E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

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

Sunday: 3/31/2024

Ս. ԶԱՏԻԿ - EASTER

Sunday Readings:

 Acts 1:15-26; Mark 16:2-8



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

Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor

Schedule of Services

GOOD FRIDAY

MARCH 29, 2024

Redemption on the Cross, a Mini Retreat: 3:00 pm

Service of the Entombment: 7:00 pm 

HOLY SATURDAY 

MARCH 30, 2024

Holy Communion For Saturday School Students: 10:00 am

"Jrakalooytz" Easter Eve Vesper Service: 4:30 pm

Reading of the Scriptures: 5:00 pm

Divine Liturgy: 5:30 pm

Easter Eve Dinner: 7:00 pm

EASTER SUNDAY

MARCH 31, 2024

Morning Service: 10:00 am

Divine Liturgy: 10:30 am

Sponsors



Easter Lilies

Donated by Mr. & Mrs. Ghevont & Lydia Baghdassarian,

in memory of their beloved parents,

Kevork & Haigouhie Ganimian

Arshag & Seta Smith Baghdassarian

Redemption on the Cross, a Mini Retreat Dinner

Donated by an Anonymous donor,

in memory of their beloved father, Kevork Yandimyan

Fresh Flowers for Good Friday

Donated by an Anonymous donor,

in memory of their beloved grandma, Peggy Vanessian

Home Blessing Box Kits

Sponsored by

Mr. & Mrs. Setrag & Annie Kazandjian

Mr. & Mrs. Ghevont & Lydia Baghdassarian

$660.00

Drs. Bagdig & Ani Baghdassarian

$500.00

Mrs. Lilian Hairabedian

Ms. Claudia Mouradian

$300.00

Dr. & Mrs. Kevork & Diane Boyadjian

Mr. & Mrs. Leonard & Valentina Dortch

$200.00

Mr. & Mrs. Arman & Aida Alpian

Ms. Mary & Ms. Dorothy Papazian

$150.00

Mrs. Dirouhie Kasparian

$100.00

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Arpi Bekian

Mr. Alexander Chmelev

Mr. & Mrs. Manoug & Amy Gostanian

Mrs. Daniela Hachadurian

Mrs. Nadia Hazarian

Mr. & Mrs. Setrag & Annie Kazandjian

Mrs. Gohar Maghakyan

Dr. & Mrs. Louis & Elenne Najarian

Mrs. Elizabeth Ohannessian

Ms. Nelly Tokatlian

Mr. & Mrs. Wilson & Narine Tooma

$50.00

Ms. Virginia Arakelyan

Mr. Levon Chorbajian

Mr. & Mrs. Haig & Hripsime Hatchikian

Mrs. Rita  Kizakian

Ms. Anahid Ugurlayan

Under $50

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Azadohi Vartanian

Thanks to all of our generous donors, all items for our Easter Brunch have been sponsored! This event wouldn't be possible without your support.

Magic Show & Balloon Twist $500.00

Sponsored by Mrs. Nayda Voskerijian

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Harout & Nayri Khatchadourian

Science Show $400.00

Sponsored by Drs. Demetri and Alina Koutsospyros

Sponsored by Mr. Dennis Kurpius & Dr. Annita Nerses

Easter Crafts & Egg Hunt $300.00

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Setrag & Annie Kazandjian

Breakfast Items $500.00

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Timothy & Ani Horch

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Ghevont & Lydia Baghdassarian

Sponsored by Ms. Shakeh and Mr. Sarkis Kadehjian

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Elizabeth Ohannessian

Sponsored by Ms. Kristin Jamgotchian

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Shant & Olga Hagobian

Sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Nazareth and Talin Markarian

On Thursday Evening, the events initiated by Jesus at the Mystical Last Supper were commemorated at St. Sarkis Church; namely, the Divine Liturgy of the Institution of the Holy Eucharist was celebrated and was followed by the service of "Washing of the Feet." Fr. Nareg Terterian washed the feet of young boys and church servers and anointed them with the blessed oil. 

The service of washing feet was followed by Tenebrae, a distinctive ceremony of gradually extinguishing candles. At the same time, a series of seven Gospel readings, psalms, and hymns are chanted. Fr. Nareg Terterian gave a homily on "Jesus the Light of the World." 

On Holy Tuesday, the Armenian Apostolic Church commemorates the Parable of the Ten Virgins/Maidens. In the parable, ten maidens took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were wise and five of them were foolish.

Those who were foolish took their lamps but did not take any oil to light them with while the wise maidens remembered to take oil for their lamps. The vesper service on Holy Tuesday re-enacts this parable with girls of all ages participating.

This year at St. Sarkis Church we had 11 lovely girls participate and we were extra fortunate to have Archbishop Anoushavan present to partake in the service as well.

A casual dinner was served afterwards to all those present. This evening marks one of the many wonderful traditions we have at our beloved church.  

Many parishioners attended the Palm Sunday celebrations at St. Sarkis Church. Fr. Nareg Terterian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered a sermon. The service of "Trunpatzek" (Opening of the portal ceremony) followed the Devine Liturgy. Members of the Salt & Light Youth group and students from Saturday and Sunday Schools of St. Sarkis church walked the Palm Sunday procession while holding beautifully handcrafted candles. 

It's wonderful to hear about the dedication and commitment of the Ladies Guild Executive Board: Jeanette Nenejian/Chair, Lena Felice/Vice Chair, Christine Bedrossian/Treasurer, Svetlana Indzhigulyan/Recording Secretary and Louiza Kubikian/Corresponding Secretary. Nayda Voskerijian and Hasmig Daghlian as Executives and Lisa Kabarajian and Kristine Jamgotchian as Advisers, in preparing for Palm Sunday. Their proactive approach undoubtedly contributes to the success and meaningfulness of the celebration for the St. Sarkis Church community.

Planning and organizing weeks in advance allows for attention to detail and ensures that everything runs smoothly on the day of the event. May their hard work be richly rewarded, and may Palm Sunday be a source of inspiration and spiritual renewal for all who participate.  

The efforts for coloring the Easter eggs go beyond just enhancing the aesthetics of the Easter celebration. Thanks to the teamwork of Yn. Annie Terterian, Ani Nercessian, Loucine Megherian, and Lena Felice.

Haikouhi Megerian and Jeanette Nenejian's devotion in preparing choregs, which were evidently in high demand and sold out quickly, with the assistance of Alina Kochoumian, reflects their commitment to serving the community.

Jeanette Nenejian's beautiful Easter candles and Loucine Megherian's role in selling them, with proceeds benefiting the Salt & Light Youth Group, exemplify the spirit of generosity and support within the community. Such initiatives not only enrich the celebrations but also contribute to meaningful causes, showcasing the interconnectedness of faith and service.

Let us extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every individual who contributed their time, energy, and talents to make the event a resounding success:

Arpine Bezdikian, Ani Fernandez, Talin Markarian, Nazik Marino, Lori Varjabedian, Victoria Yekhpairian, Madlen Hazarian, Yvette Fiesel, Maria Ebrimian, Ani Nercessian, Amy Gostanian, Vicky Hagobian, Hilda Gorgissian, Mary Arslanian, Gail D’Onofrio, Anita Masoian, Srpouk Aroyan, Mrs. Kasparian, Diana Cava, Arpi Tamar Kahaouty, Armine Boyadjian, Katia Tavitian, Zepuir Ardzivian, Salpie Megerian and once again; Yn. Annie Terterian, Loucine Megherian, Jeanette Nenejian, Lena Felice, Christine Bedrossian, Svetlana Indzhigulyan, Louiza Kubikian, Lisa Kabarajian, Kristine Jamgotchian and Nayda Voskerijian. 

Your contributions are deeply appreciated and truly made a difference in creating a memorable and uplifting experience for everyone.

A group of young parishioners gathered at Sunday School on Palm Sunday, to learn about the triumphant last entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Reminiscent of the crowds who welcomed Jesus, the Sunday School students carried decorated candles and blessed palms in a traditional procession around the church. Along with commemorating the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem, students learned about Holy Week and got to partake in an arts and crafts project. Sunday School welcomes all children from 1st through 8th grade to join our next session on April 14th at 11am. We look forward to seeing your children and nurturing their relationship with our Lord and our church.

On Friday, March 22, 2024, the sixth and final vesper service of the Lent season took place at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. The service was led by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, the Prelate. The deacons accompanied by our music director, Mr. Armen Ardzivian, sang the enchanting hymns of the Vespers. The Salt & Light Youth Group members also participated in the service and took turns reading the prayer “In Faith I Confess.” After the service, Archdeacon Shant Kazangian, the director of the Armenian Christian Education Department (AREC) of the Armenian Prelacy, gave a presentation on "The Role of the Christian Faith in My Life."

During his speech, Archdeacon Shant spoke about his growth from Kazangian to Krisdosian, meaning that through baptism, we take on the identity of Christ.

The organizing committee of the Sages of All Ages group offered a variety of Lenten dishes during the fellowship hour that followed the church service.

We would like to express our gratitude to all those who joined us and offered their prayers during this season. We are also grateful to all who shared their personal stories of faith with our congregation, inspiring them to develop a closer relationship with God. Thank you all for your support and encouragement.

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

HOW ARMENIANS CELEBRATE EASTER

On Easter day, Christians rejoice over the resurrection of our Lord and the black altar curtains are now drawn. The forty-day period of fasting now comes to an end. Armenians celebrate the joyous occasion with eggs that are dyed red, with which children and adults alike play tapping contests. The Easter Bunny tradition that began in the 17th century among Protestants in Europe is now popular all over the world, according to which the bunny hatches colored eggs and brings them in baskets to children. The red egg symbolizes the suffering of Christ and His crucifixion as well as the blood spelled by him. The shell of the egg represents the rock-cut tomb of Jesus; the white, his shroud; and the yolk, resurrected Jesus as symbol of life.

On Resurrection Sunday, Armenian Christians around the world exchange the Easter greeting: Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց. օրհնեալ է յարութիւնն Քրիստոսի (Krisdos haryav ee merelotz! Orhnyal eh harootiunun Krisdosee!) Christ is risen from the dead! Blessed is the resurrection of Christ! 

Easter Sunday is followed by a period of 50 days, known as Advent (Hinants), during which time there are no saints’ days or fasting days, since it is dedicated to the glory of Christ’s Resurrection. The first 40 days lead to Jesus’ Ascension Day, commemorating our Lord’s entry into heaven, and Pentecost is celebrated at the end of the following ten days.

UGHAKIN DONATIONS

It is a long-standing tradition in the Armenian Church to give “Yughakin” donations, especially at Christmas and Easter. Yughakin literally means “price of oil.” Parishioners would donate money to purchase oil to keep the lanterns lit and the church illuminated. The tradition has continued throughout the centuries to modern times, although nowadays the money is not necessarily for oil for lanterns, but for utility bills that provide light, heat, and air conditioning. The concept is still very valid, especially these days, as we are faced with the unexpected hardships brought upon us by the health emergency. Your Yughakin donation will be most appreciated as it will help keep our sanctuaries properly cared for. 

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS (15.1-11)

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ Ա. ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ԿՈՐՆԹԱՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ (1:15-26) 

Համբարձումէն քանի մը օրեր ետք, երբ շուրջ հարիւրքսան հաւատացեալներ մէկտեղուած էին, Պետրոս

ոտքի ելլելով ըսաւ.

– Եղբայրնե՛ր, պէտք էր կատարուէր Սուրբ գիրքին մէջ գրուածը, այն՝ ինչ որ նախօրօք Սուրբ Հոգին ըսած էր Դաւիթի բերնով՝ Յուդայի մասին, որ Յիսուսը ձերբակալողներուն առաջնորդը եղաւ: Յուդա մեր խումբէն էր, մեզի պէս առաքելական ծառայութեան համար ընտրուած: Բայց իր անիրաւ մատնութենէն ետք, որուն վարձքով ագարակ մը գնեց, երեսն ի վայր ինկաւ այնտեղ եւ փորը ճեղքուելով՝ փորոտիքը դուրս թափեցաւ: Բոլոր Երուսաղէմացիները այս մասին իմացան, եւ այս պատճառով ալ այդ ագարակը իրենց բարբառով Ակեղդամա, այսինքն՝ Արեան ագարակ կը կոչեն: Արդ, Սաղմոսներու գիրքին մէջ գրուած է.

«Թող անոր տունը աւերակ մնայ, եւ հոն մարդ չբնակի». իսկ ուրիշ տեղ մը կ’ըսէ. «Իր պաշտօնը ուրիշ մէկը թող առնէ»: Այստեղ կան մարդիկ, որոնք միշտ մեր հետը եղած են Տէր Յիսուսի երկրաւոր առաքելութեան ամբողջ տեւողութեան, Յովհաննէսի ձեռքով անոր մկրտութենէն մինչեւ երկինք

համբարձման օրը: Ասոնցմէ մէկը պէտք է որ տասնըմէկիս միանայ՝ Քրիստոսի յարութեան վկայ ըլլալու համար:

Այն ատեն հաւատացեալները երկու հոգի ներկայացուցին. Բարսաբա կոչուած Յովսէփը, որ Արդար մականուանուեցաւ, եւ Մատաթիան: Ապա հետեւեալ աղօթքը ըրին.

– Դուն, Տէ՛ր, որ կը ճանչնաս բոլոր մարդոց սիրտերը, ցոյց տուր մեզի՝ թէ այս երկուքէն ո՛ր մէկը կ’ընտրես առաքելական այս պաշտօնին համար, որմէ Յուդա ինկաւ՝ իրեն սահմանուած տեղը երթալու համար:

Ապա երկու անուններուն վրայ վիճակ ձգեցին: Վիճակը Մատաթիային ելաւ, եւ անիկա տասնըմէկ առաքեալներուն կարգին դասուեցաւ:

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO MARK (16.1-8)

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"  

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.  

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "  

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ ՄԱՐԿՈՍԻ (16:2-8)

Կիրակի առաւօտ կանուխ, արեւածագին, գերեզման եկան:

– Ո՞վ պիտի գլորէ գերեզմանի մուտքին դրուած քարը,- կը հարցնէին իրարու, որովհետեւ քարը շատ մեծ էր:

Սակայն երբ նայեցան, տեսան որ քարը արդէն իսկ գլորուած էր: Գերեզմանէն ներս մտան եւ ճերմակ զգեստ հագած երիտասարդ մը տեսան, որ աջ կողմը նստած էր, եւ սարսափեցան: Երիտասարդը ըսաւ

անոնց.

– Մի՛ վախնաք, գիտեմ որ խաչուած Նազովրեցի Յիսուսը կը փնտռէք, բայց հոս չէ՛, յարութիւն առաւ:

Տեսէ՛ք, զինք հոս դրած էին: Այժմ գացէք, ըսէք իր աշակերտներուն եւ Պետրոսի, որ ահա ինք ձեզմէ առաջ կ’երթայ Գալիլեա. հո՛ն պիտի տեսնէք զինք, ինչպէս որ ըսած էր ձեզի:

Երբ ասիկա լսեցին, դուրս փախան գերեզմանէն, զար-հուրած ու ապշահար, եւ ոչ մէկուն բան մը ըսին, որովհետեւ կը վախնային: