E-Sunday Bulletin of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church

38-65 234th. St. Douglaston, NY, 11363

Sunday, 10/25/2026

ԳԻՒՏ Ս. ԽԱՉԻ - DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS

Sunday Readings:

Wisdom 14:1-8; Isaiah 33:22-34:1; 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; Matthew 24:27-36

Join us in worship this Sunday.

Morning Service 10:00 AM

Divine Liturgy 10:45 AM - Sermon 11:45 AM

Մասնակցեցէք Ս. Պատարագին՝

Առաւօտեան Ժամերգութիւն 10։00

Ս. Պատարագ 10։45- Քարոզ 11։45

Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor

We are grateful to witness continued growth in our worshipping community. Average Sunday Badarak attendance has increased by 41% year-to-date in 2026, compared to the 2025 median attendance of 83. This is a clear sign of renewed participation in the spiritual life of our parish.

On Sunday, October 18, 2026, 133 faithful gathered for worship. Join the growing number of members of our parish family who each week bring a friend, bring a family member.

We warmly invite everyone to join us each Sunday at St. Sarkis Church to experience the beauty of the Badarak and the strength of our faith community.🙏

On Sunday, October 18, 2026, St. Sarkis Church held a special requiem service for its benefactors and devoted departed members. We especially remembered Mr. and Mrs. Hovsep and Suzanne Hagopian. Mrs. Suzanne Hagopian left an incredible legacy to the youth of our church by securing their spiritual home. She entrusted her wealth to our church and secured our parish’s future. Our Saturday language school is rightly named after her and her husband. 

This past Sunday was also Family Badarak Day. It’s a day when we encourage families to come together to worship. We encourage all auxiliaries and sister organizations to join in the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. During church service we had the older members of our Saturday School read the scripture passages and assist the ushers in their duties. 



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On Sunday, October 18, St. Sarkis Church welcomed Stephan H. Tchorbajian, P.E., for another fascinating and enlightening presentation entitled “Krapar: Modern Stories from 1,500 Years Ago.”

Through a delightful collection of anecdotes, humorous fables, and historical writings, Stephan brought to life the richness and timeless beauty of Krapar, the classical Armenian literary language. From entertaining tales filled with wit and wisdom to the remarkable correspondence between King Abgar and Jesus Christ, as recorded by the great Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi, the presentation demonstrated how stories written centuries ago remain surprisingly relatable and meaningful today.

Perhaps the most inspiring takeaway was Stephan's demonstration that Krapar is not nearly as inaccessible as many of us imagine. With a basic understanding of its structure and the key differences between Krapar and modern Western Armenian, we can begin to read, understand, and appreciate these literary treasures for ourselves.

The presentation was a wonderful reminder that our Armenian language is more than a means of communication—it is a living connection to our history, faith, culture, and identity.

This special gathering was also a beautiful and meaningful way to pay tribute to the late Mrs. Suzanne Hagopian, a cherished benefactor of St. Sarkis Church and its Saturday School, whose enduring legacy was her unwavering commitment to sustaining our Armenian faith, language, and culture. Through her generosity and devotion, she helped ensure that future generations of St. Sarkis parishioners would remain connected to their Armenian heritage through our beautiful language and faith. Stephan's presentation was a fitting reflection of the very values she held dear and worked so passionately to preserve.



We extend our heartfelt thanks to Stephan Tchorbajian for sharing his knowledge and passion, and for inspiring us to rediscover the extraordinary literary heritage preserved in our beautiful Armenian language. May Mrs. Hagopian's legacy continue to inspire us to cherish, preserve, and pass on these priceless treasures to generations yet to come.

On Friday, October 16, 2026, we gathered for the second session of the Salt & Light Youth Ministry program, titled “Seeing with Christ’s Eyes.”

Sixty-five youth and ten facilitators came together for dinner before moving into their breakout sessions. The theme scripture was taken from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke (6:17, 20–26), where Jesus gives the blessings and the woes — a striking passage that challenges our thinking and our understanding of both scripture and our own lives. The youth shared their experiences and examined their mindsets as they worked to understand what Jesus was truly teaching through these words.

After the breakout sessions, the youth and facilitators gathered together in the sanctuary, where Fr. Nareg spoke about how to reflect meaningfully on anything in our lives, emphasizing the importance of silence — especially in a holy place like the church.



As always, we concluded the session with dessert. We now look forward with joy to the Salt & Light annual retreat, taking place Saturday and Sunday, November 7–8.

Sages of Ages is back in full swing! On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, over 45 participants gathered in Pagoumian Hall to kick off a new season of our monthly social gatherings. After a summer hiatus, there was a lot of catching up to do!

Our seniors enjoyed chatting, coffee/cookies and sharing pictures and stories of the highlights from their summer. A new game of Armenian Trivia was introduced to the crowd, which resulted in friendly competition, fun facts and mind engaging exercise.

A quick “hot potato” game followed on the tables with fun Halloween prizes. The fun wouldn’t be complete without the ultimate crowd pleaser… Bingo! and the lovely Autumn themed prizes for the Bingo winners. A delicious lunch was prepared by Mrs. Evelyn Nenejian in memory of her loved ones, followed by an array of desserts to complete the meal.

Der Nareg graciously joined us in blessing the table. All in all it was a wonderful day. Please join us at our next gathering on Wednesday, November 18. Looking forward to it!

Have you ever been so busy doing good things that you forgot to make time for what matters most?

For years, I convinced myself that I was too busy to pray. Between family, church, counseling, and studies, something always demanded my attention. But eventually, I realized that busyness was only part of the story. Beneath it was a spiritual emptiness that my occasional prayers no longer seemed to satisfy.

Recently, I rediscovered something precious: an old Jamakirk, the Armenian Book of Hours, that belonged to my paternal grandmother. She had given it to me when I entered the seminary. I hadn't opened it in decades.
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Are you truly free? Not simply free to make choices, but free from the habits, fears, and desires that quietly control your life?

This question is at the heart of my recent sermon, inspired by Jesus’ first sermon in Nazareth (Luke 4:14–23) and St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians (Galatians 4:3–18).

When Jesus stood in the synagogue and proclaimed, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,” He announced something extraordinary: God's promise of liberation was becoming reality. But what does that freedom mean for us today?

St. Paul reminds us that through Christ, we are no longer slaves but God's children. We are invited to call God Abba, Father—a relationship defined not by fear, but by intimacy, trust, and love.

Yet we must ask ourselves: Are we living as free children of God, or have we become enslaved by our habits, distractions, resentments, and desires?

Paul asks the Galatians another penetrating question: “What has become of the blessing you felt?” In other words, what happened to your joy?

Spiritual joy rarely disappears overnight. It gradually fades when we neglect the practices that nourish our relationship with God.

Luke tells us that Jesus attended the synagogue on the Sabbath “as was his custom.” Even Jesus maintained a rhythm of worship.

Our spiritual lives also require consistency. Church is not a supermarket where we occasionally collect something spiritual. It is a sacred space of encounter, where worship, prayer, and the sacraments gradually transform us.

Freedom in Christ is not merely freedom from something. It is freedom for something: a life of love, joy, and communion with God.

In this sermon, I invite you to examine what controls your life, rediscover your spiritual joy, and reconsider the transformative power of showing up for worship.

Perhaps the freedom you seek begins with returning to God.

Watch the full sermon and reflect: What happened to your joy?

Awakened is a new video podcast created by Archpriest Fr. Nareg Terterian to meet our community at the intersection of real life, deep questions, and spiritual renewal.

 Drawing from pastoral encounters, the wisdom and practices of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and the vision of 2026 as the Year of the Revitalization of Spiritual Life, this series creates a safe and thoughtful space to explore faith as a way of life, not just a Sunday activity.

Awakened is an invitation to dig deeper, re-engage intentionally, and nurture a living spirituality within the sacred rhythm of the Church and everyday life.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Khachkar Studios (Charles & Agnes Kazarian Foundation) for the generous grants totaling $46,567.00 in 2026 in support of the mission and ministries of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. Their partnership and commitment to our community help make our faith-based programming and outreach possible.

AVA SAMANTHA CURIALE, the daughter of  Mr. & Mrs. Matthew & Sesil  Curiale, was baptized on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Her Godparents were Mr. Christopher Diktas & Ms. Maya Berman. May the Grace of the Holy Spirit always be with Ava.

MR. RUBEN AVAKOV passed on Monday, October 11, 2026.  We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

FEAST OF THE DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS

This Sunday, October 25, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Discovery of the Holy Cross (Kyud Khachi). Empress Helena, mother of Constantine and a devout Christian, wanted to visit the Holy Land and explore the sites Christ had walked centuries ago. She went to Golgotha (Calvary), which had become an obscure and neglected place. According to some chronicles, it was an informed Jew named Juda who pointed out the location. At her instruction, workers excavated the site, and three wooden crosses were found. Which one was the True Cross? The three crosses were successively placed on the body of a youth who had just died. When one of the crosses was placed on him, the young man came back to life. This was determined to be the True Cross. The commemoration of this event takes place on the Seventh Sunday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 

The cross is a great source of pride for Armenians, and they have created beautiful works of art using the cross. What once was a means of punishment and death, became a symbol of salvation and victory. 

“After the marvelous vision which the empress had, she began to search in Jerusalem for the precious wood of the cross on which the Messiah had been crucified. At her awesome command the Jews assembled and pointed out to her the precious wood of the cross which the Creator of creatures had ascended. The discovery of the holy cross in the holy place was accompanied by the spread of fragrance and the universe was filled with great gifts.” 

ԳԻՒՏ Ս. ԽԱՉԻ - DISCOVERY OF THE HOLY CROSS

Sunday Readings:

Wisdom 14:1-8; Isaiah 33:22-34:1; 1 Corinthians 1:18-24; Matthew 24:27-36

The Ladies Guild fellowship hour will be held in the Main Hall and is hosted by:

Mrs. Madlen Hazarian

Mrs. Katia Tavitian

Mrs. Liza Kabarajian 

Mrs. Argine Wanessian

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

We gratefully acknowledge the receipt of your generous donation to St. Sarkis Church.

Your continuous support of St. Sarkis Church is sincerely appreciated. It is because of dedicated individuals like you, that our church continues its spiritual mission and service.

May God bless you for your kindness and reward you abundantly.

Prayerfully,

Rev. Fr. Nareg Terterian, Pastor &

Board of Trustees

NY Hamazkayin Nor Yeraz Dance Ensemble Celebrates Its Third Anniversary with Exciting Growth – Follow us on Instagram NY_Nor_Yeraz

Since its inception on October 27, 2023, the NY Hamazkayin Nor Yeraz Dance Ensemble has continued to grow, bringing Armenian culture, music, dance, and tradition to a new generation. As Nor Yeraz approaches its third anniversary, we are proud to celebrate the ensemble’s remarkable growth and look forward to another exciting year.

One of our most exciting developments has been the growth of our younger group, which now includes more than 35 dancers ages 8 to 13. Our older group welcomes dancers ages 13 to 26, giving young Armenians the opportunity to remain connected to their culture as they grow.

The younger group practices most Fridays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., followed by the older group from 8:15 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Complimentary Tuition for All Nor Yeraz Dancers

Thanks to an exceptionally generous donation from the Armenian Cultural Association of New York, tuition is completely complimentary for every Nor Yeraz dancer this year.

This support allows us to make Armenian dance accessible to all who wish to participate. In return, we ask our dancers for commitment—to attend practices consistently, learn the choreography, and be dedicated members of their group.

Nor Yeraz is fortunate to be led by two talented instructors, Maria Nercessian Bechirian and Avedis Khachatryan.

Maria was an instructor with the original Yeraz Dance Group alongside the late Karnig Nercessian, creating a special connection to the legacy of Armenian dance in our community. Avedis studied ballet at the Dance University of Yerevan and performed with Yerevan’s Opera and Ballet Theater. Together, they bring exceptional experience, passion, and dedication while serving as mentors and role models for our dancers.

Three Years of Performances and Special Appearances

In just three years, Nor Yeraz has had the privilege of performing throughout the Armenian community and beyond. Highlights include:

• AYF Hyortik 100th Anniversary Gala Banquet – 2024
• St. Sarkis Annual Picnic – 2024
• Hovnanian School Picnic with Tonee Marino – 2024
• St. Sarkis Gala honoring Board of Trustee members – 2024
• Community member’s 100th birthday celebration – 2024
• Tonee Marino’s “Hayastan” music video – 2024
• New York Fashion Week – 2024
• Cultural Showcase at St. Sarkis – 2024
• Social media reels promoting Tonee Marino’s music – 2024, 2025 and 2026
• Armenian Heritage Night with the ARS Erebouni Chapter at UBS Arena – 2025
• Armenian Sisters Academy fundraiser in Pennsylvania with Tonee Marino – 2025
• Tonee Marino’s Armenian Affair in Brooklyn – 2025
• Special birthday celebration in Brooklyn - 2026
• Performance with ARAM MP3 before an audience of more than 1,000 at Oceana Theater -2026
• Homenetmen Navasartian Games in New York - 2026
• Performance with Tonee Marino to “Im Hamar Es,” featuring choreography created especially for the song - 2026

With more performances being planned, we encourage new dancers to join early so they can learn the choreography and prepare to perform with Nor Yeraz.

Nor Yeraz meets most Fridays at St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Douglaston, New York, and we are deeply grateful for the church’s continued hospitality and support.

We also thank our dedicated parent volunteers, the Armenian Cultural Association of New York, NY ARF Armen Garo Gomideh, and NY Hamazkayin for their generous support and commitment to our youth.

Above all, we thank Maria and Avedis, whose dedication extends far beyond teaching dance. Through Nor Yeraz, they are helping our young people strengthen their connection to Armenian heritage while building friendships and a lasting sense of community.