THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
December 8, 2019

Barekendan of the Fast of St. James 

Badarak and Charity

What does it mean to “Depart in peace” (Երթայք խաղաղութեամբ) from Badarak? Well, what is it that we do during the week after we have been filled with the sacred meal of Christ’s Body and Blood? Prior to the parable of the Great Feast, Jesus says, “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.” Jesus connects charity with his banquet. We often forget or ignore the purpose of Badarak, what the Great Banquet nourishes us to do. The presence of God that we experienced and shared, we now share with others. Badarak is not symbolism, it’s not a retelling of history, and it’s not only about the transforming of the bread and wine. It’s the breaking-in of God’s eternal presence through which he changes us into the people he wants us to be, the Body of Christ. If that is true, then we must do what Christ does. When you give a feast, invite the poor, and you will be blessed. And so, Badarak compels us to bring the healing and mercy of Jesus to the world.

Doing charity (voghormootyoon), not just as anyone does it, but in the name of Jesus Christ as the Church(all charity is the mission and work of the Church, whether one realizes it or not) creates a thankful heart and compels us to prayerfully worship and give thanks in Badarak. Conversely, Badarak sustains us in order to be charitable and show compassion to the person in front of us, no matter who it may be, no matter their background or social class. In our own parish, is there a gap between Badarak, the Great Feast, and the life we live, a life of showing mercy? If so, what can we do as individuals and as a community to bridge that gap?

By Dn. Eric Vozzy

TODAY’S BIBLE READINGS:

2Thessalonians 1: 1-12 (page 187) New Testament
Luke 14: 12-24 (pages 70-71) New Testament – (Please follow the Armenian Reading in your Bible)
Isaiah 37: 14-38 (pages 713-714) Old Testament

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

– ALBERT DERPILBOSIAN on the 40th Day of His eternal life requested in loving memory by Mrs. Valerie DerPilbosian and Family. .

– ALYCE JILAJIAN on the 40th Day of Her eternal life requested in loving memory by Brenda and Skye Jilajian.

Hokehankist today will be for:

– AZAD & LUCINE ATTARIAN requested by Lynne Asadourian and Family.

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and
night…”(Nehemiah 1:5-6). Prayers are requested for Zevart Shakarjian, Rose Minassian, Ethel Terzian, Taron Poghosyan, Jan Mirijanian, Merle Santerian, Alice Charles, Armen Mirakian and Pearl Jamgochian. We also give thanks to God for the long-awaited Resolution of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which was unanimously voted on in the United States House of Representatives within the last week. May the souls of all the martyred victims of the Genocide now rest in peace.

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

ALTAR FLOWERS & CANDLES are donated today by Aram Alan & Lori Aghazarian in loving memory of their father ARAM AVEDIS AGHAZARIAN (2nd Anniversary of His eternal life).

FELLOWSHIP HOUR: NO coffee hour today due to Breakfast with Santa.

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.

An Advent Drive: Armenians in Northern Syria are in urgent need of our help–under brutal Turkish assault, they have been driven from their homes. There is dire need for food, clothing and other necessities as they repatriate to Armenia. The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) is asking for our assistance. During the Sundays of Advent, our ACYOA Juniors, partnering with our Adult Christian Education ministry, will be taking donations during Coffee Fellowship. We ask our community to respond by being generous during this most blessed of seasons. Christ is born and revealed. Blessed is the revelation of Christ.

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.

HELP WANTED: Jan Mirijanian is looking for someone who can cook and do light house keeping 3 days a week in the South Jersey area. If interested contact him at 856-848-1504 or cell 856-295-3119.

CHURCH CALENDAR (please mark your calendars)

December
Sunday Dec 8 Breakfast with Santa: Reservations due 12/1
Thursday-Sunday Dec 12-15 Jr. Choir, Sr. Choir and Deacon Workshops with Very Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian
Sunday Dec 29 Pomegranate Sunday

January
Sunday Jan 5 Theophany Eve 3:00PM Liturgy, Christmas Pageant and Fellowship
Monday Jan 6 Feast of Theophany 10:30 AM Liturgy
Sunday Jan 12 Blessing of the Water
Saturday Jan 25 Marriage Evening Retreat: RSVP by 1/20/20

2019 Attendance: Plate/Candle Collection:

November
3 – 82 people $504.00
10 – 94 people $486.00
17 – 82 people $567.00
24 – 90 people $525.00
Weekly Expenses: $6,000.00

NEW IN BOOKSTORE: With pride, we are pleased to announce “Acoustic Armenia,” a CD by a devoted member of the Holy Trinity family, Karinné Andonian. The music of this album is meant to revere the spirit of Armenian music. The Armenian heart has always sung, and here it sings simply and organically, intending to bring a sense of togetherness and home just as it was when it was created generations ago. Available in Bookstore $12.

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 often sung after the Gospel is read from the altar. Occasionally, it will be 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 Jeanette Der Hagopian at 215-672-4188.

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.