E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

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

Sunday, 4/14/2024

ԿԱՆԱՉ ԿԻՐԱԿԻ (ԱՇԽԱՐՀԱՄԱՏՐԱՆ) - GREEN SUNDAY

Sunday Readings:  

Luke 6:12-45; Acts 9:23-31; 1 Peter 2:1-10; John 2:23-3:12; 

Matthew 8:18-9:8; Mark 3:6-12 



Join us in worship this Sunday.

Morning Service 10:00 AM

Sunday School 11:00 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 & Friends,

What a week it has been! We experienced an earthquake last Friday. Though it wasn't violent, it made me think about the devastating earthquakes that hit the Middle East last winter and how our brothers and sisters in that region must have felt. I also remembered the tragic earthquake in northern Armenia in 1988, which claimed the lives of twenty-five thousand Armenians. 

We also experienced a solar eclipse last Monday. I was fortunate to witness this rare natural phenomenon in 1999 in Beirut, Lebanon. However, this time, I was occupied with patients in my clinic and couldn't see the eclipse. Nevertheless, my good friend Victoria Mesropian Yekhpairian sent me the photo below. The best caption for this photo would be Psalm 19:1, 'The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.'

Երկինք պատմեն զփառս Աստուծոյ, եւ զարարածս ձեռաց նորա պատմէ հաստատութիւն:

Last Friday, I attended an interesting event in Manhattan. It was a comedy show by an emerging Armenian comedian called Jack Jr. A few members of our parish were also present. My wife, our two older children, and I were interested in attending because Tonee Marino, a young artist from our community who also serves on the Altar of St. Sarkis Church, was going to perform. 

I had heard some of Mr. Jack's jokes on social media and knew he sometimes uses crude material in his sets. However, during his performance, he spoke about his experience at Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School in Los Angeles and how the staff and teachers would often speak to him in Armenian, not realizing that he didn't speak the language. Mr. Jack said that he kept making jokes about this on social media, and subsequently, the school has a program for non-Armenian-speaking students.

Mr. Jack also described his most horrible experience at Alex Pilibos, which was attending church services on special occasions, as a foreign and almost gibberish experience. The audience laughed hard when he imitated the church music and priests' gestures during Badarak. This made me think that while Badarak is a life-giving experience for those who have immersed themselves in the mystical experience of it, it could be a completely unintelligible and almost gibberish experience for someone like Mr. Jack Jr. On the one hand, I understand that the mystical experience is not for everyone. I know that we are asking a lot of our people by telling them they need to understand classical Armenian (Krapar) to get anything from our Badarak (although the modern Armenian and English translations are provided on the pews). I know that in some of our churches, the celebration of Badarak has become very mechanical and dry, and congregants get no spiritual nourishment. I am well aware that reform in our church is way overdue, but on the other hand, there is a general apathy towards the church in our communities. Unfortunately, fixing this problem is not as easy as creating a program for non-Armenian-speaking students at Alex Pilibos. Our Church must evolve, and I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide our church leaders in this important task.

I left the show before Mr. Jack finished his set right when he started picking on the audience and asking them to get on stage - a practice I detest in comedy shows. Was he running out of material? I don’t know, but I know that my friend Tonee Marino's performance was amazing, and I enjoyed it very much.

Speaking of comedy shows, I am excited to inform you that we are organizing a comedy event for Father’s Day in mid-June. Antic will be the evening's comedian, and the event's main highlight will be honoring Mr. Louie Zakarian, a 10-time Emmy award winner and the head make-up artist for NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Mr. Zakarian is a member of the St. Sarkis Community. This is an event you surely wouldn't want to miss!

I just want to remind you about the upcoming events commemorating the Armenian Genocide on April 24. We have a Badarak (divine liturgy) at St. Illuminator's Cathedral in the afternoon of April 24, followed by a march organized by the AYF. Anoushavan Serpazan has asked me to celebrate Badarak on that day. I consider it a great honor to celebrate Badarak on the Altar at the Cathedral, which contains sand from the Der-Zor desert and the relics (bones and skulls) of the Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Also, there will be a lecture in the main hall of our church on Sunday, April 28th. There will also be a gathering at Times Square on April 21.

We are releasing the St. Sarkis Church Karnig Alajajian Scholarship application forms in today's bulletin. I encourage college students to apply as soon as possible. Additionally, we are providing a comprehensive list of Easter Donations. Last week, the Facebook donations were accidentally omitted, and I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

I'm checking in with you about the video of last week's sermon I shared yesterday. I hope you had a chance to listen to it. This Sunday is known as Green Sunday in our church, and we will continue exploring the theme of spiritual renewal brought about by Christ's resurrection. During the liturgy, we will read about Jesus teaching Nicodemus, who came to him at night. As you may remember from the dichotomy of light and darkness discussed in the last sermon, this conversation is significant. It is during this conversation that Jesus tells Nicodemus, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again" (John 3:3). According to the Orthodox Study Bible, “The word again can also be translated “from above” and clearly refers to the heavenly birth from God through faith in Christ (John 1:12, 13). This heavenly birth is baptism (John 3:5) and our adoption by God as our Father (Gal 4:4–7). This new birth is but the beginning of our spiritual life, with its goal being entrance into the kingdom of God”. (Orthodox Study Bible Copyright © 2008 by St. Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology).

And finally, yesterday evening, my youngest son, Avedis, asked me to take him shopping at the newly opened Target store in Lakeville, NY. As I was deep in my negotiations with little Avedis that he could only buy one toy for himself at Target, a young parishioner of St. Sarkis church said hello to me. This wonderful lady used to be my student when I taught Saturday School as a deacon over two decades ago. We made small talk, and then she told me that she, her mother, and her grandmother watch the live stream of Badarak every Sunday. I said that is really nice, but I would like to see her at church on Sundays.

I would like to say the same thing to you. Please do not abandon the church that your parents and grandparents worked so hard to build. Do not forsake the church that your forefathers shed their blood to safeguard. I encourage you to attend church on Sundays and be part of the community.

See you Sunday,

Fr. Nareg

PS. I am planning to provide you with weekly updates in our newsletter. They may not always be exciting, but they will be my genuine way of communicating with you. Thank you for reading. You may also share your thoughts with me fr.nareg@gmail.com

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Sponsors



Palm Branches

Donated by Mr. & Mrs. Garo & Vicky Hagobian

Palm Sunday Altar Flowers

Donated by Bodyikoglu & Marino Families

In memory of their beloved father

Bagdasar Bodyikoglu & beloved aunt Peggy Vanessian

Palm Sunday Candles

Donated by Mr. & Mrs. Raffi & Jeanette Nenejian & Family

Lilies

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

in memory of their beloved parents,

Kevork & Haigouhie Ganimian

Arshag & Seta Smith Baghdassarian

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Donated by Mrs. Isabella & Ms. Rebecca Holmquist

Maundy Thursday Dinner

Donated by Mr. & Mrs. Khatchig & Loucine Megherian

in memory of their beloved parents,

Hovhannes & Yeghisapet Hovhannessian and

Karnig & Vartouhi Megherian



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

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St Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

Karnig Alajajian 2024 Scholarship Application Form

Our Mission

Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Karnig Alajajian, St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church has created a scholarship program that is now in its second year. Our mission is promoting scholastic excellence within our community. To achieve this end, we seek to assist our youth in obtaining the education they desire and deserve, as well as preparing the next generation of our church's leaders.

Two scholarships of $2,500.00 each will be awarded to two individual chosen candidates. Applications will be evaluated on academic achievements, financial needs and engagement/service to St. Sarkis Church as well as to the Armenian and non-Armenian communities.

Application Deadline: May 8th, 2024

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

The St. Sarkis Book Club met on March 21st to discuss My Grandmother by Fethiye Cetin, and Shadow of the Silk Road by Colin Thubron.

Discussion on the former touched on the denial of truth, perseverance, and survival in the face of inhumanity. The latter took readers on a travel based historical journey where the exchange of goods, ideas, and religions impact us to present day. 

GREEN SUNDAY, SUNDAY OF THE WORLD CHURCH

Easter Sunday is followed by a period of fifty days (Hinoonk). This period from the Resurrection to Pentecost (Hokekaloost) is dedicated to the glorification of the Resurrection. Each of the seven Sundays of Hinoonk has a special name. This Sunday, April 14, is Green Sunday (Ganach Giragi), also called Sunday of the World Church (Ashkharhamadoor), that commemorates the establishment in Jerusalem of the first Christian church where Christ met with the Apostles in the upper room.

Green Sunday most probably originates in an ancient holiday celebrating spring. Our forefathers, seeing mother earth bloom after long winter months, glorified the Creator with an act of thanksgiving and celebrated by decorating the church and themselves with greenery. The reawakening of nature is symbolic of the Resurrection. Green is the color of life, freshness, and promise. After a barren winter and with the Resurrection we are filled with hope, life, and love.

Green Sunday is the perfect time for us to remember and strengthen our obligations as good stewards of the earth and caretakers of the gifts given to us by God.

You nations, made worthy to be called to give glory to Christ our God, come, sing to the Lord a new song, rejoice and praise his name with a new praise with the voice of Joy. O Christ, we who believe in you with true confession bless the mystery of your divine, life-giving economy glorifying your wonderful and awesome name, O Lord, Lord great over all the earth. Holy Church, bride initiated into the heavenly mystery, rejoice to the glory of the all-Holy Trinity who has adorned you with all its gifts and who is to crown you with glory the divine light with all his saints.

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PETER THE APOSTLE (2.1-10)

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.   

As you come to him, the living Stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:   

"See, I lay a stone in Zion,   

a chosen and precious cornerstone,   

and the one who trusts in him   

will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,   

"The stone the builders rejected   

has become the capstone, and,   

"A stone that causes men to stumble   

and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message-which is also what they were destined for.   

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

ՊԵՏՐՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ ԸՆԴՀԱՆՐԱԿԱՆ ԱՌԱՋԻՆ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ (2.1-10)

Հետեւաբար, մէկդի՛ ձգեցէք ամէն տեսակի չար մտածում ու նենգութիւն, կեղծաւորութիւն ու նախանձ եւ ամէն տեսակի չարախօսութիւն: Որպէս հաւատքի նորածին մանուկներ, Աստուծոյ խօսքին անխարդախ կաթին փափաքեցէք, որպէսզի անով աճիք եւ փրկութեան հասնիք: «Անգամ մը որ Տիրոջ խօսքին համը առնէք, պիտի տեսնէք թէ քաղցր է ան»: Մօտեցէ՛ք անոր, Քրիստոսի, որովհետեւ ի՛նքն է այն կենդանի վէմը, որ թէպէտ մարդոցմէ մերժուած, բայց Աստուծմէ ընտրուած պատուական վէմն է: Այսպիսով դո՛ւք ալ, որպէս կենդանի քարեր, Քրիստոսի վէմին վրայ կը կառուցուիք՝ իբրեւ հոգեւոր տաճար. իւրաքանչիւրդ կը դառնաք անարատ քահանաներ եւ Յիսուս Քրիստոսի միջոցաւ հոգեւոր ընդունելի պատարագ կը մատուցանէք Աստուծոյ: Որովհետեւ մարգարէութեան մէջ գրուած է.-

     «Ահա ես Սիոնի մէջ կը դնեմ

ընտրուած վէմ մը, պատուական անկիւնաքարը մը.

անոր հաւատացողը յուսախաբ պիտի չըլլայ»:

Քանի դուք հաւատացիք Քրիստոսի, անիկա ձեզի համար պատուական վէմը եղաւ. մինչդեռ չհաւատացողներուն համար, անիկա

     «Այն քարն է,

որ թէպէտ շինողները մերժեցին գործածել,

բայց ինք անկիւնաքարը եղաւ»,

կամ՝ «Այն քարն է, որ գլորումի եւ գայթակղութեան առիթ» պիտի ըլլայ անոնց համար, որոնք Աստուծոյ խօսքը անհամոզիչ գտնելով կը գայթակղին, ինչպէս որ Աստուած նախատեսած էր:

Գալով ձեզի, դուք ընտրուած ցեղ մըն էք, թագաւորելու կոչուած քահանաներ, սուրբ ազգ մը, Աստուծոյ սեփական ժողովուրդը. եւ ձեր պարտականութիւնն է քարոզել զօրութիւնը անոր՝ որ ձեզ խաւարէն իր սքանչելի լոյսին կանչեց: Որովհետեւ հիմա Աստուծոյ ժողովուրդն էք, մինչ նախապէս չէիք. հիմա իր ողորմութիւնը կը վայելէք, մինչ նախապէս զրկուած էինք անկէ:

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO JOHN (2:23-3:12)

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."   

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."   

"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"   

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."   

"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.   

"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ ՅՈՎՀԱՆՆԷՍԻ (2:23-3:12)

Զատիկի տօնին, մինչ Յիսուս Երուսաղէմ կը գտնուէր, շատեր հաւատացին իրեն, երբ տեսան անոր գործած հրաշքները: Սակայն Յիսուս ինքզինք չէր վստահեր անոնց, որովհետեւ բոլորն ալ կը ճանչնար եւ պէտք չունէր ոեւէ մէկուն մասին ուրիշին վկայութեան, քանի ինք գիտէր թէ ի՛նչ կայ մարդոց սիրտին մէջ:

Նիկոդեմոս անունով Փարիսեցի մարդ մը կար, Հրեայ իշխան մը, որ գիշերով Յիսուսի քով եկաւ եւ ըսաւ անոր.

– Վարդապե՛տ, գիտենք որ դուն Աստուծոյ կողմէ ղրկուած ուսուցիչ մըն ես, որովհետեւ ո՛չ ոք կրնայ գործել քու կատարած հրաշքներդ, եթէ Աստուած անոր հետ չըլլայ:

Յիսուս պատասխանեց անոր.

– Լաւ գիտցիր, որ եթէ մէկը վերստին չծնի՝ չի կրնար տեսնել Աստուծոյ արքայութիւնը:

Նիկոդեմոս հարցուց անոր.

– Ծեր մարդ մր ինչպէ՞ս կրնայ ծնիլ: Կարելի՞ բան է որ ան կրկին մտնէ իր մօր որովայնը եւ ծնի:

Յիսուս պատասխանեց.

– Հաստատ գիտցիր, որ եթէ մէկը ջուրէն եւ Հոգիէն չծնի՝ չի կրնար Աստուծոյ արքայութիւնը մտնել, որովհետեւ մարմինէն ծնածը մարմին է, իսկ հոգիէն ծնածը՝ հոգի: Դուն մի՛ զարմանար, որ քեզի ըսի՝ թէ պէտք է վերստին ծնիք: Հովը ո՛ւր որ ուզէ՝ կը փչէ. դուն անոր ձայնը կը լսես, բայց չես գիտեր թէ ուրկէ՛ կու գայ եւ ո՛ւր կ’երթայ: Նոյնպէս են բոլոր անոնք, որոնք Հոգիէն կը ծնին:

 Նիկոդեմոս հարցուց.

– Ինչպէ՞ս կրնայ պատահիլ ատիկա:

Յիսուս պատասխանեց.

– Դուն որ Իսրայէլի ժողովուրդին վրայ ուսուցիչ կարգուած ես, ատիկա չե՞ս գիտեր: Լաւ գիտցիր, թէ ինչ որ գիտենք՝ կը խօսինք եւ ինչ որ տեսանք՝ անոր մասին կը վկայենք, բայց մեր վկայութիւնը չէք ընդունիր: Եթէ երկրաւոր բաներու մասին խօսեցայ ձեզի եւ չէք հաւատար, ինչպէ՞ս պիտի հաւատաք ինծի, եթէ երկնաւոր բաներու մասին խօսիմ:

- Mrs. Jilbert Balian, Mr. & Mrs. Raffi and Jeanette Nenejian and children Aram, Levon, and Paul, Mr. & Mrs. Raffi and Gassia Balian, and children Shant, Viken, and Gaelle request requiem service for the soul of their beloved husband, father, and grandfather JOSEPH BALIAN ( 8th- year memorial service). Also, for the souls of beloved parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents HAGOP & NIVART KAHVECIAN, beloved aunt JERMIN TIRPAN, and beloved uncles JIRAIR KAHVECIAN and JACK KAHVECIAN.

- Mr. Zaven Varjabedian requests requiem service for the soul of his beloved friend Ms. IULIANA BENLIAN (1st-year memorial service).

-Mrs. Hripsime Hatchikian and Ms. Varvara Hatchikian request requiem service for the soul of their beloved husband and father, Mr. HAIG HATCHIKIAN (40th-day memorial service).

-Mrs. Lucia Kochoumian, Mr. Dan & Dr. Alina Stanciu, Drs. Peter and Natalie Stanciu Nixon and family, Mr. Alex Stanciu and Dr. Anna Djougarian and family, Mr. & Mrs. Eduard and Alina Kochoumian and family, Mr. & Mrs. Albert and Madi Hovnanian and family request requiem service for the soul of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle Dr. ARED KOCHOUMIAN (7th-year memorial service).