THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
June 23, 2019

Feast of the Catholic Church of Holy Etchmiadzin

The Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin

On Sunday, June 23, the Armenian Church will celebrate the Feast of the Catholic Church of Holy Etchmiadzin (canonically known as Don Sourp Etchmiadzini Gatoghiguh Yegeghetzin).

The cathedral of Holy Etchmiadzin was built in A.D. 303, after St. Gregory the Illuminator had a vision in which Christ struck the ground with a golden hammer and instructed Gregory to erect a church on the site.

The feast day commemorates the founding of the Universal Church (the idea that there was one church, founded by Jesus Christ and spread by the Apostles) and St. Gregory’s vision.

On Sunday, all parishes in the Eastern Diocese will conduct the “Special Prayer for the Catholicos and the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin.”

ԷՋՄԻԱԾԻՆ
Etchmiadzin, you are not just a stone building or a place for pilgrims,
you are in each Armenian’s soul, you are our soul, our history of centuries old.
You are the castle, hope of our faith; you are our light and house of worship, and the pulse of our heart.
Without you we are lost, and cut from God.

Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

Hebrews 9: 1-10 (pages 200-201) New Testament
John 10: 22-30 (page 95) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Zechariah 3:7-4:9 (page 923) Old Testament

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

– ALBERT KAPEGHIAN on the 40th Day of His eternal life requested by the Kapeghian Family.

Hokehankist today will be for:

– PETER LAMARRA (5th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested by his mother, Barbara Papazian and Family.

“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). Please pray for Merle Santerian, Steve Hovnanian, Alice Charles, Pearl Jamgochian and Ani Navasartian for improved health and to feel God’s healing presence in their lives. Pray also for Der Hakob and his family and our church family of forty, for their safety and well-being as they embark on a pilgrimage to Armenia, departing on June 24.

ALTAR FLOWERS AND CANDLES are donated today by the Kapeghian Family in loving memory of ALBERT KAPEGHIAN on the 40th Day of His eternal life.

COFFEE HOUR is sponsored today by the Kapeghian Family in loving memory of ALBERT KAPEGHIAN on the 40th Day of His eternal life. All are welcome.

THE SUMMER COFFEE HOUR is upon us and can only happen with faithful support from those who enjoy it, meaning different people volunteering each week to set it up and clean up afterward. Coffee will continue to be provided and bagels will be brought in whenever possible. We will depend on our parishioners to supply the “Pot Luck” refreshments each week. Please give serious consideration to volunteering your manpower which will enable us to continue providing this fellowship time that everyone enjoys so much. Call the church office and let Maggie know the Sunday that you would like to volunteer. It will be greatly appreciated.

NEW COMMUNION PROCEDURE – Before gathering for confession, please allow time for the Choir Members to come down and join us before we begin.

Did you know that when we participate in Soorp Badarak (Divine Liturgy), we are also being invited to a meal (communion) offered by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As such, we should dress in a manner worthy of that invitation. We ask our faithful to dress appropriately for worship. Please, no very short dresses, shorts or bare shoulders. Thank you.

ATTENTION GRADUATES – The August issue of the Looys will feature information about all graduates and we look forward to including all of our graduates at any level. Write-up should include: full name, parents’ names, name of institution, grade level or degree achieved, activity involvement, and future plans (further education/ work). Please include a picture (in high resolution color), if desired. To be included, everything must be sent to looys@holytrinity-pa.org no later than July 21st.

2019 Attendance: Plate/Candle Collection:

May
5 – 80 people $380.00
12 – 66 people $260.00
19 – 84 people $558.00
26 – 64 people $309.00

June
2 – 95 people $385.00
9 – 57 people $221.00

Weekly Expenses: $6,000.00

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

June
Monday June 24th – Pilgrimage to Armenia begins
June 30th – Deacon Service

July
July 7th – Guest Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Norayr Kazazian
July 14th – Guest Celebrant: Rev. Fr. Norayr Kazazian
July 21st – Deacon Service
July 28th – Feast of Transfiguration

August
August 18th – Feast of the Assumption

September
Saturday September 28th – Fall Into Philly Kef @ Holy Trinity

Using the Pew Book: In order to enrich understanding of the Divine Liturgy, we encourage our faithful to follow along in the large two-part Pew Book. Part One includes the classical Armenian used in the Liturgy; the facing page is the translation in modern Western Armenian. Part Two contains the transliteration of the classical Armenian; the right-hand page has the English translation. This Pew Book includes the prayers of the celebrant usually offered inaudibly. The prayers offered aloud are indicated in boldface type.

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.