Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan The Homeless...

Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan March, 2014

The Homeless Person

The parking lot filled rapidly on Sunday morning as members of the

large church congregation filed into church. As usually happens in a church that

size, each member had developed a certain comfort zone—a block of space

within those four church walls that became theirs after the second or third sit-

ting.

It was as much a part of their church experience as the recliner was to

the television at home. Some of the older members had been sitting in the same

row on the same side for several decades. A team of oxen could not have

moved them to the opposite side of the church.

One morning a stranger stood at the edge of the parking lot near a

dumpster. As families parked cars and piled out, they noticed him rummaging

through the trash. "Oh no! I don't believe it," whispered a lady to her husband.

"That's all we need—a bunch of homeless people milling around here."

One worried little girl tugged on her dad's sleeve. "But Daddy..."

Daddy was busy sizing up the bearded stranger, whose baggy, outdated

trousers and faded flannel shirt had dusted too many park benches.

"Don't stare at him, honey," he whispered, and hurried her inside.

Soft music filled the high-ceiling sanctuary as churchgoers settled into

their usual spots. The choir sang an opening chorus, "In His presence there is

comfort ... in His presence there is peace...".

Sunlight suddenly flooded the center aisle. The double doors swung

open and the homeless man, sloppy and stooped, headed toward the front.

"Oh no, it's him!" somebody muttered.

"What does he think he is doing, anyway?" snapped an incredulous

usher. The stranger set his bagful of dumpster treasures on the very first pew

which had been upholstered in an expensive soft teal fabric just three months

ago. The music stopped. And before anyone had a chance to react, he ambled

up the stairs and stood behind the fine, handcrafted oak podium, where he faced

a wide-eyed congregation.

The disheveled stranger spoke haltingly at first, in a low, clear voice.

Unbuttoning and removing his top layer of clothing, he described Jesus, and the

love He has for all people.

"Jesus possesses a sensitivity and love that far surpasses what any of us

deserves."

Stepping out of the baggy old trousers, the stranger went on to describe

a forgiveness that is available to each and every one of us...without strings at-

tached.

Bible Readings

March 2 Matt. 6:1-21

March 9 Matt. 5:17-48

March 16 Luke 15:1-32

March 23 Luke 16:1-31

March 30 Luke 17:20-

18:14

Palm Sunday

Most of the crowd spread

their garments on the road,

and others cut branches from

the trees and spread them on

the road. And the crowds that

went before him and that

followed him shouted,

“Hosanna to the Son of

David! Blessed is he who

comes in the name of the

Lord! Hosanna in the high-

est!” And when he entered

Jerusalem, all the city was

stirred, saying, “Who is this?”

And the crowds said, “This is

the prophet Jesus from

Nazareth of Galilee.”

Matt. 21:8-11

"Unconditionally He loves us. Unconditionally He gave His very life for us. Unconditionally and for-

ever, we can have the peace and assurance that no matter who we are, where we've come from, or how badly

we may have mistreated others or ourselves, there is hope."

"In Jesus, there is always hope."

"You see, my friends, it is never too late to change," the man continued.

"He is the Author of change, and the Provider of forgiveness. He came to bring new meaning to 'life'."

Men and women squirmed as reality hit them like an electrical current. The stranger tugged at his knot-

ted gray beard, and removed it.

"I'm here to tell you that we are loved with a love far beyond human understanding, a love that enables

us to accept and love others in return." Then tenderly he added, "Let's pray together."

That wise pastor—under the guise of a homeless "nobody"—did not preach a sermon that day, but eve-

ry person left with plenty to think about.

Author Unknown

Jr. ACYO

The St. Vartan Church Jr.

ACYO met for the first time

Sunday, February 16 after

church. The group planned

activities and enjoyed fellow-

ship and refreshments. Jr.

ACYO welcomes all 11-16

year olds. Please contact Ma-

rie for more information at

510-708-3366.

Ladies Society Valentine’s Day Luncheon On Thursday, February 13, 2014, the St. Vartan La-

dies Society served a Valen-

tine’s Day Luncheon. The

menu featured hamburgers, po-

tato salad and apple pie. Sever-

al members of the St. John Ar-

menian Church, San Francisco,

Ladies Society attended, along

with St. John Parish Priest, Fr.

Mesrop. After the delicious

lunch, the ladies enjoyed a spir-

ited game of bingo.

St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations:

Yughakin—Rosalie Gifford, Arshak Azizian, Edward and Sylva Manougian, Simik and Hermina Sarkis-

Kelly, Peter and Garine Merguerian, Harry and Carol Dokouzian

Education Fund—Fimi Schulze, Albert and Marie Donabedian

The St. Vartan Voice Newsletter—Alice Doolittle, Edward Godoshian

New Church Doors—Diana Toomajian, Barry and Judy Toomajian, Flora Mirzaian (In Memory of Yervand

Mirzaian and Carmel Mirzaian)

Priest Discretionary Fund—Vartan Berberian

In Honor of Edward and Goldie Minasian’s 50th Wedding Anniversary—Edward and Krisian Minasian

(Endowment Fund)

News From Our St. Vartan Family Condolences

On Monday, February 3, 2014, a funeral service was held at St. Vartan Armenian Church for long-time

St. Vartan member Barbara Anderson. We offer our deepest condolences to Barbara’s family: daughter, Re-

gina Armas, grandsons, Javier Armas and Garbriel Armas-Cardona; sisters, Norma Yaglijian and Doris Cretan,

and nephews, nieces, and friends.

Long-time St. Vartan member Lucy Tulanian passed away in Frenso on January 16, 2014. Lucy’s par-

ents were among the founders of St. Vartan Armenian Church. We send our sincere sympathy to Lucy’s

daughter, Larua Tulanian, and son, Michael Tulanian, and all of Lucy’s family and friends.

Anniversary Congratulations

Congratulations to St. Vartan members Ed and Goldie Minasian on celebrating their fiftieth wedding

anniversary on February 9. Ed and Goldie were married at St. Vartan Church fifty years ago.

St. Vartan Basketball Team St. Vartan Church welcomes new Athletic Committee Chairman Hagop Hakimian. Hagop

will be coaching a junior high boys basketball team in the Orthodox Youth Athletic Associa-

tion. He hopes to start practices in March. Anyone interested in playing basketball for St. Var-

tan Church should contact Hagop at 510-247-1117.

In Memory

† Lucy Tulanian

Harvey and Janet Kamian (Athletic Fund), George and Shenora Adishian, Clara Bouisan, Bob and

Fran Long, Jean Schroeder, Anne Barsamian, Craig and Susan Bazigian, Margie Dorian,

Nurhan and Mary Donikian and Family

† Barbara Anderson

Edward Godoshian, Norma Bargamian and Family, Beverlee Bargamian, Barbara Morjig

† JoAnn Koobatian

Archie and Joyce Kamian, Craig and Susan Bazigian (Choir Fund)

ENDOWMENT FUND

In Memory

† Lucy Tulanian

Richard & Judy Sharafian, Al & Mae Kaljian, Charles and Dorris Kezerian, Ani Amoore,

Virginia Ratcliff

† Evelyn Davidian

Frank and Sharon Higgins, Florence and Dedra Derderian

† Barbara Anderson

Charles and Dorris Kezerian, Suzanne and Ed Vasgerdisan, Diana Toomajian,

Andy and Lori Hill, Virginia Ratcliff

ACYO Update On January 25, 2014 a group of

ACYO members volunteered at St. Mar-

tin De Porres soup kitchen in San Fran-

cisco. Some helped prepare and serve

meals, while others washed dishes and

bussed tables.

On February 8, 2014 St. Vartan

ACYO hosted the annual ACYO regional

meeting at St. Vartan Armenian Church.

ACYO Calendar

Remainder of 2013 March

9th- ACYO Monthly meeting

21-22nd -Lenten Overnight Retreat

April

6th- Monthly meeting

12th- Making the crosses for Palm Sunday @ 12:00 p.m

13th- ACYO Sunday- take over Parish council duties

20th- ACYO Easter Bake Sale

May


11th- Special Mothers day coffee hour and gifts

23rd-25th- Sports Weekend

June

1st- ACYO Monthly meeting

15th- Special Fathers day coffee hour and gifts

July

12th- Summer BBQ

20th- ACYO Sunday - take over Parish council duties

August

3rd- ACYO Monthly meeting

16th- Great America

September


October

3rd-4th- Bazaar Games


November

2nd- ACYO Election Meeting

15th- Community Service @ Saint Vincent de Paul

28th-30th - 66th Annual ACYO Convention

December


13th- ACYO Christmas party

Register Now for Armenian Summer Camp You can register for Armenian Summer Camp at www.hyecamp.com. The four weeks of camp this

summer are:

Week 1: July 13-19 Week 2: July 20-26

Week 3: July 27-August 2 Week 4: August 3-August 9

You can attend

Family Day for free

on Saturday,

May 17, 2014.

This year marks the

fiftieth anniversary

of camp!

St. Vartan Church Wish List—New Church Doors

A project is underway at St. Vartan Church to install beautiful new hand-carved

wooden doors in the front of the church. The Church Door Fund has already received sever-

al donations, but more are needed to complete this project. Please consider donating to the

Church Door Fund, so we can enhance our magnificent church building with new doors, as

we show our commitment to St. Vartan Armenian Church.

The Lenten Journey The Sundays of Lent

The period of Great Lent in the Armenian Church begins with the Monday following the Eve of Great

Lent, and continues to the Saturday preceding Holy Week. Each Sunday during this period is named after a

parable embodying some spiritual truth, and the Scriptural readings for each Sunday underscore the day's les-

son.

The first Sunday of Lent is called Poon Paregentan or The Sunday of Good Living. It is the day before

the 40-day period of abstinence and fasting begins. On the Eve of Lent, a black curtain closes off the altars of

Armenian churches: the first visual appearance of Lent in the church. This the last opportunity for the faithful

to eat and drink abundantly, which symbolizes the spirit of innocent joyfulness during man's days in Eden.

Paregentan festivities on this day, with food, dancing and drinking, are common among Armenians.

The second Sunday of Lent is named The Sunday of the Expulsion—a reference to the exile of Adam

and Eve from Paradise. This day reminds us of the loss of man's happiness due to his disobedience. During this

day's service the hymn of St. Nersess the Graceful, Vor Zorenes Serpoutian, describes man's Fall: how Adam

and Eve experienced the bitterness of sin and death, how they first felt "fear" in their hearts, and "hid them-

selves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees in the garden." Thereafter, the re-establishment of

the friendship between God and man had to await God's entry into our lives. Through this act of grace, man is

able to search his heart, perceive his condition as an exile of "Paradise Lost," and see that God has given hu-

man beings the opportunity to regain their former status.

The third Sunday of Lent is known as The Sunday of the Prodi-

gal Son. The parable told by Jesus (Luke 15:11-32) is a familiar exam-

ple of a child rebelling against its parent; but in Jesus' telling, the par-

ent is accepting and understanding, regardless of the child's previous

actions or mistakes. The two key words in this parable are "lost" and

"found," and in a way, the entire Lenten period might be thought of as

a search for our own lost selves. The prodigal son stands as a symbol

for lost and demoralized humanity; the father figure helps us grasp the

depth of God's love for mankind.

The fourth Sunday of Lent, The Sunday of the Steward, in-

volves another parable told by Jesus (Luke 16:1-13); its great lesson is

the power of salvation. We learn that we are responsible to God for all

of our works and deeds—and responsible, too, to utilize the gifts He

has given us. We should all be prepared, for one day we will be called

to give an accounting of ourselves to God.

Lent's fifth Sunday is known as The Sunday of the Judge. This

Sunday's parable (Luke 18:1-8) involves an unjust judge who refuses

to hear a widow's plea. But because of the widow's persistence to be

vindicated against her adversary, even this hard, godless judge gives in

and conducts a trial. This parable assures us that God, our just and lov-

ing judge, will not turn a deaf ear to the pleas of His children; but we learn, too, the need for perseverance in

the Christian life.

The Sunday of Advent is the sixth and last Sunday of Lent, when the church recalls the revelation of

our Savior, who sacrificed His life for mankind. This day is devoted to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, our

eternal Lord and King; as such we are reminded that, just as everything once began with God, so too will eve-

rything one day end with Him.

Great Lent ends with Lazarus Saturday, which recalls how Jesus raised His friend from the dead (John

11:1-44). This episode foreshadows Christ's own Resurrection and serves to remind us of Christ's promise of

new life to those who love Him.

The following day, Palm Sunday, celebrates Christ's entry into Jerusalem, when He was hailed as the

Messiah and King of Israel. Since Christ was greeted with palm fronds and olive branches on that day, we ob-

serve this occasion by distributing palm leaves to the congregation. During the Palm Sunday liturgy, the ser-

vice of "The Opening of the Doors" takes place. The priest and faithful pray for entry once again into God's

glorious Kingdom and wait for the church to symbolically open

Her doors (by opening the black curtains) just as Christ paved the

way for the resurrection of humanity.

The Meaning of Lent

The principles and practices of Lent in the Armenian

Church are deeply rooted in the Bible, the ancient Christian tradi-

tions, the life-example of Christ and His disciples, and the lives of

the great church fathers, all of whom contributed to the establish-

ment of the canons of Lent. The focus of Lent is on "Man the Sin-

ner": on his repentance, his spiritual cleansing, and his eventual sal-

vation.

Here are two biblical passages that elaborate the deeper

meaning of Lent:

“Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your

heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and

not your garments. Return to the Lord your God.” (Joel 2:12-13)

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray

standing in the synagogues and on the street corners, to be seen of

men. Verily I say unto you, they have received their reward in

full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and

pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees

what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5-6)

Lent is a very personal spiritual journey. It is a period of sincerity, self-recognition and reflection. Ab-

stinence, moderation and sacrifice frees us for meditation and the realization of the darkness of our world with-

out God. As the prophet Joel advised us, you must "turn towards the Lord...with all your heart"—with honesty

and humility. In this way we are able to create a bridge between God and us. Through prayer we communicate

with God, express our love, ask for forgiveness. Prayers of the sincere heart are acceptable to God. Jesus' ad-

vice as recorded in Matthew's gospel brings to mind a novel by the Russian writer Anton Chekov, which re-

lates how two thieves attack and kill a street beggar and proceed to tear his garments to distribute amongst

themselves. In one of the inner pockets of the suit, one thief finds a piece of bacon. He proceeds to have his

first bite, when the other thief, suddenly angered, says, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself? Today is Friday, a

day of fasting!" His friend looks at him in astonishment, but stops eating the bacon, and the two leave the for-

est without breaking their fast.

The story points out, in a comic way, that fasting by itself has no meaning if you are disobedient or

(like the thieves) committing crimes. Fasting during Lent needs to be done in the context of deep reflection on

the truth about ourselves, in a spirit of unusual sincerity and honesty. Fasting is, in fact, a companion to prayer:

one more way we speak to God from the heart.

The true understanding of Lent rests on a sturdy tripod of prayer, abstinence and charity. Lent reminds

us that man is always confronted with choices—choices that lead us to two paths in life. The first path is one

of darkness, evil and sin. The second is that of light, God, righteousness and goodness. At the juncture of

these two paths stands the fortress of prayer, abstinence and charity, which leads mankind forward to seek per-

fection. This is the purpose of Great Lent in the Armenian Church.

The Armenian Apostolic Church has ruled on the traditions of Lent by creating canons based on the

thought of the apostles. Apostolic Canon number eight reads: "The Apostles ordered and affirmed that the 40

days be set aside as days of abstinence from evil-doing, from sin and from food, preceding (the day) of the

passion of our Savior."

The oldest Armenian Lenten traditions hardly allowed for the consumption of any food at all. Indeed,

the Armenian Church sometimes refers to Lent as Aghouhatzk, meaning "salt and bread," because at one time

these elements were the only permitted foods. Over time, Lenten rules have changed to allow any food that

does not derive from animals (meat and milk, e.g.). Alcoholic beverages were also forbidden. These rules

were based on the Biblical principle that many human vices proceed from eating and drinking.

St. Vartan Armenian Church Parish Assembly Meeting On Sunday, February 9, 2014 St. Vartan Armenian Church held its annual

Assembly Meeting and Lamb Shank Luncheon. The meeting featured election of

parish assembly officers, parish council members, diocesan delegates, and audit and

Stone Estate Committee members.

New parish council members are: Vartkes Avakian, Hagop Hakimian, Rich-

ard Nikssarian and Dikran Shahvelilian. Re-elected for a second term are council

members: Anto Cingoz, Sako Soghomonian and Jim Taylor. Hagop Hagopian and

Marie Hagopian will serve as Diocesan Delegates. Steve Baronian joins the audit

committee and Charlie Kezerian the Stone Estate Committee. Chris Yaldezian was

elected Parish Assembly Chairman for 2015. He will be joined on the Parish As-

sembly by Vice-Chair, David Ojakian, and Secretary, Judy Toomajian.

St. Vartan member and boy scout Alex Colello present-

ed his Eagle Scout project to the congregation. His project in-

cludes a Genocide Memorial around the Khachkar in front of

St. Vartan Church, as well as landscaping the church property.

The community was invited to participate in the project by

submitting names of towns in Armenia from which loved ones

were deported during the genocide.

Sonia Tajirian explained the on-going plans for remod-

eling the Church Hall. The plans are to include new windows,

air conditioning, lighting, updating the foyer, wall treatments,

folding doors, shades for the windows, portable basketball

hoops, a new folding stage, and installation of sound absorbing

materials to eliminate the echo in the hall. The cost of the con-

struction has not yet been determined. Sonia estimated the pro-

ject would take around three to four months to complete.

2014 Parish Council Members Jack Papazian Chairman

Harout Hagopian Vice-Chairman

Anto Cingoz Treasurer

Sako Soghomonian Asst. Treasurer

Liz Ojakian Purchasing

Dickran Shahvelilian Recording Secretary

Vartkes Avakian Corres. Secretary

Maida Henesian Member Services

Jack Isaacs Member Services

Jim Taylor Maintenance

Arto Yagjian Maintenance

Hagop Hakimian Advisor

Richard Nikssarian Advisor

The Brick A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his

new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he

thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's

side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a

parked car shouting, “What was that all about, and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a

new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?”

The young boy was apologetic. “Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do,” he

pleaded. “I threw the brick because no one else would stop....” With tears dripping down his face and off his

chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. “It's my brother,” he said. “He rolled off the curb

and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up.” Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive,

“Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me.”

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly

lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the

fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay. “Thank you and may God

bless you,” the grateful child told the stranger. Too shaken up for words, the man simply watched the boy push

his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never

bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: “Don't go

through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!” God whispers in our souls

and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our

choice to listen or not.

St. Vartan Cultural Committee presents

Lost and Found in Armenia

Movie and Pizza Night Saturday, March 8, 2014

St. Vartan Church Hall

650 Spruce St., Oakland, CA 94610

6:30 pm

Admission: $10/adult; $5/children 10 and up; free/children under 10

St. Vartan Family Worship Day

Sunday, March 2, 2014

at 10:30 am

Lenten Prayer

Vigil Services March 5, 2014

March 12, 2014

March 19, 2014

March 26, 2014

April 2, 2014

April 9, 2014 Please join us at St. Vartan Armenian Church

every Wednesday evening in Lent for Lenten Prayer

Vigil Services at 6:30 pm.

Upcoming Events March 2 Family Worship Day 10:30 am

March 5 Lenten Prayer Vigil 6:30 pm

March 8 Movie & Pizza Night 6:30 pm

March 9 ACYO Monthly Meeting 12:00 noon

March 12 Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm

March 12 Lenten Prayer Vigil 6:30 am

March 19 Lenten Prayer Vigil 6:30 pm

March 21-22 ACYO Retreat

March 29 Family Night 5:30 pm

Charitable Outreach St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church

continued its charitable outreach in 2013.

KZV School Scholarships $10,129.00

Orphan Fund 5,000.00

Western Diocese Cathedral Fund 5,000.00

Sister Church in Armenia 3,000.00

Western Diocese Stewardship Fund 1,000.00

CAAONC 600.00

Armenia Fund 500.00

Bay Area Friends of Armenia 300.00

Bay Area Rescue Mission 300.00

Salvation Army 200.00

City Team Ministries 200.00

AGBU 150.00

Western Diocese 150.00

AIWA 100.00

American Red Cross 50.00

Total Charitable Contributions 26,679.00

Complimentary lunch

Special message by Fr. Hovel

Parish Council Installation

Sunday School WILL meet

Hushers?

Six-year-old Abby and her four-year-old borther,

Joel, were sitting together in church. Joel, giggled, sang

and talked out loud. Finally, his big sister had enough.

“You’re not supposed to talk out loud in church,” she

said. “Why not? Who is going to stop me, “ Joel asked.

Angie pointed ot the back of the church and said, “See

those two men standing by the door? They’re hushers.”

The Voice Newsletter is published once a month by St. Vartan Armenian Church 650 Spruce Street, Oakland, CA. 94610, Phone (510)893-1671, Fax: (510) 893-2102 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stvartanoakland.org The deadline for all articles is the fifteenth of each month.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Parish Priest and President of All Church Organizations

Parish Council Chair: Jack Papazian Parish Council Treasurer: Anto Cingoz

Parish Assembly Chair: Chris Yaldezian Choir Director: Beverly Nalbandian

Organist: Ida Mazmanian, A. Rodriguez ACYO Chair: Sevan Jindoian

Sunday School Superintendent: Janet Yeghissian Ladies Society Chair: Sylvia Gozurian and Elo Markarian

Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian

Church Maintenance: Jim Taylor and Arto Yagjian Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger

Wedding Coordinator: Gail Kezerian Church Secretary: Rachel Harger

Altar Flowers: Diana Toomajian and Carole Chang Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian

Divine Liturgy Service—Sundays 10:30 a.m.

Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan The Homeless...

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