THE SUNDAY MESSENGER
Sunday, May 23, 2021

Pentecost

Scripture and Feast Day Notes 

From Today’s Readings

Acts 2:1-21 While the disciples are gathered in one place, the Holy Spirit comes to them in a great wind and in tongues of fire which appear above each disciple, empowering them to speak different languages. Addressing the crowd’s rumor that the disciples seem to be drunk, Peter recalls the prophetic words of Joel: the “Holy Spirit would be poured out over the people, gifting them with dreams and visions” and filling the world with a flurry of signs in anticipation of the coming of the Lord.  Discuss/reflect: vv 1-4 is the renowned description of a notable event. Prayerfully imagine you were there with the disciples. Experience a howling wind that filled the house. What did it sound and feel like? What do you make of these tongues of fire? Why fire? How do you picture them coming “to rest” on the disciples?

 John 14:25-31 In preceding verses we read about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in the Upper Room where he predicts Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s heart-breaking denial. Here, he promises the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, whom the Father will send to remind them of all they had learned and continue to teach them. He assures them that he will return, leaving them with a peace that transcends the world’s understanding.   Discuss/reflect: Does your faith in Jesus Christ provide you inner peace, no matter what shape your personal life or the world may be in?  If not, what is keeping you from the peace Jesus promised?

Today is Pentecost (Hokekaloost)

Falling 50 days after Easter, Pentecost celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples, empowering them to go out into the world and share Jesus’ message of salvation. (See Acts 2:1-21 and above for full account.) Armenians are especially grateful for the gift of language received by the disciples Thaddeus and Bartholomew who were then able to journey to Armenia (each at a different time) to convert and baptize many. These First Enlighteners planted the seeds that St. Gregory would cultivate and bring to full bloom a few centuries later when Armenia became the “first Christian nation” under his mentorship. This coming of the Holy Spirit took place at the time of the Feast of Weeks, a harvest feast of pilgrimage, so Jews from everywhere were gathered in Jerusalem to give thanks for the first fruits of nature. Similarly, Christian Pentecost is a festival of thanksgiving for the first fruits of the Holy Spirit. Reflection: The Holy Spirit descended on a group of Jesus’ followers whose hearts were open to His coming.. How ready are you to receiving the Spirit’s guidance and power?

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

“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 & Larry Grocott.

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

LAURA TORCOMIAN on the 40^th Day of Her eternal life requested in loving memory by John, Alexander, and Adam Torcomian.

Hokehankist today will be for:

 HAIG ARAM HAGOPIAN (5^th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested in loving memory for their husband, father & brother by Gay & Marie Hagopian, Tina & Joseph LeRose and Ginger & Karnik Seferian.
GREGORY MISAK SEFERIAN requested in loving memory for their nephew, cousin & son by Gay & Marie Hagopian, Tina & Joseph LeRose and Ginger & Karnik Seferian.
ARAM & SUE HAGOPIAN and JAMES & SUSAN VOSBIKIAN requested in loving memory for their parents and grandparents by Gay & Marie Hagopian, Tina & Joseph LeRose and Ginger & Karnik Seferian.
HAIG HAGOPIAN (5^th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested in loving memory by Michael and Lynn Hajatian.
HAIG HAGOPIAN (5^th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested in loving memory by Michael and Ani Hajatian (Glendale CA.)
HAIG HAGOPIAN (5^th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested in loving memory for their brother by Gary and Sue DerHagopian.
HAIG HAGOPIAN (5^th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested in loving memory by Michael and Erika Torosian.
HAIG HAGOPIAN (5^th Anniversary of His eternal life) requested in loving memory by Harry and Stephanie Vartanian.

A Day of Remembrance: At the conclusion of Badarak today, there will be a short candle-lighting ceremony and hokehankisd to honor the memory of those in our community who passed away in 2020. Through this humble gesture – now in its 7th year – the entire Holy Trinity parish shares in each family’s loss and remembers all the departed with love, gratitude and consoling prayer.

Candles for Remebrance Service: are donated by Robert & Elizabeth Barone and David & Marta Brann in loving memory of Armen Mirakian, Rose Minassian, Edward Tatoian and all our parishioners being remembered.

ALTAR FLOWERS are donated today by Mr. James DerHagopian and Mrs. Aline Markarian in loving memory of their uncle HAIG HAGOPIAN.

ALTAR CANDLES are donated today by Gary and Nina DerHagopian & Ms. Zabelle DerHagopian in loving memory of their uncle & great-uncle HAIG HAGOPIAN.

Please note that all parishioners are required to wear a mask at all times anywhere in the Church building or on the Church grounds. If you need a mask, we will be glad to provide you with one. No exceptions.

COUNTRY STORE IS OPEN AND READY FOR BUSINESS:  We are well stocked in our store and invite you to come in after church most Sundays or place an order for pickup with Lorraine Damerjian @ 215-572-8465. 

Adult Christian Education (ACE) Upcoming Programs

June 24 – Book Club: “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson, Dn. Armen Terjimanian, Facilitator
We invite you to join us by contacting nancybasmajian@verizon.net for further information or to sign up and receive the link for any or all of these programs.

MEMORIAL DAY GRAVE BLESSING – If anyone wishes to offer prayers and have a graveside blessing for their loved ones on Monday, May 31, 2021 (Memorial Day), Der Hayr will be available by appointment. Please contact him for additional details at 917-213-8658 (cell) or in person at church.

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)

ASA OPEN HOUSE: Interested in finding out more about ASA for your child?

We welcome the opportunity to meet with you, answer any questions and guide your family through the admissions process. Though our campus is open, due to safety concerns in light of COVID-19 we are unable to welcome visitors to campus during school hours. We have transitioned our spring open house and tours into virtual zoom/phone meetings as well as after-hours tours. Email Legna Santerian at lsanterian@asaphila.org to schedule a tour – just for your family!

We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to the Armenian Sisters Academy!
Check out our video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wevb1U3tAnI 

Legna