Entries by stjohn

DEATH OF PATRIARCH HOVHANNES GOLOD

Hovhannes Baghishetsi (Golod), Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, was one of the pioneers of Western Armenian renaissance with his religious, public, and cultural activities. He was born in the village of Khoghts, in Baghesh (Bitlis), in 1678. He was called Golod because of his short height. He received his educate in the university of the monastery of Amerdol, and after graduation, in 1689 he was ordained celibate priest. He became a member of the congregation of the monastery of …

POON PAREGENTAN 2024 OBSERVED AT ST. JOHN’S IN MILWAUKEE

St. John Armenian Church of Milwaukee, WI, in observance of the Great Lent, held a Poon Paregentan festivity after today’s divine liturgy. The fun included a luncheon shared by the church members as well as a shish kebob dinner treated by Drs. Russ and Sue Kashian. Children activities were organized by the Sunday School.

POON PAREGENTAN

Poon Paregentan, similar to Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday,” occurs on the Sunday before the Great Lent (Medz Bahk) in preparation for Easter. We celebrate Poon Paregentan (meaning vitality or the good life), which leads us into the longest season of fasting, known as the Great Lent. The Sunday prior to this great feast is when we remember the Good Life in paradise prior to Adam and Eve’s expulsion…

WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE!

Our world is filled with uncertainties beyond our control. Throughout history, wars, economic downturns, and pandemics have been a constant in human existence. Christians turn to the Holy Scriptures for guidance in these uncertain times. A poignant story from the Soviet era vividly illustrates this faith. On November 15, 1982, Victoria Petrovna stood solemnly before the coffin of Brezhnev, who had presided over an atheistic regime. As soldiers moved to seal the coffin for transport to the mausoleum, Brezhnev’s wife unexpectedly made the sign of the cross over his chest. In the heart of the Kremlin,

ST. LEON AND HIS COMPANIONS

Today, as we remember St. Leon (Ghevont), the priest, and his companions, we are reminded of the profound sacrifice and unwavering faith that have shaped our history and sustained our Armenian spirit through the ages. St. Ghevont’s life and actions during the Vartanantz war stand as a beacon of courage and divine commitment, illuminating the path of righteousness for all of us, especially those called to serve in the priesthood.

ORDINATION OF PRIESTS AT ST. GREGORY THE ILLUMINATOR MOTHER CHURCH IN YEREVAN

On February 4, 2024, an ordination service took place at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Church of Yerevan under the presidency of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians. During the Divine Liturgy, the celebrant, His Grace Bishop Oshagan ordained consecrated 11 deacons with Holy Chrism (Muron), and named them as follows. Dn. Artak Ghevondyan was renamed Father Komitas; Dn. Davit Hayrapetyan was renamed Father Vardan; Dn. Davit Hayrapetyan was…

VARTANANTS: FROM AVARAYR TO NVARSAG

Every year, on the Thursday preceding the Great Lent, Armenians throughout the world celebrate Vartanants Day in commemoration of one of their most heroic struggles. It was a war of human rights between Zoroastrian Persia and Christian Armenia in the year 451. The cause was freedom of conscience, freedom of religion. In 387, Armenia came under the control of the then-two superpowers: the Byzantine and Persian empires. The Persian Empire had ambitions for world domination. It wanted …

PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2024

On Thursday, January 25, 2024, Diocesan Primate Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan welcomed distinguished faith leaders from throughout New York City to gather in prayer. “It was a night that not only celebrated the diversity and unity of our Christian faith but also marked a significant milestone in the journey of the Armenian Church in America — the 125th anniversary of its establishment.”, Bishop Mesrop wrote on his Facebook page. He continued “I am deeply grateful to all who joined us, …

ՏԱՐԵԿԱՆ ԱՆԴԱՄԱԿԱՆ ԺՈՂՈՎ՝ 2024

Կիրակի, Յունուար 28, 2024, յաւարտ Ս․ Պատարագի, տեղի ունեցաւ Միլուօքիի Ս․ Յովհաննէս Մկրտիչ Հայց․ Առաք․ եկեղեցւոյ Տարեկան Անդամական Ժողովը, մասնակցութեամբ Նիւթաբարոյական Տնտեսներու (Stewards)աւելի քան 90 տոկոս համեմատութեամբ։ Տարեկան Անդամական ժողովին, համաձայն Առաջնորդարանիս Ծրագիր-Կանոնագրին, իրենց 2023 տարուայ գործունէութեանց տեղեկագրութիւնները ներկայացուցին եկեղեցւոյս հոգեւոր հովիւն ու ծխական խորհուրդը, Թեմական Պատգամաւորը եւ եկեղեցւոյս յարակից մարմինները։

COOKING WITH JUSTIN

Justin Aprahamian, a winner of the James Beard Award and owner of the prestigious Sanford’s Restaurant in Milwaukee, treated some 40 members and friends of St. John Armenian Church of Milwaukee were to a culinary class. Justin demonstrated the preparation of Armenian Spiced Pumpkin Soup adorned with toasted pumpkin seeds and caramelized pumpkin. He fastidiously explained the importance of taking the time to layer the ingredients to create the rich flavors embodied in the soup.