E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

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

Sunday: 1/14/2024

Ա. ԿԻՐԱԿԻ Ս. ԾՆՈՒՆԴԷՆ ԵՏՔ - First Sunday after Nativity 

Sunday Readings:    

Isaiah 54:1-14; 1 Timothy 1:1-11; John 2:1-11 

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

The community of St. Sarkis Church celebrated the Feast of The Nativity & Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ following the traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church. On Friday, January 05, 2024, Christmas Eve services were presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, Prelate. The services included vespers, reading sacred Scripture passages, and the Divine Liturgy.

On Saturday, January 06, 2024, the community of St. Sarkis Church celebrated the Feast of The Nativity & Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Fr. Nareg Terterian celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered a sermon.

Following the Badarak was the Blessing of Water Service, symbolizing the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. The Godfather of the Cross was Nicholas Tutuyan. The parishioners received blessed water as the church service concluded.

Following church services, the community of St. Sarkis Church continued the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity. This festive luncheon was a delightful gathering, bringing together around 170 attendees for an afternoon filled with joy and community spirit.

The luncheon featured a heartwarming Christmas performance by the talented students of the Suzanne and Hovsep Hagopian Saturday School. Their enthusiasm and dedication were apparent as our little angels and wise men showcased traditional Armenian songs. The performance culminated with a special appearance by Gaghant Baba, who spread cheer and happiness among the children. His presence added a magical touch to the day and created unforgettable moments for everyone.

The luncheon was a feast featuring delicious appetizers, a buffet, and mouth-watering desserts. It was an opportunity for friends and families to come together and reinforce the bonds that make Saint Sarkis Church a second home for many.

A heartfelt thank you is extended to the committee members and the last-minute helpers who worked tirelessly to make this event a success. And special thanks to the Salt and Light youth who spent their precious Saturday assisting to ensure a wonderful event. These volunteers’ dedication to ensuring every detail was perfect created an atmosphere where friends and families could come together to celebrate Armenian Christmas. 

We look forward to many more celebrations that strengthen our community and keep our traditions alive. Wishing you all a blessed Armenian Christmas!

Dear Parishioners & Friends,

This past September, Armenians experienced the most heinous act of ethnic cleansing of the Republic of Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population by Azerbaijan. Our brethren who have lived in Artsakh for centuries uninterrupted were uprooted and became refugees in the Republic of Armenia. This traumatic event created a humanitarian crisis for 120,000 people, who lost their ancestral homeland, possessions, livelihoods, and communities within a span of a few days. 

The Pastor and the Board of Trustees of St. Sarkis Church sprang into action, exploring options for organizing humanitarian aid that would immediately impact the lives of our Artsakh Armenians. With winter looming, we recognized the urgent need for warm, protective clothing as a high priority. As such, we contacted Ashot and Aram Spendjians of the New York Armenian community, who have extensive experience in garment manufacturing. Their company, Lorens NYC, has introduced Western brands to manufacture in Armenia and provide jobs to our homeland. We devised a plan to provide high-quality winter coats produced in Armenia to those displaced from Artsakh to shield and protect fellow Armenians from the cold weather ahead. We also received the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, Prelate, for the project and his commitment that The Armenian Prelacy's St. Nerses The Great, Charitable and Social Organization in Yerevan, Armenia, would take charge of delivering the coats directly to Artsakh refugees.

Our initial commitment was to provide 250 coats by December 1st. We were overjoyed by the overwhelming response of our community to our appeal. Within less than a week, 250 coats were sponsored, and before reaching our December 1st deadline, another 300 coats were sponsored, bringing the total number of sponsored coats to 550. By the end of December 2023, 210 coats were ready and delivered. The remaining 340 are already cut and in the machines. They will be partially delivered weekly (approximately 80-120 jackets/week) with a target completion date of the end of January. Coats are packed with a letter on our church's letterhead that reads as follows:



Dear Brothers and Sisters of Artsakh,

Please accept this coat from the Armenian Community of St. Sarkis Church of New York. The Armenians of the Diaspora are with you. Stay strong. May God Bless you.

Prayerfully,

Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor

The success of this initiative is a testament to the generosity of our community, with donors recognizing that their $50 contribution would be directly and wholly applied to providing a high-quality coat to a fellow Armenian in need. In fact, many donors chose to sponsor an entire family of five. Furthermore, manufacturing the coats in Armenia meant creating jobs for the local population and avoiding extra shipping costs and import taxes. Finally, those who participated in this campaign demonstrated their concern for the uprooted population of Artsakh and wanted to make a practical gesture of solidarity. We applaud that among our donors were young adults and other first-time participants in our humanitarian efforts.

We want to express our sincere gratitude to our community members, who always support our campaigns in supporting the suffering Armenian communities in Armenia and the Middle East. 

May God Bless you abundantly. 

Prayerfully,

Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor and

The Board of Trustees of St. Sarkis Church

$1,000.00

Mr. & Mrs. Karl & Alice Alajajian

$500.00

Mr. & Mrs. Timothy & Arda Arslanian Costello

$300.00

Dr. & Mrs. Kevork & Diane Boyadjian

Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes & Alice Savadjian

$250.00

Ms. Nelly Tokatlian

Mr. & Mrs. Mourad & Virginia Voskinarian

$200.00

Anonymous

Anonymous

Mr. & Mrs. Alfonso & Diana Cava

Ms. Charlette Hamamgian

Mrs. Lynn & Ms. Marissa Jamie

Mr. & Mrs. Vagram & Margarit Kazarosian

$150.00

Mrs. Nadia Hazarian

Mr. Gary Kallem

$120.00

Ms. Aida Ounjian

$100.00

Mr. & Mrs. Berdj & Hilda Agopian

Mr. & Mrs. Hatchik & Verzhin Alahverdian

Mr. & Mrs. Avadis & Gullu Aydogdu

Mrs. Emma Baklajian

Mrs. Agavni Bodriguian

Mr. & Mrs. Jirair & Aline Christianian

Mr. Alexander Chmelev

Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Janet Dalian

Ms. Theresa Dakessian

Mr. & Mrs. Kegam & Anush Dirielyan

Mr. & Mrs. Edmond & Ashhen Elmokian

Mr. & Mrs. Manoug & Amy Gostanian

Mr. & Mrs. Dickran & Liza Kabarajian

Mrs. Anita MasoianMrs. Haikouhi Megerian

Dr. & Mrs. Louis & Elenne Najarian

Mr. Varouj Oghali

Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Soci Simonian

Mrs. Alice Tateosian

Mr. & Mrs. Martiros & Arusyak Tchilingarian

Ms. Pegri Varjabedian

$80.00

Ms. Mari Agopian

$75.00

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Mary-Jo Kevorkian

$70.00

Mr. & Mrs. Vahram & Esperanz Minassian

$60.00

Mr. & Mrs. Garabed & Chagane Eramian

$50.00

Mr. & Mrs. Ghevont & Lydia Baghdassarian

Ms. Anouche Bagrevandian

Ms. Verginia Garabedian

Mr. & Mrs. Haig & Hripsime Hatchikian

Mr. Vartan JulfaianMr. & Mrs. Frank & Ayda Kabarajian

Mrs. Rita KizakianMr. & Mrs. Karnik & Marian Minassian

Mr. & Mrs. Zaven & Varsenik Sarafian

Mrs. Siran Saroyan

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Evi Sharoyan

Mr. & Mrs. Giragos & Sossie Turbendian

Mr. & Mrs. Antranig & Marie Yacoubian

Under $50.00

Mr. & Mrs. Rupen & Julyet Altan

Mr. & Mrs. Rafi & Seta Arsenian

Ms. Shakeh Kadehjian

Mr. & Mrs. Agop & Armine Nercesian

Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes & Chake Vartanian

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Azadouhi Vartanian

Calendar donation by mail received by January 11, 2024

We extend our deep appreciation and heartfelt thanks for 

your generosity and continued support of St. Sarkis Church 

$450.00

Mr. Levon O. Manoukian

$200.00

Mr. & Mrs. Kevork & Markrid Martaian

$100.00

Mrs. Theresa Dakessian

Mr. & Mrs. Kegam & Anush Dirielyan

Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Sona Mikaelian

Dr. Angela Mouradian

Dr. George Petrossian

Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes & Alice Savadjian

Mr. & Mrs. Wilson & Narine Tooma

Ms. Tatyana Ulubabova

Mr. & Mrs. Krikor & Arpine Urganciyan

Mr. & Mrs. Garo & Meline Yaziciyan

$75.00

Mr. & Mrs. Garabed & Chagane Eramian

Mrs. Narsis Kasparian

$50.00

Mrs. Negdar Arukian

Mrs. Emma Baklajian

Mr. & Mrs. Arman & Astrig Bedikian

Ms. Annie & Ms. Julia Eretzian

Mr. Varoujan John Harutunian

Mrs. Aida Jamgocian

Mr. & Mrs. Frank & Ayda Kabarajian

Mrs. Makrouhi Kalayjian

Mr. Kevork Kazandjian

Mr. & Mrs. Kricor & Janette Marcarian 

Mrs. Anita Masoian

Mrs. Satenig Massarlian

Mr. & Mrs. Hratch & Shoushanick Massoyan

Mrs. Elizabeth Ohannessian

Mrs. Takouhi Orangian

Mr. & Mrs. Torkom & Alice Pilibossian

Mrs. Siranoush Saroyan

Mr. Hatch Seoylemezian

Ms. Pegri Varjabedian

Mr. & Mrs. Haik & Janet Varjabedian 

Mr. & Mrs. Mourad & Virginia Voskinarian

Under $50.00

Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Juliette Milian

Mr. & Mrs. Henry & Elizabeth Roubian

Mrs. Seta Shishmanian

Ms. Seta Tutuian

Mr. & Mrs. Fernando & Loretta Acebedo

Mr. & Mrs. Garbis & Anneta Agasian

Mrs. Adele Aghazadian

Mr. & Mrs. Rupen & Julyet Altan

Mr. Gregory Boudakian

Mrs. Yester Garabedian

Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Zabel Hatem

Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Mary-Jo Kevorkian

Ms. Sona Kludjian

Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Ruth Koroghlian

Mrs. Dora Kourdian

Mr. & Mrs. Melkon & Sirvard Krikorian

Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Carol Moschovitis

Mr. & Mrs. Gary & Aida Papazian 

Mrs. Hasmig Sahagian 

Mr. Zarmair Setrakian

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Azadouhi Vartanian

Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes (Khachig) & Chake Vartanian

Mr. & Mrs. Antranig & Mary Yacoubian

Dr. & Mrs. Hratch & Leslie Zadoian

Ms. Neiri Amirian

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

FEAST OF THE NAMING OF OUR LORD

On Saturday, January 13, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Naming of our Lord Jesus Christ in accordance with the Hebrew tradition. The commemoration of this event (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:30-32; Luke 2:21) comes seven days after the Feast of the Nativity (the eighth day of the octave of Nativity). This event of the naming and circumcision of our Lord is the basis for the tradition of baptizing children eight days after birth—a tradition that is rarely followed now. “After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” (Luke 2:21) 

BIRTH OF ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER:

“GIVING LIGHT TO THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS…”

On Monday, January 15, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Birth of St. John the Forerunner (also known as St. John the Baptist). The elderly couple Zechariah and Elizabeth welcomed with great joy the birth of their son, whom they named John, just as the angel Gabriel had instructed. Neighbors and relatives, who had gathered to celebrate the birth of this special child, pondered about his future asking, “What then will this child become?” 

Having gained his voice after months of silence, Zechariah said, “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)   

Hasten to our help from on high, Saint John, apostle and prophet and forerunner and baptizer of the Son of God, and intercede for us before Christ. O Saint John, self-devoted priest, offer our supplications to Christ the High Priest who was crucified on the cross that he may grant forgiveness to us who celebrate your memory. O Saint John, intercede to Christ for us. ”   

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO TIMOTHY (1:1-11 ) 

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work-which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers-and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

   ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ Ա. ՆԱՄԱԿԸ ՏԻՄՈԹԷՈՍԻ (1:1-11 )

Ես՝ Պօղոս, որ Քրիստոս Յիսուսի առաքեալն եմ՝ մեր փրկիչ Աստուծոյ եւ մեր յոյսը եղող Քրիստոս Յիսուսի հրամանով, քեզի՛ կը գրեմ, հաւատքի հարազատ որդիս, Տիմոթէոս: Թող Հայրն Աստուած եւ մեր Տէրը Քրիստոս Յիսուս՝ շնորհք, ողորմութիւն եւ խաղաղութիւն պարգեւեն քեզի:

Երբ Մակեդոնիա կ’երթայի, խնդրեցի որ Եփեսոս մնաս եւ խօսիս քանի մը հոգիներու, որպէսզի դադրին օտար վարդապետութիւններ ուսուցանելէ եւ չզբաղին սկիզբ ու վերջ չունեցող առասպելներով եւ ազգահամարներով, որոնք վէճերու դուռ կը բանան, փոխանակ օգնելու մարդոց հաւատքին եւ Աստուծոյ ծրագրին իրականացման: Գերագոյն պատուիրանը սէրն է. անարատ սրտէ, մաքուր խղճմտանքէ եւ անկեղծ հաւատքէն բղխած սէրը: Շատեր այս պատուէրները մոռցած, դատարկ վիճաբանութեանց մէջ մտնելով՝ մեզի Օրէնք սորվեցնելու ելեր են, մինչդեռ ո՛չ իրենց խօսածը գիտեն, ո՛չ ալ Աստուծոյ Օրէնքը, որուն մասին այնքան վստահութեամբ կը ճառեն:

Գիտենք թէ Օրէնքը լաւ է՝ երբ պէտք եղած ձեւով գործադրուի: Սակայն գիտենք նաեւ, թէ Օրէնքը արդարներուն համար դրուած չէ, այլ՝ անօրէններուն եւ անհնազանդներուն, ամբարիշտներուն ու մեղաւորներուն, սրբութիւնները ոտնակոխ ընողներուն ու պիղծերուն, հայր ու մայր անարգողներուն, մարդասպաններուն, պոռնկութիւն ընողներուն, արուագէտներուն, մարդ առեւանգողներուն, ստախօսներուն, սուտ երդում ընողներուն, եւ բոլոր այն արարքներուն համար, որոնք հակառակ են իմ փոխանցած առողջ ուսուցումներուս. պատուէրներու՝ որոնք համաձայն են երանելի Աստուծոյ փառքը պատմող Աւետարանին, որ ես հաւատարմօրէն քարոզեցի:

  THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO JOHN (2:1-11)

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine.: And Jesus said to her, "Woman what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come." His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Jesus said to them, "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward." So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. "But you have kept the good wine until now." Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him."

  ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆ ԸՍՏ ՅՈՎՀԱՆՆՈՒ (2:1-11)

Յիսուսի Գալիլեա հասնելուն երրորդ օրը հարսանիք մը կար Կանա քաղաքին մէջ, եւ Յիսուսի մայրը հոն էր: Յիսուս եւ իր աշակերտներն ալ հրաւիրուած էին հարսանիքին: Երբ գինին պակսեցաւ, Յիսուսի մայրը իրեն ըսաւ.

– Գինի չունին:

– Մա՜յր, մեզի ի՛նչ,- պատասխանեց Յիսուս,- իմ ժամանակս տակաւին չէ՛ հասած:

Սակայն իր մայրը ըսաւ սպասաւորներուն.

– Ինչ որ ըսէ ձեզի, կատարեցէ՛ք:

Հրեաներու ծիսական մաքրութեան սովորութեան համաձայն, հոն քարէ վեց կարասներ կային, որոնցմէ իւրաքանչիւրը ութսունէն հարիւր լիթր կ’առնէր: Յիսուս ըսաւ սպասաւորներուն.

– Կարասները ջուրով լեցուցէք:

Եւ սպասաւորները լեցուցին մինչեւ բերան: Յետոյ ըսաւ անոնց.

– Հիմա առէք եւ սեղանապետին տարէք:

Անոնք ալ տարին: Սեղանապետը համտեսեց գինիի փոխուած ջուրը, բայց չգիտցաւ թէ ուրկէ էր. թէեւ սպասաւորները, որոնք ջուրը լեցուցած էին, գիտէին: Այն ատեն սեղանապետը փեսային ըսաւ.

– Ամէն մարդ նախ ընտիր գինին կը հրամցնէ, իսկ երբ գինովնան՝ այն ատեն հասարակը, մինչ դուն ընտիր գինին պահեր ես մինչեւ հիմա:

Յիսուս իր այս առաջին հրաշքը կատարեց Գալիլեայի Կանա քաղաքին մէջ: Հոն ան իր փառքը յայտնեց, եւ աշակերտները հաւատացին իրեն:

- Mr. & Mrs. Gurgen & Gohar Azatyan, Mrs. Lusik Karagulyan, Mr. & Mrs. Andranik & Vardihi Antaplyan, Mr. & Mrs. Mihran & Alvard Boyadjian, Mr. & Mrs. Armen & Osanna Ovsepian & sons, Mr. & Mrs. Garen & Anahit Azatyan & sons, Mr. Arshavir & Arthur Karagulyan, Mr. & Mrs. Luis & Lucine Acosta & children, Mr. & Mrs. Aram & Zara Yegoryan & children, Mr. & Mrs. Yervand & Marina Boyadjian & children and Mr. Tiran Antaplyan & children, request requiem service for the soul of their beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Mrs. ZAROUHI BOYADJIAN (1st-year memorial service).

- Mrs. Liza Aghajian and family request requiem service for the souls of their beloved brothers  MIHRAN TCHATRDJIAN (3th-year memorial service) and VAROUJAN TCHATRDJIAN (13th-year memorial service), also for the souls of their beloved parents, GARBIS and CARMEN TCHATRDJIAN, and beloved grandparents, NUBAR and AGHAVNI CAZAZIAN.

- Mr. Varouj Aghjayan and family and Mr. Jerry Aghjayan and family request requiem service for the soul of their beloved cousin KEVORK SEMERDJIAN (34th-year memorial service). Also, for the souls of their beloved parents, HARUTIUN and MARI AGHJAYAN.

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

- Ms. Rene Markarian

- Mrs. Talin Markarian

- Mrs. Yvette Fiesel

- Mrs. Srpuhe Piranian