"Give Attention to the Public Reading of Scripture." (1 Timothy 4:13)

Public reading and studying of the Bible has always been an essential element in the Christian journey of faith and worship. St. Paul instructs his disciple Timothy, a pastor of the church, to devote himself to “the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13). Throughout the Old Testament we see the Law being read to the people in their gatherings. As true Christians, it should be our passionate desire to read the Bible so that we would be familiar with the counsel of God in order to know, believe, and obey the will of God. As we read the word, God speaks to us. And as we hear His word we worship Him through our reverence, diligent attention, self–application, and obedience.

            It is based on the basic foundation in the Christian faith mentioned above that our parish here in Bayside, New York, has developed four groups to read and study the Bible. We are happy to announce the beginning of a fifth group in conjunction with the Armenian Home in Flushing, New York. The objective of this new group is to reach out to those in the Armenian Home who for health or age reasons cannot make it to the other four Bible Study groups. The fifth group will commence its sessions on Thursday, July 20, 2006 at 10:30 AM in the Armenian Home. All are welcome to join us.

Another emphasis on the reading and studying of the word of God is translated into a series of lectures on the Bible throughout the year offered by Fr. Vahan or guest scholars in the field. This year, for example, an average of over 30 people attended the three-session mini course studying the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. The course was offered during the month of May by Fr. Paul N. Tarazi a renowned scholar in the field of biblical studies and Professor of the Old Testament at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York. Fr. Paul’s exciting delivery of his analysis of the Book of Isaiah captured the participants of the lecture for almost two hours every session. He elaborated on the historical context of the writing of the Book of Isaiah and the theology of its message as related to our faith.

If you have not joined any of our Bible Study sessions or lectures yet, why not make an effort to do so. The study sessions are very casual and conducted in an atmosphere of true Christian fellowship and love. No one claims to be the scholar of the biblical text nor do we spend the session listening to lectures. We simply read the biblical text around the table and discuss our comments and questions. Hopefully we will see you at one of the following Bible Study sessions:

1.       Morning study session in English (10:00 AM -12:00 Noon) – the first and third Tuesday of every month.

2.        Morning study session in Armenian (10:00 AM -12:00 Noon) – the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.

3.       Evening study session in English (7:30 - 9:00 PM ) – Every Tuesday evening except the first.

4.       Early Morning Session in English and Armenian (8:30 – 10:00 AM) – Every Friday morning.

5.       Morning study session at the Armenian Home, Flushing (10:30 AM- 12:00 Noon) – Every Thursday (Please call the Home for schedule updates and to confirm).