E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

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

Sunday: 11/12/2023

Թ. ԿԻՐԱԿԻ Ս. ԽԱՉԷՆ ԵՏՔ -

9th SUNDAY AFTER THE EXHALATION OF THE HOLY CROSS 

Sunday Readings:

Isaiah 24:1-13; Ephesians 5:15-33; Luke 8:49-57

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

Dear parishioners, There will be no church service on

Sunday, November 19, 2023 at St. Sarkis Church.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I dedicated his opening prayer in Congress on Thursday, November 9, to the United States lawmakers in their service to the country and the Artsakh refugees, as he served as the Guest Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives.   

“Grant us wisdom, courage and vision in order that we may fully dedicate ourselves to the service of the people and the United States,” the Catholicos said before the session. The Morning Prayer was televised live on C-SPAN and will be included in the Congressional Record.  

The Catholicos also prayed for peace in the world.   

“Help us, Giver of peace and justice, to work ardently for peace with justice, in a world torn apart by violence and polarization.”  

Near the end of the prayer, he invoked the recent ethnic cleansing perpetrated by the genocidal state of Azerbaijan, which caused the forced displacement of more than 100,000 Armenians from their ancestral homes in Artsakh.   

“Help us, O God of Mercy, to remember in our prayers more than one hundred thousand Armenian refugees who recently were forced to leave Nagorno-Karabagh, their centuries old homeland, and face huge difficulties and uncertainties.”    

Before the prayer, His Holiness met House speaker Mike Johnson and Representative Adam Schiff. After the prayer, His Holiness and his entourage stopped at the Congressional Prayer Room, where they prayed and sung the “Hayr Mer.” During the reception his honor, the Catholicos met Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Minority Whip, Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Young Kim, Congressman Jim Costa, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Congressman Brad Sherman, Congresswoman Dina Titus, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and Congressman Jerry Carl. The question of Artsakh, the difficulties confronted by Armenia, and the Palestinian crisis.

His Holiness Aram I was accompanied by the three Prelates; the co-chair of the Central Executive Council Stepan Der Bedrossian; the leadership of the Executive Councils of the Prelacies, and the Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America, Aram Hamparian.

Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, has saluted the visit of His Holiness as a source of inspiration and fortitude as Armenians and the entire world experience some of the worst upheavals in decades.   

“At this time of turmoil internationally and in Armenia, the Vehapar is taking this long journey to bring his message of faith and hope, and also to express his great support to Artsakh and its brave people,” Archbishop Anoushavan stated.  

The tour of His Holiness started on November 6, when the Catholicos arrived at Dulles Airport in Washington D.C. He was welcomed by Archbishop Anoushavan; Very Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, Vicar, and members of the Washington, D.C. community. The visit ends on Tuesday, November 21, when he departs from New York’s JFK Airport. During this trip, his schedule will be packed with welcoming Hrashapar services, visits, lectures, and meetings with religious, humanitarian, and governmental leaders. Archbishop Papken, Prelate of the Canadian Prelacy, and Bishop Torkom, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, are also part of his entourage.   

His agenda also includes visits to the Lebanese and Armenian embassies, a lecture at George Washington University on Friday, and a youth forum on Saturday. On Wednesday, November 8, he presided over a clergy conference of the three Prelacies of North America. On Thursday, November 9, he will preside over a meeting of the leadership of their Executive Councils. On Sunday, November 12, he will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Soorp Khatch Church in Bethesda, Maryland.   

Afterwards, Catholicos Aram I will visit the church communities of Philadelphia including the Armenian Sisters’ Academy; New Jersey, including the Hovnanian School and the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA); Troy, NY; New Britain, CT; and New York City, including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.   

On Saturday, November 18, an Ecumenical Service will be celebrated at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral in New York, honoring the 850th anniversary of the death of St. Nerses Shnorhali, one of the most distinguished figures of the Armenian Church. His “In Faith I Confess” will be recited in 24 languages during the Ecumenical Service, followed by a fellowship hour in the parish hall and a youth conference at St. Sarkis Church in Douglaston, New York. 

On Sunday, November 19, Bishop Torkom, Prelate of the Western U.S. Prelacy, will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator’s Cathedral, with Catholicos Aram I delivering the homily. A Thanksgiving gala banquet will follow at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center.    

The trip of Catholicos Aram I will conclude with several Board meetings at the Armenian Prelacy with the Karagheusian Foundation, the Armenian Medical Fund Board, the Near East Foundation Board, and with Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, as well as with a visit to St. Vladimir’s Seminary. 

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I urged the church to approach a “pastoral approach” as it seeks to address social and ethical issues stemming from modern life.   

He made his comments in a convention of the clergy of the three North American Prelacies in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, November 8. The meeting was attended by the respective Prelates—Archbishop Anoushavan (Eastern Prelacy), Archbishop Papken (Canadian Prelacy), and Bishop Torkom (Western Prelacy)—and discussed social and moral issues that impact the Armenian communities and parishes.  

In his opening remarks, the Catholicos said that the goal of the meeting was not to solve the issues at hand, but to try to gain insights and then articulate collective approaches based on the Bible, the teachings of our church fathers and current realities, always seen from a pastoral perspective.   

The first part of the conference consisted of two lectures given by professor and author Vigen Guroian and Judge David Erickson. Guroian focused his analysis on a series of issues from a social and ethical perspective, especially based on the social environment of the United States. For his part, Erickson discussed the same issues from a legal point of view, stressing the complications of social and ethical issues. The talks were followed by a Q&A session by the attending clergy.

His Holiness offered conclusions as the first panel came to a close. Referring to the presence of churches in the United States, he said that Christianity is facing serious challenges, among which are the globalization of faith, its Americanization, and the growing dominance of globalization culture. Their negative consequences have gradually come to rule the life, thinking, and activity of the churches. Social and ethical issues, the Catholicos said, should be considered in the light of this reality.   

In the evening four lectures followed by a Q&A session were given by Fathers Keghart Kosbakian, Zareh Sarkissian, Vahan Kouyoumdjian, and Nareg Terterian, who spoke about abortion, artificial insemination, unnatural sexual tendencies, psychological problems, cremation, and euthanasia.

In closing remarks of the meeting, His Holiness focused on three points:  

1. The diversity of social and ethical issues, saying that they are more or less universal and manifest themselves in various ways in the life of different societies. The approach of our church should not be religious or dogmatic, but pastoral, and it is necessary to show understanding of special cases, always based on the teachings of the church. Technological progress should be considered in this context and its relevance for theological principles and spiritual values.
2. His Holiness asked the three Prelates to summarize the topics discussed in the meeting and present the proposals arising from them for their examination by the Religious Council at the meeting of the Central Executive Council next month at the Holy See in Antelias, Lebanon. In this direction, the Catholicos also instructed the clergy to write explanatory articles and to convey the necessary information and guidelines to the faithful on social and ethical issues that are relevant in their lives.
3. The Catholicos referred to several practical issues related to the mission of the clergy, emphasizing the imperative of revitalizing the parish communities within the framework of the Diaspora reorganization. On this occasion, he expressed his warm appreciation to the Prelates and all the clergy for the preparatory work they did and for their participation in the conference.

This past Saturday, the Suzanne and Hovsep Hagopian Saturday School PTA hosted their first event of the year, their annual Fall Harvest. This year, our school’s main focus shifted and our fundraising efforts were earmarked to help our displaced brothers and sisters in Artsakh. It is important for our students to also participate in our community's efforts to support our brothers and sisters in Armenia and we thank our PTA for allowing them the opportunity to take part in this fundraiser. 

The school’s PTA worked diligently to transform Chadrjian Hall into a spectacular Fall Festival including many stations for the children to enjoy. The festival included an apple decorating station, a popcorn station, a country store stocked with delicious homemade jams, pickled vegetables, homemade mante, and lahmajoon for purchase. The country store was also stocked with beautifully hand painted cookies illustrating our meaningful “Mamig & Babig '' statue in Artsakh, and our precious Ghazanchetsots Cathedral located in Shushi. There was also a delicious menu available to our attendees, including chicken shawarma sandwiches, sujouk sandwiches, and fries and chicken tenders for the children. After everyone enjoyed their meals, participated in the crafts and fun stations, the children were able to fundraise for Artsakh once more and partake in a raffle! 

Our school’s first fundraiser and social activity of the year was so successful and we cannot thank our PTA enough for creating this beautiful environment for our students and children in our extended church community. We also thank all those who attended and helped us raise money for our family in Artsakh. We look forward to seeing you all at our school’s Christmas Hantes on January 6th! 

Junior Group members of Salt & Light filled the church’s main hall on November 3^rd. The 55 junior students (ranging from 5th-8th grade) engaged in thoughtful conversation and fellowship with each other and their facilitators. This week’s session focused on Jesus healing the 10 lepers in Luke 17:11-19. Only one of those who were healed returned to give thanks to Jesus. This story contains several important insights such as the value of gratitude and saying thank you—both to people and especially to God. We often forget to thank Jesus for all the blessings He continues to give us. This story is also an important example in faith—the lepers immediately demonstrate their faith by following Jesus' instruction even though they still have their disease.

Each group discussed a list of questions to help facilitate discussion such as why do you think the other 9 lepers did not return to Jesus? And what are some ways you can “turn to Jesus” nowadays? Following the group break-out sessions, the Junior Group met up with Der Nareg in the sanctuary where he was very pleased to hear them talk about what they had learned. Our next session is on Friday, December 1st at 7pm. 

In our most recent Salt & Light session on November 3rd, the Senior group discussed current events in Artsakh and Armenia as well as upcoming future plans. Der Hayr began the conversation by encouraging members to share their opinions on the current situation, as well as things we can do to help. The coming winter months will pose an even greater challenge to the displaced people of Artsakh. Despite our great physical distance to the country, our church has partnered up with a coat-producing factory in the region to help keep the struggling people of Artsakh warm in the harsh upcoming months. Everyone is encouraged to support the cause by donating $50 to supply a coat to help our Armenian brothers and sisters. Additionally, the group discussed His Holiness Catholicos Aram I’s upcoming visit to St. Sarkis Armenian Church and the special event planned for him to speak with the youth on November 18^th. All high school, college students and young professionals are welcome.

Der Hayr also read the parable of the sower to the group, illustrating different people’s faith. When a farmer threw his seeds on the ground, some were plucked up by birds and never planted, some landed on the concrete and never grew, a few began to grow but were soon consumed by thorns, and the group that landed on the soil was able to grow into a blossoming plant. By utilizing this analogy, we can learn more about our faith and how each of us respond to the word of God differently. While for some of us the preachings land on deaf ears represented by the concrete, for others the word of God can sprout a new passion and life in many individuals, shown by the seeds that fell on the soil. 

Calendar Donations:

Founder ($1,500)

Mr. Dennis & Dr. Annita Nerses Kurpius

Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis & Adriana Nercessian

Patron ($500)

Mr. & Mrs. Eduard & Alina Kochoumian

Drs. Arthur & Louiza Kubikian

Donor ($250)

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Lusin Garabedian

Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Aline Kassabian

Mr. & Mrs. Garabed & Sophie Seoylemezian

Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Alice Seoylemezian

Friend ($100)

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Arpi Bekian

On Sunday, November 5th, St. Sarkis Starters Basketball Team played Holy Martyrs in an exciting game at Mitchell Gymnasium. The team played with energy, excitement, and sportsmanship. The gym was filled with cheer as our girls and boys showed great skill making many baskets. Most importantly, these kids had an awesome time! Lets Go Sarkis!!!

Sages of All Ages

Is a program that has been newly established to enrich 

the lives of both men and women ages 60 and over.

 The purpose of this program is to nourish your mind, body and soul, 

through social activities, cultural programs, and fellowship! 

We will meet on the third Wednesday of every month.   

THE NEXT MEETING IS ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2023

If you need transportation, please contact the church office so that

we can arrange for you to be picked up and dropped off. 

Please contact the church office if we wish to attend or 

are in need of transportation at (718) 224-2275.

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

ARCHANGELS GABRIEL AND MICHAEL

This Saturday, November 11, the Armenian Church commemorates the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The word “angel” (hreshdag) means messenger. Archangel is a title given to an angel of high rank in the celestial hierarchy. Michael and Gabriel are the only angels given the title archangel in the Bible.  

Michael (Hebrew meaning “Who is like God”) is the prince of all angels and the leader of the celestial armies. He is regarded as the protector of Christians in general and soldiers in particular, and the guardian of the orthodox faith and defender against heresies.  

Gabriel (Hebrew meaning “Strength of God”) is one of God’s chief messengers. He was God’s messenger to Daniel to explain his vision (Daniel 8:16-26) and prophecy (Daniel 9:21-27). He foretold the birth of John the Baptist and was the messenger announcing the forthcoming birth of Christ (Luke 1:11-21).  

THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE EPHESIANS (5.15-33)

Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church- for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ԵՓԵՍԱՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ (5.15-33)

Հետեւաբար ձեր ապրելակերպին ուշադրութիւն ըրէք: Մի՛ ապրիք անմտօրէն, այլ՝ իմաստուններու պէս: Օգտագործեցէ՛ք ժամանակը, որովհետեւ այս օրերը չար են: Ուստի անմտութիւն մի՛ ընէք. հասկցէք թէ ի՛նչ կ’ուզէ Տէրը ձեզմէ: Գերին մի՛ դառնաք գինիին, որ անառակութեան կը տանի. այլ մասնաւորաբար Սուրբ Հոգիով լեցուեցէք, իրարու հետ սաղմոսներով, օրհնութիւններով եւ հոգեւոր երգերով խօսեցէք, եւ ձեր սիրտերուն մէջ միշտ երգեցէք ու սաղմոս ըսէք Տիրոջ, ամէն բանի համար միշտ շնորհակալութիւն յայտնելով Հօր Աստուծոյ, մեր Տիրոջ Յիսուս Քրիստոսի անունով:

Քրիստոսի հանդէպ ձեր պատկառանքը արտայայտեցէք՝ իրարու հնազանդելով:

Կինե՛ր, հնազանդեցէ՛ք ձեր ամուսիններուն, ինչպէս Տիրոջ պիտի հնազանդէիք. որովհետեւ ամուսին մը իր կնոջ գլուխն է, այնպէս՝ ինչպէս Քրիստոս գլուխն է եկեղեցիին, իր մարմինին, որուն Փրկիչն է ինք: Հետեւաբար, ինչպէս եկեղեցին Քրիստոսի կը հնազանդի, այնպէս ալ կիները ամէն բանի մէջ իրենց ամուսիններուն թող հնազանդին:

Այրե՛ր, սիրեցէ՛ք ձեր կիները այնպէս՝ ինչպէս Քրիստոս սիրեց եկեղեցին եւ իր կեանքը տուաւ անոր համար, որպէսզի ջուրի լուացումով զայն մաքրէ եւ իր խօսքով սրբէ, այնպէս մը՝ որ եկեղեցին իրեն ներկայանայ ամբողջական փառքով, առանց ոեւէ արատի կամ խորշոմի կամ ուրիշ թերութեան, այլ՝ ըլլայ սուրբ եւ անարատ: Ճիշդ նոյն ձեւով, ամուսիններ պարտին իրենց կիները սիրել որպէս իրենց մարմինը. որովհետեւ իր կինը սիրողը իր սեփական մարմինը սիրած կ’ըլլայ, եւ չկայ մէկը որ իր մարմինը անտեսէ. ամէն մարդ ալ կը սնուցանէ եւ կը խնամէ իր մարմինը, ինչպէս Քրիստոս կը սնուցանէ եւ կը խնամէ եկեղեցին՝ իր մարմինը, որուն անդամներն ենք բոլորս, անոր մարմինէն ու ոսկորներէն: Սուրբ գիրքին մէջ գրուած է. «Ահա այս պատճառով այրը պիտի թողու իր հայրն ու մայրը եւ իր կնոջ միանայ, եւ երկուքը մէկ մարմին պիտի ըլլան»: Աստուծոյ ծրագրին կապուած կարեւոր ճշմարտութիւն մըն է ասիկա, որ ըստ իս՝ Քրիստոսի եւ եկեղեցիին կը վերաբերի: Բայց նոյնը կը վերաբերի նաեւ ձեզմէ իւրաքանչիւրին, որովհետեւ իւրաքանչիւր այր պէտք է իր կինը սիրէ իր անձին պէս, եւ ամէն կին պէտք է յարգէ իր ամուսինը: 

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE (8.49-57)  

While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader's house to say, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer."

When Jesus heard this, he replied, "Do not fear, Only believe, and she will be saved."

When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. They were all weeping and wailing for her, but he said, "Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called out, "Child, get up." Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ ՂՈՒԿԱՍՈՒ (8.49-57) 

Մինչ Յիսուս կը խօսէր, ժողովրդապետին տունէն մէկը եկաւ եւ անոր ըսաւ.

– Աղջիկդ մեռաւ, այլեւս մի՛ յոգնեցներ Վարդապետը:

Յիսուս ասիկա լսելով, ըսաւ ժողովրդապետին.

– Մի՛ վախնար, միայն հաւատա՛ եւ աղջիկդ պիտի ապրի:

Երբ Յիսուս ժողովրդապետին տունը հասաւ, չձգեց որ ոեւէ մէկը ներս մտնէ՝ բացի Պետրոսէն, Յակոբոսէն, Յովհաննէսէն եւ աղջկան հօրմէն ու մօրմէն: Ներս գտնուողները բոլորն ալ կու լային ու կ’ողբային: Յիսուս ըսաւ անոնց.

– Մի՛ լաք, աղջիկը մեռած չէ, այլ կը քնանայ:

Անոնք զինք կը ծաղրէին, որովհետեւ գիտէին որ աղջիկը մեռած է: Յիսուս բոլորն ալ դուրս հանեց, ապա բռնեց աղջկան ձեռքէն եւ բարձրաձայն ըսաւ.

– Աղջի՛կս, ոտքի՛ ել:

Անմիջապէս անոր հոգին վերադարձաւ եւ ոտքի կանգնեցաւ: Ապա Յիսուս հրամայեց որ ուտելիք տան աղջկան, մինչ ծնողները ապշահար եղած էին: Յիսուս անոնց պատուիրեց որ պատահածին մասին ոեւէ մէկուն բան չըսեն:

-Mr. HENRY GASPER passed on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Funeral services were held on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

-Homenetmen of New York and The New York Scouts request a requiem service for the souls of their beloved founders SHAVARSH KRISSIAN, KRIKOR HAGOPIAN and HOVHANNES HINTILIAN. Also for the souls of all our martyred brothers and sisters who gave their lives for our Hayrenik.

-Mrs. Maritza Mashavejian and son Harout, Mr. & Mrs. Armen and Suzanna Peshtimaldjian Hovhannisyan and children Davit, Tomas and Larisa request requiem service for the soul of their beloved mother and grandmother VERGINEH PESHTIMALDJIAN (40th-day memorial service). 

--Mr. & Mrs. Armen and Diana Pogosyan and children Areg and Movses, Mr. & Mrs. Levon and Hasmik Sakar and daughter Margarette request requiem service for the soul of their beloved father and grandfather ARIS VARDANYAN (18th-year memorial service), beloved mother and grandmother  MARGARITA KALADZHYAN (7th-year memorial service). Also for the soul of their beloved grandmother and great grandmother  AMALIA SAHAGYAN (18th-year memorial service).  

-Kazandjian family request requiem service for the soul of their beloved brother and uncle ARSHAG KAZANDJIAN (2nd-year memorial service). Also for the souls of beloved brother and uncle GARABED KAZANDJIAN beloved father and grandfather CHIGHA KAZANDJIAN and beloved mother and grandmother VERZIN KAZANDJIAN.

-Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis and Alice Kazandjian and family request requiem service for the souls of their beloved parents and grandparents ONIG and ARSHALOUIS KULHANGIAN.

- Mrs Eliza Ohannessian, Mr. and Mrs. Ohanes and Angela Ohannessian and children Oliver and Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Ela Ohannessian and Family, Dr. Karnig Magardician and Mr. Setrak Ohannessian request requiem service for the souls of their beloved parents and grandparents DRTAD and VIRGINIA MAGARDICIAN, KALOUST and NVART OHANNESSIAN, grandparents and great grandparents KARNIG and MARIAM GARNIGHIAN and KEVORK and SIRANUSH MAGARDICIAN.

-The Homenetmen of NY Scouts Falafel luncheon and The Ladies Guild fellowship hour will be held in the Main Hall and is hosted by:

-Mrs. Siran Jamgotchian

-Ms. Kristine Jamgotchian

-Mrs. Nayda Voskerijian