liturgy in Aramian Auditorium

Seating is limited to first 120 people

Attendance is by Reservation only which can be made by calling

Jean Goshgarian Michael at 499-9341 No Reservations Accepted after Sunday, January 31st.

Dinner Menu Boneless Stuffed Breast of Chicken

Bulghur Pilaf Roasted Vegetables

Salad Dessert

Coffee and Soda

General Admission -- $20 Children under 12 -- $10