Dear Members and Friends:

May 26, 451 A.D. is one of the most glorious dates in the history of the Armenian people. It is the date of the Battle of Avarayr, which took place in the Plain of Shavarshan (modern Maku, in the northwestern corner of Iran), at the banks of Dghmud (a tributary of the River Arax), when 1036 Armenian soldiers together with their commander Vartan Mamigonian, died in defense of their faith and freedom. The battle that involved sixty-six thousand Armenian soldiers against the Persian army, numbering three hundred thousand men, was a military disaster for the Armenian nation. Armenians lost militarily. Their hero, Vartan the Brave was killed.

However, although the battle was lost, but not the war! In the next 33 years, brave and bold Armenian souls took refuge in the hills, as they struggled to organize an effective defense of their homeland and secure the right to religious freedom, cultural and political autonomy.

Eventually, Vahan Mamigonian, the son of Vartan's brother Hmayak, successfully led and won a guerilla war against the Persians. Thereupon, the Persians signed a treaty with the Armenians in 484 -- the famous Treaty of Nvarsak -- whereby the Persian King Vagharsh granted Armenians religious freedom and cultural autonomy.

The fifth-century heroic struggle of the Armenian nation came to be called Vartanantz War, in honor of the main hero of the war, Vartan Mamigonian. It was during the Middle Ages when Armenia's Church Fathers, moved the observance of Vartanantz War from May 26 to the Thursday preceding Lent. Also, Vartan's comrades -- those who shared his profound faith in God, and demonstrated loyalty to his cherished causes, came to be called Vartanank.

The crisis that developed and culminated into the armed confrontation known as Vartanantz War, began in the late 440s when King Yazdegird II of Persia (438-457), a fanatical Zoroastrian monarch, ordered all the subjects of his empire, to adhere to his faith. The majority of the Armenian people were directly affected by Yazdegird's royal edict since the large section of Armenia was under Persian control after the unfortunate partition of Armenia by the Byzantine and Persian empires in 387 A.D.

The official reply of the Armenian people to Yazdegird's edict was formulated in a general assembly which was held in Artashat in 449, -- an assembly attended by the political and religious leadership of the country. Not only did the elite of the Armenian nation refuse to renounce their Christian faith, but proclaimed their loyalty to Christ until death. They concluded their reply, "From this belief (Christianity) no one can move us; neither fire, nor sword, nor water, nor any other horrid tortures…"

Thereafter, the Persian Empire embarked upon an armed invasion of Armenia, and the Armenian army, under the leadership of General Vartan Mamigonian, was engaged in a war of self-defense -- the War of Vartanantz.

Although the Armenians suffered a military defeat on the battlefield of Avarayr, their relentlessness eventually scored them a victory. Thus the Vartanantz War became a pivotal point in Armenian history, and a source of inspiration for the oncoming generations.

For centuries Armenians have set aside the Feast of Vartanantz Day so that they could honor their heroic ancestors and pay tribute to their memory. But how can we really do that today? We could, of course, speak of our noble ancestors in glowing terms, praise them and celebrate their accomplishments in songs and speeches. But frankly, I believe Vartanank would care very little for our testimonies and compliments. However, I believe we could honor them if we live by the principles, values, and causes for which they died. We could honor them if we hear their message, take it to heart, and apply it to our lives. We can honor them if our faith, like theirs, can stand the test, and if we can serve the cause of King of Kings, Jesus Christ. Certainly, we can cherish the faith of Vartan and Vartanank, but the faith of our fathers cannot serve us and save us.

The vital faith which accomplishes and sustains has always to be a contemporary faith. If the sacrifice and contribution of Vartan and Vartanank is to have any significance for us, their Christian faith has to be reborn in our generation and we have to come to grips with it in terms of our problems and challenges.

Finally, Vartan and Vartanank were the heroes who tolled the bell for freedom. They paid a high price for freedom. That freedom can be kept only with great vigilance. It can be lost overnight by a generation that exploits its privileges and renounces its responsibilities. Freedom is a spiritual quality which lives in the hearts and wills of those who are determined to keep it.

Honoring Vartan and Vartanank demands of us, in the words of the Apostle, "Standing firm in our faith, being courageous and strong," keep ringing the bell of freedom, and living by those ideals and causes for which our noble ancestors died.

Faithfully yours,

Vahan H. Tootikian
Minister

Stewardship Pledge, please make it as your earliest convenience. Pledge cards are available from the church office for those who have not yet made it.

The purpose of the Offering Envelope:

1.It reminds us that our gifts should be brought

regularly as an act of worship.

2. It provides for everyone a uniform, dignified,

and reverent way of presenting an offering,

large or small.

3. It provides a record of our gift for future reference so that we may be sure that we have fulfilled our commitment.

4. It gives our church an accurate record of our contributions.

The 1998 Annual Meeting of he Armenian Congregational Church of Greater Detroit was held on Sunday, January 24, 1999, immediately following the Morning Worship service. The meeting was presided

over by our Moderator and Chairman of Trustees, Mr. John Vanden Esschert.

The treasurer's report revealed a total expense of $167,751.00 of which $16.478.00 was for capital expenditures.

The Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian's five-page report covered a survey of the whole year of 1998, touching on nearly all phases of church life. It revealed the following: 4 baptisms administered; 3 marriages officiated; 2 funerals conducted, and 11 new members received into the fellowship of the church.

The minister also reported that he made 325 pastoral calls at homes, businesses, hospitals and nursing homes; delivered 135 sermons, talks, addresses; edited 11 issues of the monthly A.C.C Bulletin; and 42 issues of the Sunday bulletin; attended 51 meetings; administered 4 communions and had 62 pastoral counseling sessions.

Dr. Tootikian also mentioned the following important highlights in the life of the church during 1998:

1. Vartanantz and Valentine's Day dual celebration sponsored by A.C.C. Women's Fellowship. On February 14, 1998.

2. Lenten Luncheon, sponsored by A.C.C. Women's Fellowship, on March 25, 1998.

3. Maundy Thursday Musical Multi-Media Program on April 19, 1998.

4. The annual Easter Breakfast sponsored by ACYF (Youth Group) on April 12, 1998.

5. Armenian Martyr's Day, sponsored by all Armenian churches & Organizations, on April 19, 1998.

6. United Commemoration of the Armenian genocide- sponsored by St. Sarkis, St. Vartan's and the Armenian Congregational Church on April 24, 1998.

7. Children's Sunday, June 14, 1998.

8. Mother's Day banquet, was held on May 10, 1998.

9. Biennial Assembly of AEUNA in Laval, Quebec, June 25-228, 1998, with the participation of eight members of our church. Our minister, Rev. V. H. Tootikian, was elected moderator for a two year term-- 1998-2000.

10. The Father's Day Picnic, on June 21, 1998.

11. The Church School began its 1998-99 year, on September 13, 1998.

12. The Armenian Heritage Committee published the Minister's, Rev. Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian's 17th and 18 books entitled Pastoral Meditations, and Voketzekdoomner Yev Karozner (Meditations and Sermons).

13. AMAA and Homecoming Sunday was held in our church on September 21, 1998. Our guest preachers were the Rev. Kevin Kasper, Youth minister of AEU. The Honorable Tatoul Markarian, Armenia's deputy Ambassador to America.e. $1,400.00 was raised for the needy in Armenia and Karabagh.

14. A.C.C. Women's fellowship hosted the concert version of Carmen on October 23rd, 1998.

15. Our annual Thanksgiving Banquet, was held on November 22, 1998.

16. Children's Christmas Program, was held Dec 13, 1998.

17. The Christmas Eve Services, were held on December 24, 1998.

18. The Bilingual Bible Study groups, for Armenian and English speaking members and friends, under the leadership of Rosette Tootikian and Deacon George Terterian have continued regularly on Tuesday evenings,(except during the month of July and August).

They have been a source of spiritual nurture and a blessing to those who attend them.

19. In the Minister's absence, David Terzibashian, Bob Kachadourian, George Terterian and Roupen Arslanian have filled the pulpit. Many thanks to our lay leaders.

20. The A.C.C. Women's Fellowship, under the chairmanship of Sybil Derderian, and co chairmanship of Susan Gopigian, had a busy year of activities and supported many important causes, such as Armenia, Artzakh, AEUNA Camp Arev. Also bought the church a copying machine. Thanks to the ladies for their dedication to their church.

Among his recommendations for the year 1999, Rev. Tootikian stated that as a church we should; 1. Strengthen our sense of Stewardship; 2. We should be prompt in our attendance at Worship Services and church activities; we should maintain law and order in the Sanctuary; 4. We should be more hospitable to our guests, and 5. We should provide transportation to those of our members who need it.

The Armenian Congregational Church gratefully

Acknowledges the following donations:

$ 5,000.00 Mary Kumjian, church support.

1,000.00 Stephen Philiposian Foundation

(Armenian Heritage).

500.00 Lillian Avesian, church support

300.00 Mrs. Helen Donigian and M/M

George Donigian in memory of their

husband and father, Harry Donigian

250.00 M/M Harout and Sona Erudekian,

Bulding Fund..

200.00 M/M Raffi and Arda Eurdekian,

Church support.

200.00 Anonymous couple-Stewardship.

200.00 Anonymous couple-For Church safe.

100.00 Mrs. Ardemis Avakian in memory of

Mrs. Elizabeth Kaprielian.

100.00 Armenian Renaisance Association,

Christmas Donation.

100.00 Mrs. Alice Berberian Haidostian.

100.00 M/M Kirkor & Hasmig Imirzian, in

memory of Harry & Siroun Berberian

100.00 M/M Ara and Virginia Berberian, in

memory of Harry & Siroun Berberian

100.00 Mrs. Alice Berberian Haidostian, in

memory of Harry & Siroun Berberian

100.00 Brion Gopigian

50.00 Christopher Gopigian

50.00 M/M Armen and Arlene Aramian,

ACC Bulletin.

50.00 M/M Edward & Susan Haroutunian