THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
August 13, 2017

Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God 

Feast of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God

Each year on the Sunday closest to the date of August 15, the Armenian Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Holy Mother of God. In the Calendar of the Armenian Church, this feast is the fourth of five major feasts that are commemorated, and is the oldest one dedicated to St. Mary.

In the Holy Bible, there is little information concerning the details of St. Mary’s life. As a result, the story of her Assumption has been preserved and passed on to us through the Holy and Sacred Tradition of the Apostolic Church.

Following the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the Holy Virgin remains in Jerusalem, and lives under the care of St. John the Evangelist. For nearly 12 years, St. Mary lives by praying, fasting, and often visiting the empty tomb of her beloved Son. During one such visit to the tomb, the Archangel Gabriel appears and gives her the news of her imminent assumption to heaven. St. Mary relays the news to her relatives and all Christians, asking them to bury her in the valley of Gethsemane. St. Mary also asks the Apostle John to celebrate a Divine Liturgy, so she may receive Holy Communion one final time. After receiving Holy Communion, St. Mary returns to her room. As the Apostles prepare to mourn her death, St. John asks the Mother of God to leave an image of her face on a board of wood. St. Mary takes the board, crosses herself and brings it close to her face. Moistening the board with her tears, she asks God that by means of the board, people would be cured from disease. As the Apostles surround St. Mary, an indescribable light appears. The Son of God and the angels of heaven appear in the room. Seeing Christ, St. Mary dies.

St. Bartholomew the Apostle was absent and did not participate in the burial service of St. Mary. Upon his return to Jerusalem, he wishes to see St. Mary for the last time. Per his request, the Apostles open the tomb, yet they do not find the remains of St. Mary. According to His promise, Jesus Christ had delivered His mother to His heavenly kingdom. The Apostles give the board of St. Mary to St. Bartholomew for consolation.

According to Moses of Khoren, St. Bartholomew brings the board to Armenia. It is kept in the Province of Andzav, in a location called Darbnots. Years later, a church is built there in honor of St. Mary, and a convent is opened.

On the Feast of the Assumption of St. Mary, the Ceremony of the Blessing of the Grapes is conducted, and the harvest for the entire year is blessed on that day.

The Armenian Church has a deep and abiding respect towards St. Mary. Special emphasis is placed on her being a mother, her honesty, her unique spirit of humility, her virtuous behavior and her unselfish dedication. For Armenian women, the Holy Virgin is the embodiment of virtue, pious motherhood, and the protector of family sacredness.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• Galatians 3: 29-4:7 (page 172) New Testament
• Luke 2: 1-7 (page 53) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

Our Prayers Are Powerful. Let us emulate St. Paul, who said, “I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Eph 1:16). Pray especially for Albert Santerian, Hagop Arzoumanian, Doris Alahverde, Alyce Jilajian and John Arslanian. For those who are struggling with illness, hardship and grief, let us remember them in prayer. Continue to pray for the injustice and inhumanity that continues in the world. Indeed, our prayers are powerful.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Our “Pot Luck Coffee Hour” has been a success thanks to the many people who have brought in refreshments for the buffet table to share with our church family and it will continue through Labor Day. The church will continue to provide the coffee but we are going to rely on those who wish to enjoy refreshments with their coffee and chat with friends to please bring something for the buffet table (enough to serve 8 people), either homemade or store bought. A donation basket will be put out for those who are unable to bring refreshments. This “Pot-Luck” idea was conceived in order to relieve the burden of the same few people making sure that we have refreshments every Sunday. We hope you will take this opportunity to share your bounty with our church family on these Sundays.

FAR Spotlight: A clinical investigation into the poor health among Tavush Province’s children ages six months to six years revealed malnutrition as the main cause. The Breaking the cycle of Poverty Program (BCPP) worked to develop a balanced nutrition program to combat malnutrition. Currently 557 children, ages two to six, in 15 kindergartens in Tavush Province receive nutritious meals throughout the year. Follow up evaluations show improved health conditions among the program’s children. To learn more about FAR, its mission and programs, please visit http://farusa.org .

ATTENTION GRADUATES – We want YOU to be included in the next issue of the Looys! Anyone wishing to submit a write-up and/or picture should send to looys@holytrinity-pa.org by August 15th. Pictures should be submitted in high resolution color. Write-up should be in WORD format and should include: institution from which you were graduated; degree; future plans; other details of importance; and names of parents. Optional information can include activities in which you were involved, especially at church. Any questions can be directed to Jeanette at 215-206-0440 or choirboss@hotmail.com.

On the occasion of the Feast of Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rite of the Blessing of Grapes, the following have made donations to our Church:

*Ayshe Chakmaklian
*Albert Kapeghian
*In memory of John Mirijanian by Jan Diran Mirijanian
*In memory of YOLANDA TERZIAN by John Terzian
*Florence Boyajian
*In honor of Choir & Church Members for their prays for my health by John Arslanian
*In memory of NAOMI KAPEGHIAN by Janice, Robert, Jaclyn & Scott King
*In memory of HELEN VISHAB by Jack Vishab
*In memory of MARDIROS & YESTER ERGENIAN by Hagop and Sonia Ergenian
*For a Special Thanksgiving by Ms. Angel Tookmanian
*In memory of JOHN & ROSE SERABIAN, EDWARD & ROSE KARNIKIAN, NED SANTERIAN & CORINNE SANTERIAN MOORE D.O. by Merle Santerian
*In memory of DAMERJIAN & HINTLIAN FAMILIES by Robert and Lorraine Damerjian.
* In memory of MARIA & ALEX HACIVASILOGLU by Sarkis Hashas.
*In memory of ARSEN, KATHERINE, JOHN & NICHOLAS KASHKASHIAN by Ronald A. Kashkashian
* In memory of MARY MIRAKIAN, on her name day, by David and Marta Brann.
*In memory of MICHAEL & ROSE KARABIAN, RUTH DESTEFANO, HELEN VISHAB, GRANDPARENTS ALTOON & BAGDAZAR by Ms. Alice Karabian.
*In memory of DIRAMAYR HRIPSIME AIVAZIAN & MAXIN TOROSSIAN by Karnig and Alice Torossian.
*In memory of SOUREN & ELIZABETH SADJIAN by Dave and Terri Mears
*In memory of MARI PANJAZJIAN & MARI AZNAVOURYAN by Armenoui Aznavuryan
*In memory of DIRAMAYR SERPOUHI ARZOUMANIAN by Vartan and Elize Mazmanian
*In memory of DIRAMAYR SERPOUHI ARZOUMANIAN by Hagop Arzoumanian
*In memory of JOHN & ALICE DER PILBOSIAN by Albert and Valerie Der Pilbosian
*In memory of VAHAN & ARAX DAMGHAJIAN, DAMGHAJIAN & PAROONAGIAN FAMILIES by Michael and Lynn Hajatian
*In memory of HAYARPIE GARIBIAN & JEAN QUINN by Dr. and Mrs. Garo & Cecelia Garibian
*In memory of DEBORAH HANAMIRIAN, NEVRIG KASH & KEGHAM KASH by John Kash
*In memory of ADRINA & BERDJ MOVSESIAN by Adrienne Movsesian
*In memory of SARKIS NALBANDIAN by Harout and Sonia Nalbandian
*In memory of HAGOP JACK EKIZIAN by Dr. Stephanie Ekizian and Dr. Steven Balint & Family

THE NICENE CREED/ HAVADAMK – This is the Profession of our Faith which is recited every Sunday moments after the Gospel is read from the altar. Sometimes it is sung, but more often it is recited by the Deacons and/or the Choir. We invite you to affirm your own “Profession of Faith” by reciting along with us. God longs for all of us to express our faith and devotion to Him.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
August

• Aug 13 — Feast of Assumption – Blessing of Grapes

September

• Sept 10 Church School Registration
• Sept 17 Jerusalem: Restoring the Tomb
• Sept 19 The Art of Interfaith Understanding (Art Museum tour)
• Sept 24 A Journey to Historic Armenia (Rev. Flora Keshgegian)
• Oct 1 Instructed Liturgy & Dn. Albert Book Reception
• Oct 15 Inter-communal Program
• Oct 20 Growing Up Armenian in the Diaspora
• Oct 27-29 Harvest Bazaar
• Nov 5 The Divine Liturgy: A Simultaneous Translation
• Nov 12 Godparents Sunday
• Dec 10 Honoring Our Pastor
• Dec 17 Breakfast with Santa
• Dec 31 Pomegranate Sunday

If you know of anyone who is a shut-in, or ill and would like a visit from Der Hayr, please call the office and give their name to Maggie our church secretary.

THE KISS OF PEACE: After the gifts of the Eucharist are brought to the Altar Table, the deacon proclaims, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.” The person giving the greetings says, Kristos ee mech mer Haydnetsav – Christ is revealed amongst us. The recipient would respond, Orhnial eh Haydnootiunun Kristosee – Blessed is the revelation of Christ.

Anyone who wishes to request any Requiem Services MUST inform the office by 1:30pm Wednesday the week before. If you also want to sponsor the Fellowship Hour you MUST call Merle Santerian at 215-947-3777.

Would you like to:

• receive this Bulletin on Friday via email?
• request a Hokehankist, house blessing or hall rental information?
• find in-depth information on our faith, our parish and our activities?
• sign up for an event online?
• If the answer to any of these questions is YES, please visit our parish website at www.holytrinity-pa.org

WE ASK THAT EVERYONE KINDLY TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES and all other such electronic devices prior to entering the sanctuary out of respect for the sanctity of our services.