THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
February 12, 2017

Sunday of Catechumens

St. Sarkis the Warrior

In the Armenian Church Calendar, the Feast Day of St. Sarkis the Warrior falls on Saturday, February 4. St. Sarkis (Sergius) the Warrior is one of the most beloved saints among the Armenian nation. Together with his 14 soldiers-companions, he was martyred for the sake of his 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.

Later St. Mesrop Mashtots brought the relics of the saint to the village Karbi and the Church of St. Sarkis was built over his relics.
The feast of St. Sarkis the Warrior and his soldiers-companions is celebrated not only by means of church rites and prayer, but also folk traditions.

On the day of the feast young people pray asking the saint to make their prayers audible to God. The day before the feast young people eat salty cookies and relate the appearance of their future bride or bridegroom in their dream to eating of the salty cookie. After eating the salty cookie they eat nothing else and pray waiting for the dream. Seeing future bride or bridegroom in the dream is the result of the wonder worked thanks to sincere faith.

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)

PRAYERS: “Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” (2 Chronicles 6:40) Praying is as vital to a faith community as breathing. It is one of the ways in which we communicate with God. We ask you to pray for those among who are facing medical difficulties: John Arslanian, Larry Der Hagopian, Victoria Berberian and Anita Mirijanian. Please also pray for the unrest that is not only in faraway places but in our own country as well.

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.

Blessing of Marriages: Married couples of all ages are encouraged to participate in a brief blessing service in church this Sunday, February 12. The ceremony is intended to honor the relationship of husband and wife and to rededicate that relationship to God and his sacred purposes. We look forward to seeing our entire church family next week to witness the ceremony. A special coffee fellowship will follow.

ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY: Scheduled for February 19, 2017 with alternate snow dates of March 5 or March 12, 2017.

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.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH SCHOOL: Celebrates Poon Paragentan on Sunday February 26, 2017 after church services in Santerian Hall. Church School children are free. Adults are $10.00 per person and children (ages 5-12) are $5.00 each. Look for the flyer in the mail and please RSVP by February 12th.

News from Armenian Sisters Academy: Event: Vartanantz Feast Day Celebration
Date: Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 7:00 PM Location: Armenian Sisters Academy
Includes performances by the students.

Armenian Sisters Academy
Open House
March 15, 2017 9:00 -11:30 a.m. Join us for a look into the lives of ASA students. The open house will include a tour with our student ambassadors, followed by open discussion with faculty, staff, and parents. RSVP to lsanterian@asaphila.org

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)
February

• Sunday February 12th: Blessing of Marriages
• Sunday February 19th: Annual Parish Assembly (snow dates 3/5 & 3/12)
• Sunday February 26th: Poon Paregentan

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. The Country Store will have one case of vegetarian lamajoun available for the Lenten season on Sunday, Feb. 19. Each package of 10 will cost $17 & will be sold first come, first served. If you want to reserve a package, please see Lorraine Damerjian or Liz Barone.

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.

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• 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.