THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
January 24, 2016

Second Sunday after the Octave of Theophany

Feast of St. Sarkis the Captain, Patron of Love and Youth, his son Martyros and his 14 Soldiers-Companions

Captain St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved saints among the Armenian nation. Together with his 14 soldiers-companions he was martyred for the sake of Christian faith. During the period of reign of the king Kostandianos the Great (285-337) St. Sarkis, being very courageous, was appointed the prince and General in chief of the region of Cappadocia bordering Armenia. When during the period of reign of the king Julianos the Betrayer (360-363) the persecutions against Christians started by God’s will St. Sarkis and his only son – Martyros, came to live in Armenia, and the Armenian king Tiran, grandson of Tiridates, received them very well. From Armenia St. Sarkis and his son went to Persia, and started serving in the army of the Persian king Shapouh as the captain of regiments. Become aware of the fact that Sarkis was Christian the king Shapouh ordered him to worship the fire and offer sacrifice to the heathen gods. But the captain immediately refused to obey the order saying, “We should worship one God – the Holy Trinity, which has created the earth and the heaven. Whereas fire or idols are not gods and the human being may destroy them.” After these words the saint destroyed the temple. The annoyed crowd fell on the saint and his son. First the son of the saint was martyred. The saint was put into prison and remaining unshaken in his faith was beheaded. After the martyrdom of the saint, light appeared over his body. 14 soldiers-companions of the saint also were martyred for the sake of Christian faith. For the Armenian nation St. Sarkis is one of the most beloved. It isn’t casual that St. Mesrop Mashtots brought the relics of the saint to the village Karbi (Ashtarak Region) and the Church of St. Sarkis was built over his relics.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• 2 Timothy 3: 1-12 (page 193) New Testament
• John 6: 22-38 (pages 89-90) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

• VERY REV. GORUN AVAG KAHANA AGHAJANIAN, YERTZOUHI MARAN AGHAJANIAN, SATENIG KAZANJIAN, ARIS & ALICE BALANIAN, BOGHOS & MAYRENI AGHAJANIAN, VARTOUHI AGHAJANIAN, SONA KAZANJIAN, MAKROUHI CHAGHATZBANIAN requested by Asbet and Nayiri Balanian for their parents, grandparents, aunts and grand aunts.

ALTAR FLOWERS AND CANDLES are donated today by Aram Aghazarian and Lucy Aghazarian (nee Mardikian) in loving memory of Lucy’s father, DIRAN MARDIKIAN.

PRAYERS REQUESTED: From the Book of James, we are taught that “the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Therefore, as you pray for your own family, we ask that you keep members of our Holy Trinity family in your prayers as well. Continue to pray specifically for those who are ill. Pray especially for the various ministries within our church and their leaders: our Church School, our faith-based programs, our youth. And mostly pray that Jesus Christ is a Living Presence in each and every person in our church community. You may also advise the church office if you would like to include anyone by name in this column so that we may, as a church family, pray for them.

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: Today’s fellowship hour sponsored by Asbet and Nayiri Balanian in loving memory of VERY REV. GORUN AVAG KAHANA AGHAJANIAN, YERTZOUHI MARAN AGHAJANIAN, SATENIG KAZANJIAN, ARIS & ALICE BALANIAN, BOGHOS & MAYRENI AGHAJANIAN, VARTOUHI AGHAJANIAN, SONA KAZANJIAN, MAKROUHI CHAGHATZBANIAN. All are welcome

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SCHOOL: Celebrates Poon Paragentan on Sunday February 7, 2016 after church services in Santerian Hall. Church School children are free. Adults are $8.00 per person and children (ages 5-12) are $4.00 each. Look for the flyer in the mail and please RSVP by January 31st.

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY: Scheduled for February 21, 2016 with alternate snow dates of February 28 or March 6, 2016.

REMINDER: According to the Diocesan Bylaws, membership dues are to be paid no later than December 31st each year in order to be a member in “good standing” and to be eligible to vote at the annual assembly. Any monies received after that date will be applied to the new year. For any questions regarding your status, please call the church office.

Parish Directory: The Parish Council will publish a new Parish Directory in February. We have completed a draft and would like you to review your information to ensure it is correct and up-to-date. Brian Hoyle will be in the hallway outside Santerian Hall on Sunday, January 10, 17, and 24 with copies of the draft. Please review your data in the draft and make any needed corrections.

SEEKING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER: St. Nersess is seeking a part-time Development Officer to oversee the seminary’s fundraising and alumni/donor relations programs. Reporting to the dean of the seminary, the Development Officer will also work closely with an engaged, supportive Board of Directors and a dynamic school team. For more information contact the seminary at 914-273-0200.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
February

• Sunday February 7th: Poon Paregentan
• Friday February 12th: Lenten Service
• Friday February 19th: Lenten Service
• Sunday February 21st: Annual Parish Assembly (snow dates 2/28 & 3/6)
• Saturday February 27th: Leadership Workshop 9:30 am

The Bookstore: The Bookstore is open every Sunday after Liturgy. Please stop in and browse.

COUNTRY STORE: The Country Store is open every Sunday after church services in the kitchen. All are welcome.

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.

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.

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.