Message of Fr. Vazken Movsesian, parish priest of St. Andrew Armenian Church, Cupertino, from the Nakhagoch Newsletter. Electronic version archived on: SAIN-- St. Andrew Information Network -------------------------------------- c. 1992 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org -------------------------------------- April 1992 As Easter 1992 came and went, it was filled with much emotion for me, as I am sure for many of you. I was truly moved by the large number of participants at each of the Holy Week services. I was moved to tears when our children brought their participation to the office of the Ten Maidens and feet washing. And I was impressed by the number of worshippers who accepted the challenge to "stay awake with Me" on Holy Thursday. My mind took me back a few yearsÑ I remembered the small gatherings we'd have in rented halls and offices. I remembered our old church building, its warmth and its limitations. And now, here we are in a new building, celebrating Easter, with a constantly growing church and community. On the first Easter morning, when the women came to the grave of Jesus, expecting to anoint His body, they were met by an angel who asked them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" It's a logical question. Why look for a living person at a grave or a cemetery? This is a question I've often asked of the Armenian people. The wounds of the Armenian past have been so great, that too many times we look for our people among the ruins and disasters of yesteryears. Such is the case with April 24. Certainly we cannot forget the Genocide of 1915; but we cannot become obsessed with this tragedy to the point that we forget the growth we have experienced. Sure, the Armenian people and nation have many problems today, but most important is to recognize that we are a people today! We are a nation today, and not just a bit of trivia in some history book. On May 16 & 17, the Armenian community in the South Bay will be rejoicing as should Armenians throughout the world. That weekend, the St. Andrew Armenian Church will be consecrated by our primate. It is a day of celebration. Think about it for a moment. Seventy five years ago the plight of the Armenian people looked nearly helpless and hopeless. Who would have thought that after the darkest days of modern history a small group of people would once again rise. Who would have imagined that in a town called Cupertino, on the other side of the globe from their historic homelands, this group of people would not only survive but build and grow! Indeed, we here at St. Andrew are living proof that the Turks did not succeed in their campaign to exterminate us. Yes, we here at St. Andrew are a living witness to our Faith which guarantees a resurrection after a crucifixion. We are beyond rhetoric! We are living! God has opened our senses to His miracle and on May 16 & 17 our praise for that miracle will not cease! Why seek the living among the dead? No longer should we seek our people in Ee verin Yerousaghem, but rather Kovya Yerousaghem, Haryav Krisdos! The consecration is also a time for celebrating the victory of building this church. We began the project in 1988. We have been through a lot, through rented facilities and all types of difficulties. But those are part of our past, and we cannot linger in that past. It is up to us to move forward now. With the new building comes greater challenges and greater growth. It involves commitment and dedication on all our parts. I personally request all our parishioners to join in the praise we offer that day Ñ to our Lord and Saviour Jesus ChristÑfor the miracle which has happened among us. Please join us at the victory banquet following the services where we may once again celebrate this happening. --Fr. Vazken -------------------------------------- c. 1992 Fr. Vazken Movsesian Address comments to: dervaz@sain.org --------------------------------------