However, not only the followers of Christ suffered with Him, but also those who put Him to suffer, who took the action in His suffering and death. It is interesting that the same Judas Iscariot, who betrayed our Lord, also suffered by hanging himself. The same Pilate, who gave his agreement for the crucifixion, with his wife together suffered also: “For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, "Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream” (Matt. 27:18:26). There was a univer-sal problem; even nature suffered with its Creator, even nature didn't want His death: “And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bot-tom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints, who had fallen asleep were raised... It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed…” (Matt. 27:51-52, Luke 23:44-45). The earth and the entire world became still and frightened, and there was a great silence, because "...God fell asleep…”

Thus, the reality is this: if one of the parts in the argument or in the war weakens, the opponent, or the enemy, takes dominion and becomes stronger. Which would mean that when our Lord suffered and was crucified (and with Him all creation and believers), our enemy, Satan, became strong and dominant. As such, through our weak and fallen nature, our feelings, our emotions are so dis-turbed that sometimes we forget that God’s suffering and death are victorious and life-giving. We often forget that Jesus hangs on the cross willingly to conquer the death through His own death and most importantly we forget that because of His death, Satan, our enemy, also suffered and that the doors of Hades were de-stroyed. That is the reason this series of sermon is entitled "Not only He, but you also,” showing and emphasizing the reality that not only our Lord and His fol-lowers suffered and are suffering still, but that Satan, the greatest enemy of God and His creation also suffers, and suffers more than us.

The same idea is beautifully expressed in many of the hymns of St. Ro-manos the Melodist. In his hymn, “On the Crucifixion”, the devil is in a panic; he is in trouble and doesn't know what to do? He runs to his friends and, remem-bering a few of Jesus’ miracles, asks for ideas and suggestions from them: "...The devil suffered, was wounded; And as one in danger, he lamented and cried to his friends: ‘What shall I do to the Son of Mary? The man from Bethlehem is killing me, He who is everywhere and fills all things. The whole world is filled with His

Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan June, 2011 “Not only He, but you also…”

(Beginning in the May Newsletter)

Bible Readings

June 5 John 12:12-23June 12 John 14:25-31June 19 Luke 4:25-30June 26 John 10:22-30

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

—Galatians 4:4-7

healings; But I suffer within ...Then, friends of the storm, enemies of calm, What do you advise me to do this man?...For indeed I am frustrated, I am ruined; I have no plan, for I am without power, I am panic-stricken…’” These wonderful words of St. Romanos show that the enemy of humanity also suffers, and the "Prince of This World” is powerless and his “kingdom” is destroyed. He has no idea what to do, he has no power to stop Him, he is totally lost. In all his confusion, first, the devils give response to his lamentation, en-couraging him to stay with Cain's group and never give up. The devils, trying to calm him by mentioning that now he can find many other murderers in the world like Cain; priests, scribes, Judas, Caiaphas, Herod and Pi-late, that will serve him as “former servants” and, by using them as tools, he can reach his goal. This gives us an idea and a warning that each time we commit a sin, we become the servants and the tools for the evil one. Willingly or unwillingly we are helping him to fulfill his dream, to destroy God’s creation and to have a do-minion over it.

(To be continued)

Mary ArkelianSuzanne and Razmik AbnousAraks AghazarianSiranouche Apelian & Chuck DanaLou AronianVartkes & Kerrie AvakianAnnie AvedissianArshak & Safinar AzizianAris & Sonia BalianKimberly BardakianThomas BardakianPete & Pat BarsamianVartan Ayko BerberianKegham & Roxanne BoghossianBarbara & Jack BousianClara BousianJune & Satyabrata ChatterjeeAdrena ClemmerSuren & Sona DakessianKathleen DemerdjianBrian & Cynthia Der MatoianBerge & Sara DerMatoianJack & Lucille DolabDana & Seza DominguezMargie DorianJack & Karen DorianDickie and Seno GarabedianHerb & Alice GardnerRosalie GiffordJoanne Hagopian & John EknoianWartkes Hagopian

Nora & Harvey HanoianAram & H. Ronnie HenesianAndy & Lori HillLouise JorjorianRichard & Carole JouroyanRobert KachadorianMabel KakligianRon KallanZephyr KalunianHarry & Joyce KamianHarvey & Janet KamianNelly & Arka KargodorianPatricia KeadjianCharles & Dorris KezerianAlice KoenigHagop & Sona KoujakianRobert & Lucine KroeckelIsabelle MagarianDon & Lisa ManoogianAlice MarashianMark MarkarianCharlotte MasgalajianJeffrey MasoianJoseph MatossianVirginia MazmanianEmma & Lida MazmanianMarian MickaelsKarnig & Silva MikaelianBill and Beverly NalbandianAntica OdabashianAlbert Odabashian

Elizabeth & Ron Ojakian

Andy & Cheryl PapazianHelen PiperisVirginia RatcliffLynn B. RossAlene RudyCarol & George RustigianEdward & Karen SarafianStephen SaroyanRichard & Judy SharafianMargaret SobajianKrikor & Caline SoghikianFrancis StevensRoger & Julie (Kulhanjian) StrauchFouad TabsharaniIsabelle TajirianFrederick TajirianCharles & Mary TateosianHagop TatoianAnnabelle TaylorDiana ToomajianEvelyn TregoningLucy TulanianSuzanne and Ed VasgerdsianHarry and Elizabeth WaltonMary WileyChris & Lucy YaldezianNorma YaglijianZaven Kanneian & Janet YeghissianDr. Edward & Sylva ManougianAmy & Vernon Hailozian

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

Milk Fund in Honor of Armine Ozan 90th birthday—Georgette DerGhazarian, Hermine Kouyoumdjian, Aylin Gulbenkian, Hike Kellejian, The Voice Newsletter—Elmer & Gloria KaprielianIn Honor of Ralph and Elise Kazanjian’s 50th Wedding Anniversary—Vartan and Arlene HovsepianChoir Robe Fund in Honor of Beverly & Bill Nalbandian for their years of service in the choir—Marie Hagopian

News From Our St. Vartan FamilyBaptism

On May 1, 2011 Fr. Hovel Ohanyan conducted baptismal ceremonies for Liana Marie Ring, daughter of William Ring and Maida Soghikian. Shahan Derek Soghikian served as godfather. The proud grandparents of Liana are Dr. Krikor Soghikian, Elisabeth Bicknell, Leon and Kathleen Ring.

Soliana Aberhat Mesfen was baptized by Fr. Hovel Ohanyan at St. Vartan Church on May 7, 2011. Soiana’s parents are Beniam Mesfen and Yodit Sebihatu. Her godfather is Benyam A. Tsige.

MarriageOn May 13, 2011 Fr. Hovel performed the sacrament of marriage for Lesha Roth and Brian

Sharafian. Lesha is the daughter of Duane and Nancy Roth, and Brian is the son of Richard and Judy Sharafian. Ben and Nathan Sharafian was the groom’s best man, and Auden Roth-Hinton served as maid of honor for the bride.

Betiel Ghebremariam and Nathnael Mael were married at St. Vartan Armenian Church on May 5, 2011. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan performed the ceremony.

In Memory† Florence Garabedian

Harvey & Nora Hanoian (Building Fund), Virginia Ratcliff (Ladies Society), Lucy Tulanian

† Mary ParoonagianHarvey & Nora Hanoian (Building Fund), Jack &

Lucille Dolab, Virginia Ratcliff (Ladies Society), Lucy Tulanian

† Masis GozurianLucy Tulanian

† Joseph Marashian (one year anniversary)Alice Marashian

ENDOWMENT FUNDIn Memory

† Florence GarabedianAlice Sarafian, Joseph & Anne Keshishian,

Kip & Caro Garabedian, Grace Izmirian, Pete & Pat Barsamian, Albert & Mae Kaljian,

Marian Mickaels, Thomas & Linda Pellario, Norma Yaglijian

† Mary ParoonagianMarian Mickaels, Norma Yaglijian

† Louis RodriguesDiana Toomajian, Ed & Suzanne Vasgerdsian

† Masis GozurianLida Alexanian

†Harry KeshishianJoseph & Ann Keshishian, Albert

& Mae Kaljian† Harry Shahinian

Armen & Evelyn Boyd

Mother’s Day Luncheon The St. Vartan Church Ladies Society hosted a delicious Mother’s Day Luncheon on May 5. After en-joying Argentinean beef salad, cheese beoreg and amaretto cake, everyone was entertained by the amazing footwork of Tango and More Argentine Dance, and a large variety of prizes were raffled.

We are on the web:

www.stvartanoakland.org

Congratulations Graduates! Daniel Madajian Hill will graduate Magna Cum Laude from UC San Diego on June 11 with degrees in Economics and Political Science, and a minor in Accounting. Daniel is the son of Andy and Lori Hill, and the grandson of Mike and Virginia Madajian.

Juliana Rose Combs is graduating from San Marin High School in Novato, CA. She will be attending UC Merced in the fall with an undeclared major in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Juliana is the daughter of Diane and Mark Combs, and the granddaugh-ter of Al and Mae Kaljian.

Lundin Cahill graduated from the University of Nevada Reno on Saturday, May 14, with a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Computer Security.

Potts Cahill graduated from Kaplan University on February 22, 2011, with a Master of Science in Higher Education.

Edward Michael Belfanti Jr. graduated with Honors and was awarded the degree of Bachelorof Arts in Mathematics from Boston University, Boston, MA. Michael is the recipient of thePaul J. Sally Jr. Distinguished Alumnus Prize in Mathematics, and has been elected to theBoston College Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. He will be attending the Ohio State University this fall, starting the Ph.D. program in Mathematics. Michael is the grandson of Harold and Bonnie Koojoolian, and the son of Ed and Teresa Belfanti of Plymouth, Minnesota.

Stephanie Dominguez received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. Stephanie is the daughter of Dana and Seza Dominguez and the granddaughter of ‘Medzmama’ Lena Avakian.

Gayane Kanneian, daughter of Janet Yeghissian and Zaven Kanneian, is graduating from Albany High School in June. She will be attending the Uni-

versity of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington in the fall. Gayanne has participated in Al-bany High choir for most of her high school years, and was Editor-in-Chief of the high school’s yearbook for 2011. As a member of St. Vartan Church, she has attended Sunday school regularly, been active in the ACYO, and a member of the St. Vartan Dance Ensemble for several years. Her family is proud of her accomplishments.

Alicia Harger, daughter of Rachel and Steve Harger, will graduate from Castro Valley High School on June 16, 2011. Alicia will be attending Concordia University in Irvine, CA this fall as a Presidential Honors Scholar and plans to major in behavioral science.

Arek Boloyan, son of Mike and Heghine Boloyan will graduate from El Cerrito High School on June 9 with a grade point average above 4.0. Arek was accepted into the Engineering Program at CalPoly San Luis Obispo for the fall semester.

Letters to St. Vartan ChurchDear Leaders of St. Vartan,

We wanted to let you know how happy we were to attend your Easter services this Sunday.Although we are members of St. Andrew, we were in your area for a family dinner. The community

spirit was obvious to us. But the choir and especially the violin music made us feel like we were at a prayerful concert.

Thank you for all your efforts, they were much appreciated by all of our family!Sincerely,Reuben and Vera Sarkissian

Enclosed please find a check for The Voice newsletter, which I enjoy very much. I feel St. Vartan my home church. Now I am at St. Apkar in Scottsdale, but my heart is still in Oakland,

Thank you for sending it to me. Good luck with all your doings.Love, Alice Koenig

St. Vartan Basketball Team UpdateThe St. Vartan Church High School Basketball team finished the season with a five win, two loss re-

cord in the Orthodox Youth Athletic Association (OYAA) which qualified the team for the play-offs the week-end of May 20-21.

Tuesday May 10 was our final game of the regular season, and what a game it was. The team traveled to San Jose for a 7 pm game against St. Nicholas Greek Church, a perennial powerhouse in their own right. The game started out as most games do, with the teams going back and forth, trying to establish themselves. Midway through the first half we pulled away with a 16-point lead, but saw it diminish to a 29-24 lead at halftime. In the second half we again pulled away, scoring 22 to their 11 points in a hard-fought 20 minutes to finish with a 51-35 win. The boys deserve a big congratulations, be-cause we lost to this same team by one point last year in a play-off game.

The boys had a great season and are now getting ready for the ACYO tournament in Fresno and for the Summer Games in June.

--Mike BoloyanAthletic Committee Chair

The 2011 St. Vartan High School Boys Basketball team in-cludes: Michael Avanesyan, Mazi Amiri, Arek Boloyan, Daron Boloyan, Sevag Jamgotchian, Connor King and Armen Minassian, with coach Mike Boloyan, Fr. Hovel and Richard Demirjian.

Madeline Michael Sharafian, daughter of Steven and Lisa Sharafian, granddaughter of Rich-ard and Judy Sharafian and David Millpointer, will graduate from Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California on June 10, 2011. After graduation Madeline will attend the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA (CalArts). She was accepted into the Character Animation program in the School of Film/Video.

His Holiness KAREKIN II Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians

His Holiness KAREKIN II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, was born in the village Voskehat, near Etchmiadzin, in 1951, and was given the baptismal name Ktrij.

He received his elementary education in his native village, subsequent to which, in 1965, he was admitted to the Kevorkian Theological Academy in Holy Etchmiadzin, where he graduated with dis-tinction. Upon graduation he taught New Testament Studies and was an assistant at the seminary. Having been ordained a deacon before his graduation, he was ordained a celibate priest in 1972 and was given the name Karekin.

Following his ordination to the Holy Priesthood, the late Catholicos Vazken I, of blessed memory, arranged for the young priest to pursue higher religious education at the local faculty of divinity in Vienna, Austria. In 1975, the future Catholicos served at the Church in Germany as a pastor, while continuing his theological studies at the University of Bonn. After four years in Germany, he returned to the Holy See, and was sent by Catholicos Vazken to Zagorsk, Russia, to pursue his studies at the doctoral fac-ulty of St. Serguey Monastery’s Academy of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Following his studies in Russia, His Holiness was appointed to be the assistant to the Vicar General of the Araratian Patriarchal Diocese in 1980. In April 1983, he became the Vicar General of the same diocese. In October of the same year, he was ordained a Bishop and in 1992, he was elevated to the rank of Archbishop. In 1990, he was a candidate to the Armenian legislature.

In 1989, Bishop Karekin Nersissian created the Vazkenian Seminary in Sevan to educate young men in religious stud-ies, completing a five-year course prior to the entrance to the Theological Academy at Holy Etchmiadzin, where they would study for one additional year. Additionally, through his efforts, the former Communist Pioneer Palaces were converted into church-sponsored youth centers for religious and artistic education of young men and women. In 1990, His Holiness created the Christian Education Center, which organized Christian education courses in 56 public and Sunday schools throughout the Diocese. In 1995, Archbishop Karekin Nersissian was a prime candidate in the Catholicossal Elections, but he withdrew his candidacy in favor of Catholicos Karekin I, of blessed memory. In 1998, the late Catholicos appointed him as Catholicossal Vicar General. Since 1990 he was a member of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Catholicosate of All Armenians. On Oc-tober 27, 1999, as a result of the closed secret ballot election held in the Cathedral of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Archbishop Karekin Nersissian was elected the 132nd Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians and was conse-crated on November 4, 1999.

Since his election, His Holiness has begun the difficult work of the restructuring and reorganization of internal church life, the revitalization of the theological seminaries of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, strengthening Christian education,and the reconstruction of churches and monasteries. Special emphasis has been placed on the preparation of a new generation of clergy to serve Armenian faithful throughout the world. During the first year of his pontificate, His Holiness founded the Theological-Armenological Center, named after His Holiness Karekin I, of blessed memory. It is currently housed in the Alex and Marie Manoogian Treasury-Museum of the Mother See. Clergy, intellectuals and artists have the opportunity to make use of the rich literary resources of the center. Shortly following his enthronement, His Holiness made his first pilgrimage to Jeru-salem to visit the Holy Shrines, Churches and places. During his stay, he presided over the Christmas celebrations in the Holy City.

His Holiness has paid pontifical visits to the Dioceses of the Armenian Church of Shirak and Artsakh (July and Sep-tember 2000), Western and Eastern Dioceses of the USA, Diocese of Canada (May 2001). During the pontifical visit to North America His Holiness presided over the di-ocesan festivities, dedicated to the 1700th Anniversary of Proclamation of Christianity as the National Religion of Armenia. During that period His Holiness had meetings with His Excellency George W. Bush, President of the United States of America, and Mr. Kofi Anan, Secretary-General of the United Nations. His Holiness was officially re-ceived in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate during his visit. To honor the 1700th Anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity, and to welcome His Holiness Karekin II to the United States, the House of Representatives passed a resolution (with the Senate concurring) on May 23, 2001. His Holiness has paid pontifical visits also to Austria (November 2001) and France (Dec. 2001). During the pontifical visit to France His Holiness had a meeting with His Excellency Jacques Chirac, President of France.

Placing importance on the fostering of ecumenical ties, His Holiness has paid visits to the sister churches and their heads, among them – the Russian Orthodox Church and her leader, His Holiness Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; the

Georgian Orthodox Church and her leader, His Holiness Ilia II, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia; the Romanian Orthodox Church and her leader, His Holiness Patriarch Teoctist; the Coptic Orthodox Church and her leader, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III; His Holiness Abuna Paulos, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church; the Roman Catholic Church and her leader, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, and His Holiness Patriarch Maxim, Head of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

On the occasion of the Armenian Pontiff’s visit to the Vatican (November 2000) during the solemn ecumenical cele-bration, Pope John Paul II returned to His Holiness Karekin II the relics of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the first Catholicos of the Armenian Church. The Armenian Pontiff and the Pope have signed a joint communiqué, in which the massacres of Arme-nians by the Turkish state and authorities in the early part of the 20th Century are characterized as genocide.

Among the representatives and heads of other religions, His Holiness has had meetings with Sheikh Tantawi of Al Azhar, Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt; and Sheikh Ul-Islam Allah-Shukur Pashazade, the Spiritual Leader of Moslems of the Caucasus. During the meeting of His Holiness Karekin II and Allah-Shukur Pashazade, (November 2000) held by the mediation of His Holiness Alexy II, a joint communiqué has been signed in favor of the peaceful resolution of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.In August 2000, His Holiness participated in the "Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders," held at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. He delivered an address to the assembly entitled “Towards Forgiveness and Reconciliation”.

Numerous newly built churches have been consecrated, foundations of new churches have been blessed, and recon-struction of historic monasteries and monastic complexes has been completed during the leadership of His Holiness. Among them are the Church of Holy Resurrection in Spitak; the Church of St. Sarkis in Nork District, Yerevan; the Church of St. Trdat in Vayk; the Church of St. Sarkis in Tashir; the Church of St. Anna in Malishka; the Chapel of St. Mary in Aghavnad-zor; the Church of Holy Savior in Charentsavan; the Church of St. Gregory of Narek in Alaverdi; the Church of St. Mesrob Mashtots in Kapan; the Church of St. Mary in Arinj; the Church of St. James (Hakop) in Gyumri; the bell tower of the dioce-san headquarters Church of St. Sarkis in Yerevan; the Church of Holy Resurrection in Dvin; the Church of St. Katharine in St. Petersburg; the Church of St. George in Mughni; the Monastic Complex of Saghmosavank (Monastery of Psalms); the Monas-tic Complex of Kecharis in Tsaghkadzor; the Church of St. Yeghishe in London; the Church of the Holy Cross in Aparan and the Monastic Complex of the village Marmashen. A new open-air altar bearing the name of the Armenian King Tiridat III and near it the new entrance to the Mother See bearing the name St. Gregory the Illuminator, were built on the grounds of the Mother See in celebration of 1700 Anniversary of the Proclamation of Christianity as the Official Religion of Armenia.

In September 23, 2002, His Holiness presided during the consecration ceremonies for the St. Gregory the Illuminator Mother Cathedral built in Yerevan on the occasion of the 1700th Anniversary of the Great Conversion of the Armenians. The Cathedral, which bears the stamp of three Armenian Pontiffs, is the largest Armenian Church in the world, dedicated to the memory of Saint Gregory the Illuminator, and a gift to the over 1 million people of the capital city of Yerevan. Also, in Sep-tember 2001, the activities surrounding the 1,700th Anniversary reached their peak when His Holiness blessed the Holy Chrism for the entire Armenian Church, which is used to consecrate churches, baptize infants, and ordain priests.

During the 1,700th Jubilee Year, one of the most important events was His Holiness’ pilgrimage to Der Zor, Syria, in April 2001. It was in this desert where countless numbers of Armenians perished as they were exiled out of the historic home-land during the Armenian Genocide. On April 24, Commemoration Day for the victims of the Armenian Genocide, His Holi-ness celebrated a solemn Divine Liturgy in the Church of Holy Martyrs.

In July 2001, His Holiness called upon Armenian youth from throughout the world to unite together in Holy Etchmi-adzin for a Youth Pilgrimage. Over 2,000 young men and women from within Armenia and the Diaspora participated in this historic event. Also in September, His Holiness was host to countless leaders of Christian Churches, who came to participate in the 1700th Anniversary activities. Among those who visited were His Holiness Baselios Mar Thomas Mathews II, Catholics of the East, Catholicos of the Apostolic Throne of St. Thomas and Malankara Metropolitan; His Beatitude Petros VII, Patri-arch of Alexandria and All Africa; His Holiness Teoctist I, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church; His Holiness Alexy II, Head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia; His Holiness Pope John Paul II, Patriarch of the West and Bishop of Rome, Head of the Roman Catholic Church; His All Holiness Bartholomew I, the Ecumenical Patri-arch of Constantinople, and Dr. George Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury and Head of the Anglican Church.

Among the most important and vital steps taken during the pontificate of His Holiness is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Gov-ernment of the Republic of Armenia and the Holy Armenian Church, in March 2000, which has become the basis of an agreement which clarifies and regulates the Church-State relationship. Within the framework of a memorandum, a Coop-erative Agreement on the spiritual service of the Armenian Church in the National Army of the Republic of Armenia was signed in September 2000, which estab-lished the field of spiritual service in the armed forces. And finally, a historic agreement between the Armenian Church and the Government of the Republic of

Continued on next page

ST VARTAN’S LADIES SOCIETY RUMMAGE SALESaturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24

We are accepting donations to the Rummage Sale. Call the church office for drop-off times.

We cannot accept the following items:No baby furniture/equipment including: playpens,

high chairs, Infant car seats, cribsNo electronics – tv’s, stereos, computers, printersNo clothing or shoesNo microwavesNo mattresses, box springs and bed pillowsNo batteries or light bulbsNo waterbeds, hide-a-bedsNo Venetian blinds or shuttersNo gas powered yard toolsNon-working electrical equipmentNo pianos & organs

We will gladly accept the following items.FurnitureKitchen appliances - except for microwavesKitchen utensils, including pots and pansDishesHousehold decorative items- including lamps BooksRecordsCD'sCameras ToysWomen's Accessories - belts, purses, jewelry, watches

St. Vartan Sunday School students recited the Lord’s Prayer in Armenian and English during Badarak to receive their Bibles on Sunday, May 15.

Armenia was signed in August 2002, stating that Armenian Church History will be taught in all public schools of the Republic.His Holiness Karekin II is a member of the Board of Trustees of the “Hayastan” All Armenian Fund, and an Honorary

Member of the Board of Directors of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU).His Holiness has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the State University of Artsakh. In September 2000, the

International Academy of Informatization in General Consultative Status with Economic and Social Council of the United Na-tions bestowed on His Holiness the title of “Active Member” of the above named Academy, and in May 2001, awarded His Holiness the Title of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). His Holiness has also been awarded the highest Insignia of Jordan “Bethlehem-2000” (January 2000); as well as the highest National Insignia of Romania - “Star of Romania” (September 2000); the Insignia of the Ukraine “Duke Yaroslav the Wise” of 5thdegree (2001), and the Order of Commander of the Legion of Honor of France (2001).

Proper Church Service Etiquette• Please turn off your cell phone in church!

• Please refrain from lighting candles during the priest’s sermon.

Save the Date

St. Vartan Armenian Church Annual Picnic 2011

Sunday, August 7, 2011 • Pleasant Hill Park • 11 am

Luleh kebab or chicken breast, rice palaf, salad, kids meal, games, fun, prizes.

Join us for church services at the park.

St. Vartan Church Wish List

Thanks to the generous donations of many of our parishioners over the last couple years, twelve new choir robes were purchased. We are proud of these robes, and proud too that our choir membership has increased in size! This project is ongoing until we reach the choir’s goal of twenty robes. The approximate cost of each robe is $150. If you would like to do-nate towards this goal, please send your donation to our church office and memo it to “Choir Robes”. If you have questions concerning this project, or if you are a seamstress willing to

assist with this project, please contact the Choir Director Beverly Nalbandian. Thank You.

St. Vartan ACYO Presents the Second Annual Hampartsman Or Celebration Lunch and Performances

On Sunday, June 5 at 12 noon following church service, St. Vartan ACYO will present the second an-nual Hampartsman Or celebration event, featuring a light $5.00 lunch and special Armenian cultural perform-ances. St. Vartan youth and adults will perform Armenian songs, dances, and poetry for the congregation, celebrating the tradition of Hampartsman Or. Capping off the event, fresh hadig will be served and the con-gregation will have the chance to receive their fortune before the end of the event!

Hampartsman Or is the feast day of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, which has been celebrated in the Armenian Church. Around the world Armenian communities have customs in which they celebrate this feast. Traditionally on this day in Armenia, ladies visit seven different houses in the village and gather flowers as well as water. They add the flowers to the water in the bucket and leave it under the moonlight for the night. The next day, they go up to the mountains and hills and read the fortunes.

Mother's Day Coffee Hour On Sunday May 8, St. Vartan ACYO hosted a delicious Mother's Day coffee hour in honor of the loving and caring moth-

ers of St. Vartan. The entire congre-gation enjoyed the coffee hour and fellowship. A big thank you to Liz Ojakian and Carol Chang for all of their efforts surrounding the impor-tant coffee hour. ACYO members also passed out wrapped chocolate chip cookies with a special message attached, to all of the mothers at church on Mother's Day 2011, as a reminder of how their love makes the world a sweeter place.

Vicky and Alex Shartzer enjoying the preparations for the ACYO's Mother's Day 2011 Coffee Hour.

St. Vartan Armenian Church Annual BazaarThe Bazaar Team is in full swing planning and coordinating the multitude of details associated

with the premier event of the East Bay. Yes, the St. Vartan 59th annual Bazaar. Save the dates: October 7 and 8. Consider being an early supporter of this effort by making one (or many) of our Wish List items come true:

Bazaar Wish List

Donation Donors EachTent 10 $250

Leg of Lamb 100 $40Case of Wine 10 $50

Case of Armenian Beer 12 $30Case of Tan 1 $65

Armenian Coffee 1 $30Kids Games Booth 5 $75

Garbage & Recycle Bins 20 $20

We appreciate your support. The Bazaar Team

Food Servers Needed for the BazaarIf you are at least 16 years old and interested in helping us serve our fabulous delicacies at this year's Annual Bazaar, October 7-8, please call Sandi Kezerian Capurro at 925-377-5900 or email her at scapurro@sbcglobal.net. Please specify which day you prefer. Any help is most appreciated!

Thank You!Sandi Capurro

Bazaar Workday Schedule

Wednesday, June 22 Large BeoregWednesday, June 29 Large Beoreg

Tuesday, July 12 KuftaWednesday, July 13 KuftaTuesday, July 19 Luleh (for Church Picnic)Wednesday, July 27 Small Beoreg

Wednesday, August 10 LulehThursday, August 18 Small BeoregTuesday, August 23 KuftaWednesday, August 24 Kufta

Wednesday, September 14 Small Beoreg

Everyone is welcome; no experience necessary. Workdays begin at 9:30 am. Please bring a dish to share for lunch following the workday.

On Holy Thursday, April 21, Fr. Hovel washed the feet of St. Vartan children, remem-bering Christ washing his disciples feet.

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Flag Day

Summer BeginsFather’s DayDivine Liturgy 10:30 am

Deacons Prayer Service 10 am

Hampartsman Or Celebration 12 noon

Divine Liturgy 10:30 amClub Hye Second Sunday

Morning Service 9:30 amDivine Liturgy 10 am

Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm

Ladies Society Luncheon noon

St. Vartan Church—June 2011

Ladies Society Luncheon June 9, 2011

Menu: Eggplant, squash and ground beef medley served over bulgur pilaf, salad and dessert

12:00 Noon—Church Hall$10 for lunch

Bazaar Workday Large Beoreg 9:30 am

Bazaar Workday Large Beoreg 9:30 am

Fr. Hovel will be on vacation from Friday, June 3 through Thursday, June 23.

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 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