THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
April 16, 2017

EASTER SUNDAY

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

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, he 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.

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.

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

• Doris Alahverde in memory of Armen J. Alahverde Sr.
• John Arslanian, Sr. in memory of Elizabeth Arslanian, Ovsanna & Abraham Arslanian, Mariam & Mardiros Kalemkerian
• Ralph and Nane Arpajian
• Armenoui Aznavuryan in memory of Haruotun Aznavuryan
• Walter Bagian in memory of Sally and John Bagian
• David and Marta Brann in memory of John & Mary Mirakian
• Florence Boyajian in memory of Janice Boyajian Pinkerton
• Ayshe Chakmaklian
• • Dr. Garo and Cecelia Garibian in memory of Karapet & Hayarpie Garibian & Niaz Karibian
• Ani Gooshian in memory of Ronald N. Gooshian and Marie & Bagrad Boursalian
• Vartuhi Hacikian in memory of Antranik Hacikian
• Chris and Dianne Hajinian in memory of Raymond & Mary Jane Stankiewicz
• Elizabeth Hovsepian in memory of Zaven Hovsepian
• Kapeghian Family in memory of Naomi Kapeghian and Kapeghian & Cholakian Families• Alice Karabian in memory of Michael & Rose Karabian
• Robert and Susan Karpinski in memory of Peter A. and Lillian Ambarian
• Marie Kazanjian in memory of Philip Kazanjian
• Virginia Knott in memory of Charles Sisian
• Mr. Hank Mardigian in memory of Jean Mardigian
• Terri and Dave Mears in memory of deceased Sadjian Family members
• Vaughn Melikyan
• Jan Mirijanian, Greg and Pat Egavian & Family (Boston) in memory of Harry Mirijanian
• Mr. and Mrs. Albert Santerian in memory of Santerian & Guveyian Families
• Merle Santerian in memory of Dr. Corinne Santerian, Ned Santerian, John & Rose Serabian
• Mary Sarkisian in memory of Robert “Bobby” Sarkisian
• Alice and Denise Sisian in memory of Charles Sisian, Elmon Berberian & Regina DeMuro
• Angel Tookmanian in memory of the Yeterian & Kouyoumdjian Families
• Kim and Gena Willard in memory of Deran & Ann Chopoorian & Nicole Der Hagopian

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.

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.

EASTER SERVICES 2017
April 16 – Easter Sunday
– Morning Services 10:00 AM – Divine Liturgy 10:30 AM

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.

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.

“SAVE THE TOMB” & “SAVE THE DATE”
On April 30, at the direction of the Diocese, a special collection will be taken to help fund a portion of the restoration of Christ’s Tomb at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. For the Armenians, it has been an honor and a privilege to be recognized as one of the three major custodians of this site as well as many other sites in the Holy Land, dating back to medieval times. With that privilege comes the responsibility to help maintain these sites so that they remain a tangible presence for future generations. We ask for your generosity in helping to provide the funds necessary to fulfill this mission. Checks can be made out to our church, with “Save the Tomb” on the memo line. If you would like to present your check before then, we would be most appreciative. Also, please mark your calendars to save September 17 to enjoy a program which will give an in-depth presentation about the restoration of Christ’s Tomb and the importance of our presence in the Holy Land.

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.