Ս. Սարգիս Հայաստանեայց Առաքելական Եկեղեցի St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church 19300 Ford Road, Dearborn, MI 48128 The Illuminator Լուսաւորիչ Summer 2013 phone: (313) 336-6200, 6828 fax: (313) 336-4530 e-mail: [email protected] www.saintsarkis.org 1952 Over Half A Century Of Service 2013 248-626-7815 313-869-4100 Serving From Our New Facilities Simon Javizian Funeral Directors Wessels and Wilk Funeral Home 23690 Woodward Avenue (At I-696 Expressway) Pleasant Ridge, Michigan 48069 LARGE ON PREMISE PARKING LOT And Also Many Other Convenient Locations Information Table of Contents Page Pastor Information ……………………………………………. 1 Rev. Fr. Hrant Kevorkian 20901 W Glen Haven Circle Rev. Fr. Hrant’s Message ….…………………………... 3 Northville, MI 48167 Board of Trustees Corner ………………………………. 4 Cell: 857-318-9799 Ladies’ Guild Corner ………………………………….. 5 Office: 313-336-6828 Choir Corner …………………………………………….6 Email: [email protected] Fellowship Club ………………………………………. 7 [email protected] Sunday School ……………….………………………... 8 Transfiguration Vartavar……………………..……………9 . Office 2013 Graduates …………………………………………1…0 Phone: 313-336-6200 Golf & Tennis Classic……………………………………1…2 Fax: 313-336-4530 Sacraments ………………..….………………………... 1 3 Email: [email protected] Website: saintsarkis.org Grape Blessing Family Fun Picnic………………………1…4 Donations to the Church ………………………………. 1 6 In Lieu of Flower Donations ……………………………1. 7 Sunday Services Community News ……………...……………………….1 9 Morning Service - 10:00am Divine Liturgy - 10:45am Community Calendar …………………………………. 23 Armenian Language Corner……………………………..2. 4 Illuminator Committee Rita Dilanian May Kafafian Maureen Toukhanian Board of Trustees Members Karyn Chopjian [email protected] Please feel free to comment; Armen Derderian [email protected] we are always open for sugges- Nancy Gavoor [email protected] Michael Hagopian [email protected] tions and new ideas. Arnold Kourtjian [email protected] Charles Nalbandian [email protected] Friends of The Illuminator Alex Sarafian [email protected] We would like to begin a new pro- Sebouh Sarkissian [email protected] gram, “Friends of The Illuminator,” Greg Vartanian [email protected] which would enable us to continue to produce a quality parish newslet- ter and also add to the editorial con- tent. If you are pleased with the is- NRA Delegates sues of The Illuminator you have received so far this year, and would Toros Chopjian [email protected] like be a part of a supportive group, Jack Demirjian [email protected] please let us know. Your tax- Harry Derderian [email protected] deductible donation will be greatly Michael Hagopian [email protected] appreciated. Antranig Karadolian [email protected] Jerair Ourlian [email protected] Illuminator Staff Church Office Hours Monday - Thursday 10:00am – 3:00pm Friday by appointment Sacraments Please visit our website www.saintsarkis.org and call the church office to secure a date. Home Blessings Traditionally, home blessings are done twice a year after Christmas and after Easter. If you would like to schedule a home blessing at any time of the year, please contact the church office or Rev. Fr. Hrant directly. Requiem Services Please contact the church office before Noon on the Thursday prior to the service date. Hospital or Home Visits Please contact Rev. Fr. Hrant on his cell: 857-318-9799 What is Church membership? Why Church Fees do we have to be members? Members* Non-Members “For in the one Spirit we were all bap- Presenting a baby to the Church on the 40th day tized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13) and “Now you are the body of Church Donation Church Donation Christ and individually members of Clergy Honorarium Clergy Honorarium it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27). These two verses answer the questions above. The Baptism Church is the Body of Christ, and any- Prelacy $25 Prelacy $25 one who gets baptized at the Church be- Certificate Certificate comes a member of that Body of Christ. Church Donation Church $300 The Church becomes their place for Clergy Honorarium Clergy Honorarium spiritual growth and fulfillment. The Armenian Church is a National Deacon $50 Deacon $50 Church, which means the members have Wedding the right to voice their opinion and vote Prelacy $50 Prelacy $50 in any great decision of the church, as long as it doesn't interfere with the Certificate Certificate teachings of the Church. Church Donation Church $600 Clergy Honorarium Clergy Honorarium Why do we have to pay dues? Deacon $125 Deacon $125 “If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your mate- Organist $125 Organist $125 rial benefits?” (1 Corinthians 9:11). The Soloist $125 Soloist $125 Church with the Prelacy and the Cathol- Choir $200 Choir $200 icosate are institutions to serve the Ar- Funerals menian community. The dues we pay supports and insures their existence. On Church Donation Church $300 average, the annual dues of the church is Clergy Honorarium Clergy Honorarium one day’s pay of an individual. Deacon $100 Deacon $100 All the Church asks today is the Organist $100 Organist $100 active participation of the parishioners Hall Rental in church life. At the end, every member of the body (the church) is important. Cleaning Fee $250 Fee $1000 * both bride and groom, parents of the child to be baptized or the deceased must be a members in good standing. The Illuminator Summer 2013 HISTORY OF THE DIVINE LITURGY The Divine Liturgy is the "sacrament of all of the liturgies used in the Armenian Church prior sacraments," for nothing in the church can be to the fifth century. Until the beginning of the fifth achieved without communion with Christ. c e n tury, Armenians spoke Syriac, a dialect of Ara- The Divine Liturgy is called Sourp Badarak maic, in the liturgy. After the creation of the Arme- in Armenian, which means "Holy Sacrifice." In the nian alphabet, however, the Armenian Church fa- Old Testament, animals were sacrificed to God for thers translated from the Greek the Divine Liturgy the forgiveness and remission of the sins of people. of St. Basil the Great, bishop of Caesarea (A.D. Christ changed the meaning of sacrifice. Through 330-379); it is believed that this liturgy was cele- His crucifixion, He sacrificed Himself for our sal- brated prior to the Battle of Avarayr in A.D. 451. vation and redemption. Prior to His death, He Between the sixth and seventh centuries, four other called His disciples together and celebrated the liturgies were translated from Greek, attributed to Last Supper with them. When He blessed the table, St. Gregory of Nazianzus (A.D. 329-389). By the He took the bread and said: "Take, eat, this is my mid-10th century, one of these four had already Body." Then he took the cup of wine, and said: become the standard Badarak of the Armenian "Take, drink, this is my blood of the new cove- Church, while the other three and the liturgy of St. nant." Basil fell into disuse in the Armenian Church. The Therefore, the Sourp Badarak is the memo- Armenian liturgy took its final form between the rial of Christ. years 950 and 1177, and eventually took on a dis- tinctly Armenian character. . The early Christian church remembered Since the end of the 13th century, minor what Christ performed at the Last Supper: the changes and additions among the hymns and pray- breaking of bread, along with the reading of Scrip- ers have been introduced in the Badarak, the last tural passages. As the years progressed, new songs, addition being the well-known Der Voghormia hymns, and prayers were composed and incorpo- hymn, incorporated into the liturgy in the 18th cen- rated into a longer service. . tury. St. Gregory the Illuminator did not cele- brate the Divine Liturgy as we know it today. Un- To be continued... fortunately, there is no information about the nature Let’s learn!!! What are the parts of the Divine Liturgy (Badarak)? Preparation  Synaxis or Midday Service  Holy Sacrifice  Last Blessing  The Illuminator Summer 2013 BOARD OF TRUSTEES NEWS Communication Outdoor Maintenance The Board of Trustees has arranged for St. Due to the unusually rainy and cool start to Sarkis to have a Facebook page thanks to Ara summer, the concrete work and landscaping has Topouzian. Facebook users will have another way been postponed to the fall. to learn about church news and activities. Ara vol- unteered to keep the Facebook page current and to Baby Shower post pictures of all church activities. The church On Saturday, June 8, a community baby website will be updated with some minor enhance- shower was organized for Der Hrant and Yn. ments in the next month. Greg Nigosian volun- Tamar’s baby. It was sponsored by the church teered his website company to keep the church’s with the help and the participation of the commu- website up and running. We thank both Ara and nity. We thank all the volunteers who made the Greg for their service to the church. day a success. Housekeeping God Bless all of you, The boiler went through a complete maintenance check in a span of three days during Arnold Kourtjian, Chairman the summer shut down. Some minor issues were found. Electrical breaker boxes needed to be up- dated to OSHA standards, leaking valves were fixed, and defective gauges were replaced. Also, the original electric motor for the air handling unit for the hall burnt out and was replaced. We have replaced all copper plumbing and installed new toilets in the hall restrooms. During Phase II of our maintenance program we will replace two new sinks in the men’s restroom and paint the women’s restroom. The board has worked hard to stay on top of the day to day needs of our church, which includes repairs, new or replacement equipment, and nego- tiating better contracts. We hope to reach out to more parishioners to help us with projects that need attention. Please feel free to call me if you would like to help the church in some way. Board of Trustees Members Take Solemn Oath During the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 11th seven members of the Board of Trustees participated in the cere- mony and pledged to serve the Armenian Church. The service took place just before the sermon. The following text was read by the Board members: “I solemnly swear that I will faithfully carry out my duties and responsibilities as a member of the Board of Trustees and I will serve my church and congregation to the best of my abilities, so help me God.” The Illuminator Summer 2013 LADIES’ GUILD HAS A BUSY SUMMER of age. So, when you are sitting at home with nothing to do just get out of that chair and join us. Bakers come at 7am, 9am and anytime they can. We need people to clean, box, etc. Just an hour or two is a help. Call the church office to ver- ify that we are baking at 313-336-6200. Some say: “No one ever asks me.” We don't have everyone's information. This is your church community; just show up with a smile on your face. Soon enough we will have another group of women who work during the week. They will come on a Saturday to make baked goods we will sell at the bazaar. They have become a very important addition to the St. Sarkis Bakers. The Ladies’ Guild has been busy spear- heading the baking sessions for the St. Sarkis Bak- ers. We have had good crowds thanks to Fellow- ship Club members Lucy Gurganian and Cynthia Keshigian. Thank you to all Ladies’ Guild mem- bers and other church members who have helped by supplying lunches for the bakers. Thankfully, Mr. Art Kournoian has stepped forward once more to assist Sharon Broglin in the wee hours of the morning getting the dough prepared. At this time, I would like to say that you MUST GET YOUR RECIPE AND PHOTOS TO ME FOR THE COOKBOOK BY OCTOBER 31ST. Send them to Sharon Kehetian Broglin, 6553 Cortland Ave, Allen Park, MI 48101 or leave with Maureen at the church office. For info call Ladies’ Guild members Rose Gerjekian and Sharon at 313-383-2453. Rose Kehetian prepared a table of baked goods for the Blessing of the Grapes Picnic. They made a Thank you for all your support and, as always, con- fresh batch of choreg along with other donated sider joining the Ladies’ Guild. baked goods. We bake on Thursdays, and we have girls, Sharon Kehetian Broglin boys, men and women ranging from 6 to 100 years The Illuminator Summer 2013 CHOIR CORNER Q&A with Soseh Asadoorian, the youngest member of the choir Q) Could you please give a little infor- Q) Soseh, mation on your background? how has your ex- A) My mother is Dawn Asadoorian, I perience in the have an older sister Adi, and we are both choir made a dif- students at U of M Dearborn, majoring in ference in your communications. beliefs as well as your life? A) I feel the Q) How long have you been a member hymns make me of the St. Sarkis choir? Did you attend St. feel more con- Sarkis Sunday School? nected with our A) I graduated from our Sunday faith and church, School; after that I joined the choir. and it makes me proud to be a small part of the service. Q) I understand you are the youngest member of the choir. What was the motiva- Q) Would you encourage your peers to tion for singing in the choir? join the choir and why? A) I wanted to continue to be an active A) Yes, of course, I would. By being part of our church; therefore by joining the involved it not only gives you the feeling of choir it enabled me to do that. It was the being part of a great faith, but a community logical next step. as well. When you’re in the choir it gives you a place to go on Sundays, where you can make new friends and share our faith. Q) Do you belong to any other choral groups; have you been in your school vocal programs? Do you play a musical instru- Q) I always ask this of every member of ment or have you studied vocal music? the choir. If you could do anything which A) I do not have any musical training, would improve the choir, what would you but I enjoy singing very much. do? What steps would you take to achieve those goals? A) I would try to get more young peo- Q) Since your involvement in the choir, ple to join and teach them the solos, maybe what have you learned about our church give them the sheet music to take home and service, which you were not aware of be- learn the hymns. Once they have learned fore? them, let them have the opportunity to do A) the solos during one of the services. I’ve learned that the service is very intricate and technical, that each person who serves on the altar, as well as the choir Thank you Soseh for your answers to these ques- and the organist have an important part to tions. As someone who was in choir member at the make the service come to life. Being in the same age you are today, I hope your experience choir gives you a different feeling than sit- will be one which will live with you your entire life. ting with the congregation. Illuminator Staff The Illuminator Summer 2013 FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES The St. Sarkis Fellow- ship Club was really busy the last few months with several events that took place. At our Fellowship meet- ing of June 2, we were hon- ored to have Architect Arthur Kalajian give us a presentation on church designs and architec- ture. Kalajian gave an interest- ing display of church designs, both traditional and modern, and showed the club how they can be different from each oth- er, nevertheless can still be combined to feature On August 16 club members got together both approaches. He demonstrated how the narthex and skewered kabobs in preparation for the church is important to not only church entrances but also picnic. 200 pounds of chicken and 200 pounds of to other sections of the structure. The flow of pa- beef were happily skewered for the St. Sarkis An- rishioners to different areas of the church configu- nual Grape Blessing Picnic that was held two days ration is considered very important in the design. later. In some sense the task was a lot of effort, but He showed members new materials that can be uti- the volunteers who helped had a great time doing lized to not only enhance the beauty and interior it. Conversations continued on from what was lighting of churches but also to make them more missed from the club picnic and surprisingly the structurally sound. members even had a good time. After making 1100 After the presentation ended, Kalajian an- skewers of meat and chicken, the members had swered questions from the members. It turned out dinner together solving even more problems of the to be an interesting topic for everyone at the meet- world. ing. Less than a week after the church picnic, On July 17 the club had its annual picnic. the club had another activity that took them to the Twenty-six members attended the festivities at the DIA. A bus took them from St. Sarkis to the DIA Rotary Park in Livonia enjoying the companion- where they first enjoyed some refreshments. After ship of meeting together and catching up on events partaking in the food and drink, the members had a and what's going on. Thanks to the diligent work personal tour of the institute where they could ask efforts of George and Rose Mouradian, Charley questions about what they were seeing and hearing. and Alice Noorian, and Lucy Gurganian the picnic The tour guide was very knowledgeable and very included plenty of delicious food. Members had gracious in responding to our inquiries. After the their choice of an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, tour members had an opportunity to go back and hamburgers, bratwurst, baked ham and beans, sal- visit art work that they found more interesting or ad, and ice cold watermelon that everyone really visit other sections of the institute. All in all, mem- enjoyed. All the members were more than satis- bers had a great time. fied. We can thank George Gurganian for making All St. Sarkis parishioners and friends are the arrangements at the park. Members lucked out encouraged to attend and join the Fellowship Club on the weather as it was a little too warm on the by contacting Randy or Sharon Broglin at 313-383- hot side and somewhat threatening. But the hardy 2453. Members have a great time when they get members took it all in stride having a great time. together. Everyone helped in laying out and distributing the food. by George Mouradian The Illuminator Summer 2013 SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS other games. All learning and activities were very well received by the students, and they all were engaged and enthusiastic participants. We wish to thank the following people for their generous financial support, which made the retreat possible: The Board of Trustees Michael and Laurie Haroutunian Tommy and Silva Gerjekian Yn. Tamar Kevorkian Raffi and Seran Tcholakian Mike and Carolyn Crane June 17 and 18, eighteen Sunday School Anthony and Roupina Carman students, grades 7 through 10, attended an over- Paul Changelian night religious retreat at Colombiere Retreat Center In addition, the Sunday School students and in Clarkston, MI. Activities began on Monday, faculty wish to thank the Board of Trustees for sup- with students meeting at a local restaurant for porting this wonderful opportunity for our teenag- lunch and fellowship. Following lunch, students ers. According to the comments by students and were transported to the facility to begin their two their parents, it was informative and inspirational, days of lectures. Der Hrant opened the retreat with prayer, and led the students in some welcoming and ice- breaking games. Students participated in Bible study, attended several lectures, prepared skits re- lated to lecture topics, and learned sharagans in order to participate in the evening and morning chapel services. and brought our children not only to a closer walk with God, but also to a closer relationship with their own church, their pastor, their teachers and each other. We all, students and teachers alike, eagerly anticipate next year’s retreat, as well as other similar events in the future. Sunday School will begin on Sunday, Sep- tember 15 at 10:30am To kick off the new school year, please join us at our 2nd annual Family Fun Der Hrant led Bible study on 1) The Bread Night, on Saturday, September 14, for good food, of Life, and 2) Spiritual Gifts, One Body, Many entertainment, and family fun! Admission is free – Parts. donations will be accepted to support the purchase Lectures presented by Roupina Carman, of a new Armenian Church curriculum. We are Mike Crane, Carolyn Sirian, Laurie Haroutunian, very anxious to begin using these materials to aid and Diane Changelian were on the topics of Bully- in the teaching of the faith, traditions and rituals of ing, Using God-given Talents, Virtues and Seven the Armenian Apostolic Church. Deadly Sins, and the Parts of the Badarak. Hope to see you there! In addition to their studies, students enjoyed Diane Changelian a volleyball tournament, swimming, a bonfire and