rev. fr. hovel ohanyan the primate’s christmas...
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AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD, THE CREATOR
“Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many
guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been
invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready’” (Luke 14:15-17).
Beloved faithful in Christ,
The Nativity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is an invitation to mankind
to encounter God, the Creator. The parable of the wedding banquet in the Gos-
pels is an image of the birth of Jesus in which we see the humility of the Son of
God humbling Himself from heaven to earth. The positive response of the invit-
ed guest serves as the opportunity to be elevated to God through Christ. In other
words, to adopt a new standard and quality of life which is nothing else but life
shaped and lived in the Christian faith.
“Christ is Born and revealed!
Blessed is the Revelation of Christ!”
Dear faithful Christian, once again we are called to greet and humble
ourselves before the Nativity of Christ, so that we may, with His Birth, be re-
born in our God-given life. To live with Christ means to adorn our lives with
character and shape, making Him our own mission and purpose and to draw
mankind closer to God.
The Nativity of Christ is the image of the humility of the Son of God
who descends from heaven to earth, taking upon Himself human form and serv-
ing the world and all mankind.
The Nativity of Jesus is an invitation to each of us to emulate Christ’s
own example to become noble servants and to lead man to God, for that is the
ultimate goal of the Christian life. To remain steadfast in this path means to live
life with the spirit and awareness of our Christian faith, to live life in emulation
of Christ as a servant, who leads us always to do God’s will, to live a holy life
making the Gospel our rudder in life, and to make ourselves the golden ring that
connects man to God.
“Christ is Born and revealed!
Blessed is the Revelation of Christ!”
The invitation to greet and humble ourselves before the newborn Jesus
is extended to each and every of us. How shall we respond as individual Chris-
tians, as a people, as a nation and a Church? Undoubtedly, our response shall be
a favorable one and shall be expressed through our steadfast Christian faith and
our readiness to celebrate the mystery of the Birth of Jesus as the foundation of
Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan January, 2014
The Primate’s Christmas Message
Bible Readings
Jan. 5 Matt. 2:1-12
Jan. 12 Luke 2:1-7
Jan. 19 John 2:1-11
Jan. 26 John 3:13-21
Song of Simeon
"Lord, now lettest thou
thy servant depart in
peace, according to thy
word; for mine eyes have
seen thy salvation which
thou hast prepared in the
presence of all peoples, a
light for revelation to the
Gentiles, and for glory to
thy people Israel."
Luke 2:29-32
our lives. If our active faith in the Birth of Jesus is not expressed in our daily life, then we have failed in our
response to the invitation. To respond to the invitation means to live a life of faith to the fullest with a sincere
heart, a loving spirit, a forgiving and a merciful soul, in humility and selfless service, or simply by fulfilling
the commandments of the Gospel of Christ. To celebrate the Birth of Jesus is to make the infant Jesus the mir-
ror of our spiritual life, and motivated by a sense of fear and ignominy, to abandon all our hardened evil
tendencies and habits that reflect neither Christ nor the Christian faith. To celebrate the Birth of Christ today
means to live a holy life that reflects the holiness of the Birth of the infant Jesus. This is why Christ, pointing
to children, said, “To such belongs the kingdom of God.” Beloved faithful, with each celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ is the beginning of a new
spiritual journey. The Birth of Jesus is an invitation to a new life. The Birth of Jesus is the active presence of
God in the life of the world so that we too may be reborn in our life and sanctify it. The Birth of Jesus is the
invitation to man to make his life an active presence of God in the life of the world, in creativity. Therefore,
let us respond to the invitation we have received through our good works of faith, through our service and sac-
rifice, so that we may uphold our God-given Motherland Armenia and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin,
and embody in our Christian life in the vision of our Armenian values.
“Christ is Born and revealed!
Blessed is the Revelation of Christ!”
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate
Feast of the Holy Nativity - 2014
Sunday School Expresses Thanksgiving On Sunday, November 17, 2013 the Sunday School had a
special “Thanksgiving” assembly. The assembly was led by Lisa
Manoogian. The students shared all the things for which they are
thankful. The Sunday School students also worked on a special
project to express their gratitude for the United States military.
They decorated Christmas Cards and wrote special notes to the
military men and women that are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Christmas Cards are being sent with Christmas care packages
to the soldiers overseas.
The St. Vartan Voice The St. Vartan Voice Newsletter is our
church’s primary means of communication, not
just with our own congregation, but with Armeni-
ans throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Each
month we are privileged to send out approximately
1,200 newsletters. The newsletter is a way for St.
Vartan Church to inform our readers about services
and events at the Church. Even more importantly,
it is also a chance to spread the word of God
through the messages of Fr. Hovel and other
Church leaders. And, of course, the newsletter re-
ports on the happenings of the church and our pa-
rishioners.
St. Vartan Church gladly accepts dona-
tions to cover the cost of printing and mailing the
Voice. We also ask that anyone who would prefer
to receive the Voice via e-mail, rather than tradi-
tional mail, contact the office at stvartanoakland
@aol.com.
Save the Date
St. Vartan Armenian Church
Annual Assembly
Meeting & Luncheon
Sunday, February 9, 2014
12:00 noon
St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations:
The St. Vartan Voice Newsletter—Dorothy Svihovec
Thank You
Our heartfelt thanks to all our dear friends who called, visited,
sent beautiful flowers and plants and cards, made donations and held
us in their prayers on the sad occasion of the passing of our precious
daughter, wife, mother, and sister and friend, JoAnn Koobatian. Es-
pecially to our dear Fr.Hovel, who stayed with us to the end,
comforting us with his warm hugs and reading the confes-
sional and giving communion to our JoAnn. May God
bless you all.
With deep love and thanks,
Richard and Amanda Koobatian,
Bob and Toni Nalbandian and Bill and Bev Nalbandian
In Memory
† JoAnn Koobatian
Harry Sherinian, Lillian & Ralph Kalibjian, Ron Kallan,
Edward Godoshian, Hratch & Jill Avakian, Lori & Andy
Hill (Choir Fund), Jeff & Karen Hazarian, Mr. & Mrs.
Seno Garabedian & Family, Virginia Ratcliff
† JoAnn Koobatian & her grandparents,
Ardashes & Susie Hoogasian
Lillian Mardikian (Choir Fund)
† Gladys Tafjen Don & Virginia Tafjen (Yughakin)
ENDOWMENT FUND
In Memory
†JoAnn Koobatian
Emma Mazmanian, Lida Mazmanian,
Richard & Judy Sharafian, Nelly & Arka
Kargodorian, Edward T. & Kristian
Minasian, Charles & Dorris Kezerian,
Arka & Nelly Kargodorian
Thank You
Many thanks to my friends
at St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic
Church for the visits, wonderful
food, flowers, prayers and love you
have extended toward me. I am im-
proving and hope to see you all
soon. Thank you Father Hovel for
your spiritual love and guidance.
With love,
Carol Rustigian
Armenian Christmas Greetings from
Edward Godoshian
St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Celebrated by His Eminence
Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America
Morning Service 10:00 am Divine Liturgy 10:30 am
Christmas Family Night
December 7, 2013
Jr. ACYO
Child’s Name_____________________ Child’s Age____________________
Child’s Birthday___________________
Child’s Phone_____________________ Child’s E-mail__________________
Mother’s Name____________________ Phone________________________
Father’s Name_____________________ Phone________________________
Parent’s E-mail______________________________________________________
Siblings Names and Ages_____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Emergency Contact____________________ Phone_______________________
If you have any questions please
contact Marie Hagopian at 510-708-3366 or at
alecsmom01@yahoo.com.
New Years Eve One Liners
A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.
I have only one resolution. To rediscover the difference between wants and needs. May I have all I
need and want all I have. Happy New Year!
ACYO Update On November 23 our very own St. Vartan ACYO
collaborated with St. John ACYO and helped at St. Martin
de Porres in San Francisco. Together, this great group of
more than 45 individuals helped prepare meals for the
needy, as well as serve and clean-up afterwards.
November 29 through December 1 St. Vartan
ACYO attended the 65th Annual ACYO General Assem-
bly in La Crescenta. St. Vartan attended all
three meetings, the quiz bowl, and the social
banquet. Although we didn’t win at the quiz
bowl, our ACYO members had a blast getting to
spend quality time with many individuals from
other chapters. During the event, the chapters
were able to elect the new central council exec-
utive board of 2014.
St. Vartan Armenian Church
100th Anniversary Memorial of the Armenian Genocide
For further information, contact Alex Colello at alex.colello@yahoo.com or call (925) 552-7809.
In 1915, millions of Armenians were deported from their homes and were
forced to relocate. This action by the Ottoman Turks contributed greatly to the
loss of life during the Armenian Genocide.
St. Vartan Armenian Church in Oakland plans to commemorate the Armenian
Genocide by professionally engraving the names of towns from which loved
ones were deported during the Genocide. These town names will be engraved
in the concrete between the church’s front doors and the khachkar. In addition,
the landscaping in that area will be upgraded. This project will be coordinated
by Boy Scout Alex Colello, as part of his Eagle Scout Project.
In order to cover the costs of the project, the church asks for a donation of
$100 per town name sponsored. If you would like the name of your ancestors’
town recognized, fill out the form below and submit it by February 28th, 2014.
Name: ______________________________
Address: __________________________________________
City: _________________________ State: _____ Zip: ________________
Telephone: __________________________
Town(s) Sponsored:
__________________________________ __________________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
Total ($100 per town name): $_________ Make check payable to: Mail to: St. Vartan Armenian Church St. Vartan Armenian Church For: Armenian Genocide Memorial Project 650 Spruce Street
Oakland, CA 94610
St. Vartan Church Christmas
Schedule 2013 Sunday, January 5, 2014
Armenian Christmas Eve Morning Service ..................................................................... 10:30 am
Readings .................................................................................. 6:00 pm
Jurakalouyts Badarak (Liturgy of the Lights) ......................... 6:30 pm
Home Blessing Service in Church Hall to follow
Monday, January 6, 2014
Armenian Christmas Day Asdvadzahaidnootiun—Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ
Morning Service ...................................................................... 10:00 am
Divine Liturgy .......................................................................... 10:30 am
Home Blessing Service in Church Hall to follow
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Armenian Christmas Asdvadzahaidnootiun—Nativity and Baptism of Jesus Christ
Morning Service ...................................................................... 10:00 am
Divine Liturgy .......................................................................... 10:30 am
Blessing of the Baptismal Waters
Godfather of the Cross: Nikolai Chorbajian Son of Gregg and Lisa Chorbajian
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Memorial Sunday—Merelots Morning Service ..................................................................... 10:00 am
Divine Liturgy ......................................................................... 10:30 am
Requiem for Deceased Loved Ones
Requiem Service—Hokehankist A requiem will be said for the
souls of the departed on Sunday, Jan-
uary 19, 2014. Those who would like
to have the names of their departed
loved ones included should contact
the church office at stvartanoak-
land@aol.com or 510-893-1671 be-
fore Thursday, January 16, 2014.
Please Note This year, the Feast of the Na-
tivity falls on a Monday, and the Eve
of the Feast falls on a Sunday. Be-
cause of this occurrence, Divine Lit-
urgy on Sunday, January 5, 2014 will
be celebrated in the evening, with
only Morning Service on Sunday
morning.
The canons of the Armenian
Church forbid celebrating more than
one Liturgy on the same altar in the
same church, in the course of the
same day. Armenian Church fathers
provide this explanation: there is one
Christ, who was crucified on one
cross—the symbol of which is the
holy altar. Also, the celebrant of the
Liturgy represents one Christ, head of
the Church.
Yughakin It is customary in the Armenian Church to provide Yughakin especially around the feasts of
Christmas and Easter. This practice dates as far back as the time of Moses in the Old Testament.
Yughakin in Armenian means "price of oil". Each local church community would donate
money specially earmarked towards the purchase of oil, which in return would keep the lan-
terns burning and ultimately the doors of the Church open.
At this season of Christ's birth let us remember and continue in the custom of Yughakin, so we can
keep our "oil-burning lanterns" always burning and our doors always open at St. Vartan Church. Please be gen-
erous to the Church in observing this ancient Armenian custom.
Home Blessing The Home Blessing Service is one of the most ancient and revered traditions of the Armeni-
an Church. The three necessary items to conduct this service are: water, bread, and salt. For the
traditional Christmas Home Blessing, please call Der Hayr at 510-893-1671.
Hall Remodel Suggestions If you have a suggestion for the St. Vartan Church Hall remodel project please send it to the church office
via e-mail: stvartanoakland@aol.com or regular mail. All suggestions will be given to the Remodel Commit-
tee and the Parish Council for consideration.
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 Priest and President of All Church Organizations
Parish Council Chair: Jack Papazian Jr. 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: John Eknoian and Janet Yeghissian Athletic Committee Chair: Mike Boloyan
Cultural Society Chair: Liz Ojakian Club Hye Chair: Paul Dermenjian
Hokejosh: Nora Hanoian Church Maintenance: Jim Taylor, Zaven Kannaian and Arto Yagjian
Newsletter Editors: Arlene Hovsepian and Rachel Harger Wedding Coordinator: Carol Rustigian
Church Secretary: Rachel Harger Altar Flowers: Diana Toomajian and Carole Chang
Church Custodian: Wartkes Hagopian Divine Liturgy Service—Sundays 10:30 a.m.
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