THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
April 2, 2017

Sunday of the Advent

Feasts of St. Gregory the Illuminator Captivity in Pit

When Khosrov’s son King Trdat came of age, he was summoned to Rome by the Emperor Diocletian to reclaim his father’s throne and become Rome’s ally. Gregory was part of Trdat’s entourage, serving as Trdat’s secretary. In honor of his triumphal return to Armenia’s capital, Vagharshapat, Trdat ordered sacrifices to the pagan goddess Anahit. Gregory refused to take part in the sacrifices. Instead, he confessed his Christian faith and began to preach the wisdom of worshipping the One God. At that time, one of the princes revealed that Gregory was the son of Anak, the assassin who had murdered Trdat’s father. Trdat ordered Gregory to be tortured until he renounced Christianity. Gregory endured twelve terrible tortures, but did not recant his faith. Seeing that Gregory’s faith was not broken, Trdat ordered Gregory to be put to death by casting him into a pit (Arm. Khor Virap), full of human bones and snakes. St. Gregory survived this horrible ordeal for thirteen years, being secretly feed by a pious woman, believed to be King Trdat’s sister, St. Khosrovidukht, or someone sent by her.

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

• Colossians 2: 8-3:17 (pages 182-183) New Testament
• Matthew 22: 34-23:39 (pages 23-24) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)

REQUIEM SERVICES: Karasoonk (40th Day memorial Service) today will be for:

• LUCEEN ATTARIAN on the 40th Day of Her eternal life requested by Lynne Asadourian and Family.

Hokehankist today will be for:

• NAOMI KAPEGHIAN (1st Anniversary of Her eternal life) requested by Albert Kapeghian and Family.
• Victims of April war in Artsakh

ALTAR FLOWERS: are donated today by Albert Kapeghian and Family in loving memory of NAOMI KAPEGHIAN (1st Anniversary of Her eternal life).

ALTAR CANDLES: are donated today by Timothy and Matthew Worrell in loving memory of their great grandmother Naomi Kapeghian.

PRAYERS: “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). We continue to ask for the prayers of our faithful, not only for their own loved ones, but for those among us who need intercession on their behalf. As you offer your prayers “like incense,” please remember John Arslanian, Larry Der Hagopian, Victoria Berberian, Anita Mirijanian, Armenoui Aznavuryan and Doris Alahverde. Pray also for our leaders in all areas, being mindful of the unrest that is in the world, both near and far away. Let peace reign among us.

Today’s Coffee Hour: is sponsored by Albert Kapeghian and Family in memory of NAOMI KAPEGHIAN (1st Anniversary of Her eternal life). All are welcome.

PALM SUNDAY BANQUET: Sunday, April 9, 2017, is ACYOA DAY. Immediately following Church Services, ACYOA is sponsoring a Banquet. Donations: Adults $20.00 – Children ages 7 to 12 yrs. $8.00 – Children 6 and under Free. No tickets will be sold at the door. For reservations, please send in your check by the Deadline: March 26, 2017.

Sunday Morning Educational Series: 10:00-10:30 in Sanctuary

April 2 Dn. Albert Keshgegian
Enter Our Hearts: The Opening of the Doors Service

ATTENTION GRADUATES: On May 21 our church will be conducting a Blessing Service following Badarak for all those who will be graduating from high school, college and advanced degrees in Spring, 2017. A celebratory continental breakfast will follow for all graduates. We invite you (or someone you know) to be a part of this special service recognizing your achievement and ask that you forward your information to Jeanette Der Hagopian at choirboss@hotmail.com as soon as you are able and no later than April 20, so that we can follow up with you.

Focusing on Scripture during Lent: Each of our faithful (young and old) will receive a “40 Days of God’s Word” resource to use during Great Lent (which begins on Monday, February 27). The colorful four-page educational resource provides an inspiring Bible passage for each day of Lent and includes information about Lent and Holy Week in the Armenian Church. We encourage you to read the assigned passage, reflect on its meaning, memorize it and share it with someone during the day. Imagine having the Word of God in your head and in your heart as you go through your daily routine! The resource was produced by the Department of Christian Education of our Diocese. Copies will be available in the narthex and in the Church School office as long as supplies last.

BE AN ANGEL! Help our Church School students raise funds to help Syrian Armenian refugees entering Armenia. During the Sundays of Lent, our students will have “angels” available during Coffee Fellowship. For your kind donation in any amount, you will receive an angel which reads “I gave to help.” Simply sign your name, and we will post them in the Church school hallway with all the other angels. What a beautiful sight it will be as you walk pass our classrooms…and what a worthy cause you will be helping. THANK YOU! (You can also pick up an angel at the Church School office.)

Sponsored by the Philadelphia Knights and Daughters of Vartan CHRISTIAN ART TOUR at the Philadelphia Art Museum Saturday, April 8, 2017 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Tickets $15.00 per person Space is limited. Please email Gabrielle to reserve your ticket at gabriellemeranshian@gmail.com

Armenian Sisters Academy: Will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary on Saturday 4/29/17. Event is at Presidential Caterers. Please RSVP by 4/1/17. Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated on 4/30 at St. Mark’s Armenian Catholic Church with a reception to follow.

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)

March

• Friday March 31st: Lenten Service 7:00 pm & Dinner 7:30 pm

April

• Friday April 7th: Lenten Service 7:00 pm & Dinner 7:30 pm

• Sunday April 9th: Palm Sunday Banquet

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.