Special Guest – Book Talk and Signing
On Saturday, November 21st St. Stepanos parish welcomed Very Rev. Fr. Daniel Findikyan, director of the Krikor and Clara Zohrab Information Center of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church, Tiran Nersoyan Professor of Liturgical Studies at St. Nersess Armenian Seminary, and Visiting Professor of Liturgical Studies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Hayr Soorp gave a fascinating power-point presentation entitled From Victims to Victors: The New Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide, sketching the Armenian Church’s age-old understanding of sainthood, martyrdom and the intercession of the saints. Following the presentation, Fr. Daniel graciously signed copies of the booklet he prepared on this historic subject. A light luncheon was served on the occasion. The following morning, Hayr Soorp was the celebrant and preacher at a beautiful and uplifting Divine Liturgy.
Congratulations to the Sunday School of St. Stepanos Parish on the excellent result of our Food Drive! The children of our Sunday school on Sunday, November 22nd donated 691 pounds of food to the Food Bank of Ocean and Monmouth Counties — including ten turkeys. This is more than twice as much as the 2014 drive, and is a beautiful reflection of the generous St. Stepanos spirit, caring for those in our community who are not as fortunate this holiday season. Sunday School superintendent John Haytaian accompanied the children to the Food Bank to deliver the food and receive a tour of the facility. Before their departure to deliver the food, St. Stepanos pastor Fr. Daniel Karadjian met with the children, visiting each class in the Sunday School. He engaged the children on Jesus’ teachings about generosity: Jesus told his disciples that to feed, clothe and visit the poor and sick is something that we do to Him: “If you have fed the poor, you have fed Me; if you have clothed the cold and naked, you have clothed me; if you have visited the sick or those in prison, you have visited Me.” It gives us great joy to see our children are learning at an early age that all human beings are children of God; we are all brothers and sisters, and should lovingly care for one another’s needs.
