THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
February 7, 2021

Fourth Sunday after the Octave of Theophany

 Scripture Notes For Today’s Readings

John 7: 37-52 During the important Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles, Jesus has been teaching the crowds and the Temple authorities. He speaks of the “living water” that will flow from those who believe in him (meaning that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit). People ask one another if he is indeed the Christ.  The Temple guards, transfixed by his words, feel powerless to intervene. Discuss/reflect: Why were the guards unable to stop Jesus from speaking (vv 45-46)? In what ways would the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life be like “flowing water?”

Titus 1:1-11 St. Paul advises his protégé Titus to discourage wrong teachings and to carefully consider the qualities of those appointed elders of the community.  Discuss/reflect: What are the qualities St. Paul considered important to those who lead a Christian community? (vv 6-9) Why do you think these are mostly about ‘being’ rather than ‘doing’? What would you add to the list?

Is 63:18-64:12 Israel continues its frank admission of sinfulness and pleads for God’s merciful intervention. Discuss/reflect: Meditate on 64:8; pray the verse several times slowly. Imagine yourself as soft clay on a potter’s wheel with God’s hands poised to shape you. What do you feel?  Do you trust him to shape you?

REQUIEM SERVICES: Hokehankist today will be for:

ARCHBISHOP PAPKEN VARJABEDIAN, KEGHAM & SONIG VARJABEDIAN, SHAHE VARJABEDIAN, and HAGOP & MIRIAM VARJABEDIAN requested by the Paretchan, Garibian, and Javardian Families.

HAYARPIE & CHARLIE GARIBIAN and NIAZ KARABIAN requested by the Paretchan, Garibian, and Javardian Families.

ANTRANIK & VIRGINIA JAVARDIAN and ANDRE JAVARDIAN requested by Greg & Maria Javardian and Family.

SOOREN & MARY PARETCHAN requested by Robert & Diane Paretchan, Donald & Judy Paretchan, Michael & Tanya Paretchan and Families.

HELEN MIRIJANIAN (1^st Anniversary of Her eternal life) and RAYMOND MIRIJANIAN (27^th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested in loving memory by Laurie & Thomas and Elaine & Eric.

GRACE SURABIAN requested in loving memory by Jan Mirijanian.

OHANNES HASHAS requested in loving memory by the Hashas & Alexanian Families.

“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 Ethel Terzian, Taron Poghosyan, Alice Charles, Theodora Mirakian & Leslie Movsesian.

ALTAR FLOWERS & CANDLES are donated today by the Paretchan, Garibian, and Javardian Families in memory of ARCHBISHOP PAPKEN VARJABEDIAN, KEGHAM & SONIG VARJABEDIAN, SHAHE VARJABEDIAN, HAGOP & MIRIAM VARJABEDIAN,  HAYARPIE & CHARLIE GARIBIAN,  NIAZ KARABIAN, ANTRANIK & VIRGINIA JAVARDIAN, ANDRE JAVARDIAN, SOOREN & MARY PARETCHAN.

Feast Day Notes – February 9 & 11:  St. Ghevont  and St. Vartan

Vartanantz commemorates St. Vartan and the other martyrs who perished in the Battle of Avarayr in 451 A.D. This was the war the Persians waged against the Armenians after attempting in vain to oppress them under Persian rule and religion. The Armenians were hugely outnumbered (60,000 Armenians against 200,000 Persians excluding the armored elephant brigade) in this first recorded battle in defense of Christianity. Under the leadership of their commander-in-chief, Vartan Mamigonian, they fought valiantly. Although the battle was lost, it paved the way for the religious freedom that was conferred not long afterwards through the efforts of Vartan’s nephew,Vahan.

Fr. Ghevont was General Vartan’s advisor, serving as what might be called today the army chaplain. Before the battle, he inspired the army with a deeply moving speech and went among the soldiers and encouraged them, holding the cross of Christ in his hand and distributing Holy Communion. St. Ghevont was later taken to Persia with other clergymen and in response to his fervent evangelizing, martyred along with the other priests. He and those clergy martyred with him are celebrated two days before Vartanantz, on the feast day known as Ghevontyantz.

     Department of Christian Education/Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) elisea@armeniandiocese.org

DIVINE LITURGY IN YOUR HOME
Since we do not stream services at our church every week, we invite you to click on one of the following links to partake of Badarak at any of the following:

https://www.facebook.com/SSSMAAC/live/ (St. Sahag & St. Mesrob Armenian Church)
http://www.stleon.org (St Leon Live Stream)
https://www.facebook.com/stvartancathedral (St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral)
http://www.holy-martyrs.org (Holy Martyrs Live Stream)

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS: In an effort to inform parishioners and guests when a Holy Trinity church service or program needs to be canceled or delayed due to inclement weather or other reasons, we request that you check our website (www.holytrinity-pa.org) or facebook page (www.facebook.com/holytrinitypa) for the most accurate information.

We do plan on live streaming service on Sunday
click here to watch live on Facebook