The community of St. Sarkis Church celebrated the Feast of the Nativity and Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ, following the traditions of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Christmas Eve services took place on Sunday, January 5, 2025, and included vespers, the reading of sacred Scripture passages, and the Divine Liturgy. Father Nareg delivered a short sermon based on the verse from the Prophet Isaiah: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). He emphasized that we gather in anticipation of the birth of the Light—Jesus, the Light of the World—who brings us hope, peace, and salvation. He encouraged the congregants to embrace their faith and be a light to others as they lit their candles at the conclusion of the Christmas Eve services.

On Sunday, January 5, our community came together for our Christmas Eve celebration, or the Eve of the Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Our festivities began with a delicious luncheon followed by our annual Christmas Hantes presented by The Suzanne and Hovsep Hagopian Saturday School.   

CHRISTMAS DONATIONS

$2,000
Dr. David Avakian

$1,500
Mrs. Negdar Arukian
ARF Armen Garo Gomideh

$1,000
Mr. & Mrs. Karl & Alice Alajajian
Mr. & Mrs. Yeprem & Madeleine Nazarian

$750
Mr. Alexander Chmelev
Piranian Family

$660
Drs. Bagdid & Ani Baghdassarian

$500
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy & Arda Costello

$300
Mr. & Mrs. Setrag & Annie Kazandjian
Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes & Alice Savadjian

$250
Dr. & Mrs. Armand & Janet Asarian
Dr. & Mrs. Kevork & Diane Boyadjian
Mr. & Mrs. Alfonso & Diana Cava
Mr. & Mrs. Haig & Laura Giragosian

$200
Mr. & Mrs. Antranik & Marion Boudakian
Dr. & Mrs. Louis & Elenne Najarian
Mr. & Mrs. Varujan & Luiza Kalustian
Mrs. Anahid Kassabian
Mr. & Mrs. Leon & Aline Kassabian
Ms. Mary & Ms. Dorothy Papazian

$150
Ms. Charlette Hamamgian
Ms. Elina Kazan
Ms. Nelly Tokatlian
Mr. & Mrs. Mourad & Virginia Voskinarian

$100
Mr. & Mrs. Berdj & Hilda Agopian
Mr. & Mrs. Arman & Aida Alpian
Anonymous
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. Ghevont & Lydia Baghdassarian
Mrs. Emma Baklajian
Mr. Michael Chookasezian
Mrs. Gail D’Onofrio
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth & Suzy Graham
Mr. & Mrs. Edmund & Tamara Gregorian
Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Zabel Hatem
Mrs. Lynn & Ms. Marissa Jamie
Mr. & Mrs. Dickran & Liza Kabarajian
Mrs. Dirouhie Kasparian
Mr. & Mrs. Berj & Lucy Kazanjian
Mr. & Mrs. Melkon & Sirvard Krikorian
Mrs. Anita Masoian
Mrs. Haikouhi Megerian
Dr. & Mrs. Louis & Elenne Najarian
Mr. Varouj Oghali
Mrs. Elizabeth Ohannessian
Ms. Aida Ounjian
Ms. Diana Pogosyan
Mrs. Siran Saroyan
Mr. & Mrs. Garo & Sofi Seoylemezian
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Soci Simonian
Ms. Arshaluis Tahan
Ms. Rose Tanielian
Mr. & Mrs. Richard & Deanna Tonino
Mr. & Mrs. Wilson & Narine Tooma
Mr. & Mrs. Kirkor & Arpine Urganciyan
Ms. Pegri Varjabedian
Mrs. Nayda Voskerijian
Mrs. Lorig Yekhpairian

$75
Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Carol Moschovitis
Mrs. Susan Azarian

$70
Mr. & Mrs. Garabed & Chagane Eramian

$50
Anonymous
Ms. Arlene Ayrandjian
Ms. Araxie Bakalian
Mr. & Mrs. Noubar & Sevan Basmadjian
Mr. Gregory Boudakian
Mr. Ara Chekmayan
Ms. Verginia Garabedian
Mr. & Mrs. Aris & Dalita Haigian
Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Zabel Hatem
Mrs. Aida Jamgocian
Mr. & Mrs. Garabed & Mari Julfaian
Mr. & Mrs. Zaven &  Varsenik Sarafian
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Sandy Shamlian

$40 and Under
Ms. Neiri Amirian
Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Arpi Bekian
Mr. Jirair Dersarkissian
Mr. & Mrs. Agop & Armine Nercesian
Mrs. Vartuhi Parseghian
Mrs. Seta Shishmanian
Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes & Chake Vartanian
Mr. Charles Varadian
Ms. Asdghig Wassef

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

We extend our deep appreciation and heartfelt thanks for your generosity and
continued support of St. Sarkis Church.

$500
Drs.  Daniel & Stacey Kubikian
Mr. Ted Mangassarian

$250
Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Joyce Baghdassarian
Mr. & Mrs. Ghevont & Lydia Baghdassarian
Mr. & Mrs. Berdj & Maria Benlian
Mr. & Mrs. Ara & Carmen Marangosian

$200
Dr. & Mrs. Armen & Osanna Ovsepian
Mr. & Mrs. Gary & Mary Tacorian

$150
Mrs. Arevig Caprielian
Mr. Levon Manoukian

$100
Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Nadia Aprahamian
Mr. & Mrs. Takvor & Siranoush Arsenian
Drs. Haroutiun Avedissian & Astra Garjarian
Dr.  Albert Ayvazyan
Ms. Nazeli De Blasio
Ms. Theresa Dakessian
Ms. Charlotte Ermoian
Dr. Jacques Gulekjian
Ms. Daniela Hachadurian
Mrs. Isabella Holmquist
Ms. Diruhi Isnar
Mrs. Dirouhie Kasparian
Mrs. Narsis Kasparian
Mr. & Mrs. Setrag & Annie Kazandjian
Mr. & Mrs. Souren & Dalita Khatchadourian
Ms. Sona Kludjian
Mr. & Mrs. David & Isabel Kubikian, Esq.
Mr. & Mrs. Haroutun & Sona Mikaelian
Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis & Maral Minassian
Mrs. Seta Nalbandian
Mr. & Mrs. Chahe & Theodora Nercessian
Mr. & Mrs. Ohan & Rita Ohanian
Mr. Areg Pogosyan
Mr. Edward Shamlian
Mr. & Mrs. Sinan & Angele Sinanian
Mr. & Mrs. Nichan & Christine Tchorbajian
Dr. Ara Tekian
Mr. & Mrs. Wilson & Narine Tooma
Mr. & Mrs. Mourad & Virginia Voskinarian
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick & Simona Yaghdjian
Mr. & Mrs. Alex & Arda Yemenidjian
Mr. & Mrs. Gaydzag & Dzovig Zetlian

$75
Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Zabel Hatem

$50
Mr. & Mrs. Aris & Anita Alpian
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Silva Baghdadlian
Mrs. Emma Baklajian
Ms. Rosine Bedrosian
Ms. Valentine Berberian
Mr. & Mrs. Leon & Sheny Bobelian
Mrs. Aghavni Bodriguian
Mr. Levon Chorbajian
Ms. Julia & Ms. Annie Eretzian
Mrs. Ossana Ferejian
Mr. & Mrs. Arsen & Karine Garabedian
Mr. & Mrs. Berc & Narcisse Gokberg
Mr. & Mrs. Haig & Hripsime Hatchikian
Mr. & Mrs. Shaun & Christine Hogan
Mr. & Mrs. Serge & Elizabeth Hugasian
Drs. Nurhan Helvacian & Celeste Telfeyan
Mrs. Irene Igitian
Mr. Gary Kallem
Mr. & Mrs. Sarkis & Alice Kazandjian
Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Mary-Jo Kevorkian
Mr. & Mrs. Alexander & Vesna Markarian
Mrs. Anita Masoian
Ms. Rosette Megerdichian
Mr. & Mrs. Harry & Juliette Milian
Mr. & Mrs. Haroutune & Arpi Misserlian
Mrs. Elizabeth Ohannessian
Mr. & Mrs. Henry & Elizabeth Roubian
Mr. & Mrs. Zaven & Varsenik Sarafian
Mrs. Siran Saroyan
Mr. Zarmair Setrakian
Mr. & Mrs. Kevork & Hayasdan Soghomonian
Mr. & Mrs. Giragos and Sossi Turbendian
Mr. & Mrs. Haig & Janet Varjabedian
Ms. Pegri Varjabedian
Ms. Asghik Movsessian Wassef
Mr. & Mrs. Antranig & Marie Yacoubian

$40 & Under
Mr. & Mrs. Fernando & Loreta Acebedo
Mrs. Adele Aghazadian
Mr. & Mrs. Rupen & Julyet Altan
Mr. & Mrs. Rafi & Seta Arsenian
Mrs. Negdar Arukian
Ms. Arlene Ayrandjian
Ms. Araxie Bakalian
Mr. & Mrs. Jack & Aida Dadian
Ms. Rita Davidian
Ms. Dench Dominik
Ms. Gail D’Onofrio
Mr. & Mrs. Mardiros & Maria Ebrimian
Mr. & Mrs. Garabed & Chagane Eramian
Mrs. Yester Garabedian
Mrs. Karoun Jamoussian
Ms. Harriet Janesian
Mrs. Meni Jilavyan
Mrs. Shakeh Kadehjian
Ms. Hripsi Kasparian
Dr. Gregory Kazandjian
Mr. & Mrs. Hagop & Ruth Koroghlian
Mr. & Mrs. Kricor & Janette Marcarian
Mr. John Mardirossian
Mr. & Mrs. Hratch & Shoushanick Massoyan
Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Carol Moschovitis
Ms. Vartuhi Parseghian
Ms. Rose Rybay
Ms. Hasmik Sahakian
Mr. & Mrs. Levon & Sandy Shamlian
Mr. & Mrs. Marc & Marguerite Tarjan
Mr. & Mrs. Nigol & Taline Turbendian
Mr. Nurhan Utuciyan
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Azadouhi Vartanian
Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes & Chake Vartanian
Mrs. Lorig Yekhpairian
Mr. & Mrs. Mesrob & Leslie Zadoian

FEAST OF THE NAMING OF OUR LORD
Monday, January 13, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Naming of our Lord Jesus Christ, in accordance with the Hebrew tradition. The commemoration of this event (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:30-32; Luke 2:21) comes seven days after the Feast of the Nativity (the eighth day of the octave of Nativity). This event of the naming and circumcision of our Lord is the basis for the tradition of baptizing children eight days after birth-a tradition that is rarely followed now. "After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." (Luke 2:21)

BIRTH OF ST. JOHN THE FORERUNNER; "GIVING LIGHT TO THOSE WHO SIT IN DARKNESS..."
On Tuesday, January 14, the Armenian Church commemorates the Feast of the Birth of St. John the Forerunner (also known as St. John the Baptist). The elderly couple Zechariah and Elizabeth welcomed with great joy the birth of their son who they named John just as the angel Gabriel had instructed. Neighbors and relatives, who had gathered to celebrate the birth of this special child, pondered about his future asking, "What then will this child become?"

Having gained his voice after months of silence, Zechariah said, "And you, child will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:76-79)

 "Hasten to our help from on high, Saint John, apostle and prophet and forerunner and baptizer of the Son of God and intercede for us before Christ. O Saint John, self-devoted priest, offer our supplications to Christ the High Priest who was crucified on the cross that he may grant forgiveness to us who celebrate your memory. O Saint John, intercede to Christ for us."

-Nenejian, Khatchadourian, and Ardzivian families request requiem service for the soul of their beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, Mr. BOGHOS NENEJIAN (37th-year memorial service).

-Mrs. Marrieta Gabrelian, Ms. Natalie Gabrelian, Mr. Vicken Demirjian, and Mrs. Sirvart Demirjian request requiem service for the soul of their beloved husband, father, and loved one, MR. SEBUH HENRY GABRELIAN (5th-year memorial service). Also, for the souls of all deceased members of the GABRELIAN and SAYADIAN families.

-Mr. Aram Sarkissian, Ms. Anahahid Sarkissian, Mr. Zareh Sarkissian, Ms. Nairy Sarkissian, and Ms. Margaret Sarkissian request requiem service for the soul of their beloved son, brother, and nephew Mr. VAHE SARKISSIAN (2nd-year memorial service).

The Ladies Guild fellowship hour will be held in Pagoumian Hall and is hosted by:
-Mrs. Maria Ebrimian
-Mrs. Yvette Fiesel
-Mrs. Artemis Zobian
-Mrs. Siran Saroyan

Friday, January 17, 2025: Salt & Light Youth Group
Saturday, February 8, 2025: Valentine's Day Dinner Dance with Elie Berberian and his Band
Friday, February 14, 2025: Salt & Light Youth Group
Friday, March 14, 2025: Salt & Light Youth Group
Sunday, March 16, 2025: General Membership Meeting
Friday, April 11, 2025: Salt & Light Youth Group
Friday, May 2, 2025: Salt & Light Youth Group