Dear Faithful,Every year, on the Thursday preceding Great Lent, Armenians through-

out the world celebrate the anniversary of an important event in their history. That was the religious war waged between pagan Persia and Christian Armenia on May 26 in the year 451 A.D.

The heroes of that war were St. Vartan Mamigonian and all those who gave their lives in that war. Collectively they are called Saints Vartanants.

The cause of the battle was religious. As history tells us, Armenians, who formerly had almost the same religion as the Persians, showed signs of alienation from the Persians after becoming Christians. In order to force the Armenians to revert back to the Persian religion, the king of Persia decreed that all Christians under his rule should abandon their new religion and accept Mazdeism, the dis-tinctive feature of which was the worship of the sun and fire. The Armenians, in a mass meeting of the clergy and the ruling princes, gave a bold answer to this royal decree, insisting that they had not the slightest intention of altering their Christian beliefs. They wrote a letter to the Persian King in which they said: "...However, you should know in advance that there is no power on earth which can force us to change our religion because our covenant is not with man but with the Almighty God." That was the conclusion of the letter and that was the beginning of the battle.

Now, my dear Faithful, I would like you to pay attention to these words and to think about them “there is no power on earth which can force us to change our religion.” Power on earth or earthly power. What kind of power was that which our forefathers said NO to. But now let us come back from the fifth cen-tury to the twenty-first. Unfortunately, in our days we are ready to bow down and worship everything that will bring “happiness” to our daily life. We are making idols for us, idols that can serve as our own gods, to ourselves.

Money… so important is money considered in our society that to acquire and accumulate it has become an evidence of virtue. It doesn’t matter how to get money – through work, luck or theft. The main thing is to get some. Let us open our eyes, eyes of our souls and hearts and confess ourselves that in our days the moral worth of a person is not gauged by his devotion to God and fellowman, but by how much money he has. “You cannot serve God and mammon,” said Jesus (Matt. 6:24). Now let us ask ourselves, are we serving God, our Savior Je-sus Christ or we are serving mammon, money. Do we have the true God in our hearts or are we keeping something else more “important” there.

Money is not the only “god” we worship. Among the many other gods in our society is the “god of success” – a god we literally bow down to and wor-

Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan March, 2011 Vartanantz

Bible Readings

March 6 Mt. 6:1-21March 13 Mt. 5:17-48March 20 Luke 15:1-32March 27 Luke 16:1-31

Lenten Reading

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to

save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it."

Matthew 16:24-25

St. Vartan VoiceA Publication of St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church

ship. We will sacrifice everything to achieve it – our families, our kids, our principles, even our religion and God. We are doing everything to be the first, to have power, to hold a good position and to rule everything and everybody, to show what important people we are among others.

The same temptations that we have today, they were in the fifth century also. But, our forefathers could say NO to all of them, they could say NO to mammon, money, success, NO to earthly power…because they wanted to serve their true God and they were ready to give their lives for their Christian religion “…because our covenant is not with man but with the Almighty God." Now we, as an heir of St. Vartanantz, are we walk-ing on the same path, are we following their steps or we have our own approach??? Let us think about this.

The day before the battle, the Armenian soldiers spent the night in prayer and devotion. The entire army prayed and took Holy Communion. The head of the Church, Catholicos Hovsep, was there together with his clergy. Priest Ghevont, the most zealous among the clergy, together with Vartan Mamigonian, encouraged the soldiers with inspiring words. In this battle Vartan and his comrades suffered a military defeat, but in real-ity the victory was theirs. They lost the battle, we lost the battle, but still we are celebrating the day. Is it strange? Not at all, because they stood for Jesus Christ and they gave their lives for their Christian faith and religion. They must have understood how powerful that faith was in their lives.

The war of St. Vartan was fought exclusively on the issue of freedom of conscience, and as such, it constitutes a glorious event in the struggle of humanity for freedom of religion. St. Vartan and his valiant men were the pioneers of freedom of conscience in the middle of the fifth century. As a result of such battles in our history and the fine spirit which the Vartanantz displayed, the Christian religion has survived in Armenia throughout centuries and under most trying circumstances. As a result of such battles today we have our beau-tiful St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church in the Bay Area named after the great hero St. Vartan Mamigo-nian. Today nobody is asking us to take our weapons and go to the battlefields and fight for our religion. To-day nobody is asking us to sacrifice our lives to keep our faith. The only thing that we need today is to come to Church and take care of it. Our attendance in Church services and our participation in religious and cultural events will speak about our faith and will show others that we are the true heirs of that rich heritage and the Christian faith that we received from St. Vartan and from Battle of Avarayr.

We are proud inheritors of this unconquerable spirit, so conspicuously manifested on the Field of Ava-rayr. May God make us worthy of this glorious legacy. Amen.

Fr. Hovel and St. Vartan Parish Council members joined with Surpazan and three other Northern Cali-fornia Armenian Churches for a regional meeting on February 12.

Kids and the BibleMy grandson was visiting one day when he asked, “Grandma, do you know how you and God are

alike?” I mentally polished my halo, while I asked, “No, how are we alike?” “You’re both old,” he replied.

A ten-year old girl, under the tutelage of her grandmother, was becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible. Then, one day, she floored her grandmother by asking, “Which Virgin was the mother of Jesus? The Virgin Mary or the King James Virgin.”

St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations:In Honor of Armine Ozan’s 90th birdthday—Nora and Harvey Hanoian (Education Fund)Yughakin—Dr. and Mrs. Edward and Sylva Manougian, Robert Kachadoorian, Armen Kludjian, Myron and Arax Konjoyan, Ed and Goldie MinasianPriest’s Discretionary Fund—Vartan Berberian, Dave and Marna AdamsEducation Fund—Marian MickaelsVoice Newsletter—Mitzi Jardarian, Dorothy Svihovec

Thank YouI so look forward to receiving the “St. Var-

tan Church Voice”. It keeps me up on the East Bay news—both good and sometimes sad.

The Voice is so well done, and the jokes are a wonderful release and make me chuckle.

Please accept my donation to help with printing and mailing expenses, as I am not a com-puter person. Mitzi Jardarian, Millbrae, CA

Dear Family & Friends,No words could ever express our apprecia-

tion for the love and support you have shown to us after the passing of our father Hagop J. Roucha-nian. We are deeply grateful.

Please know your kindness during this hard time has meant so much to our family.With love,

Jivan & Zovig Rouchanian & Family

In Memory† Robert Mazmanian

Virginia Ratcliff (Sunday School), Steve and Pamela Allen and Ruth Mazmanian, Lucine and

Robert Kroeckel (Education Fund)† Susan Tarpin

Ed and Goldie Minasian, Zephyr Kalunian, Ron Kallan, Edward T. Minasian,

Greg and Seta Tcherkoyan† Anita Chiljan

Doris Cretan and Family, Frances Stevens

ENDOWMENT FUNDIn Memory

† Masis GozurianFlora Mirzaian, Richard & Judy Sharafian, Jack & Barbara Bousian, Leon & Diana Emerzian, John & Sandra Capurro, Edward T. Minasian, Oakland Triple X Fraternity, John & Jeanette

McMahon, Marian Mickaels, Drew & Anadine Mickaels, Gregory Mickaels, Sylvia Alexanian,

Sahinar & Temre Uzuncan, Jeff & Karen Hazarian, Suren & Sona Dakessian, Emma &

Lida Mazmanian, Patti & Peter Rosenthal, Leonard & Agnes Kaprielian,

Armen & Evelyn Boyd, Virginia Ratcliff, Arsen & Alice Gregorian

† Rev. Fr. Mesrob SarafianRichard and Cynthia Nikssarian

† Robert MazmanianFlora Mirzaian, Emma & Lida Mazmanian

† Gladys TafjenFlora Mirzaian

† Sue Minasian TarpinAnne Barsamian, Flora Mirzaian, Armen &

Evelyn Boyd, Edward T. Minasian, Jack & Barbara Bousian

† Lucille Saroyan AdamsEarl & Bernita Saroyan

I Miss My ChurchI can feel the morning sun coming though the stained glass windows and warming my skin, illuminating the

saints.I can hear the chimes and the organ, and the choir sing ancient hymns that have survived thousands of years

though our voices have tried to be silenced for so long;I can feel the songs in my soul.I can smell the thick incense and see it curl up to the heavens, carrying our prayers.I see the beautiful robes of the priests, with gold, silver, red and turquoise.I can smell the oldness and the dust,I can feel the past.I watch the white candles burn to li’l stumps, glowing golden and slowly dying.I miss hearing the language of my people, I forget what it means, but I never forget who we are.

by Christina Henesian, January 28, 2011

St. Vartan Cultural Committee is pleased to presentBay Area Classical Harmonies (BACH)

In a Special Choral Concert Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Komitas’ DeathSaturday, April 9, 2011 • 8 PM • St. Vartan Church Sanctuary

The St. Vartan Cultural Committee is pleased to present Bay Area Classical Harmonies (BACH) choral group under the direction of Artin Der Minassians to St. Vartan for a special choral concert commemorating the 75th anniversary of Komitas’ death. The concert will feature pieces from Komitas’ original Badarak com-position to be sung as originally written for male chorus only, along with select pieces from other Armenian composers.

We are fortunate to have three St. Vartan church members participate in the BACH Choir: Artin Der Minassians, Yeretzkin Anahit Ohanyan, and Stephen Sarafian. This will be a two hour concert followed by a “Meet and Greet” the performers reception. No children under the age of 10. Concert tickets: $30 Adults / $20 Students. This is a once in a lifetime, must see concert. Don’t miss out! Buy your tickets early. Seating is limited. For more information, contact Liz Ojakian (510) 351-6754 / lizojakian@yahoo.com or Zaven Kanneian (510) 528-1807 / zavenk2@gmail.com.

St. Vartan Cultural Committee FeaturedIsabel Bayrakdarian’s Film – “A Long Journey Home”

The St. Vartan Cultural Committee offered lunch and its first featured film in the 2011 film series –Isabel Bayrakdarian’s, “A Long Journey Home” on Sunday, January 23, 2011. A Long Journey Home is a cap-tivating documentary film following international opera star, soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, on her first visit and emotional pilgrimage to her homeland, Armenia.

The film was a beautiful and compelling presentation of Ar-menia – its ancient culture, its soul searching music, its spiritually haunting sacred sights and monuments, its majestic geography, and its checkered history throughout the ages. Filmed on location and recorded in surround sound, the film captured Ms. Bayrakdarian’s glorious recitals of sacred Armenian hymns and classical repertoire in the country’s most ancient churches and ruins. Viewers were given the opportunity not only to hear one of the great voices of our time, but also viewed mystical landscapes from our homeland providing a poignant backdrop for the music.

Ms. Bayrakdarian’s majestic soprano voice was glorious and grand. The spiritual and emotionally charged music and breathtaking scenes moved many to tears. Filmed footage took us back in time and effec-tively interwove present day Armenia with our past. It was beautifully shot and recorded, gorgeous and mov-ing to watch.

A big thank you to Mike Boloyan and the basketball team for assisting in table set up, to the Cultural Committee members that worked this event for their time and efforts, and a special thank you to our audience for their attendance and support.

St Vartan Cultural Committee to Feature the Film“THE LARK FARM”

Lunch & Film - Sunday, March 27, 2011 12 NoonThe next film in our 2011 film series is “The Lark Farm”, to be featured on Sunday, March 27, 2011

following church services. The Lark Farm is a full feature movie by legendary, multiple award-winning Ital-ian directors Paolo & Vittorio Taviani, with English sub-titles and a running time of 122 minutes. The movie is about an affluent Armenian family, The Avakians, during the 1915 genocide. It chronicles how a Turkish officer falls for one of the Avakian daughters and makes an aggressive attempt to save her and her remaining family members from certain death. Children under the age of 15 will not be admitted to watch the film due to some graphic scenes, but can certainly have lunch. A Lenten lunch will be served. The $10.00 admission in-cludes lunch.

Week 1: July 17-July 23 Week 2: July 24-July 30 Week 3: July 31-August 6 Week 4: August 7-August 13

Camper and Staff applications are available!Visit www.hyecamp.com for all details on camp applications

and registering for Family Day, Saturday, April 9, 2011.

St. Vartan Church Hall650 Spruce St.Oakland, CA

Questions/Reservations:Adam—510-566-9302Rose—925-437-0243

Gourmet Armenian Feast Silent Auction & Raffle Armenian Music & Dancing Costume Contest

A portion of the proceeds to benefit a charity in Armenia—individual donations are wel-come.

Valentine’s Party The St. Vartan Sun-day School sponsored a Valentine’s Day Party for Sunday School stu-dents on Saturday, Feb-ruary 12 at the Church. Not only was this a fun time for the children, it also gave the parents a chance for a night out without the kids.

Armenian Scholarship Available The Golden Gate Chapter Triple X Fra-ternity is proud to offer a scholarship for high school graduating seniors of Arme-nian heritage. This $500 scholarship is for students who will be graduating from high school at the conclusion of this academic year. The number of scholarships awarded depends on the number of qualified appli-cants and other demands on available funds. For a copy of the application form please contact the church office.

Establishment of the Armenian ChurchSt. Gregory the Illuminator organized the hierarchy of the Armenian Church according to the principles of the

Armenian state administrative system. He ordained a bishop for every principality. These bishops were under the juris-diction of the Supreme Bishop of Armenia, who was soon called the Catholicos of the Armenians. So the structure of the hierarchy of the Armenian Church was organized, based on local conditions and independent from those processes that took place in the Churches of the Roman Empire, where in 325 the Metropolitan system of hierarchy was established in the first Ecumenical Council in Nicaea and in 381, during the second Ecumenical Council in Constantinople, the Patriar-chal system.

Although there were many other bishops in Armenia long before St. Gregory, he became the first "Catholicos of All Armenians." He governed the Armenian Church for roughly 25 years. St. Gregory died, shortly after the First Ecu-menical Council of the Universal Church was convened in the city of Nicaea. His son Aristakes, who was ordained a Bishop by him, attended this famous Church Council as the representative of the Armenian Church, because his father was too old to attend. It was in this Council that the Creed of the Christian Church (Nicene Creed) was formulated.

Progression of the FaithIn 387 Armenia was divided between Byzantium and Persia. The Byzantine Armenia, which included the region

of Greater Hayk, soon after the fall of the Armenian rule, was governed by viceroys appointed by Byzantium. In Eastern Armenia, which was under the control of Persia, the kings of the dynasty of Arshakunies ruled for 40 more years. During that very period of testing times "the golden age" of the Armenian literature flourished.

Creation of the Armenian AlphabetIn Armenia, Christian services were conducted in two languages in Greek and Syriac. Natu-

rally, common people did not understand the service, although special interpreters translated lections from the Scripture into Armenian. In order to master the nation’s soul and conscience, it was indispen-sable for Christianity to be preached in the native language. Archimandrite (Vardapet) Mesrop Mash-tots clearly realized this necessity when he was fighting with the remnants of heathenism in Goghtn. Mashtots was inspired by the idea of inventing the Armenian alphabet, in which task he was supported by Catholicos Sahak (387-436). After continuous and zealous work St. Mesrop, with divine revelation, invented the alphabet in 405. The first sentence translated into Armenian was: "That men may know wisdom and instruction, understand words of insight" (Proverbs 1.1).

Understanding truly the meaning of this admonition, the Armenian nation, during its whole history, used the Armenian alphabet as a weapon in fighting against foreign conquerors. With the help of the Catholicos and the king, St. Mesrop Mashtots established schools in different parts of Armenia. Literature in translation and in the native language began to develop in Armenia. Catholicos Sahak the Parthian was at the head of the task of the transla-tions. The Bible was first translated from the Syriac and then from the Greek into Armenian. At the same time the Ca-tholicos sent his best students to famous cultural centers of that time: Edessa, Amida, Alexandria, Athens, Constantin-ople and other cities to pursue advanced studies in Syriac and Greek and to translate the works of the Church Fathers.

In a short period all the basic theological works were translated from Syriac and Greek into Armenian. Those were the works of Irenaeus of Lyon, Hippolytus of Bostre, Gregory Thaumaturgus, Athanasius of Alexandria, Epiphan of Cyprus, Eusebius of Caesarea, Cyril of Jerusalem, Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, Gregory of Nyssa, Ephrem the Syrian, John Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexandria, as well as the works of Greek philosophers, such as Aristotle, and Plato. Parallel with the activity of translations, original literature in different realms, theological, moral, exegetical, apologetic, and historical were being created.

Battle of AvarayrArmenia has been under the influence of either Byzantium or Persia since ancient times. Beginning with the 4th

century, when Christianity became the state religion first in Armenia, then in Byzantium, the sympathy of the Armenians turned to the West, to their Christian neighbor. Realizing this the Persian kings, from time to time, tried to uproot Chris-tianity in Armenia and to propagate Zoroastrianism forcibly. Some princes, especially the masters of the southern re-gions, which had common borders with Persia, shared the goals of the Persians. Two political factions were formed in Armenia, Byzantinophiles and Persophiles.

Between 330 and 340 the Persian king Shapur II began persecuting the Christians. According to the Persian and Armenian sources thousands of people were martyred during that period. Shapur II attacked Armenia in 337 in order to exterminate the new faith. He won over the princes of Bzhnuny, Aghdzny and others by promising them various positions. But the Armenian troops, under the leadership of the commander-in-chief, Vatche Mamikonian, struck a destructive blow to the enemy. The next year Shapur II, having gathered a greater army, again headed for Armenia. The Armenian troops went to meet him. The commander-in-chief, Vatche Mamikonian, died in the fierce battle, Catholicos Verthanes, wishing to immortalize those who had died "for the sake of the Fatherland, the Church and the Faith", established a day of com-

memoration for the Mamikonian martyrs.Until the end of the 4th century the Persian court kept trying to convert Armenia to Zoroastrianism through fire

and sword, but the brave commanders-in-chief, Vasak, Moushegh and Manvel, with God’s help were successful in as-serting their nation’s right to uphold Christianity. In the middle of the 5th century the Persian court once again, this time very resolutely, tried to have the Armenians renounce their faith. In 448 Yezdegerd II (438-457) sent a message to Arme-nia demanding them to adopt Zoroastrianism. In 449 a National-Ecclesiastical Council was convened in Artashat in or-der to respond to the message of Yezdegerd. The Council replied that in state matters the Armenians admitted the power of the Persian king, but in the matters of faith they admitted only God’s power. "Nobody can move us away from this faith, neither angels, nor people, nor sword, nor fire, nor water, nor any severe ordeal. For we have a covenant of faith not with human beings, in order to lie to you like children, but an indissoluble vow with God, from whom it is impossi-ble to stay away neither now, nor tomorrow, nor for ever and ever" (Eghishe II, 40-41). In this way the Council refused the proposal of adopting Zoroastrianism.

In May, 451 the famous battle of Avarayr took place. Under the leadership of the commander-in-chief, Vartan Mamigonian, 66 thousand Armenian soldiers, women, monks and old people resisted the Persian army, which had 200 thousand soldiers. The battle of Avarayr was the first example of armed self-defense of Christianity in world history, when light and darkness, life and death, faith and renunciation resisted each other, when once again the word of the Gos-pel was affirmed: "… unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much

fruit" (John 12.24). The Armenians went to their death with the slogan, "Unconscious death is death, conscious death is immortality." The historian Eghishe, who lived during that pe-riod, wrote that there were neither winners nor losers in the battle of Avarayr. Though the Armenian troops were defeated and had losses, the battle of Avarayr ennobled and strength-ened the spirit of the Armenians so much that they were able to survive forever.

The commander-in-chief, Vartan Mamigonian, the grandson of Catholicos Sahak the Great, sanctified the Armenian land through his blood and fortified Christianity in Armenia. The Armenian Church canonized Vartan and the 1036 warriors who died with him on the battlefield of Avarayr. During the following 30 years, in the struggle against Persia the Arme-nians asserted their right to be faithful to Christianity, and in 484, the peace treaty of Nvarsak was signed between Armenia and Persia, in which the Persians acknowledged the right of the Armenian nation to practice Christianity freely.

The St. Vartan Ladies Society Valentine’s Day Luncheon was both delicious and challenging to all guests!

First, guests were treated to a wonderful lunch prepared by the February Committee, and then engaged by the program that followed on learning how to eat in response to your body’s wisdom, or “ Intuitive Eating”.

Guest speak, Signe Darpinian, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, explained how to rate your hunger and eating habits on a scale of 1-10 (3 being hungry, 6-comfortably satisfied, 8-full, and 10-uncomfortable). After suggesting that everyone should eat within 1 hour of rising in the morn- ing to get the metabolism going, she outlined and elaborated on the five steps to “Intuitive Eating”.1. Eat when hungry.2. Eat mindfully (eating with no distractions can help you recognize cues as

to when you are satisfied enough to stop eating).3. Eat what appeals to you, and give yourself permission to have treats if your body craves them.4. Equalize accessibility to food (make sure things that are good for you are

just as easy to grab as those that are just handy or “nutritionally challenged”).5. Stop at just enough (eat slower and listen to your body).

Good information, and judging from the questions Signe received at the end of her presentation, also very much appreciated.

MARCH DATE TO REMEMBER:Friday, March 11, 2011 - Women Saints Day, St. Andrew Church, Cupertino, CA

St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church 53rd Anniversary Banquet

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate, and Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, join the Parish Council inviting you to an anniversary celebration of our parish’s 53rd year on May 15, 2011 following church services in our church hall. There will be delectable Armenian food, presentation of the Hye Spirit Award, and entertainment.

Time: 12:30 P.M.Price: $30.00 adult Butterfly Leg of Lamb $10.00 child (12 and under) Pasta

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This is by paid reservation only. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Seating is limited. For a reservation of 10 send one check with a list of your guests. Make out your check to St. Vartan Church and mail by April 30, 2011 to:

Charlie and Dorris Kezerian26 Descanso DriveOrinda, CA 94563

Your Name: __________________ Your Phone: __________________Tickets @ $30.00 = $ ________

Tickets @ $10.00 = $ ________ Total Enclosed $ ________

For more information contact: Jack or Tammy Papazian 510-581-5312

AGBU GalaOn February 12, AGBU Young Professionals held

their Annual AGBU Winter Gala, celebrating the "Love of Life," raising funds for AGBU Children's Centers in Arme-nia. Fr. Hovel and Yn. Anahit welcomed primate Abp. Hov-nan Derderian to the Gala, where he opened the event with a prayer and spiritual message.

KZV School Presentation On February 8, by the invitation of KZV Armenian School in San Francisco, Fr. Hovel made a visitation to the school, where he held classes for the students of fourth through eighth grades.

Minister of Diaspora Holds Meeting On February 3, Mrs. Hranoush Hakobyan, the honor-able RA Minister of Diaspora, held a consulting meeting with the representatives of the Bay Area Armenian com-munity. The purpose of the meeting was to share infor-mation about recent efforts and exchange ideas about fu-ture activities of mutual interest. RA Consul General in Los Angeles, Hon. Grigor Hovannissian, also attended at the meeting, which took place at St. John Armenian Church, San Francisco.

Tsvetana Paskaleva Program at St. John Church On January 22, 2011, the com-munity of the Bay Area welcomed famous Bulgarian director, cine-matographer and reporter Tsve-tana Paskaleva at St. John Church, S. F., where she presented two of

her films about the Karabakh War. In 1991-94 Paskaleva worked in Nagorno, Karabakh cover-ing the heroic battle and presenting the conflict of Karabakh to the international community. She was the first foreign journalist to report on the mass deportations and ferocities against the Ar-menian civil population by the Azeri. At the end of the event Fr. Hovel spoke about Tsvetana and the Karabakh War and closed the event with a memo-rial prayer.

ACYO Cooks for Ball St. Vartan ACYO members met in the Church kitchen on February 5 to prepare cheese boereg and khadiaf for the Paregentan Ball. You don’t want to miss the Ball on Saturday, March 5 at 6 pm in the Church Hall.

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St. Vartan Church—March 2011

Morning Service 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 10 am Sunday School 10:15 am ACYO Meeting

Morning Service 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 10 am Sunday School 10:15 am Daylight Savings Time Begins

Morning Service 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 10 am Sunday School 10:15 am Club Hye 2nd SundaySpring Begins

Morning Service 9:30 am Divine Liturgy 10 am Sunday School 10:15 am

Vartanantz Celebration St. Vartan 7 pm

Paregentan Ball6 pm

Women Saints Day St. Andrew Cupertino

ACYO Retreat at St. Vartan

Clergy Meeting at Diocese

Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm

Lenten Vigil 7 pm

Lenten Vigil 7 pm

Lenten Vigil 7 pm

Lent Begins

St. Patrick’s Day

ACYO-WD Northern Regional Meeting St. Vartan and St. John ACYO Leaders met with

members of the ACYO-WD Central Council and Youth Director, Father Avedis, at St. John Church, San Fran-cisco, on Super Bowl Sunday for the Northern Regional Meeting, Sun. Feb. 6, 2011. During the meeting the Central Council updated both chapters about the Diocese-wide ACYO events scheduled for the year, and heard reports from St. Vartan and St. John about their events and projects set for 2011. The productive meeting was followed by a lively lunch and Super Bowl party, as the group enjoyed fellowship.

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: stvartanoakland@aol.com

Website: www.stvartanoakland.org The deadline for all articles is the fifteenth of each month.

Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan Parish Council Chair: Harry Sherinian Parish Council Treasurer: Anto Cingoz Parish Assembly Chair: Don Manoogian Choir Director: Beverly Nalbandian Organist: Virginia Madajian ACYO Chair: Adam Nikssarian Church School Superintendent: Marie Hagopian and Virginia Alexanian Ladies Society Co-chairs: Suzanne Abnous and Suzanne Vasgerdsian Athletic Committee Chair: Mike Boloyan

Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian Club Hye Chair: Sako Soghomonian Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian and Pat Barsamian Sunshine: Dorris Kezerian Church Maintenance: Vartan Hovsepian Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger Wedding Coordinator: Carol Rustigian Visiting Committee: Virginia Ratcliff Church Secretary: Rachel Harger Altar Flowers: Diana Toomajian and Sue Barsamian Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian

Please inform Fr. Hovel if you know of anyone hospitalized, convalescing, or home-bound who would appreciate a visit from our priest.