THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
November 12, 2017

Ninth Sunday of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Holy Archangels Gabriel & Michael

According to the Angelology of the Armenian Church the angels are unfleshly, spiritual, independent, always moving, asexual, immortal creatures and God’s servants. According to Church Fathers, the angels, as luminous creatures, have been created the first day of Creation, together with the light. By the God’s order they are servants, they have been created to serve the human being. Therefore, they are servants who despite their being dyophysite, participate in the earthly life, act together with the human being living in time and space, they act for the human being. The angels are called the messengers and agents of God, who realize God’s will. According to Dionysius of Areopagus (Areopagite), there are nine orders of angels – Angels, Archangels, Virtues, Powers, Principalities, Dominations, Throne, Cherubim and Seraphim.

Archangel Gabriel, whose name means “God’s man”, is God’s direct servant, who is granted the grace to evangelize the Lord’s mysteries. It was Archangel Gabriel, who was sent by the Lord to bring the good news to the Virgin about the birth of the Savior, and to Zechariah – to bring the good news about the birth of John the Baptist.

Archangel Michael, whose name means “Who is like God?”, is the advocate for the Heavenly King’s glory and His people’s protection, who is granted the virtue to govern and rule. The name of Archangel Michael is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures for four times (The Book of Daniel,10:13, 12:1, The Letter from Jude 1:9, The Revelation to John 11:7).

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

Ephesians 5: 15-33 (page 177) New Testament
Luke 8: 49-57 (page 62) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 24: 1-12 (pages 700- 701) Old Testament

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

– Suren Marukyan and Sofya Hovhannisyan requested by Arthur and Flora Marukyan

“Pray constantly” wrote St. Paul in 1 Thessalonians. Among us, pray for Mickey Paretchan, Pearl Jamgochian, Annabelle Alexanian & Albert Santerian. Pray for the families of the more than two dozen who were killed and many others who were injured during the horrific attack in the holiest of places – a house of worship in a small Texas town. May they feel the strong presence of God at their sides. Please continue your prayers for those affected by nature’s great storms as many remain without homes, comfort or well-being. Pray for leaders all over so that peace in our countries will prevail.

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.

SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EVENT – Reservations are rapidly being filled for the celebration of Der Hakob’s 10th anniversary of Ordination being held on December 10. The deadline of November 20 is fast approaching. Reservations will not be taken after we are filled to capacity. Sponsorships are still available. Don’t miss out on this special celebration. For more information, contact the church office or Jeanette Der Hagopian at choirboss@hotmailmail.com or 215-206-0440

Operation Christmas Child – SHOEBOXES ARE DUE TODAY with much appreciation to everyone who provided joy & hope to a child in a faraway country.

FAR UPDATE: Tigran Galstyan, 8, lives in southern Armenia with his mother Arshaluys and grandmother in Tigran’s uncle’s house who is now in Russia. They barely survive on Arshaluys’s meager salary. Tigran was accepted into FAR’s Children of Armenia Sponsorship Program (CASP) program in 2015. Since then, the family has saved his stipend with the hope of buying their own apartment so that they will have a place to live when Tigran’s uncle returns. CASP stipends often turn out to be a tremendous relief to such families, as they provide supplemental income for things like food, school supplies, or firewood. To read more, go to FAR’s blog: http://farusa.org/2017/10/11/casp-casp-stipend-may-help-one-family-buy-their-own-apartment/ To support programs like CASP, go to https://secure.qgiv.com/for/armenianrelief/

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

November
Nov 17 Shish Kebab Dinner & Hye Hold’em Tournament

December
Dec 3 Stewardship Sunday
Dec 10 Honoring Our Pastor
Dec 17 Lunch with Santa
Dec 31 Pomegranate Sunday

January
Jan 5 Theophany Eve: Divine Liturgy
Jan 6 Feast of Theophany: Divine Liturgy
Jan 7 Blessing of Water Service
Jan 14 Day of Remembrance
Jan 27-28 ACYOA Lock-In

A GENTLE REMINDER – We wish to remind our parishioners that, by order of the Fire Department, no parking is allowed in the Fire Lane, which is the area next to the lawn and the building in the parking lot. In addition, we have noticed cars who have no handicapped placard or identifying license plate parked in the handicapped spaces, especially behind the building, We ask for your courtesy in respecting the rules and leaving the handicapped spaces for those who truly need them.

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.

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.