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.