Rev. Fr. Hovel Ohanyan November, 2013

The Messiah is One of You

There is a story, perhaps a myth. Typical of mythic stories, it has many

versions. Also typical, the source of the version I am about to tell is obscure. I

cannot remember whether I heard it or read it, or where or when. Furthermore, I

do not even know the distortions I myself have made in it. All I know for cer-

tain is that this version came to me with a title. It is called “The Rabbi’s Gift”.

The story concerns a monastery that had fallen upon hard times. Once a

great order, as a result of waves of anti-monastic persecution in the seventeenth

and eighteenth centuries and the rise of secularism in the nineteenth, all its

branch houses were lost and it had become decimated to the extent that there

were only five monks left in the decaying mother house: the abbot and four oth-

ers, all over seventy in age. Clearly it was a dying order.

In the deep woods surrounding the monastery there was a little hut that a

rabbi from a nearby town occasionally used for a hermitage. Through their

many years of prayer and contemplation the old monks had become a bit psy-

chic, so they could always sense when the rabbi was in his hermitage. “The rab-

bi is in the woods, the rabbi is in the woods again,” they would whisper to each

other. As he agonized over the imminent death of his order, it occurred to the

abbot at one such time to visit the hermitage and ask the rabbi if by some possi-

ble chance he could offer any advise that might save the monastery.

The rabbi welcomed the abbot at his hut. But when the abbot explained

the purpose of his visit, the rabbi could only commiserate with him. “I know

how it is,” he exclaimed. “The spirit has gone out of the people. It is the same

in my town. Almost no one comes to the synagogue anymore.” So the old abbot

and the old rabbi wept together. Then they read parts of the Torah and quietly

spoke of deep things. The time came when the abbot had to leave. They em-

braced each other. “It has been a wonderful thing that we should meet after all

these years,” the abbot said, “but I have still failed in my purpose for coming

here. Is there nothing you can tell me, no piece of advice that you can give me

that would help me save my dying order?”

“No, I am sorry,” the rabbi responded. “I have no advice to give. The

only thing I can tell you is that the Messiah is one of you.”

When the abbot returned to the monastery his fellow monks gathered

around him to ask, “Well, what did the rabbi say?”

“He couldn’t help,” the abbot answered. “We just wept and read the To-

rah together. The only thing he did say, just as I was leaving—it was something

cryptic—was that the Messiah is one of us. I don’t know what he meant.”

In the days and weeks and months that followed, the old monks pon-

dered this and wondered whether there was any possible significance of the

Bible Readings

Nov. 3 Luke 8:17-21

Nov. 10 Luke 8:49-57

Nov. 17 Luke 9:44-50

Nov. 24 Luke 12:13-31

Psalm 95:1-2

"O come, let us sing unto

the LORD: let us make a

joyful noise to the rock of

our salvation. Let us come

before his presence with

thanksgiving, and make a

joyful noise unto him with

psalms.

rabbi’s words. The Messiah is one of us? Could he possibly have meant one of us monks here at the monas-

tery? If that’s the case, which one? Do you suppose he meant the abbot? Yes, if he meant anyone, he probably

meant Father Abbot. He has been our leader for more than a generation. On the other hand, he might have

meant Brother Thomas. Certainly Brother Thomas is a holy man. Everyone knows that Thomas is a man of

light. Certainly he could not have meant Brother Elred! Elred gets crotchety at times. But come to think of it,

even though he is a thorn in peoples’ sides, when you look back on it, Elred is virtually always right. Often

very right. Maybe the rabbi did mean Brother Elred. But surely not brother Phillip. Phillip is so passive, a real

nobody. But then, almost mysteriously, he has a gift for somehow always being there when you need him. He

just magically appears by your side. Maybe Phillip is the Messiah. Of course the rabbi didn’t mean me. He

couldn’t possibly have meant me. I’m just an ordinary person. Yet supposing he did? Suppose I am the Messi-

ah? O God, not me. I couldn’t be that much for You, could I?

As they contemplated in this manner, the old monks began to treat each other with extraordinary re-

spect on the off chance that one among them might be the Messiah. And on the off, off chance that each monk

himself might be the Messiah, they began to treat themselves with extraordinary respect.

Because the forest in which it was situated was beautiful, it so happened that people still occasionally

came to visit the monastery to picnic on its tiny lawn, to wan-

der along some of its paths, even now and then to go into the

dilapidated chapel to meditate. As they did so, without even

being conscious of it, they sensed this aura of extraordinary

respect that now began to surround the five old monks and

seemed to radiate out from them and permeate the atmos-

phere of the place. There was something strangely attractive,

even compelling, about it. Hardly knowing why, they began

to come back to the monastery more frequently to picnic, to

play, to pray. They began to bring their friends to show them

this special place. And their friends brought their friends.

Then it happened that some of the younger men who

came to visit the monastery started to talk more and more

with the old monks. After a while one asked if he could join

them. Then another. And another. So within a few years the

monastery had once again become a thriving order and,

thanks to the rabbi’s gift, a vibrant center of light and spiritu-

ality in the realm.

Fr. Hovel and Fr. Mesrop meet with Catholic Bishop and Vicar General On October 1, in an inaugural lunch meeting,

Bishop Michael Barber, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of

Oakland and Vicar General Fr. George Mockel met with

two clergymen of the Armenian Church in the San Fran-

cisco Bay Area, Fr. Hovel Ohanyan, Pastor of St. Vartan

Oakland, and Fr. Mesrop Ash, Pastor of St. John San

Francisco.

The lively discussion focused on ways to work

together in various areas of Christian Ministry. They dis-

cussed issues ranging from the strife facing Christian

communities in the middle east, particularly in civil-war

torn Syria, to the upcoming 100th Anniversary of the Ar-

menian Genocide in 2015. Bishop Barber embraced his

guests and prayed for the mission of the Armenian

Church. The priests of the Armenian Church offered to

stand proud with the Catholic Diocese of Oakland in promoting important issues of common Christian cause.

St. Vartan Church Parish Council gratefully acknowledges the following donations: Bazaar Donations

Leg of lamb—Stephen Sarafian and Marisa Atamian-Sarafian, Anoush and Javier Rodriguez, Armen

and Nayree Phelps, Nora and Raffi Gregorian, Virginia Ratcliff, Alene Rudy, Hermine Keshishyan, Marlene

Tolegian, Hagop and Sonik Hakimian

Donation to cover Sarma/Yalanchi expenses for 2013 bazaar in memory of Margaret Sherinian-

anonymous

Fifty pounds of pistachios—Barry and Judy Toomajian

Wine—Harvey and Nora Hanoian

Armenian Beer—Harvey and Janet Kamian, Elizabeth Barsamian, Mary Ann Sievers

Education Fund—Fimi Schulze

In Honor of Jack Bedoian’s 75th Birthday—Vartan and Arlene Hovsepian

Yughakin—Varoujan Hailozian

Get Well Wishes for Carol Rustigian and Diana Toomajian—Harry and Carol Dokouzian

News From Our St. Vartan Family

Birth Announcement

Bartev and Amanda Avakian announce the birth of their son, Tigran Stark Avakian, on August 26,

2013. Tigran was born 6 lbs, 13 oz and 19 inches long.

Rayna and Kevin Toomajian announce the birth of their daughter, Olivia Toomajian,

on October 13, 2013 at 7 lbs 15 oz and 20 inches long. Olivia’s grandparents are Judy and

Barry Toomajian and Debo and Ed Bockholt and great-grandmothers are Diana Toomajian

and Rosina Bockholt.

Baptism

On October 12 at St. Vartan Church Fr. Hovel performed the sacrament of Holy Baptism

for Logan John Spicer. Logan’s parents are Nathan and Andrea Spicer. Michael Jackson served

as the child’s Godfather and Rauna Akbar as Godmother. Grandparents are Cheryl Spicer and

Ada Jackson.

Condolences

Funeral Services were held for Robert Malkassian at St. Vartan Church on Oc-

tober 16, 2013, with Fr. Mesrop Ash conducting the service. Our deepest sympathy to his son R. Pat-

rick Malkassian, his daughter in-law, Elizabeth Nalbandian Malkassian, his two granddaughters, So-

fia and Alexandria, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Nalbandian, Louise Nalbandian, and his many cousins and

dear friends.

In Memory

† Oscar, John and Louis Shaterian

Patricia Shaterian-Rossi

ENDOWMENT FUND

In Memory

†Flora Nazen Saroyan Aramian

Antica Saroyan Odabashian

Holiday Food Drive As in previous years, St. Vartan Church is sponsoring a food drive for the Alameda County Communi-

ty Food Bank. The Holiday Food Drive will take place during the months of November and December 2013.

The food bank combats hunger locally, serving 1 in 6 county resi-

dents. Please bring your healthy non-perishable food donation to

church and place it in the red bin located in the Church Hall entry-

way. Let’s turn our gratitude for the blessings God has given us toward

providing for those less fortunate.

Dessert Booth Thank you!! Thank you, to all the wonderful bak-

ers in our parish. I was overwhelmed by the

generosity of all the donated baked goods,

the khadaiff – cream and nut, khoorabia,

paklava, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, Russian

teacakes, napoleons and more. Thank you to

those who made monetary donations, as

well.

I greatly appreciated those who

signed up to work a shift or two and those

who volunteered on the spot on Thursday,

Friday and Saturday to help in the booth or

with the preparation of baked goods. We

received many compliments on the tasty

treats that lined the counters. Lastly, thank

you to those who came to baking days to

make the Apple Delights, Khadaiff’s &

more.

This was a team effort.

Janet Yeghissian

Ladies Luncheon

Thursday, November 14

at 12:00 noon

Special Project:

Making Christmas Cards

for Military Personnel

2013 Bazaar Raffle Prize Winners The Oaklander—Mr. & Mrs. John Ohanesian

(One Night stay at the Waterfront Hotel in Jack London Square, Two tickets to concert at Paramount Theater,

$100 gift certificate to Lungomare restaurant in Jack London Square)

The Trifecta—George Shakkour

(Autographed jersey of Golden State Warrior, David Lee, Two Oakland Raiders tickets, two SF 49er tickets)

Berkeley Staycation—Ed Sarafian

(One night stay Double Tree by Hilton Berkeley Marina, Two tickets to a show at Aurora Theater Company,

$150 facial at Sonia’s Beauty and Body Salon)

Jewels on the Green - Ara Kaprielian

(Complimentary round of golf for four with 1/2 carts at Lake Chabot Golf Course, Four VIP tickets: The Art

of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita & Bryon at DeYoung Museum)

The Rock and The Grape - Violet Piplica

(Two tickets on Alcatraz Cruises, Wine tasting and pinot noir bottle from Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma)

Young At Heart - Craig Bazigian

(Four admission tickets to Oakland Museum of California, Four admission tickets to Children’s Fairyland)

Ingredients….For Life - Ed Sarafian

($100 gift certificate to Safeway, Two tickets to Savor Oakland, walking food tours)

The Jack London - Mike Gutierez

($50 gift certificate to Forge restaurant in Jack London Square, Two hour kayak or stand-up paddleboard

rental for two at CA Canoe & Kayak)

San Francisco 49er Tickets - Mr. and Mrs. John Ohanesian

San Francisco 49er Tickets - Mike Gutierez

$5,000 Cash Prize Winner - Diana Toomajian

Please keep St. Vartan Armenian Church updated with your correct address and phone number.

Send any new information to stvartanoakland@aol.com or call the church office at 510-893-1671.

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THE DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS FOR

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL BAZAAR!

As a first year member of the Parish Council, I was asked to help with the Bazaar. Up to this point my

only exposure to the Bazaar was as a guest enjoying the great food, meeting with friends, and dancing the

night away. This year I learned first-hand what it means to organize an event of this magnitude. I can say

with great certainty that the Bazaar cannot happen without the participation of ALL the dedicated volunteers

that invest countless hours in preparing and executing this two day event.

On behalf of Der Hovel, the Parish Council, Zaven Kanneian, and I, we want to express our most sin-

cere gratitude to all our volunteers for their hard work to make the St. Vartan Bazaar a success. We would

like to name each of you individually but unfortunately, we would monopolize the entire newsletter. So in-

stead, we will thank each of you by recognizing the leader(s) of your sub-committee as follows:

o Advisor – Liz Ojakian

o Treasurer – Anto Cingoz & Sako Soghomonian

o Admission Booth – Don Manoogian

o Food Preparation - Suzanne Vasgerdsian, Sylvia Gozurian, Harry Sherinian & Ladies Society

o Food Line & Servers - Patti Rosenthal

o Khanoot & Take Out - Arlene Hovsepian & Nora Hanoian

o Hye Café – Cingoz Families

o Dessert Booth - Janet Yeghissian & Sunday School

o Cafe and Bar – Sevag Kevranian

o Cashiers – Greg Mazmanian

o Raffle – Kim Bardakian, Jim Taylor & Lisa Ouzunian

o Public Relations & Advertising – Kim Bardakian

o Bazaar Book & Layout – Anto Cingoz & Nicole Vasgerdsian

o Graphic Artwork – Nicole Vasgerdsian

o Bar-B-Que - Bob Kezerian

o Carnival Games – Marie Hagopian, Tanya & Sevan Jindoian & ACYO

o Prize Booth – Marie Hagopian

o Table Bussing – Judy & Barry Toomajian

o Entertainment/Musicians & Armenian Dancers – Dan Eshoo, Henesian Family, Hasmig

Gregorian/St. Vartan Dance Ensemble

o Lighting and Decorations - Annette Kevranian, Method 42

o Grandma’s Attic - Lida Mazmanian & Emma Mazmanian

o Armenian Goods Booth - Nicole Vasgerdsian & Zaven Kanneian

o Set Up & Tear Down – Jack Papazian & All Participants

o Event Cleaning and Maintenance - Wartkes Hagopian

o Program - Nicole Vasgerdsian & Rachel Harger

o Our Vendor Partners

Most importantly, Zaven and I want to share how proud we are to be part of a community that sup-

ports one another and works together with great humility to care for this annual tradition which has become a

part of our culture. We were moved to see how hard each of our volunteers worked. It motivated us to do our

very best and provide as much support as we could. Finally, working with all of you was a very rewarding

and a fun experience for us. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

Harout Hagopian & Zaven Kanneian

Voice Newsletter Deadline

November 15, 2012

"Special Thank You"

from Don Manoogian to all the people that worked

the Admissions Booth

St. Vartan Church 61st

Annual Bazaar

My Dear Faithful,

Our 61st Annual Bazaar, Armenian Food Festival is over. Once again I would like to bring the appreciation and the

gratitude of my heart to the members of the Bazaar Committee, co-chaired by Zaven Kanneian and Harout Hagopian, all

the members of our Ladies Society, Parish Council, Cultural Committee, ACYO, Sunday School, countless

individual volunteers, elders and youth for their humble and priceless service to God and to the blessed family of our St.

Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church.

Your great and hard work is the best evidence of your strong faith and your unlimited love to your Church and Commu-

nity. Through your humble service you are making the future of this Church and community stronger and more active.

May the blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you forever!!!

Prayerfully, Fr. Hovel Ohanyan

The Bishops' Synod of the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church Commences

at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin From September 24 through 27, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, His Holiness Karekin II, Su-

preme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of

Cilicia, presided over the opening of the Bishop’s Synod of the Armenian Church. Present at the meeting were

62 Archbishops and Bishops from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Great House of Cilicia. On 24

September, following the Morning services in the Mother Cathedral, the Bishops Synod of the Armenian

Church opened in the Gevorkian Seminary Events Center Auditorium.

Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President of the Republic of Armenia, greeted the Bishops during the opening cer-

emony of the meeting. His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians; and His

Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, delivered their messages to the Synod mem-

bers. His Eminence Archbishop Aram Ateshyan, Patriarchal Vicar

of Constantinople, also gave opening remarks during the Bishops

Synod.

At the conclusion of the opening service, the following

chancellery of the Synod was established: His Eminence Archbish-

op Khajag Barsamyan and His Eminence Archbishop Oshakan

Choloyan were appointed to serve as co-chairman; and His Emi-

nence Archbishop Narek Alemezyan and His Eminence Archbish-

op Arshak Kachatryan were appointed to serve as secretaries. Fol-

lowing the assignment of administrative duties, the Synod agenda

items were approved. On September 24, the Synod discussed the re

-establishment of the tradition of canonization in the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church, and specifically fo-

cused on the issue of canonization of the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Co-Chairmen of the Sainthood

Committee, His Eminence Archbishop Sepuh Sargsyan, and His Eminence Archbishop Yeznik Petrosyan, pre-

sented reports on the results of the works and study concerning this issue. Following lengthy discussion by the

Synod on the reports concerning the canonization of the Armenian Genocide victims, the Synod made the fol-

lowing decisions: The collective canonization of the victims of the Armenian Genocide was adopted in princi-

ple, and the Sainthood Committee was assigned the task of continuing to study the individual and collective

canonization of the victims, for presentation and approval at the next meeting. The Sainthood Committee was

also assigned the task of reviewing the canon and ritual of canonization, for presentation and approval at the

next meeting.

On September 25 and 26, the Synod members discussed the works of the Liturgical Committee on the

sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. The reports were presented

by Co-Chairman His Eminence Archbishop Arshak Kachatryan; and committee members His Grace Bishop

Mikael Ajapahyan and His Grace Bishop Vahan Hovhannisyan. At the conclusion of intensive discussions, the

Synod accepted the uniform text for the Services of Baptism and Chrismation. In the next session, the report

on canonical issues of the sacrament of the Holy Baptism and the moral-instructive guidelines of Holy Bap-

tism were the topic of discussion. The Liturgical Committee was assigned to further continue their work on

those issues. Also discussed was the language of Armenian Church services and other issues, and it was noted

that additional study was required. The sessions of September 27 were devoted to the modern challenges fac-

ing the Armenian Church. His Eminence Archbishop Oshakan Choloyan and His Grace Bishop Bagrat

Galstanyan presented reports on the matter. Discussing the challenges on the liturgical and religious instruction

life of the Church and its educational and social mission, as well as the problems of the preservation of the Ar-

menian identity, the Synod members noted those to be of predominant priority and decided to include them in

the agenda of the upcoming Synod meetings. Reviewing the results of the Bishops Synod, they also expressed

concern for the social, economic, national, and regional and various other challenges and problems present in

the church and civil life of our nation. As a solution to those challenges and problems, as their service to the

Armenian Apostolic Church, the Bishops decided to establish a foundation for supporting the disadvantaged

children of Armenia, Cilicia and Armenians in Syria, with the blessings of the Catholicos of All Armenians

Karekin II, and Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I. Initially two million USD was provided for

launching the foundation and a special committee was created for organizing the mission of the foundation. At

the conclusion of the Synod, the Bishops happily reflected on the pro-

ductive outcome of the meeting and also expressed their appreciation

to His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All

Armenians; and His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House

of Cilicia, for the opportunity of uniting under the roof of the Mother

See in brotherly love. The Synod members remarked on the im-

portance of regularly convening the Bishops’ Synod for addressing the

various challenges that the Armenian Apostolic Church presently face,

and the problems concerning the Armenian people. This will also help

in adjusting the viewpoints and approaches of the Armenian Church

on those matters. The next Bishops’ Synod is scheduled to be convened in autumn of 2014. The Catholicos of

All Armenians and the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia closed the Synod with their blessings, offering

appreciation and prayers.

ACYO Busy with Scavenger Hunt, Bazaar and Regional Meeting Last month ACYO participated in the first ever GARS

AMAZING RACE, a large scavenger hunt that took place throughout

Walnut Creek. Our ACYO was well represented and came in third

place.

October 4 and 5, as we all know, was the 61st Annual Bazaar,

Armenian Food Festival and ACYO had all new exciting games for

the youth this year. Everyone had a great time and we received great

feedback from parents who said their kids had a blast.

The Northern Regional meeting of the ACYO-WD took place

at our very own St. Vartan Armenian Apostolic Church on September

21. In attendance were ACYO members from both St. John and St.

Vartan as well as Der Mesrop Ash and Der Hovel Ohanyan. We dis-

cussed what our chapters have done throughout the year and what we have

planned for the months to come. After our meeting we had lunch and so-

cialized with each other at a nearby restaurant in Piedmont.

The Post Office

A little boy was waiting for his mother to come out of the grocery store. As he waited, he was ap-

proached by a man who asked, "Son, can you tell me where the post office is?"

The little boy replied, "Sure, just go straight down the street a couple of blocks and turn to your right."

The man thanked the boy kindly and said, "I'm the new pastor in town, and I'd like for you to come to

church on Sunday. I'll show you how to get to Heaven."

The little boy replied with a chuckle, "Awww, come on; you don't even know the way to the post of-

fice!"

The Story of Thanksgiving Most stories of Thanksgiving history start with the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the Native

Americans that took place in the autumn of 1621. Although they did have a three-day feast in celebration of a

good harvest, and the local natives did participate, this "first thanksgiving" was not a holiday, simply a gather-

ing. There is little evidence that this feast of thanks led directly to our modern Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Thanksgiving can, however, be traced back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln became the first president to proclaim

Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever since.

However, since most school children are taught that the first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 with the

Pilgrims and Indians, let us take a closer look at just what took place leading up to that event, and then what

happened in the centuries afterward that finally gave us our modern Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrims who sailed to this country aboard the Mayflower were originally members of the English

Separatist Church (a Puritan sect). They had earlier fled their home in England and sailed to Holland to escape

religious persecution. There, they enjoyed more religious tolerance, but they eventually became disenchanted

with the Dutch way of life, thinking it ungodly. Seeking a better life, the Separatists negotiated with a London

stock company to finance a pilgrimage to America. Most of those making the trip aboard the Mayflower were

non-Separatists, but were hired to protect the company's interests. Only about one-third of the original colo-

nists were Separatists.

The Pilgrims set ground at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. Their first winter was devastating.

At the beginning of the following fall, they had lost 46 of the original 102 who sailed on the Mayflower. But

the harvest of 1621 was a bountiful one. And the remaining colonists decided to celebrate with a feast - includ-

ing 91 natives who had helped the Pilgrims survive their first year. It is believed that the Pilgrims would not

have made it through the year without the help of the natives. The feast was more of a traditional English har-

vest festival than a true "thanksgiving" observance. It lasted three days.

Governor William Bradford sent "four men fowling" after wild ducks and geese. It is not certain that

wild turkey was part of their feast. However, it is certain that they had venison. The term "turkey" was used by

the Pilgrims to mean any sort of wild fowl.

Another modern staple at almost every Thanksgiving table is pumpkin pie. But it is unlikely that the

first feast included that treat. The supply of flour had been long diminished, so there was no bread or pastries

of any kind. However, they did eat boiled pumpkin, and they produced a type of fried bread from their corn

crop. There was also no milk, cider, potatoes, or butter. There was no domestic cattle for dairy products, and

the newly-discovered potato was still considered by many Europeans to be poisonous. But the feast did in-

clude fish, berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, venison, and plums.

This "thanksgiving" feast was not repeated the following year. Many years passed before the event was

repeated. It wasn't until June of 1676 that another day of thanksgiving was proclaimed. On June 20 of that year

the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts, held a meeting to determine how best to express thanks

for the good fortune that had seen their community securely established. By unanimous vote they instructed

Edward Rawson, the clerk, to proclaim June 29 as a day of thanksgiving. George Washington proclaimed a

National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, although some were opposed to it. There was discord among the colo-

nies, many feeling the hardships of a few pilgrims did not warrant a national holiday. And later, President

Thomas Jefferson opposed the idea of having a day of thanksgiving.

It was Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, whose efforts eventually led to what we recog-

nize as Thanksgiving. Hale wrote many editorials championing her cause in her Boston Ladies' Mag-

azine, and later, in Godey's Lady's Book. Finally, after a 40-year campaign of writing editorials and

letters to governors and presidents, Hale's obsession became a reality when, in 1863, President

Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was proclaimed by every president after Lincoln. The date was

changed a couple of times, most recently by Franklin Roosevelt, who set it up one week

to the next-to-last Thursday in order to create a longer Christmas shopping season. Pub-

lic uproar against this decision caused the president to move Thanksgiving back to its

original date two years later. And in 1941, Thanksgiving was finally sanc-

tioned by Congress as a legal holiday, as the fourth Thursday in November.

Christmas Greetings You can send a Christmas Greeting in the December issue of the Voice Newsletter. E-

mail or call the church office at stvartanoakland@aol.com or 510-893-1671 before November

15, 2013 to place your greeting. This is a great opportunity to send Christmas well-wishes to all

of your friends at St. Vartan Church, while supporting the Voice Newsletter.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3Daylight Savings Time ends Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Sunday School 10:30 am

4 5 Armenian Language Class 7 pm

6 7 8 9

10 Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Sunday School 10:30 am

11 12 Armenian Language Class 7 pm

13 Parish Council Meeting 6:30 pm

14 Ladies Society Luncheon 12:00 noon

15 16

17 Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Sunday School 10:30 am

18 19 Armenian Language Class 7 pm

20 21 22 23

24 Morning Service 10 am Divine Liturgy & Sunday School 10:30 am

25 26 Armenian Language Class 7 pm

27 28 Thanksgiving

29 ACYO Convention in LA

30 ACYO Convention in LA

ST. VARTAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 2013

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: Don Manoogian Choir Director: Beverly Nalbandian

Organist: Ida Mazmanian, A. Rodriguez ACYO Chair: Sevan Jindoian

Sunday School Superintendent: John Eknoian and Janet Yeghissian Ladies Society Chair: Lisa Manoogian

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.