Sts. Vartanantz Church WEEKLY BULLETIN

Reverend Father Kapriel Nazarian 402 Broadway, Providence, RI 02909 Pastor Office: 831-6399 Fax: 351-4418 Email: info@stsvartanantzchurch.org Website: stsvartanantzchurch.org

FIFTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 24, 2017 Please Join Us in Worship this Sunday

Morning Service 9:30 am

Divine Liturgy 10:00 am - Sermon 11:15

Մասնակցեցէք Ս.Պատարագին`

Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն 9:30

Ս. Պատարագ 10:00 - Քարոզ 11:15

Der Hayr and the Board of Trustees wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!

ՅԻՍՈՒՍ ՔՐԻՍՏՈՍԻ ԱՒԵՏԱՐԱՆԸ ԸՍՏ

ՂՈՒԿԱՍԻ (19։11-28) Մինչ ժողովուրդը անոր ըսածները մտիկ կ՚ընէր, Յիսուս իր խօսքը

շարունակեց, եւ Երուսաղէմի մօտեցած ըլլալով ու գիտնալով որ

ժողովուրդը կը կարծէ թէ Աստուծոյ արքայութիւնը շուտով պիտի յայտնուի,

հետեւեալ առակը պատմեց անոնց.-

«Ազնուական մարդ մը կար, որ հեռաւոր երկիր մը գնաց, որպէսզի

թագաւորական իշխանութիւն առնէ եւ իր երկիրը վերադառնայ։ Նախքան

մեկնիլը, կանչեց իր տասը ծառաները եւ իւրաքանչիւրին հարիւր արծաթ

դահեկան տուաւ եւ ըսաւ. "Շահարկեցէ՛ք այս դրամը մինչեւ վերադարձս"։

Բայց իր քաղաքացիները կ՚ատէին զինք. հետեւաբար պատգամաւոր

ղրկեցին իր ետեւէն, ըսելով. "Չենք ուզեր որ ան մեր վրայ թագաւոր

դառնայ"։ Երբ որ ազնուականը թագաւորական իշխանութիւնը առաւ եւ

վերադարձաւ, անմիջապէս կանչեց իր ծառաները, որոնց դրամ տուած էր,

գիտնալու համար թէ ի՛նչ շահած են։ Առաջինը եկաւ եւ ըսաւ. "Տէ՛ր, մէկ

տուածիդ դէմ տասը շահեցայ"։ Տէրը ըսաւ. "Ապրիս, բարի ծառայ, քանի այդ

փոքրիկ բանին մէջ հաւատարիմ գտնուեցար, ահա քեզ տասը քաղաքներու

վրայ կառավարիչ կը նշանակեմ"։ Երկրորդ ծառան ալ եկաւ եւ ըսաւ. "Մէկ

տուածիդ դէմ հինգ շահեցայ"։ Տէրը ըսաւ. "Քեզ ալ հինգ քաղաքներու վրայ

կառավարիչ կը նշանակեմ"։ Երրորդը եկաւ եւ ըսաւ. "Տէ՛ր, ահաւասիկ

տուած դրամդ, զայն պահեցի թաշկինակի մը մէջ ծրարած։ Կը վախնայի

քեզմէ, որովհետեւ խիստ մարդ մըն ես։ Կ՚առնես ինչ որ քուկդ չէ եւ կը հնձես

ինչ որ չես սերմանած"։ Տէրը անոր ըսաւ. "Չա՛ր ծառայ, քու խօսքովդ քեզ

պիտի դատեմ։ Քանի գիտէիր որ կ՚առնեմ ինչ որ իմս չէ եւ կը հնձեմ ինչ որ

չեմ սերմանած, ինչո՞ւ ուրեմն դրամս սեղանաւորներուն չտուիր, քանի

գիտէիր նաեւ թէ վերադարձիս զայն տոկոսով միասին պիտի պահանջէի"։

Ապա սպասաւորներուն ըսաւ. "Առէ՛ք իրմէ դրամը եւ տարէք տուէք անոր

որ տասնապատիկը շահած է"։ Անոնք ըսին. "Տէ՛ր, անիկա արդէն

տասնապատիկը ունի"։ "Գիտցէ՛ք, - ըսաւ ան, - ունեցողին աւելիով պիտի

տրուի, իսկ չունեցողէն պիտի առնուի նոյնիսկ իր ունեցած ամենէն փոքր

բաժինն ալ։ Իսկ իմ թշնամիներս, որոնք չէին ուզեր որ իրենց թագաւոր

ըլլամ, հոս բերէք եւ իմ ներկայութեանս սպաննեցէք զանոնք"»։

Այս խօսքերը ըսելէ ետք Յիսուս շարունակեց իր ճամբան դէպի Երուսաղէմ։

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING TO LUKE (19։11-28)

While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' "But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. "The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' "The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' "His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' "Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' "Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' "'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them-bring them here and kill them in front of me." After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE HEBREWS (7:11-25)

If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order

of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them

ՊՕՂՈՍ ԱՌԱՔԵԱԼԻ ՆԱՄԱԿԸ

ԵԲՐԱՅԵՑԻՆԵՐՈՒՆ (7:11-25) Գիտենք թէ ղեւտացիներու քահանայութիւնն էր հիմը սրբութեան այն

օրէնքին, որ Իսրայէլի ժողովուրդին տրուեցաւ։ Արդ, եթէ կարելի ըլլար այդ

քահանայութեան միջոցաւ կատարելութեան հասնիլ, Աստուած ի՞նչ պէտք

պիտի ունենար նոր քահանայապետ մը տալու Մելքիսեդեկի օրինակով եւ

ո՛չ Ահարոնի քահանայութեան շարունակութենէն։ Միւս կողմէ,

քահանայութեան փոխուելուն հետ սրբութեան օրէնքն ալ պէտք էր

փոխուէր. որովհետեւ Քրիստոս, որուն մասին կը խօսուի, կը պատկանէր

ուրիշ ցեղի մը, որուն անդամներէն ո՛չ մէկը քահանայութեան պաշտօնը

ստանձնեց երբեւիցէ։ Արդ, յայտնի է թէ մեր Տէրը Յուդայի ցեղէն էր, մինչդեռ

այդ ցեղէն գալիք քահանայութեան մը մասին Մովսէս ոեւէ բան չըսաւ։

Փոփոխութիւնը աւելի բացորոշ է անով՝ որ կը յայտնուի քահանայ մը որ

Մելքիսեդեկի նման է. այսինքն՝ մարմնաւոր կեանքի յատուկ օրէնքներու եւ

կարգերու համաձայն չէ՚ որ քահանայ եղած է, այլ յաւիտենական կեանքի

մէջ ի զօրու եղող օրէնքով։ Անոր մասին վկայեց Սուրբ գիրքը, ըսելով. «Դուն

յաւիտեան քահանայ ես, Մելիքիսեդեկին պէս»։ Բացայայտ է, թէ նախկին

պատուիրանը մէկդի կը դրուի, անզօր եւ անօգուտ ըլլալուն համար,

որովհետեւ Օրէնքը չկրցաւ ոեւէ բան կատարելութեան հասցնել. եւ հիմա

մեզի տրուեցաւ աւելի լաւ յոյս մը, որով Աստուծոյ կը մօտենանք։

Աւելին, այս նոր քահանայութիւնը երդումով տրուեցաւ, մինչդեռ

միւսներուն քահանայութիւնը երդումով տրուած չէ։ Քրիստոս քահանայ

եղաւ Աստուծոյ երդումով, ինչպէս Սուրբ գիրքը կ՚ըսէ.-

«Տէրը անդառնալի երդում ըրաւ, ըսելով.

"Դուն յաւիտեան քահանայ ես"»։

Եւ այսպէս, Յիսուս գերազանց ուխտի մը երաշխաւորը եղաւ։

Ի վերջոյ, միւս քահանաները թիւով շատ կ՚ըլլային, որպէսզի մէկուն կամ

միւսին մահով՝ քահանայութիւնը չընդհատուէր։ Բայց որովհետեւ Յիսուս

յաւիտեան կ՚ապրի, իր քահանայութիւնն ալ անվախճան է։ Ուստի նաեւ

կրնայ վերջնականապէս փրկել անոնք՝ որոնք իր միջոցաւ Աստուծոյ կու

գան, որովհետեւ միշտ կենդանի ըլլալով՝ տեւաբար բարեխօս կ՚ըլլայ անոնց

համար։

REQUIEM SERVICE December 24, 2017

John Bahian – Seventh Day Remembrance

Dgranohi A. Khacheck – Seventh Day Remembrance

Hovagim Hovagimian – 40th Day Remembrance

Andrea Abate

Jirair Aharonian

Elizabeth Adanalian Boyajian

Donabed Cheteyan, Satenig Cheteyan Garabedian and Shnorick Cheteyan Aleksanian

Shoshan Derderian

Baizar, Hagop and Garabed Kambourian and Victoria Arnavoudian

Elizabeth Kematjian

Stephen LaFazia

John and Katherine Magarian and Mary Zorabedian

David Marabian

Maria Mkrtschjan

Karnick and Grace Ohanian

Julie Kaprielian Postoian

REQUIEM SERVICE December 31, 2017

Hagop and Maryam Akalarian and Nishan and Berjoohi Tateosian

Patricia Jabagjorian

Araxie Kasparian

Diane Adoian Michaud

Rose Sarkisian

Bedros, Sharbel and Vartouhi Shamlian, and Alice Takvor and Shnorick Bashian

Kamyk Simonian

Sarah Surabian

Rosa and Frank Zorabedian Jr.

This Sunday, December 24, 2017

Altar Candles are donated

In Loving Memory of

STEPHEN LAFAZIA

By His Wife, Noreen,

and His Grandson, Alec

The Flowers for the Altars and Sanctuary

have been generously donated by

THE ARARAT ASSOCIATION

STS. VARTANANTZ MEN’S CLUB

FEEDS THE HOMELESS Last Friday, December 15th, dinner was prepared at the Providence Rescue

Mission and served to many very hungry people by the Sts. Vartanantz Church

Men’s Club and its friends. More than 80 men and women who are struggling

during this Christmas season were our guests.

Seventeen people took time out during this busy season to lend a helping hand.

John and June Mangassarian were the sponsors of the meal, which included ham

and beans, salad, soda and warm apple pie. Close to 20 of those gathered to receive

the meal were women, which was the most we have ever seen.

Ryder Norigian and Arthur Arslanian are pictured placing salads on the tables,

along with Jim Yaghoobian. The shelter holds a Mass before dinner and provides

a place to rest, as well. Otherwise, their options are few and far between. For one

night at least, our guests went to sleep in a warm room with a full belly of food

prepared and served with love and care by the members of the Men’s Club and

their friends and supporters. Please consider joining us next time for this special

mission.

DEAR FRIENDS AND PARISHIONERS:

PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND DO NOT BLOCK ANY VEHICLES

IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT.

ALSO, IF YOU ARE ABLE PLEASE LEAVE THE

PARKING LOT SPACES FOR OUR OLDER PARISHIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

INSTALLATION SERVICE FOR OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Last Sunday, December 17th, Der Kapriel held the installation service for our newly elected Board members. It is a meaningful service that, in part, asks our Lord to “with your mercy look upon these newly elected Board of Trustee members as the stewards and the burden carriers ‘Hokapartsoo’ of this Church. Empty them from human weaknesses, namely pride, envy, anger, and all mortal sins. Fill them with the spirit of humbleness, prudence, kindness and all virtues. Let them be earnest and wholehearted followers of Christ knowing and believing the truth and doing everything with patience.” May God bless all the members of our Board of Trustees.

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Please Note: Bible Study will not be held this Monday, December 25th for the Christmas holiday and

Monday, January 1st for New Year’s Day. Adult Bible Study will resume on Monday, January 8th, at 7:00 pm.

Saturday, December 23 Mourad Armenian School Annual Christmas Hantes

Featuring singing, instruments and a visit from Santa Claus! 12 noon

Sunday, December 24 Traditional Candlelight Christmas Eve Service – 7pm

Thursday, December 28 ARS Ani Chapter hosts Laura Michael, presenting… “Finding Home: An Armenian American’s Journey

to Historic Armenia” 7pm – Church Hall

Friday, December 29 Christmas Concert presented by the Armenian Chorale of RI

Conducted by Maestro Konstantin Petrossian 7pm in the Church Sanctuary

Monday, January 1, 2018 New Year’s Day Prayer Service - 11am

Friday, January 5, 2018 Armenian Christmas Eve Services - 6:30 pm

Saturday, January 6, 2018 Armenian Christmas Divine Liturgy - 10:30 am

SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, January 20, 2018

AYF Providence Varantian Chapter V-Ball

From the December 21, 2017 edition of **********************************************************

CHRISTMAS: DECEMBER 25 OR JANUARY 6?

This Monday is December 25—Christmas for most of the Christian world.

Originally all of Christendom celebrated Epiphany on January 6.

(Epiphany was a celebration of the birth, the baptism by John the Baptist

in the River Jordan, the First Miracle at the Wedding of Cana, and the

visit of the Magi). The gradual change to December 25 began in Rome in

the 4th century to coincide with a pre-Christian holiday. December 25 was

officially adopted at the Council of Chalcedon in 451—a Council the

Armenians did not attend and never accepted. To this day the Armenian

Church has remained faithful to the original date of January 6. Of course,

the actual date of Jesus’ birth is unknown and both traditions are

centuries old. What is important is the spirit and meaning of the

celebration.

DAVID THE PROPHET KING; HOLY APOSTLE JAMES

This Saturday (December 23) the Armenian Church commemorates David the Prophet King and the Holy Apostle James the Brother of the Lord.

David was the youngest of eight brothers and was brought up to be a shepherd where he learned courage, tenderness, and caring. David became the second King of Israel. In the Bible, the name David belongs solely to him, which indicates the unique place he had as an ancestor and forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the New Testament there are more than 50 references to David, including the title given to Jesus—Son of David. David was a poet and the author of some of the Psalms.

James the Apostle, called “Brother of the Lord,” probably because of his close relationship with Jesus, was granted a special appearance of the Lord after the Resurrection. He is believed to have been a first cousin of the Lord, or as some biblical scholars have suggested, a son of Joseph. After the Resurrection and the Ascension, while the other apostles scattered all over the world, James remained in Jerusalem where he served as the Bishop and became a leading spokesman of the early church.

ST. STEPHEN, FIRST DEACON AND FIRST MARTYR

On Monday (December 25) the Armenian Church commemorates St. Stephen, the first deacon and proto-martyr. After Christ’s ascension, the apostles went about spreading the Word. It soon became apparent that more people were needed to serve the growing church community. Seven worthy individuals were called upon to serve the Holy Altar and called “deacons” (sarkavag). The most noteworthy of the seven was Stephen, described as a “man full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5). The Feast of St. Stephen is a popular and important

commemoration in the Armenian Church; it is a day to honor all deacons of the church. Stephen became the first martyr of the Church and is therefore called the “proto-martyr.” The only information about his life and death is in the Book of Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:8 and 8:2).

THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER AND PAUL

On Tuesday (December 26), the Armenian Church remembers the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, perhaps the two individuals who had the greatest role in the growth and spread of Christianity. After the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and asked him to tell the other apostles about His appearance and give them His message (Luke 24:34-35). Peter was renowned for his oratory skills, and he used his talent to spread the Word. He preached in Rome and founded the church there. He is considered to be the first Bishop of Rome. According to tradition, Peter was crucified in Rome upside down because he declared himself unworthy to die in the same manner as the Lord. He was buried in Rome and his relics are enshrined under the high altar of the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Paul (Saul) was born in Tarsus in Cilicia. He was an oppressor of the early Christians until he converted while on the road to Damascus he saw a vision of a bright light and a voice saying, “Saul, Saul why do you persecute me? I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Enter the City and

you will be told what to do,” (Acts 9:4-6; 26:12-16). Saul was baptized and renamed Paul and he went on to become the greatest preacher of the new religion, traveling and writing extensively. Many theologians credit him for shaping the future of the Church. His fourteen epistles comprise more than one-third of the New Testament, not including the Book of Acts that although written by Luke, is primarily an account of Paul’s travels and preaching.

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

The twelve days of Christmas begins on December 25 and continues to January 6. This is a wonderful period to live the true meaning of Christmas that is love, peace, hope, and goodwill. These are the finest gifts to give to those close to you and especially for those who are elderly, ill, alone, or mourning the loss of a relative or friend. Your telephone call or visit will mean more to that person than the most expensive gift from the finest store. Merry Christmas.

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PLEASE DO NOT FORGET:

SYRIAN ARMENIAN COMMUNITY NEEDS

OUR HELP MORE THAN EVER

The crisis in Syria requires our financial assistance. Please keep this

community in your prayers, your hearts, and your pocketbooks.

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET OUR ONGOING RELIEF EFFORTS FOR THE

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN SYRIA WHERE CONDITIONS ARE

BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE DIFFICULT.

THE NEED IS REAL.

THE NEED IS GREAT.

DONATIONS TO THE FUND FOR SYRIAN ARMENIAN RELIEF CAN BE

MADE ON LINE AT WWW.ARMENIANPRELACY.ORG

Click on the DONATE link and select Syrian Armenian Relief

OR IF YOU PREFER, YOU MAY MAIL YOUR DONATION TO:

Armenian Prelacy

138 E. 39th Street - New York, NY 10016

Checks payable to: Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Memo: Syrian Armenian Relief)

Thank you for your help.

ARS “Ani” Chapter

Presents

Finding Home: An Armenian American’s Journey

to Historic Armenia

In June 2017, Laura Michael embarked on an emotional

journey to her ancestral homeland in eastern Turkey in

order to find her great-grandparents’ former homes in

the village of Havav, outside of the old city of Palu.

Laura, the daughter of Ungerouhi Jean Goshgarian

Michael, is a former Rhode Islander who now resides in

Los Angeles. She will share her experience of being the

first person in her family since the Genocide to step foot

in Historic Armenia and confront her family’s past.

She will also share many photos from the trip, explain

the role of the Armenian DNA Project in a shocking

discovery she made and discuss interactions with Turks,

Kurds and Islamized Armenians currently living in Bitlis,

Diyarbakir (Dikranagerd), Elazig (Kharpert), Moush,

Palu, Sasoun and Van.

George Aghjayan, who is actively involved in Armenian

genealogy and the demographics of Western Armenia,

will be a special guest for Laura’s presentation.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2017

7:00 PM

STS. VARTANANTZ CHURCH

402 Broadway * Providence, RI 02909

Admission is Free

Refreshments to Follow

STS. VARTANANTZ ARMENIAN APOSTOLIC CHURCH

402 Broadway ~ Providence, Rhode Island 02909

presents

"AYSOR DON EH" CHRISTMAS CONCERT

In the Sanctuary of Sts. Vartanantz Church

Friday, December 29, 2017 7:00 P.M.

Featuring

The Armenian Chorale of Rhode Island

and

Soloists

Refreshments following the Concert

Admission is free Free will donations gratefully accepted