THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
March 27, 2016

EASTER SUNDAY
Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ 

The Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ or the Easter Feast is one of the five major feasts of the Armenian Church. The main origin of the feast is the following.

The king of Egypt didn’t agree to allow the Hebrews to travel into the desert to offer sacrifices to Lord the God, and the last punishment of God on the king of Egypt that should force the king to let the Hebrews out of the country was the death of every first-born son and every first-born of all cattle in Egypt. In order to save the Hebrews from that punishment the Lord spoke to Moses and by means of Moses ordered the Hebrews to kill a lamb and taking some of the blood and put it on the doorposts and above the doors of the houses. On the night when He would go through the land of Egypt to kill every first-born male, both human and animal, He would see the blood on the doors and would not let the Angel of Death enter the house. He would pass over and wouldn’t harm the Hebrews when punishing the Egyptians. Finally, after that punishment, the king allowed the Hebrews to leave the country, and the Hebrews left Egypt. So, mankind obtained life thanks to the Blood of Christ, the Lamb of God, in order to reach the Christians’ blessed land – the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Mystery of Easter is the mystery of Jesus Christ, His Salutary Holy Blood shed for mankind and His Rising from the dead for mankind. The Son of God should incarnate, be subjected to tortures, be crucified, buried and the third day raise from death (Ps 15:9-11, 29:4, 40:11-13, 117:16-17, Ho 6:2-3).

Following the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ His body was taken off the cross and placed into the tomb and the entrance to the tomb was closed by a large stone and the soldiers were ordered to control the entrance to the tomb. After three days the three women, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Mother of James and Joseph, and the wife of Zebedee brought spices and perfumes to anoint the body of Jesus. They found the stone rolled away from the entrance to the tomb, so they went in but they didn’t the body of the Lord. They stood there puzzled about this, when suddenly two angels dressed in white appeared and said to them, “Why are you looking among the dead for one who is alive? He is not here, ha has been raised” (Lk 24:5-6). The women returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven disciples and the rest. According to Peter more than 500 people saw Christ who had risen from the dead. So, this is the evangelical tiding of the fact of Easter or Holy Resurrection.

Christ died for the salvation of mankind and by His Blood took away the sin in the world, so that we should inherit eternal life.

Fifty-day period beginning from the Easter Feast – the Holy Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ – and lasting till Pentecost in the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church is called Hinounk or Hinants period. That period is dedicated to the mystery of Resurrection of the Lord, and that is why it is Dominical period.

The last ten days of the Hinants period are dedicated to the Ascension of Christ. Hianats period is concluded with the Feast of Ascension. According to the Church laws there are no fasting days during all fifty days of Hinants period, which means that all people can eat everything during that period.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• Acts 1: 15-26 (pages 108-109) New Testament
• Mark 16: 2-8 (page 50) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

Procedure for Confession and Communion – Today please remain in your seats for confession and participate by praying the general form of confession which can be found on pages 48-49 in the Pew Book. (Pages 48-49 in the front of the book will be in Armenian; and Pages 48-49 in the back of the book will have the English and transliteration.) In an effort to maintain the solemnity of the sacrament, we ask you to not enter the center aisle until your row is called by a member of the Parish Council. We believe this will enable all who are partaking of Communion quiet time for continued reflection.

Pray for One Another and especially for Haig Hagopian, Robert Temoyan and Jane Sklencar for a quick recovery. Pray also for the Syrian refugees and for all who are persecuted for their faith and forced from their homes during these trying times.

ALTAR FLOWERS (LILIES), HOLY SATURDAY and CHRIST TOMB FLOWERS are donated by:

• John Arslanian, Sr. in memory of Elizabeth “Bettie” Arslanian
• Armenoui Aznavuryan in memory of Harutyun Aznavuryan
• David and Marta Brann in honor of Rose Minassian
• Florence Boyajian in memory of Vahan Boyajian
• Robert & Lorraine Damerjian in memory of the Damerjian & Hintlian Families
• Larry and Jeanette Der Hagopian in memory of Nicole Der Hagopian
• Larry and Kim Der Hagopian in memory of our Grandparents
• Ani Gooshian in memory of Ronald Nishan Gooshian
• Victoria Gureghian in memory of Gureghian, Injaian, Vosbikian & Bahian Families
• Vartuhi Hacikian in memory of Antranik Hacikian
• Michael and Lynn Hajatian in memory of the Hajatian & Damghajian Families
• Chris and Dianne Hajinian in memory of Raymond & Mary Jane Stankiewicz
• Stephen and Nancy Hovnanian in memory of Jirair & Elizabeth Hovnanian & Diran Shakarjian
• Alice Karabian in memory of Michael & Rose Karabian, Ruth DeStefano
• Ronald A. Kashkashian in memory of Arsen, Katherine, John & Nicholas Kashkashian
• Philip and Marie Kazanjian in memory of Arousiag & Arakel Kazanjian
• Butch Kumkumian and Jane Sklencar in memory of the Kumkumian & Sklencar Families.
• Vaughn Melikyan
• Merle Santerian in memory of Dr. Corinne Santerian and Ned Santerian
• Richard J. Terzian in memory of Yolanda Terzian
• Angel Tookmanian in memory of my parents, Eugenie & Archavir Yeterian
• Kim and Gena Willard in memory of Deran & Ann Chopoorian, Nicole Der Hagopian and in honor of Larry & Jeanette Der Hagopian
• Richard Weinsheimer in memory of Evelyn Weisheimer
• John and Diane Williames in memory of Yevkin Mangasarian, Noubar Mangasarian & Virginia Mangasarian

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: You are invited, long time parishioners, new members, and first time visitors, please join us after Badarak in our lovely hall for Christian fellowship, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, and greet fellow parishioners and Der Hayr. The coffee hour begins when Der Hayr blesses the table. There are containers available to deposit your trash before leaving the hall. We appreciate your patience, cooperation, and support. Thank you.

ANNUAL WOMEN’S GUILD DYED EASTER EGG SALE Held in the church hall after services. Thank you for helping us continue the Holy Trinity Easter Tradition.

YOUGHAKIN DONATION: Traditionally during Easter, gifts of oil, Youghakin donations are made to the Church. The notion is that by offering oil you keep the lamps of the church burning, these would always be resources in order to keep the doors of the church open. Your gift is gratefully appreciated.

Another Milestone Event: Before you know it, the 50th anniversary of the consecration of our church in Cheltenham will be here – on September 18, 2016. Anyone wishing to be a part of the organizing committee should contact the church office as soon as possible. We hope to have various events during the year leading up to “the main attraction” in September.

Spring Bible Study: Holy Trinity parishioners and friends are invited to come together to explore the meaning of discipleship and its connection to life, community and the great unknown. First-timers are welcome—no previous knowledge of Scripture or Bible study experience is needed. Just come with an open mind and an open heart! We’ll be meeting at church from 10:00 to 11:30 on six Thursdays in April and May: April 7, 14, 21 and May 5, 12, 19. To sign up, call 215-722-3369 or email nancybasmajian@verizon.net. Bring a friend.

St. Nersess Seminary has announced its 2016 summer conference schedule for high school and post-high school students. For the first time, the conferences will be held at the new St. Nersess campus in Armonk, NY. Brochures are available in the church lobby or visit the St. Nersess Seminary website @ www.stnersess.edu to learn more.

• Deacons’ Training Program: June 25-July 3 – Directed by Fr. Daniel Findikyan
• High School Summer Conference A: July 15-24 – Directed by Fr. Ghevond Ajamian
• High School Summer Conference B: July 29- August 7 – Directed by Fr. Shnork Souin
• Post-High School Summer Conference: August 9-13 – Directed by Fr. Samuel Rith-Najarian

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.

EASTER SERVICES 2016
March 25 – Great and Holy Friday
– The Entombment of Our Lord Jesus Christ 7:00 PM

March 26 – Great and Holy Saturday/Easter Eve
– Divine Liturgy 7:00 PM
– Home Blessing/Fellowship 8:00 PM

March 27 – Easter Sunday
– Morning Services 10:00 AM
– Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM

CHURCH ETIQUETTE: We wish to remind you, our faithful, to please maintain a quiet and contemplative manner as you approach the chancel for communion. We especially ask that you refrain from conversation while waiting your turn for communion as well as afterwards as you return to your pew. Thank you.

ASA Launches NEW Financial Aid Program The Armenian Sisters Academy is proud to introduce our new BLOCS Financial Aid Program for the 2016-2017 school years. To date, $85,500 has been raised to provide need-based tuition assistance for our students that qualify! To qualify, families with one dependent must have an annual income of less than $91,620. For each additional dependent, the maximum salary threshold increases by $15,270. The application deadline is April 15, 2016. For more information about BLOCS and how to enroll, please contact Legna Santerian, ASA Admissions Director, at 610-687-4100.

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.