THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
June 5, 2016

Third Sunday After Pentecost

St. Nerses the Great

St. Nersess the Great, Catholicos of All Armenians (353-373) is one of the most prominent Armenian Pontiffs. According to historical sources he is from the family and lineage of St. Gregory the Illuminator, and grandson of the Armenian Patriarch Houssik.

Following the death of Catholicos Paren I (of Ashtishat), Nersess is a chamberlain (chief attendant or steward) for the Armenian King Arshak.  Although a layman at the time, he is found to be the most deserving candidiate for the throne of the Catholicos, and under the compulsion of the King is ordained as a priest, and consecrated as Catholicos. The Armenian Pontiff becomes the first great reformer of the Church and a renowned benefactor of his nation. Upon Nersess’ initiative, a National Ecclesiastical Council is convened in Ashtishat in 354. Upon his initiative, decisions are made which are intended to regulate and bring order to the spiritual-ecclesiastical life, based upon the defined moral principles of the family. Nersess the Great establishes numerous monasteries and schools. He builds hospices, residences and hospitals for the ill, homeless and the poor. The Catholicos was always with his flock. The Armenian people won the battle of Dzirav due to St. Nersess’ unceasing prayers for victory on a nearby mountaintop, as the war was being waged on the field below.

For his devout activity Nersess the Great is also called the “Illuminator of Hearts”.

Bishop Khad was a supporter of Nersess the Great, and was instrumental in the implementation of the Catholicos’ initiatives and undertakings. Historian Pavstos Buzand identifies Bishop Khad as the coadjutor of the Armenian Pontiff, St. Nersess the Great.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• Romans 6: 12-23 (pages 141-142) New Testament
• Matthew 12: 1-8 (page 11) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

Pray for One Another and especially for Mickey Sherian and Anita Mirijanian for their improved health; for the bereaved among us; for the Armenian soldiers fighting the Azerbaijanis to defend the homeland in Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh); for those who have been killed in the conflict, including relatives of our own church members who have volunteered and lost their lives to defend that region; for the Syrian refugees; and for all who are persecuted for their faith and forced from their homes during these trying times.

Save The Date!  The 50th anniversary of the consecration of our Church Building will be celebrated with a banquet on Sunday, September 18.  Please contact Tom Torcomian at (610) 662-7879 if you would like to be a banquet sponsor.

The Ladies of Holy Trinity are sponsoring a trip to the 9/11 Memorial in New York City on Saturday, September 24. This is open to all members of our church family. The price is $110. Details are on the flyer. Please see Liz Barone or Jeanette Der Hagopian for details. Deadline for reservation is July 31.

ATTIC TREASURES: If you’re cleaning out your closets, we would greatly appreciate donations of your CLEAN & UNDAMAGED gently used items to be sold at the Attic Treasures table during the Harvest Bazaar.  No toys, clothing or books (except cookbooks).  Desired items are jewelry, women’s accessories, housewares, small furnishings, and more, more, more. Attic treasures can be left in the 1st room on the right down the Sunday School hall. Call Ayshe Chakmaklian for more info. at 610-828-2411.

DAUGHTERS OF VARTAN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT In honor of Earth Day, we will begin our Battery Recycling Community Service Project.  A box will be placed in the Church lobby so you can deposit your old, used Button cell batteries (used for hearing aids watches, and calculators) as well as household batteries size D, C, AA, AAA and 9 volt.  On the very first Earth Day, 20 million people gathered in the streets of America to protest the industrial revolution.  An environmental movement was born as a result.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)
June

• Sunday June 12th: Church Picnic

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.