~ Sin and Fear

“And he said to me, It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of the water of life.  He who conquers shall have this heritage and I will be his God and he shall be my son.  But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolater, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death.” Revelation 21:6-8

As we have said in previous sermons, we are in the Lenten season.  This is the time to correct our mistakes and be freed from sin. According to the Bible, committing sins is the reason to burn with fire and brimstone.  At the same time, the Bible also speaks of the fearful, sending them to hell with the murderers. Why is God equating a fearful person with someone who kills?

Let us find out.  Fear was introduced to our world once Adam & Eve sinned.  As man sins more often, he begins to become more fearful. In other words, to be able to conquer fear is to conquer sin. But not all of us challenge fear.

There are those who try to impose their mistakes and sins onto others. For example, as God was questioning Adam in the Garden of Eden, Adam replied, “That woman who you gave to me, she fooled me.”

There are other people who try to lighten the effect of their mistakes or sins by encouraging others to join their effort and continue making mistakes.  They hide themselves amongst others. We are afraid to be different than others.

The human being is the tangled bundle of fears. Some are afraid of future, some of us are afraid of the past. The businessman is afraid that others will surpass him, the shopkeeper is afraid that he will loose his customers, the landlord is afraid that the price of land will drop, the stockholder is afraid their stock will drop, etc, etc, etc.

Over the years, all these fears have made man suspicious, anxious, phony, and even evil. Man is afraid to be righteous, virtuous or humble so that someone does not take advantage of his kindness. Man is afraid to become charitable because he is afraid that when he needs help on a rainy day, he won’t receive it. Man becomes egocentric, greedy, unwilling and bold.

Man by using the phrase, time is money, runs to gain the time which to him equals money. Of course, not every man is thinking to merely secure himself from poverty by gaining riches; but sees it as the source of well to do entertainment.  Man is afraid not to have enough time during his life to show off, to eat all the foods, to be dressed up with all the fine clothing, etc.

Man wants to be praised, be bowed down to and to be applauded. They are afraid of not being noticed. They want to be the center of attention.  They are loosing their conscience because conscience lives in the heart and not in a bank account.

The Armenian poet, Barour Sevag wrote in one of his poems this question, “What is it God that everyone sooner or later seems to loose himself within his own humanity.”

The religious answer would be because of sin. This is the truth. Man is afraid of truth, too. What should you do?  You can open your heart to truth. As we read in the New Testament, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  That truth is Jesus Christ.  When we walk hand in hand with Jesus Christ, our live can become fearless. Our heart will sing with King David uttering these words, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalms 27:1

Nothing and no one shall we fear because we have found Jesus Christ.

Amen.

]]> http://saintapkar.com/sunday-sermon-2/feed 0 http://saintapkar.com/congradulations-to-mr-mrs-gregory-emma-melikian http://saintapkar.com/congradulations-to-mr-mrs-gregory-emma-melikian#comments Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:14:46 +0000 admin http://saintapkar.com/?p=630 Rev Fr Zacharia and the Parish Council & all Church organizations would like to extend our congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Gregory & Emma Melikian in receiving the Philanthropist of the Year award that was bestowed upon them at the ASU Founder’s Day Banquet on February 24, 2010. We wish them all the best of health and continued success with their humanitarian work for ASU and for Armenians throughout Arizona

On Saturday evening, Mrs. Houri Dickranian and the St. Vartan Committee had prepared a program dedicated to St. Vartan the Captain and Companions.

In his closing remarks, the Primate commended the organizers of the program for wonderfully reflecting on the remarkable lives of our martyrs.

Divine Liturgy, Ordination and Sermon

On the following day, the Primate celebrated the Divine Liturgy and delivered the sermon. He was assisted at the holy altar by Rev. Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan, Parish Priest and the Deacons. Amidst the jubilant voices of the Choir, the Primate ordained Berj Manoogian to the Diaconate. In his sermon, the Primate congratulated the newly ordained Deacon and commended his dedicated service to the Church. Furthermore, the Primate expressed his appreciation to the Parish Priest, the members of the Diocesan Council, Ladies Society and all auxiliary bodies of the Parish for their committed service to St. Apkar Armenian Church.

Following the service, the Primate met with the ACYO of the Parish. Rev. Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan introduced a very special member of the ACYO to the Primate. With her tireless efforts, Sanahin Arabian had personally raised over $2,000 for one of the orphanages in Armenia. The Primate blessed Sanahin Arabian for her kind and generous heart.
http://www.armenianchurchwd.com/primate-s-pastoral-visit-to-st-apkar-scottsdale-arizona/

-The theme for Friday February 26 is “Let’s pray for those who are ailing.”
N-ext Friday March 5, the theme will be “Celebrating Armenian Christian youth in Arizona” by AZACYO.
-Friday March 12, the theme will be AMen remembering the congregation’s deceased who served the Armenian Church in Arizona throughout all the years.
- Friday March 19, the theme of “Christian Culture” will be sponsored by the Hye Ways
-Friday March 26, the theme will be memorializing St Apkar’s Godfathers and all Parish Council members throughout all the years.

Call the Church office for more details about any of the above events/activities.

Also remember to share this information with your family, friends and neighbors.

Another memorable activity was having His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian conduct our first Easter Eve Divine Liturgy in the new sanctuary.  He was joined by Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian from the Western Diocese.

The month of September was the most special since we consecrated the first Armenian Church in Arizona.  The entire weekend of activities was very well planned and so very special because we hosted many visitors, a lot of them, past community members as they too joined the emotional moments throughout the weekend. We hold very dear all the Godfathers and donors that brought this community to the reality of the dream of one day being able to pray in our own Armenian Church. It did indeed happen on September 20, 2009.

Another memorable event was the Raising of the Crosses in December that was the last step of the journey to St. Apkar Armenian Church. I felt the intense amazement in the crowd as the crane raised the crosses, the first cross to the main dome and then the other cross to the small dome. It was a very proud moment for our all of us.

December showed us results of a new idea that brought to life a part of our entire heritage…a night in Yerevan. We commemorated our patron saint, St Apkar on his feast day on the following day that will become an annual tradition.

The year of 2009 ended with another fun-filled event that brought a large crowd into Melikian Hall on December 31 to celebrate the New Year of 2010. I foresee 2010 as another great year in the history of the Arizona Armenian community.

Blessings,

Der Zacharia

]]> http://saintapkar.com/dear-brothers-and-sisters-in-christ/feed 0 http://saintapkar.com/homme-blessings http://saintapkar.com/homme-blessings#comments Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:52:18 +0000 admin http://saintapkar.com/?p=586 Home Blessings:

For thos of you who wish to have a visitation or home blessing from Der Zacharia during the holiday season, please call 480-451-8171 or 480-252-5131 to set an appointment.

During the end of December and into the month of January is the time to return to religious and national traditions of home blessings.  Let’s not forget that tradition is the best occasion to bring families and friends together and reignite the need for spiritual value.

Home blessing is conducted twice a year by your choice either at Christmas or at Easter.  What preparation is needed?  The presence of all family members, a table with a glass of water, salt, bread, brightly lit candles, a container for incense and Der Hayr will bring nashkhar.  You can decorate the table with any other personal items that you wish.

Upon Der Hayr’s arrival to your home, immediately the ceremony will begin.  He will bless the water in memory of Jesus Christ’s baptism.  he will bless the salt and cread as they are the symbols of Christianity.  he will read the gospel from the Holy Bible, sing hymns and pray for the residents of that home wishing love, unity, health and happiness.  If there are elderly family members or those whoare not able to travel to Church, he will also have Holy Communion available for them.  At the end of the ceremony, those who are there will drink the holy water and partake of the bread dipped in the salt.  The nashkhar can also be share or it can be kept in the kitchen pantry.  The home blessing ceremony can take only a few minutes.  If so desired, he can conduct a short Bible study session for the family members following the ceremony to answer any questions or assist with family issues.

St. Stephen, the protodeacon & first martyr feast day will be celebrated on Sunday December 27.  The special badarak will be honoring our deacons who are allowed to wear the priest’s crown.  The deacons will be given the chance to share their heartfelt words with us.  It will be a beautiful addition to the Divine Liturgy on that day.

New Year, Armenian Christmas and cemetary visitation:

Start your new year of 2010 with Divine Liturgy at St Apkar Armenian Church beginning at 12:00 Noon.  The Church doors will remain open until 2:00PM following the badarak.

New Year’s Eve Family-Style Celebration at Melikian Hall:

By now everyone should have received their flyer in the mail with all the detailed information. It will be a fun-filled night together with your St Apkar Church family. Please contact Rafi Hagopian to purchase your tickets @ only $25.00 per person.

Armenian Christmas is Wednesday January 6, 2010.  Divine Liturgy will be conducted on that same date beginning at 6:00PM followed by refreshments hosted by the Ladies Society.  The following day is known as merelotz. This religious and national tradition needs to be resurrected in our Arizona community. We will be conducting merelotz on Sunday January 10.  Nevertheless, if you wish to have a cemetary visitation for prayers to be shared at the tomb of your loved ones on January 7th, 8th or 9th; please contact Der Zacharia at 480-451-8171 or 480-252-5131.

]]> http://saintapkar.com/homme-blessings/feed 0 http://saintapkar.com/a-message-from-parish-council http://saintapkar.com/a-message-from-parish-council#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:41:56 +0000 admin http://saintapkar.com/?p=574 Dear Faithful,

With the holiday season upon us, we must take a moment to acknowledge our blessings and be grateful for all that we have been able to accomplish together with our thriving Armenian community in Arizona.  During 2009, we have crowned and consecrated our new sanctuary with a variety of delightful events celebrating our Christian faith, our heritage and our culture.

During this busy time of the year, we must keep in mind the foremost reason for the season, our Lord Jesus Christ.  We also ask you to keep your St Apkar Armenian Church in mind during your gift giving tradition.  The regular maintenance of our Church is very important.  We ask you to be generous with your donation for the YUGHAKIN this Christmas season.

The revenue that we receive from our parishioners is continuously used to pay the monthly operating expenses and maintenance matters.  We cannot leave our Church without Her “oil/yugh,” The Armenian Church is our strength, and we can hardly accomplish anything without Her!

Your YUGHAKIN donation may be dropped in the collection plate during the December and January Church services or you may send it by mail. Remember to indicate “Yughakin” in the memo section of your check!

We wish you and your family a joyous and blessed holiday season. Remember that home blessings are always available by contacting the Church office at 480-451-8171.

We hope to see you soon!

Parish Council

St Apkar Armenian Apostolic Church

December 11th

We invite you and your family to share in this very special occasion with Der Zacharia’s blessing as we raise the crosses of Saint Apkar at 4:00 pm. This festive evening will continue at sunset with the lighting of the Tonatsar while you enjoy an outside café with your favorite food and drinks.

Raising of the Crosses will be an emotional evening for our community to share together as we all watch the crosses being placed on the domes of St. Apkar Armenian Church…the only Armenian Church in Arizona! Be a part of the history making event on Friday December 11 @ 4:00PM with refreshments afterwards. You can be an integral part of the ceremony by becoming a Godbrother or Godsister.

Dear Faithful, the Raising of Crosses will be held on Friday December 11 along with the celebration of the feast day of St. Apkar.

Brothers & Sisters, we are seeking Khatch-yehbayr yev Khatch-khoyrer (godbrothers & godsisters) for this special occasion. Those of you who are named Khatchig, Khatchigian, Apkar, Apkarian or if you are Oorfahtzee or anyone of our community who wishes the chance to be part of the excitement…step up and become one of the history making individuals to ‘raise the cross’ of St. Apkar Armenian Church.  As the holy days of Christmas are approaching, give yourself or your loved ones a extraordinary gift.  The gift of being part of this special event. This is the first of annual celebrations of  St Apkar’s feast day to also be the traditional day of tree lighting.  Please contact Der Hayr directly with your questions and contributions. You may call the Church office @ 480-451-8171.

Next day, December 12, 2009 – Yerevan Nights

STUDY ART AND SCULPTURE

AGES 7 AND ON UP

AN ART CLASS IS BEING PLANNED FOR ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO HAVE A LITTLE

GUIDANCE IN THEIR CHOSEN AREA OF ART FORM. IT ALSO INCLUDES THOSE BEGINNERS

WHO WISH TO LEARN THE ART OF SKETCHING, PAINTING AND SCULPTURE.

TEMPORARILY, ONE EVENING A WEEK, DEPENDING UPON THE MAJORITY CHOICE, WILL BE OFFERED. HAVING “ANY” CLASS WILL DEPEND ON THE NUMBER OF ARTISTS INTERESTED.

THE CLASS WILL INCLUDE ALL FORMS OF ART MEDIUMS.

ALL CHURCH MEMBERS, NON-MEMBERS AND THOSE OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNTIES ARE INVITED. THIS INVITATION ALSO INCLUDES ATTENDING OUR SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES.

CHOICE OF ALL MEDIUMS INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING;

1. CLAY SCULPTURE

2. WOOD SCULPTURE

3. IVORY SOAP SCULPTURE

4. STONE SCULPTURE

5. PENCIL OR CRAYON DRAWING OR SKETCHING

6. PASTELS SKETCHING

7. CHARCOAL SKETCHING

8. WATERCOLOR PAINTING

9. OIL PAINTING

10. ACRYLIC PAINTING

SUBJECT PREFERENCES

ABSTRACT

SURREALISM

MODERN

CONVENTIONAL ART

CARTOON

IMPRESSIONISTIC

PLEASE CONTACT FATHER ZACHARIA AT;

8849 EAST CHOLLA STREET

SCOTTSDALE AZ. 85260

OFFICE # 480-451-8171

PLEASE PROVIDE FATHER ZACHARIA THE FOLLOWING;

1, YOUR NAME

2. AGE

3. WHICH AREA OF INTEREST

4. 3 CHOICES OF EVENINGS 1^st CHOICE BEING MOST PREFERABLE.

5. HOME ADDRESS

6. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER

7. APPROXIMATE LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE

Building a church is building a community. Building a strong community is building a country. Building our future and building our tomorrows is building vision.

We are builders. No one can build if there is no creativity which brings us closer to God. We are creators. We create new history, new humanity and a new world.

The dream of Arizona’s community of the last fifty years has become a reality today.

Look at how big our dream has grown from the ground up. The hospitable blue skies of Arizona welcome the Armenian Church dome rising like Mt. Ararat reaching for the heavens. We have reached the finish line and now it is the time to live our dream.

God’s guiding hands has accomplished what was just a dream. For our creative nation, the finish line is another new beginning. This new beginning has started with our new surroundings of the sanctuary known as St. Apkar Armenian Church. Let us continue the journey united around St. Apkar Armenian Church for generations to come.

I want to reveal a secret about the legend of St. Apkar the King; it is true. It will remain true as long as we believe it. King Apkar was one of Jesus Christ’s special saints.  He wrote a letter inviting our Lord to Edessa at that time during the 1^st century as many Armenians lived in the city. The King was ill and had asked for our Lord’s aid.  Jesus replied and sent one of his apostles. Right after Jesus’ assumption, St. Thaddeus arrived in Edessa with the cloth of our Lord’s portrait. The King was miraculously cured and converted to Christianity.  He was baptized and became the first church builder in the world. After his death, he became a saint who was known as the saint of healing.

You might think this is just a legend.  It is not just a legend.  It is happening now as we are continuing to build on the legend.

“Blessed are those who build churches.”

Be blessed.

Rev. Fr. Zacharia Saribekyan

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